Setting the Order

Setting the Order Pastor Tyson Bloor Timothy - Titus / Order; Leadership; Qualifier; Faithful; An Elder; Overseer / Titus 1:5-9 Paul's purpose and directions for Titus about setting order. Titus 1:5-9 NASB95 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. We have studied Paul's introduction and it has been shown that there is a major problem within the Christian community. They are very lax in their morality and Christian living. We are going to see that Paul is going to repeat much of what was stated in the letter to Timothy about eldership, but the focus here will be more on the Christian walk of the person and family together than just on the individual. This will be a time for us to see not only what is to be expected in the leadership of the church, but also how it applies to our lives as well. The Reason Titus 1:5-6 NASB95 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. Paul turns his attention to the concerns of Crete, Titus is called to set in order what was unfinished. Looking to the contents of the letter, one can see that the churches needed to be organized, false teaching had to be refuted, and proper instruction on doctrine and conduct for the Christian family. What is crucial is that Titus heeds what Paul has instructed him to do, it was given to him orally but now it is in writing so that they churches can see that Titus has been given the authority to do the tasks he is working on. The next item that Paul want Titus to work on is getting elders in place for the churches, Paul is very specific who would qualify as an elder and considering the lax morality that is a major concern we can see why Paul would stress the specifics of Christian living as a baseline for any leader to even be considered. • Above reproach - • ἀνέγκλητος (anegklētos), ον (on): adj.; ≡ Str 410; TDNT 1.356-LN 33.433 blameless, free from accusation (1Co 1:8; Col 1:22; 1Ti 3:10; Tit 1:6) • Husband of one wife • The husband of one living woman • Children who believe • If the children are of age they should not be pagans • Children of age must demonstrate Christian living • If the father could not lead a Christian house how could he lead a Christian church? We must notice the three qualifiers before the consideration of even being an elder. To be blameless in the eyes of the church and the word, to only have 1 wife, to have a Christian household. These are at the very core of Christian living, all Christians should be living a life above reproach, our word should be our bond, our actions a reflection of Christ, our deeds in line with holy living. The next is the Christian household, it refers to marriage. The pattern that God established is one man, one woman. Sin has entered into the world and divorce, polygamy, having lovers, and many other social/cultural norms have entered into the sacred place of marriage. Paul's focus is the pattern that God established and that is the line in which he follows. The Bible only gives one exception for divorce that is for infidelity, and that is the last resort. Marriage is also allowed and accepted if the other spouse had died, Paul even encourages young widows to remarry and to have a family. 1 Timothy 5:14 The final focus is on the children of the family, should the children be of age they should have professed a conversion to Christ. This is not to force children into a false conversion, so dad looks good. This is to see that Christ is the focus at home, that Godly living is common and not just at church thing. That the children see the father and mother living a Christian life, having the personal devotion time, having the prayer life, mentoring the children in how to do the same and showing them what Christian living is all about. The point here is, if you cannot demonstrate a Christian life at home to your family, how will you be able to do that for the church family? Deuteronomy 32:46 NASB95 he said to them, "Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. Psalm 78:4 NASB95 We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. Isaiah 59:21 NASB95 "As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring," says the LORD, "from now and forever." The Qualifiers Titus 1:7-9 NASB95 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word, which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. What an overseer or elder must not be; • Selfish • Quick tempered • A drunk • a bully or violent man • Not greedy What an overseer or elder must be; • Above reproach • Hospitable - literally a lover of strangers, ready to befriend fellow believers • One who loves what is good - people, deeds, or things ( a zealous supporter of what is good) • Sober minded • Righteous • Holy • Self-controlled • Doctrinally sound and fit As it can been seen much of this is the same instruction that we saw in 1 Timothy 3, however what we do not see is the qualifications for deacons. It could be that the churches were not established enough to have deacons, or they were just struggling to get overseers/elders. The main thrust of what Paul is stating is the qualification of the elder, his focus is on the positive qualities that must be present for him to do the task that will be before him. Paul stresses the importance of being doctrinally sound and fit, because he will be going up against those who refute sound doctrine and his ability to stay faithful to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles. Closing: What can be learned from this passage is that Christian living is vitality important, but so is being doctrinally sound so that you will not be led astray by false teachings. Ask yourself; • Am I a Christian? • Do I reflect Christ and Christian living at home? • Does my family see me as an example of bible devotions and prayer? • Am I considered above reproach in the church and community? • Am I selfish? • Do I lack self-control? • Am I addicted to substances? • Am I a bully or violent? • Am I greedy? It is between you and God what those answers are, just as it is between you and God what is the condition of your walk with Christ. You cannot not live a life blessed by God when you are polluted by the world. I am not advocating prosperity gospel, I am speaking of God's blessings on your life because of your obedience and worshiping Him Leviticus 26:3-5 NASB95 'If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. 'Indeed, your threshing will last for you until grape gathering, and grape gathering will last until sowing time. You will thus eat your food to the full and live securely in your land. John 9:31 NASB95 "We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. If there is sin in your life, it is preventing you from living a true Christian life and being in God's provisional blessing. Today is the day you can confess your sins to God and be restored into His way of life. 1 John 1:9 NASB95 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Benediction: 1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB95 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.