Kingdom Leadership

Titus 1:5–9 (ESV)

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Introduction: Paul reminds Titus of the charge he has before him and encourages Titus to live his best before God and God’s people. The passage today allows you and I to identify the qualifications and character that must exist in leaders who serve in the kingdom of God.

We are talking about kingdom leadership. God’s kingdom where we are allowed to serve.

Paul begins by establishing Titus’ role as Pastor with two immediate responsibilities. Look at verse 5 . . .

Titus 1:5 (ESV)

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

The first is to bring order:

- This means that Titus was to correct matters that were defective and needed to be changed. This means that Titus was to do whatever remained to be done, both correcting wrong situations and completing what was still undone

The second is to appoint leaders to serve with him

- that you set in order the things that lack, including, among other things, that you appoint elders. This is the most important of these matters

Define elders - it refers to in this context as men who serve as leaders with the pastor.

But then Paul explains what the leaders including the pastor must look like.

The Leaders Character at Home (v.6)

Titus 1:6 (ESV)

6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

- Must be blameless at home

an example

kind to his wife

The Leaders Character As A Pastor (vv.7-9)

Titus 1:7–9 (ESV)

7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Must be mindful that he is a steward

define steward - He manages his master’s property. It all belongs to God. These are God’s people. This is God’s Church. The pastor serves accountable to God.

Must be mindful of his conduct

not arrogant

not quick tempered

not greedy

He is hospitable

Loves the people he serves

He is holy

He is faithful to God’s Word

he studies God’s Word

he teaches God’s Word

He Corrects Those who contradict God’s Word