Wanted: Quality Leaders

Pastorals: Message Forty

Titus 1:5-9

ETS: Paul described the kind of leaders needed in Crete.

ESS: We should strive to be the leaders that make a difference for the Kingdom today.

OSS: [MO: Consecrative] {SO: I want the hearers to consider what kind of leader they are.}

PQ: What type of leaders were needed in Crete?

UW: Type

Intro.: Paul provided his reason for leaving Titus behind in Crete in Titus 1:5 “5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.” The reason or purpose was twofold: to set right what was left undone and to appoint elders in every town. There was a need for leaders in Crete. However, not just any leader would be beneficiary to the Kingdom work there. A certain type of leader was needed. Likewise, the world today is in need of a certain type of leader to benefit the Kingdom.

TS: Let us examine together the type of leaders needed in Crete.

The first type of leader needed is the leader of one’s household. (v. 6)

The implication, grammatically, is the connection between an overseer in one’s own household in correlation to how he might oversee (lead) in God’s household.

Thomas Lea explained, “In Greek the root of the term oikonomon (steward) is oikos, meaning “house.” The fact that the elder is referred to as “God’s steward” is noteworthy. The elder is clearly considered to be God’s servant. he is to do God’s work, and he is ultimately accountable to God for his performance. Paul’s concern for the elder’s home life is clear. Just as a father functions as the “overseer” (episkopon) in his own house, so also the elder functions as the “overseer” in God’s house. A man whose home life is blameless will, in probability, be blameless in a leadership role in God’s house.” (Lea, 282-283).

APPLICATION: As believers, we ought to lead well within our homes as well as within our Christian community. The world is in need of this type of leader, today.

The second type of leader needed is the leader of character. (vv. 7-8)

Paul lists six negative characteristics followed by six positive characteristics. Notice, this list is not exactly the same as that of First Timothy. While they have similarities, they also have distinctions. For instance, the list in Titus does not include qualifications for deacons, and it also does not include in the qualifications that an individual must not be a new convert as 1 Timothy 3:6 lists. Scholars explain that this might suggest that the church at Crete was not as established or old as the church in Ephesus.

The six negatives are as follows: blameless (ἀνέγκλητος, not to have blame); not arrogant or overbearing (μὴ αὐθάδη); not hot-tempered (μὴ ὀργίλον); not an excessive drinker (μὴ πάροινον); not a bully or violent (μὴ πλήκτην); not greedy for money (μὴ αἰσχροκερδῆ)

The six positive characteristics are as follows: hospitable (φκιλόξενον); loving what is good (φιλάγαθον); sensible or self-controlled (σώφρονα); righteous or upright (δίκαιον); holy (ὃσιον); and self-controlled (έγκρατῆ)

APPLICATION: As believers, we ought to have certain characteristics which define us and set us apart from the world. Notice, there are specific characteristics that ought not define the believer.

The third type of leader needed is the leader of the Gospel Message. (v 9).

A leader of the Gospel message is one who holds fast to the Message, not compromising it or distorting it, but rather proclaiming it fully.

Note: Contextually, Titus and the apostolic delegates would have likely had the “oral message” with bits and pieces of a written Word (Kostenberger, 315; Guthrie, 207)

The purpose of holding fast to this word is the ability to minister with this word. In an explanatory way, two infinitives describe the ministry of the Word: to encourage sound doctrine; to refute contradictory messages.

APPLICATION: As believers, we must hold fast to the FULL Gospel, not distorting or compromising it in order that we might able to minister with the Word. This is the type of leader needed in the world, today.

CONCLUSION:

Just as Crete was in need of a specific type of leader, so is the world today. Still, there is a need for people to be leaders in their homes, leaders of character, and leaders of the Gospel message. Are you this type of leader?

Richard Baxter wrote, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine,…lest you unsay with your lives what you say with your tongues; and be the greatest hinderers of the success of your own labors” (Reformed Pastor, 63, 67-68). In Short, Baxter warned that we should practice what we preach.