Instruction about Elders
Instructions/Standards for the church - Book of Titus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 42:32
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With purpose
With purpose
Why do we do things? Hopefully we do them with purpose not just to do them. Paul was intentional and purposeful in his letters and with our letter before us today we see the purpose named.
When you think of purpose what do you think of? Do you have purpose? Do you live intentionally?
Titus was sent to Crete with purpose (1:5)
5 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,
What is the purpose found in (v.5)?
To set in order what remains.
Elders is the first thing noted but there are other things too, will get to that throughout the book.
Today we are going to be focusing on the first thing to set in order, appoint elders, aka: Presbuteros in the Greek.
STRONGS NT 4245: πρεσβύτερος
We will get more into this today as we continue our study.
Scripture definitions (Mt26:57; Tit1:5; 1Tim3:1)
57 Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.
It was older men, and not just a Christian thing, for the Jews had elders, men left in responsibility of leading. Again, we will get more into this as we go today.
So, today we want to ask ourselves from the scripture what services do elders render in the church and what are the qualifications. We will need to look at both Titus and Timothy to get full picture so there will be some comparisons today. But first we need to look at our passage in context.
5 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, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
7 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, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,
9 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 did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?
Here is the plan for this morning.
The office of the elder
The qualifications of the elder
The office of the elder
The office of the elder
As mentioned moments ago for us to gain a good understanding we will draw from Titus and from Timothy this morning. But still yet, as a study we will draw other places along the way too.
Elders and the organization in the church
Elders were also known as Bishops (episkopos) Aka: overseers (Act20:17; 1Pt5:1-2)
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.
see now also
1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
Elders were also known as Pastors (Poimen) which also means Shepherd. (Act20:17, 28, 1Pt5:1-2)
We have already looked at two of those scriptures but let me bring in the other one
28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary; Elder, Bishop, Pastor, are not three distinct offices, but different ways to describe the men and their work.
Scripture shows a plurality of elders (Php1:1)
1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
Elders authority was in local congregations (Act20:28)
28 “Now it’s up to you. Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for.
They were to shepherd the flock “among them” as noted in 1Pt5:2
“2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;”
You do not find the the N.T. that elders of one congregation having authority or oversight over other congregations.
Elders and the service in the church
In service taking heed to themselves (Act20:28)
Taking heed of the flock of God among them (Act20:28; 1Pt5:2)
Leading by example (1Pt5:3)
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
Watching/looking out for trouble (Act20:29-31) Be sure to depend on God and His word (Act20:32)
29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
They are to be “teachers” and “rulers” of the flock (1Tim3:2, 4-5, 5:17; Tit1:9)
Able to teach others
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
Able to rule others (guide) well
They hold fast to the teaching they were taught
Able to use God’s word to exhort and to convict
9 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.
The work is a good work (1Tim3:1), an honorable work, a work of overseeing the flock the Holy Spirit has made you overseer of (Act20:28). The qualifications for these men are found in 1Tim3 and in Tit1, our passage today, so we will do some parallel looking now.
Qualifications of Elders
Qualifications of Elders
The general, the familial, the negative and the positive qualifications for an elder are found in Tit1:5-9 and 1Tim3:1-6 so we will draw some information and comparisons from them to help draw a picture, or be reminded of the qualifications.
The General qualifications
There are some “must be”
A man (Tit3:6-7; 1Tim3:1-2; 1Tim2:11-12)
Have someone turn to 1tim2:11-12 “11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.”
Must be blameless (Tit3:6-7; 1Tim3:1-2; 1Tim5:19-20)
One in whom no evil charge can be sustained
Free from accusations consider 1Tim5:19-20 “19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.”
Must be a steward of God (Tit1:7; 1Cor4:1-2)
Have everyone turn to 1Cor4:1-2 “1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”
OK you have looked, what does a steward of God need to be? (Trustworthy)
Familial Qualifications (Tit1:6; 1Tim3:1, 4-5)
The husband of one wife
Having faithful children
Rule own household well
Specific negative qualifications
Not self-willed (Tit1:7)
In other words do not be prideful or arrogant
Not quick tempered (Tit1:7)
One who soon to anger, but is long-suffering
Not given to much wine (Tit1:7; 1Tim3:3)
Not violent (Tit1:7; 1Tim3:3)
Not a striker or someone who is pugnacious (one who is eager, quick to argue, quarrel or to fight)
Not greedy for money (Tit1:7; 1Tim3:3)
Some say not fond of sordid gain
Not quarrelsome (1Tim3:3)
Someone who is not contentious
Not covetous (1Tim3:3)
Not a lover of money or possessions
Not a novice (1Tim3:6)
Not a new believer, a new convert
Specific positive qualifications
Hospitable; given to hospitality (Tit1:8; 1Tim3:)
Lover of what is good (Tit1:8)
This is one who is lover of good men and of goodness itself.
Sober-minded (Tit1:8; 1Tim3:2)
Who who is prudent, sensible, of right mind
Just (Tit1:8)
This is up who is upright
Holy (Tit1:8)
One who is devout
Self-controlled (Tit1:8)
One who is temperate (showing moderation or self-restraint).
Holding fast the faithful word (Tit1:9)
One who has heard the truth, believed the true and walks in the truth.
Able to teach (Tit1:9; 1Tim3:2)
This is one who is apt to teach, exhort and convict through the teaching of God’s Word.
Temperate (1Tim3:2)
This is one who is vigilant in some versions
Good behavior (1Tim3:2)
This is one who is orderly, who is respectful and respectable
Gentle (1Tim3:3)
Also know as patient, compassionate and understanding
Good testimony (1Tim3:7)
Someone who is well-thought of both in the fellowship and outside of the fellowship
A few more thoughts, comments on eldership.
The qualifications are daunting, but they tell a lot about the person and the office.
For the person is a leader, a teacher, an example
One who will have patience tested often (when there is murmuring, complaining, gossiping within the body of believers
Will face many volatile situations, uncomfortable situations just as the apostles did.
1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
It can be a temptation to ego and pocketbook, to those who get a pharasetical outlook one like Judas.
6 “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues,
The flock, the church, is to be well fed and well led so the qualifications of an elder, both the negative and the positive are vital for church health.
For those considered, qualified for the work know this
1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
It is a good work
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
It is a joyful work! One version says awesome work
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
It is a rewarding work! the unfading crown of glory
And it is
5 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,
A much needed work
May the Lord prepare us one day to again have elders, shepherds of the flock.