Sermon Tone Analysis

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)

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)

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.

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

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)

see now also

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

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)

Elders authority was in local congregations (Act20:28)

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)

Watching/looking out for trouble (Act20:29-31) Be sure to depend on God and His word (Act20:32)

They are to be “teachers” and “rulers” of the flock (1Tim3:2, 4-5, 5:17; Tit1:9)

Able to teach others

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

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

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)