Basic Elements of a NT Church: Leadership

The church is an assembly of baptized (Acts 2:41), gospel-believing (I Corinthians 15:1-4), and gospel-proclaiming (Matthew 28:18-20) individuals who have formally covenanted together (Acts 2:41, Matthew 18:17, I Corinthians 5:2) under the lordship of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18) and the authority of His Word (II Peter 3:1-2), and who regularly affirm this sacred covenant through mutually edifying love (Ephesians 4:15-16), ordinance administration (I Corinthians 11:23-26), and the pursuit of biblical church restoration (Galatians 5:26-6:2).

What we expect:

We are assembling in this place not as customers or consumers but as an assembly of worshipers — for the express adoration of the Lord (I Peter 2:9) through God-centered, Christ-exalting, and Holy Spirit-controlled worship (I Corinthians 12:4-7). As an assembly, we expect that through the public reading (I Timothy 4:13), praying (I Timothy 2:1-4), preaching (II Timothy 4:1-2), and singing (Ephesians 5:19) of God’s Holy Word, we will worship and that the lost will be found, the stray will be brought back, the injured will be bound up, the weak will be strengthened, and the unjustly treated will find hope in the just God (Ezekiel 34:16).

Opening Exercise:

In the spaces provided, please complete the sentence with a response of what is an expectation of pastors for the church. The first one is filled in for you as an example.

Our pastors should: ___________preach the Bible faithfully___________

Our pastors should: ___________________________________________

What is the goal of this lesson?

To examine what the scripture says about pastoral leadership and encourage scriptural expectations.

Why is this goal needed?

Right expectations lead to right judgments and visa versa. Expectations should be scripturally clear.

How will you accomplish this goal?

By providing a thesis statement [big idea] from Titus and working through it phrase by phrase.

Big Idea:

Pastors are gifts to the church for the blameless oversight and health of the church through sound, gospel-rooted exhortation and rebuke.

Body:

In speaking of pastors, we should not think of paid staff only.

In addition, the scope of this lesson is not inclusive of deacons.

Lastly, Christ has chosen to set pastors as uniquely qualified, called individuals to oversee his church.

Illustration: Timothy Z. Witmer, The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church, pp. 93-99.

The Shepherding Movement - 1960’s - 1970’s; “Unless properly understood in the context of the Scriptures, the authority of church leadership can deteriorate into cult-like control.”

The Emerging Church Movement - Hierarchy seems to be the bad word.

Conclusion: “Authority without compassion leads to harsh authoritarianism. Compassion without authority leads to social chaos.”

(1) Pastors are gifts to the church...

Titus 1:5 “5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:” (see also Ephesians 4:8-11).

(2) ...for the blameless oversight of the church...

Titus 1:7 “7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;” (Acts 20:28).

See end notes.

(3) …and for the health of the church...

Titus 1:9 “9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

(4) …through sound, gospel-rooted...

Titus 2:11 “11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

(4) ...exhortation and rebuke.

Titus 1:13 “13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;” (see also Titus 1:9).

So what?

How should this shape our expectations?

We should cultivate a heart of gratitude for God’s leadership gifts to the church.

We should expect qualified leaders who actively oversee the sheep.

We should expect leaders who strive for health rather than popularity.

We should expect that all leaders preach with Christ as the foundation of every message.

We should expect that leaders will publicly preach and personally rebuke by the Word.

General Notes:

Titus 1:6 Elders

“Above Reproach” vs 6- Blameless

Living Free from Accusation, in a way consistent with the grace conferred upon me by the Gospel

Specified in the following list

Consistent with Grace of Gospel

Heart

To be above reproach+ “Husband of one Wife”

To be a one woman man

Faithful to my wife

“a robust love for wife”

To be above reproach=

“and his children are believers”

“Not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination…”

Vices of World; Drunkenness; sensuality; lusts

Wild; self-indulgent; wasteful; in manner of life.

“Faithfully shepherd the heart of my children”

Repeat [blamelessness]- “For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach”

“Overseer” (bishop)

“Steward” it’s God’s household and I am the steward of it.

“Must not be arrogant” (Self-willed) (Over-bearing) (Verse 7)

Stubborn (Proverbs 21:24)

It is a self-loving spirit; seeking to gratify itself, regardless of others

“Don’t be selfishly stubborn.”

Must not be “quick-tempered” vs. 7

Don’t be readily given to anger

Don’t have a short fuse with people

Must not be a “drunkard” (Verse 7)

Addicted to wine

A misuse of God’s blessings; under- control

Don’t be given to the control of misuse of Alcohol

Must not be “violent” (Verse 7)

Ready to assail an opponent

“bully” physically or psychologically

“Don’t Bully People”

Must not be “Greedy for Gain” (Verse 7)

The Desire to be rich beyond one’s needs.

Including but not limited to dishonest Gain

Must be content and not greedy

Stewarding both my money and the church’s money well

Must be “Hospitable” (Verse 8)

Used in contrast to negative qualities

Thus, not selfishly stubborn, quick Tempered, Drunkard, violent, or greedy, BUT hospitable

AKA “A lover of Hospitality” Disposed to treat guests and strangers with cordiality and generosity.

Must be a “Lover of Good” (Verse 8)

Speaks to the heart and character of this person.

A moral determination based on the character of God

KJV- “Lover of good men” vs. ESV, NIV does not seem to appear in Greek

“Lover of Good”= 1 word in Greek; a lover of virtue

Devoted to what is good; includes things, deeds, and men

Must be “Self-controlled” verse 8 AKA sober prudent

Able to control sensual appetites,

a sense of moderation

Must be “upright”- Just, Righteous, Fair, Equitable

Living in accordance to God’s laws

Righteous living

Must be “Holy” Verse 8 “hosios”

Devout, pious, pleasing to God

Not same as “saint”

Together with “upright”= conduct appropriate towards people and God

Must be “Disciplined” Verse 8

Exercising self-control in all things

Having the inner strength that enables him to control his bodily appetites and passions.

Must “Hold Firm to the trust worthy word as taught” Verse 9

To give instruction- by sound doctrine

To rebuke- refute, convince

“Hold Firm”- cling; hold fast to; be devoted to

Must be Doctrinally Fit

Related Media

Related Sermons