Healthy Leadership (Titus 1:1-16)

Pray and open up your Bibles to Titus

Pride Rock

Family movie night. 0 variation.

Currently an old classic… the Lion King. Emotional.

Plot Line---- A healthy, thriving kingdom under the watchful eye of Mufasa voiced by none other than James Earl Jones.

Disintegrates by the deception and depravity of Scar. A wasteland. Unhealthy.

What it needs is Leadership. A challenger. The story of Simba.

Everything Rises and Falls on leadership

We see this play out all the time. a

The order of your home rises and falls on leadership.

Your business.

Restaurants.

Sports clubs. Brady and Tampa Bay

And yes… even the church.

And if we want to be a healthy church… which we do. We must take Titus seriously, because it will show us what to do and who to be and all it starts with leadership.

Now many of you may be thinking: I’m never going to be a leader in the church. And its true, many won’t hold the office of elder. But don’t start watching Tik Tok’s. Stay engaged, because these qualifications for healthy leaders apply to all spiritual believers!

Context

Read Titus 1:1-5a

Titus 1:1 ESV

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,

Titus 1:2–3 ESV

in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

Titus 1:4–5 ESV

To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 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—

A little context about Titus: Everytime we approach a letter we want to know its Author, its Audience, and the situation that prompted its writing!

Author

Written by Paul, if you want to know more about Paul stick around into 2023 and we will cover him in the Book of Acts.

Many argue that this letter was written in the mid 60s B.C. somewhere between 62-64 B.C., in between Paul’s imprisonments.

And you may not remember but the book of Acts actually doesn’t include this time period. It ends with Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome where Paul remained on house arrest for 2 years.

He was ultimately released and what did Paul go about doing upon his release? Traveling and visiting the various churches, teaching and exhorting, and proclaiming Christ because he was a servant and apostle for the sake of God’s elect! People of faith. The household of God, the church.

Audience:

Now most of Paul’s letters are written to churches or to networks of churches. But Titus, along with 1&2 Timothy are written to young protege pastors and labeled “pastoral epistles”.

Titus was a Greek Christian, most likely a convert of Paul because Paul labels him a true child in a common faith. Common because its a faith shared between Jew and Gentile.

We also know he was a trusted co-worker of Paul, and really served as Paul’s strong-right arm.

Different situations require different ways to handle it. Paul left young Timothy in Ephesus, a more mature, and established church. A church that had elders as we see in Acts 20, and Timothy was a great fit for a church that was doing pretty well, but just needed some reminding regarding life. Timothy was a proverbial mother’s boy, who seemed to have lived and been influenced by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois (2 Tim 1:5).

He needed constant encouragement. Affirmation. Oh, Timonthy remember to fan into the flame the great gifts you have. Be a good soldier for Jesus. Guard the good deposit entrusted to you… oh and when your tummy is hurting don’t forget to drink a little wine to settle it.

Not so with Titus… Titus didn’t wear skinny jeans. He didn’t drive a prius, and you probably won’t find him on the eliptical at Anytime. He’s in carhart, a Dodge Ram, and crossfit.

When the elders in Jerusalem were hotly debating rather the gospel was for gentiles as well as Jews, who did Paul take with him to demonstrate the inclusivity of the gospel? Titus (galatians 2:1-5).

When the church in Corinth continued to reject Paul’s apostolic authority and desintigrate into factions and immorality, and Paul sent a severre letter to rebuke them… who did he charge with the delivery of this hate mail… Titus. (2 Corinthians 7&8).

Titus didn’t shy away from conflict. Titut’s ministry was forged in the fires of affliction, and the situation in CRETE demanded a pastor like Titus. Crete needed carhart and crossfit, not lululemon.

Crete (vs. 5)

Map of Crete

Crete is the largest island off the coast of Greece and notorious for its treachery, violence, and sexual corruption. A greek historian, Polybius once wrote, “it is almost impossible to find personal conduct more treacherous or public policy more unjust than in Crete.” (147 B.C.).

But regardless of its treachery, Crete was strategic with his myriad of harbors connecting modern day europe with the middle east, and many believe that house churches had formed there as early as Acts 2 because Cretans were present on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem!

But when we look at Titus we see that the churches were far from healthy! They were unordered, led astray by false doctrine, and their “knowledge of the truth” was not in fact reflecting godliness. Instead, Paul perceived they looked more like the greek god Zeus than Yahweh!

Cretans believed that Crete was the birthplace of Zeus, and the central place of worship for him.

This is BAD! BECAUSE Zeus was immortalized by Cretans due to his unmatched ability to deceive, lie, and seduce women.

HERE’S THE TRUTH: As goes your object of worship, so go you.” Their view of God, molded their behavior so instead of being a healthy church that reflected godliness, they were an unhealthy church that reflected the world around them.

They were liars (1:12)

There men were violent and uncontrolled (2:1).

There women were shirking their God-given responsibilities in order to exploit their societal freedoms.

They were looking more like Zeus than Jesus. The world than a healthy church. Scar, not Mufasa.

CULTURE IS NEVER NEUTRAL. Creatan culture and worldview was luring, enticing, and corrupting the health of their churches.

So Paul sent Titus to Crete, but he also writes for us today. We need Titus in order to be a Healthy Church. In order to withstand the ever increasing corruption of culture, we need to hear and obey this inspired word of God.

But where does one start with such a tall task? Where does he begin, “setting things in order” so the church would be healthy.

He begins with leadership. But let me say… just because not all of you will be leaders in our church, the qualities we are going to unpack are qualities we should all strive to attain becaues they are qualities possessed by mature believers.

Let’s look at Titus 1:5

Titus 1:5 ESV

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—

There are two things I want us to quickly see here:

Elder(s): Plural

1) Elder(s)- plural. The church was never designed to be led by a singular all powerful, dictator but instead by a plurality.

We have to hear this, because the great American way of doing church these last ten or so years is to do church in the ways of the world.

- find a pastor with the right vision and upbeat, contagious, charismatic personality. He or she can lead by a force of will and/or charisma.

We are addicted to celebrity culture, so we take a guy with some charisma, throw him on a platform, utilize the world’s marketing and advertising means to expand his platform, all the while unconcerned for his character! Church, the trendy way isn’t the biblical way.

This isn’t a one man show. It is a plurality. This is the pattern of Paul from the onset of his ministry, and it is what he directs Titus to do!

Acts 14:23 ESV

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Acts 20:17 ESV

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

James 5:14 ESV

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

2) Elders: Local

— elders, or overseers are responsible for the leadership of local congregations under the lordship of Christ. This means that although a plant from CBC Savannah, we are to have are own local elders.

But what do we look for?

Read Titus 1:6

Titus 1:6 ESV

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.

Above Reproach

literally means “nothing against them.” This means that if the community hears you go to church, they won’t be shocked! If they hear you’re a leader in the church, there won’t be any surprises. Blameless! A person of integrity.

Notice this didn’t say: An MBA, great work experience, a savvy business man… it says a man who is blameless.

Why?! Becasuee the witness of the church can be discredited by uncredible leaders!

But how do we discern these leaders? How can we know someone is above reproach?

Look at his home!

Anybody can fake it on Sunday! Dazzling smile, good handshake, able to win other over… but do you know where you can’t fake it?? With your wife. With your kids. They see right through it. They see who you really are!

“the husband of one wife:” literally a one woman man. What does this mean!

This isn’t a case against polygamy. That’s a big duh.

Does this mean single men are disqualifed? Does this mean those who have been divorced can’t serve as elders in the church? What about widowers who have remarried?

There are various beliefs about the meaning of this, but let me speak into this real quick.

I do not believe this necessitates marriage. I believe singles can be elders. Why?

Paul was single, likely Titus was too. The ultimate Head of the church, King Jesus as well.

Paul takes it further in 1 Corinthians 7 saying that in times of ministry hard times its better church leaders are single.

But it would be normative for most in the church to be single, so Paul was writing in the normative context.

What about divorce or death? The Bible doesn’t prohibit divorce, but lays biblical grounds for it. Paul also encourages widows to remarry if they can’t control their passions.

This doesn’t even take into effect the reality of who people are before Christ. Divorce is not the unpardonable sin. If that occurred before Christ, you are cleansed, washed, and redeemed by His blood. You do not stand accused, or condemned.

So then… what does this mean: It simply means this:

Is a man perceived as living in honesty, faithufulness, and devotion to his spouse. Does he have a healthy marriage? Not a marriage void of strife, but a marraige that reflects the love, forgiveness, and grace of Christ. A man who runs from adultery in his life, and in his heart. Who hates pornography and lives blamelessly!

It begins in the home. Church, there are a lot of incredible leaders in the world, who make terrible husbands and fathers. They are unfit for leadership in the house of God.

“children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.”

It moves to your children. Again, not that every elder has to have kids, but it was normative.

NOW… as I weighed the vocational call to serve as an elder and shepherd God’s church… this qualification makes me SHUDDER!

It makes me want to get defensive, and reject it. WHY SHOULD I BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT MY CHILDREN DO OR WHAT OTHERS THINK MY CHILDREN DO?

That’s pretty harsh isn’t it…

Its bc by God’s design Parents, FAthers, are responsible for the proper nurture and upbrining of their children (Ephesians 6:4

Ephesians 6:4 ESV

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Men… this is your responsibility, and remember culture is never neutral. If you don’t disciple your kids, someone will.

And Paul is saying here that a man is not ready for the church’s spiritual welfare if he is unwilling or unable to take responsibility for his own household.

But there are a few caveats here:

Notice it says children. This is not saying we should put a magnifying glass on the beliefs and actions of 1 child, but to look at the overall charcter of the family as a whole.

Secondly, the word believers is faithful. It means we need to look at beliefs and actions OVER TIME.

AKA… patters of disbelief and rebellion should be alarming, but occasional difficulties should be humanized.

Finally… I can’t force any of my kids to believe. But what I am responsible for is planting, and watering… God brings the increase.

So… we discern the right leaders for the church not by looking at their worldly success, but by looking at their homes.

“For, or because… an elder serves as God’s steward.”

A steward manages someone else’s household, and why should we appoint a leader of God’s household who won’t own leading his own.

Secondly, we look at his character

Look at his CHARACTER

Titus 1:7–8 ESV

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, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

NOT’s

arrogant- or self willed. Do they have to always be right? or can they actually consider and submit to others view point. An elder can’t be self willed, but consumed with the will of God.

quick tempered— this doesn’t mean you can’t be passionate about issues, but you mut not be impulsive in your reactions.

Not a drunkard— literally “over-indulgent” Not given to much wine as Timothy reads.

This definitely refers to alcohol. Now bibilically we can’t be dogmatic about abstience, but experience would show that alcohol is addictive and leads to over-indulgence, and a. mature believer would view alcohol through the lens of Romans 14 and 1 Cor 8… thinking about how their use would impact others!

You may be able to have 1 drink. But you may be shepherding someone who can’t… He has to have 10.

Not violent- literally a striker. Definitely physical. Not using sticks and stones to break bones… but also not using words to abuse either.

Not greedy for gain. Someone who is honest in money matters, and content in life.

YES

hospitable— concerned with the welfare of others.

a lover of good- promoting the good of others.

self=controlled- he who controls his spirit is better than he who takes a city. proverbs 16:32. The hardest person to lead is YOU.

upright— living righteously.

holy- devout. Comitted. Set apart.

Disciplined— reference to an athlete. Rigorous and consistent in the practice of biblical habits that gorw in godliness.

AN ELDER OF THE CHURCH MUST BE THESE NOT JUST FOR HIMSELF, BUT BECAUSE HE REPRESENTS THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD. .

So we look for someone who is blameless by looking at their homelife and their character… but we must also look to the final qualification: holding firm to the trugh of Scripture!

#4: Hold to the GOSPEL

Titus 1:9 ESV

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.

Titus 1:10–11 ESV

For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

Titus 1:12–14 ESV

One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

Titus 1:15–16 ESV

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Hold to the Gospel

Elders must hold firm to the trustworthy word. That greek word there means the faithful word its a reference to a SPECIFIC doctrine, namely the Gospel of Grace.

Paul isn’t saying we have to have it all figured out. We’re not referencing pre, post, or a mil. Not predestination or reprobation. YOU MUST HOLD TO THE GOSPEL! The gospel that Paul was entrusted to preach.

The gospel of grace. (Titus 2:11). Namely that you and I were created by God to be in relationship with him, to follow His order, and obey his commands for His glory and our good.

But instead, we have all sinned and fallen short of His glory. And that sin has seperated us from the relationship we were created for. Not just in this life, but in death… eternally. The wages of your sin is death. physical and spiritual.

But… before the ages began. God determined to demonstrate his love for us that while we are still dinners, he sent Christ to die in our place so that the penalty is paid, and relationship restored.

He gave himself up for us… to redeem us and purify us.

Elders must hold firm to The FAITHFUL WORD of God’s grace. His home and character must reflect the power of this gospel, and his lips should ever express the hope of this gospel.

He instructs others. But he must also rebuke those who contradict it.

there are scars in pride rock. They were there in Crete, and there among us today.

These false teachers, these scars, were upsetting whole families by teaching a false gospel. Telling the churches that grace was sufficient, they needed to also devote themselves to “Jewish myths and commands of people.”

You see it was a Gospel and… a Gospel + ____, and this teaching contradicts the gospel of grace.

Your works can never earn God’s favor and acceptance. His Work on the cross did that. We don’t do good works to earn His grace, we do good works because we’ve received His grace.

The reason this gospel is upsetting so many, and requires such staunch rebuttal is because there are only two natural responses to a Gospel of Works.

1) Pride

2) Despair

He humbled Himself by dying a criminals death to free you from pride, and give you hope in Him.

So he concludes with Titus 1:15

Titus 1:15 ESV

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

This is a direct reference to Mark 7:7

Mark 7:7 ESV

in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

Mark 7:15 ESV

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

In essence, if you have believed and held to the Gospel of Grace you are clean! We don’t clean ourselves up from the outside, we let Christ clean us from the inside.

Conclusion:

Everything rises and falls on leadership, and although we are tempted to flock to celebrity pastors, with incredible gifts, big brands, and blinding charisma we must remember that a Church is the Household of God and consequently Christ, the Head of the Church dictates the qualifications for its leaders.

And Christ wants a steward who is above reproach.

He must be blameless because his credibilty reflects upon the church.

We discern that by looking to his home and looking to his character and

He must hold fast to the gospel, instructing and rebuking accordingly.

And even though most of you will not hold the title of elder, these are all qualities we can yearn to grow in as mature believers in Christ.

But with all that being said:

CBC Richmond Hill longs to be a healthy church, and led by healthy leaders. And many of you have come from churches that aren’t structured with a plurality of elders. I grew up in a church that looked more like a democracy where we voted on everything… so I want to draw our attention back to Paul’s command to Titus… to appoint elders.

Elders are not voted on, but appointed. So Jeff Fields, myself, and Coleman all appointed at CBC Savannah have chosen to appoint Mike Collins as an Elder at CBC Richmond Hill.

And even though this isn’t a democracy, we so value the purity and blamelessness of Christ’s reputation and His church, we want to present Mike to this local body of believers and give you the time to consider Mike in light of Titus 1 for the next week.

Before we confirm Mike as an elder we’d like to hear from you. If you have any questions, concerns, or even affirmations for Mike as elder would you let us know by emailing Jeff Fields at [e-mail]

So let me pray for us, and then our band will come back up and lead us in worship through song.