Establishing Local Churches on Stable Foundations

Titus, Pt. 3

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

© January 17, 2016

www.pastorkennedy.com

America’s Obsession with Franchises

If you buy a hamburger at McDonald’s in Hong Kong or Moscow, technically, it is supposed to taste like the same hamburger in New York City, or in any of the other more than 35,000 McDonald fast food restaurants in 118 countries and territories around the world – that is the reason for business franchises: duplication of brand name, customer service, and quality of product.  The same need for quality control  is true with non-franchises such as  Wal-Mart, Costco, Home Depot, Hobbie Lobby, and a host of other well-known businesses and major departments stores that consistently serve the public in a similar way in every store…and, because of this, all of those who participate rigorously in quality control in all their restaurants and stores often enjoy a growing profit.  We have come to expect the same quality no matter what store we walk in.  Quality control is absolutely essential to sustain the standard that is expected by their customers.

The Church is no different in its need for consistency in teaching and spiritual depth throughout the Church age.  Although some have corrupted the Church’s Great Commission, the church is not a worldly business and should not be consumed with “quality control” for worldly gain or power, but remain solely focused on the Kingdom of God.  God will judge those who abuse His Name, His Kingdom, or His Bride, for personal greed, gain, or power.

The Mystery of the Everlasting Gospel

Paul preached the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ:  That Jesus Christ had risen from the dead and was victorious over sin and death, and had ascended to God the Father, as One given the authority to Rule and Reign over all things FOREVER.  Those who believe this Gospel and are transformed by the Holy Sprit are spiritually “Born Again”, to be Children of the Most High God, to enjoy His Awesome Presence and, in time, His eternal Kingdom.  There would be a drastically different outcome awaiting those who rejected Christ’s Kingdom and Lordship.

The Apostle Paul was given insight into the mystery of the Gospel (Gal. 1:11-24; Acts 13:46-47; 26:19-23), revealed in Jesus Christ, and wrote letters to the New Testament Churches, which were being established throughout the Middle East, Europe and Asia.  These letters from Paul have been “canonized” into the New Testament, as we know it today.  They have become a foundation for sound spiritual doctrine, which has been taught in Bible believing churches for two thousand years.

Individual gatherings of believers in Jesus Christ are called “Churches”.

Three Supporting Principles Bringing Consistency

There are at least three supporting principles that have brought continued consistency to a vast number of local churches that God has allowed to spring up and multiply over the past two thousand years...to include some 2.13 billion people identified to be associated with the Christian faith, today.

1.    Consistency in Biblical Teaching within the Church (non-Biblical churches have no Biblical consistency)

Biblical teachings are consistent:

·  Redemption and Salvation through Jesus Christ.

·  Transformation and Empowerment through the Holy Spirit.

·  Spiritual Understanding through God’s Word, the Bible.

·  Resurrection and Eternal Life Anticipated as modeled through Christ’s   Resurrection and Ascension.

2.   Consistency in the Unique Attitude of all honorable Church Leadership

Jesus saw leadership in the church as totally different than leadership in the world.

Servant Leadership

Matthew 20:25–28 (Preceded by James and John’s mother’s request)

25  Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The uniqueness of service and ministry in the church is also revealed in the three verses we reviewed last week in our study of Titus 1:1-3.

Why does leadership in the Church exist?

Titus 1

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ

·   Leadership in the Church is not to strengthen the power of the church leader, but to be a blessing for those in the Church…(they may need to give their lives in the process).

“for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness”

·   Leadership in the Church works to establish an eternal goal, never fully accomplished in this world (“not of this world” – John 18:36).  What worldly leader naturally wants to work toward establishing a goal that will never be fully complete in this world?  Biblical leaders serve under the spiritual reality of an eternal focus – heirs together of a heavenly promise, with Abraham and all those of faith that followed him, looking forward to a “city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:8-10).

“2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life”

·   Leadership in the Church establishes and promotes God’s Plan, not their own.

“which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time”

·   Leadership in the Church faithfully handles God’s Truth entrusted to them. (see also 2 Timothy 2:15)

“3 and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior”….

3.   Consistency in Identifying Potential Church Leadership

Church leadership is critically responsible for sustaining the Truth of the Gospel and the growth of the spiritual life of those who fellowship and worship there.

The establishment of sound doctrine and teaching in Churches is the responsibility of those who are leading the Church, so the Apostle Paul, in the task of establishing the Churches on the Isle of Crete, gave Titus guidelines of what qualifications to look for when choosing leaders.

Paul told Titus to look at several areas of a person’s life before choosing them to be a leader in the church.  Few of these qualifications have to do with a person’s education, current occupation, financial status, position, or other attributes the world often mandates for their leaders.

·  What does their family look like?  Who a person is, is often reflected in their wife and children.

·  What does their personal life look like?  The values taught in the Church will reflect the values sustained in one’s personal heart.

·  What does their public life look like?  The way one relates to others in real life would also be values these would relay to those in the Church congregation.

·  What do they believe, what are their leadership abilities like, and how long have they known the Lord?  If they believed differently than what was taught in Scripture, they shouldn’t be given the opportunity to teach their brand of spirituality in a position of church leadership.  If they are a recent convert, or were known to have a questionable reputation in the community, they shouldn’t be chosen.  It was also wise to have a time of evaluation of lesser leadership opportunities, before entrusting more responsible positions to them.

Paul’s objectives for Titus concerning the Churches on Crete

4  To Titus, my true son in our common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

5  The reason I left you in Crete was that you might

·  straighten out what was left unfinished and

·  appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

We do not know what Paul was referring to regarding “straightening out unfinished business”, but the next objective of qualifying and appointing elders and leadership in the churches, has been passed down as healthy standards for choosing church leadership today.

Qualifications Paul gives to Titus for Potential Church Leaders

Definition of Terms:  Pastors and Elders/Overseers; Deacons (Trustees)

[Note:  Some churches identify Deacons as their Elders, and Trustees (or an alternate title) as their Deacons – in some cases to abide by state regulations for structures of recognized organizations in use of the term “trustee” as a more recognizable term; and sometimes, for other reasons.  Biblical terminology does not include the term “trustee”, but would reference the title the same as the qualifications and ministry of a deacon.]

How should the purpose of the Church be reflected in its leadership?

Titus 1:6-9

Accountability at Home

·  6  An elder must be blameless,

·  the husband of but one wife,

·  a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

Personal Accountability

·  7  Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work,

·  he must be blameless—

What he should not be…

·  not overbearing,

·  not quick-tempered,

·  not given to drunkenness,

·  not violent,

·  not pursuing dishonest gain.

Public Accountability

What he should be…

·   8 Rather he must be hospitable,

·  one who loves what is good,

·  who is self-controlled,

·  upright,

·  holy and

·  disciplined.

Theological Accountability and Leadership Expectations

·   9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught,

·  so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and

·  refute those who oppose it.

The Church is not a business with executives overseeing an organization.  It is a Body of Christ where we, by love, serve one another; seeking to encourage each other in the faith, once delivered to the saints.

Leadership in the Church

There are several leadership positions identified in Scripture.  Ephesians 4 identifies some of them: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, with the goal of building up the Body of Christ. The most well known today are pastors and teachers.

Ephesians 4:11–12

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…

Shepherd/Pastor

ποιμήν [poimen /poy·mane/] n m. 18 occurrences; AV translates as “shepherd” 15 times, “Shepherd” twice, and “pastor” once. 1 a herdsman, esp. a shepherd. 1a in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow. 2 metaph. 2a the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church. 2a1 of the overseers of the Christian assemblies. 2a2 of kings and princes. Additional Information: The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were: 1) to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep; 2) to defend the sheep from attackers; 3) to heal the wounded and sick sheep; 4) to find and save lost or trapped sheep; 5) to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.[1]

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers

“Overseers” - Elders (Bishops)

Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-12; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.”  Acts 20:28

ἐπισκοπή [episkope /ep·is·kop·ay/] n f. Four occurrences; AV translates as “visitation” twice, “bishoprick” once, and “office of a bishop” once. 1 investigation, inspection, visitation. 1a that act by which God looks into and searches out the ways, deeds character, of men, in order to adjudge them their lot accordingly, whether joyous or sad. 1b oversight. 1b1 overseership, office, charge, the office of an elder. 1b2 the overseer or presiding officers of a Christian church.[2]

1 Timothy 3:1–7

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer must be

·  above reproach,

·  the husband of but one wife,

·  temperate,

·  self-controlled,

·  respectable,

·  hospitable,

·  able to teach,

·  3 not given to drunkenness,

·  not violent

·  but gentle,

·  not quarrelsome,

·  not a lover of money.

·  4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

·  6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

·  7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

Deacons (and Trustees)

Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:8–13

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons” …( Philippians 1:1)

διάκονος [diakonos /dee·ak·on·os/] n m/f. Probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands, cf 1377) AV translates as “minister” 20 times, “servant” eight times, and “deacon” three times. 1 one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister. 1a the servant of a king. 1b a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use. 1c a waiter, one who serves food and drink. [3]

Acts 6:1–7

The Choosing of the Seven Deacons

1  In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

5  This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7  So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

1 Timothy 3:8–13

8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men

·  worthy of respect,

·  sincere,

·  not indulging in much wine, and

·  not pursuing dishonest gain.

·  9  They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

·  10  They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

·  12  A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

·  13  Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Deacon’s Wives

11  In the same way, their wives are to be

·  women worthy of respect,

·  not malicious talkers but

·  temperate and

·  trustworthy in everything.

(See also the passage below Godly qualities of older women in the Church.)

Titus 2:3–5

3  Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Problems in the Community

Paul prepared Titus to finish what needed to be accomplished and choose leadership in the churches because there were problems in the communities on Crete.

Titus 1:10-16

10  For there are many

·   rebellious people,

·   mere talkers and

·   deceivers,

·   especially those of the circumcision group.

·  11  They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true.

·  Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth.

·  15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

·  16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Conclusion

How does God expect those in this world, who know Him and love Him, to sustain the continuity of the truth of His Word and the accomplishment of His Will, for hundreds, or thousands of years?

1. 1.Through the Consistency in Biblical Teaching within the Church.
   
   

2. 2.Through Consistency in the Unique Attitude of all honorable Church Leadership.
   
   

3. 3.Through Consistency in Identifying and Choosing Scripturally Qualified Church Leadership.
   
   

[1] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.