Titus 1:5-9[1]
As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, January 16th, 2010
Here is the situation in Crete: Paul had planted churches, but things were by no means established. Paul had laid a foundation with the preaching of the gospel; now the foundation needed to be sealed and the building completed. Matthew Henry put it this way: "This was the business of evangelists (in which office Titus was), to water where the apostles had planted. "[2] From what we read in the rest of the book, there were Jews there who were interested in turning things away from the cross and back to law and tradition, and others of ungodly character who wanted to wreck the work of Christ. So Paul left the young Titus there, as the representative of the apostle himself, to put things in order. How do things get in order? You appoint godly leadership. Godly leadership comes from godly men. Here they are called elders and overseers – same office, different terms. Elders must have godly character, godly homes, and good gospel knowledge. The church needs gospel-preaching men to get started. The church needs gospel-centered men of character to prevail.
How can the church prevail if men can't preach the gospel accurately and defend it against error?
And how can the gospel thrive if their lives undermine their preaching?
Let's read this text and spend time contemplating God's Qualifications for Elders.
Titus 1:5-9
5 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--
6 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.
7 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,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 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.
Let's pray.
First a few implied things about these elders from this text, and also from 1 Tim 3:1-7, and other texts throughout the New Testament…
They are men. This is so well assumed that, in our culture, it might be missed. Let the record state that it is clear; men are to lead in the church and that because they lead in their homes. This is God's plan, and it will be the plan this church abides by. Paul wrote these words in 1 Tim 2:12-13, before giving the qualification for elders in chapter three. "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve".
They are appointed. Titus was functioning as an apostle's representative, but let's call him, for sake of clarity, an elder himself. Elders, according to what we see in Acts, Timothy, and Titus, appoint elders, and the church confirms that these godly men should lead.
They are leaders. These aren't men who test the wind of the congregation and try to do what they think will succeed; they are men who lead. They do it graciously, humbly, in a godly manner, but with no apologies. They lead. They preach the gospel (feeding the sheep well), shepherd the flock, and they make disciples. They 'oversee', with authority from God. Their authority is gospel-based; it is Bible authority under Christ, the head of the church. These men set doctrine, they teach and preach truth, refute error, oversee the teaching of the church. Leaders don't poll opinions on every thing; they lead. Hebrews 13:17 tells the church to submit to such leaders. "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
These things are implied in this text, and supported in many others. Now let's consider these qualifications by means of what these men are to be and not to be.
Elders are to be:
Above reproach. Both inside and outside of the church, there must be no accusation that sticks to this elder. He is above accusation because he is a trustworthy, godly man.
Be the husband of one wife. This is to be taken with what the rest of the Bible teaches about marriage and divorce, and not further based on some cultural ideas. But no leeway is to be taken here either; this is clearly a man who is faithful to his wife, and has been long enough to be beyond question. This is a moral, faithful man in his marriage and sexuality.
Fathers of submitted, faithful children. This word "Believers" here can be taken to mean faithful (as in trustworthy, dutiful), or as being a believer in Jesus Christ. If taken the first way, and in conjunction with Paul's instructions to Timothy, then children need to be submitted, obedient, and respectful while they are in the pastor's home; he leads an orderly, godly house. If taken the second way, men can only be elders if all of their children are Christians. Since God alone saves through the gospel, and the pastor can't save his children any more than he can his church attenders or even members, I see this as faithful. These children must be respectful, obedient
Able to teach sound doctrine. A pastor must know the gospel and preach the gospel well. All else stands or falls here. To have godly character and be unable to teach the gospel right is of no use to the church in it's protection! Men must be mature and sound in their grasp of the gospel. Church, never compromise here!
Able to refute those who contradict it. Specifically in the context of this book, false teachers were at work – and there is enough warning about them in other books of the New Testament to assure us that they will be at work until Christ returns. These men must have the knowledge and courage to refute lies that creep into churches.
Hospitable. Back to the home. I wonder if this requirement is questioned enough.
Lovers of good. Their lives aren't about only what they don't do or seek, but what they do seek – good, and they love what is good.
Self-controlled. A strong theme throughout this book. In a godless, immoral culture, a man must be able to control his passions and desires. Elders are required to live and walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh.
Upright. Righteous, good and godly.
Holy. This man is set apart to God, seeking the things of God.
Disciplined. A man can't lead or serve effectively if he can't manage himself.
Elders are NOT to be:
Arrogant. There isn't a place for arrogance in the kingdom of God, in the church, or especially in the leadership. Remember the promise that elders will give an account to God? 1 Pet 5:1-4 calls for humble, submitted men as well as godly men.
Quick-tempered. Much damage is done by quick-tempered men, and God wants no such damage done to His sheep.
Violent. No pugilists, no men who stir up fights and need to prove their manhood by beating up other men are needed as elders.
Greedy for gain. Elders will make decisions about money of the church; greed must not enter in here. Let the talk, actions, and the direction of the man clearly show that he serves Christ and the church for God's glory, and not simply for money.
So there is a bit about what elders are to be, and not to be.
How can the church prevail if men can't preach the gospel accurately and defend it against error?
And how can the gospel thrive if their lives undermine their preaching?
Elders must have godly character, godly homes, and good gospel knowledge.
Men, this is attainable for us; it isn't unreasonable. These aren't spiritual giants; they are simply godly men in the church. But Christ calls and uses ordinary men to do extraordinary things for His glory in the church.
Has He called you to serve Him this way?
Has He convicted you, young men, to set these standards as a way to live your Christian life? Let me answer that one – yes, He has.
The church in Crete needed such leaders to build rightly on the gospel foundation Paul had laid. This church, and all of the church, needs godly leaders to build rightly on the gospel foundation the apostles gave us in the Scriptures.
Let's close in prayer to our Lord.
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