A Noble Taks
Titus
Kurt Jones
July 2, 2006
Introduction
The short list of candidates had been narrowed to one finalist. He was tall and handsome, 43 years old, articulate and experienced. His resume was impressive, his character flawless. Yet, with all that pedigree, the odds of his success were almost nil.
His employer gushed about the "large and high-spirited" staff and how they would "provide any and all resources necessary." They intentionally misrepresented the facts for fear that the candidate would be scared off by the impossibility of the task.
Soon after his humble acceptance, he discovered the ugly truth. The head-count was almost half of what he’d been promised. Furthermore, there wasn’t enough money for salary or supplies to go around. And, to make matters worse, the enlistment period for most was about to expire.
His mammoth task was to, 1.) Motivate thousands of cold, unpaid, overworked, underfed, retiring veterans to re-enlist for more of the same; and, 2.) Defeat the well equipped, expertly trained, opponent. That’s all.
The date was June 15, 1775 when John Adams stood to his feet during the Second Continental Congress and nominated George Washington of Virginia to be Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. It is said that Washington panicked when he heard it. His face turned red and he rushed out of the room. After thanking Congress for the honor, he said, "I this day declare with utmost sincerity that I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with."
Was this a noble task or a fool-hardy venture?
Admit, you thought I was talking about a guy who was becoming the pastor of a church didn’t you??? "1.) Motivate thousands of cold, unpaid, overworked, underfed, retiring veterans to re-enlist for more of the same; and, 2.) Defeat the well equipped, expertly trained, opponent..."
THAT sounds like church work!
Titus 1:5 - For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
1:4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith...
Titus was genuine. His faith was of the same stuff as Paul’s. He was selected for a difficult and delicate mission to the Corinthian Church and the task in Crete was no cake walk.
Paul wanted Titus to "set in order" the problems in the churches in Crete. NOT an easy job!
What were the challenges facing Titus?
10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.
- Rebellious
- Empty talkers
- Deceivers/circumcision
Paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments (v.14)
1 Tim 1:3-5 - As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
There were many Jews in Crete - Acts 2:11 tells us that they were there in Jerusalem at Pentecost. Some may have embraced Christianity.
- Teaching what they should not
- Upsetting entire families - even targeting the family?
For personal gain Application; We all have a world view - belief system, values, and popular philosophy. Each group of people has their own distinct values and failings,
All roads lead to God? To be sincere? Pantheism, Tolerance, Acceptance, "God helps those who help themselves"
Our pluralistic and postmodern society lies exposed to doubt and despair over whether it is possible that a system of truth is at all possible. Mutual distrust, skepticism about religious claims, uncertainty about the future are all true today as they were in the days of Titus.
B. A Decadent Culture
12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13 This testimony is true.
i. Untruthful
Liars - Epimenedes (630-500 BC) was a Cretan poet and reformer. He was considered to be one of the 7 wisest men of the ancient world. He advised the Athenians to build an altar to the "appropriate god" - later Paul would use that altar as the starting point for his proclamation of the LIVING GOD in Acts 17:23
ii. Selfish
Evil beasts = maliciousness, savage and cruel in character
iii. Pleasure-seeking
Idle gluttons = lit. "slow bellies" - uncontrolled appetites
What about OUR culture? Independent, anonymous, consumers....
"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom."
C. Empty Religion
16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.
- Deny God
- Detestable = only here in NT.
- Disobedient
- Worthless = unfit - akokimos - not approved - tried and found wanting
How do you measure spirituality?
- We pursue the appearance even though the reality is lacking.
- Trying to look good
- Shine up the outside - Make up and follow a bunch of rules to make us feel better...
Spirituality is a matter of the extent to which the Holy Spirit is motivating, empowering, and changing our lives in accordance with God’s Word.
Diagnosis -
World View - tolerant, ambivalent,
Decadent Culture - Independent, anonymous, consumers
Empty Religion - appearance with no reality.
A Solution for the Symptoms
11 who must be silenced...
13 For this reason reprove them severely
Silence them - Titus was to take the elders from Cretan church and go.
Reprove severely
How to?
Gently reprove -
1 Tim 2 Tim 2:24-26 - be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
If refuses - Repeatedly - If persists - Sharply rebuke - disciplined by church -
Titus 3:10-11 - Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
C. The Results of the Cure
a. Sound in Faith
13b ...so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth
b. Pure in heart
15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
But in fact, if they were truly pure, they would not need to be so obsessed with such laws. To them everything appears impure and needs legalistic regulation.
In a recent book called "A Generous Orthodoxy", Brian McLaren gives a piercing assessment of evangelicals... He says we have focused on having all the right doctrinal beliefs, but we lead lives that, often, don’t match those beliefs. He thinks that many "doctrinally sound" Christians tend to be arrogant, judgmental, and unloving... George Barna says that 9 out of 10 born-again Christians fail to live differently than the rest of the world.
What we need are people who really put what they believe and what they live together! Sound in faith AND Pure in heart
Easy to get too far one way or the other... we need BOTH.
D. The Qualities of the Cure Givers
While it is true that these passages are addressed directly to the issue of church leadership, the application of these verses impact every single person.
1. Jesus Christ is the head of his church.
Ephesians 5:23, "Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior."
2. There is equality before God as ALL are children and heirs and priests and ministers.
1 Peter 2:9, "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
3. Some, and not all, are called by God to serve as leaders. God calls some members of each congregation to feed and lead the church as servants of Christ and his people.
Hebrews 13:7, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life and imitate their faith."
Hebrews 13:17, "Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account."
EX: Family Bible Church Plant....Here is the church, here are the people, open the doors...
Who are these leaders?
Titus 1:5 - For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
Paul specifically instructed Titus to appoint elders in every city, creating a team of gifted leaders who were to lead the church in Crete. We see the same pattern in every instance where Paul planted churches - Acts 14:23, 15:23, 20:17.
1. Guard and guide
2. Lead and feed
3. Watch and warn
4. Admonish and exhort
5. Labor and give.
Here at Valley we say our job is to give ourselves to the Word of God and prayer. Out of that we provide doctrine, direction, and discipline.
The function of the elders was to feed and lead. The elders are responsible for teaching and governing the congregation. As leaders they give guidance and direction to the church.. As teachers they oversee the life of the church to preserve its Biblical faithfulness.
Titus 1:9 says that the elder "must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it." The elders are the trustees of the truth in the life of the church.
And they are the governing overseers. 1 Timothy 5:17 says, 1 Tim 5:17
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
So it is clear that there is a diversity of function among the elders. All must be able to handle the word of God and be able to recognize false doctrine and correct error; but some "labor especially in preaching and teaching."
What are the qualifications of these leaders?
16 qualities to look for in choosing a leader
v.6
Above reproach - Titus 1:6; 1 Tim 3:2 - No open to accusation of sinful behavior; blameless
(Has a good reputation with outsiders) - 1 Tim 3:7
Husband of one wife- Titus 1:6; 1 Tim 3:2 - lit "a one woman man" with one woman at a time; A man in a faithful relationship with one woman. (The qualities described in 1 Tim 3 are all moral type qualities. Therefore, it seems more likely, in keeping with the context that "husband of one wife" and "having his children in subjection", describe the quality of relationship rather than the fact that an elder must be a husband, and must have children
Having children who believe - Titus 1:6; 1 Tim 3:4 - Believe (pistis) - Children who have a NT faith in Christ. Not Wild (asotia) - Not immoral, not morally unrestrained; indecent. The prominent idea is one of shameless conduct and immoral living. Disobedient (anupotaktos) -rebellious; insubordinate. Essentially, this is a child who will not obey nor be submissive to his or her parents. (1 Tim 1:9; Tit 1:6,10; Heb 2:8)
(1 Tim 3:4 expands this concept by adding Manages his family well)
v.7
Not self willed - Titus 1:7 - One not dominated by self-interest, or inconsiderate of others, who arrogantly asserts his own will (self-willed). 2 Pet 2:10; Pr 21:24)
Not quick-tempered - Titus 1:7 - (orgilos) - Angry; Easily angered; Quick-tempered (Jms 1:19-20)
Not addicted to wine - Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3; (paroinos) - Drunken; Not a drunkard or addicted to wine (alcohol).
Not Pugnacious "Not Violent" (plektes) - A striker or brawler (quarreling and fighting noisily); Doesn’t beat up, fight or quarrel with others. (1 Tim 3:3) Secondary is the effect of drunkenness, that is, abusive brawling - (quarreling and fighting noisily). (1 Tim 3:3; Tit 1:7)
Not pursuing dishonest gain - Titus 1:7 Greedy for selfish/shameful gain (1 Cor 11:6; 14:35; Eph 5:4, 12; 1 Tim 6:5; Tit 1:11)
(Not Lover of Money) 1 Tim 3:3; 5:10; (aphilarguros) - Not greedy; Not a friend of money. This word implies miserly (stingy hoarder of money, restricting generosity to small amounts). The elder should set the standard for generosity and monetary freedom. (Heb 13:5; 1 Pet 5:2; cp Mt6:19-20; 1 Jn 3:16-18)
v. 8
Hospitable - Titus 1:8; 1 Tim 3:2; (philoxenos) - Hospitable; Host; It is the friendliness to guests; The love of and care of guests and strangers. (1 Tim 3:2; Tit 1:8)
Loves what is good - Titus 1:8 - (philagathos) - Lover of good; Good, that which being good in its character or makeup, is beneficial in its effects; that which is morally honourable, pleasing to God, and therefore beneficial (to men). The good could be physical or moral. (Mt 7:17; 19:17; 25:21, 23; Acts 11:24; Rom 5:7; Tit 1:8)
Sensible or Self-controlled - Titus 1:8; 1 Tim 3:2;
Upright - Titus 1:8 - (dikaios) - Just; Righteous man; Righteous, a state of being right, or right conduct, judged whether by divine standards, or according to human standards, of what is right. One who is without prejudice or partiality. Rom 1:17; cf. Rom 2:13; 3:10; 5:7, 19; Gal 3:11; 1 Tim 1:9; Tit 1:8; Heb 10:38
Holy - Titus 1:8 - (hosios) - Signifies character and conduct that is right, holy, as opposed to character and conduct that is unrighteous. (Lk 1:75; Eph 4:24; Tit 1:8)
Disciplined - Titus 1:8 (ekrates) - Exercising self-control; Chaste character, not morally unrestrained behavior. It’s the opposite of Porneia (sexual immorality, 1 Cor 6:18).
Hold firmly to the trustworthy message - (antecho) Titus 1:9 - Signifies to hold firmly to, cleave to. Involves mental conception and steadfast commitment and obedience to faith (1 Tim 1:19; 3:9; 2 Tim 1:13).
Able to teach (didaktikos) - Titus 1:9; 1 Tim 3:2; 5:17;- Skilled in teaching. (1 Tim 3:2; 2 Tim 2:24) so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Temperate - 1 Tim 3:2
Respectable - 1 Tim 3:2
Gentle - 1 Tim 3:3
Not quarrelsome - 1 Tim 3:3
Not a recent convert - 1 Tim 3:6
Tested- 1 Tim 3:10
No one is perfect... God’s grace is operating in the life of each and every elder.
1 Tim 3:1 - It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
George Washington committed himself to a four-point strategy:
1.) To surround himself with young, vibrant officers who could replicate his leadership on multiple battlefields.
2.) To demand military discipline.
3.) To teach his troops about freedom.
4.) To offer himself as an example.
Conclusion
Am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?
Which of these areas do I struggle with the most?
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