1 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:10,000 I have a feeling that, you know, some of you are long time 2 00:00:10,120 --> 00:00:13,960 churchgoers and some are visiting and. 3 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:15,560 I say that because. I've met so many. 4 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:18,720 People over the last week or so that have just. 5 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:21,280 Come up to me and said, hey, I I got to get my life. 6 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:22,280 Right, I got to come. To church. 7 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:23,360 You're going to see me on Sunday. 8 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:25,920 So if that's you, we're we're glad that you're here. 9 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:29,360 And I have to say, I really do believe we are. 10 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:30,680 In. A. 11 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:35,560 Cultural Moment in time Cultural moments are are times where 12 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:38,160 you're living in a period of time. 13 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:41,480 That will be looked back. On and. 14 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:45,360 People will see how you. Responded to the times that you 15 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:47,560 were living in and that's. Just that's just. 16 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:49,840 True of our time. We're going to look back at this 17 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:51,600 time and say what? How did? 18 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:53,240 How did it? All unfold what's which. 19 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:56,680 Direction did your life go? In this time and. 20 00:00:56,880 --> 00:00:59,400 I have to say it's a. Very interesting time. 21 00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:01,360 To be a pastor. To just be. 22 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:05,760 Talking to people about the questions of life right now and 23 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:11,360 I'm just going to share with you some of the the common themes of 24 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:13,520 the people I'm talking to right now. 25 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:15,400 Maybe you can relate. I have talked to some very 26 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:17,760 heavy. Hearted people over the last 27 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:20,960 week or two, people that are just sad for the state. 28 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:26,480 Of our country for the violence on display, the celebration of 29 00:01:26,960 --> 00:01:31,560 of murder, angry and on either way in whatever direction you 30 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:35,400 land and all of that. I've met people who are just 31 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:38,120 feeling anxious. They're just think about. 32 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,360 The how fast the. News seems to be coming at us 33 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:46,120 and I've talked to parents who. Are like our school's. 34 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:50,160 Unsafe. I've talked to just people 35 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:52,920 thinking about the future and young adults thinking about a 36 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:53,720 life. To. 37 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:57,000 You know, to plan for and they're like the, the economy's 38 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:03,320 unstable and the, the world is just uncertain seemingly and 39 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:05,960 through the the anxious and the worried I've talked to. 40 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:07,880 People who just feel very. Confused right now? 41 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:09,280 Maybe you? Can relate to that, What do I 42 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:13,960 do? When my worldview or my my the 43 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,640 the foundation of my life just gets rattled and shook. 44 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:18,920 It it. It's in some ways good. 45 00:02:18,920 --> 00:02:23,240 Because it causes you to search. And I have met many people and 46 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:25,440 maybe I'm talking to some of you now, people. 47 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:27,320 That are just. Searching for the answers of 48 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:31,400 life right now. And whatever the category is. 49 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:33,480 I'm going to. Actually start before we. 50 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:36,000 Get into our normal series in Titus. 51 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:37,720 I'm going to start by referencing a verse. 52 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:40,320 We looked at. For just a moment last. 53 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:45,360 Week as Jesus in his life. And time of earthly ministry was 54 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:48,560 surveying the state of his country Israel. 55 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:53,480 Notice how he described the times that he was living in. 56 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:57,880 It says in Matthew Chapter 9 in verse. 35 as Jesus. 57 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:00,160 Was going around and preaching and teaching and healing people 58 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:03,760 and and and getting a survey of the land the the condition. 59 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:08,320 Of his day. Says when he saw the multitudes, 60 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:12,720 he was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and 61 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:17,920 scattered like sheep, having no shepherd. 62 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:22,040 And I find that to be such a helpful reference point for our 63 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:24,960 time because in all of the conditions that I just read and 64 00:03:24,960 --> 00:03:26,520 I know you relate to some of them. 65 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:30,200 If if I could look out. In our country, in our world 66 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:34,360 right now, I would say one of the the symptoms of the root. 67 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:36,800 Cause is that people are feeling. 68 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:40,280 Wearied. They're feeling burdened by life 69 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:43,400 and the times that we live in, and people more and more are 70 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:47,880 becoming scattered, no longer feeling united in a common 71 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:52,160 direction as a country. And for that there is. 72 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:54,880 An answer. This is This is. 73 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,760 Actually incredible time. Jesus looks out with compassion 74 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,560 and says. Pray to the Lord of Harvest that 75 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:02,360 laborers would. Go in that there's where. 76 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:06,240 Jesus sees scattered sheep. He sees an opportunity. 77 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:09,720 To help people. And I I think this should be our 78 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:13,280 response in such a time as. This we see. 79 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:18,040 Scattered, we read burdened people looking for guidance in 80 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:24,160 life and what God wants to offer these times is compassion to 81 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:27,360 bring people close to the. Heart of a Shepherd. 82 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:31,160 So the solution is. Raise up shepherds. 83 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:34,920 Raise up people. Who will offer guidance towards? 84 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:37,360 What? The actual answers are and and I 85 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:38,600 start. All of that because that's. 86 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:42,560 Exactly where we find ourselves in the word this morning. 87 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:44,280 So we. Started a series. 88 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:46,800 In the book of. Titus if you're if you got a 89 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:49,160 Bible, Titus is a very. Hard book to find, so I'll tell 90 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:50,040 you it's right. After. 91 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,960 Second Timothy, First Timothy, Second Timothy Titus is only a 92 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:56,360 couple chapters in my Bible. You can. 93 00:04:56,680 --> 00:05:00,000 You can fit it on a page and last week we introduced. 94 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,760 This book with the desire for these. 95 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:05,520 Times to have. Grace to be godly people. 96 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:08,480 In such a time as this, and now we're going to look at the 97 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:12,080 second theme for that, which is the solution for the times we 98 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:13,880 live in. How do we? 99 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:16,640 Become not only godly. People, but also people. 100 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:20,560 That could offer guidance to lost and confused and weary. 101 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:24,120 People so today. We're going to look. 102 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:26,760 At a passage of scripture where Paul offers. 103 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:32,360 This man Titus, a solution to what was lacking in his ministry 104 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:36,200 that will be a solution to what we need for such a time as this. 105 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:41,680 So read with me starting in Titus chapter one verse 5. 106 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:45,360 For this reason, I left you in. Crete that you should. 107 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:47,600 Set in order the things that are lacking. 108 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:50,160 And here's the key. How do you set things in order? 109 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:54,640 Where there's lack, he says. Appointing elders in every city, 110 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:58,680 as I command you, as I give. You this list of qualifications 111 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:00,760 raise up. Leaders where there's 112 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:04,040 disorganization. Elders is just a word for 113 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,240 oversight or shepherd or leader. And there's going to be. 114 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:11,560 Specific qualities that we see. For people to begin leading. 115 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,760 The church that had lack. And before. 116 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:16,720 We look at those. Qualities I'll just point out, I 117 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:19,520 almost wanted to name the whole sermon series set in order 118 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:22,400 because Paul writes to Timothy and says, listen, in Crete, you 119 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:25,160 got some things to set in order in this in the church world 120 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:27,240 you're living in. Paul could have wrote that to 121 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:30,000 every church that he wrote. Which made-up the bulk of the 122 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:31,600 New Testament. Letters to churches. 123 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:35,920 Here's some things you got to set into order, and it's true of 124 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:38,560 every church since if you walk into the doors. 125 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:39,600 Of a church, you're going to find a. 126 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:43,160 Church that's doing the basics to honor God through the singing 127 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:44,600 of his praise in the ring of the word and there's. 128 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:46,560 All sorts of stuff that. Still need to get set in order 129 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:49,560 organized. Corrected built up true of this. 130 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:52,000 Church if you're visiting, if we've at all impressed. 131 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,480 You with the. Word or with singing, just know 132 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:56,080 that we got all sorts of things we're going to set. 133 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:58,520 It's never done until we get to heaven. 134 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:02,000 The church is a project. Of correcting and building up 135 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:03,520 and setting things in order and one of the. 136 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:07,240 Best ways you can do that is with. 137 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:11,800 Strong oversight and leaders is by raising up people who don't 138 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:13,360 just sit and listen the word and relax. 139 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:15,320 That's great. I might take the advice, I might 140 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:18,680 not, but people who are actually transformed by the word to be 141 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:22,920 influential in their sphere. Where things lack in your life, 142 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:25,960 do you know, there's things that lack in your family right now. 143 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:28,840 There's things that lack in your child's development. 144 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:31,040 There's things that lack in your relationship with your neighbors 145 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:33,960 and coworkers. And when we go through this, I'm 146 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:35,320 going to answer the question out front. 147 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,080 Is this just for elders and pastors? 148 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:40,080 Well. This is a non negotiable for 149 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:41,880 elders, pastors and leaders of this church. 150 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:43,840 This isn't according to the. Calvary Policy. 151 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:47,600 This is according to the word. But if we expect some sort of 152 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:49,760 revival? In the day and age we live in 153 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:52,560 for scattered and weary. People to. 154 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:55,240 Happen just by inviting your friend to church and listen to 155 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:56,880 what a. Pastor says about the Bible. 156 00:07:57,680 --> 00:07:59,480 We're we're completely missing the. 157 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:01,080 Harvest. There are. 158 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:03,920 So many people who have yet to walk into a church and say, OK 159 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:06,080 pastor, sign me up and tell me what to do. 160 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:08,720 You know where they are. They're at your workspace. 161 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:10,840 They're in your neighborhoods. They're. 162 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:14,000 At drop off at school. They're friends that also are 163 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:17,800 scattered and weary, and it's going to start with godly people 164 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:20,920 offering guidance. To other people. 165 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:24,560 So as you think about what we're going to cover today, I want you 166 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:26,440 to take notes for two people. One. 167 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:31,000 For the leaders of church. Or any ministry you're part of. 168 00:08:31,240 --> 00:08:33,640 Don't follow unqualified shepherds. 169 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:35,400 Save yourself heartbreak in church. 170 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:37,760 And then take notes for yourself. 171 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:42,039 There's nothing that we're going to go over as godliness and 172 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:45,000 attributes and characteristics to be aimed for and strong 173 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:47,640 leadership that isn't beneficial for your life. 174 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,760 In fact, as I was studying this, I thought I got to train my kids 175 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:52,720 how to be pastors now. Because. 176 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:55,800 Everything on this list will prepare them for the world 177 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:58,040 they're going to inherit to make them good. 178 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,000 Quality. Trustworthy. 179 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:03,160 People and I want that for every single one of you so that when 180 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:04,080 we. Leave this place. 181 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:05,240 Church doesn't. Stop. 182 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:09,440 Amen. And so now Paul says as I 183 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:12,960 commanded you, so he's going to say, listen, you don't just hand 184 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:14,840 out leadership influence to anybody. 185 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:18,400 There's actually the leaders that represent. 186 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:22,320 God's love. And God's heart and God's truth 187 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:25,480 and guidance forward. They have to be qualified 188 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:28,520 according to these three categories. 189 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:31,440 These three categories. Make up the bulk of your life in 190 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:33,960 Christ as well. So just know them and then we'll 191 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:35,680 go through them. It is the category of. 192 00:09:35,680 --> 00:09:38,960 Family. The category of your character. 193 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:44,040 And the category of truth or doctrine or what is the 194 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:47,440 foundation by which you have your North Star for life? 195 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:51,440 That's doctrine and truth. So we start by the category of 196 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,400 how these leaders have to shepherd. 197 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:59,120 In the family it says in Titus chapter one verse 6, if a man is 198 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:03,040 blameless, the husband of one wife having faithful children, 199 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:06,520 not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 200 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:08,760 So a couple words that we don't necessarily. 201 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:10,000 Always use. We'll come back to that. 202 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:14,000 Here's the two categories for. The foundation of good and 203 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:18,200 healthy. Leadership by way of family is 2 204 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:20,040 categories. Your relationship with your. 205 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:22,120 Spouse. Husband to wife. 206 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:24,200 And your relationship with your kids. 207 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:27,280 It's got to start there if. That's not strong. 208 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:31,040 The guidance and the wisdom and the advice and the hope that you 209 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:34,440 can offer someone else will crumble at your actual witness. 210 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:36,560 We we want. The. 211 00:10:36,560 --> 00:10:38,680 People who know us. Best. 212 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:44,360 To trust us most, Not the people who know our Sunday best, the 213 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:47,600 people who know us best. It is much easier to be a 214 00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:49,080 Christian in this setting right now. 215 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:52,440 It's very easy to to. Come and say, OK, this all 216 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:55,880 sounds great, but the people who know you best are to measure 217 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,520 whether or not you are in fact. A good. 218 00:10:58,520 --> 00:11:00,400 Shepherd. And so now we. 219 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:04,040 We we look specifically at the shepherds of church elders, 220 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:07,360 pastors, oversights of home. Churches, or what we call 221 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:12,120 Calvary communities, it says if a man is blameless and so let's. 222 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:15,960 Lest we disqualify every. Person right now let me just say 223 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:19,120 what this is saying. Blameless is not saying perfect. 224 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:22,880 There is one perfect person ever, and that is Jesus. 225 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:26,720 He who knew no sin became sin on the cross. 226 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:28,760 So that we could. Walk in his righteousness, 227 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:34,320 blameless in other translations. Better put, says above reproach. 228 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:37,640 Reproach is accusation. So this is a man who when you go 229 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:39,880 through the. List of qualities and characters 230 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:43,040 of what is. A solid person to follow and 231 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:45,600 receive guidance from. This is a person who wouldn't be 232 00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:50,880 disqualified by any major air. Or lifestyle choice that you've 233 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:52,800 made. That would go against this list. 234 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:56,280 It's you're above. Accusation. 235 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:58,560 It's not. That you're without accusation. 236 00:11:58,560 --> 00:12:00,840 People are going to accuse. You of all sorts of stuff 237 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:03,080 throughout. Time in leadership and in the 238 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:04,880 church. And recently people will say I 239 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:05,920 don't. Know if I like this leader? 240 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:09,040 The point is, when they point out something about you, they're 241 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:11,640 not actually opening up a a hidden. 242 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:13,800 Door where all. Of the skeletons in the closets. 243 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,960 Will be released. These are people whose lifestyle 244 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:19,320 matches. The things that we're going to 245 00:12:19,320 --> 00:12:23,960 read on this list and, and the first thing is man of one wife. 246 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:30,960 It's a person that is committed to one person, man committed to 247 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:34,480 woman. Now, we can always contextualize 248 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:37,680 the New Testament because it was written in the 1st century and 249 00:12:37,680 --> 00:12:40,360 there's no. Doubt that the apostle Paul. 250 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:42,840 Was writing to someone who was dealing. 251 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:46,320 With a culture that. Was much more accustomed to 252 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:49,640 polygamy and having more than one relationship with a woman 253 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:51,880 than than we are, at least at the moment. 254 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:55,240 But the main point is not just don't be polygamous. 255 00:12:55,240 --> 00:13:00,640 It is be a faithful. Man, in other words, when you 256 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,600 make a promise, one of the ways we will measure. 257 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:05,400 Where there you keep your word is. 258 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:08,160 How we will measure the biggest promise you have made to another 259 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:11,680 human being in your life, which is the promise you made to your 260 00:13:11,680 --> 00:13:15,800 wife. Faithful husbands are promise 261 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:19,920 keepers, as the measurement goes in that relationship. 262 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:26,240 Faithfulness is not just a resume point on your on a on a a 263 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:28,920 view of your marriage. It's a character trait. 264 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:31,480 From the abundance of your. Heart you stay. 265 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:34,960 Committed to one woman and as we. 266 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:39,440 Speak as people who are. Living in a culture that needs 267 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:43,120 North stars and guidance, can we not? 268 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:46,320 Just review the wreckage. Of people who have not gotten a 269 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:49,280 committed relationship right, This is one of the most 270 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:53,160 destructive things that can happen to your heart and your 271 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,560 soul. And if you're part of a family 272 00:13:55,560 --> 00:13:58,680 to your family is when the covenant between man and woman 273 00:13:58,680 --> 00:14:00,600 is broken. So the shepherds of God. 274 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:03,080 Keep that covenant. As a way to say. 275 00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:06,920 We won't be a destructive person in other areas as well. 276 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:09,640 I'll say one more thing on the topic. 277 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:12,120 Men. You should also be the kind of 278 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:15,080 guy that one woman is. Happy to be with. 279 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:20,760 In other words, some people roll through different relationships 280 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:24,240 because they're miserable to be around and they're horrible 281 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:27,560 leaders and women don't want to. Be with them so. 282 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:31,640 Be a man that a woman would be honored to be in a covenant 283 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:33,920 relationship with. And while we're on the topic, 284 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:36,840 I'll speak to the women one of the. 285 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:38,840 Reasons our culture is scattered. 286 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:43,680 And wearied and burdened by just breathing the. 287 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:48,960 Air of our world. Is in the culture of dating. 288 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:53,160 There are, there is a. Generation of young people who 289 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:55,480 have been. Sold a lie that. 290 00:14:55,480 --> 00:15:00,920 One women men are actually for some later time in life like 291 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:05,240 have fun, explore, go find out, you know, milk. 292 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:07,920 The cow before you buy it, that is. 293 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:11,040 Horrible advice and we're now living on the other. 294 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:14,360 Side of all. Sorts of returns on that 295 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:17,400 investment and it's heartbreaking to see. 296 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:20,000 People who have bought. That lie and they're shattered 297 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,560 because they did not look for the. 298 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:25,560 Virtue. Of a man who wanted to commit 299 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:28,960 solely and dependently on one other woman. 300 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:33,120 So may we be people who? Restore that virtue, so virtue 301 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:35,680 so that weary. People can see a little light in 302 00:15:35,680 --> 00:15:38,320 the darkness and if you're single, we are praying for you 303 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:43,320 We you you are swimming in a in a very difficult culture right 304 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:46,720 now and if you're married, add some single people to your. 305 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:50,840 Prayer life we would love. To see some counterculture 306 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:55,520 marriages raise up in this time and and and now the household is 307 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:57,840 measured not just by. The racial relationship. 308 00:15:57,840 --> 00:15:59,880 Between man and woman, but also. How? 309 00:15:59,960 --> 00:16:01,560 What are your kids doing in the household? 310 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:06,720 What do your kids say about the leadership that you're? 311 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:10,000 Offering at its most critical, impactful level. 312 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:17,120 And that's why, it says having faithful children not accused of 313 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:21,680 dissipation or insubordination. So we don't. 314 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:22,720 Really. If. 315 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:24,440 Someone accused my kids of dissipation. 316 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:25,680 I'd be like. Is that good or bad? 317 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:32,800 I don't know so NIV says wild and disobedient reputation. 318 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:34,840 So if my. Kids were accused of that. 319 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:38,280 I would say you're right and I'm working on it, which is another 320 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:42,440 way to remind us all that when it says that the the children 321 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:43,880 should not be. Accused. 322 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:45,200 It's the. Same. 323 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:47,480 It's the same principle here. We're not looking. 324 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:50,480 For a, a, a. Bunch of men and women, husbands 325 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:52,000 and wives. That have their household. 326 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:54,200 So in order. That their kids are just. 327 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:56,840 Perfect in all of the. Ways you'll ever look. 328 00:16:57,320 --> 00:16:59,960 From the outside in that that would again disqualify by I 329 00:16:59,960 --> 00:17:02,520 think every parent in here, including me. 330 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:06,000 As of 24 hours ago, my kids came to the hip hop concert and they 331 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,200 left feeling like Tupac. I think you know, So I'm like, 332 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:10,400 listen, you got to humble yourself and listen to the 333 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:11,440 message. Of the rapper. 334 00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:15,040 The the question isn't whether our kids are perfect. 335 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:18,119 In fact, I'm going to, I'm going to slow down here because I 336 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:21,960 think sometimes that burden gets put on kids within the church 337 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:24,119 setting and that's. Why we have? 338 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:26,480 Bad returns on what's called pastor kids. 339 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:27,839 They're like, I didn't want to be perfect. 340 00:17:27,839 --> 00:17:30,080 I didn't like the pressure. And it's not just Pastor. 341 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,160 Kids, it's every. Kid in kids ministry right now 342 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:36,400 if we expect them to be perfect little citizens and and models. 343 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:37,960 Of the fruit of your discipleship. 344 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:40,400 Then they're going to get an undue pressure put on them. 345 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:43,840 So it's not that they'll never. Be wild or rebellious, Of course 346 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:46,120 they will be. How do you shepherd through it? 347 00:17:47,360 --> 00:17:49,080 How can you be someone who is known? 348 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:53,600 By your By your ability. To actively shepherd and 349 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:54,600 disciple. Your. 350 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:56,880 Children in the way. They should go. 351 00:17:57,080 --> 00:17:59,400 When they're not going. The right way. 352 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:01,640 And so may we. Also be. 353 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:04,960 Examples of this to a worn out culture. 354 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:06,600 I've heard so many people say I don't know if I want to bring 355 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:09,400 children into this world. Life is hard enough. 356 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:11,600 I don't. I don't have a vision for what 357 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:13,960 it would look like based off my. Childhood or what I see. 358 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:16,680 Around me, it seems like kids are just on their screens and 359 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:18,200 their little hellions wherever you take them. 360 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:21,280 And I'll just pass and. If that's all people are. 361 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:24,760 Seeing from the their view of parent to children, they should 362 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:27,880 pass. But let there be. 363 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:31,480 Lights in that dark, let there be children who honor and 364 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:33,520 respect their parents and parents. 365 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:36,400 Who care? For their children as their 366 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:42,120 primary fruit of ministry. So I'll speak to pastors, 367 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:47,840 elders, leaders, Bible study. Junkies, anyone who's ever 368 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:51,040 witnessed if you have any badge of ministry. 369 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:53,560 At all. And your kids need attention. 370 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:58,200 Put ministry on hold. If you are doing anything to 371 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:01,440 serve people outside of your family and your marriage needs 372 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:04,040 attention, focus on your marriage it. 373 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:07,040 Starts by the people. Who know you best? 374 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:10,560 So may we not be raising up a wave? 375 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:13,440 Of shepherds who look really. Good on paper, but their kids 376 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:14,880 know they're actually hypocrites. 377 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:19,000 So shepherd the family. And then it says Titus chapter 378 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:23,720 one verse 7, for a Bishop must be blameless. 379 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:26,760 As a steward of. God not self self willed, not 380 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:30,040 quick tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy 381 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:32,680 for money. So this is the beginning of now. 382 00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:34,760 Your character's actually. Going to be called out. 383 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:38,760 It's not enough that you have, you know, a ton of leadership, 384 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:42,360 energy and experience in the corporate world and you really 385 00:19:42,360 --> 00:19:44,200 want to do great things. What do you? 386 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:47,760 Actually, like in the abundance of your heart that we can see in 387 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:48,480 your. Behavior. 388 00:19:48,640 --> 00:19:51,120 This is shepherd of character and it says. 389 00:19:51,360 --> 00:19:53,640 A Bishop must be. Again, this is. 390 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:56,800 These are you, the elder, Bishop, pastor, these are all. 391 00:19:56,800 --> 00:20:00,000 Used synonymously for someone who's overseeing. 392 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:03,000 A group of people that they're responsible for. 393 00:20:03,120 --> 00:20:05,720 Washing the feet of and caring for their hearts and their 394 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:09,280 lives, says Bishop, shouldn't be blameless. 395 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:12,640 This is a header to say. Everything else on this list may 396 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:16,880 your life line up with. These characteristics. 397 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:18,720 So that no one could. Accuse you of. 398 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:23,640 Clearly being in violation of one of them, and I'm going to 399 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:29,160 keep saying this, people are hungry for. 400 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:33,800 Leadership that does. Not lead them astray. 401 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:36,800 Look at all of the. List and it's just don't do 402 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:38,240 this, don't do this, don't do this. 403 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:40,360 It's not that we live in a time where. 404 00:20:40,360 --> 00:20:44,480 There is a lack of voices. Inviting you to be led by them. 405 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:48,160 There may be more leaders. Or. 406 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:51,280 Quote UN Quote influencers or life. 407 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:53,760 Coaches or people who will offer you advice. 408 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:55,720 Than there ever have been before. 409 00:20:57,280 --> 00:20:59,560 We're not just looking for someone that you can follow the. 410 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:02,120 Lord wants to raise up people who have his heart. 411 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:03,840 So when you follow them, you're getting. 412 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:07,520 Closer to God. And so may we listen to this 413 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:10,680 once again, look at all of the things that Paul is going to 414 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:12,080 warn. Titus now, if they have. 415 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:15,040 These things, they're disqualified, not self willed. 416 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:21,040 This is a way of saying these are not arrogant people with 417 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:24,920 giant egos that use the phrase my way. 418 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:28,560 Or the highway. There's a lot of. 419 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:32,280 Leadership that you can get. People to follow just by. 420 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:35,280 Saying get with me or you're out and there's a lot. 421 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:38,160 Of great cult leaders who will tell you how to do it their way. 422 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:39,640 Or the highway. We're not looking for that. 423 00:21:41,280 --> 00:21:42,800 And I also speak to parents once again. 424 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:45,880 Your kids aren't helped by. Arrogant and self willed 425 00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:50,040 parents. Either our kids are little. 426 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:54,600 Disciples in the home, teach them, admonish them, build them 427 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:58,000 up, correct them, rebuke them, exhort them, but don't be 428 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:01,200 arrogant that you know they live under your roof and they've 429 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:03,040 never paid your rent so they have to do what they say. 430 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:05,600 I've removed that from my vocabulary. 431 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,200 I no longer say that and you shouldn't either. 432 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,960 And it goes down the list. Similar attribute, not quick 433 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:16,760 tempered. So there is a temptation as a 434 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:19,600 leader. To just say it how you see it. 435 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:22,120 And when someone does something you don't like, you just say, 436 00:22:22,120 --> 00:22:23,680 well, I'm the leader, get behind me because. 437 00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:27,880 I get to call the shots. And we live in a. 438 00:22:27,880 --> 00:22:32,080 Culture of hot heads. Turn on any TV and you see two 439 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:36,200 people arguing back and forth, firing each other up and firing 440 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:37,080 up their. Base to. 441 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:38,480 Be a bunch of hot tempered people. 442 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:42,240 And so this is my leadership memory verse. 443 00:22:42,240 --> 00:22:44,360 This has saved me, I think, from a lot of leadership. 444 00:22:44,360 --> 00:22:47,000 Pitfalls. So I'll read it to you if you 445 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,640 are a leader. At all interested in offering 446 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:52,760 any kind of guidance to people who are looking for the answers 447 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:56,880 right now memorize James chapter one verse 19 with me so then my 448 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:58,320 beloved brother and I can say my. 449 00:22:58,320 --> 00:23:04,160 Beloved fellow leaders, let. Every man be swift to hear and. 450 00:23:04,160 --> 00:23:08,560 Slow to speak, slow to wrath. There it is. 451 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:11,960 Be someone that people can talk to and you'll listen. 452 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:14,600 You don't interrupt and you're slow to get angry. 453 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:18,800 And here's just a practical not to do while you're a leader. 454 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:23,840 Don't be given too much wine. There's all sorts. 455 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:25,320 Of ways you can just disqualified. 456 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:28,480 Not even by, you know, coming and saying, hey, we, we've, 457 00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:30,960 we've noticed that your, your wine consumption is a little 458 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:31,840 high. You're doing great in every 459 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:32,880 other area. There's some. 460 00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:34,400 Things that will disqualify you very. 461 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:38,320 Plainly because you're no longer available being a drunkard or 462 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:40,600 someone that's given to substance or someone that 463 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:43,480 medicates and self medicates through things that are not just 464 00:23:43,560 --> 00:23:46,200 spending time with the Lord and being encouraged by the brethren 465 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:48,680 will. Disqualify you practically. 466 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:52,800 So Paul says in Ephesians, don't be drunk off wine, be 467 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:54,440 influenced. By the power of the Holy Spirit. 468 00:23:55,040 --> 00:23:56,960 We want to be. People who are built. 469 00:23:56,960 --> 00:23:59,920 Up and have great ideas, but let that come from the spirit and 470 00:23:59,920 --> 00:24:04,400 not substance. And then it says not violent, 471 00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:08,080 King James Version says not a striker, you know, not a hitter. 472 00:24:09,160 --> 00:24:13,200 I just it starts at the at the at the level of children. 473 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:16,440 If if you hit. You can't be the line leader, 474 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:17,560 OK? I mean any. 475 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:20,480 Preschool teacher will tell you that that just disqualifies you 476 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:21,680 puts. You in time out puts you at the 477 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:23,840 end of the line and that just does not go. 478 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:26,760 Away as we get. Older in life, people that are 479 00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:28,880 aggressive and violent are not going to. 480 00:24:28,880 --> 00:24:32,240 Lead very well. But more than hitting, I don't 481 00:24:32,240 --> 00:24:34,560 think any of you are going to accuse me of being violent. 482 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:38,040 Look at me, you know I, you know, I'm not a violent man. 483 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:42,200 But this is getting at the the heart of a leader too. 484 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:45,360 Not a bully. Doesn't give threats and 485 00:24:45,360 --> 00:24:48,840 ultimatums and pushes people around with his position. 486 00:24:49,640 --> 00:24:51,880 No loud voice, no intimidation. We. 487 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:54,160 We are. We are leaders who allow 488 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:57,280 ultimately Jesus to lead by. The power of the Holy Spirit in 489 00:24:57,280 --> 00:25:00,600 His Word, and we're we're under. Shepherds to Jesus. 490 00:25:01,480 --> 00:25:03,320 And another not, not greedy for money. 491 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:07,960 I mean, how many people in our culture even coming to church 492 00:25:07,960 --> 00:25:09,680 and this is you right now. Let me just let me just say 493 00:25:09,680 --> 00:25:10,960 thank you for making it this far. 494 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:13,040 You come to church and think, when are they going to do the 495 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:15,120 money talk? You know, when are they going to 496 00:25:15,120 --> 00:25:16,920 actually? Say OK with your small. 497 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:18,800 Donation, we can build the next great thing. 498 00:25:19,120 --> 00:25:21,840 And the Lord just told me we have to take a second offering 499 00:25:22,040 --> 00:25:24,920 and some of you need to meet me in the lobby for VIP access to 500 00:25:24,920 --> 00:25:27,200 influential leadership. And you're like, oh, I just, I 501 00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:28,760 come to church and I just grit my teeth. 502 00:25:29,040 --> 00:25:33,400 That that this is awkward and people don't want leaders who 503 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:35,240 are actually just after their billfold. 504 00:25:35,680 --> 00:25:37,760 And it's not a 21st century problem. 505 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:41,320 It's all over the New Testament that godliness as a means of 506 00:25:41,320 --> 00:25:45,600 great game game is to be dispelled as anything that any. 507 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:50,480 Leader should ever be after. And so I hope that, you know, we 508 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:52,160 would never be. Accused as a church who? 509 00:25:52,360 --> 00:25:55,720 Is only after the money. That's one of the reasons, and 510 00:25:55,720 --> 00:26:00,360 I'll say it again, that. We do as as a spirit LED. 511 00:26:00,360 --> 00:26:03,320 Time of giving or encouragement. As possible if the Lord. 512 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:04,640 Puts it on your heart to give to this. 513 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:05,960 Church. Amen. 514 00:26:06,240 --> 00:26:08,400 He will. Guide us where he provides. 515 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:11,360 And if the money goes down, we'll just we'll make it work. 516 00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:15,120 I'm not worried about it. And there's no pressure on, 517 00:26:15,120 --> 00:26:18,840 especially if you're new here, just donate to, you know, people 518 00:26:18,840 --> 00:26:20,960 in need in your own life for. A little while before you ever 519 00:26:20,960 --> 00:26:22,840 get the pressure to give so that. 520 00:26:22,960 --> 00:26:26,080 The gospel would never be conflated with money. 521 00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:32,400 And that's the disqualifier in in the 1st century and now and 522 00:26:33,640 --> 00:26:36,880 that's again, it's not. For lack of people who? 523 00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:39,040 Are signing up to lead you? We have influencers, 524 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:42,240 politicians, we have. All sorts of people who will 525 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:43,880 pass a. Basket and say follow me. 526 00:26:44,120 --> 00:26:46,600 But what we're looking for in this time is. 527 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:51,240 People who lead others to the Great Shepherd, not just to a 528 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:53,720 church service. Not just too, you know, a 529 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:55,760 little. Good advice, but leaders that 530 00:26:55,760 --> 00:26:58,120 are so. Willing to say just want you to 531 00:26:58,120 --> 00:27:01,640 know Jesus. And so with that we now come to 532 00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:03,320 some of the positive characteristics. 533 00:27:03,320 --> 00:27:05,360 Some of the you know, you don't want to just be a leader that 534 00:27:05,360 --> 00:27:06,400 doesn't RIP people off you actually. 535 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:08,120 Want to be a leader that blesses people? 536 00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:11,320 With your sphere of influence, Titus chapter one, verse 8. 537 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:14,680 Be hospitable, a lover of what is. 538 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:19,960 Good sober minded. Just holy self controlled I 539 00:27:19,960 --> 00:27:22,920 read. That list and I think Lord, may 540 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:28,840 it be so of my life, may I be someone that when someone reads. 541 00:27:28,840 --> 00:27:32,040 This list they see a. Small glimpse of that in my life 542 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:34,600 and may it be. So of this church. 543 00:27:35,680 --> 00:27:37,680 You know every good leader is going to set a. 544 00:27:37,680 --> 00:27:39,640 Culture of leadership. That you can see the 545 00:27:39,640 --> 00:27:41,880 fingerprints of these characteristics all over 546 00:27:41,880 --> 00:27:44,720 everything. We do to be hospitable as to say 547 00:27:44,720 --> 00:27:45,760 we are. Great hosts. 548 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:48,040 When come when someone comes that you've never met, you're 549 00:27:48,040 --> 00:27:49,640 like. So glad you're here. 550 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:52,920 Wait, what can we get you? Who needs anything? 551 00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:55,120 And we share. We're generous and we have 552 00:27:55,120 --> 00:27:56,200 resources. That we're. 553 00:27:56,360 --> 00:27:59,240 Open handed and we're open hearted with and to. 554 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:01,960 Be a lover of what is good. You know there's a. 555 00:28:02,040 --> 00:28:06,040 There's a, there's a split. Going right down the paradigm of 556 00:28:06,040 --> 00:28:09,240 our time and. The people who love what is good 557 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:10,600 are going to get. Dragged into the Kingdom. 558 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:14,800 I just think of what what Noah was leading us in our little 559 00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:17,200 update from Canada and I'm like, this is the simplest thing. 560 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:19,960 It just warms my heart. Noah's like we went up to Canada 561 00:28:20,240 --> 00:28:23,120 and we got some kids in a park. And we told him about the life 562 00:28:23,120 --> 00:28:24,880 of. David and said people were, you 563 00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:26,560 know, coming to. Hear about Jesus. 564 00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:29,040 And and and we're just. Oh, that's so good. 565 00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:31,800 We love these simple ways to just be do. 566 00:28:31,800 --> 00:28:34,760 Gooders in our world and then. You know, you take it a step 567 00:28:34,760 --> 00:28:37,240 further to your life. You read this lift list and it's 568 00:28:37,240 --> 00:28:39,720 like, do you love this list for your life? 569 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:44,560 You love what is good. What God would say is godliness 570 00:28:44,560 --> 00:28:46,560 for your life. And say, let this be true. 571 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:50,560 Of me sober minded. To be. 572 00:28:50,920 --> 00:28:55,080 Sound judgment to be someone. That a weary. 573 00:28:55,080 --> 00:28:57,760 And burdened person could come to, and you could give. 574 00:28:57,760 --> 00:28:59,840 Clear. Wisdom to. 575 00:29:00,480 --> 00:29:05,480 Because you're a clear thinker. And then it says holy this is. 576 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:08,760 Holy set apart, we're different kind of leaders, but also just. 577 00:29:08,760 --> 00:29:13,160 Devout in our reverence for the times we live in and the 578 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:15,600 opportunity. We have to work while it is day. 579 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:19,360 Holy and devout to the mission of God in this. 580 00:29:19,360 --> 00:29:26,080 Place for this time self. Controlled to be someone who. 581 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:29,600 Has your life? Together in discipline enough 582 00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:32,680 that you can actually start focusing on a life beyond your 583 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:35,480 own. You know, if you're not 584 00:29:35,720 --> 00:29:38,400 disciplined, if you don't have self-control, you're no. 585 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:41,560 Good to other people that the lack of self. 586 00:29:41,560 --> 00:29:45,080 Control is a life that can only. Live for itself and so. 587 00:29:45,080 --> 00:29:46,440 All of this can be summed up in what we. 588 00:29:46,440 --> 00:29:50,960 Just read lover of what is good. And I'm just going to continue 589 00:29:50,960 --> 00:29:53,960 to bring us back to this theme of the time we live in when you 590 00:29:53,960 --> 00:29:55,000 put it on the bullets and we said. 591 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:57,720 Every week we're going to. See this theme unfolding last 592 00:29:57,720 --> 00:29:59,040 week. We looked at this as. 593 00:29:59,160 --> 00:30:01,920 One of the four legs. Of the of the table that is 594 00:30:01,920 --> 00:30:04,040 your. Christian life and that is to 595 00:30:04,200 --> 00:30:08,360 have grace for godliness. That's the goal is. 596 00:30:08,360 --> 00:30:11,640 That in this time, as people look around, they say those are 597 00:30:11,640 --> 00:30:13,680 the ones. That have this, they have this 598 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:16,240 different style of life, they have this. 599 00:30:16,240 --> 00:30:19,360 Different aroma of love. They have this kindness and 600 00:30:19,360 --> 00:30:21,680 generosity and charity. It's godliness. 601 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:26,080 It's being a light in the dark of our time, and it is the 602 00:30:26,080 --> 00:30:28,240 whole. Point of this letter could. 603 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:31,040 Be summed up in one verse in the 2nd chapter, which we'll get to 604 00:30:31,040 --> 00:30:32,880 soon. But Paul writes and says. 605 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:37,560 Jesus gave himself for us. That he might redeem us from 606 00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:41,920 every lawless. Deed and purify for himself his 607 00:30:41,960 --> 00:30:45,040 own special people. If you've been redeemed by the 608 00:30:45,040 --> 00:30:46,800 blood of Christ, you've been born again. 609 00:30:46,960 --> 00:30:49,240 You belong to him, and it says his own. 610 00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:52,280 Special people, zealous for good. 611 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:54,680 Works. It's not. 612 00:30:54,680 --> 00:30:56,800 Zealous to get to church. And know. 613 00:30:56,800 --> 00:30:59,880 All of the theology. Not just zealous to make some 614 00:30:59,880 --> 00:31:02,920 friends and get about your life. It's not zealous that now you're 615 00:31:02,920 --> 00:31:04,200 in heaven and you can do whatever you want. 616 00:31:04,200 --> 00:31:05,680 It's. Zealous to have your life. 617 00:31:05,680 --> 00:31:10,560 Mean something Now? I want to just give you that 618 00:31:10,560 --> 00:31:12,920 word because I think it's just rising to the surface of these 619 00:31:12,920 --> 00:31:14,480 times. Zeal. 620 00:31:15,720 --> 00:31:19,960 Intense, earnest pursuit. Of A cause or a goal. 621 00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:23,160 Or a mission. And I'll tell you when, when, 622 00:31:23,160 --> 00:31:25,320 when, when you live in a cultural moment. 623 00:31:25,480 --> 00:31:28,240 It's almost like hot and cold just get ripped. 624 00:31:28,240 --> 00:31:29,440 And everyone that was in the middle. 625 00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:31,000 Has to choose a side. This just. 626 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:33,320 Zeal is rising up. It's. 627 00:31:33,360 --> 00:31:36,720 It was zeal, the pursuit. Of God in your life, some of you 628 00:31:36,720 --> 00:31:38,720 said I got to get to. Church I usually do other. 629 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:43,040 Stuff on Sundays, but something shook me to my core and now I 630 00:31:43,040 --> 00:31:43,960 got to. Pursue God. 631 00:31:44,040 --> 00:31:47,640 That's zeal. And it doesn't stop here. 632 00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:49,400 We're. Supposed to have an earnest. 633 00:31:49,520 --> 00:31:54,760 Pursuit of good works God. How can my life make a 634 00:31:54,760 --> 00:31:57,680 difference to people around me? How? 635 00:31:57,680 --> 00:31:59,560 Can I be like you? Where I I see scattered. 636 00:31:59,560 --> 00:32:01,560 And broken and burdened people. And I have compassion. 637 00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:04,680 To actually help. If you've been redeemed by 638 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:07,000 Christ, you have. Zeal for good works. 639 00:32:11,720 --> 00:32:13,720 And now the $1,000,000 question is what are the good? 640 00:32:13,720 --> 00:32:19,000 Works look like. And that is why you can't have a 641 00:32:19,040 --> 00:32:22,640 solid family and overflowing character to the. 642 00:32:22,760 --> 00:32:25,440 The glory of God. God without this last part, 643 00:32:25,440 --> 00:32:28,080 which is to be a shepherd of what is true. 644 00:32:28,360 --> 00:32:31,880 Titus, Chapter one, verse 9. Holding fast to the faithful 645 00:32:31,880 --> 00:32:37,440 Word as he has been taught. That he may be able, by sound 646 00:32:37,440 --> 00:32:42,280 doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 647 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:47,320 So he's describing Paul again, giving Titus this lens for who 648 00:32:47,320 --> 00:32:49,200 to look for. It's someone who's willing to be 649 00:32:49,200 --> 00:32:50,480 taught. What is true? 650 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:52,480 What's doctrine? What does the word say? 651 00:32:52,680 --> 00:32:55,840 How was I designed to live? How am I designed to walk in? 652 00:32:55,840 --> 00:32:57,320 Good works for the. Glory of God. 653 00:32:57,760 --> 00:32:59,400 And and people who are willing to be. 654 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:01,840 Taught and they hold fast to that. 655 00:33:02,520 --> 00:33:03,880 He says you find him and then they have. 656 00:33:03,880 --> 00:33:06,080 The ability to exhort. And convict. 657 00:33:06,600 --> 00:33:12,040 So they're sharing it, they're teaching it, they're they're 658 00:33:12,040 --> 00:33:14,040 opening their word or their mouth. 659 00:33:14,040 --> 00:33:16,120 To people who are lost. And scattered and saying. 660 00:33:16,240 --> 00:33:22,040 Let me tell you about. God's design for your life and 661 00:33:22,040 --> 00:33:23,440 then it. Says they're also able to. 662 00:33:23,520 --> 00:33:27,520 Convict or contradict? So again, this is the line of 663 00:33:27,520 --> 00:33:34,200 our times. Truth darkness that the battle 664 00:33:34,200 --> 00:33:36,760 of the times, what you're feeling in the tear in your 665 00:33:36,760 --> 00:33:38,840 heart like what am I supposed to do right now? 666 00:33:39,640 --> 00:33:41,560 It is not left versus. Right. 667 00:33:42,320 --> 00:33:46,600 I promise you there's something above that It's not. 668 00:33:47,480 --> 00:33:49,960 Poor class. Rich class It's. 669 00:33:49,960 --> 00:33:54,400 Not America and a foreign war or foreign enemy. 670 00:33:56,200 --> 00:34:02,720 It is truth and deception. It is good versus evil. 671 00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:06,400 It is those that. Have been redeemed by the king 672 00:34:06,400 --> 00:34:08,239 of kings and the. Lord of Lords. 673 00:34:08,480 --> 00:34:11,480 To be now be his messengers. Of truth to exhort. 674 00:34:11,480 --> 00:34:14,040 And contradict those who don't know him. 675 00:34:14,440 --> 00:34:18,040 And those, as it says, have their hearts veiled by the God 676 00:34:18,040 --> 00:34:19,639 of this age. That's. 677 00:34:19,639 --> 00:34:24,920 The line and so don't answer the question of what you do in this 678 00:34:24,920 --> 00:34:29,400 time by choosing any. Other side of the aisle To be a 679 00:34:29,440 --> 00:34:32,440 shepherd of truth is to be able to. 680 00:34:32,440 --> 00:34:35,199 Exhort people on what? God. 681 00:34:35,199 --> 00:34:38,679 Has designed for this time for your life. 682 00:34:40,480 --> 00:34:43,120 And it brings us to the question, how can we shepherd 683 00:34:43,120 --> 00:34:45,120 anyone? How could you influence anyone 684 00:34:45,320 --> 00:34:47,480 from your children? To your spouse? 685 00:34:47,679 --> 00:34:50,000 To your neighbor? How could you actually? 686 00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:53,440 Offer any guidance to weary and burden people if you. 687 00:34:53,440 --> 00:34:56,400 Yourself, don't hold fast to what is true. 688 00:34:58,120 --> 00:35:02,960 If the shepherd has no truth, that the sheep have no answers, 689 00:35:05,760 --> 00:35:08,000 and so the fundamental question of your life. 690 00:35:09,480 --> 00:35:12,160 Is are you? Standing on the truth of. 691 00:35:12,160 --> 00:35:15,720 God, Jesus says. I am the way. 692 00:35:16,160 --> 00:35:18,960 The truth and the life. No one comes to the. 693 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:22,000 Father, except by. Me it is a narrow. 694 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:23,880 Gate of truth through Jesus Christ. 695 00:35:26,040 --> 00:35:28,920 Paul says in the in the letter to the Ephesians, You were once 696 00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:31,880 in darkness. Your hearts were veiled. 697 00:35:32,120 --> 00:35:35,120 You were paying attention to all the noise and these earthly 698 00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:37,680 chatters and endless debates of politics. 699 00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:42,600 You were chasing after sin that was leading you astray and lying 700 00:35:42,600 --> 00:35:43,440 to your. Face. 701 00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:49,840 You once walked in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 702 00:35:50,440 --> 00:35:52,920 Walk as children of the light. Light is truth. 703 00:35:53,880 --> 00:35:55,720 Walk. In the light. 704 00:35:56,840 --> 00:36:01,040 So I'll just. Say this It does not matter what 705 00:36:01,040 --> 00:36:05,560 is popular in these times, doesn't matter what is trendy or 706 00:36:05,560 --> 00:36:08,000 what is comfortable. It doesn't matter what you want. 707 00:36:09,360 --> 00:36:14,360 What matters is what is. True and as. 708 00:36:14,360 --> 00:36:20,760 We said last week truth. Is found in Christ. 709 00:36:22,400 --> 00:36:24,360 That's why it's so simple. Every week we're going to 710 00:36:24,360 --> 00:36:26,440 navigate these times like we navigate all other times. 711 00:36:26,680 --> 00:36:30,600 We're going to worship the living God who is the fountain 712 00:36:30,600 --> 00:36:35,320 of truth, who created the heavens and the earth and 713 00:36:35,320 --> 00:36:38,800 designed everything in it, and we're going to open the Word. 714 00:36:39,280 --> 00:36:40,560 Week. By week and we're going. 715 00:36:40,560 --> 00:36:43,400 To say, all right, Lord, what truth do you have for us? 716 00:36:43,400 --> 00:36:50,320 To live in today, that's all we can do, and that is a call. 717 00:36:50,320 --> 00:36:54,080 To. Reaching the next generation of 718 00:36:54,080 --> 00:36:58,280 Kingdom shepherds and workers and people. 719 00:36:58,280 --> 00:37:01,560 Who will? Carry the enduring truth. 720 00:37:01,600 --> 00:37:04,040 Of God the battle is for. Truth. 721 00:37:04,040 --> 00:37:05,960 And here's where we. Pull it all together. 722 00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:09,040 Hold fast to the. Truth. 723 00:37:10,120 --> 00:37:14,080 Exhort and share it and know that no one. 724 00:37:14,080 --> 00:37:16,760 Will believe the truth of the word if your. 725 00:37:16,760 --> 00:37:20,640 Character doesn't match the truth, so shepherd the truth and 726 00:37:20,640 --> 00:37:23,520 shepherd your character and no one will believe. 727 00:37:23,520 --> 00:37:26,360 Your character if they. Look into the fundamental way 728 00:37:26,360 --> 00:37:28,920 that it's tested in your household and see. 729 00:37:28,920 --> 00:37:30,720 That it all falls apart with the people. 730 00:37:30,720 --> 00:37:34,800 That know you best. So in these times, we must. 731 00:37:34,920 --> 00:37:39,520 Shepherd the truth of God. We must shepherd. 732 00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:41,400 The character by the power of his Holy Spirit. 733 00:37:41,560 --> 00:37:44,080 Allowing him to. Shape who we are. 734 00:37:44,280 --> 00:37:46,240 As reflections of who he. Is. 735 00:37:47,680 --> 00:37:50,080 And let it start in the household of God. 736 00:37:51,560 --> 00:37:54,280 Thanks for joining us today. If you would like to watch the 737 00:37:54,280 --> 00:37:56,840 full service, check out the link in the description. 738 00:37:57,160 --> 00:38:01,080 For next steps and to learn more, visit calvaryboise.com.