In Titus Chapter 1 and verse 5. Here's another passes that we
have referenced in every one of our sermons on this series.
And let me also say though, before we go any further, I'm
going to do my very best not to repeat things that we have
already studied in detail. I realize some of these themes
kind of overlap and some are kind of connected.
I'm going to do my very best not to do that and just focus on the
six things that remain in the book of Titus Chapter 1.
Now, one of the passages that we have cited each and every time
Time though, in Titus Chapter 1 is verse 5 where the Apostle
Paul says. For this reason, I left you in
Crete that you should set in order, the things that are
lacking and a point or ordain Elders in every city.
As I have, commanded you very very briefly.
Now the place of Crete was no small place, it was the fifth
largest island on the Mediterranean Sea, it was 185
miles long and at its widest part, it 35 miles wide.
We find that there were over 100 cities there and we also find as
ancient historians would declare there were over a million people
that lived in Crete and when the Apostle Paul divinely inspired
by the Holy Spirit road, to this evangelist by the name of Titus.
He said, this is why I have left you behind.
I've left you behind for these reasons to set in order, the
things that are lacking and ordain elders.
Hours in every city. You know, the very idea that
they could ordain Elders in every city and that phrase,
obviously means this. By the way, it means a plurality
of Elders in every Church, in every city when it says, and
ordain Elders in every city. That's what it's talking about
ordained. A plurality of Elders in every
Church in every city. Now, this shows the extensive
spread of the Gospel by the time of Paul's letter, no doubt.
Now quickly the office of an elder is referenced by three
different names. All three are referring to the
same office. He is called an elder and an
elder means older and with experience.
So it describes an experienced older, man.
Secondly, he is called a bishop and that word means overseer and
that describes his duty to the congregation.
He is a overseer of it and finally, a pastor and he is
called a pastor describing his task and that is to feed or
Shepherd, the flock of God now, even though Paul commanded Titus
to ordain Elders in every Church, there are still
qualifications. Have you ever stopped to
consider why? There were so many
qualifications to be an elder in the Lord's Church?
We're going to talk about the importance of this office at the
very end of our sermon. But why were there so many?
And by the way, did you hear me in my introduction?
I said 24 qualifications and then I said, or maybe even 25
qualifications, the reason for that is some Scholars.
Say that in the very beginning. When Paul said, if a man desires
the office of an elder, he desires a good work.
Some got some say that desire is not part of the Quirements, I
think it is. I think it's the first
qualification is you have to desire the office.
If you add that one, as one of the qualifications there are 25
25 qualifications to be an elder in the Lord's church.
I'm not going to talk about the ones that we've already covered.
I think we've covid-19 of them or so but here we go.
Let's go into the qualifications.
Now as found in Titus Chapter 1 and the first one is you can't
be Self-willed. Not self-willed in Titus Chapter
1 and verse 7 for a bishop. And we just talked about the
fact that that means overseer describing his duty.
In other words, still the same office doing Elder for a bishop
must be blameless as a steward of God and not self-willed that
phrase or that word self-willed comes from the Greek word auth
eighties and it means arrogant arbitrary.
Or even overbearing. Now that word that Greek word is
found in only two places. In all the Bible, it's found in
Titus Chapter 1 and verse 7. And it's also found in second
Peter chapter 2 and verse 10 where the Bible says and
especially those who walk according to the Flesh in the
lust of uncleanness and despise Authority.
They are presumptuous self-willed.
What are we talking about? Out.
We're talking about an obstinate inflexible arbitrary, arrogant
person. Now.
If an elder. Is obstinate.
If he is inflexible. If he is a tyrant, if he is
arrogant, overbearing and condescending.
How's he going to work with people?
You know, we talked about the difference between working with
people and dealing with people. Those are two different things.
Let me give you a little example.
It was an NFL football team, that hired a coach, and the
coach came in, and in his press conference, they asked the
coach. They said, what are you going to
do? How you going to deal with your
Mercurial receiver? By the way, Mercurial means
basically it's talking about unpredictable and back.
It actually goes back. That word actually goes back to
15. 100. In that year, in that ancient
era of language of English. And it actually met somebody
that was unpredictable Guided by Mercury the planet, and
therefore had unpredictable Behavior.
So, the word now is basically talking about an unpredictable
disruptive person. So the coach was asked, how do
you going to deal with this Mercurial personality?
And he said, I love this. I don't deal.
With players, I work with them. Now if we spent more time
working with people, especially as they grow, then we will spend
a whole lot less time in the future dealing with them and
dealing with problems. Working with them.
Elder has to do, that can't be overbearing, can't be arbitrary,
can't be a tyrant. Can't be unreasonable.
We talked about the fact before that.
He can't take the authoritarian approach in leadership.
Peter describes how an elder should serve in a congregation
second Peter chapter 5 beginning there in verse 2. it's a
Shepherd, the flock of God, which is among you serving as
overseers not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest,
gain, but eagerly not as being Lords over those entrusted to
you, but being examples of the flock now, The greatest form of
leadership is your example. That is absolutely nothing new
everybody. Here knows that.
Everybody here understands. The greatest form of leadership
is your example. People are more concerned about
our behavior and people are more concerned about what we do and
our example than they really are in what we have to say.
Now, here's the flipside to that.
If our example is what it ought to be and people see the
demonstration of our life as it ought to be, they will listen to
the verbal leadership that we give them, or the advice that we
might give them in the future. But Elder has to be someone who
has a good example. He can't have that kind of
arrogant, arbitrary or overbearing type of Personality.
Now in both of these past passages, Titus Chapter 1 and
verse 7 and second, Peter chapter 2 and verse 10 in both
of these passages, this Greek word right there.
Means this, it is referring to human impulse.
Instead of obedience to Divine command.
In other words, Ben Divine command is to be this way,
right? This Greek word here is the flip
side of that. In other words, it's talking
about somebody that follows their human impulse rather than
what is commanded of them. Can't be self-willed and be an
elder. Here's another one.
This is another negative 1 and that is you can't be
quick-tempered. An elder is not quick-tempered.
Titus Chapter 1 and verse 7 for a, bishop must be blameless.
As a steward of God not self-willed, not quick-tempered.
And I will say this to before going any further.
Some of these will spend a whole lot less time on and others will
spend more time on today, but this is not quick-tempered.
Titus Chapter 1 and verse 7. The phrase quick-tempered of
those words comes from a Greek word.
That means not soon angry or not, inclined to anger, you
know, this is nothing new. That the Book of Proverbs
chapter 22 and verse 24 says this this into this, Make no
friends with an angry man and with a furious man, do not go.
Look at the influence of an angry man, and the wise men of
old said, don't make friends with an angry, man.
What's it talking about? Somebody that is soon angry or
inclined to anger? Now, verse 25 of Proverbs 22
gives, the reason why we don't make friends with those kind of
people verse 25, lets you learn his ways.
Ways and set a snare for your soul.
You know, the reason for this qualification is a quick
tempered, person is displaying a lack of self-control instead of
being patient and gentle as he ought to be this - qualification
is similar to two others that we've already studied.
Remember these two brawler and Striker and I got to tell you
some also Domino's kid. I thought when I heard this,
when I was little kid caught on when I heard the passage and the
King James preacher, got up and read not a striker, I thought,
oh, you can't be on strike. Can't ever go on strike.
It's an interesting phrase, that word Striker is that actually
talking about the King James renders, the word Striker.
Now in that the word Striker, at the time of the publication of
the King James Bible, it referred to a person that went
around, get this thumping, people on the head with a
Quarter Staff. Now what to Quarter Staff of
Quarter Staff was a six to eight foot pole, okay?
With a metal deal in the end of LED deal on me and led tip on
the end and he would go around and even some people on the
head, he was called a striker later on.
It was used a Quarter Staff as a means of a weapon.
So that is the picture. Now, I love with the new King
James says about it because it really tells us exactly what it
is. The new King James says, you
can't be Went in other words, you can't be a striker in the
King James meaning, you cannot be a violent type of person.
Now, these are all negative qualifications that we've
noticed so far and really they go together because a quick
tempered person, a quick, tempered person will also lead
to violence. If you get mad every time,
somebody says something, you don't like, it's only a matter
of time before you misbehave. I've known people in my life
like that they can mad all the time.
I knew people, when I went to college at Cal Poly, they were
mad all the time. You know what they were, also
violent all the time too. A qualification of an elder is
someone. That is not soon angry, not
quick-tempered because that kind of a person needs to be gentle
and mild and not be a violent person.
Now, let me ask you this. Is there anything different from
that qualification? For an elder please?
Please listen. Is there anything different
about an elder than a Christian? Absolutely not.
A Christian can't be quick-tempered, either.
A Christian can't be violent either.
So these fit our Christian lives to all right?
These are two - qualifications let's have a positive one.
Let's have a positive one. An elder for a qualification,
has to be a lover of what is good and that's found in Titus
Chapter 1 Verse 8. So in other words in verse 7, he
says the negative things that we are not to be involved in and
then he goes into the positive things and it begins with being
hospitable, we've already talked about Eyetality.
So we won't do that. But the very next thing is, a
lover of what is good? What does that mean?
It actually comes from the Greek
word, fill a goth. He's and it and in the King
James version it says a lover of good men.
Now, the phrase lover of Good Men is not broad enough.
It's not a broad enough description of what the word
actually means. In fact, in the ancient world,
the word appeared as an honorary epithet in religious
inscriptions. In other words, when it
described a religious person, He was a lover of what is good?
What's that mean? King James new King James simply
says this. A lover of what is good, which
means a lover of what is all good or all things that are
good. You know, Paul encourages
Christians to always do good, Ephesians chapter 4 and verse
29. Paul said, let no corrupt
communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for
necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the here's
in addition. Peters, words could also be used
to describe one who is a lover of good First Peter chapter 3
and verse 16, And keep a good conscience.
This is out of The New American Standard by the way, and keep a
good conscience. So that in the thing which you
are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may
be put to shame. So a man that has this
qualification is a man that would fit, Romans chapter 12,
and verse 9. Let love be without hypocrisy.
Abhor what that? What is evil.
And cling to that, which is good.
And that leads us to our next positive qualification.
That is a person that is just in Titus Chapter 1 and verse 8.
He says just that he said you have to be in addition to being
sober minded. We've already dealt with that
one in first Timothy. In addition to that, a man must
be just the word, just is the Greek word to caios, and it
means upright and it means righteous.
It is talking about someone who conforms to the laws of God and,
man, and lives in accordance with With them.
Now, I got to say about being righteous.
The Bible says there is none righteous?
No, not one. How do we take that and apply it
to our life when we're commanded to live righteously?
Well, first of all, the word righteous means right doing now
when the Bible says there, is none righteous?
No, not one. It means that none of us on our
own Merit by our own standard by our own Deeds.
Is righteous by ourself and nobody can be righteous without
the Lord. In fact, let's do this.
Let's go back to an ancient man. That lived a long time ago.
Abraham the Bible says it was imputed unto Abraham that he was
righteous. Because of his obedience.
So, in other words, because of his obedient life, it was
counted to him as if he were righteous.
Now what does it mean for us to be righteous in first John
chapter 3 and verse 7? He who practices righteousness
is righteous. This is righteous just as he is
righteous. In other words, it's a matter of
right doing a just man will do that.
Which is right. First Timothy chapter 1 and
verse 9 knowing this that the law is not made for a righteous
person but for the Lawless and insubordinate or the Obedient
Joseph was described as a just man, you remember that in
Matthew 1 and 19, the husband of Mary Cornelius in the book of
Acts the 10th chapter in the 22nd verse.
He was the first Gentile convert and he was called this
Cornelius, the Centurion adjust man.
One who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nations
of the Jews? Now I think it's worthy of note
here. There's not one of these
qualifications for an elder, that's unreasonable.
Have you ever stopped to consider?
We spend a long time and a lot of time talking about the
qualifications and we realize that we look around us and very
few follow fall into those that qualify.
But if you ever stopped to consider that of the
qualifications to be an elder, there's nothing at all.
That's unreasonable. We can sum up everything that
Paul dealt with, in both passages.
First Timothy chapter 3 and Titus Chapter 1, with all the
qualifications and really we could sum it up like this.
Here it is. You know what Elder needs to be?
And upright, honest and clean family, man.
Not hard to be what else? He must be God fearing.
He must be righteous and deeply devoted to his faith.
Every one of the qualifications fall under both of those
categories. It's not asking too much, is it?
Even though they're very realistic though, they are
required. And just because a person is a
nice person. It's not necessarily an elder
material. So a just man leads us into the
next qualification. The next positive qualification
that is this, and I'll tell you this, this word is very much
misunderstood. It's this word right here, Holy.
People misunderstand what holy means.
Sometimes people think that a person that is Holy means I am
better. If I am Holy I am better.
In other words I'm better. Therefore I look condescendingly
upon everyone else. I am Cut Above, I am better but
did you know that the word? Holy does not mean elevated at
all when it comes to a person's life Now when we talk about the
things that God deems, holy like God, Jesus Christ to Holy
Spirit, the things, the word of God, the things that God deems
holy those things are elevated, but when the word holy is,
describing a person. It is different.
In fact, in Titus, Chapter 1 and verse 8, we are we find that not
only is a man to be just which lives righteously, but he also
must be holy. What does that word mean?
That word comes from the Greek word hose?
He's and it means this devout and pleasing to God, that told
me. I'm just going to let that sit
for a second. That's good stuff.
The definition of this word is good stuff.
That's what it means. A person could say sometimes.
Oh, I'm just unworthy, I know Yaar.
I am too. We all are.
I've heard people say I just couldn't live faithful the
Christian life. I don't think I could do it.
Holy enough. Okay, well, if you talk about
your own goodness, no you can't neither deny but here's the
point, it's not about that. Can you do this though?
Can you be devout? And that'll be demonstrated in
what you're right doing, which is just can you live your life,
pleasing to God? That's it.
If you can do that, you are living a holy life.
And all of those things are given in the word of God.
Let me show you a passage by the way, where the word holy and
just those Greek words are used together in the same passage is
found in Ephesians chapter 4. Watch this In Ephesians chapter
4, and verse 24. And by the way, it's not talking
about an elder here, it's talking about the new man in
Christ. It's talking about someone
that's been baptized into Christ.
Has risen to walk in newness of life.
Therefore, putting on the new man in Christ, just talking
about a Christian that watch this.
And that you put on the new man, which was created according to
God, in righteousness, by the way.
That's just, that's the just word and true Holiness, which is
what development pleasing to God.
I think we can do that. I know we can do that.
It's talking about this, not just talking about Elder, folks,
talk about every Christian, every Christian can do, that's
not an unreasonable requirement. First, Peter chapter 1 and
beginning, in verse 14, listen to this, as obedient children,
not conforming yourselves to the former luster as in your
ignorance but as he who called you is, Holy you also be holy in
all your conduct because it is written be holy for.
I am Holy again. Nothing is unreasonable here?
These are not unreasonable. Now, all of those things being
said, he has to be a lover of what is good.
He has to be just he has to be holy, these were three from that
passage that we haven't dealt with.
But you know what? There's more there's more.
And you know what it is? What's been our final time on
this requirement here, there's a reason for it all There's a
reason for it all. Here it is.
Holding fast. The faithful word holding fast
the faithful word. It's found in Titus Chapter 1 in
verse 9. Let's read that holding fast the
faithful word as he has been taught.
That he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and
convict those that contradict. Now I got to just say this
little history here, when Elders were ordained in every city,
There was great opposition in those cities.
Remember that? In fact, the early church
composed are comprised of Christians that were Jewish by
Blood. For example, and the first
Christians were from the Jews. They were Jews their whole life,
their family had been Jews also and therefore, when it came to
hearing the gospel, they obeyed the gospel they were spiritually
minded man. They didn't have to go very far
to qualify to be an elder. Right here we go.
Now they're members of the church.
Paul says, ordain Elders in every city, meaning in every
Church in every city. But guess what?
There were those who were there to contradict.
You know who they were? In reference to them
specifically. It was the judaizers it was the
judaizers that came in trying to bring aspects of the Old Law
back on the law of Christ. The King James says, the
gainsayers and the gainsayers just means those that
contradict. So this is a man that has to
hold fast, the faithful word of God.
What does that mean? It means this.
This is a man that clings to he is devoted to the word of God.
He is completely devoted to the word of God.
It's a very important qualification to because since
an elder is in the leadership and teaching position, he will
have the in the opportunity of influencing the church.
If an elder tolerated, false things taught, can't you see the
direction that the congregation would go?
And let me just say this to all I would say is I make a general
statement, anything that goes against the word of God is
false, You know, I don't know any, I don't know anybody that
would disagree with that, really, anything that
contradicts the word of God, and the truth of the word of God.
Is false, an elder has to cling to or hold fast the faithful
word. Now, he is one that cannot make
an uncertain sound. I'm going to get to that.
Let me give you a passage for that and just a minute, but it
can't give an uncertain sound, meaning, he cannot be
wishy-washy. One time, it's this fellow was
not an elder, but I asked him a question years and years and
years ago. I was younger.
And I said, I have a question. I have a Bible question.
I asked him the question about something.
And he responded. I was really waiting for him to
give me an answer. I really needed a straight
answer, you know what he said. Well it could be this and it can
be that, but when you make that decision and when you do what
you're going to do, just make sure you're consistent and make
the same decision later on down the road.
That is a definite maybe. About something that I needed
specific Direction on. That is somebody that is echoing
and uncertain sound when it comes to the word of God and
Elder cannot be one who Echoes and uncertain wishy-washy sound.
It's got to be clear and it's got to be concise and he needs
to know what that sound needs to be in Acts chapter 20 and verse
8. This is Paul warning, the
Ephesian Elders. Listen to this.
Take heed unto yourselves and to all the flock, Walk among which
the Holy Spirit has made you overseers look at verse 31,
therefore watch, and remember that for three years.
I did not cease to warn every one night and day with tears.
In other words, we cannot be passive or indifferent
concerning doctrinal. Truth in the word of God.
Now, When a crisis arrives arises, an elder must give clear
Direction. And when I said about an
uncertain sound, Paul writing to those core, it explains what
it's like. To give an uncertain sound.
In other words, not to be firm and concise about truth.
That's all that means. Watch this.
It's kind of like this first Corinthians 14 and 8, for if the
trumpet makes an uncertain sound who will prepare himself for the
battle then we know what that is.
You know, in the old days when somebody would go into battle,
they blast the trumpet right? Everybody knew what the sound of
the trumpet was you know what the sound of the trumpet was it
was time to go to battle. Now, Paul so brilliantly with
the holy spirit's guidance, Paul brilliantly says, if the trumpet
guy blasts, an uncertain sound, nobody's going to know when it's
time to go into battle, they won't know what it means.
All it means is you gotta hold fast, the faithful word.
And not give an uncertain sound. How do you do that?
How do you not give an uncertain sound?
Very simply here it is. Second Timothy 1:13, hold fast
the pattern. Of sound words.
Hold fast, the pattern of sound words.
Now, I will say I will say That in the absence of Elders, this
responsibility falls on the Evangelist and the teachers.
It falls on every one of you that teaches here you must hold
fast. The pattern of sound words in
the word of God. Having proper leadership.
You know, I think that you can pretty much look at examples of
problems in congregations for a perhaps that might come up and
it really all goes back to leadership.
Leadership is everything. Leadership is everything and I
have to tell you as long as I've been around Tina and I would be
married, 26 years in May. So almost 26 years living in
this town, Living here, I've lived longer here than anywhere
else in my life. This congregation has always
enjoyed good leadership. Strong leadership that is
imperative. We have to have that.
The congregation will only go by way of its leaders, its leaders
and teachers can't be those. That are blasting an uncertain
sound. No, we got to hold fast, sound
words and all that is folks. All that is is the word of God.
Now watch this, the reason for an elder being able to do this
is because they have to hold fast the faithful word so that
they will be able to evict and exhort those who contradict We
talk about what that means or gainsayers.
And by the way, in verse 11 of Titus 1, it says, whose mouths
Must Be Stopped, who subvert whole houses teaching things,
which are, they are not for the sake of dishonest game.
And by the way, subvert just simply means undermine the
authority. Those that undermine the
authority of the church or the truth.
Now, dwelt noted, this about Titus Chapter 1 and verse 9.
He said Titus Chapter 1 and I think this is true by the way,
he said, Titus Chapter 1 and verse 9 is a commentary of his
words. In first, Timothy chapter 3, and
verse 2, when he said be apt to teach, do you see that the word
apt as some would say that it is, do you see that?
It's not just somebody willing to teach That means skillful.
Here's a commentary on that passage?
Why? Because he has to be able by
sound Doctrine to exhort and convicting those at contradict.
Primary job of an elder is watching over the flock of God.
It requires a man to be a student of the Bible.
It requires a man that has a broad knowledge of sound
Doctrine and the reason is is to not only convict those that
contradict but also to encourage and lead the flock of God.
But finally today finally, today, as we conclude our
remarks, In the New Testament, a bishop or an elder is not
pictured as an iron rule authoritative authoritarian.
He is described as a humble, man who views himself as a leader
among equals. I like what one man said he said
you know what, he he's the kind of guy.
That views all of us standing at the feet of the cross.
And an elder. That's the proper humble
servant. He's the guy that feels in his
heart that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.
That his position of an elder or in his life is not elevated.
Above anyone else, the ground is level, he doesn't look at
himself as a puffed-up authoritarian.
He looks him set himself as a forgiving servant.
Just like everybody else. You know, when we talked about
the idea of an elder Desiring, the office Desiring the work.
Here's a quick little glimpse into that work acts 20:28,
therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock
among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to Shepherd
the Church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.
So the good work that an elder is to do is to fold its to feed
the church. And number two is to meet the
needs of its members. Now, one of the ways that you
meet the needs of its members is to feed the shepherd, the Church
of God which is the flock of God.
These are the things that an elder does.
But finally in closing, there are many things that an elder
does. And we spent this is now six
lessons, six lessons, We talked about a lot of different
requirements, but maybe in your mind, you're thinking, but what
does an elder do? I see the requirements and we've
kind of touched on some stuff. What specifically does an elder
do here. They are Elders duties.
Teaching leading protecting disciplining comforting
providing security soothing the troubled handling disputes
evaluating weaknesses ministering to the sick
counseling and even delegating responsibilities and I'll just
say when it comes to delegating responsibilities, that is my
absolute weak spot. That is a weak part of me.
I have always had the personality just do it myself,
that is not a good leader and where I might be a good leader
in other aspects. I need to work on that
delegating responsibilities and sometimes that means stepping
back and let someone get in there.
Like Terry says sometimes and get their feet wet sometimes you
just have to give them a chance to do that delegating
responsibilities. An elder does that in his
duties, but all of this, by the way, remember when I said, why
are there so many requirements to be an elder?
Why are there? You know, an elder?
Is the highest position. That a person could ever have in
the Lord's church. It's so important that there has
to be a plurality. So one man's not puffed up or
held up higher than another. Has to be at least two.
That picture. This we know how important an
elder is. The church is the greatest
institution in all the world. The church is the Earthly
institution of the Heavenly Kingdom.
If the church is the greatest institution in all the world, it
means it's the greatest thing in all the world.
And if an elder has the highest position in that church, Isn't
he the most important person in the world in the eyes of God?
All I know is he's more important than the president of
states. That's fact.
I don't care if it's Donald Trump or whoever they're not
going to get me to heaven. Only the Lord is going to do
that. Only the word of God leading me
to do that. Through the church.
Greatest institution, all the world, the greatest thing.
And here's the final thing. An elder with all of these
responsibilities cannot do. So, as an authoritarian, he has
to do. So as a humble servant, Humble
servant. I'm finished.
And so, is the series on the qualifications of Elders at some
point very soon. I will deal with deacons and
their wives. I don't know if I'll do it right
away. I may skip a little time and it
is also very possible that I may take tackle deacons and their
wives and one sermon. Not sure yet.
Haven't put that all together but at some point we will talk
about deacons and their wife. This is Elders in the Lord's
Church. We thank you for listening to
our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans.
Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional
information or you would like to receive a free Bible
correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at True
Church of Christ Bakersfield.com.
Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us.
We would love for you to be our honored guest.