Appointing Some Leaders

Appointing Some Pastors

(Titus 1:6-9)

Introduction: According to Titus 1:5, Paul left Titus on the island of Crete for a two-fold purpose: “set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city.” After reminding Titus of his purpose Paul then outlines his plan for selecting and ordaining elders. elder (vs. 5) – Greek 4245. presbuteros, pres-boo'-ter-os; compar. of presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; spec. an Isr. Sanhedrist (also fig. member of the celestial council) or Chr. “presbyter.” bishop (vs. 7) – Greek 1985. episkopos, ep-is'-kop-os; from G1909 and G4649 (in the sense of G1983); a superintendent, i.e. Chr. officer in gen. charge of a (or the) church (lit. or fig.) – overseer.

He tells Titus to consider... I. Their Domestic Qualifications vs. 6 (Titus 1:6) If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

A. Notice His Simple Purity blameless - that cannot be called into to account, unreprovable, unaccused 1. To Be Blameless Suggests A Freedom From Guilt  (above reproach) is formed from the negative prefix  and the verb  (“to call into account”) and carries the idea of being completely blameless. In his Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, W. E. Vine observes that this term “implies not merely acquittal, but the absence of even a charge or accusation against a person.” In the legal system of Paul’s day, a person who was  was not subject even to indictment, much less trial. Being above reproach is of such importance that Paul repeats this qualification in the following verse (7), where he refers to the same church leaders as overseers. (John F. MacArthur, Jr.) 2. To Be Blameless Suggests A Focus Upon Godliness Paul is not speaking of sinless perfection but is declaring that leaders of Christ’s church must have no sinful defect in their lives that could justly call their virtue, their righteousness, or their godliness into question and indict them. There must be nothing in their lives to disqualify them as models of moral and spiritual character for believers under their care to emulate. They not only must teach and preach rightly but also must live rightly. Paul charged Timothy that “in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity” he was to show himself as “an example of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:12). (John F. MacArthur, Jr.)

B. Notice His Singular Partner the husband of one wife 1. He Is Faithful In His Marriage The first specific qualification of an elder is his being the husband of one wife. The Greek behind that phrase is more literally rendered “a one-woman man,” or “one-woman husband.” … Being the husband of one wife refers to the singularity of a man’s faithfulness to the woman who is his wife and implies inner as well as outward sexual purity. (John F. MacArthur, Jr.) 2. He Is Faithful In His Mind (Matthew 5:27-28) Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: {28} But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

C. Notice His Successful Parenting 1. It Is Best If His Children Are Believing Children having faithful children faithful - in the NT one who trusts in God's promises; is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead; one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation 2. It Is Best If His Children Are Behaving Children riot - an abandoned, dissolute life; profligacy, prodigality unruly - unsubjected; that cannot be subjected to control, disobedient II. Their Dispositional Qualifications vs. 7-8 (Titus 1:7-8) For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; {8} But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

A. These Elders / Bishops Would Need To Be Men Of Control not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre 1. They Are Controlled When It Comes To Temper not soon angry - prone to anger, short-tempered no striker - bruiser, ready for a blow; a contentious, quarrelsome person 2. They Are In Control When It Comes To Temptation a. The Temptation Of Pride self-willed - self-pleasing, arrogant b. The Temptation Of The Pub given to wine – drunken c. The Temptation Of Profit given to filthy lucre - eager for base gain, greedy for money

B. These Elders / Bishops Would Need To Be Men Of Compassion a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men 1. They Have An Appreciation Of Guests lover of hospitality - hospitable, generous to guests 2. They Have An Appreciation For Goodness lover of good men - loving goodness

C. These Elders / Bishops Would Need To Be Men Of Consecration sober, just, holy, temperate sober - of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses; curbing one's desires and impulses, self controlled, temperate, discreet just - in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God holy - undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing moral obligation temperate - strong; mastering, controlling, restraining one's self

III. Their Doctrinal Qualifications vs. 9 (Titus 1:9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

A. He Should Be A Man Who Is Holding The Faithful Word Of God Holding fast 1. He Is Clinging To The Word holding – an old verb, to hold back, in middle to hold oneself face to face with, to cling to, (From A. T. Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament) [Holding fast the faithful word] That is, the true doctrines of the gospel. This means that he is to hold this fast, in opposition to one who would wrest it away, and in opposition to all false teachers, and to all systems of false philosophy. He must be a man who is firm in his belief of the doctrines of the Christian faith, and a man who can be relied on to maintain and defend those doctrines in all circumstances (from Barnes’ Notes) 2. He Is Caring For The Word holding fast – Greek 472. antechomai, an-tekh'-om-ahee; from G473 and the mid. of G2192; to hold oneself opposite to, i.e. (by impl.) adhere to; by extens. to care for:--hold fast, hold to, support. B. He Should Be A Man Who Has Heard The Faithful Word Of God hath been taught 1. He Has Received Teaching taught – Greek 1322. didache, did-akh-ay'; from G1321; instruction (the act or the matter):--doctrine, hath been taught. 2. He Has Received Truth taught – Greek 1322. didache, did-akh-ay'; from G1321; instruction (the act or the matter):--doctrine, hath been taught.

C. He Should Be A Man Who Will Herald The Faithful Word Of God by sound doctrine 1. Either Reaching The Gainsayers With Truth to exhort exhort – Greek 3870. parakaleo, par-ak-al-eh'-o; from G3844 and G2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray. 2. Or Refuting The Gainsayers With Truth to convince convince – Greek 1651. elegcho, el-eng'-kho; of uncert. affin.; to refute, admonish:--convict, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove. gainsayers – Greek 483. antilego, an-til'-eg-o; from G473 and G3004; to dispute, refuse:--answer again, contradict, deny, gainsay (-er), speak against.

Conclusion: Those who lead the flock of God must be qualified men. Contrary to the expectations of some, pastors are fallible. However the pastor must be one who maintains strong family ties, one who maintains favor with God and men, and one who maintains his own faith.

I read today that … In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Christianity Today International has selected the “25 Most Influential Preachers of the Past 50 Years.”

This list recognizes and honors the most-influential preachers of the period from 1956 to 2006. The chief criteria in choosing the preachers were the following: evangelical theology; outstanding preaching skills; great influence, particularly through preaching. Thus, the list does not attempt to name the best preachers or the best-known preachers, but the most- influential preachers—evangelical preachers who have significantly affected many others through their preaching.

Here are the top ten names are listed in alphabetical order… W.A. Criswell Tony Evans Billy Graham Jack W. Hayford Bill Hybels John MacArthur Haddon Robinson John Stott Chuck Swindoll Rick Warren

Titus probably didn’t appoint any that would have made it onto a list like this. Nevertheless, there is a place for the God- called preacher and leader.