APPOINTING AND RAISING GODLY LEADERS

SUB-THEME:                         APPOINTING AND RAISING GODLY LEADERS

STUDY BOOK:                      TITUS CHAPTER 1

1. Introduction:

The need for godly leadership, good organisation and sound doctrine in the church of God Cannot over-emphasised. Thus, in  chapter one of the Epistle to Titus, the writer clarifies the qualifications requisite in those who should be appointed elders and bishops in the church of God, and strictly warns against activities of the legalists, that is, those who assert that moral standard be relative to what is required by law.

1. Opening/Salutation (Titus 1: 1-4): There is no doubt that Paul writes this letter to Titus, a true son in the faith, as this is evident in the former’s statement and address. Here, Paul tells his reader about his character, his hope and his function being a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. His God-given assignment is to reach and teach the elect of the Lord. There is need for every child of God to be responsive to his/her calling in and outside the church of God.
2. Paul:  In writing his own name first, Paul followed the letter-writing customs of his day. First the writer was mentioned, and then the reader, and then a greeting was given.
3. i. From Titus 1:5 we learn that Paul and Titus worked together in Crete, spreading the gospel and establishing churches – but Paul had to leave. Titus stayed and worked among the congregations there. Since Titus was left behind to do a difficult work, Paul wanted to instruct and encourage him – and he did so with this letter.
4. ii. This letter was written to Titus, but it was also written to the Christians on the island of Crete. Paul knew this letter would be publicly read among the churches on the island. So, in the structure of opening the letter, Paul took great care to tell the Christians of Crete whathis credentials were, and where he stood on important issues. Paul didn’t think like a politician who often responds to what the crowd wants and to what pleases the crowd.
5. Paul, a bondservant of God: What a wonderful designation! Of all the titles Paul could use, he first chose “bondservant of God.” If Paul had a modern-day business card, that would be his title on the card.
6. The term bondservant originates from the ancient Greek word ‘doulos’. This word not only designated a lowslave, it was also the word for a slave by choice. By implication, one can choose to be a slave for God rather than being a slave of sin ( John 8: 34 – 35).
7. God suppresses the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Pet. 5: 5). Paul was only a bondservant – yet he had a high place, because He was a bondservant of God. It is never a low thing to be a servant of a great God. Nobody looses anything by being humble; it only shows the level of your relationship with God, and understanding of your purpose in the body of Christ.

1. And an apostle of Jesus Christ: An apostle is sent by God to teach and preach the gospel of Christ.

God gave Paul a special role to play among His servants. Paul’s particular call and function was as a special messenger of God. Paul knew his call and purpose among the body of Christ, and so should each Christian today also know for themselves. Have you identified your purpose in the church of God, the body of Christ?

1. According to the faith: Paul wasn’t an apostle because of the faith of God’s elect, but in harmony with the faith (in the sense of a specific, common body of doctrine) shared among all believers. However, God’s elect are those whom He chose from before the foundation of the world to receive His salvation. We can identify God’s elect because they respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live their lives after that gospel. Christians, who were chosen in the place of the Jews, who were reprobated; that is, cast out of the Divine  favour based on their obstinate rejection of the Messiah.

1. The acknowledgement of the truth which accords with godliness:  For Paul it wasn’t enough to just knowthe faith, he also had to acknowledge it for what it really was. In this vein, every child of God should be passionate about propagating the truth of the Gospel in word and deed, thereby promoting godliness with the view to living a holy and useful life in the society (John 8: 32, 36). Moreover, Paul stood in accord with godly living. This is an indication that all truth is God’s truth; but not all truth is really relevant to godliness, which promotes “God-likeness”. For instance, much of science or psychology may be true and admirable – but it will not save a soul from Hell.

1. Eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised:  This is the life of the Eternal God living within us. It is present now, but will be completed later. According to Barclay,  “The Christian gospel does not in the first place offer men an intellectual creed or a moral code; it offers them life, the very life of God.” Our hope of eternal life is based on a promise from God who cannot lie (1 Sam. 15:29; Num. 23:19; Eze. 24:14; 2Tim. 2:13).

1. But in due time manifested His word through preaching which was committed to me: Paul knew that preaching is the way that God’s eternal work meets people today. Preaching is the way God’s word is made evident (manifested).

1. Christianity came into the world at a time when it was uniquely possible for its message to spread rapidly.

ii·   There was a common language (Greek), which was the language of trade, business, and literature.

iii·  There were virtually no frontiers because of the vast nature of the Roman Empire.

iv·  Travel was comparatively easy. It was slow, but relatively safe because of the security that the

Roman Empire brought to roads and sea routes.

v·  The world was largely at peace under the pax Romana.

Note: The work of preaching was entrusted to Paul, but not to him only. Preaching is a work committed to all believers.

1. Titus, a true son in the faith: 

• Titus was a genuine brotherto the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 2:13).
• Titus was a partner and a fellow workerwith Paul (2 Corinthians 8:23).
• Titus walked in the same spiritas Paul (2 Corinthians 12:18).
• Titus walked in the same stepsas Paul, in the same manner of life (2 Corinthians 12:18).
• Therefore, Titus could be a patternto other believers (Titus 2:7).

A true son in our common faith: Paul stood in support of a common faith. It is a common faith, not an isolated one. Paul was for the church and the community of all believers. This faith is common to all Christians, irrespective of race, tribe or status.

1. God has a mission for every believer (Titus 1:5)
2. For this reason I left you in Crete: After a successful evangelistic campaign on the island of Crete, there were a lot of young Christians to take care of. Paul left Titus behind to build stable churches with mature, qualified pastors for the people. This was especially needed in Crete, because the people of Crete were a wild bunch, well known as liars and lazy people. Titus had to find and train capable leaders for the Christians of the island of Crete.

1. When a job is hard, there are basically two kinds of people. With one you say, “The job is really hard, so we can’t send him.” With the other you say, “The job is really hard, so we must send him.” Titus seemed to be of the second kind. The idea is that he left Titus in Crete on a limited basis to solve the problems, establish godly leadership.

1. Set in order the things that are lacking: This was the job Titus was given. The church needed order and leadership. Titus was commanded to set in order the churches, and to do it by appointing godly leaders.

7. Paul told Titus to appoint elders, who are also called bishops in Titus 1:7. The word elder is used broadly in the New Testament, mainly describing the maturity necessary in leaders. Elders and bishops describe pastors over congregations in different cities on Crete.

1. In every city: This was a big job, because Crete was famous for having many cities.

It should be carefully noted that churches cannot safely remain without the ministry of pastors, so that, wherever there is a considerable body of people, a pastor should be appointed over them. In saying that each town should have a pastor he does not mean that none should have more than one, but only that no town should be without pastors.” (Calvin)

1. Appoint elders: This means Paul delegated a lot of authority to Titus. These elders were not chosen by popular vote, and they were not chosen through their own self-promotion. It was Titus’ job to look for men of the kind of character Paul would describe in the following passage and to appoint them as elders in congregations. God has specific qualifications for leaders in the church. Leaders should not to be chosen at random, or just because they volunteer, or because they aspire to the position, or even because they are “natural leaders.” Leaders should be chosen because they match the qualifications listed here. It is fine if a man thinks he is “called.” Yet he must also be qualified.

The qualifications for leadership in the following passage have nothing to do with giftedness. Paul didn’t say to Titus “Find the most gifted guys.” We might say that it is easy for the Lord to grant gifts by the Holy Spirit as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11), but developing character takes time and a real relationship with Jesus Christ.

• Going to seminary doesn’t make one qualified for spiritual leadership.
• Being a good talker doesn’t make one qualified for spiritual leadership.
• Natural or spiritual gifts in themselves do not qualify one for spiritual leadership.
• What one gives in money or volunteer time does not qualify them for spiritual leadership.
• What qualifies a man for spiritual leadership is godly character; these qualifications are valuable for every person – not only those who aspire to leadership. They are clear indicators of godly character and spiritual maturity; they can give a true measure of a man.

1. Qualifications of an elder (vv. 6-9): What Titus must look for in the appointment of leaders.

1. An elder must be blameless and above reproach.
2. He must be husband of only one wife.
3. He must have faithful children.
4. He must not be over- bearing. Basically, selfish people are disqualified from leadership. They show their self-willed nature in arrogance, stubbornness, and a proud self-focus.
5. He must not be quick-tempered. The quick-tempered are also disqualified from leadership. Let us learn from the example of Moses in this regard.
6. He must not be a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for money.
7. He must be hospitable, and lover of what is good.
8. He must be soberminded. This describes the person who is able to think clearly and with clarity.

They are not constant joke-makers but know how to deal with serious subjects in a serious way.

1. He must be just, holy and self-controlled. A pastor or leader in the church must be just (right toward

men), holy (right towards God), self-controlled (right towards himself).

1. Ability to explore the doctrine to encourage those who are sincere and reject those who are not sincere.

1. It was important for Titus to appoint qualified leaders to confront and stop many who were

insubordinate (vv.10-11)

1. The word insubordinate indicates someone who will not submit to God’s order of authority. God has established an order of authority in several different areas of life. There is an order of authority in the home, in the church, in the workplace, and in the community. God wants us to recognize the places where He has placed an order of authority in our lives, and He wants us to submit to that authority. There are still many insubordinate in our midst today. Hope you are not one of them!

1. Beware of idle talkers and deceivers, and shun them. Paul was particularly concerned with the effect of some Christians from a Jewish background, who thought the key to acceptance before God was keeping the Law of Moses.

1. They serve for the sake of the gain that comes when others recognize or admire them as a spiritual leader.
2. They are rebellious and deceptive.
3. They are ruining entire households.
4. They are greedy.
5. They are lying and lazy gluttons.
6. They do not walk their talk.
7. They are pessimistic.
8. They are naturally difficult people always formenting trouble in the church.
9. They profess to know God but in works they deny Him.

1. CONCLUSION: Leaders are not supposed to comprise on spiritual matters. Rather, they should set godly standard for orderliness and sound doctrine in the house of God. Paul gave a directive that those who cretanize in the church are to be totally silenced and soundly rebuked. This is an important message for the church of today.

1. PRAYER: Lord, make me a leader worthy of emulating and use me to set things in order in my community.