This past Sunday, we took some time to look at God’s Word in Titus 1:5-9, specifically regarding the need for a new church to have Godly leaders. Let’s all enjoy a summary together, shall we?
“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:5–9 ESV)
After planting the church, Paul left young Titus on the island of Crete to do two things – (1) straighten up what needs straightening and (2) appoint Godly elders to teach sound doctrine and protect the church from bad doctrine. Godly leadership in a new church is particularly important. As a campus of Green Pond Bible Chapel, we are blessed to already have very solid Elders and Pastors that we serve with. We are blessed to have two Elders with me at the Highlands Campus and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that their hearts are united with these instructions that Paul gives to Timothy. (For more on our leadership – see our website.)
But…Paul goes on to list specific qualities and characteristics that Titus should look for when appointing Elders in the new church, but we will soon see that these qualities and characteristics are not just for Elders. As disciples of Jesus we are all called to pursue these things, and in so doing, we work together for the growth of God’s church. The first thing that he stresses, not once but twice (v6 and v7) is for an Elder to be “above reproach.” This does not mean sinless or perfect, but it does mean that Elders, and any disciple of Jesus should not be able to be called out for any consistent sin patterns in their lives. Sin is like a chia pet that grows weeds relentlessly on the walls of our hearts. It constantly needs inspection, confession and sin to be uprooted. The Bible has many references that stress we ALL (not just Elders) need to be putting off sin and putting on righteousness. (See Hebrews 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:5-11 for a few…) Let’s take a look at some other categories of Godliness that Elders and believers must follow.
Godliness in the Home
Paul says to Timothy that an Elder must be the husband of one wife (literally a “one woman man). This means that he must be 100% emotionally, physically, and romantically devoted to his wife. Indeed, this is for all of us. Wives – the same goes for your husbands, singles – we must remain devoted to whomever God may or may not bring into our lives as our spouse. He also says that Elders (and all of us) need to parent well. This doesn’t mean that an Elder has to have kids (or be married for that matter) in order to serve. But it does mean that his children have to be believers. The word here (pistos) means faithful – and the context of the passage goes on to say that the children shouldn’t be able to be called debaucherous or insubordinate. We need to teach our children well – how to respect others, right from wrong, the value of hard work and responsibility and absolutely teach them the gospel and model it. This doesn’t mean that Elders, and all of us, need to save our kids. Why? We can’t do that. We can’t save our kids. They need to come to an awareness of their own sin and repent and believe the gospel. They need to walk out a life of faith.
Godliness in Character
Paul goes on to list a bunch of things that an Elder should and should not be like. “He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.” Again, why would any believer be exempt from following these things? In fact, none of us are. We can’t say “Welp…good thing I’m not an Elder, because I’m out for myself and my way only. I also love to get my drunk on…” That is never acceptable…and in fact we all need to be pursuing these character traits, not just Elders.
However…when we see a list of do’s and don’ts like this, the temptation for the preacher is to say “I know you fall short – so just try harder.” The temptation for the listener is to say “I don’t measure up to these things, God must be dissatisfied with me, bring on the guilt and condemnation!” Neither of these positions are consistent with the Biblical gospel. It should be abundantly, overwhelmingly clear that NONE of us can consistently live up to a list like this. Can we just say that out loud? Feel better? Good. So…what does that mean? We just give up and live like we want? Um…no, the Bible doesn’t give us that out either. (See Romans 6:1-3). The Gospel says that there was one (and only one) who kept such a list perfectly and his name is Jesus Christ. Thru faith in who he is and what he has done, we are united with him and united with his Spirit that will give us the desire to live out these qualities and the power to actually do it! When we fail, which we will, we run back to the cross where Jesus took the penalty for our failures, remember the empty tomb where he rose from the dead to give us new life and walk out our lives by faith. We can then look at a list of characteristics like this not with condemnation, but as a way for us to grow in sanctification and maturity only by the grace of Jesus Christ.
Godliness in Doctrine
The last verse of our passage indicates an area that is the particular responsibility of the Elder for the church – giving instruction in sound doctrine and rebuking those who contradict it. We know from a supporting list in 1 Timothy that “able to teach” is a unique characteristic of an Elder. (see 1 Timothy 3:2) One can certainly be a mature and healthy church member and not be able to teach well – and while we all need to know what the Bible actually says and means (“sound doctrine”) it is the particular responsibility of the Elder to teach and refute. Why? Because the church needs sound doctrine from God’s word to grow and division can destroy a church. Paul will get to this later in his letter to Titus. (Spoiler alert – see Titus 3:10-11).
So, all believers are called to Godliness – in the home, in character and we need to know sound doctrine, BUT the Elders are to be responsible to give instruction and refute. Thru an awareness of how God intends the church to work, we all grow together. Godly leaders help God’s church grow. Let’s pray for our leaders, and all strive together only in the grace of the gospel and God’s power to be mature in the faith, and make and mature more disciples of Jesus!
