January 5, 2020
Evening Service

We began this study of Paul’s letter to Titus with some background information on some of the issues he had to deal with on the island of Crete.  The people there were known for their untruthfulness and immorality.  We attempted to build our faith about what we know truth to be.  Our Bible is the compilation of writings, all inspired by the Holy Spirit, that we accept as the infallible Word of God.  Paul informed us that his writings were the “commandments of the Lord;” and that is exactly how we are to treat them.  We are not given the ability to pick and choose the parts we like or dislike, but we must yield ourselves to line up with entirety of it; knowing that we are following and God is leading.  Paul solidified that point by stating to us that “God, who cannot lie, promised before tome began.”  It is not in God’s Holy character to vary at all from the truth.  All He says will come true in His time; as Jesus said “I am the Way the Truth and the Life.”  We will begin by reading again the first four verses and go from there.

Tit 1:1-4  Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,  (2)  in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,  (3)  but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;  (4)  To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

            We have discussed the first two verse this morning, but I want to look starting with verse 3.  Paul states that at that time God had chosen to make His Word known through the preaching of those He has called to reveal His true gospel to.  These men then wrote down what they had been given by the Holy Spirit, and from those writings we have now what we call the “New Testament” in our Bible.  The “Old Testament” was full of types and shadows of what was to come, but with the coming of Jesus along with His death, burial, and resurrection, the true and perfect plan of salvation was revealed which is now available to all mankind.  I am not sure Paul fully understood the magnitude of his letters written to encourage these men would have as one day be considered sacred truth.  That is the Holy Spirit working at His best.

            Paul considered Titus a “true son in our common faith.”  He was a trusted and loved coworker in the ministry that he had given his life to.  Next Paul begins his teaching on the starting point at which Titus was to begin in establishing these churches in Crete.

 

Tit 1:5-6 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— (6) if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

 

 

        One of the first things that Titus needed to do was to set up the needed church leadership for each fellowship.  Those to be considered for this position must be “blameless” and rule their own houses well.  These “elders” along with the office of deacon (servant) we discussed in I Timothy make up what was called the “Presbytery” of the church.  That is the counseling body that assists the pastor (or bishop) in making leading the local congregation.  Some churches set an “Elder” as a separate office in the church that actually hold the full authority of the church including over the pastor.  We teach that this is not the case.  From the letter to Timothy we teach that there are only two offices in the church; deacons and the bishop.  Our deacons make up our leadership here at the Bride, filling both the roles of servant and the spiritual counselors to assist the pastor in his shepherding and leadership of the church.  There are other “elders” who I believe are older and experienced men whose opinions would be highly influential in the spiritual direction the church would be heading, but they are not necessarily holding an official office.  He now gives the qualifications needed to fulfill the role of bishop or pastor.

 

 Tit 1:7-9 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, (8) but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, (9) holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

            Notice where the emphasis is placed in the qualifications needed to lead.  All of these deal with the character of a man, not necessarily his knowledge or skills.  “God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called.”  He will take a man who holds these attributes and attitudes and then He will give him the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.  We are simply called to faithfully follow His lead and trust Him to provide all we need.  The bishop is, by sound doctrine (truth), to exhort and convict those who oppose the truth.  He must have a good grasp on the truth and be able to communicate it to others in a loving manner.

  These are some high standards to live by and the one who steps into that role must be certain they are called of God to do it.  When I personally read these qualifications, I am overwhelmed with the gravity of them.  I am certain there is no way I can live up to them on my own.  However, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13) I believe God wants me overwhelmed so that I will never trust solely on my own abilities, but always rely fully upon Him to lead my leadership.  I can only say follow me because I am following Him.  Paul said to the Corinthians, “imitate me as I imitate Christ.”  (I Cor. 11:1) Paul now warns about false teachers.

            Tit 1:10-14 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, (11) whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.  (12)  One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."  (13)  This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, (14) not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

        This was a way of life on the island of Crete.  The truth was never a foundation they had built upon.  That had to change as Paul strongly challenges Titus that their “mouths must be stopped.”  Gossip and back-biting in a fellowship leads to division, and that is not of God.  Titus was to rebuke them sharply keeping them firmly upon the foundation of truth.  That is why it is important for us to meet together and study God’s Word to keep us on track, accountable, and steering away from the many detours that these false teachers invite us to.  The church is to be a guardrail to keep us on the right road.  God’s Word must be the filter we run everything through.  If it does not line up with the Word, then move away from it.  Paul explains that like this as we continue.

 

Tit 1:15-16 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.  (16)  They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

        The “pure” are those who have yielded their lives to God’s control and will try to take God’s perspective in every situation; seeing things from God’s eyes of love and truth.  Their thoughts and mind are filled with the things that are pure.  Paul encouraged having this mindset to the Philippians like this:

 

Php. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

            When we see the through this pure perspective then all things are pure to us but to those who are defiled nothing is pure.  They find evil in everything because that is where their mind and heart are tuned into.  The old adage of “You are what you eat” turns out to be very true on the spiritual realm.  Like produces like.  Seeking after the things of God produces purity.  Seeking after the things of the world defiles a person, making nothing pure.  It is with the heart that one believes and it is from there that our actions are generated.  It is our fruit that we produce that reveals our heart as being pure or defiled.  That is an important part of recognizing false teachers.  You will know them by their fruits.

            Paul has set a good base for the church to be built on, but a leader is only as good as those who are following.  Next week Paul all church members to line up with God’s commands for our lives.

 

Heavenly Father, please grant to us the wisdom to know and stand courageously upon the truth.