I want to go through the whole book of Titus, and go through each verse and take a look at how Paul wanted the church to be set up. In this first post, I will go through just the first chapter. There will be a totally of three post one for each chapter. Far too often the American church is focused on how things look and how well the worship team sounds. But what we should be focused on is the people that are hurting in our churches. So let us dive right in and dig into the words that Paul spoke so many years ago.
Titus 1:1-4 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgement of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Paul encourages Titus in who he is in Christ.
Titus 1:5 – For this reason I have left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I have commanded you—
We see that Paul trusts Titus and it seems as if they have talked about what is lacking in the church there. It seems like Titus might have sent a letter with what the church looked like or what he was seeing, and Paul writes back to give him a foundation on which to build the church of Crete.
Titus 1:6-9 –if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 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, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just holy, self-controlled, holding fast to the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
There is a lot in just three verses. With these three verses, Paul sets the foundation for which we should be choosing to our leaders in the church. I’m not saying that if you don’t meet this “checklist” down to every last one you cant be a leader, but I am saying if you want to be a leader you must be striving for each and every one of theses. The standard needs to be set this high. How could you lead someone if you are falling into these self-centered sins? When Paul says, “bishop” he means an overseer, a leader. That person could be anyone from a senior pastor to a small group leader to a Jr. High small group leader. I understand that these three verses are talking right to men but it is not gender binding. Because of the cultural differences between now and then women were not seen as leaders in the church.
Titus 1:10-16 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in faith, not giving heed to the Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled, and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their minds and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works, they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
Although these six verses are talking about the Cretans, there is a lot we can glean from them. For we have many that are preaching for there own gain. Look at those who preach the “prosperity gospel”. Paul calls these/all false prophets to be REBUKED sharply. I think too often we just let people get away with whatever cause we don’t want to make waves. God calls us to live in righousness and to live a life pure of this world. Are we professing to know God, but living in sin? Yes we all sin, but if you are choosing to LIVE in sin than you are you not of God and He will spit you out. Revelations 3:15-16 speaks right too this. So how do you and I need to change the way we live? Do you see people that need to be rebuked for the way they are speaking out? Are you going to ask God to give you the courage and the strength to confront them? What do you think of the first chapter of Titus?
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