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Abortion: The Right To One's Own Body?

Abortion: The Right To One's Own Body?

Matt Chandler is the pastor of Village Church in Dallas Texas. Annually he preaches on abortion to awaken individuals to the serious reality of what abortion actually is. In this illustration he discusses the right to choice over one's own body.

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Titus: The Gospel Leads to Godliness

This multi-author series (Dave Anderson, Alex Strauch, Lars Anderson, and Tom Sorensen) on the book of Titus was originally preached at Littleton Bible Chapel in 2011. Audio is available for the complete series. Alex Strauch's also have a modified manuscript, and Dave Anderson's contain outlines.

1. The Gospel Leads to Godliness (Titus 1:1-4)

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6/17/2011

I. Scripture Reading: Titus 1:1-4

II. Introduction to Titus.

III. Outline of the book:

a. Outline:

i. Instructions for godliness in the Church (1)

ii. Instructions for godliness in the Home (2)

iii. Instructions for godliness in the World (3)

b. Summary and Big Idea:

i. Big Idea: Paul introduces himself as one who is called, determined, and bound to proclaiming the gospel and the necessity for living a life of godliness.

ii. The gospel leads to godliness.

IV. Paul Introduces His Purposes and His Passions (Titus 1:1-3)

a. Paul introduces the major themes of his letter in his introduction. These are his purposes and his passions. This is what makes Paul tick.

i. Faith (1:1a) “For the sake of the faith of God’s elect…”

ii. The knowledge of the truth (Titus 1:1b)

iii. Godliness (Titus 1:1c)

iv. Hope (Titus 1:2a)

v. Eternal life (Titus 1:2b)

vi. Proclamation (Titus 1:3)

vii. Salvation (Titus 1:3-4)

V. Paul gives a Greeting.

VI. Summary and Application: Godliness is the key**

a. Summary

b. What is godliness?

c. The contemporary problem:

d. Paul’s point in Titus is that the gospel leads to godliness.**

VII. How do we cultivate godliness?

a. #1- Apply godliness to every area of your life (church, home, world).

i. The Three Spheres of godliness

1. Godliness in the Church (1)

2. Godliness in the Home (2)

3. Godliness in the World (3)

b. #2- Take care of your soul.

i. Deal with sin.

1. Are you living in sin?

2. Fight sin!

c. #3- Be in the word; be a doer of the Word.

d. #4- Find an outlet for ministry to others.

e. #5- Make fellowship with other believers a priority.

f. #6- Spend time around godly people.

g. #7- Read a Christian biography.

h. #8- Never forget that you are justified by Christ’s godliness, not your own.

Related Topics: Christian Life

2. The Biblical Qualifications For Pastoral Eldership (Titus 1:5-9, 1 Tim. 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-4)

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Editor's Note: This is a heavily modified manuscript (by the author) from this message on Titus.

Some people say eldership doesn't work. I respond, you're right. How can it work when we appoint spiritually unfit, unqualified elders? It can't work if we don't follow God's manual for eldership. And the first point is elders must be biblically qualified for eldership to work

I. The Necessity for Biblical Qualifications

              When we come to the subject of church elders, the New Testament is positively emphatic about the qualifications for elders. In fact, the New Testament gives more detailed instructions on elders' qualifications than any other aspect of eldership.

              To the Lord this is a matter of great importance. God has placed a standard for those in pastoral oversight. Not just anyone can be an elder. You have no right to appoint men as elders because they are your friends or because you want to honor a person for perfect attendance. Nor should you place rich people on the eldership because they have power and influence.

Let me suggest three important reasons for the necessity of the biblical qualifications:

  • To protect the church from unfit men in leadership.

Example: the qualifications protect the church from a hot-tempered man, a fighter, a dominating personality, a greedy man, an immoral, unfaithful man, an immature man, a man with poor judgment, an undisciplined man, and a man with unfit testimony in the community.

Certainly, you wouldn’t let just anyone run your business or family finances or even baby-sit your children without knowing the person’s moral character. So why should it be any different in God’s house?

Nothing is more damaging to a church than unfit, unqualified elders. An unfit elder is a source of years of endless trouble. These qualifications can help the local church stop an unfit man from becoming an elder or remove an unfit man from the eldership. No one has the right to force himself on the Lord’s people as a leader.

  • To help improve the elders’ moral and spiritual character.

The more I study these qualifications the more I am impressed with the wisdom of these particular the qualifications. I want to encourage you as an elder to continue to meditate and reflect on these. There is much to learn from a deep reflection on these virtues. They will help you to keep improving your character and identify weaknesses that need work. We all can improve our “self-control,” “devotion,” our parenting skills, and husbandly skills, our balance in judgment. The more Christlike your character the better example you will be to others. These character qualifications set up a standard for us to keep aiming at throughout life.

  • To help improve the elders’ shepherding skills.

If you meditate deeply on the qualifications they will show you how to improve your shepherding skills with people. Think of qualities like "not quick-tempered," "gentle," hospitable," "not quarrelsome," "able to give instruction in sound doctrine," "[love] of good," and "willing" to shepherd. The more you improve these qualities in your life the better shepherd you will be. We can all improve our skills with people and our family management.

Identify the qualifications that you need to work on to improve your character and abilities as a shepherd. Let us now look at the qualifications. The three major passages are 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4.

II. The Biblical Qualifications for Pastoral Elders

Our starting point will be the desire for the work.

1. Desire for Eldership Motivated by the Holy Spirit

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God” (Acts 20:28).

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Tim. 3:1).

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly” (1 Peter 5:2).

The first requirement is the will and the call of the Holy Spirit.

Paul and the first Christians applauded the desire for eldership by creating a popular Christian saying: “If any man aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Tim. 3:1). Peter, too, insisted that an elder shepherd the flock "willingly" and "eagerly" (1 Peter 5:2).

A true desire to lead the family of God is always a Spirit-generated desire. Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that it was the Holy Spirit, himself—not the church or the apostles—who placed them as "overseers" in the church to shepherd the flock of God (Acts 20:28). The Spirit planted the pastoral desire in their hearts. He gave the compulsion and strength to do the work and the wisdom and appropriate gifts to care for the flock.

The elders were His wise choice for the task. In the church of God, it is not man’s will that matters but God’s will and arrangement. So the only men who qualify for eldership are those to whom the Holy Spirit gives the motivation and gifts for the task. This is one reason they are called "God's steward(s)" (Titus 1:7).

              An illustration of desire is a missionary. How does a person become a missionary? It begins with a desire to spread the gospel worldwide. Where did this desire come from? The Holy Spirit.

2. Moral and Spiritual Character Requirements

Desire is not enough; sometimes desire for eldership may actually be false desire; deception of the heart, or the result of a dominating personality who wants to rule others. So to protect the church from false desire and unfit men, the Spirit gives us practical, objective qualifications to test the desire of candidates. If Paul was with us, these are the qualities he would look for in a potential elder.

These objective scriptural qualifications can be divided into 9 categories.

a. A Good Reputation

"Above reproach" (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6)
"Respectable" (1 Tim. 3:2)
"Well thought of by outsiders" (1 Tim. 3:7)

Illustration: The Great Wall of China is over 1,500 miles long (2,400 kil). It ranges in height from 15 to 30 feet (5-9 meters). It was started over 2,400 years ago. Yet, three times it was breached by people who bribed the guard to let the enemy walk through the gates. The government invested a great deal of money and man-power to protect the nation by means of a high wall, but they didn't invest in the moral character of its people. The guards could be easily bribed with money, which made the wall worthless!

Illustration: Eric Alexander, once the famed preacher from Glasgow, tells this interesting story:

In 1939, as World War Two broke out, Winston Churchill was assigned a private physician to be with him at all times. This physician traveled with Churchill and gave his full attention to Churchill, living with him daily. If anyone got a clear view of Churchill’s true character, it was this man.

Years later, the physician published the diary he kept during his years living and traveling with Churchill. This diary offers a behind-the-scenes look at Churchill during a pivotal moment in history, and provides rich insights into his character. This physician came to speak at Glasgow University, and what he said moved Eric Alexander very much.

He told the students: "what the world needs above everything else you can think of is strong character leadership," and that "the outcome of this war will depend entirely on the quality of leadership in the various nations."

Eric Alexander took this message to heart, and said “People today are crying out for true character leadership."

In Psalm 101, King David declares to God that he will build a nation on integrity and blamelessness of character, and that he did. See this Psalm for a great example of a leader. This is an inspiriting example.

These illustrations show that in the Lord’s work character is everything! The character of our elders is what makes the difference in a local church. We can have the best structure and rules for governance but if we don't have men of moral and spiritual character, the church organization will not succeed in being what God wants it to be.

The problem today is finding qualified men of character. Our sinful, secular society is ruining the character of our people. We especially need to warn and prepare our young men and women for future leadership.

As we see from our own texts, the first and overarching qualification is that of being “above reproach.” The candidate for eldership should not be under a cloud of suspicions and accusations morally and spiritually. What the outside community thinks is important. If people at work or in the neighborhood say, “That man's an elder in your church? He’s a Christian? He doesn't live like it!” that man should not qualify to lead God’s family. The Bible says that the world’s judgment of your life counts! An elder should be a man with a good public reputation (Acts 6:3).

This qualification should be a preface to each qualification.

b. Family Life: Marital and Sexual Life

"The husband of one wife" (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6)

In both of Paul’s lists of elder qualifications, the first specific character virtue itemized is, “the husband of one wife.” This phrase means that an elder must be above reproach in his marital and sexual life. He must be a one-woman kind of man. He must be above reproach in his relationship with other women. He must be an example of faithful monogamous marriage.

In a sexually immoral world, God is concerned about this area of life. This is a key testing ground.

However, we are seeing a plague sweep across the world in fallen pastors. It is becoming so bad that it is no longer seen as a big deal in some churches.

Illustration: A young lady told me of her discouragement with her church’s pastors. Four pastors in a row at a local church left because of adultery. She wanted to know if there were any good pastors anywhere.

Howard Hendricks, professor at Dallas Seminary, reported that in a two year period over 200 Dallas Seminary grads were caught in adultery. Dick Swartley's book on pastors and sexual misconduct presents shocking statistics.

BE MENTORS:

God demands that his shepherds be men above reproach in their marriage and sexual life.

The church is facing the difficult task of finding morally qualified leaders for the future. We must start now with our young people. We need to address issues of pornography and worldly attitudes towards our sexuality. Missionaries in Europe already complain that it is hard to find qualified men.

To address this scourge upon the church, every local church needs a sexual policy for its leaders. They need to regularly pray about this problem in elders meetings. If you need more information on a policy for your elders, let me know. We have one at LBC. We do not want to see our young elders fall prey to this sin.

BE MENTORS:

Frequent question: What exactly does this qualification mean, a one-woman man? Can a man divorced ever be an elder? What if a man's wife dies and he remarries? (See Biblical Eldership pp. 189-193.)

c. Family Life: Children

"Must manage his own household well" (1 Tim. 3:4)
"His children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination" (Titus 1:6)

An elder must also be above reproach as a family leader. His children are to be under control with "all dignity" (1 Tim. 3:4-5). Children are a test of a man’s leadership. No father is perfect, but a Christian father who is an elder must be above reproach as a father in the eyes of the community. In other words, despite normal family issues and problems, he should consistently show that he is a concerned and involved father. None of our children are perfect but according to Titus, an elder’s children are not to be insubordinate or prodigals.

BE MENTORS:

Frequent question: The issue of believing children is discussed further in Biblical Eldership pp. 229. I take here the term “believer” to mean a child who is dutiful and faithful to the father.

The reason for this is that the church is a family, not some religious institution.

d. Personal Self-Control

"Sober-minded" (1 Tim 3:2)
"Self-Controlled" (Titus 1:8)
"Not greedy for gain" (Titus 1:7)
"Not quick tempered" (Titus 1:7)
"Not quarrelsome" (1 Tim. 3:3)
"Not a drunkard" (1 Tim. 3:3)
"Disciplined" (Titus 1:8)

Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, so this qualification is about having Spirit-controlled leaders.

Proverbs says, “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit” (25:28). A person without self-control becomes vulnerable to vices, passion, lust, and emotion. Self-control protects and balances a man’s character. An elder must be a man who displays self-control and a balanced, stable mind and life.

This matter of self-control is important. A number of the qualifications revolve around a person being “self-controlled.” Self-control is especially needed in the following areas:

Alcohol—which is a huge problem in many cultures.

Money—which is also a large problem in many cultures. Some missionaries have realized that they cannot hand money over to the locals because stealing is a way of life. Some of our own missionaries have discovered their best men pilfering church funds or misappropriating church monies. This has been very discouraging to our missionaries to see key brothers steal. Let us not be naïve about these temptations.

The Abuse of Authority—you may think sexual misconduct is the biggest problem among church leaders. But a bigger problem is the abuse of authority. This problem leads to many other problems.

Anger—hot-headed shepherds hurt the sheep. A man with an anger problem will be the source of much conflict within the church.

Quarrelsomequarrelsomeness is a work of the flesh and condemned in several places in the New Testament. A quarrelsome person causes a lot of unrest and confusion in the local church.

Balanced Judgment – "Sober-minded"—there are men who are unstable mentally and emotionally. They go to extremes. They are unbalanced people. They too cause much trouble to a group of people.

e. Relational Skills with People

"Gentle" (1 Tim. 3:3)
"Upright" (Titus 1:8)

"Not quick tempered" (Titus 1:7)
"Not quarrelsome" (1 Tim. 3:3)

"Not arrogant" (Titus 1:7)

An elder’s work is a people-centered work. He must shepherd people, and thus, interpersonal skills are essential to his work. A number of the qualifications for an elder deal with relational skills. The most beautiful is “gentle” (1 Tim. 3:3). This word should be clearly understood. It is a key virtue required of a Christian elder.

BE MENTORS:

See Biblical Eldership pp. 197

In pastoral work, relationship skills are preeminent. Thus shepherd elders must be gentle, stable, sound-minded and not contentious. He cannot be a fighter or hot head. Some men are all for debate and conflict and these men do not qualify as elders.

An elder cannot be arrogant (Titus 1:7). The NASB terms this person "self-willed"

BE MENTORS:

Biblical Eldership pp. 232

This means not self-willed or self-pleasing. This is the kind of person who wants his own way, who is not a team player and does not work well with other elders. This is the kind of elder who must have control over people and use his authority in a lordly way. It is acting like Diotrephes in 3 John. These kind of men often push their way into leadership and cause the church many conflicts. These men are not humble servant-leaders. They will tend to manipulate people and abuse their authority.

Illustration: Of the pastor in Sedalia, CO. This pastor knows the Bible like the back of his hand but he can not get along with people. Therefore, he is constantly causing fights with people in his own church. His church, as a result, is small and struggling. He is a shepherd who kicks the sheep and drives out any who disagree with him. He is an angry and unstable man.

f. Hospitable and Loving

“hospitable” (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8)

“a lover of good” (Titus 1:8)

Most people would never think that hospitality is a requirement for an elder. That is because they are thinking of board elders, not pastoral elders. Elders are loving shepherds of people.

Hospitality is one of the most powerful tools we have for ministering to people and getting to know people. After people have been in our home, they see us differently.

Loving what is good speaks of an elder who does kind deeds for other people, and who is helpful and generous to needy brothers and sisters. Never underestimate the power of hospitality and loving deeds of kindness to influence people for God and for leading the Lord's people.

BE MENTORS:

See especially Acts 20:34-35

These two qualifications are intimately connected to the doctrine of love and the new commandment of Jesus Christ (John 13:34), the sum of all Christian virtue. Hospitality promotes love and is a sign of loving Christianity. Elders need to be loving men who care for the sheep. When people know you love them, they listen to you with greater receptivity.

g. Personal Integrity

"Above reproach" (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6)

"Being examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:3)

"Not greedy for gain" (Titus 1:7)
"Upright" (Titus 1:8)

"Hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught” (Titus 1:9)

"Holy" (Titus 1:8)

In America, a big problem is credibility among Christian leaders. Howard Hendricks says we are suffering from AIDs, “Acquired Integrity Deficiency.” Hendriks says, we are producing celebrities today, but few people of character. So many have been caught in sexual misconduct or financial scandals, or have shown themselves to have an unhealthy love of power and authority. We have leaders who trade character for cash. Power, fame, and money corrupt many of these big-shot leaders. Some have called this the greatest challenge to Evangelical leaders. It is embarrassing. We desperately need men of integrity.

Of King David the Scripture says, “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand” (Ps. 78:72). David was a man of integrity and the people knew it. He had both character and competence. Again, in Psalm 101, David seeks to be a blameless ruler. Read a portion of this to the congregation.

Elders need integrity in how they handle money, authority, and doctrine. The elder than must be a man of his word, a man you can trust.

Another way of testing an elder's integrity is to ask: Can you trust this person’s word? What about his promises? Be wary of someone who says he will do something and then doesn’t. A man is no better than his word. An elder should not be the kind of man that manipulates people.

Finally, does this elder's profession match his practice? Is he "holy" and "upright"?

BE MENTORS:

See Biblical Eldership pp. 234-235

h. Spiritual Maturity

"Not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil" (1 Tim. 3:6)

It may be that some newer converts became elders and because of pride fell easy victim to false teaching. I say this because this qualification is elaborated upon and it could explain how this eldership, which had been trained by Paul, failed some six years later.

An elder needs to be a person who has been saved for some period of time and has the opportunity to acquire a good reputation among the people. The length of this period of time will be different for different people.

It is very important to note that there is no specific age given for an elder. It has been a big mistake among some churches to think of elders as men in their sixties and seventies. Some churches teach that men in their thirties, forties and fifties cannot be elders. This philosophy has killed many churches. The word elder does not indicate age, but community leadership. Specific ages are not indicated.

A man could be drunk on the street one day, then the day after his conversion be an evangelist, but not an elder.

3. Abilities

The logic of scripture is this: "For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?" In the catalog of elder qualifications, three requirements address the elder’s abilities to perform the task. He must be able to manage his household well, provide a model of Christian living for others to follow and be able to teach and defend the faith.

a. Family Management

"He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive" (1 Tim. 3:4)
"His children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination" (Titus 1:6)

An elder must be able to manage his household well.

The Puritans referred to the family household as a “little church.” This perspective is in keeping with the scriptural reasoning that if a man cannot shepherd his family, he can’t shepherd the extended family of the church. Managing the local church is more like managing a family than managing a business or state. A man may be a successful businessman, a capable public official, a brilliant office manager, or a top military leader but be a terrible church elder or father. Thus a man’s ability to oversee his household well is a prerequisite for overseeing God’s household.

Let us remember that the local church is an extended family. It is made up of many families, so the family model is at the heart of eldership. The best testing ground for an elder is his own family.

BE MENTORS:

Frequent question: Often, people see this requirement and ask "Does an elder have to be married to be an elder?" My response is no, a man does not have to be married to be an elder. The present qualification only applies to married men. Most men will be married. The question of marriage is addressed more fully in BE pp. 190.

We live in an age in which marriages are breaking apart at record levels. We need to do all we can to strengthen the families in our local churches and help men to be good and loving household managers. Ephesians 5:22-33 is an extremely important passage for our men to know well. Note well that in Ephesians 5, the husband is to take the initiative to love his wife. It is not the reverse.

We need to understand that anyone who becomes an elder puts his family at risk, because of all the work and stress that eldership entails. Thus, elders need to protect one another's families. This is where shared leadership should be a big help.

b. Personal life Example

"Being examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:3)

An elder must be an example of Christian living that others will want to follow. Peter reminds the Asian elders “to be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3b). Edmund Burke said, “Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn by no other.”

Character and deeds, not official position or title, are what really influences people for eternity. Oswald Sanders states very clearly that leadership is influence. If you are not influencing people for God, you are not leading. If your character and behavior is not a model for others to follow, you are not leading. If the way you speak and react to conflict is not an example to others, you are not leading. When D.E. Hoste was asked to define leadership, he replied, "It occurs to me that perhaps the best test of whether one is a qualified leader is to find out whether anyone is following him!"

Today men and women crave authentic examples of true Christianity in action. Who can better provide the week-by-week, long-term examples of family life, business life and church life than local church elders? This is why it is so important that elders, as living imitators of Christ, shepherd God’s flock in God’s way by being examples.

Let us not underestimate the power of our influence to change lives. Long before there was the printing press or books that the average person could own, much truth was taught through human example.

One of Paul's strategies for teaching his converts was his own personal life model. He calls upon his converts to follow his example. Listen to this quotation by Marshall and Payne: "This methodology of modeling, example and imitation was basic to Paul's whole ministry….We are always an example to those whom we are teaching and training, whether we like it or not. We cannot stop being an example….It [training] cannot be done in a classroom via the supposedly neutral transferal of information. The trainer is calling upon the trainee to adopt not only his teaching, but also the way of life that necessarily flows from that teaching" (The Trellis and the Vine, p. 72ff). (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 1:6; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:16). Setting a good example is a key factor to effective leadership. Howard Hendricks has said, "The measure of you as a leader is not what you do but what others do because of what you do."

c. Biblical Knowledge

"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 1:9)

An elder must be able to teach and defend the faith. It doesn’t matter how successful a man is in his business, how eloquently he speaks or how intelligent he is. If he isn’t firmly committed to historic, apostolic doctrine and able to instruct people in biblical doctrine, he does not qualify as a godly leader (Acts 20:28ff; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9).

The New Testament requires that a pastor elder “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught” (Titus 1:9a). This means that an elder must firmly adhere to orthodox, historic, biblical teaching.

Since the local church is “a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15b), its leaders must be rock-solid pillars of biblical doctrine or the house will crumble. Since the local church is also a small flock traveling over treacherous terrain infested with the false teaching that comes from “savage wolves,” only those shepherds who know the way and watch out for wolves can lead the flock to its safe destination. An elder, then, must be characterized by doctrinal integrity.

In many churches, the elder candidates are never tested as to what they really believe or they really know about Scripture. Thus, we have elders who are not qualified doctrinally to be elders. They don't think according to Scripture or solid Scriptural doctrine. Titus 1:9 is a very important qualification that needs to be much emphasized. If a candidate for eldership does not know his Christian doctrine, he can be helped and trained. But this will take several years.

d. Communication Skills

"be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it" (Titus 1:9)

"able to teach" (1 Tim. 3:3)

"But we will devote ourselves to prayer and ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4)

It is essential for an elder to be firmly committed to apostolic, biblical doctrine so that he can do two things: “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able (1) to give instruction in sound doctrine and also (2) to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9b).

This requires that a prospective elder has applied himself for some years to the reading and study of Scripture and has formulated sound doctrinal beliefs so that he can intelligently reason and logically discuss biblical issues He must also demonstrate that he has the verbal ability and willingness to teach others.

There should be no confusion then about what a New Testament elder is called to do. He is to teach and exhort the congregation in sound doctrine and to defend the truth from false teachers. This is one of the big differences between board elders and pastor elders. New Testament elders are both guardians and teachers of sound doctrine.

This does not mean that an elder must be a gifted orator or a skilled preacher. Some elders may be skilled preachers and teachers (1 Timothy 5:17-18), but all elders must be able to communicate to others the gospel and sound Scriptural teaching. This can mean he speaks on an individual basis, to small groups, or even to a larger congregation.

The importance of some elders being able to labor diligently at preaching and teaching is brought out in 1 Timothy 5:17-18. This is an extremely important passage to the congregation to understand. The best protection from false teaching and provision for maturing the congregation are elders who labor at preaching and teaching the word. This is a passage we will study in another message because it demands a great deal of time.

III. Examination of Potential Elders

“And let them also be tested first; then let them serve…" (1 Tim. 3:10a)

“The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden” (I Tim. 5:24-25)

One of the biggest mistakes made by local churches is that they do not adequately examine candidates for eldership. Many men are appointed elders after a phone call or group nomination. After the man is serving as an elder, it may be discovered that his doctrine is out of sync with the local church and other elders or that he has serious character and personality flaws that make his eldership ineffective.

Since the qualifications are so essential, the Scripture requires an examination of a candidate’s moral and spiritual fitness before serving as an elder: “Let them also be tested first; then let them serve…” (1 Tim. 3:10). Paul also refers to this matter in 1 Timothy 5:22, 24, 25. He warns against hasty appointments. And he tells Timothy that a careful assessment of character and deeds is possible.

The word for "tested" is best translated as examined. This does not mean a vote but an examination process. The candidates should be examined as to their fitness in relationship to the Biblical qualifications.

Of course, there is the other extreme, and that is looking for perfect candidates. When potential candidates are found, training and effort developing these men can pay off in long term profit to the local church. Jesus trained his twelve men. They were not perfect when he first met them.

The list of qualifications is worthless if there is no examination of them by the body.

The Scripture says examine but it doesn’t give details. The exact process is left to the missionary or elders or local church. However it is done, it should be done seriously and thoughtfully.

Regarding the appointment of elders. There are four major pillars. Within these four pillars there is a lot of freedom as to the mechanics of appointing elders.

  • Personal desire for pastoral oversight (1 Tim. 3:1, Acts 20:28)
  • Meeting biblical qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4)
  • Public examination (1 Tim. 3:10; 5:24-25)
  • Public appointment (1 Tim. 5:22, Acts 6:6)

Related Topics: Ecclesiology (The Church), Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Leadership, Pastors

3. Restoring Biblical Eldership to the Church: Defending and Defining Biblical Eldership (Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3)

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Editor's Note: This is a heavily modified manuscript (by the author) from this message on Titus.

I. Defining Biblical Eldership

Illustration: Hurricane Andrew and the man who built his house according to the state code for hurricanes. Hurricane Andrew was one of the worst hurricanes to hit the Caribbean islands and Florida. After the hurricane, news reports witnessed tens of thousands of homes flattened to the ground. As they were filming, they saw one house standing. They went to that house and the owner was cleaning up the front yard. They asked, how is it that your house is standing? He said, I built this house and I followed the Florida state code for hurricanes. If the code called for 12-inch beams, I put in 12-inch beams; if it called for a metal brace to the beams, I put in a metal brace. I built the house according to the code and the house withstood the hurricane. We need to build our churches on God’s code in Scripture.

Let’s read together 1 Tim. 3:14-15; 4:6, 11. Explain.

1. Pastoral Oversight by a Plurality of Qualified Elders

a. The General New Testament Concept of Eldership: Pastoral Oversight

The New Testament concept of elders is pastoral, as seen in Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-2; 1 Tim. 5:17. The eldership is not an executive board of laymen, nor is it a finance committee or building committee or assistant to pastor. Once you understand New Testament eldership as pastoral oversight, it changes everything.

Read Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:1-2.

Definition of Biblical Eldership: “Biblical Eldership is pastoral leadership of the local church by a council of qualified, Spirit-appointed men.”

Illustration of the pyramid on pp. 15 of Biblical Eldership booklet.

The New Testament teaches that Christian eldership is pastoral leadership of the local church by a council of qualified, Spirit-appointed men. The New Testament defines elders as shepherds, overseers, stewards, and leaders of local church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 5:17).

b. Equality and Diversity within the Eldership

The first leadership body in the church was appointed directly by the Lord Jesus Christ himself and had within it, by His approval, both equality and diversity. There was no question that Peter, James, and John stood out among the disciples. We call these first among equals.

The same thing is true among the elders according to 1 Tim. 5:17-18. Brothers, this is very important for you to understand about the eldership. There is diversity within the eldership approved by God. Note the following Scripture passages:

Speaking directly to the elders of the church at Ephesus Paul says, “the Holy Spirit has made you [all of you] overseers, to care [shepherd] for the church of God” (Acts 20:28).

He later writes to the same church at Ephesus, “Let the elders who rule well [some elders] be considered worthy of double honor, especially those [some elders] who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Tim. 5:17). From these two magisterial, pivotal texts, addressed to the church at Ephesus, we learn that both equality and diversity exist within a biblical eldership.

On the side of equality (also called parity of the eldership) the Scripture teaches that all the elders:

  • have been placed in the flock by the Holy Spirit as “overseers” for the specific purpose to shepherd the church (Acts 20:28).
  • have been charged by the Holy Spirit to shepherd [pastor] the church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2).
  • share equally the authority and responsibility for the pastoral oversight of the entire congregation: “Pay careful attention…to all the flock” (Acts 20:28; italics added).
  • are equally responsible to be alert to the constant dangers of false teaching and to guard the flock from false teachers (Acts 15:6; 20:28-31; Titus 1:9-13).
  • are to be able to teach Scripture and rebuke false teachers (1Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9).
  • are to be publicly examined as to the biblical qualifications for “overseership” before serving as an overseer (1 Tim. 3:10; 5:22-25).
  • are responsible to visit and pray for the sick (James 5:14).
  • share the designations “elder” and “overseer” (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 5:17). The New Testament authorizes no special title or name for one elder above the others. No one in the New Testament is ever call “the pastor,” while others are designated “the elders.”
  • are equally accountable to the entire eldership body and under the loving pastoral care of the entire eldership body (Acts 20:28a).
  • are to be appreciated, esteemed “very highly in love,” honored, protected from slander, and obeyed (1Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 5:17-19; Heb. 13:17).

Although all elders share equally the same office and pastoral charge, there is at the same time rich diversity of giftedness and life situations among those within the eldership council. It is obvious that not all elders on an eldership council are equal in giftedness, effectiveness, influence, time availability, years of experience, verbal skills, leadership ability, or biblical knowledge. Note the following:

  • Not all elders labor diligently “in preaching and teaching” (1 Tim. 5:17). Although all elders must be able to teach, to refute false teachers, and be spiritually alert to the dangers of false doctrine, not all have the spiritual gift of teaching or evangelism or the same degree of proficiency at teaching or preaching the gospel. This implies that one or some elders will have a more prominent public role in the pulpit ministry to the whole church.
  • Not all elders “rule well [a marked proficiency]” (1 Tim. 5:17). Although all elders must be able to lead and manage their homes well, not all have the spiritual gift of leadership or the same degree of leadership skills (Rom. 12:8). This implies that one or some elders will display among the elders more prominent leadership initiative and influence.
  • Not all elders receive “double honor” from the congregation and its elders; indeed, it is mandated that the elders laboring in the Word be compensated for their diligent labor (1 Tim. 5:17-18). This implies that the elders and congregation acknowledge, set aside, and support those elders laboring in the gospel and equipping the saints by the Word (Eph. 4:11).
  • Not all elders receive financial compensation or the same amount of compensation (1 Tim. 5:18; Gal. 6:6)

So both equality and diversity exist within a church eldership council.

There are two unbiblical extremes that have historically distorted the biblical equality and diversity of eldership. The one extreme is to sacralize and professionalize a gifted elder, making him in effect the Protestant priest, the chief shepherd, the anointed one, or the one who alone can bless, preach, and administer holy things.

The other extreme is to enforce complete equality among elders, allowing for no special giftedness, calling, function, or financial aid for any member. By God’s help, let us seek to represent accurately and completely Christ’s and his apostles’ instructions on this important subject.

2. New Testament Qualifications for Elders

a. Spirit-Given Desire

Eldership begins with a Spirit-given desire to shepherd the Lord’s people.

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God” (Acts 20:28).

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Tim. 3:1).

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly” (1 Peter 5:2).

b. Objective Biblical Qualifications

The one subject the Bible is most clear about regarding eldership is the qualifications for elders. This is a matter of grave importance to God. There are three passages that list the qualifications: 1 Tim 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5. A person may have the desire, but not qualify biblically. The qualifications are to protect the local church from unfit men. The great problem I see in churches today is that we don’t take these qualifications seriously. We take on elders who are biblically unfit and then we wonder why we have so many problems. People sometimes say eldership doesn’t work. Well, of course it doesn’t work if we don’t have biblically qualified elders.

The qualifications also help us to understand the work of the elders.

(1). Moral and Spiritual Qualities

A Good Reputation

“Above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6)
“Respectable” (1 Tim. 3:2)
“Well thought of by outsiders” (1 Tim. 3:7)

Family Life: Marital and Sexual Life

“The husband of one wife” (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6)

Family Life: Children

“Must manage his own household well” (1 Tim. 3:4)

“His children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination” (Titus 1:6)

Personal Self-Control

“Sober-Minded” (1 Tim. 3:2)
“Self-Controlled” (Titus 1:8)
“Not greedy for gain” (Titus 1:7)
“Not quick tempered” (Titus 1:7)
“Not quarrelsome” (1 Tim. 3:3)
“Not a drunkard” (1 Tim. 3:3)
“Disciplined” (Titus 1:8)

Relational Skills with People

“Gentle” (1 Tim. 3:3)
“Upright” (Titus 1:8)
“Not quick tempered” (Titus 1:7)
“Not quarrelsome” (1 Tim. 3:3)
“Not Arrogant” (Titus 1:7)

Hospitable and Loving

“hospitable” (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8)

“a lover of good” (Titus 1:8)

Personal Integrity

“Above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6)

“Being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3)

“Not greedy for gain” (Titus 1:7)

“Upright” (Titus 1:8)

“Hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught” (Titus 1:9)

“Holy” (Titus 1:8)

Spiritual Maturity

“Not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6)

(2). Abilities

Family Management

“He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive “(1 Tim. 3:4)

“His children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination” (Titus 1:6)

Personal life Example

“Being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3)

Biblical Knowledge

“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 1:9)

Communication Skills

“be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9)

“able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:3)

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4)

c. Public Examination of a Candidate’s Qualifications

“And let them also be tested [examined] first; then let them serve…” (1 Tim. 3:10a).

“The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden” (I Tim. 5:24-25).

Qualifications mean nothing if there is not examination. The examination is in a general context and so it is something done by the leaders and the church. This is another issue of grave importance. If we don’t officially examine the fitness of our elders and deacons then the qualifications don’t mean anything and we keep winding up with the wrong people. I find this to be the single greatest problem in churches regarding eldership. The elders are not being seriously examined as to their qualifications.

Furthermore, an examination of qualifications is not the same thing as a vote (one member, one vote), but a public examination of objective qualifications. There is a great deal of freedom as to how this is specifically carried out.

d. Public Appointment or Recognition

In the New Testament, elders are publicly appointed and recognized because eldership is both a work and an office. 1 Timothy 3:1 calls the position “overseership,” that is an office. As an office, there are qualifications and there are duties, which not everyone in the church has to fulfill. It is something you become part of or are removed from.

1 Timothy 5:19-22 talks about removing elders from their position and restoring them to their position.

For elders’ appointed to office see Acts 14:23, Tit. 1:5, 1 Tim. 5:22, 24-25.

Summary: The Four Pillars of Appointing Elders

  • Personal desire for pastoral oversight (1 Tim. 3:1, Acts 20:28)
  • Meeting biblical qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4)
  • Public examination (1 Tim. 3:10; 5:24-25)
  • Public appointment (1 Tim. 5:22, Acts 6:6)

3. New Testament Roles for Pastoral Elders

The general New Testament concept of the eldership is the shepherd concept, not the board concept. There are four specific aspects to the shepherding task. In fact, the more you can learn about shepherding sheep, the more it will help you to understand what shepherd-elders do. The imagery of shepherding is a great biblical image. We are using it throughout this whole series because it is a biblical image.

a. Teach (Feed) the Church

(1 Tim. 3:2, 5:17- 18; Titus 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:12)

This is the proactive side of the ministry, feeding the sheep. No food means no growth. No food means no flock. In many ways this is the most important job of shepherd elders.

Hosea, the prophet, cried out, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6a). Ezekiel also denounced Israel’s leaders for not feeding the people, but feeding only themselves:

Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? (Ezek. 34:2b).

The prophet, Jeremiah, prophesied that God would some day give Israel good shepherds who would teach and instruct the people. These are shepherds after God’s own heart: “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jer. 3:15).

In the New Testament Church, God requires that all pastor elders be able to teach the Word. This is a biblical qualification. Titus 1:9 says every elder must be able to teach and protect the church from false teachers.

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. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers (Titus 1:9-10).

The reason is that everything elders do they do by the Word. They lead, feed, and care for others by the Word. That does not mean that every man needs to be a professional public speaker, or orator, but he must be able to open the Bible and instruct believers, answer questions, and stop false teaching. He can encourage a believer, lead a Bible study, and instruct someone in the gospel.

Elder candidates must be examined as to this biblical requirement (Titus 1:9).

However, in the New Testament Church, there are some elders—not all—who labor at teaching and evangelizing. The teaching-preaching ministry is so important to the local church that the Scripture approves of some elders giving part or full-time to the ministry of the Word, both in evangelism and in Bible teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 states:

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

b. Protect the Church from False Teachers

(Acts 20:28-31; Titus 1:9; Acts 15; Hebrews 13:17)

One of the major aspects of the elders’ work is the protecting, guarding, and watching ministry. It is vital to the life of the flock. “Guard the flock,” Paul says and we must say the same today.

The archenemy of the church is the false teacher. Acts 20:28-31 is the key passage for this. In Acts 20, a great apostolic passage, we have an overview of all church history and it is not a pretty story.

Read Acts 20:28-31 with brief comment.

Another very important passage is Titus 1:9-10.

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. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers (Titus 1:9-10).

This passage authorizes the elders to protect the church. They can discipline false teachers, note Titus 1:10-13. The survival of the church depends on stopping savage wolves. A shepherd has authority over the sheep to protect and defend. He may have to give His life for them.

Cult watchers all agree there is an unprecedented worldwide explosion of cults today. This was stated by Walter Martin, author of Kingdom of the Cults, and today by Hank Hanagraph who has taken his place today. Hanagraph is the Bible Answer Man on the radio.

Illustration: One of our younger elders, Dave Anderson, asked Bruce Ware, one of our best evangelical scholars today, where the main attacks were coming from. Bruce sighed and said, “They are coming from every direction. Every single doctrine is under attack.” He told Dave he had not seen anything like this before.

What is most frightening is that among Bible-believing, conservative Christians, aberrant doctrines are also exploding: the health and wealth doctrine, false miracle workings, holy laughter, the politicizing of the Gospel, feminism and same sex marriages.

Furthermore, elders must protect the church from internal fighting and group factions. The great scourge of a sinful race is fighting. Cain killed Abel and we’ve been “killing” each other ever since. This is not an easy job for the elders.

The discipline of sin, confronting sin, and reconciling people is emotionally exhausting work. It is dealing with people’s sins that wears elders out.

c. Leading the Church

(1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; Phil. 1:1; 1 Peter 5:2)

A number of key verses and words show us that the elders form the leadership body of the flock. They are to shepherd the church. Part of shepherding is leading. They are the overseers of the church; the process of overseeing means superintending the church. First Timothy 5:17 states the elders take the lead (prohistemi). Read especially 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Thess. 5:12.

The single, biggest complaint I hear against church elderships is that they are not leading. They are caretakers. There is a lot of talk but little gets done. They have very little vision, little direction and the same old problems reappear month after month, year after year never being addressed. This is very frustrating to the flock. People want to be led and be confident that the church is going somewhere. People need a challenge. Leadership requires vision.

Now the best definition of leadership is “leadership is influence.” It doesn’t matter what titles you have or position; if you are not influencing people, you are not leading people. When Mr. D. E. Host was asked what is a leader he said “a person whom people are following.”

I want you to understand that the rule of leadership and stewardship is use it or lose it. Power not used is power defaulted on.

Let me assure you there is nothing that frustrates people more than leaders who don’t lead, who don’t follow through with their jobs and who allow their particular ministries to flounder. These kinds of leaders create a lot of fighting in the church. People who work with them want them to get out of the way because they have become a bottleneck. Some of our worst fights have been over leaders who ruin programs and frustrate the people but won’t improve. If you are a leader the Bible says to lead with zeal (Rom. 12:8).

Now the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts of leadership. The Bible teaches that there is the spiritual gift of leadership in Rom. 12:8:

The one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal [diligence].

This is the gift of prohistemi. Paul says something very interesting. He says the man with the gift of prohistemi, let him do it wholeheartedly, zealously.

Some of the elders will have the leadership gift. If you have the leadership gift, let me tell you what the apostle Paul would say to you: Lead wholeheartedly. Do it zealously, but humbly, lovingly, and not for self-glory.

Don’t be passive about this matter; passivity is an enemy. Be patient, but not passive.

My beloved brethren we are in desperate need of biblical leadership. People who can organize people, motivate people, and move the people forward. Our goal is to become more Christlike individually and corporately. Peter would say, “Shepherd the flock.”

I like to ask elders this question. If you have a literal flock of sheep, would that flock of sheep be alive by the end of the year with the way you care for your spiritual flock?

d. Healing and Caring for Practical Needs

(Acts 20:35; Titus 1:8; James 5:14)

The elders also have many practical duties. They are to be concerned for the needy and the weak and the poor.

Read Acts 20:34-35 and James 5:14-15.

Elders do not do everything, but they make sure that others like the deacons or Women’s ministry are working on hospitality and visits, counseling for families, premarital counseling (which is so important) and marital counseling, as well as visitation of the bereaved and visiting shut-ins. Deacons and Women’s ministry do many of these things.

Ultimately the elders make sure that the people are doing their duties. But there are occasions when there are serious sinful problems in families that only the elders can handle. There may be deaths or serious hospital visits that only the elders can handle.

The elders set an example of care and love for one another. If you are caring and giving the people will follow. Remember one of the qualifications for elders is loving what is good, that is, deeds of kindness and love to others (Titus 1:8).

Conclusion

Brethren, please do not be passive about your work. The Bible says, “Shepherd the Flock.” Too much is at stake. The saints need your positive, godly, prayerful leadership. They need good communication with you. They need to know you are going some place and you have vision. They need to be challenged and have their horizons broadened. They need to hear teaching they haven’t heard in years or maybe have never heard. Let me assure you, people will respond to good leadership. They always do, they always have; People are not any different today. If you lead them, they will follow.

Let me close with Paul’s final words to the Ephesian elders.

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified (Acts 20:32).

It is by the Word that the church is created, that it matures, that it is protected and that it grows and is built up. As elders, be men of the word, be biblical elders.

Related Topics: Ecclesiology (The Church), Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Leadership, Pastors

4. Identifying Spiritual Disease (Titus 1:10-16)

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7/10/2011

I. Announcements.

II. Introduction and Recap

a. Overview of Titus thus far:

i. Titus 1:1-4- The gospel leads to godliness.

1. He will apply this to the church, the home, and the world.

ii. Titus 1:5-9- The qualification for elders.

1. They are to be specific kind of men.

2. They are to be godly.

3. They are to be servant-leaders.

4. They are not to be like the world, and lead like the world.

5. Elders are to know and defend sound doctrine.

6. Elders are to refute and expose false teaching.

b. The transition…

i. After giving the qualifications for pastor-elders in the church, Paul keys off of his statement in Titus 1:9, and focuses on silencing false teachers.

ii. Big Idea: It isn’t enough to know correct doctrine, Paul say that false teaching needs to be exposed and silenced.

iii. This is Paul’s strategy for dealing with false teachers.

1. Get elders in churches teaching the truth.

2. Defeat falsehood with the truth.

3. Expose falsehood with the truth.

c. Falsehood and error spread like a disease. Like germs and pathogens.

d. Satan’s Strategy

e. Why does Paul write Titus 1:10-16?

III. Who are These False Teachers? (Titus 1:10)

a. There are many of them.

b. Their character is horrendous.

IV. What is the Influence of these False Teachers? (Titus 1:11)

a. “They are upsetting whole families”

b. They do it for “shameful gain”

c. What is Titus to do about these False Teachers?

V. What is the Character of these False Teachers? (Titus 1:12-14a)

a. “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true.

b. Something else needs to be noted here. (Cultural Characteristics)

c. “Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith…”

VI. What are the Errors of these False Teachers? (Titus 1:14b-16) (4 errors)

a. #1- They are more interested in the “commands of people” than the “commands of God.”

b. #2- They have a twisted understanding of purity.

c. #3- They claim to know the gospel, but their lives don’t match. (Titus 1:16)

d. #4- Their message is off focus. (Titus 1:14)

VII. Application: Dealing with Spiritual Disease.

a. Identifying Spiritual Disease in our Culture.

b. Identifying Spiritual Disease in our Church. Where are we vulnerable?

i. Distraction

ii. Sexual Immorality

iii. Alcohol

iv. Self-focus

v. We need to guard against trying to make the message of the gospel be cool and culturally relevant.

c. Identifying Spiritual Disease in Ourselves.

VIII. The Charge!

a. Pray for the young people.

b. There is a battle for the hearts and souls of our young people!

c. There is a war for the family!

d. There is a very real war going on for this Church!

e. The cultural headwinds are strong and the false teaching is all around us!

f. You want to be spiritually healthy?

g. You want to avoid spiritual disease?

h. Don’t be among those who limp along spiritually, who are biblically emaciated.

i. For the sake of your soul, for the sake of your family, for the sake of your kids, for the sake of this church, rededicate yourself anew to God’s Word and to prayer.

j. May LBC be known being people of sound doctrine. People of the Bible! People who are prayer warriors! People who have godly, strong families! People who adorn the gospel with the lives!

k. May we throw off the cultural disease the entangles us, along with our sins, and may we run the race that is before us!

Related Topics: Ecclesiology (The Church), False Teachers, Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry

5. Toward a Healthy Church (Titus 2:1-10)

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This message by Lars Anderson was preached at Littleton Bible Chapel on July 17, 2011 in this expositional series through the book of Titus.

Related Topics: Christian Life

6. The Curriculum of Grace (Titus 2:11-15)

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7/24/2011

I. Announcements

II. Introduction and Recap

a. Last week we looked at Paul’s practical instructions for the home- older men, older women, etc.

b. Paul is very practical.

c. Whereas Paul normally moves from doctrine to behavior, here he moves from behavior to doctrine.

d. Paul’s normal MO is to start with doctrine and toss out a gigantic “therefore” and move on to practical application and implications. Not here.

e. The grace of God is his subject and grammatically it is the main theme in this passage.

f. The outline:

i. Grace brings salvation for all people (Titus 2:11).

ii. Grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions (Titus 2:12).

iii. Grace trains us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in the present age (Titus 2:12).

iv. Grace trains us to eagerly wait for Jesus to come back (Titus 2:13-14).

v. Grace needs to be taught (Titus 2:15).

III. Grace brings salvation for all people (Titus 2:11).

a. “for”

i. “gar” another transition Paul makes.

ii. He gives the theological, or logical reason for this kind of behavior.

b. “The grace of God…”

i. The first word we must look at is this marvelous word grace. Certainly, if you are a Christian, this is a wonderful word for you. It is a delight to think about and meditate upon.

ii. The word is “charis.”

c. What does grace mean?

i. What is the hardest thing to believe about God?

d. Beware of the performance treadmill.

i. We have a profound tendency to feel good about ourselves or bad about ourselves based on our own performance and merits. It can be exhausting and depressing.

ii. We falsely believe “we were saved by grace, but we are living by the sweat of our own performance.” Bridges

iii. But grace cannot be earned by merit and it can’t be taken away by de-merit

iv. It’s been said that Jonathan Edwards was to Theology what Isaac Newton was to Physics. He was a genius of the first rate. Alive when our nation was founded. He has been a source of revival for many. I commend him to you.

v. Dad Forgives Daughter for Taking Coins illustration

vi. Football illustration…

e. “has appeared”

i. The word means epiphany. The word means a visible appearance.

ii. He uses this word twice. There are two epiphanies.

f. “bringing salvation for all people”

i. in what sense has salvation been brought to all people?

ii. The atonement must be limited in some sense.

g. There is another characteristic of grace that we see in verse 12. It has a training characteristic.

IV. Grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions (Titus 2:12).

a. “training us…”

i. Grace has a specific curriculum—to restrain certain behaviors and to promote others.

ii. What does it teach us and HOW does it teach us?

iii. The gospel of grace leads to godliness.

b. Grace trains us to renounce…

i. Renouncing ungodliness (Titus 2:12).

ii. Renouncing worldly passions (Titus 2:12).

c. Application:

i. We need to identify ungodliness and worldly passions.

ii. We need to renounce it.

V. Grace trains us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in the present age (Titus 2:12).

a. The goal of God’s curriculum is for us to live a new kind of life.

i. If the Christian life ended at repentance, then we would just live lives of avoidance.

ii. We are not to be people who just avoid certain things and abstaining, but never actually DO anything.

iii. Is. 1:16-17, “…cease to do evil…learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”

b. Grace trains us to be self-controlled.

i. Self-control over bodily desires and impulses.

c. Grace trains us to live upright lives.

i. A general description for being above reproach, having integrity, being just.

d. Grace trains us to live godly lives.

i. This is Paul’s general term for authentic Christianity.

ii. It is also the antithesis of the old life.

iii. In Paul’s mind, the gospel leads to godliness. That’s the main point of this letter.

iv. The message of God’s grace leads to godliness, and anything less is a fake.

e. Application

i. In other words… Grace teaches us to be disciples.

ii. All of our sanctification and growth is by grace.

iii. Our main problem is unbelief.

VI. Grace trains us to eagerly wait for Jesus to come back (Titus 2:13-14).

a. “waiting for our blessed hope.”

b “He gave himself for us.”

c. “to redeemed us.”

d. “to purified us.”

e. A people of his own possession.

f. Zealous for good works.

VII. Grace needs to be taught (Titus 2:15).

a. “declare these things”

b. “exhort”

c. “rebuke”

d. “Exhort and Rebuke with all authority.”

e. “Let no one disregard you”

VIII. Summary

a. Our biggest problem as Christians, the main reason we lack joy and happiness and assurance is because we have not believed this glorious truth…that the grace of God has appeared!

b. But we need to live in light of it…

c. Imagine if you heard this from God…

c. We need to live in the grace and love of Jesus!

e. Live in light of God’s grace and you will be trained not to play in the mud.

Related Topics: Grace

7. Public Life and Good Works (Titus 3:1-2)

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7/31/2011

I. Announcements

II. Introduction and Recap

a. Recap:

i. Paul is interested in how the knowledge of the truth affects our day to day lives. Remember, the apostle is a practical man. He is interested in how the gospel affects our day to day lives. He isn’t just interested in theory, he is interested in godliness, and he knows that a right knowledge of the truth leads to godliness.

ii. 1:1 “The knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness”

iii. 2:1 “teach what accords with sounds doctrine”

iv. 2:15 “teach these things”

v. 3:1 “remind them”

b. Paul’s order (just like chapter two)

i. Having given Titus directions about doctrine and godliness in the church (chapter 1), and then in the home (chapter 2), Paul now develops the same theme in regard to the world (chapter 3). He thus moves purposefully from the inner circles of home and church to the outer circle of secular society.

ii. Let me show you what he does

1. He is interested in how the knowledge of the truth affects godliness and action...

2. Practical application (2:1-10) then doctrine (2:11-15)

3. Practical application (3:1-2) and then doctrine (3:3-7)

4. A knowledge of what God has done leads us to action.

c. The outline of our passage.

i. Our outline:

1. 6 descriptions of a Christian citizen…

2. Public Life and the Christian.

ii. Also…

1. The Christians relationship with the rulers (3:1)

2. The Christians relationship with the public (3:2)

d. The predicament for these Christians.

i. We are to be in this world but not of it.

ii. This creates many interesting dilemmas for the Christian.

iii. Keep in mind, Crete, like most of the world, was under the authority of the Caesars. They were under foreign occupation. Nonetheless, this was Paul’s word to them.

iv. In one sentence, he gives them six descriptions of how they are to interact with their government and their neighbors.

e. Why is Paul writing this?

i. He is connecting the dots between “sound doctrine” and sound living.

ii. Between doctrine and practice.

iii. In other words, when you become a Christian, your life changes. Repentance brings about real change, including change in our public life, in how we live as citizens of earthly kingdoms and heavenly kingdoms.

III. 6 descriptions of a Christian citizen:

a. #1- The Christian citizen obeys the law (3:1)

i. “remind them”

ii. “to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient”

iii. When do we NOT submit to authority?

b. #2- The Christian citizen is active in public service (3:1).

i. “to be ready for every good work”

ii. Nonetheless, Christians are to be available for doing good to their State, their city, their nation.

iii. Even if you don’t work for the government, we should be ready for every good work.

c. #3- The Christian citizen guards his mouth (3:2).

i. “Speak evil of no one”

ii. We live in a country with free speech.

iii. The Christian citizen guards his mouth.

d. #4- The Christian citizen is tolerant (3:2).

i. “avoid quarrelling”

ii. Let me explain what Paul means by this.

e. #5- The Christian citizen is gentle (3:2).

i. The word means to show ‘clemency, gracious, gentle, yielding’ and especially to be peacemaking.

ii. “blessed are the peacmakers”

f. #6- The Christian citizen is courteous (3:2).

i. “show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

ii. An example of courtesy:

iii. 1 Peter 2:17, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

iv. It’s that kind of behavior that adorns the gospel.

IV. Application- Public Life and good works.

a. Adorn the gospel with good works:

i. We are public people.

ii. The power of a good life.

iii. Christians are to display “good works.”

vi. What are “good works?”

v. What aren’t “good works?”

vi. Practically doing good works.

b. Adorn the gospel by respecting our leaders.

i. Pray for our government.

ii. Participate when we can.

iii. Obey the laws as much as you can.

vi. Be eager for good works in society.

v. Don’t slander our leaders.

c. Adorn the gospel by serving the poor.

i. “let us not forget the poor”

ii. Who are the poor in Littleton/Denver?

iii. Opportunities for serving the poor.

iv. The danger:

d. Adorn the gospel by reaching out to your neighborhood.

i. How can we show perfect courtesy to all people?

ii. Being prepared for emergencies:

iii. Suggestions reach your neighbors.

iv. Campus Crusade for Christ.

v. The warning:

e. Adorn the gospel by being a good worker.

i. Most of your life is spent at work.

ii. Most of you have co-workers and supervisors who do not know Jesus.

iii. Your job is to do a good job. Make your company money. Be faithful. Put in a hard days work.

iv. When it is appropriate, share the gospel.

v. Speaking at a Business conference:

f. How do we adorn the gospel long-term?

i. We have looked at some practical ways we can do this, but let’s not forget the motivating power to sustain this.

ii. What is the motivating power that sustains a public life and good works?

iii. What Paul says over and over in this letter is that a true knowledge of the gospel leads to godliness.

iv. If that’s true, than one of the most important things we can do, is make sure we have a true knowledge of the gospel.

v. We need to feast on the gospel of grace.

vi. True and lasting good works and public life are unsustainable without a heartfelt knowledge of God’s grace and love displayed through the cross, the gospel.

vii. Suggestions:

1. Two books:

a. What is the gospel? Greg Gilbert

b. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 3:21-4:20 (The heart of the gospel in Romans)

2. Attend the Lord’s Supper regularly.

a. It is the gospel we remember.

3. Pray and ask God for a deeper understanding of how much he loves you and has loved you through the cross.

a. Read the end of Eph. 3 and pray with Paul for a deeper understanding of the gospel.

4. Talk about the gospel, sing about the gospel, read about the gospel, pray about the gospel, and we will find that as God’s grace touches our lives, we will freely and spontaneously adorn the gospel.

Related Topics: Christian Life

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