Concerning Leadership

Today the message is entitled “Concerning Leadership”. We are starting a look at the Book of Titus to glean new insights into one of Paul’s letters – this one to Titus.

In the “Introduction to Titus in The Holy Bible” – ESV we find this summation of the whole letter.
“This pastoral letter from Paul to Titus was intended to offer encouragement and wisdom as Titus endured ongoing opposition from the ungodly and from legalists within his congregations. Paul instructed Titus to complete his assigned job of establishing overseers (Elders) for the churches under his care.
He described what sort of people these leaders should be, and how all believers should live in relation to each other as well as in their interactions with nonbelievers. Proper Christian behavior is based on the fact that “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,” and therefore those who believe in Christ are to “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives” as they await His return (2:11-13). Paul probably wrote this letter in the 60’s AD.”

Who was Titus? The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church gives us this description.

Titus – a disciple of St. Paul. He appears on the journey to the Apostle’s Council at Jerusalem (Gal. 2:1); he went on missions to Corinth (2 Cor 8:6) and was left in Crete to organize the church (Titus 1:5). He is believed later to have become its first Bishop.

John MacArthur, in his commentary on Titus, gives us this view of Titus:
“Titus, in fact, was Paul’s model of a born-again, Spirit-filled Gentile convert, who had no need to identify himself in any way with religious Judaism, either through circumcision or obedience to the Law of Moses… The very fact that he was entrusted with such assignments indicates Paul’s great confidence in his doctrine, his spiritual maturity, his leadership, his dependability and his genuine love for those he shepherded.”
Where is Crete? Smith’s Bible Dictionary paints a picture of

Crete, the modern Candia. This large island, which closes in the Greek Archipelago on the south, extends through a distance of 140 miles between its extreme points. Though exceedingly bold and mountainous, this island has very fruitful valleys, and in early times it was celebrated for its hundred cities… Cretans were inhabitants of Crete.(Acts 2:11)

The Student Bible NIV makes this statement about Crete:
“But the church on Crete, full of immature Christians, needed basic lessons in morality, and Paul spelled them out for Titus.”

Now let us start reading the text:

Titus 1: 1-4 NIV
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—
2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
3 and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

The NIV Study Bible, in its notes for Titus 1:1 gives us these explanations:

Apostle – “One specially commissioned by Christ.”

Servant of God – Only here does Paul use Servant of God, elsewhere he uses Servant of Christ.

On the front of your bulletins you are given a statement: “Truth that leads to Godliness – leading with the truth!”
This could be the key phrase for this letter to Titus.

In verse 2 we see the comparison between God, who does not lie, and the Cretans, who are always liars (vs.12).

We also see the mention of the Gospel – “hope of eternal life promised by God.”

Verse 3 & 4 give us first “God our Savior” and then Christ Jesus our Savior.

NIV Study Bible notes on these two verses tells us that God the Father is called Savior 3 times (here, 2:10 and 3:4), and Jesus is called Savior 3 times (here, 2:13 and 3:6)

In verse 4 we also see Paul connecting Titus to himself. He calls Titus “my true son.”
NIV Study Bible says Titus was a spiritual son, having been converted through Paul’s ministry.

Paul also states “our common faith” which is referring to the faith shared by all true believers.

This next section of Titus is about church leadership, particularly Elders.

Yesterday, at Men’s Breakfast, I felt sort of like the Old Testament men who sat at the gates of the city and discussed matters. We got into a lively discussion on what Christians believe and how they live out their beliefs. There were several different ideas discussed and some of those ideas had differences of opinions being stated. Did we solve all the problems of this world – no! Did we see that even in Christian believers there can be quite a few ways of seeing God’s truths – yes!

Paul is writing to Titus to help him keep peace and truth in the churches of Crete and to appoint Elders to lead each of these young churches. Elders who fit the character of a mature Christian believer.

Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good

Titus 1: 5-9
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint [Or ordain] elders in every town, as I directed you.
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe [Or children are trustworthy] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

You will find a more detailed description of an Elder in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7.
Paul is reminding Titus of the character needed for eldership so that mature, stable leaders will step up to protect each congregation in Crete.

We have the same need for Elders today. Nothing has changed as far as the world’s behavior. This is still a nation of people who need to know God our Savior.

The call to church leadership is a call to servanthood. We must lead by example and the example should come from Christ our Savior through us.

As we prepare to remember what Jesus did for us by taking on the punishment for our sin, dying and rising to life, to show us that hope of life eternal, let us pray for Christians to rise to the calling God has for them.

Prayer