Titus

Paul sent Titus to Crete to complete things left undone when they left.

Elders, Overseers and Shepherds “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 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. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 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.” (Titus 1:5-9) Also recorded in 1 Timothy 3.

Rebellious People “There are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things for the sake of dishonest gain. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:10-16)

Teach “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.”

“Older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach and train the young women:

• to love their husbands and children.
• to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind.
• submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

“Younger men are to be self-controlled.”

“Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” (Titus 2)

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”

Remind the brethren “Be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves

were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

“Be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”

“Avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:1- 14)

Elders, Overseers and Shepherds These English terms are from the Greek words: poimen - provider of nourishment and protector against dangers. eepiskopeés, guardian watchman, sentinel, one who alerts of pending danger, oversees or watches over. presbuteros- an adjective to denote older spiritual men.

Character Qualifications Possible meaning

hold firmly to the message be faithful to Christ and know Him and His apostles' teachings above reproach not open to censure good reputation, blameless good reputation with outsiders the husband of one wife not a polygamist temperate, sober minded uses good judgment self-controlled disciplined disciplined, not a loose cannon respectable orderly, good behavior hospitable takes care of needs of others able to teach (apt KJV) powerful in communicating not given to drunkenness not drink excessively no brawler not a striker (violent) not combative or quick tempered gentle kind and considerate of others not quarrelsome not contentious, does not argue not greedy does not put material things first

manage his own family family lives within income not a spendthrift not be a recent convert need to face trials as a Christian

children not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient children not rebellious whether a Christian or not a Christian

Comment: None of the above character or qualifications pertain to decision-making for the church body.

Comment: Decisions are to be made by the whole church Body rather than delegated to others.

“Perhaps an understanding of shepherding sheep and goats will provide an to understanding the function of shepherding spiritual sheep.”

“A good shepherd cares for his sheep and wants to take on the responsibility of their wellbeing. He will constantly be with them calling them by name for they must recognize his voice in order to follow. It is his responsibility to locate pastures near still or slow-moving water and away from danger. He must have knowledge of and remove toxic plants in pastures so they won't be able to eat them and become sick and

• He must be physically strong to protect them from thieves and predators. It is not a job for anyone who just needs a job or money. Recall David's 23 Psalm "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. … You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." I trust HIM for HE takes care of me!”

“On the other hand, goats are independent, inquisitive and difficult to herd whereas sheep are followers and require continual care and protection.”

Spiritual Shepherds, Guardians, Watchmen or Sentinels need:

• A close relationship with God and those in the Body of Christ.
• A good knowledge and understanding of the teachings of Christ and His apostles' doctrine (teaching) to prepare Christians for ministry, and serving, to bring them to maturity into God's nature.
• Ability to recognize false teachings and provide opportunities for those under their care to learn, recognize and acquire the ability to refute such teachings. (For example, in their time a prevalent teaching was all flesh is evil. Jesus could not have been in an evil human flesh; therefore, He was just a phantom – Gnosticism.
• Knowledge of the difference between an opinion and a false teaching.
• Ability to lead without forcing your personal opinion on others.
• Equipped with spiritual tools needed to perform the shepherding functions and their proficient use; e.g., patience - not to fly off the handle or quick to judge; but gentle when expressing concerns; not combative, not a loose cannon, not contentious.
• The desire to protect your brethren even if it costs your life.
• Ability to communicate effectively. (Greek didaktikos skillful in teaching -Thayer)

Functions Works of Shepherds

• Teach, feed, equip and bring to maturity.
• Exhort, admonish, edify and strengthen.
• Convict false teachers and their false teachings, such as:
• One who denies Christ as God in the human body.
• One is saved without being cleansed by Christ's blood.
• Salvation is received, earned, by what a person accomplishes.
• Promote unity and harmony.
• Comfort the weak and sick (physically but primarily spiritually).
• Seek and restore those who have drifted or are drifting away.
• Pray for yourself, those under your care and the lost.
• Warn of dangers lurking in the pathway of life.
• Prepare God's saints for the work of service (show & tell). (1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:6-11; 1 Peter 5:2-4; Acts: 20:28-30; Ephesians 4:11-15; Ezekiel 34:2-5; 1

Thessalonians 5:12-14; James 5:14 and Luke 15:3) Comment: The word “work” – from the Greek word érgou - means an act, deed, a function. It is not an office or position.

Functions Guardians must refrain from

• Being partial.
• Demanding others agree to his interpretation on some teaching.
• Assuming Christ’s authority by making decisions that His Body as a whole should make.
• Performing work, the His Body should be doing thereby neglecting his work.
• Assuming an arbitrator’s function, a settler of disputes for which there is a prescribed method that ultimately includes the church as a whole.
• Yielding to the voice of the more vocal and large contributors.

Key Points from Titus ➢ There are men within the church who are teaching messages contrary to sound doctrine for financial gain. They must be stopped. ➢ Knowledgeable and righteous men who desire to be spiritual leaders and who consider their physical life nothing to protect the spiritual lives of their fellow brethren are to be selected for the work of maintaining the teachings of Christ and His apostles. Their work is not a position of honor, power or prestige but a work.

Question - Do the qualifications indicate his ability to make decisions for others or for him to guide and encourage one toward a righteous life?