The Lord has blessed me by allowing me to preach on Sunday Nights at FBC Dayton, Texas. We are currently without a Senior Pastor and our Pastor of Youth and Family is serving as our interim. Since this gives him additional responsibilities I volunteered to lead Sunday nights to help out. While I have taught Sunday School for years and several years ago preached a few sermons at a couple of different churches this is my first time to preach for several weeks in a row which gives me an opportunity to preach through a couple of books of the Bible. I chose 1 & 2 Thessalonians because I think they reveal the heart of a pastor as seen in how Paul ministered to the Thessalonians. It is very important to me that I remain true to the text I am preaching by preaching expository messages rather than a “spring board” message. A spring board message is one where the preacher chooses a text and then springs from it into whatever he wants to say. Please pray for me that I can stay true to God’s Word as I preach through these Epistles. Here is the link to my sermon series if you would like to listen.
Titus 2:1-10
2:1 Paul now turns his attention back to instructing Titus. It should be remembered that the original letter to Titus was not divided into chapters and verses, it was one continues letter. So we have to look back at the end of chapter one to see the contrast that is meant here by the phrase “but as for you.” In chapter one Paul had ended by speaking of the false teachers. These false teachers were “idle talkers and deceivers”, they were “subverting whole households”, they were “teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain”, and “they professed to know God, but in works they denied Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work”. Titus on the other hand was to speak the things which were proper for sound doctrine. Paul then continues to give specific instructions to Titus for the older men and women, the younger men and women and servants.
2:2 Paul starts with the conduct of older men. The word here for older men is from the same root word that elder comes from. Paul mentions six characteristics that older Christian men should exhibit. They are to be:
Sober (temperate): The older men were to be sober, temperate or vigilant. As an older man he should have mastered those things in his life that might have controlled him as a younger man. He should be more cautious in the things that he does.
Reverent (dignified): Next he needs to be honorable and honest in his actions. In Philippians 4:8 when Paul said “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble … think on these things”, the word for noble is the same word that is used here for reverent. An older man should be dignified or noble, and these should be the things that he has set his mind to think about. John MacArthur says, “The dignified person is never frivolous, trivial, or superficial. He never laughs at immorality, vulgarity, or anything else that is sinful and ungodly. Nor does he laugh at that which is tragic or at the expense of others” (Commentary on Titus, p.74).
Temperate (sensible): Temperate or sensible in this verse means the same thing as sober-minded in Titus 1:8 in describing the qualifications of an elder. The older men are to think clearly. They should not get off on extremes, but be on an even keel.
Sound in faith: Paul then tells Titus three things that older Christian men are to be sound in; faith, love and patience. Titus was to instruct the older men to be true in their faith. They needed to be right on or healthy in their doctrine. As older Christians their faith would have been tested and found to be true.
Sound in love: Next is sound in love. This is agape love. These men are to mature past the more selfish kinds of love and love without expecting in return.
Sound in patience (perseverance): Last is patience or perseverance. Over time a man who walks with God will develop patience in the things that he endures in this life, knowing that tribulation works patience and that all things work to the good of those who love God (Romans 5:3-4; 8:28).
2:3 After instructing Titus on what to teach the older men, he instructs him on what to speak to the older women about.
Reverent: The older women are to be reverent in their behavior. Their actions should be an example of what is becoming to holiness.
not slanderers: The older women are also not to be slanderers or accusers. This word is used 38 times in the New Testament and 35 of those times it is translated “devil” speaking specifically of Satan. So in a since Paul is telling Titus to instruct the older women not to be devilish. Not only older women but all Christians need to, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (EPH 4:29).
not given to much wine: As with the elders in the Church the older women are not to be given to much wine. Paul does not say that they can not drink wine at all, but they should not be enslaved by it or in bondage to it.
teachers of good things: They were also to be teachers of good things or of what is right. While the Bible teaches that women are not “to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man (1TI 2:12)”, this does not mean that they are not to teach. As the next two verses show us they are to teach or admonish other women.
2:4-5 The older women are to admonish the younger women. Admonish is to make of sound mind. By instructing the younger women they are to help them develop into women of sound mind and doctrine. It is interesting that Titus is not to instruct the younger women himself but is to have the older women do this. I believe there may be two reasons for this. First, it is because Titus may have been single and it could put him in a compromising situation. Second, I think it is because the older women would be more successful in instructing the younger women than Titus would.
Love their husbands: First they are to admonish them to love their husbands. This is of course that women sometimes have trouble loving their husbands just as men have trouble loving their wives. When the younger women had complaints about their husbands the older women were not to join in with them in expounding the weaknesses of men. Instead they were to encourage them and admonish them to love their husbands.
Love their children: The same goes with their children. The natural thing is to think that women would not need to be encouraged to love their children. While it is true that mothers do love their children most of the time at other times they might become so frustrated with them that they needed the encouragement. If you are a young woman and have not experienced this just wait until your children become teens.
Discreet: The younger women were also to be instructed to be discreet or sober-minded. This is the same quality that the elders and the older men were to be instructed about.
Chaste: The younger women are to be innocent, modest or clean in thought and deed. They should be pure. We usually use this word in connection with sexual abstinence, but it is not limited to that use only. They were to be pure in all things. It may seem old fashioned to say that women should be chaste, but that is the example that they should set according to scripture.
Homemakers: This instruction is one that has come under much attack in modern times. The women’s lib movement hates the idea of a woman being a homemaker or worker at home. Does this mean that a woman can not be employed outside of the home? I would say not necessarily. The virtuous woman in Proverbs while being a homemaker still worked outside of the home.
Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.Proverbs 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
The key here is that she may work outside of the home, but she does not neglect her duties as a wife, mother and homemaker.
Good: She is also to be good. Goodness is not a quality that is always looked favorably on today. In the general since goodness is important to people today, but goodness can include a lot of things. Many of these things society today does not look upon as worthwhile qualities or at least they do not look at them as important now as then.
Obedient to their own husbands: This instruction to the younger women may be more controversial than them being homemakers. The Bible is clear that women are to be obedient or subject to their husbands. Now this does not mean that a woman is to go against the clear teaching of God if her husband tells her to. God says that murder, theft and adultery are wrong. If a husband were to tell his wife to go out and prostitute herself then she should lovingly tell him that she can not do that because it would be against the clear teaching of God.
Paul connects a young woman’s obedience to her husband with being a witness for the Word of God. If a woman is disobedient to her husband then it can defame or bring evil speaking on the gospel. It is important for all Christians to understand that our actions could cause the Word of God to be blasphemed by unbelievers.
2:6 Titus was to exhort the young men to be sober-minded. Exhort means to incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments to a good deed. Just like the elders/overseers, the older men and the younger women the young men were to be sober-minded. It is interesting that Titus is instructed to teach the young men only one thing and that is to be sober-minded. Perhaps this is because of all other things younger men are not sober-minded or discreet. Young men have a tendency to be prone to extremes.
2:7-8 Titus was instructed to show himself as an example or pattern in good works. In doctrine he was to exhibit integrity, reverence and incorruptibility. Titus was to speak soundly so that what he said could not be condemned by the opposition, but would make them ashamed. By good works, and showing sound doctrine the false teachers on Crete that opposed Titus would have nothing evil to say about him.
2:9-10 Paul now turns his attention to the instruction of servants or slaves. We never find Paul in his epistles condoning or condemning slavery, he simply accepts that it was a part of that society and gives instructions to the slaves. They were to obey their masters. Although we do not have slavery in our society today all of us are in an employee-employer relationship, and therefore what Paul says in this passage can apply to us.
Answering back: Slaves (or employees) are not to speak out against their master.
Pilfering: They are not to be guilty of theft or embezzlement.
Fidelity: They are to show all good fidelity or faithfulness.
by Jerry Owens, Jr.
Today we celebrated another Christmas and as usual around this time of year we heard much about peace on earth. The angels told the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:14 ).”
It seems that the world has accepted this verse from the Bible but has left out the true meaning, which is a right relationship with God. Instead of teaching peace between God and man, the world teaches this verse as meaning that men on earth will have peace between each other. Jesus Himself taught that He did not come to give “peace on earth … but rather division” (Luke 12:51). When speaking of the peace that His disciples would have in Him, He also said that “in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Although there is division and tribulation between men, Jesus provided the way for us to have peace with God.
Since Adam sinned in the garden of Eden, mankind has not been at peace with God. Rom 3:10-18 contains a good description of how man has gone away from God and does not know “the way of peace.” Jesus came to make it possible for mankind to enter into “the way of peace” as seen by the following verse spoken about Him shortly before His birth.
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79).
Col 1:20 tells us that Jesus “made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself.” Jesus came to make peace between God and man by His death on the cross. The only way to truly possess this peace is by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul wrote in Romans 5:1, “being justified by faith, we have peace With God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” If you do not have peace with God then call on Him right now, believing that Jesus died and rose again. When you do this you will receive peace with God.
TIT 1:10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
1:10-11 In these verses Paul begins to discuss the false teachers who elders/overseers might have to exhort and convict with sound doctrine. There are three things that these false teachers are guilty of; insubordination, idle talk and deception. The statement “especially those of the circumcision” indicates that the majority of these false teachers were Jewish.
insubordinate: These men were men who did not honor authority and were unruly. The scripture here does not indicate whether their insubordination was only within the church or in the public arena also. Since the subject here is the church then we can be sure that they were at least insubordinate in the church. They did not recognize the authority of the elders or of Titus.
idle talkers: Second these men were idle talkers. The idea of idle talk is that these men are speaking foolish or senseless things. I am sure we would not have to look very hard today to hear preachers who are full of foolish or idle talk. In context this was happening door to door. These men were going about to members of the church and speaking idle things.
deceivers: Not only are these men full of idle talk but they are deceivers. They were similar to the false teachers of today and of every decade. They would mix their foolish teaching with biblical and intellectual language so that people would believe it.
Paul clearly states the objective to Titus. The mouths of the false teachers must be stopped. There is only one way to stop the mouths of the false teachers and that is with sound doctrine. If the elders/overseers can with sound doctrine refute the false teachers then they will loose there audience.
These men had been subverting whole households. It is very likely what is meant here are house churches. There were no large church buildings at the time of the early church so the common practice in the early church was for the church to meet in smaller groups in homes. When the weather was good the church as a whole in each town would meet in some public place or hill side where the people could all gather together. These false teachers were teaching their false doctrine to gain money dishonestly.
1:12-14 One of the false prophets made the observation that the Cretans were all liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons. Many of the early church fathers identify this quote to a Cretan prophet from the 6th century B.C. While it may be true that the original statement was made by a Cretan prophet of the 6th century B.C. from the context it appears that this statement was being repeated by one of the Jewish false teachers. Paul has already stated that the majority of the false teachers were Jewish (of the circumcision) and again in verse 14 he connects these false teachers to Jewish false teachers by mentioning Jewish fables.
Paul acknowledges that the observation about the Cretans is true so they need to be rebuked so that they will be sound in the faith. Again we have the need for sound or trustworthy faith and doctrine. Two things that can lead to a faith that is not sound or trustworthy is giving heed to fables or commandments of men. In this case it was Jewish fables but any fables or false teaching will lead people away from a sound faith. Commandments of men also lead people astray. The gospel is a gospel of grace so to teach the commandments of men instead corrupts the true gospel. Jesus quoted Isaiah (Isa 29:13) when he spoke on this very subject of commandments of men. He said; “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’ (MAT 15:7-9).”
Paul says that Titus is to rebuke the Cretans sharply. It is not popular to rebuke or correct people now days, but the Biblical pattern is clear. People today will say you shouldn’t judge. They will even quote the Bible and say “judge not that ye be not judged”, but this is taking the Bible out of context. This passage that we have been studying is a prime example that it is expected for spiritual leaders to exhort, convict and rebuke with sound doctrine.
1:15-16 Here Paul contrasts two types of people, the pure and the defiled. Since he has already discussed two types of people in this chapter we can be sure that these are the same, the elders/overseers and the false teachers. Paul says that for the pure, which are those who qualify as elders/overseers, all things are pure. What are the “all things” that Paul mentions here? Commentators generally agree that Paul is referring to food and drink here. Most likely the false teachers were teaching that people needed to refrain from certain foods. Paul said in 1 Timothy;
1Ti 4:1, 3-4 (ESV) Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith … and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
While it is probably true that the false teachers’ doctrine included dietary laws I think this was only a small part of their false doctrine. Since the pure are the elders/overseers then it follows that the pure things are the faithful word and sound doctrine that they had been taught. Titus and the kind of men he was instructed to ordain held the Word of God as pure.
On the other hand the defiled are the false teachers who do not hold the faithful word as pure. These men’s minds and conscience are defiled. They profess to be Christians but they are not. They deny God in their works. Specifically in this case the works that they are doing that deny God is the teaching of false doctrine, to such an extent that they are leading whole households astray. They are abominable in their teachings and disobedient to the faith.
Qualifications of a Pastor/Elder
TIT 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which is according to godliness,
2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,
3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
Introduction: Paul follows the standard customs for a letter at that time. He starts by stating who the letter is from, who it is to and then a greeting.
1:1 Paul opens up this letter to Titus by identifying himself as a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.
Servant of God: When Paul declares himself a servant of God he does not use the word diakonos which we get our English word deacon from, instead he uses the word doulos which literally means a slave or bond-servant. Paul was completely sold out to God. He wasn’t just a preacher, he was a slave. He considered himself to be the complete possession of God rather than of himself.
In chapter two of the letter to Titus Paul describes to us how a servant should act.
TIT 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,
10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
Paul of course is speaking of servants with earthly masters in chapter two, but here in verse one he is speaking of being a servant to God. We can be sure however that Paul would apply the instructions he gave in chapter two about the relationship between a servant and his earthly master to his relationship with his heavenly master. Paul’s goal was to obey God and to please Him in everything. He wanted to be faithful to perform the duty and calling that God had called him to do.
an apostle of Jesus Christ: Next Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Specifically Paul was called to be an apostle to the gentiles, although he never excluded the Jews in his ministry. Apostle literally means a messenger, one who is sent, or an ambassador. He was to represent Jesus to the gentiles. Paul was sent or commissioned by Jesus Christ as an apostle. God said of him, “he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (Act 9:15).” In the case of the New Testament an Apostle is also a formal office of the church which most scholars believe no longer exists.
… according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which is according to godliness: There is some disagreement as to what the phrase “according to the faith of God’s elect” means. Some believe he is making a statement of how he was saved. Others believe it is a statement of the purpose of his calling, which would be to communicate the gospel to the elect. Still others believe it means he is stating that his calling is lined up with the faith or standard of the elect of God. I agree with this last interpretation. Paul’s calling and message was according to the truths of the gospel which Jesus taught to the other Apostles. The gospel he preached was the same gospel they preached.
His message and calling is also in agreement with the acknowledgment of the truth which leads to godliness. Paul lived and preached a godly life. Christians are to live according to holiness or godliness. Unfortunately today many preachers do not preach godliness or preach to expose sin.
1:2 in hope of eternal life: As Christians we have the hope of eternal life. Hope as used here does not have the meaning that we usually understand it to mean. Usually when we use the word hope we mean it is something we would like to have but really don’t think we will get it. People will say they hope to win the lottery, but they know that they most likely will not. Christian hope is different; we eagerly wait with perseverance or patience for what we hope for.
ROM 8:24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, then we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
We have a sure assurance of our hope which was promised by God before the world began. We are also told here that God can not lie. The very nature of God is truth, so it is impossible for Him to lie. The Old Testament tells us the same thing. “God is not a man, that He should lie (NUM 23:19).”
1:3 God’s chosen method for communicating the Word is through preaching. Today so much emphasis is on singing and worship, but this is not what God has ordained to communicate the Gospel. We are told in Corinthians that “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe (1CO 1:21).” The word preach here means a proclamation. It is the duty of the preacher to proclaim God’s word. Notice also it is God’s Word that is to be preached, not man’s opinion, not psychology, not positive thinking, but the Word of God. Paul says that the preaching of the Word “was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.” This is the same commission that all preachers have been given, so their preaching should have the aim to make clear God’s Word.
1:4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
1:4 Since Paul calls Titus “my true son in our common faith”, it is most likely that Paul was influential in bringing Titus to Christ. Paul and Titus were in agreement of the faith.
TIT 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you –
6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
1:5 Paul left Titus at Crete for two specific tasks. The first was to complete the work that had been started by Paul but had not been completed. The second was to appoint or ordain elders in each city. The use of the phrase “set in order” indicates that there were some things within the churches on Crete that needed to be straightened out, which becomes even more obvious as we read further into Titus. We shall see that there were false teachers on Crete who were teaching false doctrine and leading people astray. The second task that Titus was given is paramount in accomplishing the first. As Titus ordained qualified men sound in doctrine to be elders in every city these men would be influential in helping Titus set in order the things that were lacking.
Titus was to ordain elders in each city. The use of the word elder or presbuteros in the Greek is not unique to Christianity, the Jews also referred to leaders in the synagogue as elders, presbyters (Act 4:5,8,23). There is disagreement among denominations within Christianity as to whether elders, bishops and pastors are different offices within in the church or different titles for the same office. If we look closely at the Biblical record it becomes clear that they are all titles for the same office, titles however that emphasis different responsibilities of the office. The key to recognizing this is the passages that use each title interchangeable. The key words to look at are elders (presbuteros), bishop or overseer (episkopos), and pastor or shepherd (poimainō, poh-mah’ee-no). It is from the Greek words for elder and bishop that the Presbyterian Church and the Episcopal Church get their names. Some examples of passages that use all three terms are:
TIT 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders (presbuteros) in every city as I commanded you –
6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
7 For a bishop (episkopos) must be blameless,ACT 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders (presbuteros) of the church.
ACT 20:28 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (episkopos), to shepherd (poimainō, poh-mah’ee-no) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.1PE 5:1 The elders (presbuteros) who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
2 Shepherd (poimainō, poh-mah’ee-no) the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers (episkopeō), not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
The parallel passage in 1 Timothy rather than using the word elder uses the word bishop, but it is clear by the context that Paul is giving the qualifications for the same office within the church.
Another key passage is Ephesians 4:11-12 which reads. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors (poimēn, poy-mane’) and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
1:6 Paul lays out clear qualifications for elders. We need to understand as we approach this passage that these are characteristics that every Christian should strive for.
First a man must be blameless to be an elder. Paul does not say they are to be sinless, but blameless. A blameless man will sin, but when he does he will confess his sin and repent. The idea also includes that there is nothing that they can truthfully be accused of. As Paul lays out the qualifications it becomes clear the areas in a man’s life that it is important for him to be blameless in. We have seen numerous occasions in the past when reproach was brought on the church because of the actions of a preacher. It is for this reason that God has given qualifications for someone to be an elder.
Second, an elder/overseer must be the husband of one wife. This qualification is one that receives much attention and is not without controversy. The most controversial interpretation of this is that being the “husband of one wife” means that a man who has been divorced can not be a pastor. Another interpretation is that a man who is a polygamist can not be a pastor. Some interpret the passage to include restrictions on a single man being a pastor. Each of these interpretations has their merits.
Many commentators point out that the phrase “husband of one wife” is more literally translated “a one-woman man” or “a one-woman husband.” The idea is that a man must be singularly devoted to his wife and none other. With this being the case we can make several applications including some of those mentioned above. Obviously a man would not be a “one-woman man” if he is married to more than one woman, so that would exclude a polygamist from being an elder. The same could be said of most men who are divorced. If a man divorces his wife to marry another woman then he has not established himself as a “one-woman man.” It is possible that a man might be the victim of a divorce and could later remarry and still qualify to be an elder (see: 1Cor 7:15, 27-28). For example a man might convert from Islam to Christianity and his wife divorce him because he left the Muslim faith. In this situation because he was a victim of the divorce because of his conversion he could later become a pastor. Also a man who is committing adultery would not qualify, because his devotion is not to his wife only.
The issue of whether a single man qualifies to be an elder is a little more complicated. The issue being addressed here is sexual purity, so this verse is not meant to restrict a single man from being an elder/overseer, but it is assumed if he marries he will be faithful to his wife. Even if he stays single he will practice sexual purity. While we know that Peter was married (Mat 8:14; 1Co 9:5) and some of the other apostles we do not know the marital status of all of the other apostles and elders in the Bible. We know that Paul was not married at the time he wrote 1 Corinthians (1 Cor 7:7; 9:5), but it is possible that he had been married in the past, and may have been a widower. I think that an elder/overseer being single can cause problems, especially when he is called on to counsel someone about their marriage. One thing for sure is this verse and others like it show that an elder/overseer does not have to be celibate as the Catholic Church teaches.
… having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. Third an elder/overseer must have children that are faithful. The idea here is not of a young child who is learning to behave, or of an older child who might be going through a rebellious stage, but rather of a child who is completely out of control in rebellion. In 1 Timothy Paul separates the “husband of one wife” phrase and the injunction that his children are to be faithful and adds more detail. The Timothy passage reads:
1TI 3:4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence
5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
Being a leader at home and knowing how to rule his own household is good training ground for a man who is in a leadership position within the church. This is another reason that it could be difficult for a single man to be an elder/overseer since he has not proven himself in ruling his own household. One solution here is for a single man to not serve as head pastor, but to serve under another pastor until he has established himself. There have been single men throughout Church history however who were successful in the ministry.
1:7 Paul again repeats his injunction that an elder be blameless, except this time he uses the title bishop. The word here for bishop means overseer. The elder/overseer is to oversee the church of God. Paul says they should be blameless as a steward of God. The function of being a steward goes hand in hand with being an overseer. A steward in Biblical days was in charge of a household and would often have the responsibility of overseeing the servants and sometimes the children of the owner of the house (Gal 4:2). In the church Paul mentions the ministers as being stewards of the mysteries of God, and that it is required of them to be found faithful (1CO 4:1-2).
Paul then continues giving the qualifications by listing five negative and six positive qualifications. This verse deals with the negative qualifications of an elder/overseer.
Not self-willed: First he is not to be self-willed. This is the same word that Peter uses to describe the unjust that walk according to the lusts of their flesh (2Pet 4:9-14). The word indicates one who is self-pleasing also, someone who is going about to fulfill their will or pleasures but not that of God. Instead a man needs to be under God’s control and seeking God’s will rather than his own if he is to be an elder/overseer.
Not quick-tempered: To be an elder/overseer a man needs to have control of his anger. This is very important in the ministry, because there may be times when he is provoked to anger. James instructed in his epistle; “let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God (Jam 1:19-20).” While this was written to Christians in general it especially is important for elders to follow this advice.
Not given to wine: An elder/overseer should not be a man who drinks frequently or who is a drunkard. The phrase does not teach total abstinence but it clearly teaches against the abuse of alcohol. Instead of being a man under the influence of alcohol an elder/overseer should be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. As Paul said in Ephesians, “be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18)”. I would have to add that in our society today in most cases it would be best for a pastor not to drink alcohol if it could be a stumbling block to someone.
ROM 14:21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Not violent: Next an elder/overseer should not be violent or quarrelsome. It might be entertaining to see a pastor in a fistfight, but it would make it hard for him to minister to people. As Paul instructed Timothy, “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2TI 2:24-25).
Not greedy for money: The last negative injunction is that he should not be someone who is greedy for money. The King James says “given to filthy lucre” which indicates it is a desire for money that is not rightfully his. There is nothing wrong with a pastor asking for a raise from the church, just as there is nothing wrong with any of use wanting a little more money in the paycheck. The idea here is that he is seeking money through methods that are not entirely honest. Perhaps using his position to make himself rich. That an elder/overseer has a right to an honest paycheck from the church is clear from the Bible, for “the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (1Co 9:14).
1:8 In this verse we are given the positive qualifications of an elder/overseer.
Hospitable: Any minister of God must be hospitable. I remember as a young Christian living in Nederland, Texas and dropping by without calling in advance to visit our pastor. He would always have cold tea to drink and would often make his favorite snack of popcorn. Without fail my pastor and his wife would always pray with us before we left. He was exhibiting the qualification of hospitality and it left a lasting impression on me.
A lover of what is good: Next an elder/overseer must be a lover of what is good. The King James translates this as a lover of good men. Either translation is correct and both apply. In 1 Corinthians 13 in describing love Paul says basically the same thing, but puts it in the negative, by saying “love…thinks no evil” (v.5). Loving what is good has Christian love as its source, which is no surprise since as Christians we have the “love of God … poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Rom 5:5). Paul’s instruction to all Christians in Philippians applies here also.
PHI 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.
Sober-minded: The basic meaning of sober-minded is someone who is sensible, discreet, sober or temperate. They think clearly. To me sober-minded means to think on an even keel. Someone who is sober-minded doesn’t get off on extremes. A quick survey of some of the pulpits across America will give plenty of examples of people who are said to be preachers who are not sober-minded. The doctrines they are preaching make it clear that they have been anything but sensible in their Bible study. It is this type of person that Paul instructs Titus about at the end of this chapter.
Just: Fourth an elder/overseer must be just. This word is often translated righteous. In this verse the most likely meaning is equitable, just in actions towards others, or ethical in conduct. A pastor should treat people the same and treat them right. His actions towards people should be governed by righteousness. The words of James are pertinent here.
JAM 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”
4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
Holy: The fifth positive qualification is holy or devout. An elder/overseer needs to exhibit a devout and holy life. He should not be profane or unrighteous. One commentator points out that to be holy is to be right towards God (Guzik). I would add that rightness towards God is to be exhibited to the church.
Self-controlled: The King James translates the word as temperate. An elder/overseer must be self-controlled. A man must be in control of himself if he is to control the church. Philip Massinger (1583–1640) an English dramatist wrote in his play The Bondman, act 1, sc. 3 (1624). “He that would govern others, first should be the master of himself.”
Self-control or temperance should extend to all areas of an elder’s life. This would include eating, drinking, sexual desires and his leisurely activities. His focus should be on the things of God not on pleasing himself. It has always seemed odd to me to see a man of God who is extremely obese, since that is a strong indicator that he is not self-controlled. While Lyndon Johnson was President of the U.S. he was somewhat overweight. His wife (as wives are so good at) challenged him by saying: “You can’t run the country if you can’t run yourself.” President Johnson lost 23 pounds in response to Lady Bird Johnson’s statement. If a man is fanatical in anything then he is not exhibiting self-control. While there is nothing wrong with a man of God enjoying sports, it would not be temperate for sports to consume his life. The same would hold true of any other activities.
1:9 This last verse deals with the doctrinal qualifications of elders/overseers.
Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught: It is the primary job of an elder to hold fast to the teachings of the Bible. He is to “Hold fast the pattern of sound words … in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2TI 1:13). Holding fast to the faithful word requires faithfulness to the word of God, but also holding fast to the word in conduct. A man of God must stay true in actions to the word he is preaching. Too often preachers will start out standing true to God’s word but then will turn aside from it. The elder/overseer should be “able to teach” (1Tim 3:2) and he should “preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2TI 4:2).
One reason he must hold fast the word is to strongly urge and to convict those who teach contradictory to the Word of God. Today many people are preaching that we must be tolerant of the beliefs of others and not hurt their feelings by telling them that they are wrong. Paul says however that a preacher needs to be ready and willing to confront them. He must do it with sound doctrine. The only way for a preacher to use sound doctrine is to be familiar with it, which means he must be in the word reading and studying. Paul says, “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1TI 4:13). Some people frown when the subject of doctrine comes up, but Paul uses the word fifteen times in the Pastoral Epistles.
Here are two awesome songs by Don Francisco for Resurrection Day!
Don Francisco’s web page is Rocky Mountain Ministries.
by Jerry Owens, Jr.
At the end of this month Christians around the world will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the week before Jews will be observing the Passover. What most Christians do not know is that these two “Holy-days” are related to each other.
God commanded the Jews to observe Passover when Moses brought them out of the land of Egypt. They were told that on the tenth of the month Nisan (falls in March or April) they were to take a lamb without spot or blemish (Ex 12:3-5). Of course to see if it was without spot or blemish they would have to examine it very closely. They kept the lamb until the fourteenth day of the month and then they would kill it in the evening (Ex 12:6). All of this was done as a memorial to remind them that the LORD passed over their houses in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians. The blood of the first Passover lamb placed on the door posts of their houses caused the Angel of the LORD to “pass over.”
Another “Holy-day” connected with Passover is the day of first fruits. First fruits always occurred on Sunday, being the first day of the week following Passover. On this day they would bring a sheaf of the first fruits of their harvest to the priest who would wave it before the LORD, to be accepted by Him (Lev 23:10,11).
Well, by now you may be wondering what all of this has to do with the resurrection of the Jesus or for that matter anything to do with Him. That is the exciting part. When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem it was on the tenth day of Nisan (LUK 19:37-40; JOH 12:12-15). This was the same day that the Jews chose the Passover lamb. The priests, the scribes, the Sadducees and the Pharisees then examined Jesus to determine if He was without spot and blemish. This was done by asking Him a series of questions (LUK 20). This examination proved that Jesus is the lamb that is without spot or blemish (1PE 1:19).
We are told in 1 COR 5:7 that, “The Christ our PASSOVER is sacrificed for us.” The sacrificing of a lamb on Passover was a foreshadowing of the death of the Messiah on our behalf. Just as the blood on the door posts of the house caused the Angel of the LORD to “pass-over” the Israelites, it is the blood of Jesus that has redeemed and cleansed us (HEB 9:14; 1PE 1:18,19).
how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14 NKJV)
knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (I Peter 1:18, 19 NKJV)
Jesus said that He would “go up to Jerusalem and would be crucified” (MAT 20:18,19). This was fulfilled the same day that the Passover lamb was killed showing forever that Jesus is our Passover lamb. When Jesus was resurrected from the dead He became the “first fruits” (1CO 15:20,23). So not only did Jesus fulfill Passover to the very day but He fulfilled the day of first fruits to the very day. All of these Jewish “Holy-days” pointed to the death, burial and resurrection of Messiah Jesus our LORD.
Music throughout Church history has been a point of contention. This sermon by Wil Owens (no kin of mine by the way) that I ran across on Sermonaudio.com is a scripturally sound well balanced sermon on the subject of corporate singing as worship in the Church.
by Jerry Owens, Jr.
Last week Jews around the world celebrated the holiday of Purim. The book of Esther records that this holiday originated while the Jews were in captivity in Babylon. Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from the evil Haman.
The story of Esther illustrates a principal from the New Testament. The book of Romans says, “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (ROM 8:28). It is amazing to see how God can take a bad situation and work it for good in the life of the believer.
In this book a young Jewish girl named Esther had been chosen as Queen during the Babylonian captivity. Esther was raised by her cousin Mordecai. The evil Haman the Agagite who had been promoted above all other princes in the kingdom became angry at Mordecai because he would not bow down and reverence Haman when he passed. Haman felt that it would not be enough to punish Mordecai only but arranged for all the Jews throughout all of the provinces to be killed on a set day. Haman also had a gallows built to hang Mordecai. The situation had become very bad.
Several events that could only have come about by divine providence turned Haman’s plans to the good of both Mordecai and the Jews. The king after a restless night decided to honor Mordecai because he had exposed an attempt on the king’s life. He then instructed Haman to give this honor to Mordecai.
For Esther to gain audience to the king and request deliverance for her people the king had to hold out his golden scepter. This was the only way to approach the king without being called into his presence. If he did not hold out the scepter the penalty would be death. Esther found favor with the king who allowed her to come before him without an invitation. She then exposed the harm that Haman intended upon Mordecai and the Jews. As a result of this it was Haman that was hung on the gallows and the Jews were allowed to defend themselves by destroying their enemies instead of being destroyed by them. God had worked Haman’s evil plans to the good of both Mordecai and the Jews.
Believers can have confidence that just as God worked the evil plans of Haman for good to the Jews He can also work all things in the life of the believer to their good, even those things that seem evil or bad.
by Jerry Owens, Jr.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. ACT 17:11
The nobility of the Bereans mentioned in the above verse is a quality that is rare today. There are several points that are worthy of our examination concerning what we are told here of the Bereans. As we examine these points let them serve as a challenge to us to be “more noble” in how we seek for truth and in how we present it.
The Message Paul Preached, is the first point to be examined. Since Paul compared “those in Berea” to “those in Thessalonica” we can be sure that He preached the same message in both cities. That message was “that Messiah must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that Jesus … is Messiah (ACT 17:3).” This was the most vital message that Paul could give to the Jew and Gentile of his day. It is also the most important message for our day. Paul was presenting to them the Messiah who had suffered and died for the sins of man (ISA 53:1-12 & HEB 2:9). The message of the person and work of Jesus the Messiah must supersede all others.
Paul’s Credentials, is the second point that we need to consider. It is significant to note that the Bereans did not believe Paul’s message strictly on the basis of his credentials, although they were many. Paul according to his own testimony was a Jew, born in Tarsus, brought up at the feet of Gamaliel (a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people), taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God (Act 22:3). He was “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless (Phi 3:5,6).” Paul’s conversion is also impressive. Jesus Himself appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus and it was at this time that he was converted. If anyone was to be believed on the basis of his credentials it was Paul. It is a disgrace to this current generation that it believes people strictly on the basis of the level of their education or on their alleged (or even true) results.
The Attitude of the Bereans, is our third point. If someone has the credentials then we should do as the Bereans did and receive what they are saying with “readiness of mind.” This does not however mean that we accept it as truth without question. As the scriptures say, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (1TH 5:21).” We should not be ashamed to test what someone says even though they may be older than us, more educated than us, or more experienced than us. However, when we test what they say we should show them due respect. It is our responsibility when we hear or read something to examine it to see if it lines up with scripture.
The Response of the Bereans is our final point to consider. Today as in the days of the Bereans the only standard for truth is the Scriptures. Each day as Paul preached to the Bereans they turned to the Scriptures to authenticate the truthfulness of his words concerning the Messiah. It is this response that made them “more noble than those in Thessalonica.” Since many of the Thessalonians became believers we can be sure that they received the word with readiness of mind, but they did not follow up by an intensive search of the Scriptures.
It is imperative that in this century we return to the nobility of the Bereans and place the Bible as our only source of authority for both doctrine and conduct. When anyone gives us a message, whether by word or the printed page (regardless of age, educational level or experience) we can turn to the Bible and with the Spirit of God to guide us, we can determine “whether those things were so.”
The Berean Stand 