Tag: Titus 1:5-9
Qualifications for elders
Scripture reading for October 8: Titus 1
“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you–if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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 1:5-9
God appoints leaders to positions of servanthood and accountability. God gave clear qualifications to Titus through the apostle Paul concerning those in responsibility. God is a God of order and works through those to whom He has delegated His authority. Paul instructed Titus to look for those in the church who had their homes in order. They must be husband of one wife only and children must also be believers and submissive to their parents. This elder must be above reproach from those both inside and outside the church, having a reputation as an upright person who loved good. The mature elder must be humble and not arrogant. He must have self-control of his appetites and his tongue and spirit. He must not be driven by greed or money.
As far as spiritual gifts, the elder must be able to teach the Word of God and know God’s Word thoroughly. His teaching and living of God’s Word would equip the church to do God’s work in righteousness. Sound doctrine would provide a solid foundation for church growth and outreach and discipleship. The elder must also be able to deal gently and effectively with those opposing truth by rebuking them and using church discipline if called for. He is God’s steward of God’s Word serving joyfully and faithfully.
Have you ever aspired to become a leader or elder in the church? Have you looked carefully at the qualifications laid out here and compared your life to God’s will? What areas of your life need to be developed in order to function in church eldership?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are a God of order and not confusion. You call those You want in positions of stewardship and then equip them and shape them for service. Use me in my eldership years to model Christ’s qualifications in my home, family, and church and community. Amen!
Orderly Elders overseeing the Church
Scripture reading for July 11th: 1st Kings 12, 2nd Chronicles 10-11, Titus 1
Titus 1:5-9 “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you--if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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.”
Paul wrote to Titus, another younger minister who grew up in the faith under his ministry. Paul had left Titus in Crete to oversee the church there and to set in order this body of new believers. This would require him to appoint ‘elders’ to oversee the church and keep the proper order. These elders must have their own lives in proper order to be effective in their assignments. They must have only one wife and have their children in proper order. Their own character must be soundly grounded in God’s Word and they must have their spirits under control from the pride and arrogance of the world and free from addictions and idolatry. They must be above reproach, having a good reputation in the Church as well in the culture they lived in. The Word of God must be firmly held and preached.
Titus 1:15-16 “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the stewardship that You grant to Your people who You call into leadership to oversee Your Church. I have been blessed to be a part of that and to help equip others to also lead. Grant wisdom to those setting Your body in order. Guard Your church against professors that deny God by their works and ungodly life-styles. Help me daily to set a good and godly example.
1st Kings 12: 28-30 “So the king (Jeroboam) took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, ‘You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who have brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Then this thing became a sin, . .”
Hold firm to the Word!
Scripture reading for October 8th: Titus 1, Psalm 51, Proverbs 16
Key Scriptures: Titus 1:5-9 “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you–if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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.”
Paul wrote another letter to Titus, another one of his spiritual sons who was an elder that Paul had left in the church on the Island of Crete. He charged Titus to set the church in order by wisely appointing overseers who met the qualifications of character and faith in God’s Word. They must be able to teach and correct those under their charge. Their character would first be reflected in their own children and home life as well as their reputation in the community and church.
Faith Confession: I thank God for the opportunity to serve in His Church and be an overseer. I hold fast to His unchanging and trustworthy Word which enables me to give instruction and make correction of those who contradict it.
Psalm 51:12-13 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You.”