Tag: Titus
Elders are entrusted with God’s work!
Scripture reading for October 7th: Titus 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Titus 1:6-9 “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.”
Every organization needs sound leadership. The Church of Jesus Christ is no different and Paul instructed Titus about choosing sound leaders that could be entrusted with God’s word and work. First, the elder-leader must be above reproach in the community and family that he leads. He must be the husband of ‘one’ wife! He should have taught his children to believe and instilled God’s word in their lives. His personal habits and character will be known by those living near him and he must have a good reputation–not doing things that are destructive and doing good to his family and others. He must have a good grasp of God’s word and sound doctrine.
Observations for over-comers: Information and application of God’s word go hand-in-hand with an over-coming life. Believers should strive for a blameless reputation. “I will be careful to lead a blameless life–when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing.” (Psalm 101:2-3)
Pastoring in a godless culture!
Scripture reading for October 26th: Titus 1:1-16
Titus was a Greek convert of Paul’s who was called by God to be a leader in the church. Paul recognized God’s call on this young man and worked with him to help him mature and learn how to lead and organize an effective church in a pagan culture. He left him in Crete to continue the work that Paul had started there. Paul considered Titus a ‘true son’ in the faith that they shared in Jesus Christ.
Leaders in the church must meet certain character qualifications in order to be effective. The goal of good leadership is to see people won to faith in Jesus Christ through the Gospel and then to see people live godly lives as they expectantly work and wait for the soon return of Jesus. Paul listed these qualification again for Titus as he did for Timothy, his other son in the faith. Good elders must be blameless and have their families under control. They must be free from moral vices and love what is good, according to Scripture. They must be hospitable and able to teach others what they know and live from God’s word. They must be able to refute those who oppose the truth as well as encourage those who are open and growing. (Titus 1:5-9)
Being a pastor involves working with people of all backgrounds and maturity levels. Pastoral ministry requires patience and persistence in doing good. A pastor must always realize that they are representing God and His word to the people in how they teach as well as how they live.
Paul cautioned Titus to beware of some rebellious people who were of the circumcision party. These people really did not believe but were using their religion for gain. Paul told Titus to rebuke them sharply that they might be delivered from the Jewish myths that they were pedaling. (Titus 1:10-13) These people were really not believers in Jesus Christ or the Gospel. Their minds and consciences had been corrupted with the false teaching of legalism. “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good.”
The Gospel of Christ produces faith which leads to obedience to the truth and godly living. False teaching leads to strife and division. Pastors must be strong to teach and live the truth by faith.
Pastoring in a godless culture!
Scripture reading for October 26th: Titus 1:1-16
Titus was a Greek convert of Paul’s who was called by God to be a leader in the church. Paul recognized God’s call on this young man and worked with him to help him mature and learn how to lead and organize an effective church in a pagan culture. He left him in Crete to continue the work that Paul had started there. Paul considered Titus a ‘true son’ in the faith that they shared in Jesus Christ.
Leaders in the church must meet certain character qualifications in order to be effective. The goal of good leadership is to see people won to faith in Jesus Christ through the Gospel and then to see people live godly lives as they expectantly work and wait for the soon return of Jesus. Paul listed these qualification again for Titus as he did for Timothy, his other son in the faith. Good elders must be blameless and have their families under control. They must be free from moral vices and love what is good, according to Scripture. They must be hospitable and able to teach others what they know and live out from God’s word. They must be able to refute those who oppose the truth as well as encourage those who are open and growing. (Titus 1:5-9)
Being a pastor involves working with people of all backgrounds and maturity levels. Pastoral ministry requires patience and persistence in doing good. A pastor must always realize that they are representing God and His word to the people in how they teach as well as how they live.
Paul cautioned Titus to beware of some rebellious people who were of the circumcision party. These people really did not believe but were using their religion for gain. Paul told Titus to rebuke them sharply that they might be delivered from the Jewish myths that they were pedaling. (Titus 1:10-13) These people were really not believers in Jesus Christ or the Gospel. Their minds and consciences had been corrupted with the false teaching of legalism. “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good.”
The Gospel of Christ produces faith which leads to obedience to the truth and godly living. False teaching leads to strife and division. Pastors must be strong to teach and live the truth by faith.