Title: True and False Officials in the Church
True and false ministers of the church
Titus 1:5-9, 379.382.493, &
The text describes the character and behavior that a person holding an office in the church must have. This text explains very well the qualifications of an elder (bishop or minister, whatever the title may be, it represents the same office).
1, There were two important needs in the church (v. 5), Crete was an island made up of cities in the Mediterranean Sea. Paul visited cities all over the island of Crete, leading people to Christ, and establishing churches in those cities where there were converts.
But when Paul left for the continuation of the gospel ministry, he left Titus to reorganize and strengthen the church in Christ. Paul details two important needs that were required of that church: the needs of all churches.
1) The church in Crete was still lacking, and it was necessary to correct the things that were not fully achieved. This is what Paul is dealing with throughout his epistle to Titus. -.How to raise true officers in the church and how to deal with false teachers (Titus 1:5-16),
-. Regarding the lives and actions of men and women in the church (Titus 2:1-3, 11), the main point presented in the text is that the most urgent need of the church is to fix the things that are lacking and things that have not been completed is to catch it.
The church must constantly grow, otherwise it will be degenerate and will not be able to deliver the message of eternal life to be preached to mankind. 2) It was necessary to appoint elders in each city. An elder refers to a minister of the church. A church, no matter how small it is, cannot be without long-term ministers.
This was Paul's important concern for the churches in Crete, and it should be our concern today. One of the two most important things a church needs is a dedicated minister who loves the Lord with all his heart.
2, the ministers and elders of the church must be qualified. He must meet some qualifications in relation to the family (v. 6), 1) ministers and elders must be blameless. “Your obedience was heard by all. Therefore I rejoice over you, that you
I want to be wise in what is good and foolish in what is evil” (Romans 16:19), 2) Ministers and elders must be husbands of one wife. “He must be blameless, husband of one wife, and having children of faith, without profane slurs or disobedience” (Titus 1:6).
3) Ministers and elders must have children who believe. To believe here means to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be faithful to Him. Children of ministers should not engage in reprehensible behavior. They are “indulgent in morality and conduct, not to be disobedient and disorderly.”
3, Ministers and bishops have personal qualifications that must be met (verses 7-8). The bishop must lead a life that is blameless. The reason is clearly stated. Because he is “a steward of God.” A steward is a person who has the responsibility of managing the owner's household and property.
Bishops and ministers are stewards of the Church of God and its people. He is by no means the owner of the church or its members. Rather, he is responsible for the needs, education, nurture and growth of the members of the church, and for their conduct and duties.
He must ensure that the Church of God is well cared for, nurtured, and that all their labors and lives are used according to the will of the Lord. But, above all, stewards must do the will of the Lord God and do His words fully.
This is what it means to be “a steward of God without reproach.” Stewardship exists solely for the sake of the master, to supervise the practice of the Word of God. He must be blameless for doing the will of God.
1) There are several important things that ministers and stewards of God should not do. (1) The director must not do his own thing. (2) The supervisor should not be angry. (3) The supervisor must not drink alcohol. (4) The supervisor must not beat, i.e. use violence.
(5) A bishop must not covet money or worldly things. 2) There are several important things that ministers and stewards of God must have personally. (1) Bishops and ministers must like hospitality. (2) Bishops and ministers must like goodness.
(3) Bishops and ministers must be sober and awake. (4) Bishops and ministers must be righteous. (5) Bishops and ministers must be holy. (6) Bishops and ministers must be temperate in everything and have self-control. “Therefore, he who thinks he is standing should be careful lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
“Be sober. wake up Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
4, Ministers and bishops have qualifications that must be met in relation to teaching the Word (verse 9), 1) Bishops and ministers must hold fast to the faithful Word. “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
And that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31), 2) There is one clear reason why bishops and ministers must hold onto the Word of God. For he must be able to exhort, rebuke, and convert those who oppose God and Christ.
-.People need exhortation, encouragement to believe in Christ and follow Him. -.People, especially those who oppose God, dishonor Him, and refuse to obey Him should be rebuked. The word “reprove” means “to rebuke a person so that he realizes and admits his wrongdoing.
A minister of God must teach people through “right instruction.” In order for him to be able to exhort and rebuke people with the word of God, he must stand firm in the word of God.
Titus 1:9 says, “You must keep the teachings of the faithful word. That he might be able to exhort with sound doctrine and to reprove those who speak against him.” Titus 2:15 says, “Speak these things, exhort them, rebuke them with all authority, and do not be despised by anyone.”
1 Timothy 5:20 says, “Rebuke those who have sinned before all men, so that the rest may fear.” Dear saints, The soul dies if you wish to hear only words that are pleasing to the ear. From the pulpit, we can sometimes give counsel and rebuke, and we can even deliver words of warning.
You and I are a church that glorifies the name of God by receiving the help of the Holy Spirit and praying the right prayers in the name of Jesus. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you become saints.