WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.359
 5 of 7 on life in the Father's house. Next week we'll be on the office of deacons and also because

00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:15.080
 Sunday school we'll be looking at 1 Timothy 3 quite a bit. I wanted to broaden it so today

00:00:15.080 --> 00:00:19.660
 our sermon text will come from Titus chapter 1. Please turn to Titus chapter 1.

00:00:23.699 --> 00:00:29.339
 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are the pastoral epistles. They're letters giving instructions

00:00:29.339 --> 00:00:37.700
 on pastors and elders. So the author of this letter is Paul and he's writing to Titus but he's really

00:00:37.700 --> 00:00:43.420
 writing to the entire congregation. This congregation, it's really a series of congregations

00:00:43.420 --> 00:00:49.200
 throughout the island and the Greek islands, the Mediterranean. The name of this island is Crete.

00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:55.060
 That's the context of this. As I read it, remember we're reading God's very own word to you, his people.

00:00:55.060 --> 00:01:03.180
 We believe that it is inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, and sufficient. If you believe that when

00:01:03.180 --> 00:01:07.620
 we're done reading the scripture, I'll say this is the word of the Lord. We'll respond with thanks be to

00:01:07.620 --> 00:01:12.620
 God. Titus 1, we'll start at verse 1, we'll go all the way through verse 9.

00:01:12.620 --> 00:01:20.960
 Paul, a servant of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect

00:01:20.960 --> 00:01:29.240
 and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God that

00:01:29.240 --> 00:01:36.800
 cannot lie promised before the world began, but hath in due times manifested his word through

00:01:36.799 --> 00:01:43.099
 preaching which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior. Verse 4,

00:01:43.219 --> 00:01:52.000
 to Titus, mine own son, after the common faith, grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the

00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:59.599
 Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the

00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:08.379
 things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee. If any be blameless,

00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:16.639
 the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot or unruly, for a bishop must be

00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:25.259
 blameless as the steward of God, not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker,

00:02:25.259 --> 00:02:35.819
 not even filthy lucre, but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate,

00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:43.500
 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, and he may be able by sound doctrine both

00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:50.620
 to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

00:02:50.620 --> 00:03:00.219
 Thanks be to God. Indeed, you may be seated. The Bible says that the grass withers and the flower fades,

00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:04.960
 but the word of the Lord endures forever. Would you pray with me?

00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:05.020
 Amen.

00:03:05.020 --> 00:03:05.080
 Amen.

00:03:05.080 --> 00:03:05.120
 Amen.

00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:05.200
 Amen.

00:03:05.200 --> 00:03:05.240
 Amen.

00:03:05.240 --> 00:03:07.120
 Amen.

00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:07.159
 Amen.

00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:09.159
 Amen.

00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:09.200
 Amen.

00:03:09.200 --> 00:03:09.240
 Amen.

00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:21.680
 Amen.

00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:24.240
 Amen.

00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:24.640
 Amen.

00:03:24.640 --> 00:03:24.879
 Amen.

00:03:24.879 --> 00:03:26.000
 Amen.

00:03:46.480 --> 00:03:48.780
 Man, let's pray.

00:03:48.780 --> 00:03:50.860
 chief shepherd of our souls.

00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:54.039
 We pray that you will minister to us

00:03:54.039 --> 00:03:55.640
 for your glory, Lord.

00:03:56.140 --> 00:03:58.420
 May you be glorified in this little congregation.

00:03:58.979 --> 00:03:59.259
 Amen.

00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:05.599
 Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:08.460
 the Bible calls every congregation

00:04:08.460 --> 00:04:09.840
 to appoint elders.

00:04:10.979 --> 00:04:12.759
 I need to confess that after one year

00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:14.599
 of being part of this church plant

00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:15.979
 alongside each one of you,

00:04:16.740 --> 00:04:18.779
 maybe it's true that the sermon titles

00:04:18.779 --> 00:04:21.039
 are starting to reflect my personal desires.

00:04:21.219 --> 00:04:22.259
 Take a look at your bulletin.

00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:23.139
 What's the sermon title?

00:04:23.779 --> 00:04:25.459
 Well, it comes from verses one and five.

00:04:26.219 --> 00:04:27.139
 This is what I'm asking.

00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:29.139
 For the sake of God's elect,

00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:30.439
 appoint elders.

00:04:32.779 --> 00:04:33.920
 When you think of an elder,

00:04:34.039 --> 00:04:35.599
 I mean, that topic for most of us,

00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:37.019
 it does bring up different emotions

00:04:37.019 --> 00:04:38.539
 and not all of them are good.

00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:39.639
 Is that true for you?

00:04:42.279 --> 00:04:43.800
 God's word says a lot

00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:45.219
 about how he orders the church.

00:04:45.980 --> 00:04:47.439
 And what we're called to as a church.

00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:49.680
 But yet we enter it trembling, you know.

00:04:50.020 --> 00:04:51.780
 The fool storms in

00:04:51.780 --> 00:04:53.259
 where angels dare to tread.

00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:55.720
 And that's exactly what we have with the church.

00:04:57.379 --> 00:04:58.819
 When you think of an elder,

00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:01.280
 the type of person you would want to appoint,

00:05:03.140 --> 00:05:05.540
 it's probably a different image

00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:06.800
 as our ideal,

00:05:07.280 --> 00:05:10.240
 as the type of elders God has actually used

00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:11.620
 throughout all of the New Testament

00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:12.800
 and all of church history.

00:05:13.060 --> 00:05:14.400
 Let me give you just one example.

00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:19.379
 reflecting back on his late teenage years,

00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:24.240
 this eventual elder in the 1700s

00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:26.360
 who had been a sailor

00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:28.080
 and eventually a sea captain,

00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:29.360
 he wrote this.

00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:31.660
 At that time in my life,

00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:34.600
 I was capable of anything.

00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:38.900
 I had not the least fear of God before my eyes,

00:05:38.899 --> 00:05:41.060
 nor, so far as I remember,

00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:44.679
 the least sensibility of conscience.

00:05:45.399 --> 00:05:47.579
 That's a scary 19-year-old.

00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:52.359
 And that describes every one of us

00:05:52.359 --> 00:05:53.719
 until the Lord saves us

00:05:53.719 --> 00:05:54.759
 and gives us a new nature

00:05:54.759 --> 00:05:57.359
 and conforms us into Christ's likeness.

00:05:58.439 --> 00:06:00.899
 The name of this eventual elder and pastor

00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:02.120
 was John Newton.

00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:04.500
 And his story got darker

00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:05.839
 before God redeemed him.

00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:09.519
 John Newton worked as a sailor

00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:13.500
 and his ship then was going to Sierra Leone,

00:06:13.659 --> 00:06:16.239
 which I believe is on the west coast of Africa.

00:06:16.919 --> 00:06:19.639
 And so you know triangular trade in the 1700s.

00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:21.599
 This was his lot in life.

00:06:21.679 --> 00:06:23.179
 It's what he started to do for work.

00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:24.959
 And when he became a sea captain,

00:06:25.099 --> 00:06:26.500
 the ship he was in charge of,

00:06:26.919 --> 00:06:28.639
 it was a slave trading ship.

00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:31.839
 Well, the part of his story that's less known

00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:34.919
 is that before he became the captain of that ship,

00:06:34.920 --> 00:06:37.580
 he had already been working in Sierra Leone

00:06:37.580 --> 00:06:39.460
 because he was an indentured servant,

00:06:39.620 --> 00:06:41.060
 basically a slave himself.

00:06:41.840 --> 00:06:44.280
 So John Newton was a slave in Africa,

00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:46.000
 then eventually was able to break away,

00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:46.860
 get onto this ship,

00:06:46.900 --> 00:06:48.580
 and he became this captain

00:06:48.580 --> 00:06:50.340
 that was taking slaves

00:06:50.340 --> 00:06:53.960
 to go work for people in forced labor.

00:06:56.300 --> 00:06:58.680
 God saved this man.

00:06:58.960 --> 00:07:00.400
 God saved John Newton.

00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:02.579
 Not only did God save him,

00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:05.279
 God showed him the depths of his sin

00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:07.679
 and God grew him in his faith.

00:07:08.799 --> 00:07:10.939
 And then God matured him into godliness.

00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:13.279
 So the righteousness of Christ

00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:14.859
 was growing into him more and more.

00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:17.739
 But John Newton never lost that sensitivity

00:07:17.739 --> 00:07:19.759
 of how far God had saved him.

00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:23.459
 You know John Newton because he's the pastor

00:07:23.459 --> 00:07:25.439
 who also wrote many hymns.

00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:28.779
 The most famous is Amazing Grace.

00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:30.560
 Amazing Grace.

00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:34.779
 How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.

00:07:35.620 --> 00:07:37.379
 And as a Christian, he would reflect back

00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:39.860
 and he described slave trade as abominable.

00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:42.319
 And he worked alongside William Wilberforce

00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:43.139
 in English Parliament

00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:46.399
 to abolish slavery in England quick and first.

00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:48.079
 So he was on the forefront of that

00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:49.680
 because he knew the depth

00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:52.139
 from which God had saved him and redeemed him.

00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:56.459
 The pattern we see in the New Testament

00:07:56.459 --> 00:07:58.339
 with the elders and apostles

00:07:58.339 --> 00:07:59.919
 and then throughout church history,

00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:01.659
 that's why biographies are so encouraging

00:08:01.659 --> 00:08:02.959
 is that every single one

00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:04.099
 will be the first to say,

00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:05.500
 I am the worst of sinners.

00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:08.699
 Amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me.

00:08:09.579 --> 00:08:11.180
 They'll be the first ones to say that.

00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:16.060
 And that's the phrase I want you to latch on to.

00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:18.620
 Why does God do that?

00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:20.279
 Why does God grow his church

00:08:20.279 --> 00:08:23.599
 and serve his church using wretches that he saved?

00:08:24.859 --> 00:08:26.459
 And the answer is in verse one.

00:08:27.479 --> 00:08:28.639
 God uses elders

00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:32.740
 for the sake of the faith of God's elect.

00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:35.600
 So I'm going to use just your auditory

00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.360
 as you're listening.

00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:38.339
 Okay, I'm going to use seven times that phrase

00:08:38.339 --> 00:08:39.699
 for the sake of God's elect.

00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:42.120
 And these are seven pleas I see from the text.

00:08:42.439 --> 00:08:43.459
 You can listen for them.

00:08:44.079 --> 00:08:46.919
 So first, what does Paul tell the church

00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:49.779
 and also Titus is the need for elders?

00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:51.319
 Do we even need elders?

00:08:51.459 --> 00:08:52.600
 Can't we just have this gathering

00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:55.019
 like we imagine maybe Acts 2

00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:56.339
 where a bunch of Christians,

00:08:56.519 --> 00:08:58.039
 thousands of Christians just show up

00:08:58.039 --> 00:08:59.679
 and they just worship God

00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:01.240
 in whatever way they want.

00:09:01.699 --> 00:09:02.459
 In spirit and in truth.

00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:04.019
 Just why even be organized

00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:05.559
 in a church with elders?

00:09:07.459 --> 00:09:08.720
 Well, on one hand, it's true.

00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:10.360
 God does not need elders.

00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:12.220
 It's not God who needs elders, right?

00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:15.720
 God does not need a wretch that he's saved

00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:17.339
 to speak gospel truth.

00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:19.080
 God can speak through a donkey.

00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:20.759
 In fact, he has done that.

00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:22.660
 Remember Balaam's donkey in the Old Testament?

00:09:23.920 --> 00:09:25.040
 Would it be so much better?

00:09:25.180 --> 00:09:26.960
 Pick your favorite preacher, Alistair Begg,

00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:27.800
 or whoever you...

00:09:27.800 --> 00:09:29.080
 It would be better to hear God

00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:31.120
 directly through the donkey than any man.

00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:31.920
 It would be.

00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:33.759
 God does not need elders.

00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:35.519
 Who is it that needs elders,

00:09:35.660 --> 00:09:36.440
 according to Scripture?

00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:40.960
 Because Paul is having to write this letter.

00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:43.379
 Peter, apparently there is insubordination

00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:45.180
 and rioting in these islands of Crete.

00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:47.460
 Apparently there is much disorder.

00:09:47.560 --> 00:09:49.060
 We're going to see there are empty talkers

00:09:49.060 --> 00:09:49.720
 that are coming in

00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:50.700
 and they're deceiving many.

00:09:51.400 --> 00:09:52.600
 And Titus has been undermined.

00:09:52.680 --> 00:09:54.360
 Nobody cares really what Titus thinks.

00:09:54.660 --> 00:09:56.340
 It's going to have to have something in your hand

00:09:56.340 --> 00:09:58.960
 from someone we all do respect, Paul.

00:09:59.340 --> 00:10:00.660
 And you bring this letter

00:10:00.660 --> 00:10:03.139
 and then we can see if we can even talk with you, Titus.

00:10:03.780 --> 00:10:05.740
 So there's a need right now in Crete.

00:10:05.920 --> 00:10:06.759
 There's no order.

00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:07.920
 There's division.

00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:09.659
 And who should we listen to, Titus

00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:10.959
 or these empty talkers over here?

00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:11.719
 They're confused.

00:10:12.439 --> 00:10:13.939
 So I agree with John Calvin

00:10:13.939 --> 00:10:15.179
 that this little epistle

00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:16.719
 was more for the congregation

00:10:16.719 --> 00:10:17.899
 than it was for Titus.

00:10:18.339 --> 00:10:18.719
 He says,

00:10:19.099 --> 00:10:20.620
 do what you already know I told you to do.

00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:21.559
 That's why I left you.

00:10:22.099 --> 00:10:23.219
 Have this letter in hand

00:10:23.219 --> 00:10:24.639
 to do those very things now.

00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:27.519
 He says in verse 5,

00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:30.099
 appoint elders in every town.

00:10:32.199 --> 00:10:33.439
 Well, God gives elders.

00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.379
 Look at verse 1.

00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:38.779
 It's for the sake of the faith of God's elect

00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:41.299
 and your knowledge of the truth.

00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:42.220
 It's the same pattern

00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:44.299
 that Paul is describing for himself.

00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:45.879
 Why was Paul an apostle?

00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.259
 First of all,

00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.980
 so that they can know the truth.

00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:49.860
 Secondly,

00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:50.919
 so that they can grow

00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:52.320
 in the knowledge of Christ.

00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:53.220
 And then thirdly,

00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:54.879
 they can accord with godliness.

00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:55.980
 It works its way out.

00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:57.580
 And for that same reason,

00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:58.639
 God will use elders

00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:01.200
 to carry on that pattern of growth

00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:02.120
 within his church.

00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:05.100
 We see the connection then,

00:11:05.179 --> 00:11:05.320
 okay,

00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:06.679
 as the word of God

00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:07.679
 is preached and ministered,

00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:09.019
 look at what happens in verse 2.

00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:10.639
 You grow in your hope

00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:12.179
 of eternal life.

00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:14.000
 The role of the elders

00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:15.840
 is to minister

00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:17.019
 to the people of God

00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:18.220
 the promises of God

00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:19.220
 through preaching.

00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:20.259
 God is truth.

00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:21.500
 There's no lying in God.

00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.100
 And the promises

00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:24.000
 that God has gave

00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:25.580
 since before the ages began,

00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:27.519
 all of the Bible

00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:28.379
 is the gospel.

00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:29.980
 You need to have the gospel

00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:31.159
 through all of the Bible

00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:32.860
 ministered to God's people.

00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:34.680
 He's manifested

00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:36.100
 his gospel truth

00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:37.460
 at the proper time,

00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:38.879
 we're told in verse 3,

00:11:39.300 --> 00:11:40.180
 through preaching.

00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:43.399
 Many think they're being creative

00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:45.080
 and being wiser than God

00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:46.060
 by trying to organize

00:11:46.060 --> 00:11:47.560
 Socratic discussions

00:11:47.560 --> 00:11:49.560
 or maybe theater and drama,

00:11:49.680 --> 00:11:51.600
 because those are way more effective,

00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:53.360
 way more stimulating

00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:54.659
 than preaching.

00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.060
 And on one hand,

00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:56.519
 I agree.

00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:57.019
 However,

00:11:57.180 --> 00:11:58.600
 God is the most wise.

00:11:58.600 --> 00:11:59.279
 It's somehow,

00:11:59.420 --> 00:12:00.000
 it's mysterious,

00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:00.440
 but God,

00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:01.940
 through elders,

00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:03.540
 ministering the gospel promises

00:12:03.540 --> 00:12:04.500
 from all of the Bible

00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:05.399
 through the word of God

00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:06.639
 to a congregation,

00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:08.639
 that's how God works

00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:10.200
 the hope of eternal life.

00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.899
 That's how God establishes

00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.379
 his people

00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:13.460
 in the faith

00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:14.399
 of knowing God

00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:15.820
 and that knowledge of God

00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:17.540
 conforming in godliness.

00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:18.860
 So that's,

00:12:19.060 --> 00:12:19.360
 biblically,

00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.440
 the reason for

00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:22.000
 that apostolic ministry

00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:22.680
 from Paul

00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:23.540
 to Titus

00:12:23.540 --> 00:12:24.060
 to elders

00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:24.840
 to the congregation.

00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:26.540
 It's the same continuous purpose

00:12:26.540 --> 00:12:27.840
 that God has.

00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:29.980
 I'll point out

00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:30.840
 that in verse 5,

00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:31.279
 he says,

00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:31.879
 to appoint,

00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:34.180
 the next word is elders.

00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:36.159
 Every time that word

00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:37.320
 is used in the New Testament,

00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.580
 it's used in the plural.

00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:40.019
 There's always an S

00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:40.899
 at the end of it.

00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:43.519
 Our constitution

00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:44.519
 that we're proposing,

00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:44.940
 it says,

00:12:45.060 --> 00:12:45.680
 the responsibility

00:12:45.680 --> 00:12:46.680
 of every elder,

00:12:47.180 --> 00:12:48.800
 so there's a plurality here,

00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:49.460
 all of them,

00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:50.659
 every elder

00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:51.920
 has the same responsibility,

00:12:51.920 --> 00:12:53.300
 and that's to exercise

00:12:53.300 --> 00:12:54.279
 biblical authority.

00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:55.559
 Each elder

00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:56.240
 will give

00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:56.860
 an account

00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:57.600
 to Christ

00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:58.740
 for the souls

00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.259
 entrusted

00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.100
 to their care.

00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:01.500
 Therefore,

00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.679
 our proposed constitution

00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:03.100
 says,

00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:04.819
 decisions shall be reached

00:13:04.819 --> 00:13:06.559
 with prayerful consideration

00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:07.319
 and a spirit

00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:07.939
 of humility

00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:09.220
 with each elder

00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:10.819
 regarding one another

00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:12.600
 before himself.

00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:15.519
 You see the need

00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:16.639
 for checks and balances

00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:17.419
 and plurality

00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:18.039
 and accountability.

00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.379
 There's so much

00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:19.819
 at stake.

00:13:19.939 --> 00:13:20.539
 It's the faith

00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:21.199
 of the elect

00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:22.560
 that is at stake.

00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:24.240
 That faithful ministry,

00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:25.040
 it's for the good

00:13:25.040 --> 00:13:25.780
 of God's people.

00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:26.720
 Paul says,

00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:27.640
 it's the very ones

00:13:27.640 --> 00:13:28.580
 that Christ purchased

00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:29.360
 with his own

00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:30.540
 precious blood.

00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.460
 And this is why

00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:34.900
 Christians,

00:13:35.060 --> 00:13:35.680
 as we gather,

00:13:35.780 --> 00:13:36.520
 we become a body,

00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.600
 we become a congregation.

00:13:38.420 --> 00:13:39.020
 And this congregation

00:13:39.020 --> 00:13:39.940
 is organized.

00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:41.259
 God has said a lot

00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:41.759
 in his word

00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.460
 in all the New Testament

00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:43.780
 to organize his church.

00:13:44.140 --> 00:13:44.600
 We shouldn't be

00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.340
 having to guess

00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:46.080
 or it should never

00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:47.100
 turn into power struggles.

00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:47.680
 It should be

00:13:47.680 --> 00:13:48.980
 spirit of humility

00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:49.600
 and submission

00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.640
 searching his word

00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:52.039
 and organizing ourselves,

00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:52.919
 reforming ourselves

00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:53.519
 as a church

00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.679
 more and more and more

00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.039
 according to the word

00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:56.899
 of God.

00:13:58.199 --> 00:13:59.240
 We defer to one another.

00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:00.340
 We listen to one another.

00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:01.899
 We are seeking to,

00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:02.899
 with the spirit of unity,

00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:04.220
 listen to the congregation.

00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.319
 In our Constitution,

00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.860
 there are so many

00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.439
 opportunities

00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:08.840
 and expectations

00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:10.059
 where the congregation

00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:11.059
 is responsible

00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:12.100
 for voting

00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:12.899
 and giving assent

00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:13.539
 or pausing,

00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:14.480
 pumping the brakes.

00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:15.860
 All of that is because

00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:17.039
 these are wretches

00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:18.059
 that God has saved

00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:18.799
 and he's ordered

00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:19.799
 his church this way

00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:21.319
 because it pleases him.

00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:23.439
 So I agree with

00:14:23.439 --> 00:14:24.319
 another pastor

00:14:24.319 --> 00:14:25.359
 from the 1800s,

00:14:25.459 --> 00:14:26.199
 Charles Bridges.

00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:26.639
 He says,

00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:28.199
 the gospel does not

00:14:28.199 --> 00:14:29.199
 shut us up

00:14:29.199 --> 00:14:30.919
 in our own private interests

00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:32.699
 as if we had no love

00:14:32.699 --> 00:14:33.740
 for our neighbor.

00:14:33.859 --> 00:14:34.819
 But everything done

00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:35.679
 in the name of Christ

00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.759
 and his local congregation

00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:38.339
 is because the gospel

00:14:38.339 --> 00:14:40.019
 grows our love

00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:40.959
 for the neighbor,

00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:41.699
 for one another

00:14:41.699 --> 00:14:42.740
 within the body.

00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:49.480
 Well,

00:14:49.700 --> 00:14:51.740
 the first observation

00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.720
 is simply the pattern

00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.560
 that Paul sets.

00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:54.680
 It's for the sake

00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:56.039
 of the faith

00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:57.480
 of God's elect

00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:59.340
 that Paul tells Titus

00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:00.680
 to appoint elders.

00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:03.919
 And now let's also see

00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:05.659
 from these first five verses

00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:06.560
 setting up the list

00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:07.320
 of qualifications.

00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:09.379
 When you do appoint elders,

00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:11.080
 we're recognizing layers

00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:11.820
 of authority

00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:13.500
 above those elders.

00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.679
 So what are those?

00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:16.200
 What are the authorities

00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:17.820
 above elders

00:15:17.820 --> 00:15:18.840
 that rule over them?

00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.700
 Paul says in verse one,

00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:22.460
 it's Jesus Christ.

00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.200
 Through the ministry

00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:25.080
 of Jesus Christ,

00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:26.960
 Christ appointed apostles.

00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.920
 These are the ones

00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:28.900
 through whom the New Testament

00:15:28.900 --> 00:15:29.879
 revelation came.

00:15:30.460 --> 00:15:31.740
 The Holy Spirit breathed out

00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:33.160
 the epistles and letters

00:15:33.160 --> 00:15:34.540
 and the prophecies

00:15:34.540 --> 00:15:35.360
 of the New Testament.

00:15:36.280 --> 00:15:37.420
 So we have Jesus Christ,

00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.240
 the apostles.

00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.160
 Elders are to be,

00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.440
 if an apostle calls himself

00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.360
 a slave of God,

00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:43.840
 an elder is to be a slave,

00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:45.000
 much more so.

00:15:46.780 --> 00:15:47.680
 They've been entrusted

00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:48.240
 in verse three

00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:49.440
 with the command of God,

00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:49.920
 our Savior.

00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.680
 So it's the command of Christ

00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:52.879
 given through his word

00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.080
 that rules over the elders

00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:54.620
 as well.

00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:56.779
 And you're growing

00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.440
 in the people

00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.899
 a knowledge of the truth.

00:15:59.220 --> 00:15:59.779
 So the elders

00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:01.440
 are under the truth

00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:03.179
 and who has a knowledge

00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:03.659
 of the truth?

00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:04.600
 It's the congregation

00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:06.919
 and it's manifested

00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:08.179
 in God's word

00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:09.039
 through preaching.

00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:11.679
 So there's so much

00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:13.720
 that is over the elders.

00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.039
 The elders are under

00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:15.580
 God's word.

00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.679
 They're under the congregation

00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:17.379
 that's growing

00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.480
 in the knowledge of God.

00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:19.440
 They are under

00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:20.820
 Jesus Christ himself

00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:21.500
 and under the

00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:22.639
 apostolic authority.

00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.539
 In other words,

00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:24.060
 when an elder

00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:24.779
 is no longer

00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.679
 aligning with

00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:26.799
 the green pastures

00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:27.379
 of the truth

00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.019
 that God has made

00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:28.539
 really clear

00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.259
 through his word,

00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:30.639
 they've gone over here

00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:32.379
 away from the green pastures

00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.799
 where there's wolves

00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:34.559
 and thistles

00:16:34.559 --> 00:16:35.479
 and cactus.

00:16:36.239 --> 00:16:37.439
 They are no longer

00:16:37.439 --> 00:16:38.699
 under the authorities.

00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:40.079
 They have no authority.

00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:41.679
 I know some of you

00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:42.039
 have been

00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:43.359
 in churches like that

00:16:43.359 --> 00:16:44.239
 where it seems like

00:16:44.239 --> 00:16:45.339
 someone standing up here

00:16:45.339 --> 00:16:47.219
 is way out of line

00:16:47.219 --> 00:16:48.000
 with God's word.

00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:49.519
 The further you go away,

00:16:49.599 --> 00:16:50.299
 the less authority

00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:50.719
 you have.

00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:51.039
 In fact,

00:16:51.079 --> 00:16:51.959
 you have no authority

00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:53.100
 the minute an elder

00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.080
 departs from what

00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.680
 God has said

00:16:54.680 --> 00:16:55.300
 in his word.

00:16:55.800 --> 00:16:56.740
 And this is so important

00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.540
 that we understand.

00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.780
 So much of the hurt

00:16:59.780 --> 00:17:00.240
 and the pain

00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.280
 is probably because

00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:02.340
 an elder being fallen,

00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.620
 being a saved wretch

00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:05.259
 has done that.

00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:06.960
 So maybe the Lord

00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.779
 needs to heal you.

00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:08.660
 You need to confess

00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.160
 to the Lord,

00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:09.480
 Jesus,

00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.420
 I trust you.

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.559
 You're the chief shepherd

00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.180
 of my soul.

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.480
 I have a hard time

00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.360
 with a church

00:17:14.360 --> 00:17:15.660
 and with fallen elders

00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.759
 who might hurt me

00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.460
 that way again.

00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.860
 And ask for the Lord

00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:19.500
 to heal you.

00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:21.579
 There are authorities

00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:23.439
 that rule over elders.

00:17:24.679 --> 00:17:25.339
 Elders are under

00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:26.039
 God's word.

00:17:26.659 --> 00:17:27.619
 An elder can never

00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:28.859
 be self-appointed.

00:17:29.719 --> 00:17:30.439
 It's Christ

00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:31.359
 through the Holy Spirit

00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:32.879
 affirmed by the congregation

00:17:32.879 --> 00:17:33.979
 that appoints an elder.

00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:35.319
 An elder does not

00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:36.319
 self-appoint.

00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:41.199
 I'll clarify something

00:17:41.199 --> 00:17:42.240
 a bit further here

00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.699
 that we mentioned

00:17:42.699 --> 00:17:43.459
 in Sunday school.

00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:44.979
 In verse 5,

00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.019
 Paul tells Titus

00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:47.980
 to appoint elders.

00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.539
 And this is what

00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.660
 the church in the Middle Ages

00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:52.359
 and then in some cases

00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.660
 a magisterial model

00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:54.779
 of church government,

00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:55.559
 they still have

00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.700
 a role of bishop.

00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:57.639
 So they would view

00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:58.779
 Titus as a bishop.

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.259
 He's in charge

00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.400
 of the region of Crete

00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:02.220
 and he's going to

00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:03.059
 appoint elders

00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:03.819
 in every single one

00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.799
 of the congregations.

00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:07.019
 We see this as,

00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:09.879
 we don't see Titus

00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:10.799
 as a bishop.

00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.839
 We see this being unique

00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.619
 to the New Testament

00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:14.319
 where God is,

00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.500
 he is setting the

00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.539
 New Covenant church

00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.019
 in motion.

00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.419
 He's breathing out

00:18:18.419 --> 00:18:18.779
 scriptures.

00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.779
 He's giving,

00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:20.059
 you know,

00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:21.399
 the letter to Titus.

00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:21.980
 This is part of

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.579
 the New Testament.

00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.480
 And there are no more

00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:24.879
 apostles.

00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:25.639
 We believe that if

00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:26.279
 someone claims to be

00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.079
 an apostle with a

00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:27.700
 new revelation,

00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:28.619
 they're going to say

00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.539
 this is now scripture

00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.119
 as well,

00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.200
 that they are a false

00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.579
 teacher.

00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:32.659
 And that's what we

00:18:32.659 --> 00:18:33.679
 need to guard against

00:18:33.679 --> 00:18:33.980
 that.

00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.339
 We believe that God

00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.539
 has given all of

00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.220
 his full counsel

00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.179
 in his word

00:18:38.179 --> 00:18:39.339
 and that as Paul

00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.019
 wrote to Timothy

00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.700
 that the church

00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.859
 is fully equipped

00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:43.079
 to do every good

00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.619
 work that God

00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:44.319
 calls them to.

00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.879
 So we see here

00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:47.399
 that Titus is

00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:48.159
 having a letter

00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.979
 in hand from Paul

00:18:48.979 --> 00:18:51.000
 and it's to teach

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.799
 the congregation

00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:53.039
 this biblical way

00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.779
 of appointing.

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.459
 We see in Acts

00:18:55.459 --> 00:18:56.279
 that the congregation

00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:57.579
 was worshiping,

00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.000
 they were praying,

00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:00.099
 they were fasting.

00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:01.740
 And with the leadership

00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.699
 of the Holy Spirit,

00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.279
 they laid hands

00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.500
 and sent off

00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.740
 Paul and Barnabas

00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.359
 on ministry.

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.240
 So how does God

00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:09.699
 appoint?

00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:11.199
 And how does Titus

00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:11.539
 appoint?

00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.180
 He appoints

00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:12.580
 through this

00:19:12.580 --> 00:19:13.539
 biblical process,

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.220
 this pattern

00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.700
 that we see

00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.519
 of the church

00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.539
 gathering for prayer

00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.180
 and fasting

00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:18.340
 and then a laying

00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.039
 on of hands.

00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:20.039
 And then we read

00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.519
 that it was the

00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.100
 Holy Spirit

00:19:21.100 --> 00:19:22.140
 who appointed,

00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:23.340
 the Holy Spirit

00:19:23.340 --> 00:19:24.160
 who sent out.

00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:25.180
 The Holy Spirit

00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.920
 sends out,

00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.940
 raises up,

00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.960
 and appoints

00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.980
 through his church.

00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:29.920
 That's the biblical

00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.400
 pattern.

00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.240
 I'll highlight

00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.200
 from our Constitution

00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.880
 that elders

00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:37.100
 have a real

00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:37.740
 authority.

00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.319
 There are all

00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:38.740
 these layers

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.240
 of authority

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.059
 over elders

00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:41.440
 and therefore

00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:42.099
 all of the

00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:42.960
 authority delegated

00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.859
 into this one

00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.399
 office,

00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:45.899
 it is real

00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:46.740
 because it's not

00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.700
 self-claimed

00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.119
 authority,

00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:49.119
 it's the authority

00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.679
 of scriptures

00:19:49.679 --> 00:19:50.539
 for the office

00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:50.980
 of elder.

00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.240
 The scriptures,

00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:52.940
 according to our

00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.500
 Constitution,

00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:54.059
 the scriptures

00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.359
 designate the elders

00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:56.159
 as those who

00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:57.339
 rule in the church,

00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:59.579
 citing 1 Timothy 5.17

00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:01.579
 and Hebrews 13.17.

00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:03.539
 We see this office

00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.679
 as synonymous.

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.820
 So the terms

00:20:05.820 --> 00:20:06.640
 shepherd and

00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.340
 pastor are the

00:20:07.340 --> 00:20:07.600
 same.

00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.100
 We see bishop

00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:09.759
 as being the

00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.860
 same and elder

00:20:10.860 --> 00:20:11.680
 as the same.

00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.320
 It's all the same

00:20:12.320 --> 00:20:13.740
 term in overseer

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.200
 and ruler.

00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:14.980
 It's synonymous.

00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.519
 So the principle

00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.120
 here is even

00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.519
 important.

00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.700
 The Bible doesn't

00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.560
 care as much

00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:20.740
 for the church

00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.519
 what it's called.

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.680
 It's really the

00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.519
 emphasis on what

00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.960
 that office does.

00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.220
 And what is the

00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.620
 office of elder?

00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.580
 It's to care

00:20:29.580 --> 00:20:30.600
 for the church

00:20:30.600 --> 00:20:31.440
 of God.

00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.060
 And there's more,

00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.039
 but I want to

00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.879
 emphasize it's less

00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:35.539
 about the title

00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.019
 or the label.

00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:36.399
 If you have

00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.000
 someone chasing

00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.460
 a title,

00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.099
 chasing that

00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.579
 position,

00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.700
 instead of

00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.460
 understanding the

00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.480
 work that an

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.159
 elder does,

00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.159
 then it's a

00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:43.919
 wrong focus.

00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.519
 And it's most

00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.579
 likely a red flag.

00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.339
 So it's not

00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:46.960
 about title.

00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:47.559
 It's about

00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.700
 function within

00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.179
 the body.

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.000
 God's people

00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.599
 are therefore

00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.500
 required to

00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.720
 submit to

00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.700
 the office of

00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.460
 elder when

00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.259
 such authority

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.240
 is biblically

00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.059
 exercised.

00:20:58.599 --> 00:20:58.919
 The scripture

00:20:58.919 --> 00:20:59.619
 is made a lot

00:20:59.619 --> 00:20:59.980
 clear.

00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:00.819
 And when an

00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.919
 elder is aligned

00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:02.440
 with scripture,

00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.580
 seeking to

00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:04.080
 fulfill the

00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:04.700
 function that

00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.240
 scripture has

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.860
 called upon,

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:06.580
 then the

00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:07.480
 congregation will

00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.460
 respect and

00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.500
 honor that

00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:09.860
 office.

00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:10.720
 We see the

00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.380
 congregation as

00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:11.900
 being the ones

00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.940
 who set apart

00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.480
 the elders.

00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.360
 And therefore,

00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.259
 as representatives,

00:21:15.820 --> 00:21:16.580
 there is that

00:21:16.580 --> 00:21:17.480
 real authority

00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.460
 entrusted to that

00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:18.860
 office.

00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.900
 While we are a

00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.380
 church plant,

00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.019
 are we out of

00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.259
 order?

00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:24.799
 And in a sense,

00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.120
 yes.

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.980
 We are needing

00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:27.840
 to appoint elders

00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:28.640
 to remain

00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:29.000
 biblical.

00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.079
 biblical.

00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.680
 It's similar to

00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.480
 a position that

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.500
 actually most of

00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.019
 you are in.

00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:33.940
 I'm not a

00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.140
 member.

00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.599
 Should I be

00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.039
 taking the

00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.519
 Lord's Supper?

00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.819
 Well, you need

00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.680
 to understand that

00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:38.460
 the Lord's Supper

00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:39.140
 is for those who

00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:40.000
 belong to Christ.

00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.980
 You need to be

00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:42.220
 taking steps toward

00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.640
 membership.

00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.299
 You need to be

00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:44.460
 pursuing that and

00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.220
 moving toward that.

00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:47.859
 So I feel like

00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:49.200
 it's so important

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.700
 that we be honest

00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.500
 and truthful about

00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.059
 where we are,

00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.720
 but where we're

00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.319
 heading, what we

00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.180
 see as the

00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.980
 biblical order,

00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.039
 what God is

00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.880
 calling us to.

00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.960
 And in terms

00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.760
 of accountability,

00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.740
 there's no decision

00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.460
 made for this

00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.340
 congregation without

00:22:01.340 --> 00:22:02.700
 the elders of

00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.480
 the sending church

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.820
 acting on behalf.

00:22:05.300 --> 00:22:06.540
 But I am asking

00:22:06.540 --> 00:22:08.400
 you to pray that

00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.400
 God will raise up

00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.560
 elders because if

00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:11.420
 Crete could come

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.360
 up with elders for

00:22:12.360 --> 00:22:13.220
 every single city

00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.180
 with all of their

00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.940
 problems, God will

00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:15.620
 do that here too.

00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:16.540
 He will do that.

00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.720
 So we need to be

00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.500
 moving toward that

00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.580
 biblical norm.

00:22:20.760 --> 00:22:22.760
 And my point here

00:22:22.760 --> 00:22:23.440
 that I want you to

00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:26.480
 simply see that it's

00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.160
 for the sake of

00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.339
 God's elect that

00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:29.360
 he promises he

00:22:29.360 --> 00:22:30.360
 will never leave

00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:31.640
 any congregation

00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:33.019
 without elders.

00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:34.220
 It's ultimately

00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.299
 Christ's responsibility

00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.299
 to raise up the

00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:36.579
 elders.

00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.339
 You know, we often

00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:38.880
 want to try to

00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:39.799
 become man-centered

00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:41.339
 and not trust in

00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:41.920
 him, but you need

00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:43.079
 to join me.

00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:43.819
 We need to trust

00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.140
 him.

00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.319
 He will do what

00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:45.960
 he has promised

00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.960
 and he promises he

00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.079
 will raise up elders

00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.559
 for every congregation.

00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.579
 He will feed his

00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:51.980
 people through those

00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.140
 men that he raises

00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.460
 up.

00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:55.759
 All right, so that's

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:57.200
 the authority that

00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:58.039
 rules over the

00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.339
 elders.

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.599
 Before I get to

00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.200
 the list of

00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.960
 qualifications, because

00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.500
 that's what the

00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.700
 congregation in Crete

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.480
 needed to look at.

00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.180
 Well, how do we

00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.400
 know?

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.119
 How do we discern

00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:08.319
 this?

00:23:08.379 --> 00:23:08.900
 How can we vote

00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:09.519
 yes or no?

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.379
 Give us something

00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:11.379
 tangible to look at.

00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.619
 So before I even get

00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:13.420
 to that, I want to

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.379
 go to the parallel

00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:15.819
 text, which is 1

00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.539
 Timothy 3.

00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.859
 You're welcome to

00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.279
 turn there.

00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.000
 1 Timothy 3.1.

00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:22.240
 Many of you, this

00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.140
 will be very familiar.

00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:25.560
 1 Timothy 3.1.

00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.759
 This is what Paul is

00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:28.420
 encouraging Timothy

00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:28.780
 with.

00:23:29.020 --> 00:23:29.640
 Timothy, as I

00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.140
 mentioned, he was

00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:31.720
 the pastor in Ephesus

00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:33.340
 and God is calling

00:23:33.340 --> 00:23:35.460
 him to raise up men

00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.680
 to whom you can

00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.560
 entrust the gospel,

00:23:37.800 --> 00:23:38.300
 who will be able to

00:23:38.300 --> 00:23:39.340
 provide sound teaching

00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.380
 and doctrine and

00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.400
 minister and provide

00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.480
 that biblical care

00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.660
 for the flock.

00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:45.200
 Here's what Paul

00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.060
 writes to Timothy

00:23:46.060 --> 00:23:47.380
 in 1 Timothy 1.3.

00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:48.280
 The saying is

00:23:48.280 --> 00:23:48.940
 trustworthy.

00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:51.620
 If anyone aspires

00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:52.559
 to the office

00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.559
 of overseer,

00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.799
 he desires

00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:56.420
 a noble task.

00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.500
 The reason I feel

00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.120
 this is important

00:23:59.120 --> 00:23:59.940
 to mention here

00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.440
 is because

00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.940
 the qualifications

00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.740
 is what the

00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.039
 congregation can

00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.519
 look at.

00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.559
 These are what

00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.440
 we would use

00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.140
 as the criteria

00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:08.120
 for the external

00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.539
 call.

00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:10.080
 Well, remember,

00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:11.120
 no man can appoint

00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.840
 himself to be

00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:11.980
 elder.

00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:12.440
 It has to be a

00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.680
 congregation appointing

00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.380
 a man and calling

00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.920
 a man to be their

00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:17.200
 overseer, to be one

00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.240
 of the elders and

00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.720
 shepherds.

00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:20.240
 Well, who is it

00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.079
 then that should

00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.980
 even be put forward

00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:22.880
 for consideration?

00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.819
 And what Paul

00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.660
 tells Timothy is

00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.359
 that if anyone

00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:28.200
 aspires to the

00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:29.099
 office of overseer,

00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.380
 he desires a

00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.059
 noble task.

00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.099
 Those two words,

00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.880
 aspire and desire,

00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.859
 those are less

00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.859
 about an external

00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.680
 call from a

00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.200
 congregation.

00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.279
 It's looking more

00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.900
 internally.

00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.460
 Is a man

00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.319
 aspiring?

00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.720
 They say you

00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.680
 aspire when you

00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.279
 perspire.

00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.940
 Is a man sweating,

00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.480
 serving, working,

00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.180
 laboring?

00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:50.299
 Is he reading?

00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.019
 Is he studying?

00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:52.039
 Is he growing in

00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.339
 doctrine?

00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:54.019
 Does he have a care

00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.980
 for the souls already?

00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.400
 Is he doing the

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:56.660
 work?

00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.160
 Is he one that

00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:59.720
 others want them

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.759
 to have this man

00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.339
 pray for me?

00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.740
 I just want you to

00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.240
 know and to

00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.940
 intercede on my

00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.360
 behalf.

00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.819
 The Lord says he

00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.319
 will hear the

00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.180
 prayer of his

00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:07.519
 people.

00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:09.059
 And so that's

00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:09.460
 what it looks

00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:10.440
 like to aspire.

00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.700
 It's to do the

00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.019
 work.

00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.440
 And if a man

00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.440
 desires that,

00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.740
 he desires a

00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:17.019
 noble task.

00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:18.059
 It's work.

00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.160
 It's work.

00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:19.759
 It's labor.

00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.559
 And it is a

00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.079
 desire.

00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.839
 It's internal.

00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.359
 That same

00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.099
 pastor I mentioned,

00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.639
 John Newton,

00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.400
 he gives three

00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:28.799
 criteria, three

00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.579
 criterion, I

00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.559
 guess, of how

00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.799
 you can know if

00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.859
 a man should be

00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.559
 considered for

00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.240
 elder.

00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:34.980
 Here's the first

00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.220
 one.

00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:36.720
 It's the internal

00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.099
 call.

00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.839
 John Newton

00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:38.680
 says it's a

00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:40.119
 warm and

00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:41.759
 earnest desire

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:43.639
 to be employed

00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.900
 in the service

00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.780
 of the church.

00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.560
 A warm and

00:25:47.560 --> 00:25:48.540
 earnest desire.

00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.420
 And if you

00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.460
 desire that, you

00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.480
 desire a noble

00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.400
 task.

00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:54.519
 Why is that so

00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:54.820
 needed?

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.280
 That there will

00:25:55.280 --> 00:25:56.060
 be an internal

00:25:56.060 --> 00:25:57.200
 aspiring and

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.500
 desiring before

00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.540
 the church sets

00:25:59.540 --> 00:26:00.280
 you aside to do

00:26:00.280 --> 00:26:00.480
 it?

00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:03.160
 It's needed

00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:04.040
 because the

00:26:04.040 --> 00:26:04.680
 work of being

00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.360
 an elder, this

00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.420
 noble task, it

00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.840
 is hard and

00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.480
 there will be

00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.160
 times where you

00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:10.060
 first of all will

00:26:10.060 --> 00:26:10.960
 question yourself.

00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.259
 I'm a wretch.

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.319
 God saved a

00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.039
 wretch like me?

00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:14.859
 Who am I?

00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:15.740
 Who am I to

00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.480
 minister God's

00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:16.619
 word?

00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.279
 And Satan will

00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:17.879
 be the first

00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.660
 one to accuse

00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.839
 you even more.

00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.660
 So why is this

00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:21.980
 needed?

00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.640
 Charles Bridges

00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:23.920
 said,

00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.940
 discouragements

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:26.359
 properly sustained

00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.299
 and carefully

00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:29.240
 improved become

00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:31.059
 our most fruitful

00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:32.019
 sources of

00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.619
 eventual

00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:34.519
 encouragement while

00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.400
 love to our

00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:36.879
 work bears us

00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:39.259
 on above our

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.099
 difficulties.

00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.259
 qualities.

00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.459
 That's why you

00:26:41.459 --> 00:26:42.339
 need that internal

00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:43.059
 call.

00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.419
 I think you

00:26:44.419 --> 00:26:44.959
 need to hear

00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:46.339
 what Charles

00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:47.199
 Spurgeon said

00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:48.039
 about this

00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:49.059
 internal call.

00:26:49.959 --> 00:26:51.019
 Even if it's

00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.480
 flowery Victorian

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:53.159
 language, maybe

00:26:53.159 --> 00:26:55.199
 exaggerated, I

00:26:55.199 --> 00:26:55.819
 just want to share

00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.279
 an example.

00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:57.119
 I ask a pastor,

00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.019
 he's a Presbyterian

00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.559
 pastor in the

00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.240
 area, and I

00:26:59.240 --> 00:26:59.799
 just ask him,

00:26:59.919 --> 00:27:00.839
 what do you most

00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.539
 appreciate about

00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.179
 this congregation?

00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.199
 And his point

00:27:03.199 --> 00:27:03.819
 of reference was

00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.619
 a congregation in

00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.319
 a different state,

00:27:05.459 --> 00:27:06.419
 another PCA church,

00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.459
 that he just said

00:27:07.459 --> 00:27:08.699
 the other elders were

00:27:08.699 --> 00:27:09.500
 really like a

00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.119
 governing board.

00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.940
 He didn't feel

00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.660
 like any of them

00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:13.599
 necessarily had a

00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.799
 desire or

00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:16.059
 aspiring to do

00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.220
 it.

00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:16.859
 They were doing

00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:17.440
 it because they

00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:17.799
 thought they were

00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.559
 helping God out.

00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.079
 And that was the

00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.759
 hardest thing for

00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:20.920
 him.

00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.559
 But he felt like

00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.299
 at this congregation

00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.079
 God had raised

00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:23.920
 up, truly raised

00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.559
 up men who

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.559
 aspired and

00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.539
 desired to care

00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.559
 for the flock

00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.259
 and to provide

00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:28.880
 that oversight.

00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.299
 So listen to how

00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:31.000
 Charles Spurgeon

00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.960
 describes this.

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.359
 There must be

00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:34.420
 an irresistible,

00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:36.079
 overwhelming craving,

00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.440
 enraging thirst

00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:38.460
 for telling

00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.059
 others what

00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:40.000
 God has done

00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.100
 for your own

00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:41.480
 soul.

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:43.320
 If any man

00:27:43.320 --> 00:27:44.160
 could be content

00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:45.059
 to be a newspaper

00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:46.279
 editor, a grocer,

00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:48.380
 a farmer, or doctor,

00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.799
 a lawyer, or senator,

00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.019
 or a king,

00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:52.720
 in the name of heaven

00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.120
 and earth,

00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.840
 let him go do

00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:55.140
 this instead.

00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.400
 For a man so

00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:57.180
 filled with God

00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.820
 would utterly

00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:59.480
 weary in any

00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.980
 pursuit but that

00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:02.180
 for which his

00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:03.539
 inmost soul

00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.400
 pants.

00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:10.220
 who is

00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:11.040
 aspiring?

00:28:11.620 --> 00:28:12.320
 Who is

00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:13.400
 aspiring to

00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:14.240
 do the work

00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:15.480
 of overseeing,

00:28:16.300 --> 00:28:17.060
 of caring for

00:28:17.060 --> 00:28:17.820
 the souls of

00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:18.460
 others, beginning

00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.180
 with your own

00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:20.060
 wife and

00:28:20.060 --> 00:28:20.740
 children if you

00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.360
 have a family?

00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.259
 In congregation,

00:28:23.540 --> 00:28:24.120
 I think it's also

00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:25.100
 important that we

00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:25.960
 all together as a

00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.560
 congregation be

00:28:26.560 --> 00:28:27.060
 really clear.

00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:28.060
 There's two

00:28:28.060 --> 00:28:29.120
 separate decisions,

00:28:29.280 --> 00:28:29.920
 I think biblically

00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.519
 and also in our

00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:30.920
 bylaws.

00:28:31.340 --> 00:28:31.940
 One is,

00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:33.540
 should these other

00:28:33.540 --> 00:28:34.160
 men become

00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.480
 elders?

00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.000
 Are they

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.840
 aspiring to do

00:28:35.840 --> 00:28:36.120
 this?

00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:37.300
 Do they fit the

00:28:37.300 --> 00:28:38.100
 biblical criteria?

00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.160
 Then we should

00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:39.680
 appoint them.

00:28:40.080 --> 00:28:40.460
 That's one

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:40.820
 decision.

00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.180
 The other

00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.840
 decision is,

00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.140
 should the

00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:43.340
 church ask a

00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:45.600
 man to not

00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:47.220
 be distracted

00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.320
 or entangled

00:28:48.320 --> 00:28:49.040
 in any other

00:28:49.040 --> 00:28:49.860
 worldly affairs

00:28:49.860 --> 00:28:50.759
 because the

00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.500
 church wants to

00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.600
 compensate that

00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:53.519
 man for working

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.460
 fully on behalf

00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.040
 of the church?

00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.000
 Because the

00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.700
 Bible also says

00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.080
 it's more

00:28:57.080 --> 00:28:58.160
 shameful than an

00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:58.860
 unbeliever if you

00:28:58.860 --> 00:28:59.500
 can't provide for

00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.120
 your own family.

00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:00.759
 But those are

00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.240
 two separate

00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.779
 decisions.

00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.840
 The church can

00:29:02.840 --> 00:29:03.540
 decide, you

00:29:03.540 --> 00:29:03.840
 know, we

00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.240
 believe these

00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.679
 men are

00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:05.359
 biblical elders

00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:05.799
 and we want

00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.220
 to appoint

00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.500
 them.

00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:07.240
 And then the

00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:07.879
 church at the

00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.399
 right time can

00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:08.939
 also make that

00:29:08.939 --> 00:29:09.659
 separate decision.

00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.959
 Do one or more

00:29:10.959 --> 00:29:11.500
 of these elders,

00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.019
 do we want to

00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.740
 set them aside,

00:29:13.139 --> 00:29:13.759
 not let them

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.399
 have to worry

00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:15.699
 about working

00:29:15.699 --> 00:29:16.559
 another day job?

00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.199
 But those are

00:29:17.199 --> 00:29:17.639
 two separate

00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:18.000
 decisions.

00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:18.679
 It's easy to go

00:29:18.679 --> 00:29:19.740
 in our mind to

00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.500
 the just, well,

00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.659
 full-time ministry

00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.359
 is the only way.

00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:24.480
 So that's the

00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.240
 internal call.

00:29:26.679 --> 00:29:27.619
 For the sake of

00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.279
 God's elect,

00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.199
 Christ is the

00:29:29.199 --> 00:29:29.619
 one who

00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:31.039
 personally calls.

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:31.939
 He is the one

00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:33.120
 who stirs that

00:29:33.120 --> 00:29:33.640
 desire.

00:29:34.340 --> 00:29:35.160
 And Christ is

00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:35.680
 the one who

00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.460
 will provide the

00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.860
 means for men

00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:39.059
 who do aspire

00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:40.500
 to become elders

00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.860
 according to his

00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:43.019
 will for each

00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.660
 congregation.

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.539
 All right,

00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:46.059
 well, on the

00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:47.160
 internal call,

00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.400
 a little bit of

00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:48.720
 context.

00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.700
 Now we move on to

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.820
 our sermon text

00:29:50.820 --> 00:29:51.539
 again, back to

00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.519
 Titus chapter 1

00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.160
 verse 6.

00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.640
 And this is the

00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.860
 external test.

00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:59.899
 I've broken the

00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:00.959
 external test into

00:30:00.959 --> 00:30:01.639
 three parts.

00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.579
 So the first part

00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:04.240
 is, what is the

00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.240
 man's reputation

00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:07.240
 inside and outside

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:08.179
 of the church?

00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.740
 This is so important

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.759
 because for us to be

00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.559
 in biblical order,

00:30:11.659 --> 00:30:12.299
 we will need to

00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:13.259
 appoint more elders

00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:14.959
 according to God's

00:30:14.959 --> 00:30:15.259
 timing.

00:30:15.399 --> 00:30:16.339
 And we won't rush it

00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:17.039
 because it's for the

00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.759
 sake of the faith of

00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.179
 the elect.

00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.139
 We don't want to do

00:30:19.139 --> 00:30:20.139
 a bad job with it.

00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:22.059
 But you need to know

00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:22.259
 this.

00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.199
 So even if you're

00:30:23.199 --> 00:30:23.899
 thinking I'm sitting

00:30:23.899 --> 00:30:25.139
 here as, and I'm a

00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:26.040
 lady, I'm never

00:30:26.040 --> 00:30:26.520
 going to be an

00:30:26.520 --> 00:30:27.480
 elder, you need to

00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.060
 know the biblical

00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:28.660
 criteria.

00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.020
 You need to know

00:30:30.020 --> 00:30:31.420
 what God has set

00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:32.500
 before us to use

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.840
 as our guide.

00:30:34.520 --> 00:30:35.280
 So the first one is

00:30:35.280 --> 00:30:35.520
 that.

00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.500
 What is the man's

00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.780
 reputation inside

00:30:37.780 --> 00:30:38.759
 and outside of the

00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.000
 church?

00:30:39.080 --> 00:30:39.520
 Look at what

00:30:39.520 --> 00:30:42.100
 Titus chapter 1

00:30:42.100 --> 00:30:42.900
 verse 6 says.

00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:46.259
 If anyone is above

00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:48.120
 reproach, the husband

00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:49.740
 of one wife and his

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:51.160
 children are believers,

00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.880
 or other translations

00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:54.880
 faithful, and not

00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:56.100
 open to the charge of

00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:57.660
 debauchery or

00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.560
 insubordination.

00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:01.360
 This is a pretty

00:31:01.360 --> 00:31:02.640
 observable reputation

00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:04.160
 inside of a church, but

00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:05.580
 also in the community

00:31:05.580 --> 00:31:06.260
 where we live.

00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.440
 Let's break it down.

00:31:07.540 --> 00:31:08.560
 Number one, above

00:31:08.560 --> 00:31:09.400
 reproach.

00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.440
 Above reproach.

00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:14.300
 If a man is aspiring

00:31:14.300 --> 00:31:15.140
 to be an elder, but

00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:16.060
 there's questionable

00:31:16.060 --> 00:31:17.280
 areas of their life,

00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:18.320
 how are they going to

00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:19.040
 really be able to

00:31:19.040 --> 00:31:20.060
 fulfill all of the

00:31:20.060 --> 00:31:21.020
 functions required of

00:31:21.020 --> 00:31:22.560
 an elder, while many

00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:23.520
 areas of their life are

00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.440
 still at least

00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.539
 questionable, if not

00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:25.879
 guilty.

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.539
 So I think that one's

00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.879
 fairly self-explanatory.

00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.539
 A man aspiring to be

00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.720
 an elder should think

00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.200
 about that.

00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:35.279
 If I have a choice and

00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.079
 I'm aware of how this

00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:37.000
 might affect other

00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.859
 people, I want to be

00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:38.779
 sensitive to their

00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.059
 needs.

00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:39.900
 I don't want to do

00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:41.000
 anything to discourage

00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.940
 or hamper the faith

00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:43.000
 of someone else.

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.160
 I just want to be above

00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:45.359
 reproach before Christ.

00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:46.819
 And the caution is,

00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:47.480
 of course, we can

00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.639
 become perhaps

00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:49.920
 legalistic and trying

00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:50.740
 to add on to the

00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.259
 moral law.

00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.200
 And there's a freedom

00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:53.380
 in this, but I think

00:31:53.380 --> 00:31:54.640
 that general care for

00:31:54.640 --> 00:31:55.460
 the souls of others

00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.700
 and the more sensitive

00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.580
 brother's conscience

00:31:57.580 --> 00:31:59.120
 ought to win over your

00:31:59.120 --> 00:31:59.380
 heart.

00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.860
 You love the others

00:32:00.860 --> 00:32:01.880
 and you love what

00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.740
 Christ is calling you

00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.779
 to do, that you're

00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.539
 willing to do it,

00:32:04.660 --> 00:32:05.380
 whatever that is.

00:32:06.600 --> 00:32:07.720
 The next phrase is,

00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:08.759
 the husband of one

00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:09.319
 wife.

00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:12.480
 I think, in general,

00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.620
 this, I think the

00:32:13.620 --> 00:32:14.799
 best interpretation is

00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:16.220
 to say a one woman

00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.860
 man.

00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.600
 I'm not going to have

00:32:18.600 --> 00:32:19.340
 us turn to other

00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:20.200
 parts of the Bible

00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:21.799
 necessarily to open

00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:23.120
 up a full doctrine

00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:24.279
 of divorce and

00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:24.980
 remarriage and stuff

00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.340
 like that.

00:32:25.380 --> 00:32:26.340
 But Jesus says in

00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:29.299
 Matthew 9, verse 19,

00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:31.220
 because the Pharisees

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:31.940
 were abusing this.

00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.720
 They were divorcing

00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.740
 one wife, remarrying

00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.319
 for any reason.

00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:35.740
 It was a selfish,

00:32:36.080 --> 00:32:37.819
 proud, male-dominated

00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.240
 culture.

00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:39.960
 And Jesus was very

00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:41.080
 pointed to accuse

00:32:41.080 --> 00:32:41.840
 them and tell them

00:32:41.840 --> 00:32:42.380
 this is wrong.

00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:43.220
 This does not please

00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:43.500
 God.

00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.779
 But Jesus says,

00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:45.660
 if a man divorces

00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:46.700
 his wife, except in

00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:48.000
 the case of adultery,

00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:50.279
 then it's wrong.

00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:51.359
 But in other words,

00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:52.220
 if there's a man

00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.259
 whose wife was

00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:54.240
 unfaithful to him,

00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.839
 it's biblical grounds

00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:56.720
 for divorce, as I

00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.339
 would see it, and

00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:58.259
 remarriage as well.

00:32:58.759 --> 00:32:59.380
 I know some

00:32:59.380 --> 00:33:00.700
 conservative denominations

00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.779
 have been divided

00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.279
 on this.

00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.359
 Our Constitution,

00:33:04.119 --> 00:33:04.839
 barring from these

00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:05.319
 other Reformed

00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:06.299
 Baptist exemplars,

00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.440
 makes it clear that

00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:09.200
 if that man was not

00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:10.759
 guilty of adultery

00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:12.200
 and biblically

00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:14.619
 passed that test

00:33:14.619 --> 00:33:15.579
 and he remarries,

00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:16.240
 he's been faithful

00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:16.920
 to his wife,

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:18.000
 he still fits

00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.680
 this criteria,

00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:19.720
 the husband of

00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.200
 one wife.

00:33:22.840 --> 00:33:23.759
 The next phrase

00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.279
 is that his

00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:25.100
 children are

00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:25.640
 believers.

00:33:27.320 --> 00:33:28.200
 So does this

00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:28.880
 mean that a

00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:29.800
 current elder,

00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:30.580
 his wife gets

00:33:30.580 --> 00:33:31.259
 pregnant and they

00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.779
 have a baby,

00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.120
 this infant is not

00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:33.700
 yet a believer,

00:33:33.820 --> 00:33:34.560
 he better step down

00:33:34.560 --> 00:33:35.060
 from office,

00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:35.680
 he's automatically

00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.300
 disqualified.

00:33:36.840 --> 00:33:37.380
 I think a better

00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:38.140
 understanding is,

00:33:38.360 --> 00:33:39.200
 as some have said,

00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:40.060
 that translation of

00:33:40.060 --> 00:33:40.539
 faithful,

00:33:41.600 --> 00:33:42.720
 it's a child who

00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:44.060
 outwardly,

00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:45.140
 this is an external

00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:45.580
 test,

00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:47.039
 there's no evidence

00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:48.099
 necessarily that

00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:49.639
 there's secret sin

00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:50.480
 on the part of the

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:50.779
 elders,

00:33:50.919 --> 00:33:51.399
 what this is

00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.059
 guarding against.

00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.059
 If an elder

00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:54.259
 stands behind the

00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:55.439
 pulpit or in the

00:33:55.439 --> 00:33:56.139
 Sunday school class

00:33:56.139 --> 00:33:56.539
 or in the home

00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:57.779
 and ministers God's

00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.480
 word in one way,

00:33:58.879 --> 00:33:59.559
 but the family

00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:00.379
 knows the secret

00:34:00.379 --> 00:34:00.720
 sin,

00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:01.480
 the sin that's

00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:02.460
 only with the

00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.139
 wife or the

00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:03.480
 children,

00:34:03.859 --> 00:34:04.939
 it will show up

00:34:04.939 --> 00:34:06.039
 generally through

00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.960
 children's behavior.

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.460
 And that's really

00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.039
 important for the

00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.779
 church to be aware

00:34:09.779 --> 00:34:10.139
 of that.

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:12.239
 So as a

00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:12.579
 congregation,

00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.799
 if we see a

00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:15.239
 potential elder or

00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:15.980
 current elders,

00:34:16.339 --> 00:34:17.480
 three-year-old acting

00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.500
 like a three-year-old,

00:34:18.859 --> 00:34:20.000
 maybe regressing and

00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:21.119
 acting like a two-year-old,

00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:22.799
 we would still consider

00:34:22.799 --> 00:34:23.460
 that a faithful

00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:23.879
 household.

00:34:24.259 --> 00:34:25.460
 If a 13-year-old is

00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.739
 acting like a teenager,

00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:28.420
 that doesn't mean the

00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.819
 pastor is disqualified.

00:34:30.299 --> 00:34:31.279
 That's probably our best

00:34:31.279 --> 00:34:32.019
 understanding of that

00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:32.339
 phrase.

00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:34.799
 The next one is not

00:34:34.799 --> 00:34:35.960
 open to the charge of

00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:36.639
 debauchery.

00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:38.559
 Debauchery is open,

00:34:38.859 --> 00:34:40.199
 blatant sin that

00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:41.599
 brings disrepute to

00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:42.019
 Christ.

00:34:43.359 --> 00:34:44.500
 And the last one is

00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:45.500
 insubordination.

00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.219
 Insubordination, to

00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:49.579
 not follow the lead of

00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:50.519
 the authorities above

00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.039
 you already.

00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:51.719
 Remember all the

00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:52.859
 authorities above an

00:34:52.859 --> 00:34:53.079
 elder?

00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:55.339
 And so if an elder has

00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:56.299
 a different job or

00:34:56.299 --> 00:34:57.259
 different vocation or

00:34:57.259 --> 00:34:58.219
 even maybe within the

00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:59.179
 life of a church, if

00:34:59.179 --> 00:34:59.859
 that elder has a

00:34:59.859 --> 00:35:00.519
 really hard time

00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.579
 following the

00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:02.480
 authorities above him,

00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:03.420
 that's a red flag

00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:05.119
 because there are many

00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:06.039
 authorities over an

00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:06.239
 elder.

00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:08.539
 If you're not able to

00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.359
 follow, then you're not

00:35:09.359 --> 00:35:10.480
 ready to lead.

00:35:11.139 --> 00:35:12.500
 So to sum it up, the

00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:14.859
 elder is to shine as a

00:35:14.859 --> 00:35:15.599
 saved wretch.

00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:17.159
 It's all of God's work

00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:17.500
 in them.

00:35:17.819 --> 00:35:18.799
 Yet not I, but through

00:35:18.799 --> 00:35:19.779
 Christ in me, he has

00:35:19.779 --> 00:35:21.219
 redeemed me and he is

00:35:21.219 --> 00:35:22.619
 helping me to more and

00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:23.859
 more and more grow in

00:35:23.859 --> 00:35:24.960
 these areas so I can be

00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:26.440
 above reproach and not

00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:27.920
 disqualify myself by my

00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.159
 sin.

00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:31.179
 I want to highlight here

00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:33.359
 too that because of all

00:35:33.359 --> 00:35:34.279
 these constraints and

00:35:34.279 --> 00:35:35.519
 limitations that really

00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:36.379
 narrowed down,

00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:37.800
 the scope of what an

00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:38.740
 elder is called to do

00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:39.480
 in the life of a

00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:40.300
 church, our

00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:41.599
 constitution wisely I

00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:42.420
 think says this,

00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:44.480
 elders will not invade

00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:46.340
 the biblically defined

00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:47.840
 spheres of other

00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:49.660
 divinely ordained human

00:35:49.660 --> 00:35:51.380
 authorities and will not

00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:52.519
 command God's people

00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:54.260
 regarding matters not

00:35:54.260 --> 00:35:55.500
 specified in scripture

00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:57.380
 except to order the

00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.780
 house of God by the

00:35:58.780 --> 00:36:01.320
 application of his word.

00:36:01.640 --> 00:36:02.599
 Later on in Titus

00:36:02.599 --> 00:36:04.660
 chapter 3 verse 1, he's

00:36:04.660 --> 00:36:05.440
 giving instructions for

00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:06.179
 the whole congregation

00:36:06.179 --> 00:36:07.059
 that you must be

00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.800
 submissive to all rulers

00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:11.019
 and all authorities over

00:36:11.019 --> 00:36:11.280
 you.

00:36:11.700 --> 00:36:13.039
 So do you see though the

00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:14.440
 elder's role is really

00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.780
 defined, really specific.

00:36:16.440 --> 00:36:17.480
 He's not to invade the

00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.700
 role, biblically defined

00:36:18.700 --> 00:36:19.539
 role of a husband.

00:36:20.340 --> 00:36:21.179
 Elders are not to invade

00:36:21.179 --> 00:36:22.079
 the biblically given

00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:24.019
 authority of fathers or

00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:26.340
 civil rulers or even like

00:36:26.340 --> 00:36:27.539
 secular employers.

00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:29.579
 An elder has no right

00:36:29.579 --> 00:36:29.900
 really.

00:36:30.079 --> 00:36:31.220
 That's not their scope of

00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:31.659
 the authority.

00:36:31.740 --> 00:36:32.460
 You're trying to go on

00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:33.820
 beyond what God has said

00:36:33.820 --> 00:36:35.280
 is really clear for your

00:36:35.280 --> 00:36:35.679
 authority.

00:36:37.240 --> 00:36:39.820
 So church, for the sake

00:36:39.820 --> 00:36:40.840
 of God's elect, make

00:36:40.840 --> 00:36:42.500
 sure you never appoint an

00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:44.780
 elder before he is above

00:36:44.780 --> 00:36:46.220
 reproach in these clear

00:36:46.220 --> 00:36:47.480
 biblical categories.

00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:50.960
 The second external test is

00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:52.240
 this, how does the man

00:36:52.240 --> 00:36:54.460
 rule over himself?

00:36:55.460 --> 00:36:56.659
 So the first one is what's

00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:57.820
 his reputation in the church

00:36:57.820 --> 00:36:58.360
 and in the world.

00:36:58.460 --> 00:36:59.280
 The next one is how does

00:36:59.280 --> 00:37:01.140
 the man rule over himself?

00:37:01.640 --> 00:37:02.500
 Look at verse 7.

00:37:03.320 --> 00:37:04.920
 For an overseer as God's

00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:06.120
 steward must be above

00:37:06.120 --> 00:37:06.780
 reproach.

00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:09.560
 He must not be arrogant or

00:37:09.560 --> 00:37:11.580
 quick-tempered or a drunkard

00:37:11.580 --> 00:37:13.519
 or violent or greedy for gain

00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:15.920
 but hospitable, a lover of

00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:18.540
 good, self-controlled, upright,

00:37:19.180 --> 00:37:20.660
 holy, and disciplined.

00:37:22.519 --> 00:37:23.620
 If you're like me, you're

00:37:23.620 --> 00:37:24.740
 thinking who is worthy of

00:37:24.740 --> 00:37:25.460
 such a task?

00:37:25.640 --> 00:37:26.760
 That's what Paul said as

00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:27.000
 well.

00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:29.320
 But I think these categories

00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:31.159
 are beautifully arranged.

00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:33.059
 The first one is a temptation

00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:34.300
 toward arrogance.

00:37:35.159 --> 00:37:37.099
 Arrogance was the downfall of

00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:38.440
 Lucifer himself.

00:37:39.420 --> 00:37:41.880
 Must not be proud or arrogant.

00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:44.940
 Notice how that phrase of

00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:46.460
 arrogance in verse 7, it's

00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:48.019
 answered by the biblical virtue,

00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:49.800
 the sanctified fruit of the

00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:50.739
 spirit in verse 8.

00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:53.300
 Not arrogant, but holy.

00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:55.360
 Holy means you recognize

00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:57.099
 God is creator.

00:37:57.280 --> 00:37:58.440
 He is holy, holy, holy.

00:37:59.180 --> 00:38:00.720
 And if we approach him

00:38:00.720 --> 00:38:01.840
 through Christ, we are on

00:38:01.840 --> 00:38:02.740
 sacred ground.

00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:04.760
 We are set apart by the

00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:05.599
 blood of Christ.

00:38:06.380 --> 00:38:07.740
 That's the contrast to

00:38:07.740 --> 00:38:08.240
 arrogance.

00:38:09.820 --> 00:38:11.579
 And not arrogant, but a

00:38:11.579 --> 00:38:14.120
 lover of good, a lover of

00:38:14.120 --> 00:38:17.579
 hospitality, loving others

00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:19.380
 instead of seeking your own

00:38:19.380 --> 00:38:19.980
 gain.

00:38:19.980 --> 00:38:22.559
 The arrogant, it's first person

00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.920
 singular all the time.

00:38:24.719 --> 00:38:26.099
 I, me, you know.

00:38:26.460 --> 00:38:28.000
 And the call here is

00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:29.599
 hospitality, the good of

00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:30.099
 others.

00:38:30.780 --> 00:38:31.980
 Not your own interest, but

00:38:31.980 --> 00:38:33.639
 the interest of Christ's bride,

00:38:33.740 --> 00:38:34.760
 his precious church.

00:38:35.900 --> 00:38:37.539
 The next temptation is the

00:38:37.539 --> 00:38:39.480
 internal temptation toward

00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.119
 greed.

00:38:40.800 --> 00:38:41.760
 Greedy for gain.

00:38:41.760 --> 00:38:45.740
 But if Christ is working out

00:38:45.740 --> 00:38:47.560
 the generous love of the

00:38:47.560 --> 00:38:48.740
 cross in the heart of the

00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:51.300
 elder, this will display

00:38:51.300 --> 00:38:54.440
 itself in being upright and

00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:55.760
 being generous toward other.

00:38:57.220 --> 00:38:58.440
 The next temptation is being

00:38:58.440 --> 00:39:00.720
 quick-tempered or a drunkard

00:39:00.720 --> 00:39:01.400
 or violent.

00:39:02.720 --> 00:39:03.960
 Are those related?

00:39:05.040 --> 00:39:06.580
 Well, it's not ruling

00:39:06.580 --> 00:39:07.400
 yourself well.

00:39:08.540 --> 00:39:09.940
 Quick-tempered, a drunkard,

00:39:09.940 --> 00:39:10.420
 and violent.

00:39:11.179 --> 00:39:12.179
 It's not a sin to have

00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:12.480
 anger.

00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:13.900
 It's not a sin to feel

00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:14.500
 stress.

00:39:15.059 --> 00:39:16.800
 It's not a sin to feel

00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:18.280
 empty and despairing.

00:39:18.760 --> 00:39:20.720
 Because you, you are living

00:39:20.720 --> 00:39:21.659
 in this broken world.

00:39:21.740 --> 00:39:22.500
 What do you do with that?

00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:25.480
 But the biblical virtue is

00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:27.260
 self-control and discipline.

00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:29.579
 And so when we do have those

00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:31.000
 feelings, those challenges,

00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:31.940
 what do we do with them?

00:39:32.179 --> 00:39:33.280
 We run to the cross.

00:39:33.900 --> 00:39:35.720
 It's a reliance upon Jesus

00:39:35.720 --> 00:39:36.240
 Christ.

00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:38.159
 And it's not turning to

00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:39.860
 violence or

00:39:39.860 --> 00:39:42.380
 alcohol or some type of

00:39:42.380 --> 00:39:44.680
 chemical self-medication

00:39:44.680 --> 00:39:46.900
 and quick-tempered.

00:39:47.180 --> 00:39:48.440
 Because how are you going to

00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:49.620
 rule over the house of God

00:39:49.620 --> 00:39:50.740
 if you can't rule over your

00:39:50.740 --> 00:39:51.220
 own heart?

00:39:52.360 --> 00:39:53.840
 So our Constitution, the

00:39:53.840 --> 00:39:55.320
 proposed Constitution, has

00:39:55.320 --> 00:39:56.420
 this good language, I believe.

00:39:56.539 --> 00:39:57.780
 It says that the authority of

00:39:57.780 --> 00:40:00.240
 elders, it is conditioned by

00:40:00.240 --> 00:40:02.200
 the fact that elders are

00:40:02.200 --> 00:40:04.760
 themselves members of this

00:40:04.760 --> 00:40:05.559
 local church.

00:40:05.860 --> 00:40:07.620
 While elders are shepherds over

00:40:07.619 --> 00:40:08.719
 the flock, they are also

00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:09.880
 members of the flock.

00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:11.679
 Therefore, each individual

00:40:11.679 --> 00:40:13.339
 elder is entitled to the

00:40:13.339 --> 00:40:14.880
 same privileges, is

00:40:14.880 --> 00:40:16.019
 obligated by the same

00:40:16.019 --> 00:40:17.799
 responsibilities, and is

00:40:17.799 --> 00:40:19.179
 subject to the same

00:40:19.179 --> 00:40:21.119
 discipline as the other

00:40:21.119 --> 00:40:22.659
 members of the church.

00:40:23.659 --> 00:40:25.880
 Thus, each individual elder is

00:40:25.880 --> 00:40:27.500
 both under the oversight of

00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:28.799
 his fellow elders and is

00:40:28.799 --> 00:40:30.480
 accountable to the church as

00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:30.880
 a whole.

00:40:30.880 --> 00:40:33.680
 There's a lot of

00:40:33.680 --> 00:40:34.180
 accountability.

00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:37.500
 And the call is that Christ

00:40:37.500 --> 00:40:38.860
 will rule over your own

00:40:38.860 --> 00:40:40.059
 heart more and more and more

00:40:40.059 --> 00:40:40.519
 first.

00:40:40.960 --> 00:40:42.099
 But you still have that

00:40:42.099 --> 00:40:43.920
 oversight if you become an

00:40:43.920 --> 00:40:44.240
 officer.

00:40:44.380 --> 00:40:44.940
 You still have the

00:40:44.940 --> 00:40:46.039
 accountability, the oversight,

00:40:46.220 --> 00:40:47.660
 the shepherding care of your

00:40:47.660 --> 00:40:49.700
 own soul by the elders and the

00:40:49.700 --> 00:40:51.559
 same love and process for being

00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:52.880
 forgiven and restored by the

00:40:52.880 --> 00:40:53.420
 congregation.

00:40:54.619 --> 00:40:57.059
 I'm comforted by how this seems

00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:59.500
 to be a lifelong battle, a

00:40:59.500 --> 00:41:00.420
 lifelong reality.

00:41:00.880 --> 00:41:03.480
 John Newton at age 72.

00:41:04.119 --> 00:41:07.139
 And age 72 in the 1700s is

00:41:07.139 --> 00:41:08.539
 different than 72 now.

00:41:09.079 --> 00:41:10.800
 92 is the new 72, right?

00:41:11.440 --> 00:41:13.599
 So he wrote that such a wretch

00:41:13.599 --> 00:41:15.920
 should not only be spared and

00:41:15.920 --> 00:41:18.420
 pardoned, but reserved to the

00:41:18.420 --> 00:41:19.699
 honor of preaching by the

00:41:19.699 --> 00:41:21.619
 preaching the gospel, which he

00:41:21.619 --> 00:41:23.179
 has blasphemed and renounced.

00:41:23.460 --> 00:41:25.360
 This is wonderful indeed.

00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:27.980
 And he prayed, God, the more you

00:41:27.980 --> 00:41:30.179
 have exalted me, the more I

00:41:30.179 --> 00:41:32.099
 ought to abase myself.

00:41:32.980 --> 00:41:35.059
 So I think that over time, the

00:41:35.059 --> 00:41:36.840
 biblical elder will grow more

00:41:36.840 --> 00:41:38.199
 and more and more humble like

00:41:38.199 --> 00:41:39.559
 John Newton and see that.

00:41:40.240 --> 00:41:41.460
 And it's the cry of John the

00:41:41.460 --> 00:41:41.920
 baptizer.

00:41:42.019 --> 00:41:43.280
 The more you behold Christ for

00:41:43.280 --> 00:41:44.579
 who he is, the more you want to

00:41:44.579 --> 00:41:47.059
 say he must increase and I must

00:41:47.059 --> 00:41:47.619
 decrease.

00:41:48.119 --> 00:41:49.940
 So for the sake of God's elect,

00:41:50.320 --> 00:41:51.360
 ask God's help.

00:41:52.000 --> 00:41:54.820
 Every one of you forgot to rule

00:41:54.820 --> 00:41:56.559
 over your own hearts more and

00:41:56.559 --> 00:41:58.299
 more, that your love for Christ

00:41:58.299 --> 00:41:59.980
 will grow and that he will

00:41:59.980 --> 00:42:00.739
 restrain you.

00:42:01.860 --> 00:42:03.239
 All right, here's the third test

00:42:03.239 --> 00:42:05.159
 for the eldership that the

00:42:05.159 --> 00:42:06.440
 congregation needs to look for.

00:42:06.900 --> 00:42:09.199
 How does the man minister God's

00:42:09.199 --> 00:42:09.519
 word?

00:42:10.119 --> 00:42:11.980
 You need to be able to discern

00:42:11.980 --> 00:42:12.259
 this.

00:42:12.340 --> 00:42:13.099
 Look at verse 9.

00:42:14.679 --> 00:42:16.239
 Paul tells Titus and the whole

00:42:16.239 --> 00:42:18.699
 church that these elders, they

00:42:18.699 --> 00:42:21.199
 must hold firm to the trustworthy

00:42:21.199 --> 00:42:23.320
 word as taught so that he may be

00:42:23.320 --> 00:42:25.220
 able to give instruction in sound

00:42:25.220 --> 00:42:27.720
 doctrine and also to rebuke those

00:42:27.720 --> 00:42:29.039
 who contradict it.

00:42:29.760 --> 00:42:31.720
 Charles Bridges commented, it is not

00:42:31.720 --> 00:42:34.340
 enough that there is no poison in

00:42:34.340 --> 00:42:34.800
 the tongue.

00:42:35.760 --> 00:42:37.780
 A qualified elder's teaching must be

00:42:37.780 --> 00:42:38.460
 healing.

00:42:39.120 --> 00:42:41.940
 He must be ministering God's grace to

00:42:41.940 --> 00:42:42.840
 his hearers.

00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:46.400
 So verse 9, the elder must personally

00:42:46.400 --> 00:42:50.960
 grasp, cling to with conviction, hold

00:42:50.960 --> 00:42:53.760
 firm, the trustworthy word, the

00:42:53.760 --> 00:42:55.760
 faithful word as taught.

00:42:57.099 --> 00:42:59.000
 Before an elder can teach, he must

00:42:59.000 --> 00:42:59.820
 first be taught.

00:43:00.460 --> 00:43:01.960
 He must receive that faithful

00:43:01.960 --> 00:43:03.599
 teaching that's been entrusted to the

00:43:03.599 --> 00:43:03.920
 church.

00:43:05.179 --> 00:43:06.619
 It's estimated that Paul was

00:43:06.619 --> 00:43:09.340
 discipled by Barnabas for 13 years.

00:43:09.780 --> 00:43:12.360
 Paul, who was a scribe and a master

00:43:12.360 --> 00:43:13.320
 of the law.

00:43:14.119 --> 00:43:17.039
 13 years for the gospel doctrine to be

00:43:17.039 --> 00:43:19.099
 worked into him before he could be

00:43:19.099 --> 00:43:20.299
 turned loose to go teach.

00:43:20.779 --> 00:43:22.719
 I don't think that 13 years is a good

00:43:22.719 --> 00:43:24.400
 period for all elders in a local

00:43:24.400 --> 00:43:26.059
 congregation, but it's been an

00:43:26.059 --> 00:43:28.420
 encouragement to me that if God feels

00:43:28.420 --> 00:43:30.239
 to be working very slowly in my own

00:43:30.239 --> 00:43:33.339
 life, look at Paul, how much more God

00:43:33.339 --> 00:43:33.860
 was patient.

00:43:35.839 --> 00:43:38.059
 So that, why is this in verse 9, so that

00:43:38.059 --> 00:43:39.639
 he may be able to give instruction.

00:43:40.000 --> 00:43:42.880
 All men must desire to hold firm and give

00:43:42.880 --> 00:43:44.319
 instruction privately.

00:43:44.900 --> 00:43:46.099
 Remember those other biblically appointed

00:43:46.099 --> 00:43:47.739
 spheres of authority.

00:43:48.299 --> 00:43:50.719
 Husbands must lead your wife spiritually.

00:43:51.440 --> 00:43:53.679
 In your workplace, we must know what

00:43:53.679 --> 00:43:55.420
 God's word says for how we are to serve

00:43:55.420 --> 00:43:56.019
 like Daniel.

00:43:56.279 --> 00:43:57.880
 There wasn't a line on Daniel's job

00:43:57.880 --> 00:44:00.119
 description in fallen Babylon that he

00:44:00.119 --> 00:44:01.380
 didn't fulfill with excellence.

00:44:01.779 --> 00:44:03.699
 We need to know God's word and we need

00:44:03.699 --> 00:44:05.279
 to work that out in every sphere of

00:44:05.279 --> 00:44:05.860
 responsibility.

00:44:06.599 --> 00:44:08.559
 In fact, that is your first trying ground.

00:44:09.000 --> 00:44:09.659
 Are you shepherding?

00:44:09.719 --> 00:44:10.480
 Are you caring for?

00:44:10.599 --> 00:44:12.079
 Are you ministering God's word to your

00:44:12.079 --> 00:44:14.179
 wife, to your children if you have them?

00:44:14.179 --> 00:44:16.639
 That is one of the requirements we need

00:44:16.639 --> 00:44:18.259
 to look for as a church as well.

00:44:18.839 --> 00:44:21.000
 Then you will be able to give instruction

00:44:21.000 --> 00:44:22.480
 to God's congregation.

00:44:23.139 --> 00:44:25.119
 See, Titus was not to be a circuit preacher

00:44:25.119 --> 00:44:26.440
 going around doing all the preaching.

00:44:26.919 --> 00:44:28.919
 Titus was not to put up big screens and

00:44:28.919 --> 00:44:31.259
 simulcast his voice preaching to all these

00:44:31.259 --> 00:44:31.980
 congregations.

00:44:32.399 --> 00:44:35.219
 Every congregation was to appoint elders.

00:44:35.819 --> 00:44:37.440
 And Titus was making sure they are doing it

00:44:37.440 --> 00:44:39.839
 biblically with the authority of Christ

00:44:39.839 --> 00:44:41.679
 himself given through Paul.

00:44:41.679 --> 00:44:44.440
 Not only do you need to build up God's

00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:47.839
 congregation, you need to be shepherding

00:44:47.839 --> 00:44:49.779
 the congregation toward life of godliness.

00:44:50.099 --> 00:44:51.460
 See, it accords with godliness.

00:44:51.940 --> 00:44:53.659
 You need to have a zeal for the gospel that

00:44:53.659 --> 00:44:56.159
 works its way out in the lives of the

00:44:56.159 --> 00:44:56.679
 congregation.

00:44:56.859 --> 00:44:57.619
 That's the oversight.

00:44:58.039 --> 00:44:59.480
 That's really what everything is for.

00:44:59.980 --> 00:45:02.239
 It's not only to preach the truth, it's to

00:45:02.239 --> 00:45:03.119
 apply the truth.

00:45:03.519 --> 00:45:05.879
 It's to let God's spirit work it out in the

00:45:05.879 --> 00:45:08.000
 hearts of God's people in tough situations.

00:45:08.659 --> 00:45:09.819
 That's what you're called to do.

00:45:09.820 --> 00:45:11.860
 If God is stirring you to be an elder.

00:45:12.680 --> 00:45:14.900
 And you need to be ready to pick up the sword of

00:45:14.900 --> 00:45:16.900
 the spirit, the word of God, and fight a

00:45:16.900 --> 00:45:19.660
 defensive battle to rebuke those who contradict

00:45:19.660 --> 00:45:20.019
 it.

00:45:21.080 --> 00:45:23.680
 To ground your hope of eternal life by the

00:45:23.680 --> 00:45:25.680
 preaching of the word of God.

00:45:26.000 --> 00:45:27.039
 To refute error.

00:45:27.539 --> 00:45:31.019
 The King James says to convince gainsayers.

00:45:31.580 --> 00:45:33.539
 There will be those mocking the gospel message

00:45:33.539 --> 00:45:34.120
 every day.

00:45:34.700 --> 00:45:37.300
 In fact, Satan will be lurking within the

00:45:37.300 --> 00:45:39.320
 congregation every time the gospel is preached.

00:45:39.320 --> 00:45:41.320
 Trying to whisper doubts and lies.

00:45:41.900 --> 00:45:43.980
 So as we minister God's word, it needs to be

00:45:43.980 --> 00:45:44.680
 persuasive.

00:45:44.860 --> 00:45:47.519
 It needs to convince the believers of the

00:45:47.519 --> 00:45:47.900
 truth.

00:45:49.059 --> 00:45:51.400
 So the second test that John Newton gave is that

00:45:51.400 --> 00:45:55.440
 there must in due season appear competent,

00:45:55.900 --> 00:45:58.700
 sufficient gifts as to gifts, knowledge, and

00:45:58.700 --> 00:45:59.240
 utterance.

00:46:00.539 --> 00:46:02.039
 John Newton had said there needs to be that

00:46:02.039 --> 00:46:03.860
 warm eagerness, that desire.

00:46:04.220 --> 00:46:06.039
 But then there also, with opportunity,

00:46:06.039 --> 00:46:08.380
 if you show up for a Bible study, if we have Sunday

00:46:08.380 --> 00:46:10.460
 school, through discussions, through one-on-one

00:46:10.460 --> 00:46:13.099
 conversations, you are learning to put into words

00:46:13.099 --> 00:46:16.099
 and to be persuasive, to convince others of the

00:46:16.099 --> 00:46:16.940
 truth of the gospel.

00:46:17.259 --> 00:46:18.579
 That's how God sharpens that.

00:46:18.820 --> 00:46:21.380
 He sets up a series of opportunities for teaching and

00:46:21.380 --> 00:46:24.139
 for growing and using that gift that then becomes a

00:46:24.139 --> 00:46:26.460
 requirement that the congregation expects.

00:46:26.460 --> 00:46:30.960
 Our Constitution summarizes the five functions of an

00:46:30.960 --> 00:46:31.559
 elder this way.

00:46:31.639 --> 00:46:34.139
 Number one, it's the spiritual care of the members.

00:46:34.320 --> 00:46:36.440
 Number two, it's the preaching and teaching of God's

00:46:36.440 --> 00:46:40.099
 word, both publicly and privately, along with prayer.

00:46:40.619 --> 00:46:42.760
 Number three, it's the governing and management of the

00:46:42.760 --> 00:46:43.039
 church.

00:46:43.460 --> 00:46:46.119
 Number four, it's the formative and corrective discipline

00:46:46.119 --> 00:46:46.760
 of the church.

00:46:47.159 --> 00:46:50.400
 Number five, it's the provision of being a role model,

00:46:50.519 --> 00:46:52.159
 though fallen, and it's only through Christ.

00:46:52.159 --> 00:46:55.539
 You are to be an example to the flock, is the command.

00:46:57.319 --> 00:46:59.579
 The elders, according to our Constitution, are to be

00:46:59.579 --> 00:47:03.099
 reviewed against all this criteria every four years, and

00:47:03.099 --> 00:47:05.839
 the congregation must continually affirm that we

00:47:05.839 --> 00:47:09.079
 believe that each officeholder is fulfilling these biblical

00:47:09.079 --> 00:47:09.739
 requirements.

00:47:09.920 --> 00:47:10.899
 It's a very high bar.

00:47:12.420 --> 00:47:15.960
 And so, for the sake of God's elect, I encourage each one

00:47:15.960 --> 00:47:18.359
 of you, within the spheres that God has given you, within

00:47:18.359 --> 00:47:21.619
 your role as a son, a brother, a daughter, a wife,

00:47:21.619 --> 00:47:25.960
 a friend, grow in those graces of Christ, grow in your

00:47:25.960 --> 00:47:29.319
 knowledge of Jesus Christ in the gospel, minister sound

00:47:29.319 --> 00:47:34.259
 doctrine, know his word well, because each one of us will be

00:47:34.259 --> 00:47:37.000
 strengthening the congregation, will be blessing one

00:47:37.000 --> 00:47:38.480
 another the more we do.

00:47:39.859 --> 00:47:43.480
 All right, well, the last external test is simply how it

00:47:43.480 --> 00:47:44.279
 actually happens.

00:47:44.719 --> 00:47:48.420
 What needs and opportunities is God revealing to this

00:47:48.420 --> 00:47:49.039
 congregation?

00:47:49.039 --> 00:47:54.800
 I just want to point out that Paul told Titus to be aware of

00:47:54.800 --> 00:47:56.860
 every town in the island of Crete.

00:47:57.300 --> 00:48:00.099
 You've got to have a strategic picture of where is God working,

00:48:00.239 --> 00:48:02.699
 where are their needs, where are their opportunities.

00:48:02.940 --> 00:48:05.800
 Most likely, there were two or more elders appointed in one

00:48:05.800 --> 00:48:09.099
 town a little bit quicker than another for various reasons.

00:48:10.000 --> 00:48:13.139
 Jesus said, the fields are ripe unto harvest, but the laborers are

00:48:13.139 --> 00:48:13.519
 few.

00:48:13.519 --> 00:48:16.739
 If we look around or look at your own experience, it's true.

00:48:16.860 --> 00:48:21.639
 There is a real scarcity of caring shepherds who will look over the

00:48:21.639 --> 00:48:22.840
 flock of Christ.

00:48:24.900 --> 00:48:27.800
 So John Newton said, the final evidence, this is the third and

00:48:27.800 --> 00:48:32.320
 last evidence of a proper call, is a corresponding opening in

00:48:32.320 --> 00:48:37.159
 providence by a gradual train of circumstances pointing out the

00:48:37.159 --> 00:48:41.320
 means, the time, the place of entering upon the work of ministry.

00:48:41.320 --> 00:48:44.920
 It says, you will look back and you will see God's hand like a train

00:48:44.920 --> 00:48:48.860
 with one card after the other of how God gradually nudged you and

00:48:48.860 --> 00:48:49.820
 boom, it happened.

00:48:50.039 --> 00:48:53.600
 Here's a congregation and here is an elder for that congregation.

00:48:54.840 --> 00:48:59.200
 So church, we may be called upon to evaluate a person and if they've met

00:48:59.200 --> 00:49:02.059
 this biblical criteria, we can affirm that.

00:49:02.400 --> 00:49:04.460
 We believe this person is qualified.

00:49:04.840 --> 00:49:08.280
 We believe that they have been tested and there's no reason they should be

00:49:08.280 --> 00:49:13.060
 kept from a biblical office but there's still this strategic discernment is the

00:49:13.060 --> 00:49:14.160
 need in this congregation.

00:49:14.380 --> 00:49:18.260
 Maybe a congregation already has, you know, seven elders and there's an

00:49:18.260 --> 00:49:19.600
 opportunity for church planting.

00:49:19.980 --> 00:49:24.080
 So it's still the job of a biblical church to affirm and test and then to send

00:49:24.080 --> 00:49:26.180
 out and be discerning about that.

00:49:26.420 --> 00:49:28.800
 Every town needs to have a plurality of elders.

00:49:29.180 --> 00:49:30.840
 Where is God calling us to mobilize?

00:49:31.400 --> 00:49:32.580
 But we would still own that.

00:49:32.820 --> 00:49:35.200
 So maybe it's to send a missionary to another part of the world.

00:49:35.199 --> 00:49:36.719
 We would own that as a congregation.

00:49:36.919 --> 00:49:38.399
 We would use this same criteria.

00:49:38.500 --> 00:49:42.039
 Then we'd be able to affirm and to send with God's blessing.

00:49:46.000 --> 00:49:50.899
 As we think about, let's call to appoint elders in every town for the sake of

00:49:50.899 --> 00:49:53.299
 God's elect, it can feel overwhelming.

00:49:53.879 --> 00:49:54.980
 It can feel a lot of pressure.

00:49:55.960 --> 00:49:58.859
 My last John Newton quote for you today, he said,

00:49:58.860 --> 00:50:05.780
 None but he who made the world can make a minister of the gospel.

00:50:06.200 --> 00:50:09.680
 It's Jesus Christ himself who must do it.

00:50:10.380 --> 00:50:14.019
 We believe that once an elder has been called and stalled and if they are well

00:50:14.019 --> 00:50:21.079
 reviewed, then they would serve in that office for life unless they honorably resign or are

00:50:21.079 --> 00:50:22.940
 disqualified for another reason.

00:50:22.940 --> 00:50:26.980
 Charles Spurgeon said,

00:50:27.360 --> 00:50:33.760
 If God calls you to be an elder of his congregation, don't stoop to becoming a king.

00:50:35.559 --> 00:50:39.519
 The topic of elders and pastors, it does raise emotions.

00:50:40.980 --> 00:50:47.079
 Maybe you will have a bit of a fear of that office or a fear of being under a congregation,

00:50:47.360 --> 00:50:49.880
 actually becoming a member of a congregation that has elders.

00:50:49.880 --> 00:50:58.559
 One of my fears is that to be an elder for life with such scrutiny and review and accountability

00:50:58.559 --> 00:51:01.200
 constantly that I don't trust myself.

00:51:02.579 --> 00:51:09.599
 I'm so comforted by the words in both cases of this hymn that the Lord has promised good to me.

00:51:11.079 --> 00:51:13.740
 His word my hope secures.

00:51:13.739 --> 00:51:21.979
 He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

00:51:23.500 --> 00:51:31.859
 So for the sake of God's elect, pray for God to gift and equip men from this congregation

00:51:31.859 --> 00:51:35.379
 that will watch over our souls.

00:51:35.619 --> 00:51:36.799
 Will you pray for that with me?

00:51:39.000 --> 00:51:40.000
 Let's thank the Lord.

00:51:40.000 --> 00:51:40.059
 Amen.

00:51:40.059 --> 00:51:40.119
 Amen.

00:51:43.739 --> 00:51:53.459
 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.

00:51:55.079 --> 00:52:00.199
 Father, we are here because we were once lost, but you found us.

00:52:01.559 --> 00:52:07.539
 Our eyes were blind to your glory and your kingdom, but you made us to see by the power of your spirit.

00:52:07.539 --> 00:52:07.679
 Amen.

00:52:09.739 --> 00:52:15.300
 We trust you, Lord, that grace has brought us this far, and it's your grace that will lead us home.

00:52:15.800 --> 00:52:17.099
 Help us to trust us forever.

00:52:17.500 --> 00:52:17.759
 Amen.