WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.900 Number of weeks, taking a section at a time. Last week we went, well, this little letter of Titus is all about growing or building a pure church. 00:00:13.179 --> 00:00:23.160 That's the big theme that we're taking through this letter. And a key verse for this, I think, is in chapter 2, verse 14. 00:00:24.019 --> 00:00:28.620 Just have a look at it there as a simple reminder. Chapter 2, verse 14. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:49.920 It says there that Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 00:00:49.920 --> 00:01:03.780 So God's desire is that he would not only save and rescue his people, but his desire is that he would purify them, that he would make his church pure. 00:01:03.780 --> 00:01:13.659 And the first major step in that process is to have pure leaders. And that's what we're going to look at this morning. 00:01:14.439 --> 00:01:24.920 And as we do, we're going to ask four questions about leaders and how that all leads to a church or leads to a church that's going to purity. 00:01:24.920 --> 00:01:36.019 The first is, why do we need leaders? What do leaders do? Who should be a leader? And how do we appoint leaders? 00:01:36.299 --> 00:01:42.659 So four simple questions to look and unpack this section. So question one, why do we need leaders? 00:01:42.659 --> 00:01:51.060 Well, as we've seen in recent years in Ireland and our experience of it is that we've had very poor leadership. 00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:58.359 Political leaders, religious leaders have been the cause of so much damage and hurt. 00:01:59.199 --> 00:02:05.219 So in response, people will say, well, you know what? We don't really need leaders. We're better off without them. 00:02:05.219 --> 00:02:19.819 Even the church is better off without leaders. The rejection of Croke Park 2 and the protests at Thatcher's funeral in England all prove that, well, leadership is not always welcomed. 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:32.579 However, God in his wisdom has given his church leaders, which is always for our good and for our best. 00:02:32.580 --> 00:02:40.580 In fact, it's not only essential to have leaders, it is an absolute priority. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:47.860 Look at verse 5. This is the first command that Paul gives to Titus. 00:02:47.980 --> 00:03:01.300 The reason I left you in Crete was so that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. 00:03:02.580 --> 00:03:06.280 So the church needs straightened out. 00:03:06.820 --> 00:03:10.540 It's become very messy, higgledy-piggledy. 00:03:10.620 --> 00:03:13.680 There's all sorts of things going on that ought not to be happening. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:20.520 There's impure teaching and it has all led to impure living. 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:35.219 And the way to straighten it all out, the way to put it right is, as it says there in verse 5, is to appoint elders in every town as I directed you. 00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:45.460 You see all over Crete, where he is, there are these small house churches that have been established in little towns and villages. 00:03:45.460 --> 00:03:49.860 But they're in great danger of becoming impure. 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:51.939 They're beginning to drift. 00:03:53.180 --> 00:04:04.020 And the way to put them right and the way to have them as God intends them to be is, first of all, as it says there in verse 5, is to have elders or leaders in place. 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:11.240 Leaders who are going to put down solid foundations that will build a church towards purity. 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:15.000 So the first question, why do we need leaders? 00:04:15.140 --> 00:04:16.579 The answer is very simple. 00:04:17.340 --> 00:04:20.860 To establish a pure church. 00:04:23.900 --> 00:04:25.400 So question number two. 00:04:26.660 --> 00:04:28.720 What do leaders actually do? 00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:33.220 That's something that my friends often say to me. 00:04:33.460 --> 00:04:34.680 So what do you do? 00:04:34.840 --> 00:04:38.560 Kind of like, I mean, I know you do stuff on Sunday, but what do you do the rest of the week? 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:44.040 The smart answer is, oh him, well he doesn't do very much. 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:50.100 Well, whatever our opinion, we are told what leaders should be doing. 00:04:51.139 --> 00:04:52.439 Look at verse 7. 00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:57.060 It says there, since an overseer. 00:04:57.480 --> 00:05:02.680 Now he's changed the word there in verse 5 or verse 6, it talked about an elder. 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:05.420 An elder and an overseer are the same. 00:05:05.420 --> 00:05:07.680 Sometimes it's translated as bishop. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:11.620 Elder, overseer, bishop, they're all the same thing. 00:05:11.699 --> 00:05:14.040 An elder is kind of looking at his character. 00:05:14.220 --> 00:05:18.020 An overseer describes more the work of an elder. 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:19.200 So verse 7. 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:26.639 An overseer is entrusted with God's work. 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:33.479 So the overseer, the leader, is given the responsibility primarily of taking care of God's church. 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:38.639 He doesn't own the church, but he has been entrusted with looking after it. 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:40.800 He must oversee it. 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:42.120 That's his responsibility. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:46.439 And how do the elders do that? 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:48.019 Well, look down at verse 9. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:58.399 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught. 00:06:00.479 --> 00:06:03.339 Hold firmly to the trustworthy message. 00:06:03.659 --> 00:06:07.539 The trustworthy message is nothing less than the gospel. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:08.540 It's the gospel. 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:12.640 It's the gospel that Paul has heard that has been passed on to him. 00:06:13.200 --> 00:06:15.920 And now Paul is passing it on to Titus. 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:19.500 And Titus is now passing it on to the church. 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:21.820 And the church is to pass it on to the people. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:26.420 So this trustworthy message is nothing less than the gospel, the good news, 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:32.160 that whole body of teaching that is being passed down to each generation. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:37.160 And Titus is to hold on to it, have a firm grip upon it. 00:06:37.200 --> 00:06:38.560 He's not to let it go. 00:06:39.960 --> 00:06:46.340 In other words, he's to make it the pattern of his teaching and the pattern of his life. 00:06:47.140 --> 00:06:51.000 The gospel, the word of God has got to remain central 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:56.140 because the gospel is what directs a church 00:06:56.140 --> 00:07:00.020 and the gospel is what's going to correct the church. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:05.359 So the primary responsibility of the overseers or elders 00:07:05.359 --> 00:07:08.539 is to make sure that the gospel, the good news of Christ, 00:07:09.339 --> 00:07:11.879 informs the life of the church 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:16.219 and also shapes the people of the church. 00:07:16.359 --> 00:07:19.299 This is how you ultimately care for the church. 00:07:19.419 --> 00:07:22.159 This is how you oversee the church. 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:24.699 And that's why we together, as we are even now, 00:07:24.799 --> 00:07:28.000 spending time under the gospel, under the word, 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:31.060 because it's what informs us and what shapes us. 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:37.379 Now with that gospel word, the elders have got to do two things. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:39.500 Look at the rest of verse 9. 00:07:41.259 --> 00:07:43.800 He must hold firmly to it, hold on to it, 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:46.100 make it priority, make it central. 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:47.540 And here's the reason. 00:07:47.660 --> 00:07:49.120 Look at the second part of verse 9. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:58.579 So the purpose of teaching sound doctrine, 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:01.639 which is the same as the trustworthy message, 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:04.139 is to encourage people, 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:05.920 is to support people, 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:08.680 is to build people up in their walk with Christ. 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:13.920 It's to encourage us in what Christ has done for us, 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:17.620 not what we can do for him. 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:22.699 So let me right now encourage us all in the gospel. 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:25.780 Have a look at chapter 3, verse 4. 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:26.960 These are great verses. 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:28.520 This is a wonderful summary 00:08:28.520 --> 00:08:31.740 of the heart of what the gospel is all about 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:34.100 and where we need to keep coming back to, 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:36.420 to remind us of what Christ has done 00:08:36.420 --> 00:08:38.360 and not what we can do. 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:40.560 So chapter 3, verse 4. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:44.039 This is a reminder to encourage us 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:47.279 that when the kindness and love of God, 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.779 our Saviour, appeared, 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:50.620 he saved us, 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:53.700 not because of righteous things we have done, 00:08:54.039 --> 00:08:55.500 but because of his mercy. 00:08:55.940 --> 00:08:58.519 He saved us through the washing of rebirth 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:01.820 and the renewal by the Holy Spirit 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:03.820 whom he poured out on us generously 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:07.360 through Jesus Christ, our Saviour. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:08.800 These are great things. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:09.919 These are wonderful things 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:11.840 that he intervened into our lives. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:14.440 He took the initiative out of his kindness, 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:15.740 saved us, 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:20.039 and is renewing us and changing us day by day. 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:22.919 That builds me up 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:25.820 because I know that I mess up 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:28.840 and I need this Saviour every day. 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:32.940 So he's got to encourage the church 00:09:32.940 --> 00:09:34.080 in the gospel. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:36.360 Well, second, in the last part of verse 9, 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:38.500 it says there, 00:09:38.580 --> 00:09:40.060 so that he can encourage others 00:09:40.060 --> 00:09:41.060 by sound doctrine 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:45.680 and refute those who oppose it. 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:47.860 So again, the other reason 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:49.280 is not just to encourage, 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:51.940 but the reason to teach the gospel 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:53.520 is to refute. 00:09:54.920 --> 00:09:58.600 It's to tackle a false gospel. 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:01.100 It means that we are to confront 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:02.860 and correct everything 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:05.480 that is in opposition to the gospel 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:07.220 and God's word. 00:10:07.560 --> 00:10:09.259 And that's what the rest of chapter 1 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:11.040 is making clear. 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:13.540 There's a lot of impure teaching going on 00:10:13.540 --> 00:10:15.779 and it's led to all kinds of impure living. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:18.259 And he's got to confront it. 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:20.379 He can't just let it go on. 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:21.680 He's got to correct it. 00:10:21.920 --> 00:10:24.240 Otherwise, the church is going to fall apart. 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:27.139 And we'll be looking at that more next week. 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:30.580 So these are the two things 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:32.639 the elders must do. 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:34.279 They've got to keep the gospel, 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:35.620 the word of God, central. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:36.820 It's got to be informing 00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:38.299 and shaping the church. 00:10:39.060 --> 00:10:40.419 And the way he does that 00:10:40.419 --> 00:10:44.080 is by encouraging people in the gospel 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:48.399 and by challenging a false gospel. 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:51.539 So what do leaders do? 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:53.000 Well, simply this. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:54.480 They nurture people. 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:56.240 They build people up 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:57.759 towards purity 00:10:57.759 --> 00:11:00.379 with the gospel. 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:02.559 That's what leaders ought to be about. 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:07.179 Which brings us to question 3. 00:11:08.579 --> 00:11:10.360 Who should be a leader? 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:15.579 Well, it's all about character. 00:11:16.579 --> 00:11:19.179 Not letters after the name. 00:11:19.319 --> 00:11:20.639 It's all about character. 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:23.539 Not the letters after someone's name. 00:11:24.439 --> 00:11:26.059 Which I'm very thankful for 00:11:26.059 --> 00:11:27.519 because I don't think I've got any letters 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:28.399 after my name. 00:11:29.439 --> 00:11:31.059 But character. 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.620 That's what's important. 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:35.659 Chapter 1, verse 6. 00:11:37.199 --> 00:11:40.980 An elder must be blameless. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:44.580 And the same is repeated in verse 7. 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:46.539 An overseer, an elder, 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:48.139 is entrusted with God's work. 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:51.059 He must be blameless. 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:55.159 Now, I do not stand before you, 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:57.419 and Ralph, who's also an elder, 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:59.460 isn't sitting before you, 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:00.919 as blameless. 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:01.919 Are we? 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.159 No. 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:05.659 Just ask our wives. 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:07.220 We're not perfect. 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:09.019 We're not saying we are perfect. 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:10.559 None of us are perfect. 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:14.799 It simply means we are to be without blame. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.419 In other words, 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:19.359 there is to be nothing in an elder's life 00:12:19.359 --> 00:12:23.879 that disqualifies them from leading. 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:27.460 And the way to test 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:32.139 is to look at an elder's family life 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:35.179 and to look at his public life. 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:38.439 Examine their family life 00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:39.919 and their public life 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:41.899 to see if there is anything 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:44.299 that disqualifies from leading. 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:48.539 Now, before we jump on the back of an elder 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:50.719 and start pointing fingers, 00:12:51.839 --> 00:12:54.919 let's remember that the details here 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:58.699 that are following in verses 7 through to 8, 00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:01.240 this is actually the expectation 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:03.279 for all God's people. 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:07.379 What we expect to see in a leader's life, 00:13:08.079 --> 00:13:10.120 we should also expect to see 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:12.259 in every single Christian. 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:15.080 In fact, a very helpful exercise 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:16.879 if you wanted to do this through the week 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:19.159 is to read through verses 7 and 8 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.419 and find the equivalent 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:22.500 for every other person 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:24.000 in the life of the church. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:25.360 And you can find the equivalent 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:28.759 in the letter of Titus. 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:31.240 So what's expected of a leader, 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:33.159 you will also find is expected 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:36.100 of every single person in the church. 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:38.580 But back to our question, 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:41.059 who should be a leader? 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:45.319 Well, let's look at their family life. 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.379 Verse 6. 00:13:49.199 --> 00:13:50.839 An elder must be blameless, 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:54.819 the husband of but one wife. 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:57.179 Now, this does not mean 00:13:57.179 --> 00:13:58.619 an elder must be married, 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:00.519 but if he is married, 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:03.559 he must only have one wife. 00:14:03.559 --> 00:14:06.479 And not just legally. 00:14:07.579 --> 00:14:10.419 He must have one wife practically. 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:12.439 In other words, 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:14.019 as a husband, 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:15.979 he must be devoted 00:14:15.979 --> 00:14:17.819 and loyal 00:14:17.819 --> 00:14:20.259 and faithful to his wife. 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:22.679 He doesn't have eyes 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:23.719 for another woman, 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:25.399 real or virtual. 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:28.539 He's a one woman man 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:30.139 who loves his wife, 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:32.000 who delights in her, 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:33.840 who wants to spend time with her 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:35.139 and gives himself 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:36.980 in sacrificial service 00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:38.459 to his wife. 00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:43.139 So men, 00:14:44.579 --> 00:14:45.419 listen up. 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:46.480 If you are married 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:48.759 or you anticipate 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:49.940 on getting married, 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:53.039 are you the husband 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:55.899 of one wife? 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:58.639 Not just legally, 00:14:58.920 --> 00:15:00.139 not just because it says so 00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:01.139 on the piece of paper, 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.120 but practically. 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:07.620 Or are you withholding 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:09.899 your affection and love 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:12.139 from your wife? 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:15.539 Are you giving your devotion 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:16.740 to someone else 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:18.460 or to something else? 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:23.500 The husband of but one wife. 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:24.460 Men, 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:26.179 husbands, 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:29.639 love our wives well. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.360 Well, 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:34.279 we're not only to look 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.179 at his relationship 00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:36.240 to his wife. 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:38.240 We are to look 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.039 at his relationship 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:40.799 to his children. 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:43.139 Look at the rest 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:43.819 of verse 6. 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.480 The husband of but one wife, 00:15:46.199 --> 00:15:47.840 a man whose children 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.679 believe 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:50.500 and are not open 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.259 to the charge 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.279 of being wild 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.580 and disobedient. 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.000 Well, 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:56.819 that's a hard one, 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:57.259 isn't it? 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:02.319 Does it really mean 00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:03.960 that an elder son 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.899 or daughter 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:07.259 must be a Christian, 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:08.039 that they have 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:08.819 to be believers? 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.699 Seems to say that. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:14.899 Well, 00:16:14.939 --> 00:16:15.919 I struggled with this 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.819 and had to do a lot 00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.220 of reading 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:18.539 and thinking about it. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.120 And to understand 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:20.779 it correctly, 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:21.240 let me, 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:23.340 let's look at two things 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:24.860 to try and understand it. 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.500 First of all, 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:29.039 and I'm no Greek scholar, 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.539 okay? 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:30.559 So you check it out 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.079 for yourself 00:16:31.079 --> 00:16:32.179 if you're a Greek scholar. 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:34.179 From what I've read 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.559 and from looking 00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:37.039 at those who do 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:38.579 know the language better, 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:39.939 they tell us 00:16:39.939 --> 00:16:40.899 that the word here, 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:41.599 believe, 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:43.919 in verse 6, 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.419 a man whose children 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:46.000 believe, 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:48.159 also means faithful. 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.860 It's the same word. 00:16:50.699 --> 00:16:51.259 In fact, 00:16:51.599 --> 00:16:53.120 through the pastoral epistles, 00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:55.159 which is 1 and 2 Timothy 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:55.860 and Titus, 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.279 it uses the word 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:58.460 interchangeably, 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.980 believe or faithful. 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.899 So in that case, 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.580 verse 6, 00:17:03.180 --> 00:17:03.800 would be that 00:17:03.800 --> 00:17:04.839 an elder's children 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:06.339 are to be faithful, 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:09.240 meaning they are to be 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.880 submissive and obedient 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:12.799 to their parents. 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.420 So, 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:18.220 it could have that meaning. 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.180 But if we look back 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:22.039 to 1 Timothy chapter 3, 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:22.599 verse 4, 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.439 so just go back 00:17:23.439 --> 00:17:24.819 a couple of pages 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:27.759 to 1 Timothy chapter 3, 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.459 and verse 4. 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:38.219 Paul here is giving 00:17:38.219 --> 00:17:39.619 the same instructions 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:40.539 to Timothy 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:42.740 about elders. 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:44.159 We've been reading 00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:45.299 about it in Titus, 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:46.119 but here he's giving 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:47.099 the same instructions 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:47.859 to Timothy 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:49.019 about elders. 00:17:49.159 --> 00:17:50.359 But look what he says here 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:52.399 in 1 Timothy chapter 3, 00:17:52.479 --> 00:17:53.099 verse 4. 00:17:55.179 --> 00:17:56.479 He must manage 00:17:56.479 --> 00:17:57.979 his own family well 00:17:57.979 --> 00:18:00.559 and see that his children 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.619 obey him 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:03.219 with proper respect. 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:08.099 Do you see the difference? 00:18:08.199 --> 00:18:09.439 He's not saying here 00:18:09.439 --> 00:18:11.599 that they must be believers. 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:15.240 He says they must obey him 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.459 with proper respect. 00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:17.899 And here's the reason, 00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:19.019 1 Timothy 3, 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.740 verse 5, 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:22.359 if anyone does not know 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.039 how to manage 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.019 his own family, 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:26.000 well how can he take care 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.000 of God's church? 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:31.259 So I don't think 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:31.960 Paul is saying 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:33.079 one thing to Timothy. 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.180 He's not saying to Timothy, 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:34.599 well look, 00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.160 it doesn't matter 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:35.859 if your children 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:36.539 aren't believers, 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.420 if you have any. 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.240 That doesn't matter. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.379 But to Titus, 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:41.019 he says something 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.759 completely different. 00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:42.539 Well your children 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.519 have to be believers. 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.920 I think he's saying 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:47.160 the same thing, 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:49.460 but in different ways. 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:51.180 An elder's children 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:53.660 must be faithful. 00:18:55.300 --> 00:18:55.900 That is, 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.580 his children 00:18:56.580 --> 00:18:57.700 must not be 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:59.360 undisciplined 00:18:59.360 --> 00:19:02.140 and disobedient 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:03.000 or reckless 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:04.460 in their living. 00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:07.340 How can we manage 00:19:07.340 --> 00:19:08.380 a church family 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:10.500 if we cannot manage 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.620 our own family? 00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:14.839 And if our own children 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:16.059 are out of control, 00:19:16.419 --> 00:19:17.399 how can we ever 00:19:17.399 --> 00:19:18.759 lead God's children? 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.159 But as we said, 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.199 these things are not 00:19:25.199 --> 00:19:26.539 just about leaders. 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:29.859 They do apply to leaders. 00:19:31.219 --> 00:19:32.359 But this is something 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.219 for us all 00:19:33.219 --> 00:19:34.739 as fathers. 00:19:34.979 --> 00:19:35.479 And again, 00:19:35.659 --> 00:19:37.039 we just talked about 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:37.479 the men, 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.859 so let me now again 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:40.299 address the fathers. 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:42.599 If you have children 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.480 or if you plan 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.460 on having children, 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.339 this is what 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.399 we are called to. 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.779 We must not 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.740 abdicate 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:51.119 our God-given 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.399 responsibility. 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.159 It's too easy 00:19:55.159 --> 00:19:56.000 an excuse 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.159 for a father 00:19:57.159 --> 00:19:57.819 to turn around 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.039 and say, 00:19:58.139 --> 00:19:59.220 well that's the wife's 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.899 responsibility. 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:00.639 They're at home 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.259 most of the time. 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.200 That's what they do. 00:20:04.639 --> 00:20:05.500 And it's not 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.680 the school teacher's 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:07.379 responsibility. 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:09.520 And it's not 00:20:09.520 --> 00:20:10.320 the church's 00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:11.260 responsibility. 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:14.220 As a father, 00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:15.640 and I speak as a father 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.480 with two children, 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:18.240 we have responsibility 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:20.180 to lovingly 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.680 discipline 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.760 our children 00:20:22.760 --> 00:20:25.480 so that they learn 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.180 obedience 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:28.320 and respect. 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:33.200 So watch a father 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:34.759 with his children 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:37.259 and you will know 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:39.159 if they are fit 00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:40.839 to be an elder. 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.259 So, 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:46.019 who should be a leader? 00:20:46.179 --> 00:20:46.379 Well, 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:47.619 look at their 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.599 family life, 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:50.019 their relationship 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.899 to their wife 00:20:50.899 --> 00:20:52.480 and their relationship 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.939 to their children. 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:55.480 if they have a wife 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.840 and if they have 00:20:56.840 --> 00:20:57.279 children. 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:57.779 Second, 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:58.460 we must look 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.620 at their public life. 00:21:01.360 --> 00:21:01.880 And again, 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.640 this applies 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:04.019 to us all. 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:04.759 Verse 7. 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:08.420 Since an overseer 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.039 is entrusted 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.940 with God's work, 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.580 he must be 00:21:10.580 --> 00:21:11.240 blameless, 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.660 not overbearing, 00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:15.900 not quick-tempered, 00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:18.140 not given 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:19.240 to drunkenness, 00:21:20.600 --> 00:21:22.340 not violent, 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:25.039 not pursuing 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:26.039 that dishonest 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.439 gain, 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.240 rather, 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:29.500 he must be 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.299 hospitable, 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.759 one who loves 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.679 what is good, 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:36.559 who is self-controlled, 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.519 upright, 00:21:39.919 --> 00:21:40.240 holy 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:41.179 and disciplined. 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.439 Now, 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.339 he's listed here 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:46.559 five negatives 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:48.519 and they are 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.339 contrasted 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:51.199 by five positives. 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:51.940 I've put 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.920 holy and disciplined 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:55.620 as one couple. 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:56.500 So, 00:21:56.580 --> 00:21:57.440 five negatives 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.660 contrasted 00:21:58.660 --> 00:22:00.140 by five positives. 00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:01.200 And we've listed them 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:01.920 and you'll see 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:02.500 on the screen 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.440 side by side 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.319 so you can follow. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.779 Let's go through them 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.460 one by one. 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:07.860 First, 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.259 he says, 00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:09.059 they should not 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:10.440 be overbearing 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.660 but 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:13.080 hospitable. 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:16.680 So, 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.259 we must not 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.039 be pushy 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:19.559 and arrogant 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:21.639 so that it 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.000 becomes 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.819 uncomfortable 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:25.019 to be around 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.859 people who are 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.359 like that, 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:26.940 who are pushy 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.319 and arrogant 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:27.759 and always 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.379 wanting their 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:29.000 view and not 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.659 listening to 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:30.059 others. 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.440 Instead, 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.299 he must be 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.399 welcoming of 00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:33.819 others, 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.659 warm and 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:36.559 open home 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.639 and open life, 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.879 putting people 00:22:38.879 --> 00:22:40.379 at their ease. 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.519 Not overbearing 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.420 but hospitable. 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.340 Second, 00:22:46.580 --> 00:22:48.220 not quick tempered 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:50.380 but self-controlled. 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:53.180 He must not 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.960 lash out 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.600 verbally 00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:56.000 or physically, 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.580 crushing people 00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:59.539 with his words 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.840 or breaking 00:23:00.840 --> 00:23:02.420 with his fists. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.460 Instead, 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:06.080 he must be 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:06.660 one who is 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.240 measured 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:09.259 and can 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:10.300 in his 00:23:10.300 --> 00:23:11.560 every response, 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.560 listening 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.179 carefully 00:23:14.179 --> 00:23:17.059 and can 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.139 in what 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:18.599 he has to 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.019 say 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.980 and what 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.480 he has to 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:20.819 do. 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.519 Third, 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.539 not a 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.179 drunkard 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:28.859 but 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:29.579 holy 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.259 and 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.039 disciplined. 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.799 In other 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.059 words, 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.599 he must be 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.099 one who 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:36.599 is not 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.480 dependent 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.119 on 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.799 alcohol 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:41.019 or 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.619 known 00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:42.259 for getting 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.859 drunk 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:45.559 instead, 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.159 he must 00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:46.439 be 00:23:46.439 --> 00:23:47.139 separate 00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:47.479 from, 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:47.740 that's 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:47.979 what it 00:23:47.979 --> 00:23:48.259 is to 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.419 be 00:23:48.419 --> 00:23:48.699 holy, 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.059 is to 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.299 be 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.259 separate 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:50.819 from. 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.279 So he's 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:52.519 to be 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:52.879 separate 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:53.439 from this 00:23:53.439 --> 00:23:54.099 kind of 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:54.740 behaviour 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.500 and 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.099 disciplined, 00:23:56.479 --> 00:23:57.240 not being 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.000 mastered 00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:00.000 by unhelpful 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.679 habits. 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.359 So not 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:05.979 a drunkard 00:24:05.979 --> 00:24:06.240 but 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.659 holy 00:24:06.659 --> 00:24:06.879 and 00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:07.339 disciplined. 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.539 Fourth, 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.740 not violent 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:12.079 but 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.619 upright. 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:15.079 he must 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:15.559 not have 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.539 a temperament 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:17.519 that is 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.119 like a 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:18.500 hurricane 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.219 or a 00:24:19.219 --> 00:24:19.759 volcano 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.619 which 00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:22.079 destroys 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.519 and erupts, 00:24:24.679 --> 00:24:24.979 hitting 00:24:24.979 --> 00:24:25.759 his wife 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:28.199 or lashing 00:24:28.199 --> 00:24:28.619 out at 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.419 his children. 00:24:30.979 --> 00:24:31.799 Not 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.419 violent 00:24:32.419 --> 00:24:34.059 but 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.579 upright. 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.240 Instead, 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:37.679 he must 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.279 deal with 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.079 people with 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:40.319 gentleness, 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:42.339 bringing 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.079 peace 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.220 into a 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.539 troubled 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.359 situation 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.539 and 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:46.859 bringing 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:47.539 calm 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.399 where 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:48.639 there's 00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:49.220 upset. 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.179 So not 00:24:53.179 --> 00:24:53.579 violent 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:53.859 but 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.279 upright. 00:24:54.439 --> 00:24:54.539 And 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:54.980 fifth, 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.439 not 00:24:56.439 --> 00:24:57.019 pursuing 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.859 dishonest 00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:58.220 gain 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:58.500 but 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:58.960 love 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:00.139 what 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:00.319 is 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:00.679 good. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:03.920 he's 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.100 not 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:04.299 out 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:04.480 to 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:04.700 make 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:04.880 as 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:05.160 much 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.500 money 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:05.700 as 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.160 possible. 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:07.900 Being 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.200 in the 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.539 business 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.039 that I 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.220 am 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:09.740 in 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.279 and 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:10.400 I 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:10.640 talk 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:10.880 about 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.120 my 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:11.440 role 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:11.620 as 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:11.759 an 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.039 elder 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.220 and 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.420 a 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:12.880 teaching 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.259 elder, 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:14.380 it's 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.620 not 00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:14.860 here 00:25:14.860 --> 00:25:15.039 to 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.279 make 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:15.440 as 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:15.779 much 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.140 money 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:16.360 as 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:16.820 possible 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.120 and 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:17.279 to 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.980 get 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.180 as 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.440 much 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:18.680 out 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:18.820 of 00:25:18.820 --> 00:25:19.200 people 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.220 regardless 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:20.500 of 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:20.660 the 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.039 effects 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.259 of 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.600 others. 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.500 Instead, 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.039 he is 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.340 to be 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:25.600 one 00:25:25.600 --> 00:25:25.860 who 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.100 is 00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:26.560 other 00:25:26.560 --> 00:25:27.140 centered, 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:29.000 generous 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:30.320 with 00:25:30.320 --> 00:25:30.560 his 00:25:30.560 --> 00:25:31.240 resources, 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.580 always 00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:33.060 looking 00:25:33.060 --> 00:25:33.680 for ways 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.340 to support 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:34.900 those in 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.200 need 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:35.860 practically 00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:36.520 and 00:25:36.520 --> 00:25:37.380 financially, 00:25:38.580 --> 00:25:40.100 not 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:40.640 pursuing 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.300 dishonest 00:25:41.300 --> 00:25:41.660 gain 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.780 but 00:25:42.780 --> 00:25:43.360 loves 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:44.380 what 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:44.540 is 00:25:44.540 --> 00:25:44.920 good. 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:48.660 So 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.000 let me 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.220 say 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.660 this, 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:51.000 watch 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.480 a man 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:51.900 in his 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.460 public 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.100 life, 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.320 examine 00:25:55.320 --> 00:25:55.700 his 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.100 public 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:56.600 life, 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:58.040 and 00:25:58.040 --> 00:25:58.240 you 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.440 will 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:58.840 know 00:25:58.840 --> 00:26:00.040 if 00:26:00.040 --> 00:26:00.180 he 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.380 is 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:00.620 fit 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:00.840 to 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:01.160 be 00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:01.940 an 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.340 elder. 00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:05.700 So 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:05.880 who 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:06.060 should 00:26:06.060 --> 00:26:06.220 be 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.360 a 00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:06.600 leader 00:26:06.600 --> 00:26:07.040 within 00:26:07.040 --> 00:26:07.300 the 00:26:07.300 --> 00:26:07.759 church 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:07.960 of 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.280 God? 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.320 Well, 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:10.640 one 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:10.860 who 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.160 lives 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:11.360 a 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:11.720 life 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:13.160 of 00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:13.800 purity. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.360 Question 00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:18.820 four. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.740 How do 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.100 we go 00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:22.420 about 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:23.140 appointing 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:23.480 leaders? 00:26:25.800 --> 00:26:26.380 Well, 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:26.580 it's 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:26.799 very 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.299 clear that 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:27.500 we 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:27.740 should 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.039 not 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:28.679 self 00:26:28.679 --> 00:26:29.259 appoint. 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:29.579 In 00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:29.859 fact, 00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:30.179 whenever 00:26:30.179 --> 00:26:30.500 you 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.119 are 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:31.339 in 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:31.720 churches 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.000 and 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.579 situations 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.039 where 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.919 leaders 00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.599 self 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.000 appoint 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.559 themselves, 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:35.960 well, 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.279 then you 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:36.619 end up 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.139 in all 00:26:37.139 --> 00:26:37.720 kinds 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.439 of 00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:38.919 trouble. 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.220 And I 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.480 think there 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:40.819 are two 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.099 very 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:41.659 helpful 00:26:41.659 --> 00:26:43.740 principles 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.279 here 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.519 to help 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.179 us understand 00:26:46.179 --> 00:26:46.639 how we 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:46.779 can 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.139 appoint. 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.559 First, 00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:48.019 there's the 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.699 responsibility 00:26:48.699 --> 00:26:49.939 of the 00:26:49.939 --> 00:26:50.299 elders. 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:50.419 elders. 00:26:52.419 --> 00:26:52.960 While 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.519 there's no 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.279 set manual 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.700 within 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.200 scripture 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.559 that you 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:55.919 can look 00:26:55.919 --> 00:26:56.259 up and 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:56.879 find kind 00:26:56.879 --> 00:26:57.220 of like 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.159 elders, 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:58.680 section 00:26:58.680 --> 00:27:00.839 3.5D, 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.759 elders, 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.059 and you 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.440 read all 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:02.819 about it, 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.159 it's not 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:03.839 like that. 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:06.419 But what 00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:06.819 we do 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.419 have are 00:27:07.419 --> 00:27:08.039 very clear 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:09.059 principles to 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.480 apply, 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:09.839 and I 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.399 think this 00:27:10.399 --> 00:27:11.079 section here 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.700 in Titus 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.779 is a very 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.139 clear 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.759 principle. 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.259 In this 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.539 case, 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.180 Titus 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:16.320 obviously 00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:17.160 qualifies 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.660 as an 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.019 elder, 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.200 and he's 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.720 been given 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.820 the responsibility, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.539 go back to 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.160 verse 5, 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.880 of appointing 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:26.539 elders in 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.299 every town. 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:28.960 So this is 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.440 his first 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:29.840 task, 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.480 this is his 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.460 calling as 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.160 he goes to 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:32.920 these churches, 00:27:33.580 --> 00:27:34.360 these new 00:27:34.360 --> 00:27:35.279 little groups, 00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:35.940 these house 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:36.400 churches, 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.460 he is to 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:39.160 appoint elders. 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.580 And plurality, 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.500 not just one, 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:45.319 it's always 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:46.140 plurality, 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:46.720 when we look 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.119 through the 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:47.700 Bible it's 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.299 always more 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:48.680 than one, 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.359 so at least 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.819 two, 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.220 that would 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:53.420 lead the 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.380 local church. 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.480 So he's to 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.160 appoint them, 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.579 he's not to 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.299 appoint people 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.160 who he likes, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.660 or people who 00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.319 he just happens 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:02.940 to get on 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.140 with, 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:03.720 or people who 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.059 will do 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.380 what he 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:04.940 says. 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:06.400 No, 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.039 the people 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.619 that they 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.460 must appoint 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.220 are those 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.779 who are 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.539 accountable 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.759 to the 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.480 whole church 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:12.940 family, 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.400 it's not 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:13.900 done in 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.620 isolation. 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.420 Which brings 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:16.880 us to the 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:17.180 second, 00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:17.560 and the 00:28:17.560 --> 00:28:18.120 two work 00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:18.600 together, 00:28:19.060 --> 00:28:19.240 the 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:20.019 accountability 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.880 to the 00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:21.300 church. 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:22.580 You see, 00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:23.440 the qualifications 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.000 that we've 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.560 just looked 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:26.000 through are 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.940 to be used 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.580 by the 00:28:27.580 --> 00:28:29.440 church to 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.560 test those 00:28:30.560 --> 00:28:31.380 who would 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.040 be leaders. 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.080 Elders are 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:34.980 accountable to 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.519 the church, 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.460 they are not 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.680 separate from 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:38.259 the church. 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.540 So I stand 00:28:39.540 --> 00:28:40.240 before you 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.840 this morning 00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:41.880 as one who 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:42.820 has got a 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.619 responsibility, 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:46.019 but I am 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:47.039 also accountable 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.779 to people 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.480 like you. 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:48.939 You are 00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:49.519 to hold 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.639 me and 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.000 Ralph 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.980 accountable to 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.419 what we've 00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:52.799 just been 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.480 looking at. 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:54.919 That is 00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:55.639 your role, 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.399 and it's 00:28:57.399 --> 00:28:57.879 serious. 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.500 So in 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.299 practice then, 00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:02.039 when elders 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.879 put a man 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:03.460 forward, 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:06.259 he must 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:06.980 first be 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:08.099 tested by 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:08.819 the church 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.879 because he 00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:10.700 is accountable 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.700 to the 00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.039 church. 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:12.779 And if 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.180 when the 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:13.460 church 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.220 examine and 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:14.580 look at 00:29:14.580 --> 00:29:15.519 his family 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.019 life, 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:17.059 his relationship 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:17.840 to his wife 00:29:17.840 --> 00:29:18.180 and his 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.600 children, 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.039 and look at 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.539 his public 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:19.980 life, 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:22.440 and see 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:22.960 that those 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:23.500 things are 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:23.980 all in 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.440 place, 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.299 then it's 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:26.799 something to 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.519 support and 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.340 to encourage. 00:29:30.340 --> 00:29:31.200 The church 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:31.660 does not 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.360 appoint people 00:29:32.360 --> 00:29:33.039 they like. 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.640 They do 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:35.220 not appoint 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.299 people to 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.880 bring in a 00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:37.600 certain kind 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:38.220 of change 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.700 or to do 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.579 things differently 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.259 just because 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.779 they like 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.120 it. 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.720 Rather, 00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.360 we appoint 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:44.000 those who 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.559 measure up 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.299 to God's 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:46.920 standard of 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.579 purity. 00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:50.799 So how do 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.279 we appoint 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.640 leaders? 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.079 Well, 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:54.759 we appoint 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.620 leaders with 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:57.740 pure motives. 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.640 So four 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:03.519 very simple 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.079 questions. 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.200 Why do we 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.799 need leaders? 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:05.919 leaders? 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.599 Well, 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.099 because we 00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:08.480 need a 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:10.440 pure foundation. 00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:11.059 We need to 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.839 establish 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:13.059 something solid. 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.779 What do 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.359 leaders do? 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.299 They nurture 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:18.519 people towards 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.559 purity with 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.220 the gospel. 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.180 Who should 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:22.759 be a leader? 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.180 Those who 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:26.599 reflect a 00:30:26.599 --> 00:30:27.460 pure life. 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.319 And how do 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:30.819 we appoint 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.059 them? 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.539 Well, 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.059 all of us 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.639 have a role 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.779 and responsibility. 00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:36.200 And we 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.639 must do 00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:37.139 so with 00:30:37.139 --> 00:30:37.700 pure 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.539 motives. 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.139 And if 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:40.700 we have 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.519 these things 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.539 together in 00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:43.079 place, 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:44.559 then it 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.200 begins to 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:45.859 move the 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.240 church 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:46.839 onwards, 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.480 keeping it 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:50.299 pure and 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.019 growing each 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:52.440 person in 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:53.740 a life of 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.379 purity. 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.079 Remove 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:56.579 this, 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.460 and a 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.019 church will 00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:00.799 digress into 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.720 impurity. 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:05.220 needless to 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.500 say, 00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:07.299 this is 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:07.880 serious. 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.559 And so I 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.400 ask that you 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:11.140 would pray 00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:12.779 for your 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.299 leaders. 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:15.680 Pray for 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:15.900 them. 00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:16.960 They face the 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.059 same kind of 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.539 struggles, 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:20.200 the same kind 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.880 of issues 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:22.420 as you. 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.500 We sin, 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.460 we fail, 00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:26.220 we mess 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:26.539 up. 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:28.500 And so we 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.099 need you to 00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:31.159 pray that we 00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:31.779 would live up 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.399 to what God 00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:32.960 has called 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.579 us to be. 00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:35.180 But pray 00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:36.180 also that God 00:31:36.180 --> 00:31:36.819 would raise 00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:38.440 up leaders. 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.399 Leaders for 00:31:40.399 --> 00:31:40.960 this church, 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.899 leaders for 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.539 Kinsale, 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.559 leaders for 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.180 wherever the 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:44.819 next church 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.920 plant may be. 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.700 Because this 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.220 is what will 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.839 grow the 00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:50.859 church and 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:52.180 grow us to 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.599 be more 00:31:52.599 --> 00:31:52.940 pure. 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:55.720 let's pray 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.480 right now.