WEBVTT

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 According to the Bible, what we refer to as the call of a pastor or the call of an elder

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 is far more external than it is internal.

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 So how do you know if God has called you to be a parent?

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 Well, if he blesses you with a child, you know.

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 He's called you.

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 Well, how do you know if God has called a man to be a pastor?

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 Well, indeed, there's going to be an inward working of God's Spirit.

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 There's going to be a desire there for the work.

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 Even if it's a reluctant desire, it's a desire nonetheless.

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 Paul wrote to Timothy, whoever desires the office of an overseer desires a noble thing.

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 And surely we need more men in churches who are willing to actively take the lead

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 and desire the work of shepherding God's people.

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 Well, undoubtedly, that is a necessary and an essential part of it.

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 But the certainty of a man's call involves meeting particular qualifications,

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 displaying giftedness that shows not that he's capable in and of himself to perform the task,

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 but that God has uniquely given him a gift to communicate the Word.

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 It takes being recognized for the task by a congregation.

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 A man doesn't establish his own eldership, in other words.

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 Instead, the church recognizes the clear display of God's work in a man's life.

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 So we ought not immediately begin to think when it's time to establish more leadership in our church,

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 our first thought ought not to be, well, who says that they want to do it?

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 The first step should be an examination of the church of who is actually already doing it.

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 Who meets the objective qualifications given by the Lord?

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 And then we move forward from there.

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 That's really what this text is about.

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 If the call of a man is more external than it is internal,

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 then this particular passage, along with a few others,

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 helps us to understand what the objective and external qualifications are.

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 And the text before us reveals that elders are model Christians.

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 That's really the basis of it.

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 They're just model Christians with a unique gifting from God to lead the church.

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 And what is described in these verses is it's not a list of requirements for capable men to try to live up to

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 so that we would appoint someone who seems gifted and hope that they figure it out along the way.

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 No, it's actually a list of qualifications that faithful men are already living up to.

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 And the church simply recognizes what the Lord is doing in their life.

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 Paul's primary concern as we dig in here, Paul's primary concern,

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 and really the summary title of these qualifications,

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 is that an elder be above reproach.

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 We see it in both verses 6 and 7.

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 Look at it with me.

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 He immediately begins,

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 So that's kind of the big umbrella under which everything else that he writes here falls under.

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 Is this man above reproach?

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 Is he actually a model that is fit for imitation?

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 It means to be unimpeachable.

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 Above reproach doesn't demand perfection,

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 but it suggests a kind of person against which an accusation would be surprising or out of character.

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 It means that one lives their life in such a way that

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 those looking for a way to condemn them cannot find a reasonable way to do it.

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 That's really what it means.

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 It's not perfection.

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 It just means what characterizes their life is a life of actual godliness.

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 That even if you tried to accuse them,

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 you'd really have to jump through some hoops to do it.

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 And according to Paul,

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 being above reproach is essential to church elders

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 because they act as God's servants to God's people.

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 Look at it again in verse 7.

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 For an overseer as God's steward must be above reproach.

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 William Mount said they are not watching over a human institution.

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 They are stewards over God's house.

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 Why is it that we have to be so concerned with this above reproach, this model?

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 Because it's not because they're building a business.

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 It's that they're stewarding the people of God for the glory of God.

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 And so God demands of them that they actually be above reproach.

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 Elders above reproach are models for the congregation.

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 And the text gives us three categories

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 which living above reproach qualifies a man to be a pastor.

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 He is a model of leadership,

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 a model of character,

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 and a model of gospel commitment.

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 And that's what I want to spend the duration of our time

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 thinking about this morning.

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 First, let's see that an elder is a model of faithful leadership.

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 A model of faithful leadership.

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 Look with me at verse 6.

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 If anyone is above reproach,

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 the husband of one wife and his children are believers

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 and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

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 So the first category in which a potential elder must be above reproach

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 is in the area of leadership.

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 And Paul lets us know that the training ground

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 for pastoral ministry in this sense

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 is actually in the home.

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 To recognize a man's ability to faithfully lead the church,

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 a congregation must examine how he loves and cares for

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 and leads his wife and children.

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 And the parallel passage to this is found in Paul's first letter to Timothy.

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 He writes in 1 Timothy 3,

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 he must manage his own household well,

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 with all dignity,

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 keeping his children submissive.

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 For if someone does not know how to manage his own household,

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 Paul says,

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 how will he care for God's church?

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 We stop and we think,

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 well, that makes sense, doesn't it?

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 If we're going to ask a man to actually give oversight

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 to the people and the work of Lakeside Bible Church,

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 if we're going to ask a man to shepherd the church here,

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 shouldn't he be able to prove that he has shepherded well his family?

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 That he has given proper oversight and faithful leadership to his wife and to his children?

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 Yeah, it makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

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 Now, we need to be careful that we don't apply this passage too rigidly.

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 Paul didn't mean that a man must be married and must have children

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 before he could be appointed as an elder in the church.

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 That's not what he intends to say.

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 Paul himself was unmarried.

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 The best we can tell, Timothy and Titus were both unmarried.

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 And so if that's what Paul meant,

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 he immediately disqualified himself from the very position

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 with which he held in church leadership in these churches and as an apostle.

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 So it's not that he means that.

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 You don't have to be married.

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 You don't have to have children.

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 But he's appealing to the fact that the most common scenario,

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 really both then and now,

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 is that most men in the church would be married with children.

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 And so he tells Titus,

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 examine their leadership in the home

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 before appointing them to such a monumental task in the church.

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 And according to the criteria that he lists here,

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 really two questions need to be asked about a potential elder.

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 The first question is this,

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 is he a faithful husband?

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 Is he a faithful husband?

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 Look again at verse six,

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 if anyone is above reproach,

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 the husband of one wife.

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 In other words, Titus,

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 look and see how he treats his wife.

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 Is he faithful to her?

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 Does he fulfill the demands of God's law

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 in regards to being a husband?

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 Of course, as many of you may know,

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 it's long been debated in churches

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 and in theological circles,

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 what exactly Paul meant

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 by being a husband of one wife

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 and what marital conditions or circumstances

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 would actually prevent a man

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 from serving as a pastor.

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 Let's think about that for a moment.

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 Did Paul really mean

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 that a man who has been married twice

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 is indefinitely disqualified?

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 Is that perhaps what he means here?

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 Did he really intend to say

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 that a previous divorce

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 was disqualifying regardless

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 of the particular circumstances

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 or whether it was before

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 or after his conversion

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 or whether or not significant time

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 has proven genuine repentance

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 and restoration in the church?

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 Does it mean that simply

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 the act of a historical divorce

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 in a man's life

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 indefinitely disqualifies him

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 from the task of serving

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 as a pastor in the church?

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 And I don't think so.

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 You may disagree.

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 That's fine.

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 I don't think that's what he means.

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 Very literal translation of this

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 is a one woman man.

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 It gives the sense of demonstrating

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 exemplary faithfulness

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 and commitment to one's wife.

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 In other words,

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 I think what Paul is concerned with

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 is he's far more concerned

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 about a man's marital fidelity

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 than he is about a man's marital history.

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 And that's not to say

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 that marital history is irrelevant

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 because it's not.

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 But it isn't automatically disqualifying either.

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 At least that's not what I think

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 Paul means to say here.

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 To fulfill the qualification

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 of a one woman man

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 has everything to do

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 with how a man loves

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 and treats his wife.

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 Is he known to avoid circumstances

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 that would cultivate sexual temptation?

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 Or is there suspicion

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 that he actually has little self-control

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 and restraint in that area?

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 That's a better question to ask

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 what was the nature of his divorce

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 20 years ago.

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 Is he faithful to the life that he has?

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 Is he flirtatious with other women?

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 Is he guilty of indulging in pornography?

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 Is he careless with what he watches on TV

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 or scrolls through on his phone?

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 Is he a one woman man?

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 You say, well, he's only had one wife.

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 That doesn't mean he's a one woman man.

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 You say, well, he's never been divorced.

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 Well, that doesn't mean

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 he meets the qualification.

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 Is he actually faithful to his wife?

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 Does he lead her well?

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 Does he care for her?

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 Does the way that he loves

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 and cares and treats for his wife

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 show that given the position

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 and authority of an elder in a church,

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 he's going to love and care

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 and shepherd the church?

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 How does he match up

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 to the Bible's teaching for husbands?

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 About Colossians 3,

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 husbands love your wives

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 and do not be harsh with them.

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 Is he harsh with his wife?

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 You know, if he's willing to be harsh

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 with his wife in front of the church,

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 can you imagine what the harshness goes to

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 when it's not in front of the church?

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 Remember what Peter said to elders,

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 that you're to exercise oversight,

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 not domineering over the people,

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 but living as an example to them.

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 Is he domineering?

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 Is that really the character of his marriage?

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 What about Ephesians 5?

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 Husbands, love your wives

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 as Christ loved the church,

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 gave himself for her.

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 In other words,

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 does he lay down his life for his wife?

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 Does he lay aside his own wants and desires?

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 Does he sacrifice his own dreams

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 in order to care for his wife,

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 in order to love his wife,

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 in order to lead faithfully his wife?

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 Does he love her like Jesus loves the church?

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 Or at least is he patterned that way?

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 1 Peter 3, 7,

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 Husbands, live with your wives

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 in an understanding way,

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 showing honor to the woman.

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 Does he show his wife honor?

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 Is he grateful for her?

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 If a man doesn't love and care for his wife,

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 what would make anyone think

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 that he would properly love

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 and care for the church?

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 Does he prove covenantal faithfulness?

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 It's an important qualification here.

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 Because again,

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 the training ground for pastoral ministry,

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 according to the way Paul lays it out

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 to Titus and Timothy both,

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 is the home.

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 And so the first place Titus is to look

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 is at a man's marriage.

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 What does it look like?

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 There's two ways to see that.

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 Is he showing that he is capable

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 of shepherding the church?

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 That's one side of it.

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 The other side of it is,

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 is he living in disobedience

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 to the Lord in this way?

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 And if he is,

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 don't appoint him to leadership

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 in the church.

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 If he's in disobedience,

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 how is he gonna help the church?

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 It doesn't matter how gifted he is.

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 It doesn't matter how charismatic

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 his personality is.

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 It doesn't matter if he could take

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 a startup business

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 and make it excel

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 beyond your imagination.

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 That doesn't matter.

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 What matters is,

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 does he love his wife?

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 Does he shepherd his home?

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 Does he care for them?

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 Is he obedient to the Lord?

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 If he's not obedient

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 to the Lord there,

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 he's probably not gonna be obedient

00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:45.680
 to the Lord in the church either.

00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:48.040
 Is he a faithful husband?

00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:49.360
 Secondly,

00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:51.940
 is he a faithful father?

00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.780
 Is he a faithful father?

00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:55.080
 Look again with me at verse six.

00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:56.740
 If anyone is above reproach,

00:14:56.820 --> 00:14:57.940
 the husband of one wife

00:14:57.940 --> 00:15:00.040
 and his children are believers

00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:02.379
 and not open to the charge

00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.259
 of debauchery

00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:05.179
 or insubordination.

00:15:07.579 --> 00:15:09.419
 Titus was to look for men

00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:10.339
 who are above reproach

00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:11.139
 in their parenting.

00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:13.279
 And honestly,

00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.319
 I think I wrestled

00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:15.299
 with this part of the text

00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.539
 more than any other this week,

00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:17.719
 just trying to figure out

00:15:17.719 --> 00:15:18.899
 what exactly did Paul

00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:20.079
 intend for us

00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:21.659
 to understand here.

00:15:22.699 --> 00:15:24.299
 The instruction is very similar

00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:25.599
 to what he wrote to Timothy,

00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.899
 except he adds here

00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.879
 something that he didn't

00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.480
 tell Timothy.

00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.820
 He says that the children

00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:31.419
 of an elder

00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:33.080
 must be believers.

00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.820
 Well, it's worth noting

00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:38.320
 at least that the word

00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:39.080
 that's used here

00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:40.220
 translated as believer

00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.879
 can just as appropriately

00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:44.299
 be translated as faithful

00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:45.840
 given the context.

00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:47.320
 That may even be a notation

00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:48.240
 that you see right there

00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:48.980
 in your Bible.

00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.279
 But at the end of the day,

00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:52.080
 it really doesn't make

00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:52.779
 much of a difference.

00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.659
 In either case,

00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:55.120
 Paul still seems to be

00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.980
 conditioning an elder's

00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:59.200
 qualification on something

00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.879
 that could possibly

00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:02.019
 be out of his control.

00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:04.139
 Well, how exactly

00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:05.279
 are we to understand that?

00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:09.240
 How are we to think about that

00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.519
 in regards to our own church?

00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:12.639
 How rigid of an application

00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.800
 are we to apply

00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:15.840
 when thinking about church leaders?

00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:17.539
 There's a few thoughts

00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.420
 I want to offer to you

00:16:18.420 --> 00:16:20.039
 as we reason through it together.

00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:22.320
 The first is this.

00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:23.320
 I think it's significant

00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:25.700
 that Paul did not apply

00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.780
 this same restriction

00:16:26.780 --> 00:16:28.140
 in the qualifications

00:16:28.140 --> 00:16:30.060
 he lists in 1 Timothy 3.

00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:33.540
 And so the question then is,

00:16:33.760 --> 00:16:36.280
 if it was essential in Crete,

00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.820
 why wasn't it essential

00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:39.000
 in Ephesus?

00:16:39.540 --> 00:16:41.180
 So does he really intend then

00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:42.240
 for us to look at Crete

00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:42.760
 and say, well,

00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.600
 all of a man's children

00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:46.240
 must actually be converted

00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:48.660
 before he can be appointed

00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:49.760
 to be an elder?

00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:51.240
 I'm not sure that's exactly

00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:51.840
 what he means.

00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.580
 I think it's also unlikely

00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.980
 that Paul intended to say

00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:56.780
 that they must be converted,

00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:57.700
 his children,

00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.259
 but he doesn't apply

00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.100
 the same restriction

00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:01.160
 to the man's wife.

00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:02.920
 Why would he say

00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:04.380
 his children must be converted,

00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.019
 but he doesn't actually

00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.200
 make the same application

00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.680
 to his spouse?

00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:11.100
 And I think when it comes down to it,

00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:11.920
 we have to remember

00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:14.860
 that the evaluation ultimately

00:17:14.860 --> 00:17:17.279
 is of the potential elder,

00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.900
 not his family.

00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:21.000
 You understand that, right?

00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.539
 What the church

00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.279
 and what Titus

00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.359
 is evaluating here

00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:25.019
 in this passage

00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.319
 is the man,

00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.880
 not his family.

00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:31.019
 And so the belief

00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:31.740
 and behavior

00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:33.460
 of individual family members

00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:35.160
 was important

00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:37.240
 insofar as they reflected

00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:39.160
 his faithfulness

00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:40.220
 in managing

00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.319
 his own household

00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.420
 well.

00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:44.819
 I think that's the point here,

00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.559
 that his children

00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.400
 need to be faithful,

00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.920
 they need to be believers,

00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.240
 and if they're not,

00:17:50.340 --> 00:17:51.279
 the church needs to ask

00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.480
 some serious question

00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.740
 as to why.

00:17:55.600 --> 00:17:57.340
 Is his children unbelieving

00:17:57.340 --> 00:17:58.259
 because he's been

00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:59.140
 a lousy parent?

00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.860
 He's not been faithful

00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:02.100
 to disciple his children

00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:02.820
 in the gospel.

00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:04.500
 He's not restrained

00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.200
 the evil

00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:06.440
 in his household,

00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.880
 or does he have

00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.840
 a wayward child

00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:10.080
 because we're prone

00:18:10.080 --> 00:18:11.160
 to have wayward children

00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.100
 from time to time?

00:18:12.580 --> 00:18:13.900
 And is he brokenhearted

00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:14.340
 over that,

00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:14.880
 and has he done

00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:16.180
 everything that he can do

00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:17.720
 to woo that child back

00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.500
 using the scriptures

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.259
 and teaching them

00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.320
 the truth of the gospel?

00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.460
 I think that's the question

00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.519
 that we need to be asking.

00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.259
 We're evaluating the man,

00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:25.539
 not each individual

00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.500
 of his family.

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.620
 And I think that's a sense

00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:28.920
 of what Paul has to say here.

00:18:29.060 --> 00:18:29.779
 He's not looking

00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:31.140
 for a problem-free home.

00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:34.039
 That's not what he's looking for.

00:18:36.100 --> 00:18:38.660
 Neither is he asking Titus,

00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:39.000
 I think,

00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:40.259
 to consider the actions

00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:41.299
 of an individual

00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.779
 member of the family

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.100
 as much as he is looking

00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:45.599
 at the general patterns

00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:47.299
 of a man's home.

00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:50.699
 Brian Chappell said this,

00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.299
 good leadership

00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:52.459
 is not determined

00:18:52.459 --> 00:18:54.199
 in the absence of difficulty,

00:18:54.199 --> 00:18:56.879
 but in the prudent discipline

00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:59.219
 and handling of problems

00:18:59.219 --> 00:19:00.939
 when difficulties come.

00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:04.399
 Patterns of disbelief

00:19:04.399 --> 00:19:05.519
 and unruliness

00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.679
 in a man's household

00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:08.399
 should cause questions

00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:09.719
 about his aptitude

00:19:09.719 --> 00:19:10.699
 for church leadership.

00:19:11.939 --> 00:19:12.819
 But occasional

00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:14.819
 or exceptional difficulties

00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.839
 well handled

00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:17.819
 should not disqualify.

00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.179
 Rather,

00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.259
 they are precisely

00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:23.179
 what do qualify.

00:19:24.439 --> 00:19:25.159
 Turn with me

00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:26.359
 to 1 Samuel 2.

00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:28.359
 Now the sons of Eli

00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:30.200
 were worthless men.

00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.799
 They did not know the Lord.

00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:36.059
 So if we were to translate that

00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.599
 in the context of Titus 1,

00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:38.960
 they were unbelieving

00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.179
 and they were guilty

00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:41.139
 of insubordination

00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:41.879
 and debauchery.

00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:43.180
 Okay, that's the dynamic

00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.580
 of Eli's sons.

00:19:45.080 --> 00:19:45.800
 Thus the sin

00:19:45.800 --> 00:19:46.680
 of the young men

00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.680
 was very great

00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.740
 in the sight of the Lord

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:50.260
 for the men treated

00:19:50.260 --> 00:19:51.500
 the offering of the Lord

00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.720
 with contempt.

00:19:53.600 --> 00:19:55.020
 So Eli's the high priest.

00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:55.920
 He's got two sons

00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:57.040
 that are serving as priests.

00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.720
 He's not restraining their evil.

00:19:58.840 --> 00:20:00.180
 They are worthless men.

00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:01.580
 They do not know the Lord

00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:02.720
 and they're cheating

00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.680
 the people of God

00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.540
 as the people would come

00:20:04.540 --> 00:20:05.400
 to the tabernacle

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.460
 and they would offer

00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.300
 their sacrifices.

00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.220
 They're cheating them.

00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.880
 They're acting crookedly

00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:11.820
 to benefit their own selves.

00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:12.640
 They're treating

00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:13.560
 the offering of the Lord

00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:14.180
 with contempt.

00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.000
 Later on,

00:20:15.040 --> 00:20:16.100
 when Eli actually does

00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:17.480
 have a minor confrontation,

00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:18.580
 he acknowledges

00:20:18.580 --> 00:20:19.400
 that they're actually

00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.920
 prostituting themselves

00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.980
 at the entrance

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.940
 of the tabernacle.

00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.820
 This is gross sin.

00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:26.040
 There is no doubt

00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:27.300
 that they're unbelieving

00:20:27.300 --> 00:20:28.280
 and they're guilty

00:20:28.280 --> 00:20:29.340
 of debauchery.

00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.260
 And yet Eli doesn't

00:20:31.260 --> 00:20:32.220
 do anything about it.

00:20:33.340 --> 00:20:34.500
 He doesn't restrain

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:34.980
 their evil.

00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:36.120
 He doesn't discipline them.

00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:37.339
 He doesn't rid them

00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.359
 of their place

00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.239
 in the priesthood.

00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:40.299
 He doesn't deal with them

00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.500
 according to the law of God.

00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:41.839
 In fact,

00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:43.019
 if you get to

00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:45.159
 a little bit later on

00:20:45.159 --> 00:20:46.259
 in chapter two,

00:20:46.419 --> 00:20:47.739
 you find that he gave them

00:20:47.739 --> 00:20:48.679
 a good talking to.

00:20:50.159 --> 00:20:51.259
 That amounts to

00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.199
 what Eli did.

00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:54.019
 He said,

00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:56.019
 no, no, boys.

00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:58.319
 Don't do that no more.

00:21:00.179 --> 00:21:01.159
 And that was it.

00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:03.559
 And then we get to chapter three

00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.439
 and look what happens.

00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.840
 You understand the way

00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:07.000
 that the story goes.

00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.779
 God begins to call

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.880
 the young man Samuel

00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:10.759
 in the middle of the night.

00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:12.140
 Finally, Eli realizes

00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:13.519
 that it's the call of God

00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.720
 and he tells him

00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.519
 to listen to the Lord.

00:21:15.600 --> 00:21:16.320
 Look at verse 11

00:21:16.320 --> 00:21:17.140
 in chapter three.

00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:19.200
 Then the Lord said to Samuel,

00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:19.880
 behold,

00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.120
 I'm about to do a thing

00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:21.680
 in Israel

00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:23.240
 at which the two ears

00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.500
 of everyone who hears

00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.600
 it will tingle.

00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.160
 On that day,

00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:29.059
 I will fulfill against Eli

00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:30.920
 all that I have spoken

00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:32.140
 concerning his house

00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:33.340
 from beginning to end.

00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:35.379
 and I declare to him

00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.079
 that I am about

00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.759
 to punish his house forever

00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.579
 for the iniquity

00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.759
 that he knew

00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.639
 because his sons

00:21:42.639 --> 00:21:44.339
 were blaspheming God

00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:46.319
 and he did not

00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.659
 restrain them.

00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:49.740
 And the punishment

00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:51.059
 for Eli and his house

00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:52.419
 is severe.

00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:56.319
 But God wasn't angry

00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:56.980
 with Eli

00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:59.059
 because his unbelieving sons

00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:01.199
 acted like unbelieving sons.

00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.920
 He was angry with Eli

00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:04.140
 because Eli

00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:05.220
 did nothing

00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.779
 to restrain the evil

00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:08.200
 and discipline them

00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:09.559
 according to God's word.

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:11.400
 And I think that's the sense

00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.700
 in which congregations

00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.600
 are to evaluate

00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:15.000
 a man's parenting

00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:17.460
 because generally speaking,

00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.840
 faithful men

00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:19.860
 will produce

00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:21.200
 faithful children.

00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:23.660
 There will be exceptions

00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.580
 to that rule

00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:25.539
 and the congregation

00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.360
 must weigh

00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:27.860
 his ability to pastor

00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.960
 on how he deals

00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:30.100
 with those situations.

00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:33.980
 But I think he's really

00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.640
 warning against

00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:36.920
 an Eli kind of situation here.

00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:39.039
 You don't want a pastor

00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.920
 who leads the church

00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:41.180
 to discipline your kids

00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:42.980
 but sweeps his own kids' sins

00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.640
 under the rug.

00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.980
 Don't want that.

00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:48.200
 That's not going to be helpful.

00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:50.700
 And if a man

00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.420
 doesn't disciple

00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.299
 his own kids,

00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.900
 how will he ever

00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.759
 disciple the people

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.440
 in the church?

00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.960
 Is he a faithful leader?

00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.900
 Well, how do we know?

00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:00.559
 It's not based on the way

00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:01.299
 he runs his business.

00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:03.080
 It's based on the way

00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:03.900
 that he runs his home.

00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.580
 It's he shepherded them.

00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.440
 A man that fails

00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:07.960
 to love

00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.779
 and lead his wife

00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.360
 and kids

00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:11.460
 must not be appointed

00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:12.720
 to lead the church

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.779
 no matter how gifted

00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.340
 he is.

00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:17.699
 The elder will model

00:23:17.699 --> 00:23:18.720
 spiritual leadership

00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:20.959
 in his home

00:23:20.959 --> 00:23:21.779
 showing that he can

00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.339
 actually do it

00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:23.199
 in the church as well.

00:23:23.699 --> 00:23:23.879
 All right?

00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.839
 That was the longest

00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.659
 of the three, okay?

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.480
 He's a model

00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.339
 of faithful leadership.

00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.119
 Number two,

00:23:28.379 --> 00:23:28.959
 he's a model

00:23:28.959 --> 00:23:30.099
 of godly character.

00:23:30.659 --> 00:23:31.539
 Back to Titus 1.

00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.799
 He's a model

00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.639
 of godly character.

00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:34.980
 Look with me

00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.679
 at verse 7.

00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.579
 For an overseer

00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:39.159
 as God's steward

00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:40.519
 must be above reproach.

00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:42.519
 He must not be arrogant

00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:44.279
 or quick-tempered

00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.940
 or a drunkard

00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.759
 or violent

00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:48.139
 or greedy for gain

00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:49.660
 but hospitable,

00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:51.599
 a lover of good,

00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.440
 self-controlled,

00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:54.799
 upright,

00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:55.940
 holy,

00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.220
 disciplined.

00:23:59.139 --> 00:23:59.660
 Now,

00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.660
 I want to be careful

00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:01.319
 not to miss

00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:01.859
 the forest

00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.779
 for the trees here

00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:04.779
 by painstakingly

00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.500
 working through

00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.980
 each one of these

00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:08.819
 categories that Paul lists.

00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.539
 I'm not going to do that.

00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:10.220
 We'll make mention

00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:10.720
 of each of them

00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.279
 but I'm not going to

00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.059
 spend a lot of time

00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.379
 on them.

00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.480
 I'll leave it to you.

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.039
 Really what Paul's doing here

00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:16.039
 is he's painting

00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.160
 a portrait of godliness.

00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.519
 What does a godly man

00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.200
 look like?

00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.680
 The characteristics

00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.519
 even listed here,

00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.339
 they're representative.

00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.759
 They're not even exhaustive.

00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:26.619
 So,

00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.359
 in other words,

00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.139
 not everything

00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:29.160
 that should be true

00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:29.619
 of an elder

00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:31.099
 is actually listed here

00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:32.379
 in the qualifications

00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:33.180
 in Titus 1

00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:34.420
 nor are they listed

00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.480
 in 1 Timothy 3.

00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:38.700
 These are representative lists.

00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:39.700
 For example,

00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.900
 spiritual disciplines

00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.700
 like prayer

00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.860
 are absent

00:24:42.860 --> 00:24:43.620
 from the list

00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:45.180
 though surely

00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:46.380
 we would never appoint

00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:48.140
 someone to shepherd

00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:48.680
 the church

00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.560
 who is not a man

00:24:49.560 --> 00:24:50.600
 of prayer.

00:24:52.060 --> 00:24:53.400
 Nothing explicit

00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:55.140
 is said

00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:56.259
 regarding his commitment

00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.080
 to the church

00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:58.000
 and its ministries

00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.400
 though we would never

00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:00.500
 appoint someone

00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:02.259
 who is half-hearted

00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.140
 in their attendance

00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:04.980
 or in their service

00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.759
 to the church.

00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.839
 So,

00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:07.500
 we don't need to

00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:09.400
 look at this list

00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.019
 as if it is

00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.119
 everything that should

00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.759
 be considered

00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:13.039
 but rather we're

00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.740
 looking at it

00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.940
 as general

00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.839
 characterizations

00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:19.759
 of what a godly man

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.000
 actually looks like

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.619
 in the church.

00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:23.140
 And it's not difficult

00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:24.420
 to see Paul's intention.

00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.299
 All throughout this letter

00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.640
 he's contrasting

00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.779
 one type of person

00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.839
 with another type

00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.379
 of person.

00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:31.579
 Look with me

00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.480
 at verse 12

00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.279
 in chapter 1.

00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:35.000
 He says

00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.319
 of one type of person

00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.359
 one of the Cretans

00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.339
 a prophet of their own

00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.359
 said Cretans

00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.559
 are always liars

00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.879
 evil beasts

00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:43.039
 lazy gluttons

00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.920
 and then he says

00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:45.079
 and this is true

00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:46.359
 this testimony is true

00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:47.660
 and you get the picture

00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.879
 that as this letter

00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.539
 is being read

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.639
 and the church is on Crete

00:25:50.639 --> 00:25:51.759
 that nobody's being

00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.420
 offended to this

00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:52.859
 probably.

00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:53.779
 They're probably

00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.299
 sitting there

00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.420
 saying yep

00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.599
 he nailed it

00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.420
 that's exactly

00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:58.759
 why most of the men

00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:00.379
 are in our nation.

00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.639
 He's presenting

00:26:01.639 --> 00:26:03.019
 a picture of a person

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.480
 isn't he?

00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:04.819
 They're liars

00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.599
 they're evil beasts

00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.779
 they're just terrible people.

00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:08.160
 Well then he gives

00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:09.000
 another example

00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.879
 in chapter 2.

00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.819
 Look at verse 7.

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.200
 He tells Titus

00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.420
 show yourself

00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.240
 in all respects

00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.319
 to be a model

00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.460
 of good works

00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:19.000
 and in your teaching

00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.379
 show integrity

00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:21.559
 dignity

00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:23.240
 sound speech

00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.359
 that cannot be condemned

00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:25.059
 so that

00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:26.000
 an opponent

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.119
 may be put to shame

00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:28.839
 having nothing evil

00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.420
 to say

00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.619
 about us.

00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.779
 So if we take

00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.859
 the bird's eye approach

00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.319
 through the letter

00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.779
 of Titus

00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.519
 we see Paul

00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.019
 very clearly

00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:36.359
 he is contrasting

00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:38.000
 two characterizations

00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.279
 here.

00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:38.919
 There is the

00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:40.259
 unbelieving person

00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.619
 or at least

00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.500
 what is reflective

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.859
 of an unbelieving person

00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:44.259
 in this kind of behavior

00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.459
 and here is what

00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:46.019
 is reflective

00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:47.219
 of a genuine believer

00:26:47.219 --> 00:26:48.219
 someone who is

00:26:48.219 --> 00:26:49.279
 growing in their

00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:50.159
 knowledge of the Bible

00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:51.379
 and being sanctified

00:26:51.379 --> 00:26:52.479
 by the Spirit.

00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:54.379
 And these two lists

00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:55.599
 here in verses 7 and 8

00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.659
 are the same thing.

00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:58.439
 The negative traits

00:26:58.439 --> 00:26:59.099
 portray

00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:00.599
 a prideful

00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:01.639
 selfish

00:27:01.639 --> 00:27:02.659
 man

00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:04.439
 known for being

00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:05.079
 hot-headed

00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:06.439
 and

00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:07.699
 drinking too much.

00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:10.000
 The positive traits

00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.719
 on the other hand

00:27:10.719 --> 00:27:11.859
 depict a humble

00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:13.719
 disciplined man

00:27:13.719 --> 00:27:14.980
 known for being

00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.539
 kind

00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.699
 and loving

00:27:16.699 --> 00:27:17.319
 righteousness.

00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.500
 He wasn't

00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.819
 asking Titus

00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.559
 to evaluate

00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.559
 a man's actions

00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.519
 in a given moment

00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.879
 but he's considering

00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:26.100
 what generally

00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:27.420
 characterizes

00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.380
 a man's life.

00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.860
 And perfection

00:27:29.860 --> 00:27:30.360
 again

00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.700
 is not the standard.

00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.140
 Perfection

00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.860
 wasn't the standard

00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.520
 for his home.

00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:35.420
 Perfection

00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.100
 isn't the standard

00:27:36.100 --> 00:27:36.780
 for his character

00:27:36.780 --> 00:27:37.160
 either.

00:27:37.540 --> 00:27:37.880
 Otherwise

00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.620
 we would only

00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:39.600
 have one shepherd

00:27:39.600 --> 00:27:40.840
 in any of our churches

00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:41.600
 and it would be

00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.640
 the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.140
 There would be

00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.960
 no reason for us

00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:45.080
 to appoint anyone else.

00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.800
 The standard

00:27:46.800 --> 00:27:48.040
 is above reproach.

00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.640
 And there's a sense

00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.540
 in which watching

00:27:51.540 --> 00:27:52.900
 the way a man

00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.900
 deals even with

00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:55.060
 his own sin

00:27:55.060 --> 00:27:56.560
 and failure

00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:58.820
 is necessary

00:27:58.820 --> 00:27:59.880
 to understand

00:27:59.880 --> 00:28:00.840
 the true depths

00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:02.160
 of his Christian character.

00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.100
 Let's quickly look

00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:04.880
 at the traits here.

00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.259
 First

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.259
 he gives a list

00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:07.900
 of negative traits.

00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.759
 He says in verse 7

00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.580
 that an overseer

00:28:10.580 --> 00:28:11.460
 must not be

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.620
 arrogant

00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:14.600
 literally

00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:16.240
 pleasing himself.

00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.800
 This person

00:28:18.800 --> 00:28:19.600
 tends to be

00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:20.200
 domineering

00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:21.120
 in leadership

00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:21.620
 always

00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.600
 wanting to

00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.039
 satisfy

00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:23.899
 his own

00:28:23.899 --> 00:28:24.899
 agenda

00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:25.799
 regardless

00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.619
 of the needs

00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:28.179
 of anyone else.

00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.879
 That's what

00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.519
 characterizes

00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.219
 his life.

00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.899
 He says

00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:32.419
 he's not to be

00:28:32.419 --> 00:28:33.259
 quick tempered

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:35.059
 which is the

00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:35.519
 opposite

00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.799
 of the characteristic

00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:38.619
 of God's nature

00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.099
 which is

00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:39.879
 slowness

00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:41.299
 to anger.

00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:43.539
 If a fruit

00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.079
 of the spirit

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.019
 is temperance

00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.139
 then

00:28:46.139 --> 00:28:47.240
 quick tempered

00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.819
 indicates

00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:49.039
 a spiritless

00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.219
 perhaps even

00:28:50.219 --> 00:28:51.000
 unbelieving

00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.659
 man.

00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:53.740
 he says

00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.000
 he's not

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.240
 to be

00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.799
 a drunkard

00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:56.240
 which is

00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:56.779
 not merely

00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.379
 a reference

00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:58.439
 to overindulgence

00:28:58.439 --> 00:28:59.099
 but the

00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.899
 kind of

00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:00.500
 behavior

00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:00.980
 that's

00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.559
 associated

00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.000
 with

00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.319
 drunkenness

00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.480
 being out

00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.240
 of control

00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.679
 out of your

00:29:06.679 --> 00:29:07.240
 mind.

00:29:08.679 --> 00:29:09.500
 He says

00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:09.779
 he's not

00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.059
 to be

00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.559
 violent

00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:12.459
 which carries

00:29:12.459 --> 00:29:13.099
 the idea

00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.559
 if you have

00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:13.919
 an older

00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:14.399
 translation

00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:15.279
 it carries

00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:15.639
 the idea

00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:15.879
 of being

00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:16.579
 a striker

00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.500
 or a

00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:17.960
 brawler

00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:18.500
 lashing

00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:18.899
 out

00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.980
 at other

00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.319
 people

00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:20.839
 in anger.

00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:22.639
 In other

00:29:22.639 --> 00:29:22.859
 words

00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.679
 an elder

00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:24.099
 should be

00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.519
 able to

00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.119
 diffuse

00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:25.960
 tension

00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.899
 rather than

00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:28.579
 striking out

00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.039
 physically

00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.699
 or verbally

00:29:29.699 --> 00:29:31.019
 at someone

00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.460
 else.

00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.539
 Finally

00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:33.879
 he says

00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:34.339
 he's not

00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:34.960
 to be

00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.220
 greedy

00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:35.939
 for gain

00:29:35.939 --> 00:29:37.960
 referring

00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.319
 to an

00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:38.799
 individual

00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.399
 who

00:29:39.399 --> 00:29:40.299
 desires

00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.740
 to be

00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.099
 rich

00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:41.419
 beyond

00:29:41.419 --> 00:29:41.819
 their own

00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.359
 needs

00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.719
 and is

00:29:43.719 --> 00:29:44.000
 even

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.439
 willing

00:29:44.439 --> 00:29:45.319
 to use

00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.199
 the church

00:29:46.199 --> 00:29:47.019
 as a

00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.240
 means

00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:47.399
 of

00:29:47.399 --> 00:29:47.979
 personal

00:29:47.979 --> 00:29:48.659
 financial

00:29:48.659 --> 00:29:49.759
 gain.

00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.279
 This is

00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:52.579
 the

00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.399
 picture

00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:54.259
 of someone

00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:54.899
 you don't

00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:55.279
 want

00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.399
 to appoint.

00:29:56.939 --> 00:29:57.139
 You say

00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:57.479
 but he can

00:29:57.479 --> 00:29:57.819
 preach

00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.279
 it doesn't

00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:58.619
 matter.

00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.000
 He's only

00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.399
 been married

00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:01.819
 once

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.379
 it doesn't

00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:02.740
 matter.

00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.319
 If he's

00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:06.519
 greedy

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.059
 for gain

00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.759
 he doesn't

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:07.979
 need to

00:30:07.979 --> 00:30:08.199
 be your

00:30:08.199 --> 00:30:08.619
 pastor.

00:30:09.679 --> 00:30:10.339
 If he's

00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:10.819
 violent

00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.699
 he can't

00:30:11.699 --> 00:30:11.979
 leave the

00:30:11.979 --> 00:30:12.339
 church

00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:12.479
 church.

00:30:13.439 --> 00:30:13.979
 There's

00:30:13.979 --> 00:30:14.099
 the

00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.919
 characterizations

00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:15.219
 here.

00:30:15.719 --> 00:30:16.059
 Then there's

00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.559
 the positive

00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:16.959
 traits.

00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.279
 He must

00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.619
 be

00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.439
 hospitable

00:30:19.439 --> 00:30:21.119
 which is

00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:21.379
 simply

00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:21.899
 living a

00:30:21.899 --> 00:30:22.419
 life that

00:30:22.419 --> 00:30:23.679
 is open

00:30:23.679 --> 00:30:24.339
 for others

00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:24.779
 to be a

00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.199
 part of

00:30:25.199 --> 00:30:25.399
 it.

00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:25.819
 He's not

00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.219
 closed

00:30:26.219 --> 00:30:26.859
 off.

00:30:28.639 --> 00:30:28.859
 This

00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.159
 isn't

00:30:29.159 --> 00:30:29.479
 a

00:30:29.479 --> 00:30:32.039
 jab

00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.379
 at

00:30:32.379 --> 00:30:33.419
 introversion.

00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:34.519
 It may

00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.000
 be something

00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.599
 that a

00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.000
 natural

00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.479
 introvert

00:30:36.479 --> 00:30:36.819
 would have

00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.359
 to work

00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:37.839
 harder

00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:38.359
 at than

00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:38.519
 an

00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.019
 extrovert

00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.619
 but it

00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:39.839
 doesn't

00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.339
 mean that

00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:40.479
 he's

00:30:40.479 --> 00:30:40.859
 just kind

00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.219
 of quiet

00:30:41.219 --> 00:30:41.639
 nature.

00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:42.180
 That's

00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.440
 not what

00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:42.880
 it means.

00:30:43.100 --> 00:30:43.640
 It means

00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.000
 that he's

00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.180
 just

00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.800
 open.

00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:45.560
 His

00:30:45.560 --> 00:30:46.120
 home

00:30:46.120 --> 00:30:46.900
 is open.

00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:47.860
 His

00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.440
 time is

00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:48.640
 not

00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.000
 reserved

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.680
 only for

00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.259
 his family

00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.920
 and friends.

00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:51.340
 His

00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:51.780
 time is

00:30:51.780 --> 00:30:52.180
 reserved

00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.620
 for

00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.060
 everyone.

00:30:53.580 --> 00:30:53.840
 He is

00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:54.340
 welcoming

00:30:54.340 --> 00:30:54.900
 his home.

00:30:55.060 --> 00:30:55.480
 The doors

00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:55.700
 of his

00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:55.980
 home are

00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.220
 wide

00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:56.500
 open.

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:56.900
 He's

00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.480
 hospitable

00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.000
 in his

00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.480
 nature.

00:30:59.040 --> 00:30:59.140
 Number

00:30:59.140 --> 00:30:59.500
 two,

00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.280
 he's a

00:31:00.280 --> 00:31:00.480
 lover

00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.140
 of good

00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:03.480
 which means

00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:03.720
 he's

00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.400
 motivated,

00:31:04.800 --> 00:31:05.140
 energized

00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.880
 by good

00:31:05.880 --> 00:31:06.420
 works.

00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:06.500
 elders.

00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.380
 The

00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:09.860
 elders should

00:31:09.860 --> 00:31:10.539
 desire to

00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.019
 do good

00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.539
 things for

00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:11.920
 others

00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:13.380
 rather than

00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:14.240
 performing out

00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.660
 of a sense

00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.360
 of obligation.

00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.000
 Do you see

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.600
 the difference?

00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:18.860
 There's the

00:31:18.860 --> 00:31:19.460
 person who

00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:20.060
 does whatever

00:31:20.060 --> 00:31:20.539
 they're asked

00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:20.920
 to do and

00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.200
 then there's

00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:21.820
 a person who

00:31:21.820 --> 00:31:22.500
 loves to do

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:22.840
 what God

00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:23.200
 has called

00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.720
 them to do.

00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:24.940
 A lover

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.340
 of good

00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:25.779
 things,

00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.140
 of good

00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.480
 people,

00:31:26.580 --> 00:31:26.759
 and of

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:26.920
 good

00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.440
 works.

00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:28.500
 A

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:28.779
 faithful

00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.120
 elder

00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:30.279
 never wants

00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:30.759
 to do as

00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.180
 little as

00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:31.700
 possible

00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:34.180
 because

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.620
 they're a

00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.000
 lover of

00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.400
 good.

00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.559
 Thirdly,

00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.759
 he's

00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.480
 self-controlled

00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.720
 which is

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.160
 used all

00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:40.620
 throughout the

00:31:40.620 --> 00:31:41.180
 letter to

00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.779
 contrast

00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.620
 Christian

00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:43.539
 behavior with

00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.360
 culturally

00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:45.180
 accepted

00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.180
 practices

00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:47.059
 and ideas.

00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:48.140
 He actually

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.740
 has control

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.059
 of his

00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.759
 faculties.

00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.519
 He's

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.000
 upright

00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:53.180
 which is

00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:53.420
 living

00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.080
 righteously

00:31:54.080 --> 00:31:54.740
 according to

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.019
 God's

00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.319
 law.

00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:55.660
 He's

00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:56.080
 holy

00:31:56.080 --> 00:31:56.779
 which is

00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:56.960
 being

00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.460
 entirely

00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.200
 devoted

00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:58.779
 to God

00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.080
 and his

00:31:59.080 --> 00:31:59.440
 word.

00:31:59.720 --> 00:31:59.940
 He's

00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.580
 disciplined

00:32:00.580 --> 00:32:01.680
 which refers

00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.480
 more so

00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:02.740
 to

00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.259
 spiritual

00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:03.920
 disciplines

00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.140
 than

00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:04.500
 physical.

00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:05.539
 He is

00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.720
 committed

00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.200
 to a

00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.500
 rigorous

00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.420
 application

00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:08.720
 of

00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.000
 biblical

00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.539
 habits.

00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.240
 This is

00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:10.860
 the picture

00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.720
 that Paul

00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:11.900
 is

00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:12.220
 painting.

00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:12.880
 Here you

00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.200
 have a

00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:13.560
 man that

00:32:13.560 --> 00:32:13.820
 is a

00:32:13.820 --> 00:32:14.080
 portrait

00:32:14.080 --> 00:32:14.320
 of

00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:14.680
 godly

00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.200
 behavior

00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:15.920
 and here

00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.200
 you have

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.519
 a man

00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:16.860
 that is

00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:17.299
 not.

00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.000
 Don't

00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.340
 appoint

00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:18.820
 this

00:32:18.820 --> 00:32:19.200
 man.

00:32:19.580 --> 00:32:19.799
 Look

00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.140
 for the

00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:20.400
 men

00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:20.600
 who

00:32:20.600 --> 00:32:20.940
 meet

00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:21.500
 these

00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:22.259
 qualifications

00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:22.560
 whose

00:32:22.560 --> 00:32:22.980
 lives

00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:23.180
 are

00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:23.640
 generally

00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:24.340
 characterized

00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:25.400
 this

00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:25.759
 way.

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.580
 Again,

00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.100
 giftedness

00:32:28.100 --> 00:32:28.380
 isn't

00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:28.920
 irrelevant

00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:29.480
 to the

00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.180
 conversation

00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:31.840
 but it's

00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:32.160
 not the

00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:32.500
 primary

00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.180
 reason

00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:33.519
 for

00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.120
 recognizing

00:32:34.120 --> 00:32:34.539
 elders

00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:34.880
 either.

00:32:36.840 --> 00:32:37.600
 The

00:32:37.600 --> 00:32:37.860
 overall

00:32:37.860 --> 00:32:38.299
 message

00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:38.799
 of this

00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:39.160
 letter

00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:40.200
 is that

00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:41.000
 the true

00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.440
 gospel

00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:41.940
 produces

00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.420
 godly

00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:42.720
 living

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:44.120
 and it

00:32:44.120 --> 00:32:44.299
 was

00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:44.960
 necessary

00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.279
 for

00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.720
 Titus

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:45.880
 to

00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:46.400
 appoint

00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:46.820
 men

00:32:46.820 --> 00:32:47.620
 whose

00:32:47.620 --> 00:32:48.000
 lives

00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.779
 reflected

00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.759
 the

00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.500
 transformative

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.320
 power

00:32:51.320 --> 00:32:51.960
 of

00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:52.460
 Christ

00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:54.060
 so that

00:32:54.060 --> 00:32:54.799
 as they

00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:55.220
 preached

00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.759
 on Sundays

00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.160
 to their

00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.500
 church

00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:57.180
 as they

00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:58.019
 evangelized

00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.559
 the people

00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:59.279
 on the

00:32:59.279 --> 00:32:59.879
 island

00:32:59.879 --> 00:33:00.359
 of Crete

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:00.819
 and in

00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:00.940
 the

00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.359
 individual

00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:01.779
 towns

00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.160
 in which

00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:02.720
 they

00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.220
 lived

00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:03.619
 there

00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:03.819
 was

00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.440
 credibility

00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:05.480
 to the

00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:05.940
 message

00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:06.420
 of the

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:06.859
 gospel

00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.400
 because

00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:07.740
 the

00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.319
 life

00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:08.779
 of the

00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:09.319
 messenger

00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:10.400
 matched

00:33:10.400 --> 00:33:11.000
 the truth

00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.200
 that he

00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.359
 was

00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:12.119
 proclaiming.

00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:15.960
 How

00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.420
 will the

00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:17.019
 unbelieving

00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:17.460
 world

00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:17.799
 take

00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.279
 seriously

00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:18.759
 a man

00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.200
 whose

00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:19.759
 life

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.160
 doesn't

00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:20.740
 actually

00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.599
 characterize

00:33:21.599 --> 00:33:22.400
 what his

00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:23.140
 preaching

00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:23.839
 says

00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:24.599
 that Jesus

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.299
 does?

00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:27.940
 An

00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.279
 elder's

00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:28.759
 example

00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.319
 should be

00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.140
 to put

00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:30.700
 Jesus

00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.960
 on display

00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.720
 for the

00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.379
 congregation

00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.420
 and also

00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:34.839
 for the

00:33:34.839 --> 00:33:35.119
 watching

00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:35.640
 world.

00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:36.480
 His

00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:36.819
 life

00:33:36.819 --> 00:33:37.200
 should be

00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:37.420
 worth

00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:38.079
 imitating

00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:38.480
 in other

00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:38.839
 words.

00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.519
 1 Peter

00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.140
 5.3

00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:41.539
 referring

00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:41.900
 to the

00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:42.180
 elders

00:33:42.180 --> 00:33:42.519
 Peter

00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:42.859
 says

00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:43.119
 be

00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:44.180
 examples

00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:45.160
 to the

00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:45.559
 flock.

00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.180
 Hebrews

00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:47.099
 13.7

00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:47.759
 Remember

00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.039
 your

00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:48.519
 leaders

00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.379
 those

00:33:49.379 --> 00:33:49.579
 who

00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:49.940
 spoke

00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.180
 to

00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:50.299
 you

00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:50.480
 the

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:50.700
 word

00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:50.879
 of

00:33:50.879 --> 00:33:51.240
 God

00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:52.039
 consider

00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:52.440
 the

00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:52.960
 outcome

00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.400
 of

00:33:53.400 --> 00:33:53.559
 their

00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:53.799
 way

00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:53.960
 of

00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:54.500
 life

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.079
 and

00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:55.759
 imitate

00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:56.559
 their

00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.139
 faith.

00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.500
 Philippians

00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.399
 3.17

00:33:59.399 --> 00:33:59.879
 Brothers

00:33:59.879 --> 00:34:00.259
 Paul

00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:00.679
 says

00:34:00.679 --> 00:34:01.460
 join

00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:01.699
 in

00:34:01.699 --> 00:34:02.359
 imitating

00:34:02.359 --> 00:34:02.779
 me

00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.539
 and keep

00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:03.720
 your

00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.139
 eyes

00:34:04.139 --> 00:34:04.379
 on

00:34:04.379 --> 00:34:04.740
 those

00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:04.919
 who

00:34:04.919 --> 00:34:05.240
 walk

00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:05.799
 according

00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:06.039
 to

00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.199
 the

00:34:06.199 --> 00:34:06.679
 example

00:34:06.679 --> 00:34:06.960
 you

00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:07.399
 have

00:34:07.399 --> 00:34:07.539
 in

00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.019
 us.

00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:08.599
 In

00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:08.799
 other

00:34:08.799 --> 00:34:09.079
 words

00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:09.579
 follow

00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:09.840
 the

00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.099
 men

00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.259
 who

00:34:10.259 --> 00:34:10.420
 are

00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:10.920
 following

00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:11.579
 Christ

00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.139
 and

00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:12.360
 how

00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:12.500
 do

00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:12.599
 you

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:12.719
 know

00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:12.860
 if

00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:13.000
 they're

00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.380
 following

00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:13.940
 Christ

00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.460
 their

00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:14.880
 life

00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.079
 will

00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.519
 show

00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:15.779
 it

00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:16.960
 their

00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.659
 faithfulness

00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:17.779
 to

00:34:17.779 --> 00:34:17.920
 their

00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.179
 home

00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:18.360
 will

00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.759
 show

00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:18.980
 it

00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.340
 their

00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:19.940
 faithfulness

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.059
 and

00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.380
 godly

00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:20.779
 character

00:34:20.779 --> 00:34:21.000
 will

00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:21.380
 show

00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:21.559
 it

00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:21.940
 their

00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:22.440
 passion

00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:22.639
 for

00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:22.799
 the

00:34:22.799 --> 00:34:23.139
 church

00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:23.359
 will

00:34:23.359 --> 00:34:23.799
 show

00:34:23.799 --> 00:34:24.000
 it

00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:24.379
 their

00:34:24.379 --> 00:34:24.960
 shepherding

00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.420
 work

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:25.900
 even

00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.199
 without

00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.420
 the

00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:26.859
 office

00:34:26.859 --> 00:34:27.219
 it

00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.400
 will

00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:27.839
 show

00:34:27.839 --> 00:34:28.019
 it

00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.519
 find

00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:28.960
 those

00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:29.279
 men

00:34:29.279 --> 00:34:29.859
 follow

00:34:29.859 --> 00:34:30.519
 those

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.000
 men

00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:31.480
 let

00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:31.920
 those

00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.199
 men

00:34:32.199 --> 00:34:32.519
 lead

00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:32.699
 the

00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.239
 church

00:34:33.239 --> 00:34:34.139
 he's

00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:34.239
 a

00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:34.480
 model

00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:34.639
 of

00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:34.879
 faithful

00:34:34.879 --> 00:34:35.319
 leadership

00:34:35.319 --> 00:34:35.940
 he's

00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.059
 a

00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:36.359
 model

00:34:36.359 --> 00:34:36.559
 of

00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:36.859
 godly

00:34:36.859 --> 00:34:37.219
 character

00:34:37.219 --> 00:34:37.659
 finally

00:34:37.659 --> 00:34:38.279
 he

00:34:38.279 --> 00:34:38.400
 is

00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:38.579
 a

00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.900
 model

00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:39.219
 of

00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:39.699
 gospel

00:34:39.699 --> 00:34:40.420
 commitment

00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:42.219
 he's

00:34:42.219 --> 00:34:42.339
 a

00:34:42.339 --> 00:34:42.599
 model

00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:42.819
 of

00:34:42.819 --> 00:34:43.259
 gospel

00:34:43.259 --> 00:34:44.699
 commitment

00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:45.579
 verse

00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.019
 nine

00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:48.059
 he

00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.259
 must

00:34:48.259 --> 00:34:48.460
 hold

00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:48.940
 firm

00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:49.139
 to

00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:49.299
 the

00:34:49.299 --> 00:34:49.679
 trustworthy

00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:50.279
 word

00:34:50.279 --> 00:34:50.500
 as

00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:51.019
 taught

00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:53.059
 so

00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.239
 that

00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:53.380
 he

00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:53.559
 may

00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:53.739
 be

00:34:53.739 --> 00:34:53.960
 able

00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:54.199
 to

00:34:54.199 --> 00:34:54.400
 give

00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.059
 instruction

00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.579
 in

00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:55.840
 sound

00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:56.320
 doctrine

00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:57.759
 and

00:34:57.759 --> 00:34:58.039
 also

00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:58.320
 to

00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:58.699
 rebuke

00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.139
 those

00:34:59.139 --> 00:34:59.880
 who

00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:00.320
 contradict

00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:00.780
 it

00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:03.980
 so

00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.139
 the

00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.400
 final

00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:04.980
 qualification

00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:05.639
 here

00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:05.900
 or at

00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:06.000
 least

00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.179
 the

00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:06.820
 categories

00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:07.139
 that

00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:07.400
 Paul

00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:07.559
 is

00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:07.880
 dealing

00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:08.239
 in

00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:10.259
 is

00:35:10.259 --> 00:35:10.400
 that

00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:10.539
 a

00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:10.759
 man

00:35:10.759 --> 00:35:11.000
 must

00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:11.219
 be

00:35:11.219 --> 00:35:12.000
 wholeheartedly

00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.500
 committed

00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:13.619
 to

00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:13.759
 the

00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:14.079
 gospel

00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:14.280
 of

00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:14.800
 Jesus

00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:20.380
 Paul

00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:20.660
 isn't

00:35:20.660 --> 00:35:20.960
 saying

00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:21.160
 that

00:35:21.160 --> 00:35:21.300
 an

00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:21.620
 elder

00:35:21.620 --> 00:35:21.980
 has

00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:22.100
 to

00:35:22.100 --> 00:35:22.300
 be

00:35:22.300 --> 00:35:22.500
 a

00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.000
 theological

00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:23.740
 egghead

00:35:23.740 --> 00:35:25.420
 with

00:35:25.420 --> 00:35:25.560
 a

00:35:25.560 --> 00:35:26.100
 comprehensive

00:35:26.100 --> 00:35:26.640
 knowledge

00:35:26.640 --> 00:35:27.300
 of

00:35:27.300 --> 00:35:27.780
 every

00:35:27.780 --> 00:35:28.260
 facet

00:35:28.260 --> 00:35:28.400
 of

00:35:28.400 --> 00:35:28.820
 doctrine

00:35:28.820 --> 00:35:29.760
 that's

00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:29.900
 not

00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:30.060
 what

00:35:30.060 --> 00:35:30.260
 he's

00:35:30.260 --> 00:35:30.600
 saying

00:35:30.600 --> 00:35:31.420
 that

00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:31.580
 might

00:35:31.580 --> 00:35:31.720
 be

00:35:31.720 --> 00:35:32.080
 helpful

00:35:32.080 --> 00:35:33.000
 but

00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.140
 it's

00:35:33.140 --> 00:35:33.300
 not

00:35:33.300 --> 00:35:33.860
 required

00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:36.220
 in

00:35:36.220 --> 00:35:36.440
 fact

00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:36.620
 we

00:35:36.620 --> 00:35:36.760
 can

00:35:36.760 --> 00:35:37.019
 actually

00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.500
 discern

00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:37.740
 from

00:35:37.740 --> 00:35:37.940
 this

00:35:37.940 --> 00:35:38.300
 letter

00:35:38.300 --> 00:35:38.640
 when

00:35:38.640 --> 00:35:38.760
 we

00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:38.900
 get

00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.060
 into

00:35:39.060 --> 00:35:39.360
 chapter

00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:39.840
 three

00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:41.320
 that

00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:41.480
 an

00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.039
 individual

00:35:42.039 --> 00:35:42.360
 who

00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:42.519
 is

00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:43.140
 obsessed

00:35:43.140 --> 00:35:43.400
 with

00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:43.880
 doctrinal

00:35:43.880 --> 00:35:44.539
 nuances

00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:45.860
 will

00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:46.179
 end

00:35:46.179 --> 00:35:46.340
 up

00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:46.860
 dividing

00:35:46.860 --> 00:35:47.099
 the

00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:47.360
 church

00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:47.679
 rather

00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:47.880
 than

00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.099
 lead

00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:48.360
 it

00:35:48.360 --> 00:35:49.639
 in

00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:49.759
 fact

00:35:49.759 --> 00:35:50.000
 look

00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:50.179
 at

00:35:50.179 --> 00:35:50.460
 chapter

00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:50.679
 three

00:35:50.679 --> 00:35:50.860
 look

00:35:50.860 --> 00:35:50.940
 at

00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:51.159
 verse

00:35:51.159 --> 00:35:51.559
 nine

00:35:51.559 --> 00:35:52.219
 in

00:35:52.219 --> 00:35:52.420
 chapter

00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:52.840
 three

00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:54.199
 avoid

00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:54.679
 foolish

00:35:54.679 --> 00:35:55.739
 controversies

00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:57.259
 things

00:35:57.259 --> 00:35:57.579
 that are

00:35:57.579 --> 00:35:58.099
 not of

00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:58.480
 primary

00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.000
 importance

00:35:59.000 --> 00:35:59.300
 in other

00:35:59.300 --> 00:35:59.619
 words

00:35:59.619 --> 00:36:00.519
 avoid

00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.579
 genealogies

00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:02.059
 the

00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:02.860
 dissensions

00:36:02.860 --> 00:36:03.860
 quarrels

00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:04.159
 about

00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:04.380
 the

00:36:04.380 --> 00:36:04.920
 law

00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:05.759
 for

00:36:05.759 --> 00:36:05.980
 they're

00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:06.920
 unprofitable

00:36:06.920 --> 00:36:07.699
 they're

00:36:07.699 --> 00:36:08.159
 worthless

00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:09.539
 and

00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:09.820
 as

00:36:09.820 --> 00:36:10.019
 for

00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.179
 a

00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:10.539
 person

00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:10.800
 who

00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.179
 stirs

00:36:11.179 --> 00:36:11.320
 up

00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:11.739
 division

00:36:11.739 --> 00:36:12.119
 as

00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:12.279
 a

00:36:12.279 --> 00:36:12.699
 result

00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:12.980
 of

00:36:12.980 --> 00:36:13.199
 this

00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:13.599
 emphasis

00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:13.920
 in

00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:14.059
 their

00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:14.480
 life

00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:15.340
 after

00:36:15.340 --> 00:36:15.699
 warning

00:36:15.699 --> 00:36:15.900
 him

00:36:15.900 --> 00:36:16.219
 once

00:36:16.219 --> 00:36:16.340
 and

00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:16.840
 twice

00:36:16.840 --> 00:36:17.260
 have

00:36:17.260 --> 00:36:17.519
 nothing

00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:17.699
 more

00:36:17.699 --> 00:36:17.840
 to

00:36:17.840 --> 00:36:17.980
 do

00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:18.159
 with

00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:18.340
 him

00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:19.400
 knowing

00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:19.639
 that

00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:19.860
 such

00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:20.000
 a

00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.280
 person

00:36:20.280 --> 00:36:20.460
 is

00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:21.039
 warped

00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:22.380
 he's

00:36:22.380 --> 00:36:22.760
 sinful

00:36:22.760 --> 00:36:24.099
 he's

00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:24.300
 self

00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:24.760
 condemned

00:36:24.760 --> 00:36:25.719
 that's

00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.159
 strong

00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:26.440
 isn't

00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:26.800
 it

00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:29.060
 he's

00:36:29.060 --> 00:36:29.500
 saying

00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:31.060
 he's

00:36:31.060 --> 00:36:31.600
 saying

00:36:31.600 --> 00:36:31.920
 avoid

00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.120
 the

00:36:32.120 --> 00:36:32.400
 guys

00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:32.560
 that

00:36:32.560 --> 00:36:32.760
 all

00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:32.860
 they

00:36:32.860 --> 00:36:32.980
 want

00:36:32.980 --> 00:36:33.060
 to

00:36:33.060 --> 00:36:33.260
 talk

00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:33.460
 about

00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:33.660
 their

00:36:33.660 --> 00:36:33.880
 pet

00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:34.420
 doctrines

00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:34.820
 what

00:36:34.820 --> 00:36:34.960
 he

00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:35.240
 means

00:36:35.240 --> 00:36:35.420
 by

00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:35.940
 trustworthy

00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.700
 word

00:36:36.700 --> 00:36:37.280
 is

00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:37.519
 the

00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:37.920
 fullness

00:36:37.920 --> 00:36:38.280
 of

00:36:38.280 --> 00:36:38.440
 the

00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:38.820
 gospel

00:36:38.820 --> 00:36:39.480
 message

00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:41.619
 in

00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:42.319
NING

00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:43.099
!

00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:42.319
NING

00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


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00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:43.099
!

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NING

00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:42.319


00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:43.099
!

00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:42.319
NING

00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:43.099
!

00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:46.920
NING

00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:46.920


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00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:57.599
!

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00:37:11.619 --> 00:37:15.039
 not because of works done by us in righteousness,

00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:17.440
 but according to his own mercy,

00:37:17.639 --> 00:37:20.019
 by the washing of regeneration,

00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:22.279
 the renewal of the Holy Spirit,

00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:24.839
 whom he poured out on us richly

00:37:24.839 --> 00:37:26.639
 through Jesus Christ, our savior,

00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:30.079
 so that being justified by his grace,

00:37:30.339 --> 00:37:33.819
 we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

00:37:33.880 --> 00:37:35.139
 Now look what he says in verse eight.

00:37:35.819 --> 00:37:38.299
 This saying is trustworthy.

00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.980
 There's the word again.

00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:43.940
 And I want you to insist on these things.

00:37:45.240 --> 00:37:47.240
 What is the trustworthy word is taught?

00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:48.800
 It's the gospel of Jesus.

00:37:49.099 --> 00:37:52.639
 It's the gospel that every one of us are condemned in our sin.

00:37:52.980 --> 00:37:55.619
 We are hopelessly lost and without God,

00:37:55.619 --> 00:37:59.159
 and there's nothing we can do to earn our way back to his favor.

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:02.219
 We can do all the good things that we can try.

00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:04.340
 We can do all the church services.

00:38:04.559 --> 00:38:06.300
 We can give all the money that we can give.

00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:08.360
 We can do our best and try our hardest,

00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:10.039
 and it won't matter.

00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:14.059
 The gospel is that God, in his great love for us,

00:38:14.340 --> 00:38:15.820
 sent his only son,

00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:19.300
 and then he sends his spirit to regenerate us,

00:38:19.420 --> 00:38:22.200
 and those who have faith in the sacrifice

00:38:22.200 --> 00:38:24.840
 and the resurrection of Jesus Christ

00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:27.360
 are then given the mercy of God,

00:38:27.700 --> 00:38:29.180
 reconciliation with God,

00:38:29.280 --> 00:38:31.360
 not on the basis of who they are

00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:32.760
 or of what they've done,

00:38:32.920 --> 00:38:36.539
 but solely according to his mercy and grace,

00:38:36.579 --> 00:38:38.099
 which he lavishes on us.

00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:38.980
 And Paul says,

00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:40.820
 find the men who aren't concerned

00:38:40.820 --> 00:38:42.660
 about fighting with everybody

00:38:42.660 --> 00:38:44.820
 about every possible doctrinal nuance.

00:38:45.200 --> 00:38:47.660
 Find the men who are wholeheartedly committed

00:38:47.660 --> 00:38:49.400
 to the gospel message

00:38:49.400 --> 00:38:51.680
 and put those men leading the church

00:38:51.680 --> 00:38:54.099
 so that the church will be committed

00:38:54.099 --> 00:38:56.620
 wholeheartedly to the gospel message.

00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:58.380
 That's what he's saying.

00:38:58.380 --> 00:39:01.380
 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word.

00:39:02.099 --> 00:39:06.320
 He must hold firm to the gospel of Jesus.

00:39:07.740 --> 00:39:09.860
 What he says regarding instruction

00:39:09.860 --> 00:39:11.200
 or in sound doctrine,

00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:12.680
 it's a medical term.

00:39:13.860 --> 00:39:15.099
 In fact, this may be a note

00:39:15.099 --> 00:39:16.440
 in the footnotes of your Bible even.

00:39:16.680 --> 00:39:18.340
 It could appropriately be translated

00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:20.280
 healthy doctrine.

00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:22.559
 And his point there

00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:25.500
 is that an elder's doctrinal emphasis

00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:29.279
 should produce spiritual fitness

00:39:29.279 --> 00:39:32.659
 leading to external displays of godliness,

00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:35.659
 not spiritual anemia

00:39:35.659 --> 00:39:38.480
 that reflects a full head

00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:40.039
 and an empty heart.

00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:44.380
 There's an emphasis that we're looking for

00:39:44.380 --> 00:39:45.099
 and it's an emphasis

00:39:45.099 --> 00:39:47.239
 and a commitment on the gospel first

00:39:47.239 --> 00:39:49.559
 as a matter of first importance.

00:39:49.559 --> 00:39:51.779
 We all know people

00:39:51.779 --> 00:39:54.739
 that are passionate about pet doctrines.

00:39:54.820 --> 00:39:55.619
 I have my own.

00:39:58.360 --> 00:39:59.679
 But have you ever known someone

00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:01.039
 who would love to debate you

00:40:01.039 --> 00:40:01.739
 about the Bible,

00:40:02.299 --> 00:40:04.219
 but they're the last people

00:40:04.219 --> 00:40:06.019
 to ever sacrifice for someone else

00:40:06.019 --> 00:40:08.099
 or evangelize the lost

00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:10.139
 or give up their freedoms

00:40:10.139 --> 00:40:11.719
 for the good of the church?

00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:14.579
 That's not the kind of person

00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:15.159
 you're looking for.

00:40:15.199 --> 00:40:16.139
 It doesn't matter how thick

00:40:16.139 --> 00:40:17.279
 the books of theology are

00:40:17.279 --> 00:40:18.619
 that are sitting on their desk at home.

00:40:18.619 --> 00:40:19.259
 Sometimes,

00:40:23.380 --> 00:40:25.719
 this is the result of a pastor

00:40:25.719 --> 00:40:27.359
 who sets the same kind of example.

00:40:28.759 --> 00:40:29.559
 And God help me

00:40:29.559 --> 00:40:31.639
 if I ever start to care more

00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:33.259
 about what your brain thinks

00:40:33.259 --> 00:40:34.799
 and less about the gospel

00:40:34.799 --> 00:40:36.420
 that actually transforms your life.

00:40:40.679 --> 00:40:41.619
 Calvin said,

00:40:41.759 --> 00:40:43.539
 the pastor ought to have two voices.

00:40:44.699 --> 00:40:46.359
 One for gathering the sheep

00:40:46.360 --> 00:40:48.880
 and another for warding off

00:40:48.880 --> 00:40:50.820
 and driving away wolves and thieves.

00:40:51.660 --> 00:40:54.180
 And the scripture supplies him

00:40:54.180 --> 00:40:56.300
 with the means of doing both.

00:40:58.440 --> 00:41:00.320
 What is a pastor supposed to do?

00:41:01.840 --> 00:41:03.720
 He's supposed to be a man of the book.

00:41:03.719 --> 00:41:07.319
 He's supposed to preach the Bible

00:41:07.319 --> 00:41:08.679
 to the people in his church

00:41:08.679 --> 00:41:13.139
 and to courageously stand against the people

00:41:13.139 --> 00:41:14.179
 who would pervert it.

00:41:15.779 --> 00:41:16.639
 That's his point.

00:41:18.319 --> 00:41:20.000
 He needs to know his Bible well

00:41:20.000 --> 00:41:22.639
 and he needs to be able to teach it

00:41:22.639 --> 00:41:24.579
 to believers and unbelievers alike.

00:41:27.219 --> 00:41:28.359
 He needs to be committed

00:41:28.359 --> 00:41:29.559
 to the trustworthy word

00:41:29.559 --> 00:41:30.880
 even if the wolves and the sheep

00:41:30.880 --> 00:41:31.759
 hate him for it.

00:41:33.980 --> 00:41:35.340
 This is the one place

00:41:35.340 --> 00:41:36.159
 in the New Testament

00:41:36.159 --> 00:41:38.779
 that speaks of giftedness

00:41:38.779 --> 00:41:39.639
 regarding pastors.

00:41:42.019 --> 00:41:43.360
 They've got to demonstrate

00:41:43.360 --> 00:41:44.900
 a God-given ability

00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:46.519
 to instruct the church

00:41:46.519 --> 00:41:48.699
 and to fight against those

00:41:48.699 --> 00:41:50.059
 who contradict the Bible

00:41:50.059 --> 00:41:51.519
 because they will come.

00:41:52.099 --> 00:41:53.940
 And as we'll see next week

00:41:53.940 --> 00:41:54.840
 in this chapter,

00:41:55.059 --> 00:41:55.599
 they're going to come

00:41:55.599 --> 00:41:56.639
 from outside the church

00:41:56.639 --> 00:41:57.779
 and then as we reflect

00:41:57.779 --> 00:41:58.739
 on Acts chapter 20,

00:41:58.879 --> 00:41:59.339
 they're going to come

00:41:59.339 --> 00:42:00.440
 from inside the church too.

00:42:02.420 --> 00:42:03.279
 You need to make sure

00:42:03.279 --> 00:42:04.659
 that the people leading the way

00:42:04.659 --> 00:42:06.759
 are people that know the Bible

00:42:06.759 --> 00:42:08.359
 and know the truth

00:42:08.359 --> 00:42:10.839
 and know what's worth dealing with

00:42:10.839 --> 00:42:12.400
 and what doesn't have to be dealt with.

00:42:14.019 --> 00:42:15.019
 Let me finish with this.

00:42:15.099 --> 00:42:15.980
 Tim Chester said

00:42:15.980 --> 00:42:17.819
 in relation to this text,

00:42:18.619 --> 00:42:19.839
 here is what you should look for

00:42:19.839 --> 00:42:20.299
 in a leader.

00:42:21.619 --> 00:42:24.099
 Here is what you should aspire to

00:42:24.099 --> 00:42:25.440
 as a leader.

00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:28.460
 And it's what you should pray for

00:42:28.460 --> 00:42:30.420
 regarding your leaders.

00:42:32.579 --> 00:42:34.159
 When we understand that elders

00:42:34.159 --> 00:42:35.199
 are simply models

00:42:35.199 --> 00:42:36.339
 of faithful Christianity,

00:42:36.900 --> 00:42:38.699
 what we read about

00:42:38.699 --> 00:42:39.739
 in their qualifications

00:42:39.739 --> 00:42:41.259
 begins to become

00:42:41.259 --> 00:42:42.099
 much more personal,

00:42:42.199 --> 00:42:42.639
 doesn't it?

00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:44.239
 You say,

00:42:44.279 --> 00:42:44.900
 I'm really tired of us

00:42:44.900 --> 00:42:45.799
 dealing with this whole

00:42:45.799 --> 00:42:47.400
 church government

00:42:47.400 --> 00:42:48.099
 and pastors

00:42:48.099 --> 00:42:49.039
 and what they need to be

00:42:49.039 --> 00:42:49.519
 and all this stuff.

00:42:49.579 --> 00:42:50.359
 Let's get on to something

00:42:50.359 --> 00:42:51.059
 better than this.

00:42:51.099 --> 00:42:51.960
 But this is for you.

00:42:54.359 --> 00:42:55.460
 At the end of the day,

00:42:55.460 --> 00:42:57.139
 outside of a giftedness

00:42:57.139 --> 00:42:57.840
 to teach

00:42:57.840 --> 00:42:59.639
 at the end of the day,

00:43:00.500 --> 00:43:01.659
 an elder in a church

00:43:01.659 --> 00:43:03.039
 is just a model Christian.

00:43:04.559 --> 00:43:06.679
 The qualifications listed here

00:43:06.679 --> 00:43:07.500
 are not exclusive

00:43:07.500 --> 00:43:08.159
 to the elders.

00:43:09.099 --> 00:43:10.460
 They must be

00:43:10.460 --> 00:43:12.539
 a part of the elders' testimony

00:43:12.539 --> 00:43:14.220
 because it's what

00:43:14.220 --> 00:43:15.139
 every Christian

00:43:15.139 --> 00:43:16.460
 should be pursuing

00:43:16.460 --> 00:43:18.039
 in regards to the way

00:43:18.039 --> 00:43:18.679
 that they live

00:43:18.679 --> 00:43:20.679
 and the character

00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:21.539
 of their life.

00:43:23.099 --> 00:43:24.559
 Everything in this text

00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:25.819
 is commanded

00:43:25.819 --> 00:43:26.779
 of all believers

00:43:26.779 --> 00:43:28.039
 at other places

00:43:28.039 --> 00:43:28.819
 in the New Testament.

00:43:29.139 --> 00:43:31.259
 Every single word of it.

00:43:32.679 --> 00:43:33.579
 Even the word

00:43:33.579 --> 00:43:34.179
 of commitment

00:43:34.179 --> 00:43:35.639
 to the trustworthy gospel.

00:43:36.099 --> 00:43:36.679
 Even the word

00:43:36.679 --> 00:43:37.219
 of commitment

00:43:37.219 --> 00:43:38.139
 to sound doctrine.

00:43:38.500 --> 00:43:39.480
 Even the ability

00:43:39.480 --> 00:43:40.719
 to build one another

00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:41.599
 up in Christ

00:43:41.599 --> 00:43:42.940
 through the gospel.

00:43:43.940 --> 00:43:44.779
 That belongs

00:43:44.779 --> 00:43:45.799
 to all of us.

00:43:45.800 --> 00:43:49.160
 So you don't get a

00:43:49.160 --> 00:43:53.400
 pass on this text.

00:43:57.019 --> 00:43:57.820
 All of us

00:43:57.820 --> 00:43:58.940
 have to take this serious.

00:44:00.740 --> 00:44:02.160
 There's an essential element

00:44:02.160 --> 00:44:03.260
 of gifting and calling,

00:44:03.660 --> 00:44:04.600
 but that doesn't mean

00:44:04.600 --> 00:44:05.220
 everyone else

00:44:05.220 --> 00:44:05.860
 gets a pass

00:44:05.860 --> 00:44:06.519
 on godliness.

00:44:07.620 --> 00:44:08.519
 Not everyone

00:44:08.519 --> 00:44:09.300
 in the church

00:44:09.300 --> 00:44:10.539
 will be called upon

00:44:10.539 --> 00:44:11.200
 to lead it.

00:44:11.199 --> 00:44:13.679
 But every Christian

00:44:13.679 --> 00:44:14.699
 should live a life

00:44:14.699 --> 00:44:15.899
 that is qualified

00:44:15.899 --> 00:44:16.799
 for it.

00:44:19.119 --> 00:44:20.079
 So ask yourself

00:44:20.079 --> 00:44:20.799
 the same question

00:44:20.799 --> 00:44:21.279
 that you might

00:44:21.279 --> 00:44:22.099
 would ask a potential

00:44:22.099 --> 00:44:23.039
 elder in our church.

00:44:23.939 --> 00:44:25.179
 Do you love your wife?

00:44:26.879 --> 00:44:27.839
 Are you faithful to her?

00:44:28.379 --> 00:44:29.559
 Like really faithful.

00:44:29.639 --> 00:44:30.359
 I know your marriage

00:44:30.359 --> 00:44:32.259
 has all the appearances

00:44:32.259 --> 00:44:33.179
 of faithfulness,

00:44:33.259 --> 00:44:33.819
 but really when it

00:44:33.819 --> 00:44:34.679
 comes down to it,

00:44:34.859 --> 00:44:35.439
 are you really

00:44:35.439 --> 00:44:36.359
 a one woman man

00:44:36.359 --> 00:44:36.919
 or is your mind

00:44:36.919 --> 00:44:37.839
 all over the place

00:44:37.839 --> 00:44:38.579
 when it comes to women?

00:44:38.579 --> 00:44:40.920
 Are you discipling

00:44:40.920 --> 00:44:41.360
 your kids?

00:44:43.059 --> 00:44:44.059
 Are you restraining

00:44:44.059 --> 00:44:44.340
 the evil?

00:44:44.380 --> 00:44:45.319
 Are you disciplining

00:44:45.319 --> 00:44:46.380
 your young kids?

00:44:46.480 --> 00:44:47.279
 Are you restraining

00:44:47.279 --> 00:44:48.579
 the evil of your older kids?

00:44:48.639 --> 00:44:49.139
 Are you keeping

00:44:49.139 --> 00:44:50.400
 the gospel in front of them?

00:44:51.420 --> 00:44:52.299
 If someone were

00:44:52.299 --> 00:44:53.519
 to characterize your life,

00:44:53.719 --> 00:44:54.519
 would you fit more

00:44:54.519 --> 00:44:55.519
 like the Cretans

00:44:55.519 --> 00:44:57.199
 on Monday to Saturday

00:44:57.199 --> 00:44:58.299
 or would you look

00:44:58.299 --> 00:44:59.159
 more like what

00:44:59.159 --> 00:45:00.599
 Paul is encouraging

00:45:00.599 --> 00:45:01.500
 Titus to be?

00:45:03.099 --> 00:45:04.179
 What about the word?

00:45:04.319 --> 00:45:05.199
 Do you care about it?

00:45:05.599 --> 00:45:06.460
 Are you faithfully

00:45:06.460 --> 00:45:07.380
 studying the Bible?

00:45:07.880 --> 00:45:08.480
 Are you spending

00:45:08.480 --> 00:45:09.280
 time growing

00:45:09.280 --> 00:45:10.019
 in your knowledge

00:45:10.019 --> 00:45:10.820
 and in your prayer

00:45:10.820 --> 00:45:11.380
 and trusting

00:45:11.380 --> 00:45:12.059
 the Holy Spirit

00:45:12.059 --> 00:45:13.300
 to shape your life

00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:14.440
 the way that he sees fit?

00:45:14.659 --> 00:45:15.280
 Those things

00:45:15.280 --> 00:45:16.500
 don't just apply to me

00:45:16.500 --> 00:45:17.780
 or to anyone else

00:45:17.780 --> 00:45:18.840
 who may serve this church.

00:45:19.260 --> 00:45:20.440
 It applies to each one of us

00:45:20.440 --> 00:45:22.079
 because we all belong

00:45:22.079 --> 00:45:22.639
 to Christ

00:45:22.639 --> 00:45:24.679
 and that is the thing

00:45:24.679 --> 00:45:25.420
 that he has called us

00:45:25.420 --> 00:45:25.860
 to be.

00:45:26.699 --> 00:45:27.599
 Faithful believers,

00:45:28.400 --> 00:45:29.179
 faithful Christians.

00:45:30.139 --> 00:45:30.740
 And then together

00:45:30.740 --> 00:45:31.420
 as a church,

00:45:31.639 --> 00:45:32.480
 we need to keep

00:45:32.480 --> 00:45:33.139
 our eye out

00:45:33.139 --> 00:45:34.340
 for those who

00:45:34.340 --> 00:45:35.500
 demonstrate the ability

00:45:35.500 --> 00:45:37.159
 to faithfully shepherd

00:45:37.159 --> 00:45:37.960
 our congregation.

00:45:38.480 --> 00:45:40.400
 because as we saw

00:45:40.400 --> 00:45:40.920
 last week,

00:45:41.099 --> 00:45:42.179
 it's an essential role

00:45:42.179 --> 00:45:42.820
 in the church

00:45:42.820 --> 00:45:45.019
 and it's a role

00:45:45.019 --> 00:45:46.240
 that at least in part

00:45:46.240 --> 00:45:47.719
 the congregation

00:45:47.719 --> 00:45:49.059
 is responsible for.

00:45:50.639 --> 00:45:52.039
 So watch for those men

00:45:52.039 --> 00:45:52.659
 in our church.

00:45:53.659 --> 00:45:54.719
 Encourage those men

00:45:54.719 --> 00:45:55.780
 in our church.

00:45:57.079 --> 00:45:58.119
 Confront those men

00:45:58.119 --> 00:45:58.920
 in our church

00:45:58.920 --> 00:45:59.639
 if necessary.

00:46:00.960 --> 00:46:01.679
 Build one another

00:46:01.679 --> 00:46:02.379
 up in Christ.

00:46:02.380 --> 00:46:32.360
 Thank you.