WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.120 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone and I'm the pastor here at Shine Mountain Presbyterian 00:00:08.120 --> 00:00:14.939 Church and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. A special welcome if you're new or 00:00:14.939 --> 00:00:19.800 visiting with us. We're glad that you're here and we're glad that you're here not because we're 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:26.859 trying to fill seats but because we're following Jesus together as one community and as we follow 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:31.559 Jesus together we've become convinced that there's no one so good they don't need God's grace 00:00:31.559 --> 00:00:37.579 and no one so bad that they can't have it which is why we come back week after week to hear what 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:44.980 God has to say to us in his Word. For one week this Sunday we're stepping out of our series in the 00:00:44.980 --> 00:00:50.120 Gospel of Mark and we're actually going to be looking at the letter that Paul wrote to Titus and we're 00:00:50.120 --> 00:00:55.700 doing this because this is such a momentous occasion for us as a church that we're getting new elders 00:00:55.700 --> 00:01:01.460 and so we're just going to pause for a minute and talk about what it means to have these elders 00:01:01.460 --> 00:01:09.420 leading our church together. This letter is written by Paul near the end of his life and it's one of the 00:01:09.420 --> 00:01:14.280 only letters in the New Testament that is written not to a church or a group but to an individual. 00:01:15.520 --> 00:01:21.420 Paul and Titus have been working together, known each other at this point for probably close to 20 years 00:01:21.420 --> 00:01:26.879 and so there's a long relationship between the two of them and from what we can understand from the 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:33.019 letter, Paul and Titus were working together on the island of Crete, that's a Greek island. Paul for some 00:01:33.019 --> 00:01:39.939 reason left and Titus is there as a church planter potentially or a church revitalizer to continue the 00:01:39.939 --> 00:01:48.000 work that they began together. And so I just want us to focus this morning on God's faithfulness to 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:55.640 his church to us in providing us with elders and sustaining the elders that we have. And so there's 00:01:55.640 --> 00:02:02.480 just two things I'm going to say. First of all, the necessity of elders and two, the qualifications 00:02:02.480 --> 00:02:11.000 for elders. First, the necessity of elders. Second, the qualification of for elders. And I'll warn you as I do 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:17.099 sometimes, I'm going to say something but not everything. We'll take a 40,000 foot look at this passage 00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:23.019 because if we were going to do it full justice, we would probably need several months. It's with that 00:02:23.019 --> 00:02:28.840 that I invite you to turn with me in God's Word. You can turn on your phones, you can turn in your 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:34.579 Bible, you can turn in your worship guide. No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word and 00:02:34.579 --> 00:02:41.240 God tells us that his Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, which means that God has not 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:48.080 left us to stumble alone in the dark, but instead he's given us his Word to show us the way to go. 00:02:48.320 --> 00:02:52.860 And so that's why we read now Titus chapter 1, starting at verse 4. 00:02:52.860 --> 00:03:22.840 Titus chapter 1, verse 4. 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:52.840 Verse 7. 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:59.280 I invite you to pray with me as we come to God's Word. 00:04:01.319 --> 00:04:09.780 Our Father in heaven, we thank you that you know and recognize that we are only dust, that we need 00:04:09.780 --> 00:04:18.360 your help and your voice to guide us and to direct us, to instruct us. We thank you that you give us 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:26.199 men to help us in that task. And we thank you most of all for your Word that you use to speak directly to us. 00:04:26.199 --> 00:04:31.720 We ask that you would do that this morning, that you would speak through your Word in a powerful way. 00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:39.379 You'd show us our great need for your grace, and you'd also show us how you meet us at that point of need. 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:46.719 Most of all, that you would let us see Jesus and His beauty and His glory and His power and His love, 00:04:47.219 --> 00:04:50.139 and that you would grow our love and our affection for Him. 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:54.339 We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 00:04:54.339 --> 00:05:06.179 It was about a year ago, last August, I had breakfast with someone who was visiting our church. 00:05:06.239 --> 00:05:08.060 They're in the midst of church shopping. 00:05:08.239 --> 00:05:12.659 They just moved to town, and they were trying to figure out where it is that they would fit in best. 00:05:12.779 --> 00:05:16.239 And so one morning, we had breakfast at Wade's Cafe up north, 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:19.439 because they lived a little bit away from our church. 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:23.819 And as we were talking, he told me, you know, as I think about all these different churches 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:29.460 that we're looking at and seeing, the thing that really stands out to me about your church 00:05:29.460 --> 00:05:31.019 is I'm really impressed with your elders. 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:35.680 Now, to tell you, in this moment, I was completely shocked. 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:39.740 Not because I don't like our elders. I do. 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:41.920 I think our elders are great as well. 00:05:41.960 --> 00:05:43.379 But here's what I was shocked about. 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:47.560 I was shocked that this man was even thinking about that. 00:05:48.459 --> 00:05:52.339 And so I said to him, I said, basically, no one has ever said that to me before. 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:55.800 No one ever thinks like that. 00:05:56.060 --> 00:05:59.319 No one shows up to a church and says, man, I wonder what their elders are like. 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:05.360 And I told him, that's exactly the right way to think. 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:10.639 That is exactly the right way to be assessing these things, right? 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:13.459 But when I talk to people, what is it they want to discuss with me? 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:16.199 We want to talk about what's the music like at our church? 00:06:16.279 --> 00:06:17.879 And are there strong, small groups? 00:06:17.919 --> 00:06:22.620 And is there the kind of outreach ministry that I might want to get involved in? 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:25.659 And I am not saying those things aren't important. 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:26.360 They are. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:27.279 Okay? 00:06:27.719 --> 00:06:32.819 I'm not trying to shame anyone for assessing a church based on those things. 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:41.240 What I am saying is all of those things are downstream of the elders of a church. 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:48.779 Now, that person ended up at another faithful gospel preaching church in town for a variety of reasons. 00:06:48.779 --> 00:06:50.819 But I still think about that conversation. 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:57.180 And I still admire that man for the way he was assessing churches for his family. 00:06:57.779 --> 00:06:59.219 And I want you to think about it this way. 00:06:59.220 --> 00:07:07.940 The foundation of a house is much more critical than whether the countertops are granite or laminate. 00:07:09.380 --> 00:07:19.680 If you are buying a used car, you are much more concerned with whether the engine is leaking than whether it has the right color. 00:07:20.380 --> 00:07:24.760 Home inspectors, when they give you their report about the house that you're buying, 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:30.120 the top of the report does not list the colors of paint in the different rooms. 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:34.899 No, they want to understand how do the systems work in this house. 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:36.980 If it's hot outside, will it cool? 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:38.920 If it's cold outside, will it get warm? 00:07:39.159 --> 00:07:40.519 Is there a leak in the roof? 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:46.039 Is there something wrong fundamentally with this house that you need to be aware of? 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:50.139 That same thing is true for the church. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:53.500 And so that's what we see in this emphasis in Titus chapter 1. 00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:57.219 Paul is writing here to Titus who is working with the churches. 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:02.399 And what is the first thing that he tells him after he gives his greeting? 00:08:03.579 --> 00:08:10.800 Paul does not say, first of all, I want you to make sure you have the right mission and vision and values. 00:08:10.979 --> 00:08:17.519 He does not say, the first thing I want you to do is to begin to recruit the most talented musicians in the church. 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:22.680 He doesn't say, I want you to figure out the perfect time to hold worship. 00:08:22.979 --> 00:08:28.479 No, the first thing on his mind as he writes for these churches on this island is this. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:32.500 Appoint elders in every town. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:38.699 The priority in Paul's mind is the leaders of the church. 00:08:39.579 --> 00:08:42.579 Now, Crete is a sizable island connected with Greece. 00:08:42.580 --> 00:08:47.720 Very likely there were nearly 10 towns or cities that Titus is working with here. 00:08:47.800 --> 00:08:52.840 So there's just a practical element of not being able to do everything himself. 00:08:55.080 --> 00:08:58.879 And Paul, in the midst of that, doesn't stutter. 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:04.879 Your priority as a pastor, as a church planter, 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:09.560 is to make sure these churches have faithful elders. 00:09:09.559 --> 00:09:12.979 Everything else comes from that. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:15.079 It flows from that. 00:09:15.199 --> 00:09:18.199 And so like I said, it's not to say those other things don't matter. 00:09:18.299 --> 00:09:25.000 It's just to say they come after, they're downstream of the leadership that we find in the church. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:26.839 Do we want to have great music? 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.019 Absolutely. 00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:35.639 Who determines and makes sure that we only sing songs that are theologically correct? 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.059 The elders. 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:42.139 Do we want to have great small groups? 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:45.519 Yes, we want to have great small groups. 00:09:45.599 --> 00:09:48.959 Who is going to recruit and train those leaders? 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:51.619 The elders. 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:58.859 Who is going to roll in when it turns out one of the leaders of that group has run off the tracks 00:09:58.859 --> 00:10:02.339 and is teaching something contrary to what the Bible says? 00:10:03.579 --> 00:10:04.799 It's going to be the elders. 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:10.699 Do we want to have a church with sweet fellowship and love and joy? 00:10:11.099 --> 00:10:11.559 Yes. 00:10:12.339 --> 00:10:14.879 Who's going to set that tone in the church? 00:10:14.959 --> 00:10:17.379 Who's going to make it clear that that's our culture? 00:10:18.699 --> 00:10:20.919 It's going to be the elders. 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:24.879 And so all those other things are critical. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:29.379 They come after the leadership of the church. 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:32.820 The foundation of the church is solid and firm. 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:40.000 I've been a big fan of the pastoral epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus for a long time. 00:10:40.280 --> 00:10:47.020 And I think Titus first came onto my radar the summer before I went to college, the summer of 2007. 00:10:47.019 --> 00:10:52.960 And I heard Howard Hendricks, who's now passed away, the legendary professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:56.179 give sermons on this letter. 00:10:56.299 --> 00:11:01.000 And Titus 1.5 has stuck out in my mind for a long time. 00:11:01.939 --> 00:11:09.100 That Paul is telling pastors in the church one of their primary responsibilities is to raise up elders and leaders. 00:11:09.100 --> 00:11:16.840 And so as I started at this church, now it seems like a few years ago, a lot of things I didn't know, still a lot of things I don't know. 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:19.580 But I had a few instincts and a few convictions. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:28.139 And one of those was how critical, how important it was for our church to continue to raise up elders. 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:37.540 So on October 8, 2018, I began praying that God would raise up new elders in our church. 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:40.139 And I was praying two things in particular. 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:44.120 One, that he would bring elders, people who are not in our church at the time. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:46.679 And I was also praying that he would grow elders. 00:11:46.839 --> 00:11:51.319 He would take men in our church who are not ready to be elders, and he would take them and bring them to that point. 00:11:52.319 --> 00:11:58.319 Now, under the bring elders from the outside, I had another prayer request, which is that God would bring us seasoned elders. 00:11:58.459 --> 00:12:04.179 And what I meant by that was, we need elders who have had experience eldering at other churches. 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:07.879 Okay, so October 8, 2018, I began praying about this. 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:15.419 Wouldn't you know, just a few weeks or months later, who rolls into our church but Steve Thompson. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:21.739 And I find out quickly that Steve has served as an elder at other PCA churches. 00:12:21.859 --> 00:12:24.639 And so I think to myself, I see you, Lord. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:29.519 And this man has no idea what he just stepped into. 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:35.819 Okay, that's October of 2018. 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:41.860 The first Sunday in February of 2019, who rolls into our church? 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:43.679 Scott Sage. 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:47.840 Scott and I meet, and I begin to get to know him. 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:56.000 Later in 2019, September 1st to be exact, the Hopper family visits for the first time. 00:12:56.759 --> 00:13:01.879 Now, I began to get to know Britt, and I learned some disturbing news very early on, 00:13:01.920 --> 00:13:07.280 which was that Britt was considering the possibility of not living in Colorado forever. 00:13:08.420 --> 00:13:11.060 And this was very disturbing to me. 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:21.939 And so on June 9, 2020, I began praying that God would provide a house for Britt in southwest Colorado Springs. 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:28.099 Y'all now know Britt is the third closest person to our church. 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:31.399 Right behind Joe and Leah. 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:33.079 He beat me out. 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:35.139 I'm only two minutes away, but I think he's one minute away. 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:37.959 Okay, that was 2020. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:42.560 Then I found out some other disturbing news, which is that Britt really wanted to have this teaching job, 00:13:42.660 --> 00:13:45.300 and there might be a teaching job outside of Colorado Springs. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:52.460 So June 8, 2021, a year later, I start praying, 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:57.220 God, please provide Britt with a teaching job here in the Springs and not somewhere else. 00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:05.420 And if you have talked to Britt recently, you know that he's already started at ECA up north. 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:08.899 Now, it's not just me who was praying during this time. 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:12.019 2019, you'll remember we had some officer nominations, 00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:14.879 and we ended up not getting any officers from that. 00:14:14.979 --> 00:14:19.199 But that summer of 19, the prayer group here at church, A Time to Pray, 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:23.539 also began praying that God would raise up elders in our church. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:28.839 And this morning, here we are. 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:38.300 I say all this to say, okay, God has not given me everything I have asked for for this church. 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:47.440 And we see God's faithfulness together to us this morning. 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:53.300 We see God's grace to our church. 00:14:53.720 --> 00:15:00.940 Part of why I'm jumping out of Mark this morning is simply to recognize the work that God has been doing in this community 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:03.440 and to say, thank you, Lord. 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:12.440 Titus reminds us how critical and essential elders are. 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:18.820 And we see God doing that here among us. 00:15:20.140 --> 00:15:27.000 We see him continuing to raise up men here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:15:28.380 --> 00:15:31.760 The Lord loves his children. 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:36.180 The Lord loves his church. 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:41.359 The Lord gives great gifts to his church. 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:46.059 One of those gifts is the men who will lead her. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:53.279 And so we, together as a congregation, can say, yes, praise God. 00:15:54.839 --> 00:15:59.079 Praise God for bringing us Steve and Britt and Scott. 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:05.879 Praise God for being faithful to this church and answering our prayers for elders. 00:16:06.179 --> 00:16:07.179 Praise God for being faithful to this church and answering our prayers for elders. 00:16:10.459 --> 00:16:18.919 Now, with that being said, in October of 2018, Cheyenne Mountain Trivia question, how many elders did we have? 00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:21.399 We had six. 00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:24.739 And we lost three to a variety of circumstances. 00:16:24.859 --> 00:16:26.159 How many elders do we have now? 00:16:28.099 --> 00:16:29.099 We have six. 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:34.399 When I was praying in October of 2018, I was not thinking we need to keep six. 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:36.379 I was thinking we need more than six. 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:44.300 Congregation, continue to pray that God would raise up elders in our church. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:50.360 Continue to pray that God would bring faithful men to us. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:54.680 Now, I want to clarify what I am saying and what I'm not saying. 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:59.899 Sometimes when I say things like that, people think that I mean that we are desperate. 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:04.299 And anyone with a pulse, we're going to make that person an elder. 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.680 That is not what I'm saying. 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:16.100 What I am saying is that we work and we pray towards men God has called and qualified to be elders in his church. 00:17:16.820 --> 00:17:16.980 Okay? 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:22.259 And there are some godly men who are not gifted or interested in being elders. 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.480 Okay? 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:28.420 So we're looking for people God has gifted, people God has called, people God has qualified. 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:33.039 We do not rush men into leadership in the church. 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:39.840 It's been three years since these three men came to our church, 2018-2019. 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:47.519 And we continue to pray that God would raise up leaders for us. 00:17:47.519 --> 00:18:00.059 Thankfully, Paul has not left us to wonder what it is that we should be looking for when we are asking him to provide elders for us. 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:05.319 Because he goes on in verses 6 through 9 to give a list of qualifications. 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:11.180 Now, we don't have enough time this morning for me to outline each of these for you. 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:16.299 And so I want to draw your attention instead to the repetition that we see in verses 6 and 7. 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:23.220 And Paul tells Titus twice that these men need to be above reproach. 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:26.319 Now, we think about above reproach. 00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:29.059 Sometimes that is an overwhelming phrase for people. 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:31.759 They think, well, if someone's going to be an elder or leader in the church, 00:18:31.899 --> 00:18:36.599 if I'm going to be an elder or leader, that means that I need to be perfect. 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:40.099 And that is not what this means. 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:48.339 Above reproach means this person's life is consistent with what he professes to believe. 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:54.740 What he teaches is not going to be undermined by his lifestyle. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:19:01.359 And so we can have a variety of ways here that Paul gives us that you need to be above reproach. 00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:04.079 So this means you're faithfully living out the Christian life. 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:09.639 We can't accuse these men of being hypocrites, of saying one thing and doing another. 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:15.639 And so it doesn't mean, on the one hand, that this man never struggles with lust. 00:19:16.419 --> 00:19:24.279 It does mean his life is characterized by sexual faithfulness, purity, and integrity. 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:30.700 It does mean this is a man who is not known as the town drunk. 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:38.599 It does mean this is a man who does not have a reputation in the church for stirring up division. 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:44.599 No, this is a man, and you can look at him and say, that person has the fruit of the Spirit. 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:47.399 We can see that God's grace is at work in his life. 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:53.379 He's reached a level of maturity where he's able to teach others with integrity. 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:56.620 He's not going to lead the flock astray. 00:19:56.820 --> 00:20:01.440 He's going to be able to bring sheep back when they wander away from the fold. 00:20:02.300 --> 00:20:05.740 There's a principle here that integrity and authority go together. 00:20:07.340 --> 00:20:12.040 My home office is an absolute train wreck. 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:21.800 If I were to go around teaching and instructing the men of this church to have extremely clean offices, 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:24.619 I would have no integrity in doing that. 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.720 I would be a joke. 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:31.200 The same is true for the elders of the church. 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:37.000 They need to have the integrity in their lives that they're able to exhort and encourage and rebuke, 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:37.919 and people will listen. 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:42.300 That when they say, you need to be faithful to your wife, 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:45.140 you say, yeah, that man has the authority to say that. 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.480 He is faithful to his wife. 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:50.120 When they say, you need to be a peacemaker in the church, 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:52.820 you can say, yes, that man has the authority to say that, 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:56.580 because he models what it means to be a peacemaker in this church. 00:20:57.960 --> 00:21:01.640 It does not mean that he is perfect or finished with sin. 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:04.360 It means that God's grace is at work in his life, 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:07.980 that he's consistent in what he says and what he does. 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:11.700 He does not bring shame on the church. 00:21:13.020 --> 00:21:16.600 The other thing I want to highlight for you, 00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:18.400 not just above reproach, 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:20.700 but if you look at this list of characteristics, 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:28.080 you'll notice what is important is not competence, but character. 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:34.980 What is most important is not competence, but character. 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:37.419 Paul does not tell Titus, 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:41.199 you know, the best way to run a good nonprofit 00:21:41.199 --> 00:21:43.339 is to get some rich people on your board. 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:46.939 Because once they're aware of the concerns of the ministry 00:21:46.939 --> 00:21:49.779 and they feel like they've got a real buy-in to this organization, 00:21:49.919 --> 00:21:50.879 they'll probably give more money. 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:54.939 He doesn't say, you need to identify 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:58.120 the most successful people on the island of Crete 00:21:58.120 --> 00:22:00.779 who've been great at running businesses before 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:04.460 because they can really bring that business expertise to the church. 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:09.220 He doesn't say, you need to find the people 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:12.940 who just have incredible gifting 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:15.640 so that when you hear them speak, 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:19.259 you're caught up in the web of their words 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:22.320 and you lose touch with everything else in the world 00:22:22.320 --> 00:22:24.100 because they can just move you in such a way. 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:27.080 Paul doesn't say any of these things. 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:30.019 He says, what's most important for these men 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:31.559 is their character. 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:34.900 What's most important for these men 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:37.420 is their walk with the Lord. 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:40.799 Now, the reason for this is another principle, 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:43.880 which is the more power you have, 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:44.880 the more influence, 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:47.920 the more dangerous you are, 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:50.759 the more dangerous your flaws and your sins become. 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:54.839 John Maxwell's 13th law of leadership 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:56.319 is known as the law of the picture 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:57.460 or the law of reproduction, 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:59.579 which is a fancy way of saying, 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:01.279 people become what they see. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:06.359 It's who the elders are 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:09.240 that is more important than what they say. 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.740 It is what they model 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:13.879 that's more important than what they teach. 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:16.900 Show me a church 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:19.800 where elders are gossiping and fighting, 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:23.060 and I'll show you a church 00:23:23.060 --> 00:23:25.900 where the congregation is gossiping and fighting. 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:28.800 Show me a church 00:23:28.800 --> 00:23:31.240 where the elders are filled with love 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:33.160 and hospitality 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:35.220 and patience 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:36.620 and generosity, 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.619 and generosity. 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:39.659 And I'll show you a church 00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:41.479 that's filled with love 00:23:41.479 --> 00:23:42.859 and patience 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:44.339 and hospitality 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:45.739 and generosity. 00:23:47.219 --> 00:23:49.000 The elders set 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.039 the temperature 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:52.239 for the church. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.459 A trip, 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:55.599 a journey 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:57.259 cannot be more successful 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.179 than its leaders 00:23:58.179 --> 00:23:59.519 or its guides. 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.859 And so we want 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:03.219 trustworthy men 00:24:03.219 --> 00:24:04.619 who can lead us 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.879 and guide us. 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:09.819 Now, we're going to miss 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.639 the point 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:12.479 if we simply talk this morning 00:24:12.479 --> 00:24:13.859 about good behavior. 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.839 If we took 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:17.039 most of what's on this list, 00:24:17.219 --> 00:24:18.399 I think there are many 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:19.639 secular businesses 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:20.919 that would be very pleased 00:24:20.919 --> 00:24:21.519 to have someone 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.779 with these characteristics. 00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:24.500 I'm sure 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.619 there are 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.399 some Muslims 00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.439 who would be thrilled 00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:28.979 to take some of them from us, 00:24:29.159 --> 00:24:30.199 and I'm sure 00:24:30.199 --> 00:24:30.939 there are Mormons 00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:32.199 who would be very pleased 00:24:32.199 --> 00:24:34.179 with these qualifications. 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.239 What is it 00:24:35.239 --> 00:24:36.539 that makes this different 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.319 for leaders 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:38.420 in the church? 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.639 Well, thankfully, 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:42.200 Paul doesn't leave us 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.779 to wonder, 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.099 but in verse 9, 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:45.379 we have this final 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.619 qualification. 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.920 He must hold firm 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:49.359 to the trustworthy word 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.079 as taught 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:51.720 so that he may be able 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.639 to give instruction 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.619 in sound doctrine 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:55.039 and also to rebuke 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:56.859 those who contradict it. 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:59.419 Now, there's many things 00:24:59.419 --> 00:25:00.439 that are included there 00:25:00.439 --> 00:25:01.959 in sound doctrine 00:25:01.959 --> 00:25:02.799 and trustworthy 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:08.939 word, sound doctrine. 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.240 We could talk about 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.639 all sorts of points 00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.219 of theology. 00:25:12.459 --> 00:25:13.839 The most important point 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.539 of theology 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.679 of all of those 00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:17.559 is going to be the gospel. 00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:19.919 These elders 00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:21.740 are going to be able 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.500 to teach this congregation 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.960 about the love of God. 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:27.079 They're going to be able 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.180 to tell this congregation 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:29.960 about the grace of God. 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.960 That as they live 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.980 holy lives, 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:33.140 they're not going 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.319 to be congratulating 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:34.779 themselves 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.720 or patting themselves 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.299 on the back 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:38.579 because sound doctrine 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:40.059 means they know 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.940 that the source 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:42.380 of anything good 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.119 in their lives 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:44.819 is God's grace. 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:47.399 These are men 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.259 who understand 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.480 that apart from 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.379 God's supernatural 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:52.179 work in their lives, 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:53.139 they would be 00:25:53.139 --> 00:25:54.259 in a terrible place. 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.099 These are men 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:57.119 who understand 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:58.200 the seriousness 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.159 and gravity 00:25:59.159 --> 00:26:00.480 of God's holiness 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.500 and his judgment. 00:26:02.419 --> 00:26:04.659 And they've also experienced 00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:05.419 the power 00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:06.419 of God's grace. 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:09.039 And so they can say, 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.079 like Paul, 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.980 follow me 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.619 as I follow Christ. 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:15.319 I can tell you stories. 00:26:15.439 --> 00:26:16.319 Yes, you're struggling 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:16.779 with this. 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.679 Well, let me tell you 00:26:17.679 --> 00:26:18.319 about the fact 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.559 that I used to struggle 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.239 with that as well 00:26:20.239 --> 00:26:20.859 and in some ways 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.779 I still do. 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:24.919 And here's how God 00:26:24.919 --> 00:26:25.979 by his grace 00:26:25.979 --> 00:26:26.899 has been at work 00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:27.859 in my life. 00:26:28.739 --> 00:26:30.039 I didn't pull myself 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:31.019 up by the bootstraps. 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:32.239 No, God through his word 00:26:32.239 --> 00:26:33.139 taught me what I needed 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:33.539 to know. 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:34.339 Through relationships 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.659 with other people, 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.359 he grew me 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:37.199 and confronted me 00:26:37.199 --> 00:26:37.839 with my sin. 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:39.539 Here is how I continue 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.399 to have to preach 00:26:40.399 --> 00:26:41.899 the truth to myself 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:43.220 as I face temptation 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.000 daily. 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:47.120 These are not simply men 00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:48.740 with good moral behavior. 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.960 These are men 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.740 who have 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:52.080 an understanding 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:53.040 and experience 00:26:53.040 --> 00:26:54.160 in their lives 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.540 of the power 00:26:55.540 --> 00:26:57.160 of God's grace 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.960 at work. 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:00.940 They are able 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.759 to speak 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:03.500 from their years 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.300 of experience 00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:06.000 about sound doctrine 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:08.340 and the trustworthy word. 00:27:10.280 --> 00:27:11.100 And so they're leading 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:11.839 the whole church, 00:27:11.899 --> 00:27:13.099 not to be more like them. 00:27:13.199 --> 00:27:13.699 They're leading 00:27:13.699 --> 00:27:14.919 the whole church 00:27:14.919 --> 00:27:16.619 towards the holiness 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:18.679 which only God 00:27:18.679 --> 00:27:19.559 can provide. 00:27:20.939 --> 00:27:22.000 That's what it means 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:24.859 to be above reproach. 00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:29.079 We are about 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:31.439 10 minutes 00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:32.639 north 00:27:32.639 --> 00:27:33.899 of Cheyenne Mountain 00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:34.559 State Park. 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.339 Just drive straight 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.019 down the highway. 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:39.000 I know some of you 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.459 enjoy it. 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.319 I have spent 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.500 quite a bit of time 00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:41.700 there, 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:42.240 partially because 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.340 it's a wonderful place 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.640 to get in a walk 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.299 and partially because 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.420 it's extremely close 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.019 to our church 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:48.120 and to my house. 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:49.660 And if you're familiar 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.900 with the trails there, 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.759 you'll know one of them 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:53.000 is the Sundance Trail. 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:53.940 It's actually one 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.000 of my favorite trails 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.860 because of the views 00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:56.440 that you have 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.319 of Fort Carson 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.960 and Colorado Springs. 00:27:59.079 --> 00:28:00.120 And along those trails, 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:01.000 they have a variety 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.759 of signs 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:03.019 to help you understand 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:04.160 the wildlife 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.279 and how they operate 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.860 in the park. 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:07.719 There's a sign 00:28:07.719 --> 00:28:08.899 on the Sundance Trail 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:10.419 that's there 00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:12.259 to instruct us 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.339 how it is 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.500 that deer 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.679 function in the park 00:28:15.679 --> 00:28:16.199 and how it is 00:28:16.199 --> 00:28:17.199 they learn the routes 00:28:17.199 --> 00:28:18.139 they're supposed to go. 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:20.000 It says this, 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.839 Young deer 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:23.699 learn the route 00:28:23.699 --> 00:28:25.339 to their winter range 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.500 by following 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.899 their elders. 00:28:29.899 --> 00:28:31.219 Then generally use 00:28:31.219 --> 00:28:32.059 the same route 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:33.079 every year. 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:35.399 I didn't edit 00:28:35.399 --> 00:28:36.179 any words in that. 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:39.599 The deer learn the way 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.879 by following 00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:42.279 their elders. 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:46.019 Brothers and sisters, 00:28:46.659 --> 00:28:47.500 our elders 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:49.039 are necessary 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.000 in the church 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.399 and they must be 00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:52.699 qualified in the church 00:28:52.699 --> 00:28:54.279 because they are 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:54.919 the ones 00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:55.799 who lead 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:57.000 God's people 00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:58.419 and show them 00:28:58.419 --> 00:28:59.339 the way. 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.500 The way 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.720 to Jesus. 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:05.159 Let's pray. 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.419 Our Father in Heaven, 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.939 we praise you 00:29:09.939 --> 00:29:10.460 and thank you 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.419 for your faithfulness 00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:12.079 to our church. 00:29:12.179 --> 00:29:12.659 We thank you 00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:14.159 for Steve 00:29:14.159 --> 00:29:15.240 and Britt 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.539 and Scott. 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.579 We ask that you'd be 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.619 working all of our hearts 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.559 that we would rely 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.519 more and more 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.519 on you 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.619 and your grace 00:29:22.619 --> 00:29:24.379 and that you'd grow us 00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:25.500 to look more and more 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.299 like Jesus. 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.139 That we would not 00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:27.899 point others 00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:28.639 to ourselves 00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:29.879 but we'd point them 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.179 to you. 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.819 We ask all these things 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.259 in the mighty voice. 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.059 Amen. 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.900 I invite you to stand 00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:36.779 for our closing hymn. 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:40.779 Amen. 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:40.879 Amen. 00:29:41.899 --> 00:29:42.460 Amen. 00:29:42.460 --> 00:30:12.440 Thank you.