Well, as is made clear throughout the entire letter, faithful leadership in the local church
is vital to not only having but maintaining a healthy congregation.
And if you think back to the earlier studies in the letter, you'll remember that Titus was
temporarily left in Crete for the purpose of setting things in order so that the churches
in Crete would flourish rather than dissipate and ultimately dissolve into whatever error
or maybe just extinction, that by emphasizing the right things, setting things in order
structurally, doctrinally, the church would continue to grow and glorify the Lord.
And the first step in the process of doing this, as we reflect back on chapter one, is
to appoint elders, elders in each congregation that would faithfully lead and teach and protect
the church.
Titus was to seek out men of blameless character who were committed to the gospel message, who
were capable of teaching it well, and willing to confront those who contradicted.
That's really the three categories that we find repeated throughout the letter.
Sprinkled throughout the letter are these instructions that promote what we might call the basics of
faithful ministry.
And such is our text for this morning, verses 8 through 11, really laying the groundwork.
It's not everything that is involved in faithfulness and ministry, but it is not less than these things
for sure.
And the fact that this text has church leaders as its primary audience, we need to remember,
doesn't make it okay to disregard it if you are not in some sort of church leadership or ministry
vocation or whatever it may be.
And let me give you a few reasons why you need to care about pastoral instructions in the scriptures.
Okay?
Just three things.
There's probably more, but I typically think in threes.
And so I'm going to give you three.
Here's the first reason.
It's in the Bible.
And that's the most important reason, isn't it?
It's in the Bible.
And we know that all scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for us.
That's what Paul says very plainly in 2 Timothy.
All scripture is given by God and is profitable.
And he goes on and describes the way that it is profitable.
So that if we convince ourselves that there is a portion of scripture, no matter how intriguing
it may be or not, if we convince ourselves that there is a portion of scripture that is
unnecessary or useless to us, we make God a liar.
And we end up rejecting the one thing that he said in the Psalms he has exalted as equal
to his own name.
Now, that's not to say that all scripture is equally impactful, because it's not.
Certainly, as we come to issues specifically related to the gospel of Jesus, that impacts
us in a way that reading through the genealogies of the Old Testament just simply does not.
But that doesn't mean that they're not profitable.
Maybe not equally impactful, but they are equally profitable for knowing God, for knowing his
plan of salvation, and for knowing his desires for his people.
And this passage is really no exception to that.
It may be directed to Titus and to the elders, but it is profitable for each and every one of
us.
Okay, so that's the first thing.
Why should we care about this text?
We care first because it's in the Bible.
Secondly, pastoral instruction is a means by which God builds up his people.
So think about this for just a moment.
The issues of this text are not detached from God's general desires for every Christian.
They're inextricably linked to it, actually.
And this is logical for us, isn't it?
Titus was to preach the gospel.
Why?
Because the people must know the gospel.
Titus was to insist on godliness.
Why?
Because the people must pursue godliness in their lives.
So by examining God's instructions for pastoral leadership, we find a greater understanding
of God's desires, actually, for us.
Because when we come and we read this passage, we say, why is it necessary for Jared to do
some of the things that he does?
And when we begin to answer those questions, then we can personalize it and say, oh, I need
to know the gospel.
Oh, I need to live in godliness.
And these instructions are important for that.
Thirdly, if we don't concern ourselves with the qualities and duties of pastoral leadership,
we will inevitably fail at calling qualified men to fulfill the task, right?
How many churches have you been a part of or that you have heard of that in the absence
of pastoral leadership and in the search for someone who will just come and care for the
congregation?
Does not think about what is necessary biblically for the man that will lead, but they look for
all the wrong things.
And in their sincerity of heart, they appoint men who are unqualified for the work that God
has tasked for pastoral leadership.
And what is the inevitable result of that?
The church fails.
It fails.
Leadership's important.
And we need to care about these instructions for those reasons, at least.
Well, the instruction of verses 8 through 11, really, if we think about it, is a practical
outworking of the qualifications of a pastor given in chapter 1.
In fact, set your eyes on chapter 1 and verse 9 and look at the similarities here.
Paul says that as a part of the qualifications of a pastor, he must hold firm the trustworthy
word as taught, apostolic doctrine, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine
and then also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Okay?
That's something that must be true of a man before the church calls him to fulfill the
task.
And why?
Because when we get to chapter 3 and we find the specific instruction for what Titus and
the other elders are supposed to do, what is it that they must do?
They must know the gospel.
They must defend the gospel.
They must instruct according to the gospel and to godliness and to sound doctrine.
And they must rebuke those and deal with those who cause and stir up division contrary to
the truth of God's word.
So this is really just a practical outworking of what should be true in the character of church
leadership.
And again, the passage doesn't describe everything that a pastor must be and do, but it does give
us the essence of faithful ministry, to believe the gospel, preach the gospel, confront those
who reject it.
And there's three basics of faithful ministry that I'd like to point out for you here in
these verses as we work through it, okay?
Here's the first thing.
Paul says, affirm what is profitable.
Affirm what is profitable.
Would you look with me at verse 8?
The saying is trustworthy.
And I want you to insist on these things so that those who have believed in God may be
careful to devote themselves to good works.
These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Now, this isn't difficult to understand, is it?
It's very straightforward.
It's simple.
Titus was to affirm as a matter of first importance the things that are excellent and profitable.
for people.
Which is the pastor's task.
The pastor's task is to focus on what is good and beneficial for the people under his care.
And this concern, in contrast to the false teachers in chapter 1, is not to build a following
that serves personal ambition or gain, but it is to be consumed with the care of souls in the congregation.
Do you see that?
It's very simple to see.
Titus, do the things that are good and profitable for the people.
And of course, a sure sign of a false teacher is that their priorities are self-exalting.
It's not hard to see that when you look around at maybe certain churches or certain celebrity pastors or ministers,
whatever the case may be.
A sure sign of false teaching is self-exalting people.
But it's also not uncommon to see pastors who are orthodox in their teaching,
orthodox in their theology,
at some point become consumed with self,
self-consuming in their priority of ministry.
So that rather than focusing primarily on the care of the people,
they use the church to build their platform.
Being seduced by the false gold of ministry success and whatever it may be,
it's actually quite easy to fall into that.
It's a temptation.
It's a reason we pray for our pastors, right?
Because it's an easy thing to fall into.
It's an easy thing to desire.
And without realizing it,
you begin to lead and to preach and to teach
and to focus on those things that serve your own ambition
rather than what is profitable for the people.
And eventually these church leaders will abandon the things that are profitable
in order to focus on what is profitable for them.
And Paul makes it very clear here
that the things that are excellent for people
and why they are profitable for people
are the gospel of grace.
It's all founded in the gospel of grace.
So first he says,
Titus is to affirm the truth of the gospel.
Look again at verse eight.
The saying is trustworthy, he says.
Now the saying that is trustworthy
is the gospel creed or hymn
that we've studied in verses four through seven.
So there's a flow here.
That's why we read all 11 verses.
Here's the exhortation.
Then he goes through this gospel creed
and he says this saying, this creed, this hymn,
whatever it was and however it functioned in the church,
it is trustworthy.
And what is it that the creed is about?
The message of God's grace.
It's trustworthy.
Which doesn't mean that it's merely worth considering.
It is a statement that affirms its absolute truth.
The gospel is the truth of God.
Preaching it must be a priority of every church leader.
And it must be the central focus of everything that the church is
and everything that the church does.
So that pastors then in their primary responsibility
is to saturate the people with the gospel,
which is not the ABCs of the Christian life,
as some people seem to think,
but it is the A to Z of the Christian life.
It is the beginning and the end.
It is everything.
It is everything that is useful,
not only for conversion,
but as we have studied all throughout this letter,
useful for sanctification,
useful for glorification.
The gospel is the thing.
And we must be saturated in it.
Second, he says,
Titus was to affirm the behaviors
that naturally flow from the message of salvation.
So he says, the saying is trustworthy.
The gospel is truth.
This gospel of grace is the true thing.
And then he immediately says,
look back at verse eight.
He says, and I want you to insist on these things.
Well, what is these things?
Well, it includes the gospel message,
but then it also includes the godly conduct
that's emphasized in verses one and two.
That's what begins the whole thing
is godliness, holiness, Christ-likeness in the world.
And these behaviors involve both actions and attitudes
showing that the work of God in salvation,
it penetrates the deepest recesses of our hearts.
It pervades all of our being
so that if we are truly saturated in the gospel of grace,
we're truly saturated in the teaching of the word of God
as it relates to the person and the work of Christ.
The Holy Spirit in this work of renewal
pervades the deepest recesses of our hearts.
It consumes our whole being
so that the natural overflow of the gospel
is godliness and Christ-likeness.
Do you see?
It's all connected together and it's necessary.
And Paul says, preach the gospel
and insist on the behaviors
that accompany the gospel message
that are part and parcel to the Christian life.
And we must do that.
Why?
Because they're excellent and profitable for people, he says.
But what is it that makes them excellent and profitable?
Why is it that the gospel and these behaviors are profitable?
Well, he tells us here.
The purpose of insisting on these things in verse eight,
keeping them before the people,
is that in having the wonders of God's grace
constantly in mind,
believers will be concerned with displaying
the kind of goodness and righteousness
that shows that they have been grasped
by the transformative power of God's spirit.
Do you see that there?
Just set your eyes.
I know it's distracting this morning.
Just set your eyes with me, please, on verse eight.
The saying is trustworthy.
I want you to insist on these things.
Why?
So that those who have believed in God
may be careful, concerned,
intent on devoting themselves to good works.
Bill Mount says,
this provides yet another illustration
of the dominant theme in Titus,
that right theology and right practice
are inextricably bound together.
An understanding of the full plan of salvation
leads believers necessarily
into a daily living out
of their commitment to the Lord.
That's the theme of the whole book.
Preach the gospel, Titus.
And if you see that the behaviors
have gone awry in the church,
it's probably because the gospel
isn't being emphasized in the right way.
And by the way,
watch out for the false teachers
that are teaching something
contrary to the gospel.
And here's how you'll know they're doing that.
It's gonna show up in their behavior.
All of these things are linked together.
But the order of this process
cannot be lost in our understanding.
Too many people start with the good works
and then they hope that their efforts
will curry enough favor with God
that he will find them acceptable.
That's where we get this backwards sometimes.
We think that God will find me acceptable
so long as I do the good works.
But what Paul describes here,
the order of it is the exact opposite.
You can do your best
and you can try your hardest,
but it will never be enough
to atone for your sin.
It will never be enough
to bring you into a right relationship with God.
It can't because you can't.
This is why Jesus comes.
This is why God sends his son.
Through his death on the cross,
Jesus, who is the sinless son of God,
takes the wrath of God set against sinners.
His sacrifice was a perfect atonement for sin.
And it is granted eternal life and forgiveness
to all who will believe and follow Christ alone.
The good works in these verses
are not our efforts to earn God's favor.
They are the product of knowing that in Christ,
we already have God's favor.
That's the significance of the order.
That's the significance of our witness
so that in the way that we live our lives,
we don't presume as if we are earning something from God.
We do it as an act of worship to God.
And what is all of that based on?
The gospel of his grace.
We have to begin there.
Titus was to insist on these things
because this is how God's spirit
does his work of regeneration and renewal.
Notice what he says in verse A.
So that all those who believe in God
may be careful to devote themselves to good works.
This is a work of the spirit
that he does in those who believe.
These things are profitable
because as we preach the gospel to ourselves day by day,
God's grace remains our motivation
and source for good works.
Okay, so that's the first thing.
We'll move on.
He is to affirm what is profitable
and what's profitable,
the gospel and its accompanying behaviors.
Secondly, avoid what's worthless.
Avoid what is worthless.
Verse nine,
but avoid foolish controversies,
genealogies, dissensions,
quarrels about the law.
Why?
For they are unprofitable and worthless.
So just as important as affirming what is good,
a faithful pastor must recognize
and avoid those things
that are worthless for the church.
In fact, knowing what things to avoid,
meaning to shun or to turn away from,
is critical to being able to focus on the gospel
and its implications in life and ministry.
You can't have one without the other,
which is a reminder
that there's always going to be distractions in our life.
Always.
There's always going to be things
that pull us away from the basics of the truth of God,
that pull us away from basic godliness
and Christlikeness,
and it's imperative
that we avoid getting caught up
in unprofitable speculations.
That's the genealogies.
Arguments about tradition.
That's quarrels about the law.
And contentious battles over issues
that are secondary to core biblical doctrine.
That's the dissensions, the strifes.
This warning is common in the pastoral epistles.
Think of 1 Timothy 1.
He tells Timothy,
charge certain persons
not to teach any different doctrine,
nor to devote themselves to myths
and endless genealogies
which promote speculations
rather than the stewardship from God
that is by faith.
1 Timothy 4.
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.
Rather, train yourself for godliness.
2 Timothy 2.23.
Have nothing to do with foolish,
ignorant controversies.
You know that they breed what?
Quarrels.
Worthless ones.
Foolish ones.
Now, we must acknowledge here
that this is not a call
for us to avoid controversy.
It is a call for us to avoid
a certain kind of controversy.
Because the fact is,
not only for a pastor,
but for any Christian,
we must be willing to engage,
engage in certain controversial issues
as they relate to gospel fidelity
and defending the word of God.
And to avoid controversy at all costs
would necessitate failing
to affirm what's good
and what's profitable for the people.
The particular issues at work in Crete
had to do with myths
and traditions and speculations
derived from Judaism.
We see that in chapter one.
You can go back and read that later.
But the primary reason
given for avoiding such things
is that they are unprofitable.
They're worthless.
They're not helpful.
They're not edifying.
They're not actually doing anything good
for the people or for the church.
Are they intriguing?
Maybe.
Are they fun to argue and debate?
Perhaps.
Are they helpful?
Not at all.
They're not.
And loved ones,
this is what we must do
if we're going to discern
whether or not any given issue
is worth our engagement.
We must determine,
is this profitable
or is this worthless?
And you don't have to go very far
to find illustrations for this.
Just yesterday,
I was sitting on the couch
flipping through YouTube.
And in a five-minute
flipping through YouTube,
there's two different videos
that fit this description perfectly.
One was a sermon from a church
I'm not familiar with,
maybe a Calvary Chapel
or something like that somewhere.
I can't remember exactly where it was.
And the sermon was steeped in speculation
relating to the book of Revelation.
And the title of the sermon
was about Russia invading the rest of the world.
It's just,
it's unhelpful speculation.
It's unhelpful.
That's not helping anyone.
That's hurting the cause of Christ.
That's not helping it.
I'll go a little bit further.
Here's another video.
It's a girl who has determined
a secret code
in the genealogies
of the book of Genesis.
And in discerning
all the meanings of the names,
if you put them in just the right order
and you say just the right words
and then you spin around three times
and blow up in the air,
all of a sudden,
you have this mystical knowledge.
And that's really what,
look, this stuff is everywhere.
It's everywhere.
Sometimes it's subtle.
Which is why Paul has to warn even Titus
and just remind him,
don't get caught up in this stuff, Titus.
Don't get caught up in the foolishness.
Don't get caught up in
the speculation
and the arguments
over things that are just
dumb and unhelpful,
which any of us
can be guilty of doing.
If it means standing firm
on the word of God,
defending the gospel of grace
through Jesus alone,
urging believers to live in godliness,
then it's profitable
and we must enter the fray.
We must.
But if it's needless speculation
about the nature and timing
of Christ's return,
then it's unhelpful.
If it involves traditions
and commands of men
or matters of conscience
that spur disunity,
we must avoid it.
If it leads to foolish argumentation
or quibbling over non-essential issues,
we must refuse to be carried away by it.
If we're to be a faithful church,
we must be wise
about what is profitable
and what is worthless
and ultimately dishonoring
to the Lord.
we remember,
as is a common statement,
the main things
are the plain things
and the plain things
are the main things
in the scripture.
We need to remember that.
Don't consume yourself
with pet doctrines
or act as if every point
of disagreement
is necessary
to express
because it's not.
Not only will you exasperate
the people around you,
you'll lose the profitability
of the gospel
because you're not avoiding
the things that really
must be avoided.
Third and finally,
address those
who cause division.
Affirm what's profitable.
Avoid what's worthless.
Address those
who cause division.
Verse 10,
as for a person
who stirs up division,
after warning him once
and then twice,
have nothing more
to do with him.
Knowing that such a person
is warped,
sinful,
sinful.
He is self-condemned.
This is the hardest part
of the whole thing,
isn't it?
If you're just a normal person
that doesn't particularly
enjoy confrontation.
There are those weird people
out there,
maybe you're one of them
that enjoy just to fight
all the time.
For most of us,
this is the difficult one.
You can handle
preaching the truth,
affirming what's right.
It's not very hard
for you to avoid
contentious matters.
But when it comes to
actually actively
addressing error,
it's much more difficult
for us to do,
isn't it?
And in this final portion,
Paul presents
an inevitable situation
and the only proper
response to it.
The situation involves
an individual
actively causing
division in the church,
specifically by
affirming doctrines
and behaviors
that are contrary
to the trustworthy word.
This isn't division
of personality necessarily.
This is not
simple things
that are really
inconsequential
in the big picture
of the health
of the church.
These are things
that are actively
dividing the church
in relation to the gospel
and the behaviors
that flow from it
that he's just discussed.
And the only proper response
to such a situation
is to follow
the biblical process
of church discipline.
Because it's not enough
for a pastor
to affirm the truth
and avoid distractions.
It is basic
to faithful ministry
that a pastor
leads the church
in the critical practice
of discipline
when it's necessary.
Because a church
cannot be healthy
and fruitful
while tolerating
individuals
who trouble the people
with false doctrine
and sin.
Such a person
must be confronted
and they must be confronted
for their own good.
They must be confronted
for the health
of the church
and they must be confronted
for the witness
of God's people
to the world
which in the beginning
of this chapter
in those first two verses
is the central issue.
Is our witness
to the world.
I'll save a fuller discussion
for church discipline
for another day.
You'll be grateful for that.
But let me just
touch on it
as we consider
Paul's instruction here.
There's two categories
that we think of
when it comes to church discipline.
You don't have to remember
these words
but it will be helpful
for you to remember
the category.
First is formative discipline.
We would call it
formative discipline.
You are under
formative discipline
right now.
It is that daily process
whereby
through the word,
through prayer,
through discipling,
God shapes us
and he molds us
and he chisels us
and he builds us up
into the Christians
that he would have us to be.
He makes us more and more
like the person of Christ.
It's not corrective
in nature necessarily.
It's just constantly
we're learning
and we're growing
and we're maturing.
It's formative discipline.
If you remove
certain elements
what we might would call
the ordinary means of grace
even.
If you move
certain elements
it's going to stunt
that growth.
We need the formative discipline.
We need preaching.
You need it.
Not necessarily for me.
You need it.
You just need it.
You need good preaching.
You need discipleship.
You need people around you.
Iron sharpening iron.
You can't live in isolation.
It will stunt your growth.
You need the formative discipline.
You need the ordinances.
You need to witness baptism
as we witnessed it last week
to be reminded of the gospel.
You need communion.
You need to prioritize
of every Sunday in the month
that first Sunday
must be your priority
because that's the day
when we gather around the table.
It's formative.
It's helpful to us.
It's profitable for us.
So that's part of it.
That's not what Paul's
dealing with here though.
Here he's dealing
with corrective discipline.
And corrective discipline
which is the formal process
of confronting a person
in error or in sin.
To modern sensibilities
comes across as harsh
and unkind.
We're not conditioned
by our culture
to think that this is
an appropriate thing.
But the Bible's
not unclear about this.
It's not unclear
about it at all.
And as a church
we need to be careful
to observe it
and to remember it.
Three things
I want to point out
to you about it
that not only are true
about it in this text
but are true about it
throughout the New Testament.
I'll make them simple for you.
The first thing
I want you to see
the people
that are to be disciplined.
The people
that are to be disciplined.
Verse 10
As for a person
who stirs up division.
A specific type of person
is mentioned here.
Not only holds
aberrant beliefs
but is deliberately
troubling the congregation
regarding those beliefs.
That's significant
to what Paul's addressing
and to why he's urging
this type of discipline.
These people
are pot stirrers.
You know what I mean by that?
They throw things out there
just because they like
to see the conflict
that ensues
as a result of it.
They're pot stirrers
by nature.
Their actions
cripple the church.
It leads people
away from the gospel.
It leads them away
from holiness.
And it's not just
that they hold
diverse views
on secondary issues.
As described
in chapter 1
they're insubordinate
to the truth.
They insist
on worthless
and harmful ideas.
They upset
entire families
through their errant doctrine.
They prove themselves
in verse 11
to be warped
and sinful
and their behavior
condemns them
before God
and before the church.
And Paul says
you cannot tolerate this.
You cannot just
let this go.
You must deal
with this
in the church.
Titus chapter 1
in verse 16
they profess
to know God
but they deny
him by their works.
not just the way
that they live
in the world
but the way
that they live
in the church.
They profess God.
They profess Christ
but they do not
display Christ.
They are detestable
Paul says.
They're disobedient.
They're unfit
for any good work.
That's strong language.
So Paul's not
dealing with
he's not saying
just nitpick
people to death.
He's not saying
scrutinize
one another's lives
and find
every possible thing
that you can find
that's wrong
with everybody
in the church
and if they don't
listen to your opinion
about it
you better bring them
before the church
and get them out of here.
That's not what Paul's saying.
He's addressing
a specific type
of person.
We need to remember that.
Two.
The process of discipline.
How does this process
actually work?
After warning him
verse 10
once
and then twice
have nothing more
to do with him.
Jesus is the one
that gives these parameters.
Matthew 18
If your brother
sins against you
go and tell him
his fault
between you
and him alone.
That's the first step.
If he listens to you
you've gained your brother.
And what a wonderful
thing that would be.
Isn't that the intention
of all of this?
We see error
in somebody
whether it's doctrinal error
or whether it's
a particular sin
and we say
hey let's grab coffee
this week
or maybe we meet together
on a different thing
and you just
you kind of gently
spur them along
and just say
hey I noticed this thing
or you said this
the other day
I think you really
need to think about this
I think you're in error
I think you're in sin
and I think
nine times out of ten
that's what the Lord
uses to restore someone
right?
That's the first step.
Jesus says
that's what you do
and then he says though
he said
but if you won't listen
they're unrepentant
go back
but this time
take one or two others
with you
so that every charge
may be established
by the evidence
of two or three witnesses.
Now why is that all about?
It is not only
for accountability
it's to make sure
that I'm not just
nitpicking somebody
to death right?
Because that could be the case.
There's a protection here right?
That there's just not somebody
that's just cantankerous
that's just giving everybody
a hard time.
So now you go with
probably leaders
in the church
at this point
you go with
with a couple of others
it establishes the witness
there is record
but then it lets
the offending person
know
okay there's a seriousness
to this
because it's not just Jared
who has a problem
with what I'm doing
there's actually
significant people
that I respect
in the church
that are actually
they actually think
the same thing
I need to think about this
something the Lord uses right?
But then Jesus says
what if he doesn't listen?
What if he still
is unrepentant?
He says
we continue on
in Matthew 18
if he refuses
to listen to them
tell it to the church.
This is the point
at where Paul is
in his instructions
to Titus
you bring it
to the congregation
now why would you do that?
Because it lets
the offending party
know
this is serious
and the whole
congregation then
is to woo
that person
persuade them
in whatever way possible
to repent
believe
alter course
turn from their error
and what if they don't
listen to the church?
Jesus says
let them be to you
as a Gentile
and a tax collector
let them be to you
as an unbeliever
so that if we understand
church membership
the right way
the way we're supposed
to view that
in the Bible
it's not that the church
declares that a person
is a Christian
or not a Christian
that's not the authority
we have
that authority belongs
to Christ
and to Christ alone
but in so far
as a person
makes a credible
profession of faith
and their life
matches that profession
the church says
you are one of us
we welcome you
to the table of the Lord
we welcome you
in baptism
we rejoice with you
we will enter in this
covenant relationship
together
church discipline then
is the congregation
itself
looking at a person
and saying
we hear your profession
but we can no longer
in good conscience
hold your profession
as credible
you're unrepentant
you're in error
you're denying the gospel
therefore
it will be necessary
unless you repent
for us to dismiss you
from our fellowship
not to cut them off
completely
so that you never
see them again
and you're hateful
towards them
no
it's to just treat them
that now you're an unbeliever
you can't come to the table
now
this is for believers
it's not for you
to lead in the church
it's not for you
to teach in the church
you're welcome to attend
but you gotta stop
with what you're doing
that's the thing
Jesus is setting forth here
and this is the process
that Paul is instructing
Titus to follow
after warning them twice
allowing ample time
for repentance
give them over
to the discipline
of the congregation
and at that point
they are to be dismissed
from the church
and their influence
is to be removed
and the elders
of the church
are to take the lead
in this
but according to Jesus
it is finally
the congregation's
responsibility
to excommunicate
someone from the fellowship
that is to treat them
as an unbeliever
it's not my job
to determine
who belongs
and who doesn't
it's our job
to do that
we do that together
it's our responsibility
taking ownership
of our own congregation
okay
that was longer
than I anticipated
so first
we have
the people
to be disciplined
we have the process
of corrective discipline
thirdly
we have the purpose
of it
what is the
what's the whole purpose
of all of this
we go back
to verse 10
after warning him
once and then twice
what's that all about
why not just say
hey
you're
you're a reprobate
you can't come here anymore
the process
was established
by Jesus
and carried out
by the apostles
to protect the church
teach the church
and then to turn
the sinner
from the error
to the grace of God
it's
this process
is not about judgment
it's not about condemnation
Christ is judge
it's about restoring
someone you love
and striving
for the purity
of God's people
because sin and error
must be confronted
but its purpose
is to see the individual
restored
to grace
and to carry out
such a practice
with the spirit
of pride
or vengeance
is to sin
against God
and it is to risk
destroying one
for whom Christ
died
so the church
must take it serious
but they must also
have the right intention
and spirit
or you shouldn't do it
Galatians 6
and verse 1
brothers
if anyone is caught
in any transgression
you who are spiritual
should restore him
in the spirit
of gentleness
humbly keeping watch
of yourself
lest you too
are tempted
to Timothy 2
and the Lord's servant
must not be quarrelsome
but kind
to everyone
able to teach
patiently
enduring evil
so that this discipline
process is a long
process in many occasions
patiently enduring evil
correcting his opponents
with gentleness
God may perhaps
grant them repentance
leading to a knowledge
of the truth
and they may come
to their senses
and escape
from the snare
of the devil
after being captured
by him to do
his will
that's the intention
to restore them
not to condemn them
so error
cannot be ignored
divisive people
must not be tolerated
and a faithful minister
in a faithful church
will deal with the problems
as they come
now we'll finish this way
why is any of this important
any of this stuff
in verses 8-11
even really in the
chapter itself
why do we care so much
this isn't the
edifying types of
or encouraging types
of text
that just
we leave the service
and we just feel so good
we learn today
about what it takes
to point out
and enter into
controversy in the church
when it's necessary
right
that's not the kind
of service
that when you
call your parents
later today
and they say
how was church today
you say
oh man it was just
you wouldn't believe
how awesome it was
so what's really
the point of all of this
the foundation
of all of this
the purpose
of all of it
the reason we care
is because of
the preservation
and the proclamation
of the true gospel
if we do not care
to affirm
what's profitable
avoid what's worthless
and contend
with those
who would reject it
we will lose
the gospel
we may not lose
our church
we may grow
we may become
richer
as a congregation
we may have
more successful
ministries
but we'll lose
the gospel
we won't be healthy
we won't glorify
God
that's the point
of all of this
how can we glorify
God as his people
well we need
certain things
set in order
we need certain
structures
we need faithful
leaders
we need the gospel
to saturate
everything that we do
we need to avoid
the things that would
distract us from that
we need to contend
with those who would
come in and divide
the church
as it relates
to heretical doctrine
and to sinful
practices
why?
because we want
to declare
and display
the message
of salvation
for the glory
of God
that's what this
is ultimately about
it's not just
having structure
for structure's sake
it's about glorifying
God
it's about faithfulness
to the truth
it's about giving
the gospel
and displaying
the gospel
so that God
might actually
bless us
and use us
for his glory
in this life
that's what this
is about
that's why we care
that's why we don't
skip it
that's why we have
member meetings
so that we can
further progress
in this
caring about
these things
caring about
the things
of God
and of the church
and though this text
may have been
aimed particularly
at Titus
and the elders
it's certainly
profitable
for all of us
to consider
there's all kinds
of implications
here for the
congregation
not the least
of which
is the command
to believe
share and defend
the gospel
and to live
as a gospel
light in the world
and if our church
is going to do
these things
it will be
necessary
to guard
against those
who reject
the truth
abound in
unrepentant sin
and stir up
worthless controversy
these things
are fundamental
to what it means
to be a faithful
minister
they're fundamental
to what it means
to be
a faithful
healthy
God glorifying
church
and we need
them
to be