Managing The Mouthy

MANAGING the MOUTHY—Titus 1:10-16

Attention:

The churches of Crete were saved but were lacking the finesse necessary to accomplishing their mission. They were not yet organized for ministry.

A pastor by the name of Titus, was charged with the fortunate task, of straightening out those aspects of a local— & possibly island-wide— church body which would bring it up to speed, thus making them viable & able to powerfully carry the message of Christ to a lost world.

With apostolic authority, Paul instructs Titus specifically, to “appoint” qualified men to pastoral positions in every city on the island of Crete. That is his first priority. This is because without headship, their can be no sustained & organized effort to win their world for Christ.

Thus Paul informs Titus of the basic qualifications for pastoral eligibility(:5-9), in order to Manage those who would undermine the church(:10-16).

Need:

How can our church accomplish her mission in Christ?

We must:

A. Install Eligible Elders(1:5-9)

B. Manage the Mouthy OR Subdue/Subordinate the Insubordinate(1:10-16)

Paul warned Titus of his need to subdue the threat of insubordinate teachers.

The church must subdue the threat of insubordinate teaching.

How /Where is the threat of insubordinate teaching subdued?

1—Managing the Mouthy demands...

INSUBORDINATION Management(:10)

Explanation:(:10)

:10—“For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers & deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,”

“For there are many insubordinate, “

“Insubordinate/Unruly/Rebellious”—anupotaktov—1) Not made subject, unsubjected; 2) That cannot be subjected to control, disobedient, unruly, refractory. Used 4X.

—From the negation of—upotassw—To arrange under, subject to or subordinate. A military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader"

Acts 20:28-32—““Therefore take heed to yourselves & to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. “Therefore watch, & remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night & day with tears. “So now, brethren, I commend you to God & to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up & give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

“Both idle talkers & deceivers,”

“Idle/Vain/Empty/Mere Talkers”—mataiologov—An idle talker, one who utters empty senseless things. From—mataiov—1) Devoid of force, truth, success, result; 2) Useless, of no purpose. & —legw—To say, speak.

These believe themselves to speak words to be heeded, but their message is actually devoid of power.

If the words & actions do not lead you in every aspect of the cause of Christ, Then they are devoid of usefulness.

Our talk should help others.

2Pet. 2:18—“For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.”

“Deceivers”—frenapathv—1) A mind deceiver, a seducer. Used 2X.

From emptiness to outright purposeful Deception.

“Especially those of the circumcision,”

“Especially”—malista—Especially, chiefly, most of all, above all.

These are Jews who would have been won over/enamored by tradition rather than Christ.

Same with any sectarian groups—7th Day Adventists for example—Try to live by Jewish OT Law(condemn people for disobedience) yet call themselves Christian.

Christians don’t do things for tradition’s sake(hmmmm...) nor uselessly.

Acts 15:1, 24—“And certain men came down from Judea & taught the brethren[@ Antioch], “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.””....—In Jerusalem—“Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised & keep the law”--to whom we gave no such commandment--”

Gal. 5:1-6—“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, & do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.”

There are “many” who falsely present themselves in the capacity of elders over the church.

These false elders(engender some degree of respect) are unwilling to align themselves with God’s will.

These are men who attempt to seduce the minds of others into thinking as they themselves do, thus denying the Triune God we experience thru Christ alone.