a model to follow
Titus 1:5-9
INTRODUCTION
In 2003, two very interesting quotes were in the newspapers. Parents had been poled and ask who they thought the most influential role models were in the lives of their preteen sons. Who was it bad boy Bart was named the top role model. Parents of children under 12 were asked which made-up character had the most influence on their kids. And spiky-haired Bart came out on top, with 37% of parents reckoning that their children looked up to Bart.
Also in 2003 a rising pop start was attracting a lot of attention, and parents were concerned as they saw their daughters emulating her. So this disclaimer appeared in the press. Brittney Spears the pop princess told British audiences that parents should not fear if their kids emulate her.
T.S. Everyone has Models. Each of us follows the examples of others. And role models had a huge impact upon society. The Apostle Paul understood this. That¡¦s why when he was challenging Titus to address the issue of the spiritual formation of the Christians on Crete, he instructed him to appoint the right type of models.
T.S. Turn with me to. . .
Titus 1:5-9
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished (the things that are wanting you might set in order) and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless-not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THEIR ROLE, WE NEED TO RAISE UP MENTORS OF INTEGRITY.
The first steps in building lives of integrity,
Recognize the Need for Mentors
(Elders, Overseers)
(We associate them with Church Leadership, Paul was seeing something more)
Things were left undone.
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished (the things that are wanting you might set in order) and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
Just knowing the Forgiver wasn¡¦t the end of the mission.
Ill: Imagine building a house but never seeing it through to the end. Oh you might get it finished enough that it looks like a house, but instead of finishing the work the house remains undone for years until it becomes an eyesore.
Intentional discipling was needed
Titus was expected to take a direct role in addressing the needs in Crete. (Straighten Out) to straighten further, i.e. (figuratively) arrange additionally:
The scope was larger
This was a reproducible pattern, not just a fix of one place.
Programs are great, but limited toe one place. Strategies can be universally applied.
Churches, when they think of discipleship often think about starting programs, but what worked in one place might not work in another.
A church in an urban center runs an afterschool nursery program where young teenage mothers are taught how to cook, bake, sew, pay bills. The also have a Bible study together and pray for one another. It¡¦s a huge. Hundreds of women are ministering to young women. We should start an afterschool program for unwed mothers right? BUT they are mentoring young women on what it means to be Godly mothers should we? YES
Promise Keepers Men meeting to hold each other accountable
MOPS Women encouraging and support young mothers
Wednesday Prayer Meeting Meeting with others to pray
Senior Lunches Encouraging older believers to remain faithful and involved.
Sunday School, Bible Fellowship, House Churches Gathering together to study the word of God.
Programs serve the strategy. The strategies are timeless. Programs come and go. Usually there are a multitude of programs that can fit each strategy.
Appl: Have you every fallen in to the trap of making a program more important than the strategy?
T.S. The first steps in building lives of integrity,
1. Recognize the Traits of a Mentor
Paul just doesn¡¦t say pick anybody, because you can have the wrong type of person as a mentor.
Unhappy with a series of calls throughout the game, parents and fans in attendance at a Concord, N.H., little league baseball game last Wednesday expressed their displeasure with the umpires by showering them with vulgarities, threatening them and confronting them face-to-face after the game, FOX affiliate WFXT-TV reported.
The Manchester Central Little League Umpires added that food was thrown at them, including pizza, which hit the referees in the head and in the arms, one umpire said.
At one point, the umpires were cornered inside a room.
Children who participated in the game said the events of the game were extremely disruptive and that parents ¡§should learn to control themselves more¡¨ at future games.
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless-not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
Their personal character can¡¦t be easily faulted
7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless-not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain
Their family life and marriage hold up to scrutiny
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
Their spiritual life reflects a healthy relationship with God
8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
T.S. The first steps in building lives of integrity,
2. Recognize the Role of Mentors
Mythbusters--Jamie and Adam take on the popular myths and seek to prove the truth or lies behind them. Recently they took on the conspiracy theories of the Apollo moon landings. What they do is similar to what the calling of these elders, mentors, that Paul is appointing.
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Have a grasp on the message (sound doctrine)
hold firmly to the trustworthy message
hold fast to theƒndidache -- instruction (the act or the matter):
Not shaken by the tough questions, may not always have the answers, but they can clearly share the truth.
Not just share what they think, but what they know is sound doctrine.
Encourage others in their walk
so that he can encourage others
parakleo-- to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):
Mentors are to share what they have learned about the journey with Jesus.
Refute the arguments of opposition.
refute those who oppose it
Antilegontas --Anti, Laying forth ones
eleycheo -- to confute, admonish:
UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THEIR ROLE, WE NEED TO RAISE UP MENTORS OF INTEGRITY.
SUMMARY
The first steps in building lives of integrity,
Recognize the Need for Mentors, but not just anyone, Mentors with the right traits and character, individuals who understand their role as mentors.
CHALLENGE
In the coming weeks I will be asking some of you to join the ranks of those we have already set apart as mentors. Men and women who are not perfect, but solid enough in their own walks with the forgiver that they can come alongside others. Understanding how vital they are in seeing lives transformed will you be ready to say Yes?
