Roles And Responsibilities
(Part I)
Titus 2:1-8
In our church bylaws and constitution there is a "job description" concerning the pastor of this church. It lays out the general expectations and responsibilities of the church pastor. It reads (among other things): The pastor will give himself to the ministry of the Word and the leadership of the congregation. He shall have supervision of the activities of the church, and shall be an ex-officio member or all committees. He shall examine all candidates for baptism as to their conversion and instruct all new members in the duties and privileges of membership.
Chances are pretty good that wherever you work there is a job description that describes what is expected of you. A job description contains general tasks, functions, and responsibilities of a specific position.
It usually contains salary range and physical requirements and certain qualifications or necessary skills. It describes certain roles and responsibilities specific to that position.
Through the Bible we are told that there are certain roles and responsibilities for different Christians. In certain passages... the roles, responsibilities and requirements for Deacons are clearly defined. Elsewhere we are told what is expected of those who teach. In Titus and I Timothy, Paul covers the roles, responsibilities and requirements of Elders and Pastors. The entire Bible is a guide that tells us what is expected of each of us as Christians. In Titus Chapter 2 we find a passage that clearly states the expectations for some specific groups of Christians.
Remember the context of this Epistle. Paul is instructing Titus as to how to "set things in order" in the Church. In these 8 verses he addresses the responsibilities of older men, younger men, older women and younger women. I would like to walk through this text and preach on "Roles And Responsibilities In The Church".
It is vitally important that we understand and fulfill our responsibilities as Christians. We also must comprehend the fact that there are consequences when we fail to carry out our duties.
- Some years ago a former American astronaut took over as head of a major airline, determined to make the airline’s service the best in the industry. One day he walked through a particular department, and saw an employee resting his feet on a desk while the telephone on the desk rang incessantly. “Aren’t you going to answer that phone?” the boss demanded. “This isn’t my department,” answered the employee nonchalantly, apparently not recognizing his new boss. “I work in maintenance.” “Not anymore you don’t!” snapped the president. (Today in the Word, MBI, December, 1989, p. 35).
Without a doubt there are some in the church who refuse to do certain tasks because they feel that "it isn't their responsibility". But I am certain that there are some who simply do not know what their responsibility is. This passage goes to great lengths to explain the responsibilities of certain individuals in the church. So, let's get started with what God expects from the older men in the church. Join me in verses 1&2 as we consider:
I. The Role And Responsibilities Of The Older Men - v1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Paul is drawing a contrast between the faithful Christian man and those false teachers who were causing great harm in the church at Crete. Consider how he described those false teachers. He said In Titus 1:10-15 that they were unruly and vain, they were deceptive liars, to them nothing was pure, their mind and conscience is defiled, they were motivated by money, and they were lazy. He goes on to say in v16 says that "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate".
The older men in the church are encouraged to pursue a different path. They are instructed to live in a manner that would please the Lord. If they would follow these instructions they would be an example that others could follow. Let's look at those instructions for the older men. The first expectation of the older men in the church is that they are to:
A. Be a teacher - v1 "speak thou the things which become sound doctrine"
The "older men" are expected to teach or instruct. This not only means to teach in the sense of instructing others, but also they should live as an example for others. What they are supposed to teach is clear...sound doctrine. This is literally "healthy teaching". Sound doctrine is the direct opposite of the myths and fables taught by the false prophets. In order for them to teach correctly, the older men are instructed to:
B. Be sober - v2 "That the aged men be sober"
"Sober" means to be "vigilant and alert". This describes one who is wise and careful when making decisions. He is focused on what really matters... the things of God!
- The older man is also instructed to:
C. Be reverent - v2b "grave"
This describes a person of dignity and “honor”. The older men are expected to have reverence for God and their fellow man. A "reverent" man is one who seeks what is noble and honorable. Again this contrasts the actions of the false teachers because they were unruly, vain, liars and deceivers. Unfortunately, these actions are still present in the church today. And just as Paul to Titus back then.... THESE MEN MUST BE STOPPED!!
- The older men are also instructed to:
D. Be self-controlled - v2c "temperate"
Paul uses the word "temperate". This refers to self discipline. The temperate man measures his words and controls his actions. We are to be self-restrained in our passions and desires. The temperate man is not one who flies off the handle.
- John MacArthur says that "temperance speaks of a man who has the discernment, discretion, and judgment that comes from walking with God for many years.
- As we move on we see that the older man is also expected to:
E. Be sound in the faith - v2d "sound in faith"
We should know what we believe and why we believe it. And we must remain grounded in the faith. Remember the exhortation in - Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.
There were many in Crete who were falling for the myths and fables being spread by the false teachers. And there are many who are weak in the faith who have been and are being deceived today.
- Verse 2 also states that it is imperative for the older men to:
F. Be loving - v2e "in charity"
The older men are to be an example for others. They should show the younger men, the older women and the younger women what love is all about. Their lives should be a fitting example of how to love God and how to love others. In John 13:35 Jesus said " By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another". - That is a truth that rings true today!
- Finally we see that the older man is to:
G. Be patient - v2f "in patience"
This literally speaks of "hopeful endurance". No matter what we face in this life we have the hope for the future. When we read the back of the book we are assured that in the end...WE WIN! This should give us the hope that we need to endure... to be patient and to keep pressing on.
Some men reach a certain age and decide that they are going to sit back... retire and let the "younger folks" take over. This is contrary to what the Word teaches. Some men give up serving when they have the most to give. There are people in the church who can benefit greatly from your experience. So instead of "taking it easy", follow the instructions set forth in this passage. Be a Teacher, Be sober, Be reverent, Be self-controlled, Be sound in the faith, Be loving and be patient.
Paul was one who lived what he preached. He referred to himself in Philemon 1:9 as Paul "the aged". During this time he was writing Epistles (in prison). When he wasn't in prison he was traveling, visiting, evangelizing, establishing churches, and encouraging the brethren. Paul didn't give up when he reached a certain age and you shouldn't either! When God is finished with you He will take you home to glory! So until that day....SERVE!!
- Alright ladies... it's your turn, look with me to verses 3&4 as we see:
II. The Role And Responsibilities Of The Older Women - v3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women
I can't imagine what this church would be like without the faithful service of our "aged ladies". There are many ways that God uses the women in this church. One of the most important duties of an older Christian lady is to mentor the younger Christian ladies. In order for these ladies to correctly train the next generation they must have things in order in their own lives.
- These verses speak of 4 attributes that are essential in the life of an older Christian woman. First of all she is to:
A. Be Reverent - v3b " The aged women likewise, be in behavior as becomes holiness"
“Likewise” means "in the same way". Just as the older men were expected to be reverent the expectation of the women was the same. The older Christian lady should be an example of holiness. She should set forth this holy example in the church, at home and in the community. Her life should reflect the character of her Lord.
- We are also told that she is to:
B. Be Truthful - v3c "not false accusers"
Paul states that the older women are not to slander others. The Greek word used here is diabolos and it speaks of a false accuser. This is the very word from which we get our English word “devil”. This illustrates the severity of being a false accuser.
This means that the godly... holy, older Christian woman will not be a gossip. She will not spread rumors all over the church and community. The older Christian lady is expected to speak the truth and to refrain from telling lies.
- Verse 3 goes on to say that she is to:
C. Be Sober - v3d "not given to much wine"
Apparently there were some wild old women in Crete. Paul had to address these issues for a reason. The older Christian lady is to refrain from too much alcohol. There have always been very spirited debates about the Christian's consumption of alcohol. The Bible has much to say on the subject :
Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
In 1 Timothy 3:8 we are told that the deacon is not the be given to much wine.
Then in Titus 1:7 we are told that the Bishop (pastor) is not to be given to wine.
The two sides of this argument could debate this all day and never come to a conclusion. But you cannot dispute the fact that if your never take the first drink you will never be drunk or become an alcoholic. "Not given to much wine" harkens back to the sobriety that is mentioned in verse 1. It is vitally important that the older Christian ladies are sober, vigilant and alert.
- Moving on we see the 4th exhortation concerning the older Christian ladies. They are to:
D. Be A Teacher - v3e "teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women"
These ladies are expected to be teachers. What are they supposed to teach? They are expected to teach...good things. If you look to verse 4 you will see some of the subjects that were to be taught.
The older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Because the older Christian lady is more experienced in life and in the Lord, they can pass on a godly legacy that will hopefully reproduce itself for generations to come.
We will continue to walk through this passage next week. We will look at the "roles and responsibilities of the younger Christians. But for those of you who fit within the verses we have seen tonight, there is a question that you must answer. That question is.... "am I doing what I should"? Are we following the instruction givens to the Church here in God's Word? I pray that you can say yes, but if you can't you can take the proper steps to address that issue in your life right here and right now. Then we can say that we are carrying out our "Roles & Responsibilities In The Church".
