A Look Inside The Local Church- (pt 1)
Titus 3:9-15
I don't know about you, but I can honestly say "I love church!" I love to assemble together with my brothers and sisters in Christ. The 3 times that we join together each week are a great privilege and blessing. I also enjoy visiting other churches. One reason is that it gives me an opportunity to see how our brethren in different locations may do things differently than we do. I guess you could say that I "study" churches. I am fascinated by what you can find inside a local church. Some things that you see inside the church are amazing. But some things that you find in certain churches is downright shameful.
As we come to the conclusion of our Study of Titus, I would like to examine some of the things that you find in the church. Paul mentions at least 4 things in these verses that will be found in most every New Testament Church.
i. You Can Find Foolishness In The Local Church
ii. You Can Find Fellowship In The Local Church
iii. You Can Find Fellow-Laborers In The Local Church
iv. You Can Find Fruitfulness In The Local Church
For the sake of time we will only be able to cover the first point today, we will cover the other 3 next week. As we walk through these final verses let's take "A Look Inside The Local Church".
Over the past few months we have gone verse by verse through Titus. We have learned much about the church already. This is a "Pastoral Epistle", which is a letter that gives instructions to church leaders. The author is Paul and the recipient of the letter is Titus. The intent of this epistle is to guide Titus in the task of "setting things in order" in the churches of Crete. One of Titus' primary responsibilities was to ordain elders in every city. (1:5) Chapter one gives specific qualifications and requirements concerning the leaders in the church.
Paul also spends some time instructing Titus concerning how to deal with false teachers. In Chapters 2 & 3 Paul gives some practical instructions concerning Christian living. There are instructions for the older and younger Christian men, as well as the older and younger Christian women as to how to live a godly life. Paul also covers the Christian doctrine of submitting to authority. Chapter 2 also makes it clear that we should live with great anticipation concerning the return of Jesus Christ. Chapter 3 begins with a great illustration of the transformation that Christ brings into our lives.
As we arrive at the end of Paul's letter to Titus we see some final instructions. In these instructions you will see certain things that are prevalent in most churches today. Some of these are good things, some are not.
- The first thing that we will consider is not a good thing. Verse 9 shows us that....
I. YOU CAN FIND FOOLISHNESS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
There is no shortage of foolishness in the church today. It seems that almost every church has to deal with petty arguments and unnecessary quarrels. Paul was warning Titus not to get involved arguments about genealogies. Neither should he spend his time debating Jewish laws and traditions. He states that these things are useless and a waste of time.
- There were problems back then ...and unfortunately there are problems in the church today. Verse 9 shows us that:
A. SOMETIMES THERE ARE FOOLISH PROBLEMS - v9 but avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
The foolish problems in the church at Crete were the issues focused on by the Judaizers. These troublemakers attempted to add to the words and the work of Christ. They rejected the idea of salvation through faith in Christ alone. These men were always contradicting the truth and looking for a debate.
The Judaizers taught falsehoods and caused division. Remember what Paul said about them back in 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
There are still people today who bring foolish problems into the church. The things that most churches (in America) are fighting over are trivial compared to the heresy that Titus dealt with in Crete. But these trivial things can cause great problems in the Lord's church. If and when trouble rears its ugly head in the church, it must be addressed biblically and immediately!
Thom Rainer has compiled a list of 25 silly things that church members fight over. (These are actual points of contention in churches across America)
---One church had an argument over the appropriate length of the worship pastor’s beard.
---One fought over whether or not to build a playground or to use the land for a cemetery.
---One church argued and had a vote to decide if a clock in the worship center should be removed.
---One argued for 45 minutes over the type of filing cabinet to purchase. (black or brown; 2, 3, or 4 drawers)
---One church got in a fight over which picture of Jesus to put in the foyer.
---Another started a petition to have all church staff clean shaven.
---In one church a big argument occurred after the discovery that the budget was off by $0.10. (Someone finally gave a dime to settle the issue)
---There was a dispute another church because the Lord’s Supper had cran/grape juice instead of grape juice.
---Two different churches reported fights over the type of coffee.
---One church had a major argument on whether the church should allow deviled eggs at the church meal
---Another church had an argument over who has the authority to buy postage stamps for the church.
---Some church members left one church because one church member hid the vacuum cleaner from them. (It resulted in a major fight and split)
Source: http://thomrainer.com/2015/11/twenty-five-silly-things-church-members-fight-over/
These are just a few examples of the conflicts that arise in churches today. I must say that it is absolutely disgraceful! When we spend our time dealing with these things, what matters most is crowded out. When you are focused on childish, pathetic, garbage you cannot focus on what matters! We should be focused on salvation, discipleship, spiritual maturity, worship, praise, fellowship, and service,
The Church should bring honor and glory to the Father's name. But God is not honored, nor is He pleased when foolishness infiltrates the church.
- How does that "foolishness" infiltrate the church? To put it bluntly, there wouldn't be foolish problems in the church if there weren't foolish people in the church. Notice in verse 10:
B. SOMETIMES THERE ARE FOOLISH PEOPLE - v10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
As we have mentioned, the problems in this church came from the Judaizers. Here Paul lays out the proper response to the troublemakers in the church. The word "heretick" in verse 10 literally means "schism" (or division). This is the only verse in the Bible with this exact form of this word. This passage shows us how to deal with false teachers. But this also applies to any type of troublemaker that would case division or discord in the church. In verse 9 Paul says to avoid debating these people. Instead of debating them, they were to be called out and confronted. This was not a concept that originated with Paul. He is merely reiterating the Jesus' teaching on church discipline in Matthew 18:15-20.
Listen to what Jesus said - Matthew 18:15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. 18 Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
This means that when we become aware of a sinning brother or sister or if there is a troublemaker in the church, there is a biblical process designed to lead that individual to restoration. We are to first go to them one on one, If this is not successful then we are to confront them with witnesses. If this does not bring repentance then they are to be brought before the entire church. If at any point, there is evidence of genuine repentance, then we are to stop the disciplinary process and then initiate the ministry of restoration.
Church discipline is biblical and sometimes it is necessary, but it must be done God's way. And it must ALWAYS be done in love. Our desire should be to rejoice in their restoration! God disciplines His children out of love and a desire for repentance. We discipline our children because we love them and we want what is best for them. Church discipline must be done with the same motivation. It must be based in love and concern for the church and for that fallen brother or sister in Christ.
Paul gives some great advice concerning the restoration of fallen brethren in - Galatians 6:1 ¶Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
There is no shortage of foolish problems in the church. Likewise, there is no shortage of foolish people in the church.
I spend a lot of time with other pastors. I hear their problems and I see their struggles on a regular basis. I know several pastors who are currently unemployed. They have either been forced to resign or fired from their churches. These men were not terminated because of moral failings, they were not fired because they were neglecting their duties, they were not forced to resign for preaching heresy, In fact, it is just the opposite, they were forced out because they preach the truth with boldness!
In many churches, there is a small minority who cannot handle the truth of God's Word. When a man of God preaches the pure unadulterated Word of God it will reveal sin people's lives. Some will respond properly and repent of that sin, others will rebel, resist and remain in their sins! Some folks have a tendency to get angry with the messenger. One old preacher said 'when you throw a rock into a pack of dogs the one you hit will always holler."
Here is how it usually goes... one backslidden malcontent will hear a message that he doesn't like or, a decision will be made in the church that he doesn't like or there is a position in the church that he wants and it is given to someone else or, he doesn't get the attention that he thinks he deserves. Whatever the initial motivation is, that individual will begin to plot against the pastor. His first move is to find someone else with a like mind. Together, these two will begin a smear campaign against the pastor. They will gripe, grumble and complain about every thing that happens in the church. They get on the phone and begin to tear down the church to anyone who will listen. They spread the news to everyone they encounter in town. These days their attempt to take down the church is even easier because they can post their grievances to social media. In only 140 characters and a few seconds, all of the bad news that is coming out of some little church in Alabama is now spread all over the world. As things progress there may be one or two more malcontents who will join the group. They will work together and make the life of the pastor (and his family) miserable.
And the worst part of this situation is this....While a handful of troublemakers are doing all that they can to attack the man of God an overwhelming majority of the congregation claims to love and support their pastor! At least they say they do, but they lack the backbone to take a stand against the troublemakers! The 95% sit back and allow the 5% to have their way. The troubled pastor will fight and stand firm for a while, he will trust in God and lean on some faithful friends. But in far too many cases, things will get so bad that he will resign.
It is reported that as many as 1500 Pastors leave the ministry each month. It is also a fact that many others would leave if given the opportunity. What people don't see is the emotional scars that are left behind. People often fail to realize the impact that this has on the Pastor's family. When the malcontents succeed in their mission to oust God's man, in many cases not only do they lose their source of income, they lost their house (parsonage). The Kids have to move schools, the wife may have to find another job in another town, bills go unpaid, cars get repossessed and mortgages are foreclosed on. Many troubles come as a result of foolishness and division in the church.
Trouble in the church is not limited to people attacking the pastor. These malcontents are equal opportunity offenders! They will go after elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers, committee heads and anyone else who dares to cross them. Trouble and conflict in the church usually comes as a result of foolish people getting angry over minor issues, and it is far too common in the church today.
Let me just say this, I fear God too much to cause trouble in His church! If you want to get on the fighting side of me, just mess with my bride! Folks, the Church is Christ's Bride, and He doesn't like people messing with His bride either. So before you bring trouble and foolishness into the church, before you begin to sew the seeds of discord, before you seek to cause division among God's people, REMEBER WHO IS IN CONTROL!
You may succeed in gathering a coalition of likeminded people You may succeed in running off a pastor. You may succeed in getting your way in the church, but you are living on dangerous ground and in the end God will have the last word!
Oh, yes there is foolishness in the local church. But God has given us clear instructions as to how to deal with that type of foolishness. Though there may be some negative issues in the church from time to time, there are also some positive things that you can find inside the local church. As we move further into the text we will see that - You Can Find Fellow-laborers In The Local Church, You Can Find Fruitfulness In The Local Church and You Can Find Fellowship In The Local Church. In order to give these issues the proper amount of attention, we will continue our look inside the local church next week.
Before we close, let us examine ourselves. Is there anything in your heart that needs to be addressed? Do you have improper motives for what you do in this church? Have you let your pride and ego cause you to sew seeds of discord. If so, why don't you come and make things right today?
Maybe you haven't caused trouble in the church but you know that you are not where you need to be spiritually.... let me encourage you to return to the Father today.
Perhaps you are here and you have never been born again.... My friend, life is short, death is certain, judgment is coming, Heaven and Hell are eternal and Jesus Christ is the only hope of salvation. Today could be your last opportunity to be born again. Turn to Jesus while there is time!
I would like to take this time and encourage those of you who are saved to take a moment and pray for our many sister churches. You see, we can laugh about issues like arguing over vacuum cleaners, facial hair and brands of coffee because it is not an issue here (at the moment). But all around us churches are hurting.... pastors are struggling and congregations are suffering
Let's join together and pray for those things that you see when you take "A Look Inside The Local Church".
