Do you know what the #1 fear in America is? The number one fear in America is public speaking.
Yet do you know what the #2 fear in America is? The number two fear in America is death.
The comedian, Jerry Seinfeld was talking about this and came to this conclusion. He said: “Since the number #1 fear is public speaking and the #2 fear is death; that means that if you die and a Pastor does your eulogy—he is more scared to death than you are.”
Transition:
As a Pastor I love this. It reminds me that will God all things are possible, and God must have helped me conqueror my fears so I could get up in front of you today.
As Paul speaks to Titus in Titus chapter 1, He communicates that He left Titus in Crete to get a job done. It appears that the job was not being done as quickly as Paul anticipated so he skips his normal and routine introduction to his letter and immediately says that something is out of order.
The churches need to be “set in order” by “appointing elders.” The word “appoint” (katasteses) is an interesting word because it was used in dramas and plays to denote a climactic moment, a special place or introduction.
Paul was telling Titus, to not only set apart these leaders but to have a climactic moment of introduction or ordination.
He then defines the role of these leaders as “elders.” The word here is the word “presbuteros” from which we get our word “presbyter or presbyterian” which from the beginning of the church since Pentecost was the name for the men who were identified as the Pastors or under shepherds of the church that were responsible to Jesus; the Chief Shepherd for leading His church.
Therefore, obviously, this passage is written specifically about Pastors. Therefore, in this passage, I am going to be preaching to myself. Yet also I am going to be preaching to you and outline our connection and relationship together.
So specifically, what does God say to each of us when it comes to the decisions of our lives?
Transition: Let’s talk about what God wants His people to do because He called and placed Pastors in His church?
I. He Wants You to Pick A Pastor
vs. 6-9- “namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word, which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able to both exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict.”
Explanation:
When it comes to the placement of Pastors in the church, Paul makes it clear that there is a certain criteria and qualifications that you should take note of when picking a Pastor.
In verses 6-9 he outlines what is necessary for a Pastor to be qualified to lead a church. Let’s read this list of specific requirements: “…namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word, which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able to both exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict.”
There are some things that are obviously missing from this list that we usually put on the list. You will notice that there is no mention of:
a) Age- Paul told Timothy who was selected as a Pastor to “let no man despise his
youth.” Whether young or old; age is not and should not be the focus of picking a Pastor.
b) Ability- There is not mention of his preaching skills, his talents, or if his wife can play the
piano if they can get him for cheap. ?
c) Aptitude- There is not mention of whether he’s been to seminary or if he has a degree.
What is interesting today is that those three things (according to Lifeway Research) are the three criteria that most churches use in hiring a Pastor. As a matter of fact, they are currently studying the issue and recently said: “Age discrimination is common in many churches.”
Illustration: Mother Superior
When I started serving as a Pastor pretty young. I was 25. I remember once going to a Catholic Senior Adult Housing Facility that several of our church members lived in to visit. To visit them I had to get clearance from the “Abbess” or “Mother Superior.”
When I went into her office, she looked at me and said: “You’re too young to be a minister.” I have always been a bit of a jokester, so I looked at her and said: “You think that way because you’ve been around too many old, ancient, and crotchety old Priests who told you what to do.”
I then laughed. This is the look I earned for saying that: She looked at me with a scowl for a minute and started to laugh herself. Then she said: “Ok young man, for you to get clearance you have to get it from the Priest himself.” I was then sent to visit the Priest who was wonderful, gave me clearance, and he and the abbess became my friends and teased me about being their “Baptist burden” from then on out.
Today, when people often pick someone to be their Pastor these days, we are told that first impressions matter. It helps to be handsome, young, and to be stylish in how we dress. (Pause, hmm)
n other words, what matters is what we see in the mirror.
Application:
Yet, what really matters to God is what is in our heart and the way we live. What matters really is what we love. What does verse 5-9 say that we should love?
a) He should love God- (vs 6) The verse tells us that we should be “above reproach”
literally means “there must be a pattern of life they follow.” Years ago, when I was a child
my mother would make my clothes. She would use a thing called “a pattern.” It was like
a template that she laid down over the cloth. She cut it out, sewed it up, and made
something I could wear each day. The pattern of a Pastor should start and end with God
and their love for Him. He says: “When you pick a Pastor see if there is a pattern of
lifestyle that proves His love for the Lord.”
b) He should love His wife- (vs 6)- The Bible says: “He should be the husband of one wife.
This means he should be a “one woman man.” In those days Roman women were said
to have dated their years by the names of their husbands and to have been married so
many times that they wore out their bridal outfits. Therefore, this was a radical
statement. It meant, He should be committed to one woman and model the love and
commitment that Christ has to His bride. Faithful commitment to a loving spouse is a
must when you pick a Pastor.
c) He should love God’s Word. (vs. 6 & 9)- Verse 9 tells us that “He should be faithful to
God’s Word. There’s a theme growing here. You are faithful to what you love. In verse 6
&9 we learn that the Pastor not only builds his life and church on God’s Word, but He
builds his home on God’s Word and it impacts his children who are led to do likewise as
verse 6 says “they believe” and are not rebellious or engage in dissipation which literally
means, “drunken revelry.”
d) He should love people- (vs. 10)- Verse 10 gives a quick overview of how he treats those
around him. He is not self-willed (arrogant/struts when he walks) Quick tempered
(thumos- a hot head/a fire that explodes with a drip of gasoline) Not given to wine-
(Alcohol often inhibits judgment and behavior therefore Paul tells Pastors to not be
addicted to wine. I don’t drink because I’m a Baptist; I don’t drink because I want to be in
control of my behavior) Pugnacious means a striker (don’t hit people) and found of
sordid gain (not greedy and let money motivate and manipulate people)
e) He should love His church- vs 8- In directing the church there are several things that
were important practically. He should be hospitable. In other words, He has space for
you. He invites you into His world. He cares and has a place in his life and heart for the
people he seeks to shepherd. He also is sensible. (This means to think soundly and
have common sense) Love what is good means to have strong affection for the good
things in life that benefit everyone. Just means to be fair and not discriminatory. Devout
means he’s not plastic; He is real in His relationship with God and others. Self-
controlled means he’s able to manage his own appetites and attitudes.
Do you know what you’re being told to do? Judge well. Decide from the right criteria. A find a Pastor and join the church.
Transitional Sentence: What does God want His people to do because He called and placed Pastors in His church?
II. He Wants You to Partner With Your Pastor
vs. 10-11- “For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.”
Explanation:
If there were ever a picture to describe the role and call of God for a Pastor, it would be the picture of a shepherd.
The Greek word “poimen” is used in Ephesians 4:11 which means: “to shepherd.”
There are four things’ Pastors are called to do as shepherds:
a) Shepherds are called to watch- Shepherds watch over flocks and to give personal care.
b) Shepherds are called to warn- Shepherds warn the flock if a wolf is near and dangerous.
c) Shepherds are called to work- They feed the flock and make sure they don’t go hungry.
d) Shepherds are called to walk- They lead their flocks.
In this passage the wolves were false teachers that feed people a line so that they fill their wallets. In verse 10 Paul says that these people teach things that they should not for sordid gain.
Obviously, one of the things wolves or “false teachers” want to do is to teach people things that do not match God’s Word.
In verse 12 Paul tells us that there was a saying going around Crete by that said this: “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.
This statement was from a guy named Epimenides. Here’s a statue of him that survived the years. He was a Pagan prophet and seer. Considered to be one of the greatest Greeks of all time.
Epimenedes said that the Cretans were:
a) Evil Beasts- This term refers to people who were uncontrollable and wild- Ancient
records tell us that Cretans bragged about there being no wild beasts in Crete because
the people were already wild enough.
b) Liars- The Cretan people saw telling lies as a badge of honor; a Cretan always wanted to
get one over on another Cretan.
c) Lazy gluttons- This term can be translated as “idle stomachs.” The meaning is that
they feed their bellies by telling lies and taking people to the cleaners and refusing to
work.
He concludes that these false teachers: “They profess to know God, but by their own deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good.”
How many of you know we live in a world with the same challenges? Whether in the pulpit or in the public arena—there are plenty of people who would willingly lead you astray.
Therefore, as Titus was addressing this culture, he is inviting God’s people to join and partner with their Pastors by spreading he truth and doing their part in: Watching, warning, working, and walking.
Like I have often said: A snowflake can be beautiful, but if you put a bunch of them together; they can stop traffic.
The same is true with the church. We are better when we are:
a) Walking together
b) Working together
c) Warning others together
d) Watching out for each other together.
Illustration: Illegal to lock your car doors?
In Churchill, Manitoba Canada they are considering making it a law that you cannot lock your car doors.
I thought that was strange until I heard why. The reason why this is being considered is that they have a problem with Polar Bears up there and if you are out and a Polar Bear approaches you, the best place to find safety is in a car. But can you imagine being chased by a Polar Bear and getting to a car and the car doors are locked?
Application:
The truth is that in this world, there are a lot of “wild beasts” (as Paul and Epimenides calls them) and the church should be a safe place to take cover. It should be a place where you get the truth. Get the love of God and get prepared for what is coming after you this week.
In Acts 20 Pastors are commanded saying: “Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church fo God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock…therefore be on the alert.” Acts 20: 28-31
Listen: What’s your current condition? Do you need to be protected? Or do you need to get prepared? Perhaps you can prepare others? The church is an open door where we serve one another and serve together so that we will all be prepared and ready to live out daily the abundant life that Jesus offers.
Transitional Sentence: What does God want His people to do, knowing that He has called and placed Pastors in His church?
III. Pray for Your Pastor
Explanation:
Not many job descriptions are listed in the Bible. The only ones we find in the New Testament is the job description of the Pastor and the Deacon.
The reason why it is there is because obviously this role really matters to God. How many of you think getting fed is a pretty important? Anyone want to skip a meal today?
I read this week that 27% of Americans are skipping meals because of skyrocketing food costs.
Likewise I read that Breakfast is the most commonly skipped meal of the day. With that said: “Is anyone hungry?”
The word “poimen” which is translated as shepherd; in its most literal form means: Feeder. Therefore, isn’t it interesting that God says:
Therefore, that ought to be a good indicator of how important the teaching of God’s Word is in your life. Part of the Pastor’s job is to feed you.
I Peter 5:2 says: “Shepherd (feed) the flock of God which is among you…”
Illustration: The new parsonage
I was reading about a church where the Pastor came unprepared to the pulpit each week and the sheep were getting hungry.
One week some of his leadership asked him when he prepared his messages. He said: “As you know. I love a block away… I prepare my sermon as I walk to church on Sunday morning.”
Their remedy was this: They sold the parsonage he lived in and purchased a new one 10 miles away.”
That was one hungry congregation.
Application:
The Bible is likened unto two things:
a) Milk (I Peter 2:2)
b) Meat. (Hebrews 5:14)
A new believer is like a newborn baby. They need milk to stay alive and thrive. Likewise, a believer needs more than milk, they need something more filling; they need meat. The meat of God’s Word.
Because being fed God’s Word is so vital, Paul said this: “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1
Could I ask you to do the same for me and all the other Pastors that are feeding their flocks this morning? Will you pray for us that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you?
We are all in need of prayer. I need to pray for you, and I need you to pray for me. We are in this together.
Conclusion:
Today, I pray that Word has run swiftly to your heart. What has God said to you today?
a) Perhaps he is telling you that you need to pick a Pastor. You need to join this church.
b) Perhaps he is telling you that you need to partner with your Pastor, you need to begin
serving in some capacity in Jesus’ church.
c) Perhaps today you need to pray.
1) Maybe you need to pray a prayer of salvation today. Maybe you need to invite Jesus
into your heart and life. Listen: Isn’t it time for Jesus.
2) Maybe you need to come and pray. This altar is open for you.
Come today. Jesus is ready and waiting for you.
