Word for Today: Monday, January 28, 2013

INTRODUCTION TO TITUS

Titus was an early Christian leader and a companion of Paul. He was sent to organise and oversee the churches at Crete. This epistle to Titus instructs him on how to lead the church. There are three major categories:

•        Leadership- Titus 1:1-16

•        Right Living in the church- Titus 2:1-15

•        Right living in the society- Titus 3:1-15

Titus 1:1-9 Qualities for Leadership

Memory Verse Titus1: 7(KJV)

“For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre”;

Verses 1- 4 give the salutation of Paul to Titus.

Paul started the letter with an introduction as well as a wonderful greeting, although Paul was writing to Titus, I am sure he knew that someday believers all over the world will also read his letter.

The purpose of this letter was to establish the correct teaching and appoint leaders in every town to assist in propagating the gospel and to help the Church grow in faith and truth, so that through their knowledge of the truth, they can grow into godliness.

Our faith and knowledge lies in the fact that God does not lie and he cannot lie and therefore we believe his promise of an eternal life- a promise made even before time began.

In verse 5, Paul stated his reason for leaving Titus in Crete. There was a lot of work to be done in Crete and Paul knew the task was too burdensome for one person to handle alone, hence he told Titus to appoint God-fearing leaders to assist him. Verses 5-9 gives the qualities a leader should possess.

What are the Qualities of an Elder according to Verses 5-9?

To be a leader means you have been placed to look after God’s people you are an example to them. Therefore it is necessary to possess the following qualities

•        An elder must be blameless- there is a strong emphasis on blameless in verses 6&7. Being blameless should also be a quality for all believers. God wants us to live a holy life and since we are God’s representatives here on earth we should endeavour to live godly lives. Note that the world is watching us. Some people have been discouraged to accept Jesus due to the wayward lifestyle of some so-called Christians.  Paul said that we are writing epistles for the world to see and through our ministry we reveal Christ (2 Cor 3:2-3). Do you portray Christ in your daily living or are you the reason why some people are discouraged to accept Christ. Examine your life today and make amends.

•        He must have one wife- he shouldn’t be a polygamist.

•        He must be a responsible father and his children must be godly- most people fail in their responsibilities as parents. The bible urges us to train up our children when they are young (Proverbs 22:6), teach them the way of the lord as soon as they are born. As believers our first ministry is to our families, how can we minister to people if our own family is messed up? If you are not capable of taking care of your family, then you are not capable of shepherding the folk of God.

•        He must not be quick-tempered

•        He must not be a drunkard

•        He must not be violent

•        He must not pursue dishonest gain

•        He must be hospitable

•        He must love good

•        He must have self-control

•        He must be upright, Holy and disciplined-

•        He must hold firm to the truth of the gospel and he should be able to encourage others through with this truth. Most Pastors today will try to spice up the gospel to suit their congregations so that they can retain them in the church. This shouldn’t be so. The Gospel of Jesus should be preached in accordance with the bible. No addition and no subtraction. (Proverbs 30:5-6, Rev 22:18-19)

The qualities of a leader here are in accordance with the one Paul wrote to Timothy. Notice that these qualities involve a person’s lifestyle and character not knowledge or skills. A person’s character provides a window into his or her character.

In our Christian race, we need each other. It is not possible for the Pastor to be the usher, chorister, instrumentalist, etc, it would be too much work and as leaders in church evaluate your lifestyle with the qualities stated in this passage and make amends.