"Elders..."
“Elders…”
Blessings folk!
We are going to examine another subject for a few days…then return to the great cloud of witnesses.
Many portions of the Body of Christ are “look’n for leadership”.
The Word tell us much about leadership within the Body.
We would do well to learn these truths and then apply them.
This might require the setting aside of “this is our plan, process and procedure”, but can we do better than what the Lord has said?
Look at what the Spirit states through Paul to Titus…bear with me…the passage is lengthier than normal…but it is important to understand the context…
Tit 1:1-9
Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,
but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,
To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who 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 both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Note what we learn of Paul…
Who he is?
bond-servant of God
apostle of Jesus Christ
To what purpose?
for the faith of those chosen of God
for the knowledge of truth which is according to godliness
in the hope of eternal life
to proclaim the commandment of God our Savior
Paul left Titus in Crete to establish and set in order the Body.
He was to also appoint elders in every city.
The elder/overseer is then described.
These are the traits and character of an elder.
When seeking leadership, look for this (as well as other passages we will examine).
Above reproach.
Husband of one wife.
Not self-willed.
Not quick-tempered.
Not addicted to wine.
Not pugnacious.
Not fond of sordid gain.
Hospitable.
Lover of good.
Sensible.
Just.
Devout.
Self-controlled.
Holding fast the Word of Truth.
Able to exhort in sound doctrine.
Able to refute those who contradict.
Too many so-called “church leaders”, especially of the vocational variety, are disqualified by this list.
Many are those who see sordid gain….are quick-tempered…pugnacious…self-willed.
Most simply do not know the Word of God.
Academic “credentials” do not mean that one knows the Word!
They are unable and unwilling to exhort in sound doctrine. They do not know it.
They are unable to refute those who contradict…they know not the truth.
When seeking leadership, seek the Lord.
It is really simple.
Seek the mind of the Lord.
Have the mind of the Lord.
He will direct.