(Titus 1:5-9) The Minister God Ordains

#3 THE MINISTER GOD ORDAINS

Titus 1:5-9

^[5] For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

^[6] If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

^[7] 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;

^[8] But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

^[9] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

I once came across the following Pastor Search Committee Report that was presented to the deacons for consideration:

In our search for a suitable pastor, the following scratch sheet was developed for your perusal. Of the candidates investigated by the committee, only one was found to have the necessary qualities. The list contains the names of the candidates and comments on each, should you be interested in investigating them further for future pastoral placements.

NOAH: He has 120 years of preaching experience, but no converts.

MOSES: He stutters; and his former congregation says he loses his temper over trivial things.

ABRAHAM: He took off to Egypt during hard times. We heard that he got into trouble with the authorities and then tried to lie his way out.

DAVID: He is an unacceptable moral character. He might have been considered for minister of music had he not fallen.

SOLOMON: He has a reputation for wisdom but fails to practice what he preaches.

ELIJAH: He proved to be inconsistent, and is known to fold under pressure.

HOSEA: His family life is in a shambles. Divorced, and remarried to a prostitute.

JEREMIAH: He is too emotional, alarmist; some say a real pain in the neck.

AMOS: Comes from a farming background. Better off picking figs.

JOHN: He says he is a Baptist but lacks tact and dresses like a hippie. Would not feel comfortable at a church potluck supper.

PETER: Has a bad temper, and was heard to have even denied Christ publicly.

PAUL: We found him to lack tact. He is too harsh, his appearance is contemptible, and he preaches far too long.

TIMOTHY: He has potential, but is much too young for the position.

JUDAS: He seemed to be very practical, cooperative, and good with money, cares for the poor, and dresses well. We all agreed that he is just the man we are looking for to fill the vacancy as our Senior Pastor.

Thank you for all you have done in assisting us with our pastoral search. Pastoral Search Committee chairman

Oftentimes the person we consider a qualified candidate for being pastor is anything but qualified. What are the qualifications for a pastor? As we continue in Titus we find God’s qualifications for a pastor.

As we saw in our last study, Paul had asked Titus in 1:4 to “set in order the things that are wanting and to ordain elders in every city.” He was given the charge of appointing pastors over the Churches on the island of Crete. However, Titus was not to ordain just anyone as a pastor. Beginning in verse 6 Paul gives Timothy the qualifications of a pastor.

Those he was to ordain had to meet certain standards. These standards were much more than Paul’s own opinions of who would make a good pastor. These were God’s standards. This was the kind of man that God would ordain and when it comes to ordaining a pastor, the only person man should want to ordain is someone that God would ordain.

Listen carefully to John MacArthur’s words from his commentary on Titus: “God's standards for leadership in the church are high, a basic and extremely crucial truth that many evangelical churches today either deny or ignore. New Testament standards for pastors are often lowered, selectively applied, or simply disregarded. Some congregations and denominations pick and choose pastoral qualifications that seem most relevant and appropriate for the times, that satisfy personal preferences, and that do not conflict too sharply with contemporary social standards and practices. Some take the liberty to waive biblical standards when they like a pastor and the application of those standards might result in his dismissal. Nothing is more needed in the church than the careful application of the biblical principles of leadership.”

Whether it involves a pastor, deacon, or any leader in the Church, God’s standards must never be lowered or compromised. They must be held in the highest esteem and the guidelines which every Church embraces and upholds. God’s standards are nonnegotiable.

What are those standards? Let’s look at the pastor God ordains as defined by verses 5-9. Lets begin by first noticing:

1. THE ROLE OF A PASTOR

Each denomination and each Church have different opinions and ideas of the role of a pastor. The Methodist would have a different opinion than the Baptist. The Baptist would have a different opinion than the Presbyterian. I am sure that in this place, if a questionnaire was taken, we would get a variety of opinions on what you feel is the role of a pastor.

What is the role of a pastor in a Church? If you really want to know, you don’t necessarily turn to your denomination handbook or any other source than the Bible—God’s Word. The role of a pastor is defined by God. Christ is the Head of the Church, thus He calls the shots in a Church, or at least should. The Bible defines the role of a pastor and blessed is the Church that understands and accepts this defined role.

As you look at our text you find the role of a pastor defined in the titles that are given to the pastor. There are three particular titles that are given to the pastor in verses 5 - 7. The pastor is called an “elder,” a “bishop” and a “steward.” These titles speak of and define the role of a pastor.

In these titles we see:

A) The Maturity of the Pastor

In verse 5 the pastor is called an “elder.” Titus is given instructions to ordain “elders.” The title literally speaks of someone who is elderly, someone who is older. As used in regards to a pastor, it is not putting some kind of age limit on a pastor but referring to his spiritual maturity.

In 1 Timothy 3:6 Paul said that a bishop or pastor must not be “a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” The word “novice” means “newly planted” and speaks of a new convert. A pastor is to be someone who is spiritually mature, having grown in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus and the Word of God.

One can older in years and not be spiritually mature. One can be young in years and be spiritually mature. Again the idea is not of a certain age but the spiritual maturity of the one being ordained. He cannot be a new convert, a babe in Christ. He must someone that stands before the people as an example of Christian growth and character.

As we shall see a little later, the pastor is to lead people into spiritual growth. If he is not spiritually mature, he will never be able to help others to mature. The spiritual maturity of a pastor helps define his role as a pastor. He is to lead people into a closer walk with Christ and in a relationship with the Lord that is deepening and maturing day by day.

His maturity speaks to his ministry in the word. More will be said about this later, but the pastor is to be one that is mature in the Word and helping believers to become mature and grow in grace.

Furthermore we see:

B) The Authority of the Pastor

When it comes to the authority of the pastor, perhaps nothing has caused more confusion and trouble than the misunderstanding or the lack of acceptance of the authority of a pastor in a Church. In some cases pastors have been known to abuse their authority. In most cases there has been an unwillingness to acknowledge and accept the pastor’s role of authority.

While often the point of contention and confusion, happy and blessed is the Church that understands the role of authority the pastor has in the Church. No Church will ever move forward and fulfill its God given purpose until it understands the authority of a pastor. A pastor will never be able to lead a Church forward unless a Church acknowledges the authority that has been given to Him by the Scriptures and God.

In verse 7 the pastor is called a “bishop.” The terms “elder” and “bishop” both refer to the pastor. From numerous passages in the New Testament it seems certain that elder and bishop refer to the same office, the different terms indicating various features of ministry. Some Churches see these as different roles in the Church with different levels of authority. The terms are used to speak of the same office and the roles within that office.

The word “bishop” speaks of a “superintendent.” It describes the officer that is in charge. This does not make the pastor a dictator, which is often the charge leveled against pastors who take the authority that is given to them by God, but it does make the pastor the one who is in charge of what happens in a church.

This authority is also seen in the title “steward” that is given in verse 7. Paul speaks of the pastor as the “steward of God.” The word “steward” speaks of an “overseer” or “manager.” In ancient Greek and Roman societies, a steward managed a household on behalf of the owner. As an elder the pastor is a minister. As a bishop or steward the pastor is a manager. His boss is the Lord and he has been given the task of overseeing His Church.

I know of Churches where the deacons or some committee run everything. You don’t find such a form of government anywhere in the Bible. Someone may say, “But that’s the way we Baptist do it.” Just because it’s the way the Baptist do it does not make it right. Only the Word of God makes something right and the Bible speaks of the pastor as the overseer and administrator of the Church.

What is often forgotten in Churches is that the Church is a divine institution. God’s plan is that His man—the pastor—be the leader of the Church. This does not mean that the people do not have a voice, but God’s form of government is not a democracy but a theocracy. A democracy is a government under the people. A Theocracy is a government under God.

Note carefully that the pastor is called a “steward of God.” The pastor has a responsibility under God. He must take his marching orders from the Lord and no one else. Having received those orders he is to lead the Church to fulfill God’s will for that congregation. It is not a pastor doing his own thing. It is a pastor doing God’s will.

The authority of the pastor is clearly expressed in Hebrews 13:7, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”

Also, we rin in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

There is the rule pastors have over the church and the obedience that is expected of the Church to the leadership of a God-ordained pastor.

Secondly, notice with me not only the role of a pastor, but also:

2. THE REQUIREMENTS OF A PASTOR

I mentioned earlier that some pastors have been known to abuse their authority. Such abuse is often eliminated when the right kind of man is appointed the pastor. Just not anyone should be or can be a pastor. Being a pastor is not a vocational choice. It is a divine call. With that call there come certain standards and qualifications.

What are those qualifications? In verses 5-8 we see these qualifications. First, there are qualifications that are required for a pastor:

A) Morally

In verse 6 we read, “If any be blameless.” The word “blameless” means “unaccused” and “irreproachable.” The idea is that the pastor cannot be charged with wrongdoing. There is nothing immoral in his life that someone could rise up and charge him with. He is what he preaches.

There are qualifications that are required for a pastor:

B) Domestically

There are certain qualifications concerning his family. First, verse 6 says he must be “the husband of one wife.” I might point out that this particular qualification makes it hard for a woman to justify being a pastor. It is hard for a woman to be a husband, would you not agree.

The Greek literally means “one woman man” or a “one woman husband.” This requirement is not saying that a pastor must be married, and neither is it saying that a pastor must have only one wife at a time. It is saying that a pastor must not have more than one living wife or must not be a divorced person.

The purpose of all these qualifications is that the pastor must be an example in all areas of his life, even his home life. He must be a standard for which people strive and his home must rise to the highest standards.

Domestically, the requirements involve his children. In verse 6 we read of the pastor as “having faithful children.” The statement literally means “having children who believe.” It speaks of children who have put their faith in Christ. If a man’s children do not see anything in him that would lead them to put their faith in Christ it is doubtful that he can lead others to Christ.

Added to the pastor’s children believing is the matter of “not accused of riot or unruly.” The word “riot” would speak of the children as being “prodigals” and the word “unruly” as being rebellious against spiritual things. Pastor’s children are like anyone else’s children. They are not perfect. Especially, if they hang around the deacons kids! They want be perfect, but they as long as they live under the authority of their pastor-father, they are not be accused of riot and being unruly.

Paul spoke of the pastor in 1 Timothy 3:4-5 as, “One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”

The pastor’s leadership in the home is a indication of the kind of leadership he will exercise in the church. Furthermore, the qualifications of a pastor establish standards:

C) Socially

Once again in verse 7 we see that a pastor must be “blameless.” He must be a person above reproach. Socially, or in his relationship to those around him, he must rise to certain standards. In verse 7 five things are mentioned.

First, he must not be “selfwilled.” The word is an unusually strong adjective that denotes an arrogant self-interest that asserts its own will with utter disregard for how others might be affected. A pastor must not be wrapped up in himself, only doing what he does for self-interest.

Secondly, he must not be “soon angry.” He must not be quick-tempered, one with a short fuse and easily provoked.

Thirdly, he must not be “given to wine.” He must not be someone who is addicted to wine or strong drink. I think you would agree that a sot does not make a good pastor.

Fourthly, he must not be a “striker.” The word literally means “fist-fighter.” A pastor must not be one that is ready to throw up his dukes and go at it with others.

Fifthly, he must not be “given to filthy lucre.” Paul is referring to a person who, without honesty or integrity, seeks wealth and financial prosperity at any cost.

Finally we see that the requirements of a pastor involve his life:

D) Spiritually

After giving us five negatives in verse 7, we are given six positives in verse 8.

First, he must be a, “Lover of hospitality.” This speaks of a person who is hospitable gives practical help to anyone who is in need, friend or stranger, believer or unbeliever. He freely offers his time, his resources, and his encouragement to meet the needs of others.

He is also “a lover of good men.” This carries the idea of having strong affection for that which is intrinsically good. A pastor should love those things and those people who are genuinely good.

He is also “sober,” which describes a person who is sober minded and coolheaded and prudent. He is someone who is sensible.

He is also “just.” The word denotes that which is proper, right, and fitting, and is frequently rendered "righteous.

He is also “holy” which speaks of him being a devout man. It was used to refer to that which was true to divine direction and purpose, to genuine obedience to God's will.

As we he is “temperate,” which speaks of self-control. He lives an exemplary life on the outside because he submits to the Holy Spirit's control on the inside.

Lastly, we see:

3. THE RESPONSIBILITES OF A PASTOR

God’s call into the ministry and pastorate places certain divine demands and responsibilities on a man. In Paul’s words we are reminded of the responsibilities that are placed upon a pastor. Every pastor must recognize that he is accountable to God for the ministry God has given him. As we look at these responsibilities we see:

A) The Stability of the Pastor

In verse 9 Paul speaks of, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught.” The Word that a pastor preaches is a “faithful word,” therefore the pastor must be faithful to the Word and in the Word. The words “holding fast” literally mean “holding face to face.” It carries the idea of cling to something.

A pastor must cling to the Word of God that he has been taught. This makes every pastor a learner. What he has learned must be settled in his heart. He must be faithful to the teachings of the Word and the preaching of the Word.

One that is not settled in the Word has no business being in the pulpit, much less be a pastor. The pastor must be marked by stability, a stability in the Word of God.

Secondly, there is:

B) The Capability of the Pastor

Paul says of a pastor that must “be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” The word “able” indicates that a pastor must be capable of performing the work He has been given by God.

He must be capable of exhorting. The word “exhort” means to “call near” or “invite.” One of the responsibilities of a pastor in his ministry and preaching is to call people to a closer walk and relationship to the Lord Jesus. Every pastor knows that this is a constant responsibility. Every pastor is always calling for and challenging his people to draw closer to the Lord. A pastor must have the capability of leading people to a closer walk and relationship with God.

He must also be capable of exposing. A pastor will at times have to “convince the gainsayers.” The word “gainsayers” means “to dispute, refuse.” There will always be those in the Church that cause dissension and refuse to walk after God’s commands. They don’t care about anything or anyone but themselves.

They remind me of the Church member who objected to anything that went on in the church. In every business meeting he always argued and gripped about what was discussed. One Sunday the pastor announced that someone had given the Church a large and beautiful chandelier. As usual the man got up and objected to the Church taking it. The pastor said, “It is being given to us. It is not costing us a single penny. Why would you be against it?” He replied, “Well, well first of all, we don’t have anyone who can play it. Secondly, what we need around here is more light.”

I think God puts such people in the church to keep the pastor praying. There will always be one, yet, the pastor has the responsibility of dealing with such members. The word “convince” means “to admonish” and “rebuke.” The pastor can’t just hope such members will move their letter. As one preacher said to me, such people never die. Amen. No, the pastor must confront such members and correct them. No pastor likes dealing with such things or people, but it is one of his responsibilities.

Someone has written that being a pastor means:

· Spending three years studying systematic theology only to discover that the most scholarly comment people respond to is “God loves you.”

· Never having enough money to pay one’s bills and enough time to count one’s blessings.

· Receiving two anonymous letters in the same week—one correcting the grammar in last Sunday’s sermon and the other containing money to be given to a family experiencing difficulty.

· Seldom living near relatives but always near friends.

· Trying not to laugh when asked to say a blessing at the dedication of the town’s new sewage treatment plant.

· Always working overtime but seldom feeling the need to watch the clock.

· Uniting with God’s children at all of the turning points of life.

· Sharing the joys of the wedding, the birth of the child, the baptism of the believer, and tears in the hospital and the funeral home.

· Pushing the button of hope for those who have hit bottom.

Being a pastor means many things, but first and foremost, it means being faithful to God and His Word and fulfilling the responsibilities that God places upon the pastor.