Titus 1:5-9 – “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you – [6] if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. [7] For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, [8] but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. [9] He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine
and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
I. What God Expects With An Elder’s Serving (Titus 1:5)
A. The office of the elder – presbuteros; the dignity of the office, maturity of spiritual experience
B. The function of the elder – episkopos; the oversight, administration, and leadership
C. The motive of the elder – poimen; the watchful, protective shepherd (Ephesians 4:11)
II. What God Expects In An Elder’s Testimony (Titus 1:6)
A. His character – “if anyone is above reproach…” Not perfect, but exemplary
B. His marriage – “…the husband of one wife…” Literally, a one-woman man.
C. His children – “…and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.”
III. What God Expects In An Elder’s Conduct (Titus 1:7-8)
A. He must have integrity under scrutiny – “For an overseer… must be above reproach as God’s steward…”
B. He must cultivate humility – “…He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered…”
2 Timothy 2:24-25 – “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness.”
C. He must be self-controlled – “…or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain…”
D. He must model righteousness – “…hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined…”
IV. What God Expects Of An Elder’s Commission (Titus 1:9)
A. He will be true to God’s Word – “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word…”
B. He will be a continual student of the Word – “…as taught…”
Taught in the past, always studying and learning in the present
C. He will be skilled in the Word – “…so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine…”
D. He will be courageous with the Word – “…and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”