Appoint Elders

Sermon Introduction

Paul, the apostle, instructed Titus, a fellow servant, to continue their unfinished work in Crete. Unfortunately, Cretans have a reputation of being liars, drunkards, and worshipers of Zeus, which would make it challenging for Titus. Nevertheless, he needed to put things in order. An essential aspect of putting things in order was to appoint the right elders in every town. The words elder, pastor, and bishop were interchangeable, which meant service to God’s people through leadership, teaching, and shepherding. Paul gave Titus a short criterion of an elder. Let us look closer into the criterion.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Titus 1:5-9 NASB

5 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, 6 namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of indecent behavior or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, 9 holding firmly 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 it.

Notes

Paul, the apostle, instructed Titus, a fellow servant, to continue their unfinished work in Crete. Unfortunately, Cretans have a reputation of being liars, drunkards, and worshipers of Zeus, which would make it challenging for Titus. Nevertheless, he needed to put things in order. An essential aspect of putting things in order was to appoint the right elders in every town. The words elder, pastor, and bishop were interchangeable, which meant service to God’s people through leadership, teaching, and shepherding. Paul gave Titus a short criterion of an elder. Let us look closer into the criterion.

1. Paul left Titus in Crete, an island off the coast of Greece, so Titus could put in order the work they started, which was to appoint elders in every town on the Island (1:5). Without establishing elders, the work is incomplete.

2. An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, and whose children are believers, not rebellious, but obedient. Furthermore, an elder is not arrogant, short-tempered, a drunkard, violent, and greedy for gain (1:6-7).

3. An elder shows hospitality, loves good, self-controlled, holy, and disciplined. He knows the word of God and stands firm on it so he could encourage others and refute those who oppose it (1:8-9).

Application

1. Biblical elders bring a sense of order into a Christian community. Elders shepherd the community of faith, plural, not singular. They nurture God’s people through the teaching of the word, and they defend against false teaching.

2. On the other hand, unfit elders will not discern false teaching, nor will they exhibit a life that inspires faith and obedience. Their life and family are not worth emulating. Thus, unqualified elders are dangerous to the flock.

3. Biblical Elders are not perfect, but their private and public lives are respectable. They are disciplined, hospitable, and keep their family in order. Thus, we should respect them and follow their example.

Discussion / Reflection

1. . Why did Paul instruct Titus to appoint elders?

2. Enumerate the qualification of an elder.

3. How may we apply the truths in the text in our context?