There May Be More To It Than You Think!

We learned yesterday, as we read the book of Acts and other letters, the Apostle Paul wrote about the appointing of Elders to lead a congregation of believers.  These men had to show quite a bit of character in their lives.  Paul gives Titus very specific criteria to be used as he seeks leaders for this Church in Crete.  

Titus 1:6-9 – ⁶If anyone is above approach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. ⁷For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above approach.  He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, ⁸but hospitable a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. ⁹He 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.

Most of these characteristics are self-explanatory.  But we see the seriousness of this place of leadership God designed for the body of Christ. As we read through these verses we see there are certain one’s that are derived from others.   This man has already shown himself to be one of integrity.  Within in the Church and without as we see in verse 6, ⁶If anyone is above approach, showing that no one can bring an accusation against him of blatant sin in his life.   

In verse 8 we see a key word, holy, and you may be saying there is no one like that.  True, but as far as can be seen this man is working through that and his desire to be like Christ is displayed through his life.  But isn’t that what God wants us all to strive for?  In Leviticus God told the nation of Israel to be Holy for their Lord God is Holy.  Peter reiterated that in 1 Peter 1:15.  In Paul’s letter to the Romans in Chapter 12:1, he wrote for us to be “Living Sacrifices, Holy and Acceptable before God.”  Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 to “Hunger and thirst after righteousness”.

We see in verse 6, a very important part of this man’s life to be considered as the family life is looked at.  In Timothy Chapter 3 verses 4 and 5 the Apostle Paul wrote it like this: ⁴He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, ⁵for if someone does not know how to manage his own household how will he care for God’s church?

You’ve heard from the pulpit of MPBC many times.  If a man does not lead in his own family how can he be expected to lead in the Church?  If the man does not get it right in his home how can we expect him to get it right to lead the Church? Two of the most precious things God instituted, the family and the Church, God emphasizes for the man to take care of his family.  Again, not everything is going to be perfect here.  But the man is striving to love his wife as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25).  He is bringing his children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).  The congregation that he is leading must understand and make sure they give him the time do so and the leader must take that time too.

In 1 Timothy the Apostle Paul wrote, “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” But in verse 7 of Titus the man understands something in that desire.  ⁷For an overseer, as God’s steward. This desire is totally from God and what he is being drawn to is all about God.   If he is looking for power or fame or wealth then it will go drastically wrong and he will lead many astray.  Let’s finish what Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” 

The weight of that speaks volumes to this office of Elder.  One of the most important ways to do that is indicated in verse 9.  ⁹He 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. Though it may seem more prevalent today than ever we know that every whim of doctrine has been espoused in the Church and without.  I love the way Paul describes the Scriptures.  He describes it as “the trustworthy word”.  Sound doctrine being taught will equip the saints for the work of the ministry for the building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). Because as we will learn in the next verses that many will contradict and many will try to pervert the Scripture.  But this must be taken seriously because of what is written in Hebrews 13:17 – Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be no advantage to you.

These verses have described a lot. But, the weight of this goes beyond just a list of be checked off.  It is more than you think. It goes to a God given desire that must be fulfilled by teaching, training, loving, watching over and protecting the Church of whom Jesus is coming back for. By the way it could be Soon!!!  Are you fulfilling your role in the body of Christ? 

Dale

Follow Jesus

John 21:20-23

The previous verses showed us Jesus restoring Peter to service and telling him exactly what he was to do. 

But not only that, he also shared that it was not going to be easy.  It is made very clear to Peter in verse 18, and described to us in verse 19, that ultimately his devotion to Jesus will cost him his life.  Three and half years ago Peter heard these words and he hears them again, “Follow me.”

²⁰Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

After Jesus said to Peter to follow him we see Peter immediately doing so.  Does that sound familiar?  If you go back and read in Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4 and John 1 of the disciples first calling to follow Jesus we see the same thing.  Immediate obedience.  By Peter rising up and walking with Jesus he showed his willingness to pay the price.  That same call is summoning us to the same thing.  Yes, Peter messed up big time and probably each of us has also.  But there is forgiveness waiting if we will repent and surrender that sin or that fear to God and allow him to restore us.  Look at what Peter became.  Do you think Satan tried to bring up that past?  Peter had to let go of the past and look at what God did with him in the future. 

Let go of the past and let God transform you into the servant he wants you to be for his glory.  That is not going to look the same in each of our lives.  As Peter and Jesus start walking along the shoreline, Peter looks over his shoulder and asks Jesus about John.  Jesus has just described what was going to be required of Peter. 

You may say, “How do you know it is John?” First, John never refers to himself by name.  Second, by process of elimination.  Peter is doing the questioning and the one following is described in the same way as earlier at the Passover and at the Cross.  Peter’s question may have been out of concern for John and the other disciples but it is met with somewhat of a rebuke.

²²Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” ²³So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die, yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” ²³So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die, yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Jesus had just restored Peter and personally called him to a specific task.  Jesus had just said, “Follow me!” and Peter did so.  But again it wasn’t long before Peter took his eyes off Jesus. Remember from verse 20?  It said Peter turned and looked at John. Now Peter’s inquiry may have been out of concern and we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ and have love and concern for them.  We definitely should have a desire for everyone to fulfil God’s call in their life and to live it to its fullest for the glory of God.

But we personally have been called to serve God in a specific way.  If we get focused on other people so much and look at what they are doing it can cause problems.  Pride could set in.  You are a leader and everyone seems to turn to you and you think no one can do it like you and boy these people really love me. Jealousy could set in.  Maybe someone seems to be more in the spotlight.  Maybe because of certain talents people have a competition sets in to see who is better, instead of allowing God to use your talents collectively for the Lord.  And boy does that create a mess.  Maybe you think you don’t have anything to offer and discouragement could set in. 

May I remind you today that if you are a true follower of Jesus Christ he has a task for you.  You are a part of the body of Christ and the whole body needs to be doing what it is supposed to be doing for the body to be healthy.  Read Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians Chapter 12:12-31.

2 Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 20 says, Therefore we are ambassadors of Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

That’s a good place to start!  Follow Jesus!!!!

Dale