TO TITUS: SET THINGS IN ORDER

TO TITUS: SET THINGS IN ORDER

(Titus 1:1-9)

1. PAUL’S INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTER, TITUS 1:1-4

Visual Structure of Verses 1-3

Paul,

--a slave of God

--and an apostle of Jesus Christ

     (1) for [= purpose] the sake of the faith of God’s elect

           and their knowledge of the truth,

                    which accords with godliness,

      (2) in (= the basis of or reason for) hope of eternal life,

                    which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

                     and at the proper time manifested in his word [time]

                           through the preaching [means]

with which I have been entrusted

                                                by the command of God our Savior;      

1. Paul’s Self-Identification, 1:1a

--Paul, Slave of God

--Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ

2. Paul’s Purposes/Goals, 1:1b

3. Paul’s Reason for (or the basis of) His Apostolic Ministry, 1:2

4. Paul’s Unique Ministry in Revealing and Preaching the Gospel of Eternal Life, 1:3

5. Paul’s Greeting to Titus, 1:4

1. THE BIBLICAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDERS, TITUS 1:5-9

1. Set Things in Order: Appoint Elders, 1:5

2. Appoint Only Qualified Elders, 1:6-9

--MORAL AND SPIRITUAL CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

1. A Good Reputation

            “Above reproach” (Titus 1:6)

1. Family Life: Marital and Sexual Life

                        “The husband of one wife” (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 3:2)

1. Family Life: Children

“His children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination” (Titus 1:6)

                        “Must manage his own household well” (1 Tim. 3:4)

(Verse 7:  For an overseer, as God’s Steward, must be above Reproach)

1. Relational Skills with People

“Not arrogant” (Titus 1:7)

“Not quick tempered” (Titus 1:7)
“Upright” (Titus 1:8)

1. Personal Self-Control

“Not a drunkard” (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:3)

“Not Violent” (Titus 1:7)
            “Not greedy for gain” (Titus 1:7)
            “Self-Controlled” (Titus 1:8)

“Disciplined” (Titus 1:8)

1. Hospitable and Loving

“hospitable” (Titus 1:8)

“a lover of good” (Titus 1:8)

1. Personal Integrity

“Upright” (Titus 1:8)

“Hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught” (Titus 1:9)

“Holy” (Titus 1:8)

--ABILITIES

1. Family Management
   “His children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination” (Titus 1:6)

“He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive” (1 Tim. 3:4)

1. Biblical Knowledge

“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” (Titus 1:9)

1. Communication Skills

“be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9)

“able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:3)

1. To give instruction in sound doctrine
2. To rebuke those who contradict sound doctrine