C.I.: “…set in order what remains”

I am not a “journey” person I am “destination” oriented. – “Being there” is more important than “getting there”!
I feel that those who want to “stop and smell the roses” – are making me late (frustration abounds!).
So as a congregation & as individuals – what do we need to do – to help us “get to where God wants us?!”

TITUS, (A Remarkable Man):
1. A prime example of a Gentile convert – (Gal. 2:1, 3), “…I went up again to Jerusalem with
Barnabas, taking Titus along also … even Titus who was with me, though he was a Greek, was
not compelled to be circumcised.” – A Gentile convert who was used greatly by the Lord!!!
2. He was a trouble-shooter in handling church difficulties – (II Cor. 7:7, 10), “…Titus reported to
us your longing, your mourning, - … for the sorrow that is according to the will of God…”
3. Was sent to help other congregations too – (II Tim. 4:10), “…Titus has gone to Dalmatia.”
4. Crete wasn’t a nice place, (v. 12), “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” What to do?!

I. Characteristics of a Godly Man (Chapter 1)

A. He Proclaims God’s Message, (vs. 1-4)

1. God’s three-fold message:
a. A message of “Hope”: (v. 2), “In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised...”
1) Hope = A fervent expectation of an anticipated outcome. – We have such a message!!!
a) Notice, God did not promise to save us – when sin entered the world.
b) Nor did He promise to save us – when Jesus came into the world.
c) God’s promise was before the world began – Eph. 3:11, “This was in accordance with God’s eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

b. A message of “God’s Word”: (v. 3), “But at the proper time manifested His word, in the
proclamation with which I was entrusted, according to the commandment of God our Savior.”
1) You can’t read the Bible – w/o seeing the importance of God’s word (cf. Mt. 7:21; Jn.
12:48; II Timothy 3:16; 4:2).
2) Three words Paul uses to tell us what to use: “His Word – Proclamation – Commandment.”
3) Paul truly accepted God’s Commission – which has been give to us all – (Mk. 16:15-16).

c. A Message of a “Common Faith”: (v. 4), “To Titus, my true child according to a common faith”
1) This faith is “common” since we should all have it - “the faith of those chosen of God,” v. 1.
2) As children of God –we must all believe the same thing (Eph. 4:5; Jude 3).
3) Any deviation from the “common faith” – would be false and must be avoided!!!

d. So if we are to “set in order what remains” – either as godly individuals or to be a godly
congregation – then we must be sure that we are proclaiming God’s message!!

B. He Attains God’s Qualifications, (vs. 5-9)

1. (v. 5), “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.”
a. 3 things about the Lord’s leaders: they are local (every city), multiple (elders), qualified!!!
b. Just as individuals must mature spiritually – so too must a congregation. – For there must come
a time when leaders are to be appointed in each congregation!

2. The qualifications fall into three categories:
a. External Qualifications (v. 6), “If any man be above reproach, husband…, children who….”
1) There are NOT two sets of qualifications for men; - one for elders & one for the rest!
2) These are qualities which should/must be true – for all of us as men of God!!!
3) These qualities are found in men who allow God to work in their lives.
4) (Acts 20:17, 28), “He sent to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the church… ‘Be one guard for yourselves and for… the Holy Spirit has made you overseers….’”!
b. Internal Qualifications (vs. 7-8), “For an overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward,
not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a fighter, not fond of sordid gain,
but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled.”
1) These qualities are necessary for the work – to which God has called the man.
2) If he is going to manage his life, marriage, children & church – these will be seen.
c. Spiritual Qualifications (v. 9), “…holding firmly to the faithful word which is in accordance with
the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort with sound doctrine & to refute those who….”:
1) “Holding firmly” is required for 2 things: To encourage the right / refute the wrong!
2) A man must be able to do both – if he is to be the man – God has called for him to be!!!
d. Young men, begin now allowing God to work in your life – so that these qualities will be in you!

C. He Meets Spiritual Challenges, (vs. 10-16)

1. A godly man will not look for problems – but he will not run & hide when they appear!
a. Paul speaks of spiritual challenges that godly men must oppose:
1) False Teaching – “Rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers … upsetting the faith of whole families, teaching things they should not teach,” (vs. 10-11a).
2) False Religion - (v. 14), “…paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men
who turn away from the truth.”
3) Hypocrisy - (v. 16), “They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.”
c. The difference between someone who is a “godly man” & someone who isn’t - IS HUGE!!!

2. The man of God will meet these challenges – by using the tools God has given to us…
a. Paul spoke of v. 2, “…the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness.” –
1) So a godly man will “Hold firmly to the faithful word … refute those who contradict,” (v. 9).
2) The reason for this - (v. 13), “…reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith.”
b. Thus, those who know God’s word – will use it to determine what is pure vs. defiled (v. 15).
1) Those who accept the false doctrine – won’t be able to distinguish between pure/defiled!
2) God has challenged us as a congregation (and men individually) – to step up to the plate!
3) Perhaps it is even time – for some in here to take the steps necessary to become a godly men!