Stewarding God's Glory: Elders and Every Believer

Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into Titus 1, focusing on the qualifications for elders as outlined by Paul. This passage is particularly relevant for our church as we approach elder nominations. Paul emphasizes that the primary agenda of God, as revealed in Scripture, is His glory. This glory is manifested through His creation and, more specifically, through His church. The church is called to reflect God's glory by accurately estimating His worth and significance.

Paul's instructions to Titus are not just about appointing elders but also about ensuring that the church operates in a way that glorifies God. Elders are stewards of God's church, responsible for maintaining order and leading the congregation in a manner that reflects God's greatness. The qualifications for elders include being above reproach, faithful to their wives, and having children who are faithful and not rebellious. These qualifications are not just for the sake of order but to ensure that the church can effectively communicate the glory of God.

We also explored the broader application of these principles to every believer. Each of us is a steward of the life, gifts, and relationships God has given us. Our lives should be lived in a way that glorifies God and helps others see His greatness. This stewardship extends to our interactions within the church, our families, and our communities. By living out these principles, we can help others have an increasingly accurate view of God's worth and significance.

### Key Takeaways

1. God's Primary Agenda is His Glory: The overarching theme of Scripture is God's glory. Everything He does, including the establishment and operation of the church, is aimed at revealing His worth and significance. As believers, our lives should reflect this primary agenda by glorifying God in all we do. [35:21]

2. Elders as Stewards: Elders are not owners but stewards of God's church. Their role is to maintain order and lead in a way that reflects God's glory. This stewardship requires a deep sense of responsibility and accountability, ensuring that the church operates effectively for God's purposes. [50:28]

3. Qualifications for Elders: The qualifications for elders include being above reproach, faithful to their wives, and having faithful children. These qualifications ensure that elders can lead by example, fostering a church environment that glorifies God. These standards are not about perfection but about the overall character and direction of a person's life. [41:43]

4. Every Believer as a Steward: Every believer is a steward of the life, gifts, and relationships God has given them. This means living in a way that glorifies God and helps others see His greatness. Our interactions within the church, our families, and our communities should reflect this stewardship, leading others to a higher view of God. [53:39]

5. Living Out God's Glory: The principles that help elders lead effectively are the same principles that can help every believer live a life that glorifies God. By embodying these qualities, we can help those around us see the greatness of God more clearly. This involves a commitment to personal growth and reliance on God to produce these qualities in us. [58:25]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[33:38] - Introduction to Titus 1
[34:22] - God's Primary Agenda: His Glory
[35:21] - The Glory of God in the Church
[36:09] - Paul's Calling and the Faith of Believers
[37:16] - Understanding God's Glory
[37:53] - Increasingly Accurate Estimation of God's Worth
[38:20] - Appointing Elders in Crete
[39:26] - Setting in Order What Remains
[40:19] - Elders, Bishops, and Pastors
[41:43] - Qualifications for Elders
[42:12] - The Husband of One Wife
[44:01] - Having Faithful Children
[45:02] - Faithful vs. Believing Children
[46:10] - Contextual Interpretation
[47:19] - Managing Household Well
[48:20] - Faithful Children Defined
[50:03] - Elders as God's Stewards
[51:16] - The Role of Elders
[52:10] - Being Present with the People
[53:39] - Every Believer as a Steward
[54:36] - Using Gifts for God's Glory
[55:11] - Stewarding Relationships
[56:14] - Helping Others See God's Glory
[57:21] - Dialing into God's Agenda
[58:25] - Additional Qualifications for Elders
[59:25] - Not Self-Willed
[01:00:00] - Not Quick-Tempered
[01:01:17] - Not Addicted to Wine
[01:01:53] - Not Pugnacious
[01:02:26] - Not Fond of Sordid Gain
[01:03:07] - Hospitable
[01:03:58] - Loving What is Good
[01:04:39] - Sensible
[01:05:58] - Sober Understanding
[01:07:04] - Just and Devout
[01:07:33] - Self-Controlled
[01:08:40] - Holding Fast the Faithful Word
[01:09:56] - Encouraging Sound Doctrine
[01:10:28] - Refuting False Teachers
[01:11:00] - Dependence on Christ for Growth
[01:11:29] - Application for Every Believer
[01:12:11] - Importance of Small Groups
[01:12:55] - Invitation to Join Small Groups
[01:13:44] - Prayer for Elders and Church
[01:14:18] - Grace in Sanctification
[01:15:15] - Time of Reflection and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Titus 1:5-9 (ESV): "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—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. 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, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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."

### Observation Questions
1. What are the primary qualifications for elders as outlined in Titus 1:5-9?
2. According to the sermon, what is the overarching theme of Scripture and God's primary agenda? [35:21]
3. How does Paul describe the role of elders in the church, and what are they responsible for? [50:28]
4. What does it mean for an elder to be a "steward" of God's church according to the sermon? [50:28]

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that elders must be "above reproach"? How does this qualification impact their ability to lead the church effectively? [41:43]
2. How does the concept of stewardship apply to every believer, not just elders, as discussed in the sermon? [53:39]
3. What does it mean to have an "increasingly accurate estimation of God's worth," and how can this be reflected in the life of a believer? [37:16]
4. How do the qualifications for elders in Titus 1:5-9 help ensure that the church operates in a way that glorifies God?

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the qualification of being "above reproach." Are there areas in your life where you feel you need to improve to better reflect this standard? How can you work on these areas this week? [41:43]
2. The sermon mentioned that every believer is a steward of their life, gifts, and relationships. How can you better steward the gifts and relationships God has given you to glorify Him? [53:39]
3. Think about the principle of living out God's glory in your daily life. What specific actions can you take this week to help others see God's greatness through you? [58:25]
4. How can you support the elders in your church to ensure they are able to fulfill their roles effectively? Are there specific ways you can pray for or assist them?
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of being in relationship with other believers. Are you currently involved in a small group or community within the church? If not, what steps can you take to join one and build those relationships? [01:12:11]
6. Consider the qualification of being "hospitable" and "loving what is good." How can you show hospitality and love for what is good in your interactions with others this week? [01:03:58]
7. Reflect on the idea of holding fast to the faithful word. How can you deepen your commitment to Scripture and sound doctrine in your personal study and in your interactions with others? [01:08:40]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Glory as Our Primary Agenda
Description: The overarching theme of Scripture is God's glory. Everything He does, including the establishment and operation of the church, is aimed at revealing His worth and significance. As believers, our lives should reflect this primary agenda by glorifying God in all we do. This means that our actions, words, and even our thoughts should be directed towards making God's greatness known. By living in a way that honors God, we help others see His worth and significance more clearly. [35:21]

Isaiah 43:7 (ESV): "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

Reflection: How can you intentionally glorify God in your daily activities today? Think of one specific action you can take to reflect His worth and significance.

Day 2: Elders as Stewards
Description: Elders are not owners but stewards of God's church. Their role is to maintain order and lead in a way that reflects God's glory. This stewardship requires a deep sense of responsibility and accountability, ensuring that the church operates effectively for God's purposes. Elders must be above reproach, faithful to their wives, and have faithful children. These qualifications ensure that elders can lead by example, fostering a church environment that glorifies God. These standards are not about perfection but about the overall character and direction of a person's life. [50:28]

1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."

Reflection: In what ways can you support the elders in your church to help them fulfill their role as stewards of God's church?

Day 3: Qualifications for Elders
Description: The qualifications for elders include being above reproach, faithful to their wives, and having faithful children. These qualifications ensure that elders can lead by example, fostering a church environment that glorifies God. These standards are not about perfection but about the overall character and direction of a person's life. By embodying these qualities, elders help create a community that accurately reflects God's glory and operates effectively for His purposes. [41:43]

Titus 1:6-7 (ESV): "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. 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."

Reflection: Reflect on the qualities listed for elders. Which of these qualities do you see in your own life, and which do you need to develop further?

Day 4: Every Believer as a Steward
Description: Every believer is a steward of the life, gifts, and relationships God has given them. This means living in a way that glorifies God and helps others see His greatness. Our interactions within the church, our families, and our communities should reflect this stewardship, leading others to a higher view of God. By living out these principles, we can help others have an increasingly accurate view of God's worth and significance. [53:39]

1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV): "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy."

Reflection: Consider the gifts and relationships God has entrusted to you. How can you use them today to glorify God and help others see His greatness?

Day 5: Living Out God's Glory
Description: The principles that help elders lead effectively are the same principles that can help every believer live a life that glorifies God. By embodying these qualities, we can help those around us see the greatness of God more clearly. This involves a commitment to personal growth and reliance on God to produce these qualities in us. As we grow in our faith and character, we become better stewards of the life God has given us, reflecting His glory in all we do. [58:25]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to rely more on God to produce qualities that reflect His glory? What steps can you take today to grow in this area?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "God is about His glory, and specifically, Paul is writing to Titus about the church here, and certainly, if God's agenda is His glory, and He's working that out in creation, His church is for His glory. In fact, Ephesians 3, the very last verse or two of Ephesians chapter 3, it says, And then it says, And through Jesus Christ, in all generations forever and ever, amen. So, to Him be the glory in the church." [35:21] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "To glorify God, if God has done, this much worth and this much significance and this much value, that's who He is. And none of us, none of us until heaven, accurately see Him as He is and have a proper perspective of Him being as great as He is. But some people think He's this good, some people think He's this good or this good. To glorify Him is to increasingly, have an increasingly accurate estimation of His worth and value." [37:16] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You're a steward of the life that God has given you. Right? It's not your own. Just to spend the way. I think what I'm going to do today, this is how I'm going to spend my life. You're stewarding the life that God gave you. It's his, and you're taking care of that for him, for his glory." [54:03] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good steward. It's not talking about elders here. These are believers. God has gifted you as a believer. Employ it as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Why? So that. Why are you a steward the way that God has gifted you and made you in the body? Why are you to steward that and use it in serving one another? So that God may be glorified in all things." [54:36] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Every believer here is you're taking care of your life, your gifting, the relationships that you've been put next to, and they are all for his glory. Which means as a result, people around you, other believers that you're interacting with here in the church body, in your neighborhood where you work, in your family, in your home, as a result of knowing and walking alongside you, they have an increasingly higher view of who he is. So they're seeing him more and more accurately." [56:14] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "So here's the first one. The husband of one wife. And churches have interpreted this in one of two ways primarily. Well, actually a few different ways, but primarily two ways. Some churches interpret this to mean that someone that serves as an elder can't be divorced. And that's not my interpretation. I'm going to share with you what mine is and what I think Grace Point's is. But, I mean, could I attend a church that interpreted the Scripture that way? Absolutely I could. Because they're trying to look at the Scripture and say, this is what we think this believes, what this means." [42:12] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So I think this is the second reason in letting Scripture interpret Scripture. I'm saying, here's the qualification available. It's the fact that the man has his children are under control. Otherwise, it's not that he's not a believer. It's that he needs to give attention to his family, and pastor and shepherd them. So I think because of Timothy, and because of what comes right after faithful children, I think it leads us to say this is how it should be interpreted. That these are faithful children who are not living these wild lives, not submitting to authority. They're living, as Timothy says, in an orderly way." [49:30] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward. And that's who he is. That's what an elder is. They are steward. A steward is someone who takes care of something that's not his own, for the owner. Right? Jesus tells, a number of parables about stewards. Right? So here's what an elder is. And the church is not yours. Right? The church is not the elder's church. Used to get so aggravated. Sometimes people would say, well, I go to Jimmy's church back in the day, or I'm going to Bobby's church. It's not... Bobby, I hate to break it to you. He knows. It's not Bobby's church." [50:28] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So just a quick application within the church. I want to say this and we're going to pray and say amen. So one of the ways, it's important for us to be in relationship with other believers. More than just walking in on Sunday morning and going out. Right? And so one of, part of my role here being new here is to help strengthen and encourage and grow the small group ministry, the D group ministry. It's important for us to, whether it's meeting in homes or meeting on, here on Thursday nights or Wednesday nights with a group of believers, some spending time with them." [01:12:11] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "No one's nailing this. Right? If these qualifications mean this person is like this 100% of the time and never, never deviates, then the elder meetings are going to be really short because no one's going to be there. Right? What we're talking about in these qualifications is like this is what characterizes this person's life and they are moving, they are growing in these areas and they haven't arrived. None of us have arrived yet, right? So just give it grace and understanding that sanctification is a process." [01:14:51] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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