Strengthening Church Leadership for Unity and Recovery

 

Summary

### Summary

Good evening, everyone. Tonight, we gather to continue our study on Titus chapter one, focusing on the importance of leadership and followership within the church. Paul, in his letter to Titus, emphasizes the need for strong, godly leaders who are not greedy, bossy, or entangled in worldly affairs. Instead, they should be hospitable, kind, and deeply rooted in the Word of God. This foundation is crucial because leaders set the tone for the entire congregation.

Paul warns Titus about the rebellious people in the church at Crete, describing them as liars, barking dogs, and lazy gluttons. These individuals cause division and confusion within the church, often for personal gain. Paul instructs Titus to shut down this disruptive behavior immediately to prevent it from spreading and to help the church recover a robust faith.

The message is clear: strong, godly leadership is essential for a healthy church. Leaders must be well-versed in the Word to encourage others and to counter false teachings. The church must also be vigilant against those who cause division and confusion. By addressing these issues head-on, the church can recover and thrive.

Paul's message to Titus is not just about identifying problems but also about providing solutions. He encourages Titus to use the Word of God to correct and guide the congregation, emphasizing that recovery and restoration are possible through faith and obedience. This message is a reminder that no matter how dire the situation may seem, God is always able to bring about recovery and renewal.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Importance of Godly Leadership: Paul emphasizes that leaders in the church must be hospitable, kind, and deeply rooted in the Word of God. They should not be greedy or entangled in worldly affairs. This foundation is crucial because leaders set the tone for the entire congregation, guiding them in faith and practice. [09:41]

2. Dealing with Rebellious Individuals: Paul warns Titus about the rebellious people in the church at Crete, describing them as liars, barking dogs, and lazy gluttons. These individuals cause division and confusion within the church, often for personal gain. Addressing this behavior immediately is essential to prevent it from spreading and to help the church recover a robust faith. [13:43]

3. The Role of the Word of God: Leaders must be well-versed in the Word to encourage others and to counter false teachings. The Word of God is the primary tool for correcting and guiding the congregation. It has the power to bring about recovery and renewal, even in the most challenging situations. [12:10]

4. The Impact of Division: Division within the church can disturb entire families and weaken the congregation. Paul highlights the importance of unity and correct teaching to maintain a healthy church environment. Leaders must be vigilant against those who cause division and confusion. [22:07]

5. The Power of Recovery: No matter how dire the situation may seem, God is always able to bring about recovery and renewal. Through faith and obedience, the church can overcome challenges and thrive. This message is a reminder of God's power to restore and renew, even in the most difficult circumstances. [35:30]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[04:39] - Acknowledging Attendees
[07:29] - Opening Prayer
[08:39] - Introduction to Titus Chapter 1
[09:41] - Criteria for Godly Leadership
[10:49] - Attributes of a True Leader
[12:10] - Importance of Being Rooted in the Word
[13:43] - Addressing Rebellious Individuals
[15:28] - Reasons for Rebellion
[18:32] - Division Caused by Rebellious Individuals
[20:22] - The Role of Long-Time Church Members
[22:07] - Impact of Division on Families
[24:01] - Financial Integrity in Leadership
[25:58] - Barking Dogs and Lazy Gluttons
[32:54] - The Need for Immediate Action
[35:30] - The Power of Recovery
[39:08] - The Sacrifice of Jesus for Our Recovery
[39:58] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. 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."

2. Titus 1:10-11 (ESV)
> "For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach."

3. Titus 1:12-13 (ESV)
> "One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.' This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith."

### Observation Questions

1. What are the key attributes Paul lists for godly leaders in Titus 1:5-9?
2. According to Titus 1:10-11, what kind of individuals are causing problems in the church at Crete, and what are they doing?
3. How does Paul describe the Cretans in Titus 1:12-13, and what does he instruct Titus to do about it?
4. In the sermon, what reasons are given for why some people in the church might be rebellious? [14:32]

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for leaders to be deeply rooted in the Word of God? How does this help in countering false teachings? [12:10]
2. How can the behavior of rebellious individuals, as described in Titus 1:10-11, impact the unity and health of a church community? [21:05]
3. What does Paul mean by saying that the Cretans are "liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons," and how should this influence Titus's approach to leadership and correction? [24:56]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of immediate action in dealing with disruptive behavior within the church? [32:54]

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on the attributes of godly leadership listed in Titus 1:5-9. Which of these attributes do you see in your own life, and which ones do you feel you need to develop further? How can you work on these areas this week?
2. The sermon mentions that rebellious individuals can cause division and confusion within the church. Have you ever experienced or witnessed this in your church community? How was it handled, and what could have been done differently? [21:05]
3. Paul instructs Titus to rebuke those who are causing problems sharply. How do you think this should be done in a way that is both firm and loving? Can you think of a situation where you might need to apply this principle? [24:56]
4. The sermon emphasizes the power of recovery and renewal through faith and obedience. Is there an area in your life or in your church that needs recovery? What steps can you take to begin this process? [35:30]
5. How can you ensure that you are well-versed in the Word of God to encourage others and counter false teachings? What specific actions can you take to deepen your understanding of the Bible? [12:10]
6. The sermon discusses the impact of division on families within the church. How can you promote unity and correct teaching in your own family or small group? [22:07]
7. Reflect on the idea that God is always able to bring about recovery and renewal. How does this give you hope in your current circumstances? What is one area where you need to trust God for recovery? [35:30]

Devotional

Day 1: The Foundation of Godly Leadership
Leaders in the church must embody qualities that reflect their deep connection with God. They should be hospitable, kind, and deeply rooted in the Word of God. These attributes are essential because leaders set the tone for the entire congregation, guiding them in faith and practice. Leaders should avoid being greedy or entangled in worldly affairs, as these distractions can lead them away from their spiritual responsibilities. Instead, their lives should be a testament to their commitment to God and His teachings. [09:41]

1 Timothy 3:2-3 (ESV): "Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money."

Reflection: Think about a leader in your life who exemplifies these qualities. How can you support and encourage them in their role?


Day 2: Addressing Rebellious Individuals
Paul warns Titus about the rebellious people in the church at Crete, describing them as liars, barking dogs, and lazy gluttons. These individuals cause division and confusion within the church, often for personal gain. Addressing this behavior immediately is essential to prevent it from spreading and to help the church recover a robust faith. Leaders must be vigilant and proactive in dealing with such disruptions to maintain the integrity and unity of the congregation. [13:43]

Titus 1:10-11 (ESV): "For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach."

Reflection: Is there someone in your church community who is causing division? How can you approach this situation with wisdom and grace to promote unity?


Day 3: The Role of the Word of God
Leaders must be well-versed in the Word to encourage others and to counter false teachings. The Word of God is the primary tool for correcting and guiding the congregation. It has the power to bring about recovery and renewal, even in the most challenging situations. By grounding themselves in Scripture, leaders can provide sound doctrine and spiritual guidance to their congregation, helping them grow in faith and understanding. [12:10]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more time in the Word of God into your daily routine? What specific steps will you take to deepen your understanding of Scripture?


Day 4: The Impact of Division
Division within the church can disturb entire families and weaken the congregation. Paul highlights the importance of unity and correct teaching to maintain a healthy church environment. Leaders must be vigilant against those who cause division and confusion. By fostering a spirit of unity and addressing divisive behavior, the church can remain strong and focused on its mission. [22:07]

1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV): "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced division in the church. What steps can you take to promote unity and healing in your congregation?


Day 5: The Power of Recovery
No matter how dire the situation may seem, God is always able to bring about recovery and renewal. Through faith and obedience, the church can overcome challenges and thrive. This message is a reminder of God's power to restore and renew, even in the most difficult circumstances. By trusting in God's promises and remaining faithful, the church can experience growth and revitalization. [35:30]

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: What area of your life or your church needs God's healing and renewal? How can you actively seek His guidance and strength in this process?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Since he's been faithful to us, we can't help but be faithful to him. And tonight we want to look at and look at Titus chapter one. We're going to, amen, we started and we want to go ahead and work on that. And we're going to continue where we left off last week." [08:39] (24 seconds) ( | | )

2. "When you want to give up and throw in the towel, it's the word that is going to strengthen you, to let you know that you need to keep on moving forward. Secondly, he said, you need to make sure you have leaders that's invested in the word of God, that when some rise up, that is speaking contradictory to what is being taught. They need to know the word enough where they can shut it down upon hearing it." [12:10] (24 seconds) ( | | )

3. "We serve a God that's able to recover. We serve a God that's able to give power back into some weak situations. We serve a God that's able to give life back into some dead circumstances. We serve a God that when the doctors have said one thing he can still recover and give us new health new strength new fighting power new ability to keep on moving forward at the end of the day." [36:33] (24 seconds) ( | | )

4. "He died on the cross for you and me, but that wasn't the end of the story. He stayed in the grave all day Saturday stayed there all night Saturday night and early Sunday morning. He got up with all power in his hands. And I thank God tonight that same power that he got up on Easter Sunday morning with that resurrection power. I'm glad that that power is still working today that he's able to recover." [39:58] (22 seconds) ( | | )

5. "The God that we still serve is still able to recover in our lives. Do me a favor tonight. If you need God to recover something in your life, if you need a recovered faith, if you need to recover at home, if you need recovered finances, go ahead and type in the subject by at the bottom recover recover RECOVER RECOVER. He's able to recover. Cover the things that we have lost." [37:31] (24 seconds) ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "He said you need to set some elders, some leaders in position that will not have a mindset of being greedy, not getting caught up in so many different affairs that's going on, not being bossy, not being pushy. He gives us a list of all of those attributes that every leader must have. And in. Talking about those leadership aspects, he gives us both sides. He lets us know everything that a leader should not be as well as what a leader should be." [10:49] (30 seconds) ( | | )

2. "The problem in our churches today is not so much the new people that's coming in. You know, the folk that y'all don't want in there. You know, the people that's the girls coming in with short skirts, low tops, young men, sagging. Those aren't the ones that's causing the problem. He basically is saying here in the text, those have been brought up. Those have been with this thing for a while. Are the ones that's causing the most problems." [19:29] (21 seconds) ( | | )

3. "He said you have to stop it right away because the longer you let it go the deeper they're going to get. He said you got to stop the disease talk the disease that that disease mean there's sickness that's going to creep in that sickness. That's going to tear up the church. If you let it tear up the church. He says stop it. Stop this conversation going on not to make them feel bad. He says stop it. So they can recover. A robust faith apparently had faith once before and now is going to take Titus to come in setting things in order preaching the word of God that is going to recover." [34:02] (44 seconds) ( | | )

4. "If we want our families to be solid, we got to make sure that not we not only study the word of God, but we have to make sure we get the right interpretation. Of the word of God. Amen. Thank God for this lower is on with us tonight. We have to make sure that we have a right interpretation. That's the reason why it's good to do this not to study by yourself. It's good for you to study with others as well. So you'll be able to have a correct understanding of the word of God." [22:07] (25 seconds) ( | | )

5. "He said you need to shut this kind of talk up. This kind of conversation that's going on this rebellious mindset that is going on. He said they're disturbing entire families with this kind of teaching that's going on and all for the sake of a fast. But apparently they're doing it for financial gain. They're there that allowing this separation to take place." [22:56] (20 seconds) ( | | )

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Transcript
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