Sermons: Titus

In his gracious and merciful providence, God has designed for there to be order in his church through recognized leaders. These leaders are to have specific life-qualities. The elder is to have his house in order. His life is to be further characterized by qualities of life which reflect a sound understanding and practice of the Gospel. These things must be in place so that he can carry out the function of a biblical leader. There is great benefit for the church member who, in obedience to God, lives under the leadership of those he has raised up to lead, feed and protect his church.

This passage from Titus helps us understand that the church is not a building or an event; it’s a gathering of disciples who are growing as disciples and making disciples together. “Church” is about older men and women setting an example that is worth following. It is about younger women learning how to do family life from those who have already been there. It is younger men growing in self-control and living with purpose. It is even about those with controlling bosses living out the gospel in the way they do their work. And when the church lives out this “sound doctrine” in everyday life, it makes the gospel attractive to those who are not yet believers.