The Ministry Part 2

May 11th

Titus 1:5-11 (NKJV)
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you -
6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children not accused of dissipation or
insubordination.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given
to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to
exhort and convict those who contradict.
10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the
circumcision,
11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

Paul and Titus had been working together on the island of Crete. However, Paul had to leave so Titus was given the job of appointing elders in every city. Paul knew this letter would be read out in the churches around Crete yet he did not lower the standard to make people happy. The standard for the Pastors and Church leaders is very high. Our holy God desires a holy church. In fact these qualities are good for all members of the church. Only by what Jesus has done for us, can we be living our life up to this standard. God is not only interested in the message but the journey of the messengers that God would be able to do a work in their lives and bring them to His desired standard. When the messengers are ready and go out with the Word then surely the harvest will come.

According to the list in Titus 1:5-11
We must be ....
1. blameless - upright at all times
2. the husband of one wife (wife of one husband) - being absolutely faithful stops trouble
3. managing the family well - bringing up our children in the Lord
4. self controlled / self disciplined
5. not self-willed - not stubborn as this is of the devil
6. not quick-tempered - avoid hurting others with a temper
7. not given to wine - Proverbs 20:1
8. not violent but gentle
9. free from the love of money - don't go after the things of this world
10. hospitable - welcome others into our homes and serve them well
11. love what is good
12. just
13. holy - God calls us to live holy lives as He is a holy God
14. holding fast to the faithful word which we have been taught and able to instruct others

Philippians 1:27 
Only let your  conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

God is calling us to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of the Lord. Our conduct shouldn't depend on whether the pastors are present or not, but we should be Christ like and Godly in all situations.

MINISTER'S RESPONSIBILITY

1. The minister is responsible for leading the flock. 
     Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit 
     has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 

      Christ is the Chief and the Great Shepherd. (Christ is the head of the body of Christ)
     The pastor is the under-shepherd and head of the flock (the believers)

      John 10:23 The sheep will and are to follow their shepherd. John 10:25 It is the shepherd to 
      lead the flock

2. The minister is responsible for correcting and comforting.
     2 Timothy 4: 1-5  talks about preaching the Word in season and out of season, correcting when needed and bringing the whole counsel of God because a time is coming when people will not want to listen to the whole Word but only the parts that are pleasing to them. The minister can not just preach Grace every week but must bring the whole counsel including judgement, curses or other parts which maybe people don't want to hear about.
     Hebrews 12:11-13 Rebuking must always be done in love so that people can be comforted and continue on for the Lord. Ephesians 4:11-13 where this unit started reminds us that equipping God's people, edifying the body of Christ and bringing everyone into unity of faith is what the ministers are responsible for so that the believers can measure up to the full and complete standard of Christ.