Healthy Churches are Composed of Healthy People

How the Church Family Functions....

A study of the NT book of Titus

by Pastor Frank Rice

Titus 2:1-4a

It is virtually impossible to build a solid house when all you have to work with is twisted lumber, defective electrical components, & sub-standard plumbing accessories! It is very difficult to build a solid team without a mixture of returnees and rookies. Wisdom and youth, maturity and vitality are necessary. So it is with the “church team,” the body of Christ.

 

v      The apostle charges the appointed leader who happens to be Titus!

1.      We’ve just looked at the despicable and deplorable character and conduct of false teachers with their disaster-producing doctrine (teaching)! Don’t be like them!

2.      Interestingly: “Cretan Christianity had apparently made room for much of the rough and self-indulgent behavior typical of pagan society… what Christian teachers in the Cretan communities taught lacked any critical assessment of Cretan culture.” (Towner)   

3.      Everyone has a belief system by which they make decisions and take actions. From where do you get yours? “Correct doctrine must result in good behavior!” (Hiebert)

4.      What he says applies to all who teach. The term “speak” encompasses all forms of communication and is in the present imperative, stressing continuous action.

v      The apostle sets forth the parameters of the “things spoken.”

1.      Your life and speaking “must contrast sharply with that of ‘the contaminated and unbelieving’ enemies of the faith!” They had produced division, dissension, and family strife with their poison!

2.      Your speaking must be consistent with healthy doctrine. It must be fitting, appropriate, and suitable. [This is for all of us!]

a.      Healthy speaking edifies believers. (Words That Heal,..)

b.      Healthy speaking evangelizes unbelievers. Those who have a “work language” and a “church language” are hypocrites. They confuse unsaved friends and coworkers (Jas. 3:9-12).

c.      Healthy speaking exposes error. Truth, by its very nature, exposes error!

d.      Healthy speaking encourages godly living.

3.      Your speaking must contribute to the spiritual life of all. Five groups of believers are mentioned in the total context (vv 1-10).

4.      Your speaking must have a purpose! “That” occurs six times!

5.      Your speaking must flow out of a vital relationship with Christ! These “specifically Christian virtues presuppose the dynamic of God’s grace working in the heart, are motivated by the example of Christ,.. and have God’s glory as their goal.” (Hendrickson)

 

v      He addresses a specific group of believers in the local church.

1.      The “older men” most likely refers to men who had raised families and their children had begun families of their own. A church w/o older men is at a definite and distinct disadvantage!

2.      The qualities listed point to certain cultural deficiencies (1:12)! These areas needed extensive work! This is not a case of “cultural profiling!” Some cultures are notorious for certain vices!

v      He insists that healthy teaching produces healthy men.

1.      The following are desirable marks of maturity and character (even in the secular world).

(a)   Mature men are sober, clear-headed, and moderate in their tastes and habits. This calls for personal discretion!

(b)   Mature men are dignified, serious, and respectable. Their demeanor invites respect. [It isn’t boring and stuffy. It does denounce foolishness and impropriety.]

(c)   Mature men are temperate, self-controlled, sensible, men of mature judgment and proper restraint in thought, word, and action. Your maturity will inspire others.

2.      The following are admirable marks of godly Christian men.

(a)   Godly men are healthy in their personal faith in the Lord. They believe God and His word & respond appropriately.

(b)   Godly men are healthy in their love for others.

(c)   Godly men are healthy in their endurance. No early exits! If you’re tired of the race, slow down, but don’t check out! Others are watching. Your godliness inspires others.

“The latter years of life, especially for men, may be filled with regrets, a sense of uselessness or worthlessness, feelings of despair, self-absorption, or even a tendency to relax moral standards because of old age… Biblical history, as well as secular history, sadly reports the lives of those who did not finish well.” (Lea- Griffin)

 

v      He addresses another significant group in the local church.

1.      The “older women,” like their counterparts, had most likely raised families and their children had begun their own families.

2.      Permeating the new “Roman women’s movement” was “a diminished interest in household management (which task normally fell to the woman/wife), for the emancipated woman had other things on her mind, and higher priorities to attend to.” (Towner)   

3.      Some qualities were deficient in the female population of Crete. These were the liberated Roman “new women!” It is a grave error to imitate the women in your culture!

v      He insists that healthy teaching produces healthy women.

1.      The term “likewise” implies incorporating “all of the above.” Godly women are radically different from the cultural norm!

(a)   They are reverent in behavior (serious, respectable), an outward expression of their inner character. This is the way they live; it is their manner of life.

(b)   They are not malicious gossips. Are women more liable to this vice than men? (I doubt it!) All are warned (Jas. 3)! We may cringe at the words of John Calvin; “Talkativeness is a disease of women, and it is increased by age.”

(c)   They’re not slaves of drink! These are linked. Malicious gossip and alcoholism were problems for Cretan women whose families were grown and had too much time on their hands Older women on Crete had lots of time to think and reflect on the unfairness of life. Past hurts, bitterness, loneliness, and self-pity may have consumed them. They learned to “cope” thru alcohol.

2.      Godly women are assigned as teachers of “good things.”

(a)   This is not in a formal classroom setting, but by personal word, example, advice, and encouragement, they must teach what is morally good, noble, and attractive.

(b)   They are to be involved in training young women. They’re much better qualified than Titus! They were to have a ministry to train younger women, teaching what is good.

(c)   This required that they seek to practice and exemplify the things mentioned in the following verses (vv. 4b-5). “You cannot impart what you do not possess.”

(d)   “Life within households (normal life in society) is integral to authentic Christian experience.” (Towner)

 

What germs are to a healthy body, false teaching is to the spiritual body, the church. The antidote for false teaching is sound teaching.

Effective ministry begins, not with programs, but with people. People like YOU who are willing and determined to positively impact the church body.

Effective ministry begins with a commitment; “I will have a positive influence on my church by what I am, what I say, and what I do.”