Sermon: Elders in Christ's Church

Elders in Christ's Church (Titus 1:5-9) Pastor Tony Felich September 16, 2007 ----more---- God has chosen the office of elder for the shepherding care of the flock in order to continue the process of spiritual growth. - There must be a plurality of elders in each church (more than one) - The office of "elder" and "overseer" are the same - Appointment to eldership is based on the recognition of God-given qualifications. PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN ELDER - Above reproach (6,7) - A man (6) - A faithful husband (6) - Leading a submissive household (6) - Not arrogant (7) - Not quick-tempered (7) - Not someone who gets drunk (7) - Not violent (7) - Not materialistic (7) - Hospitable (8) - A lover of good (8) - Self-controlled (8) - Uptight (8) - Holy (8) - Disciplined (8) DOCTRINAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN ELDER - Stable doctrinally (9) - Committed to the bible (9) - Knows the bible in order to teach it (9) - Able to exhort and refute (9) Titus 1:5–9 5 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—6 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. 7 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, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 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.