5 I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. —Titus 1:5
6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. 8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; THEN he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong. —Titus 1:6-9
1. He must be
6 An elder must live a BLAMELESS life… —Titus 1:6
1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. —1 Timothy 3:1-2
16 KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON HOW YOU LIVE and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. —1 Timothy 4:16
2. He must manage his
well
6 …He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. —Titus 1:6-7
4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? —1 Timothy 3:4-5
3. He must manage his
life well
a. He must not be arrogant
25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. —Luke 22:25-26
b. He must not be quick tempered
24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. —2 Timothy 2:24-25
c. He must not be a heavy drinker
d. He must not be violent
e. He must not be dishonest with money
9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. —1 Timothy 6:9-11
f. He must enjoy having guests in his home
g. He must love what is good
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. —Philippians 4:8
h. He must live wisely
i. He must be just
j. He must live a devout life
k. He must live a disciplined life
If God can trust your heart, He will train your hands.