Shepherds Of The Flock, Part 5 - Frank Brancato

As we've been doing each week we also begin with the passage

found in the book of Titus. You remember very briefly.

Now this was the Apostle Paul telling Titus the reason that he

left him increase found in Titus Chapter 1 and verse 5.

Titus 1 · chapter mention

And here it is for this reason. I left you in Crete that you

should set in order, the things that are lacking and appoint

ordain Elders in every city as I commanded you now very, very

briefly sometimes people think because Creek was so large and

it was over a million people there and ancient historians say

that there were over 100 cities there.

And the Apostle Paul told Titus to ordain Elders in every city

or in every church that they must have been accompanied with

Divine help or miraculous help from God.

But not so these were qualified men as somebody might say, well

how Who was it that they were qualified.

And today, we struggle trying to find a plurality of men that

would fit the qualifications to be an elder in various

congregations, in the body of Christ.

For example, in our country, I think the answer is very simple.

If you go back to Five Lessons, to the very first one, I made

this point, many of those that were converted early on were

Jews. They had lived their life, they

had worship, they have served God under under the law of

Moses. In other words, these were men

that were already spiritually. Minded.

In other words, they didn't have very far to go in order to be

qualified to be Elders. So, what's the answer today?

The answer today is we need more men in this begins.

When they're young, we need more men that are spiritually minded

and work toward the end of being an elder.

One day now, The word elder or the term Elder the office of an

elder? Is described in three ways of a

very brief. He is called an elder because

the word Elder means older. And with experience now the very

definition of the word eliminates, a young man that is

full of, or not full of experience, he is also called a

bishop and why is that? Because it describes his duty to

the congregation which is he is an overseer, he is also referred

to as a pastor and pastor's Pastor is not preacher.

Pastor is an elder. And this man is referred to as a

pastor because he is a Shepherd. Describing the task to feed the

flock of God. Now, All that being said.

There's a lot of qualifications that a man must feel and a man

must be able to qualify in these very briefly.

We've noticed these so far number one, he must desire, the

office. And in order to desire the

office, if he's going to do that, if he's going to desire

the position or title or office of an elder, he must eagerly or

earnestly. Desire the work.

He must be a man. Not certainly a This man

nobody's a sinless man but he is a blameless man.

Another words there's no sustainable charges against him,

he's a one-woman man. In fact Paul simply calls that

the husband of one wife he is faithful and true to his one.

Bride just as Jesus Christ is faithful and true to his bride.

And that being the church regardless of how many children

he has. That part's not relevant.

What is relevant is all of his children.

And need to be faithful Christians.

He needs to be as the King James describes it as a temperate,

man. Then the the new King James says

temperate, the Old King James says Vigilant and it just simply

means he's calm and his demeanor and he's watchful over others.

He is sober minded. In other words, he demonstrates

self-control in both his premeditated actions and his non

premeditated. Reactions.

This is a guy that's a respectable guy.

He's a guy of good behavior and what that means is his outward

behavior in his life. Simply is a luminary of the life

that's already inside and that is Jesus Christ.

In other words, he reflects Jesus in his behavior.

What else? He's a lover of strangers.

He's a man of hospitality. What else he is?

Also one that is skillful and capable of teaching.

And not just exclusive to the pulpit in a public sense, but

also inclusive of a private sense.

And one that gives good advice with wisdom, tooth.

Last time we noticed these six, he's not to be given to wine and

literally means not beside wine. What's that mean?

It means he total abstinence. He has nothing to do with it.

What else? He's not a striker.

He's not a violent man. He doesn't do those things.

He's not greedy for money. He is not a mind.

Loser. He's gentleman what that means.

Doesn't mean timid. It means reasonable.

Is talking about somebody that is reasonable somebody, that

allows for the other person to speak somebody that allows the

other person's feelings and thoughts to that's a gentle man

or simply a gentleman, what else?

He's not quarrelsome. He's not an argumentative person

and finally he is not Covetous, meaning he's not a lover of

money, one scholar just simply said, that money is not his God.

God, these are 15 that we've already noticed.

Here's number 16, this morning, here it is.

He rules his own house. Well, Now, in 1st, Timothy

Chapter 3 and verse 4, the passage reads one who rules his

own house. Well, having his children in

submission with all reverence. Now, what does all that mean?

Sometimes people misunderstand the word rule, one scholar said,

it simply is this and I love this when you describe somebody,

that is ruling his own house. Well, you are describing a man

that stands before his family and and not stands above his

family. That's that kind of a man.

What am I saying? I'm saying he's not a dictator.

I'm saying he as a Shepherd does.

So as Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd.

Now, picture this, the Bible says of Jesus Christ that he is

the bishop of our souls. What does that mean?

When it says he's the bishop of our souls?

That means he is the overseer of our souls.

What else he is? Also a Shepherd, what's a

Shepherd do? Do there's a Shepherd stand

above to the shepherd bark out orders.

It has a Shepherd, yell out, commands know a Shepherd good

does. What he goes before those he's

leading and he leads them and they follow.

He leads and he guides. The point is this if an elder

trains his children with discipline proper discipline,

discipline and love, he will use the exact same qualities to

train discipline and encourage members of the household of God.

Now more about rules. Ruling.

Well, and ruling over. What does all that mean?

In an additional sense? First of all, it means that he

Rules by showing the way not by shouting, the orders that I just

mentioned. He is not one that does that

that shouts out and gives commands and is loud.

He is somebody that leaves by faith and not by fear.

He leads by faith and not by fear and I got to tell you, I

got to tell you. If a person is in a position of

leadership, please hear me. I don't care what aspect of life

that it is. I don't care.

If you're a teacher, I don't care if you're a coach, I don't

care if you're a parent, I don't care if you just have people in

your job that you are over. If you have to keep telling the

people that are under you, that you are over them, there's

something sadly wrong with your leadership. if I go into my

house that I say, I've heard been do this in my life, And I

probably ridiculously did so in a very young foolish, man, but

at some point in time, you say I'm the head of the house.

I should never have to make those.

I should never have to make that statement.

I should never have to utter those words. the people in my

house because I am standing before them and I am leading

them, they should know by my actions, my demeanor, my

behavior that I am the head of my house Have you ever worked

for somebody that kept saying, I'm the boss?

I'm your boss really? You have to keep saying that.

If you have to keep saying, if there's something wrong with

your leadership skills and your behavior to.

Now, let's talk more about the word ruled.

I think it's very important. Some translations actually just

render it managed. That's what you're doing.

You're a manager, you are managing and leading and

guiding. Now.

That comes from a Greek word is translated in the new King James

as rules and in other translations managed.

But it comes from this Greek word here and it's Pro his

demise and it means to be that head to direct to be concerned

about and care for. And you know what, I don't see

the word boss in there at all. It's the same work.

Now that word effect is found in a number of passages.

It's found in first Thessalonians, chapter 5 and

1 Thessalonians 5 · chapter mention

verse 12. And it's also found in first

1 Timothy 5:17

Timothy 5:17. Remember this?

We mentioned it last time that an elder who rules well is

worthy of double honor. Now, as we said last time, that

doesn't mean he gets to chicks, double honor means the honor of

being an elder. But if He is going to be one

that is teaching the word of God and being an elder is his

full-time commitment. He's worthy of support financial

support, just like just like a preacher.

In fact Paul says those that labor in word and Doctrine and

rules. Well, what are we talking about?

We're talking about somebody that is managing, well, somebody

that is leading well in the church.

There's another passage to Romans chapter 12 and verse 8,

Romans 12 · chapter mention

this works found there too. It says he who exhorts in

exhortation, he who gives in liberality, he who leads?

Same word with diligence. Now, in this verse Paul,

discusses those who serve in the church in various capacities and

although Paul does not mention Elder specifically, he no doubt

is referring to them. And when he says those that

lead, he's talking about, An elder.

No Doubt. all right, first of all, with the occurrence of the

word Pro histamine I It's obvious that Elders.

Have a measure of authority. That's true.

But you remember, we mentioned just a moment ago, very briefly

about Desiring the office number when we studied that the very

first lesson that those words, desire are there two different

words. The first word desire means you

have the desire for the position.

The second word desire means you have a greater desire for the

work. Now why is that important?

That's important because when you put in a position of

leadership or you have a position of authority, you need

to be the kind of a person that realizes that my influence is

more important than my authority.

My influence is more important than my authority.

Authority here, derives from our responsibility, or a man's

responsibility as an elder to care for the flock.

The example of the family is used to describe the work of an

elder. And let me say this too.

Please understand, a good. Father does not practice

authoritarian rule in the home. I'ma say it again.

A good father, does not practice authoritarian rule in the home.

A good father. Manages a good father directs.

A good father is concerned about a good.

Father is one who cares for a good?

Father is a man that stands before his family and not above

his family. I read this from a so-called, I

don't know, expert so-called I guess it's worth what you pay

for. It was nothing was free but I

want to share it with you. He said this the authoritarian

form of family government with Its emphasis on total Conformity

and submission is one of the least effective ways for a

father to manage his family. Now, a father can still be the

head of the family without being authoritarian.

Now. Okay.

What do I mean by that? What do I mean by authoritarian?

It's defined really is this? Someone who shows a lack of

concern. For the wishes and opinions of

others. He is one that has a domineering

and dictatorial, attitude and demeanor.

That's a dictator. That's not a good father.

You know, what happens too many times with the authoritarian

approach. It very.

Sadly often provokes family members to anger and even

Rebellion. But still all that being said.

Children have the responsibility of being obedient to parents.

You know, the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians chapter 6, he said

Ephesians 6 · chapter mention

obey your parents in the Lord no.

Notice what he says he says, and why for this is right, then he

says, honor, thy father and thy mother which is the first

commandment with promise, which is what that you may live long

on the earth. It may be well with you and you

may live long on the earth. In other words, he told.

The Apostle Paul writing the Ephesian letter said, children

obey your parents in the Lord. Why?

It's right. What else honor them So, it's

not just a matter of doing what you're told.

It's a matter of honoring and respecting them too.

Now, I'll tell you something. It's true that I have to leave

my family and my children in such a way.

That they become that. But it's also the child's

responsibility to be that. And when the Bible, by the way,

talks about faithful children, when it talks about having

faithful children, I have the responsibility in my life of

trying to bring up my children in the way that they should go

and prayerfully when they are old, they will not depart from

it. We believe in all of that, I

must train my children in that way and provoke, not them to

wrath but bring them up in the training and admonition of the

Lord. All that's true.

But children have the responsibility to yes, you do.

And that's to be faithful for the rest of your life.

Young people, please understand. You have a huge responsibility

to Don't disqualify your father for being an elder one day

because you can't stand and do what's right?

Don't disqualify your father. I simply said this a few lessons

ago and I mean this, but really shame on the child.

Shame on the child who has been brought up in a Christian home

and guided in the way that he should go.

Shame on the child, decides to depart from what is, right?

And disqualifies his or her father for being an elder in the

Lord's Church. Shame on you, that would do

that. So instead of an authoritarian

approach, though, the home is where love is, its where

forgiveness is its, where happiness is experienced a

Christian home is a place where babies grow into mature adults.

So, a man that manages his family, well, is a man that's in

an excellent position to manage the family of God.

That's the whole point. In fact, a man who emotionally

one man said, Emotionally stable, spiritually, mature and

wise in his life will provide adequate leadership in the home.

All right, so not only is he to rule his own house.

Well, but number 17 and I have I have separated these although

they go together but I've separated them as different

qualifications. So here we're talking about,

he's to rule his own house, well, but then it says, having

his children in subjection, Now. I got to say, when Paul gives a

qualification to Titus, And then he gives the qualification to

Timothy. The qualifications to Timothy

and the qualifications to Titus. They are not either or they are,

and So I make this point when he says that a man must have his

children in submission or subjection, it doesn't mean that

he can have young children in subjection in submission and

doesn't have to have all of his children being faithful.

So, what did you already tell Titus.

He said, you have to have faithful children me.

All your children are. Faithful.

Christians. In addition to that those.

Same Christians that Our faithful must be in subjection

or submission with reverence. Now, this is an extension of the

other first, Timothy three and four one who rules well, his own

house. As I said, I separated them as

two different qualifications though, they go together.

One who rules? Well his own house doing what

having his children in submission an extension of the

other now? It's an extension or result of a

father who rules or manages or leads his family properly.

And again, the point is this, the children's love and respect

should be one rather than severely enforced.

The children know their father's voice and they recognize that

voice. As a voice of love, a voice of

concern, a voice of fairness and the same as seen in the church

and Elder knows each member of gods family too.

And by the way, when working with a congregation recently

that wants to have elders, One of the things that we did as

evangelists great gain, I is we sent home with them question,

ears for their family to fill out.

I thought that was really wise and Greg to do that in other

words, their questionnaires, because nobody knows you like

your wife and kids. Sometimes we behave in a certain

way when we're out in public or Out Among the congregation.

But when the doors are shut and we're in the house, our family

sees who we really are. If my family sees me and

respects me based on what I do, and the way I lead my family,

Then that's who I really am. How I behave, that's the kind of

guy that needs to be an elder if the congregation knows him as a

loving kind caring family, man, then they can rest assured.

He will do the same thing in the household of God.

So the reason for this qualification, though here's a

reason, verse 5, watch this for if a man does not know how to

rule his own house. How will he take care of the

Church of God? Simple, as that.

But then, there's the next one. He's not a novice.

He is not a novice. What does that mean in 1st

Timothy Chapter 3 and verse 6. Paul said this.

Not a novice. What a powerful passage not a

novice lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the same

condemnation as the devil. Now, this Greek word here, Nia

Foo Tous is a compound word and all that means is it's a Greek

word that was taken from two other words.

So when we try to figure out what a novice really is, let's

talk about that. It comes from two other words.

One word is NEOS. Meaning You or fresh.

And the other word is fateha, which is a plant.

Talking about something that is a Nia food.

Tous is simply one, that is newly planted in the faith.

He is a new convert. A new convert.

Now I'm going to tell you, there's an English word that we

get from Nia frutos. It's the word Nia fight.

It's the word that means beginner or novice and I'm gonna

tell you something. I'm saying these words an

exaggeration but here's the poem, it's not talking about

chronological age by itself. The word Elder describes

chronological age. In other words, he's an older

man. He is a man that is respected.

He is a man that has Audience, right, we get that.

That is an elder, okay? But this word here is talking

about where he is spiritually and he can be 175 years old and

be a novice. If he's a new convert was

baptized at 80 years old. You know what he is?

He is a novice, he's brand new in the faith.

So it doesn't just mean a man that's older with chronological

age and therefore he should be an elder.

He's an elder, if he fits the Asians one of which is he can't

be a brand-new convert Can't be. Now a recent convert will not

have the spiritual maturity and experience necessary to be a

good Elder. In fact, Paul says that a novice

may be lifted up with pride because of his lack of

experience in the faith. Now we all understand there's a

period of time and all of our life spiritually speaking, when

we are available, we are babe in Christ.

There is a period of time. In fact, Hebrews chapter 5,

Hebrews 5 · chapter mention

beginning in verse 12, listen to this Hebrews 5, beginning in

verse 12. For though.

By this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to

teach you again. The first principles of the

Oracles of God and you have come to need milk and not solid food

for everyone who partakes, only of milk is unskilled in the word

of righteousness. Why?

For he is a babe, but solid food belongs to those who are full

age. That is those who by reason of

use have their senses, exercised to discern both, good and evil.

Here's another passage First Corinthians 3.

First one, and I Brethren could not speak unto you as unto

spiritual. Because but as carnal as babes

in Christ, when someone is placed in a position of

authority before he's able to handle it, it's very dangerous.

It's very dangerous and you can fall into the same judgment as

the devil who was puffed up with pride.

Now, Sometimes people want the position or the title without

the work. Sometimes people want to get get

any kind of position because they just want to be large.

And in charge instead of being a humble servant, an elder is a

humble servant he leads in a way that a father is to lead.

That is out in front. He is living his life in such a

way that he demonstrates, the qualifications in the qualities

that Elder must have. He doesn't in the home.

Therefore, he has the Spect of his family and all the members

of the body of Christ can see that.

That's how he's living his life. Not a novice, a humble servant

that is not new in the faith. But then he says this, unless

what lest he being puffed up or some translations say, lifted up

with pride. Now Kenneth wuest said, this

about the phrase being lifted up with pride, he It's being blind

with pride or conceit. You know what happens when

you're a novice, when you're new in the faith, when you don't

have the wisdom and experience what happens, you can be puffed

up or you can be blind with pride and watch this.

And fall under the same condemnation as the devil.

You know, a long long time ago, the Bible records that there was

an angel named Lucifer and he was in heaven.

He's also called Satan. He's called The Devil, he's

called the dragon, he's called a number of different things.

Lucifer was in heaven as one of the angels and Lucifer.

And a third of the hosts of Heaven were cast out.

Because of pride. Paul said this don't put a man

that is a new convert or a beginner in a position of being

an elder or he runs the risk of what being puffed up with pride

and fall into the same condemnation as did the devil.

now, a brother who desires to become a church leader, I think

must have plenty of time and opportunity to test his own

faith and be shown among those that are around him and to give

and to give others time also to see evidence of his spiritual

growth and maturity now folks, here's the deal.

We have to have a good reputation.

Now, do you remember when I have said, periodically through these

sermons, that many of these things, apply to every Christian

Do you know when it talks about having a good reputation?

It's talking about every Christian to I will have

absolutely no influence at all. If I don't have a good

reputation based on my behavior All the things that we've talked

about so far, is the reputation that a man that wants to be an

elder must have in his family and the reputation in the

church. But there's more.

And that's the reputation among those that are outside.

That's those that are in The world in this passage in 1st

Timothy 3 and verse 7. Moreover, he must have a good

testimony among those that are outside some translations, say

those that are without in other words, those that are in the

world, So I have to have a good reputation among my family among

the church, and I need to have a good reputation as a

qualification to be an elder. If I wanted to be one.

One day, I must have a good reputation among those that are

in the world, too. This phrase here actually means

this having a good testimony among those who are outside one

scholar said, it means that he's a man of General acceptance by

reputation. First Corinthians chapter 10 and

1 Corinthians 10 · chapter mention

verse 32 is talking about reputation and safeguarding your

reputation among those that are in the world.

First Corinthians, 10:32 says this?

Give no offense either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the

Church of God, Philippians 2 and verse 15.

Paul advises this he said that you may be blameless and

harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked

and perverse generation among whom you shine as Life's in the

world. One more, passage Colossians 4

and 5. Walk in wisdom toward those who

are outside Redeeming the time now, you know, it's interesting

in the new English Bible. It renders this passage very

clearly watch this. This is how the new English

Bible. Renders this passage He must

have a good reputation with the non-Christian public so that he

may not be exposed to Scandal and get caught in the devil's

snare. Interesting phrase isn't it and

be caught in the devil's snare. In other words as, as possible

as it could be Elders, need the shine as lights in the world.

Not compromising their Christian position their In suppose, and

their practices. Now remember, this, Jesus is the

chief Shepherd. We showed the world Jesus in our

Behavior. That's what we do.

We are moral. We are committed.

We are honest. We are sincere.

You know, if we really want people to know about our

reputation and I'm just going to, I'm just going to use me,

I'll just use me. if you want to know whether I have a good

reputation or not, And you need to go and talk to kids on coach.

You need to go talk to my family.

You need to go talk to the people.

I play golf with haven't played in a long time.

Love it. Want to get going again.

Love it. But the way that I behave

outside, Really determines my reputation.

So, if we were at a point in time where we are looking at

this qualification for an elder, we need to have a man that

shows, a good reputation in his family in the church.

But also in the world among those that see him at his job,

how about that? What if you were a businessman?

It'd be great to go talk to people that you do business

with, or employees or whatever. And why does it matter, why does

it matter? If the world sees us, living a

good life with a good reputation, and we are the real

genuine article. The real deal.

As the common vernacular would say, you know what happens?

God gets the credit and God is glorified for the reason or the

purpose that you are the Way You Are. listen to this quote,

please I got this from a commentary, listen to this

quote. The reputation of the

congregation. Is only as strong as the

reputation of its leadership. And that's a fact.

Now, Paul says this, you got to have a good testimony among

those that are outside less. He fall into reproach of the

devil. Now, the word reproach according

to w, evine means defamation. Disgrace slender.

Blame for a ques accusation. The point that he's making is as

Satan himself fell with pride, he greatly longs to see church

leaders fall into the same snare.

He was cast out of Heaven because of Pride, you know what

he wants? He wants other people in the

church that fall into the same disgraceful.

Snare of pride. That's why we have to have a

good reputation among those that are around us.

Paul mentions the snare of the devil in 2nd, Timothy 2:26 And

that they may come to their senses and Escape The Snare of

the devil having been taken captive by him to do his will

now Satan, because of Pride came under judgment, and that's

exactly what he wants. That's exactly what Satan wants.

He wants people of God to come under the same judgment.

But here's the point, an elder must have a good reputation and

not be open to an easy attack from the Devil.

Now, by the way. We've just finished the

qualifications in the book of 1st Timothy.

Do you see something that happened here in verses 6 and 7?

It sums up the reputation or sums up where he began.

Do you remember the first thing that he said after?

He said you have to design the office.

The very next thing in the very beginning, he said you got to be

blameless. You know what he says at the end

7 verses later got to be blameless. blameless in the

church and blameless outside no, sustainable charge against Let

me ask you this. If you were a person that was a

sister in Christ, you can't be an elder can't qualify to be an

elder. We know that, but I guarantee if

you had a good reputation among those that are within and those

that are without, you be a better person to be a better

Christian. We all would every one of us, we

would all be blameless. And the reason that this is

important is because those that are outside of the body of

Christ, they will judge the church B leaders.

Okay in conclusion, here's the qualifications that we noticed

and the in the introduction I went over.

These will not do that. Again, these are 15

qualifications. Here's what we've noticed today.

An elder must first rule or lead or manage his own house.

Well why if you can't manage his home how's it going to manage

the family of God? Number two, he must have his

children in subjection. In other words, they are

respectful children. They not only are listening and

obeying but they are honoring their parents and they have to

be faithful Christian. So we're talking about faithful

Christians that are in subjection with respect to their

father. He must not be a novice.

He can't be a new convert. And finally, he must have a good

testimony, or he must have a good reputation among those that

are in the world. Now, that's first Timothy.

That's all the qualifications given in first Timothy, the

remain qualifications from Titus and this will be next time.

Here they are. Must not be self-willed or

error. Get must not be.

Quick-tempered must be a lover of what is.

Good must be Justin. Upright must be holy and devout

and must hold fast the faithful word.

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