Titus 1:1 - Elders, Overseers, Council Members

Titus 1 NIV

Paul's letter to Titus ministering in Crete, will sound very much like the ones we just read to Timothy. He outlines the qualities of an elder. What Paul considered an elder would be what most of us know as council members. They are overseers who manage the household of God. They cannot be overbearing, nor quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. They are to be hospitable, loves what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Above all, they  hold firmly to the message as it has been taught, so that that they can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Not everyone should be a council member. So often, congregations, will choose the closest warm body who has the most available time and will volunteer or sometimes they will choose a prominent leader of the community or successful businessman thinking that he or she will be a great leader. There are all kinds of reasons people are called to serve on the council of elders. Above all, we must strive to ensure that they are faithful people. They are to know the truth of Jesus Christ and can and will be willing to promote the spreading of the gospel; as well as, able to correct those who would teach another gospel in order to ensure the flock that is under our care are not led astray.

It is necessary that they be powerful believers that they might be a witness to the mighty works of God in Christ Jesus. There will be, in every congregation and community, those who will stir up dissension; who will promote false doctrine. You will be able to recognize them easily. "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him." (vs  16) You will find them within the congregation and community, even as weeds spring up with the wheat. (Matt 13:24-30) Continue with them in your midst; lovingly correct them and encourage them in "the way." But, do not elect them to the council of elders.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ephesians 4:1-17 One Body

Ephesians 4:1-17 NIV
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (vs 4-6)

We may be many; yet, we are one in Christ. We are united in His Body as we abide in him and he in us. We, who are members of this Body of Christ have been called and equipped for service in order that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Do you see what that means? Although our good works contributes nothing toward our salvation; we are called to serve the whole body according to the gifts that have been given to us as individuals for the edification and growth of the body of Christ, who is the Church, who is Jesus the Christ. (vs 12-13)

We must all serve in unity, according to the will of God, with the mind of Christ, who is our head, in order for this maturity to happen. What I've witnessed all too often is that when one person tries to do it all nothing much gets accomplished. Too many frying pans in the fire at one time being handled by one person and something is liable to get left undone or burned. Many congregations and even denominations are like that. We equip only a few for service and growth, if there is any, is slow. It's because some of the members of the body of Christ aren't working.

Consider the times that you may have injured an arm or a leg, maybe you had a lung infection or other illness that affected one part of your body. Did that one member of your body not slow you down; maybe, even stop you from doing anything? 

We are all members of one body, meant to work in unity and unison so that the whole body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge and Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So lets get with it and equip all of the saints! Train the members of the body so that together we might grow in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. So much in these 17 verses, one can barely begin to cover the enormity of what they mean for us in a simple blog. Read them and pray for a greater understanding often.

Ephesians 2:11-22 Reconciled Family of God

Ephesians 2:11-22 NIV
We who were once not of the household of God are now members of his household; fellow citizens with all of God's people in His Kingdom. He came to bring peace. That is, he came to bring reconciliation between all who would follow him. But, there are those who want no part in our Father's house and in the end; even as the wall between God's children is torn down, sometimes a wall between God's children and those who reject Him is built up and peace in the world is not found. There are and will be many persecuted and attacked for being members of God's family. There are those who would reject our Father's house; those whose desires are only for themselves in this world resulting in great heartache and turmoil within households of this world.

It is a very sad thing when members of a household do not get along. Families break up and go there separate ways.  But, it is not so with the household of God. Jesus came to unite his Father's family; to reconcile all who would believe with God and with one another.

Sadly, the reality is that Jesus told us that he came not to bring peace to the world, but that family members would turn against one another. (Matt 10:34-36; Luke 12:49-53) We see this all too often and sometimes I think that there is not an earthly household that is not touched by this division. I see the evidence of this as families sit on separate sides of the aisle funerals and weddings. Some cannot even attend worship together even if they are on opposite sides of the room.

God did not send his Son so that His own household would be separated by dissensions and divisions. Rather, His household is united by the blood of Christ. Jesus did promise us peace. He promised that the world would not know peace. He promised his followers a peace that transcends any peace that might momentarily be found in this world. His peace is found in being a child of God and knowing that no matter what happens in this world we are still God's children; citizens of His Kingdom.

There is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ shed for you. This is the blood that reconciles us to the family of God no matter who we are.

God's Peace be with - Pr. J

Romans 12:3-8 Many Members; One Body

Romans 12:3-8 NIV
Many members; one Body... When I speak to stewardship, I often refer to this concept of Paul's regarding there being many members of the Body in Christ. Each member has gifts given to them by God to serve God and to edify the whole Body. As Christ served humbly, so we are to use our gifts to serve humbly; acknowledging that without the combined gifts of others, our gifts would come to naught. When one member considers their gifts to be greater than another's (due to inflated ego; rather, than service in humility) and starts micro-managing, controlling the gifts of others, lording over others; then I usually get to see division among the members. The Body must serve in unison so that God might be glorified.

May God grant help us to serve with humility, even as Jesus humbled himself in order to save humanity.

God's Peace - Pr. J