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

Ecclesiastes 7 - Live Lift; Quit Scheming

Solomon's search for wisdom; his search to discover the theme of things, seems to have left him just a little more than depressed! "Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart." (Eccl 7:3 NIV)  From my own experience, frustration is not better than laughter. There is a time and a season and a place for both. Frustration, indeed, my help you to grow as you face the challenges before you; but, laughter lends itself to healing of the mind, the body, and the soul. It is good to do each in the appropriate time and place.

"Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future." (Eccl 7:13-14)

We will encounter both the good and the bad times in our journey here on earth. No one gets to be "happy, happy, happy" all the time and no one should be live their lives in constant sorrow or depression. "Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes." (Eccl 7:18b)

Solomon tested all things. With the wisdom he was allotted, he attempted to discover the scheme of all things. But, in the end here is what he found:  "...God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes." (Eccl 7:29)

The search to figure out why humankind would work so hard their whole lives at scheming to make others so miserable is futile. Searching out the evil purposes of humankind will lead to depression. That is simply what we have chosen to do and only God can know why. God, and maybe each of us can search out our own hearts to figure out why it is we, personally, do so much scheming. We should search our hearts and our own minds, repent, and live the life that God intended for us to live, as children of His heavenly kingdom. Live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

   

Psalm 97 - What Is Evil?

^"Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 97:10 NIV)

So what exactly is this evil that the faithful ones hate?  This morning, as most morning, I'm going to have to go for anything that separates from the love of God. Any false idol, any motivation that is self-serving, that turns our love away from Him and to something else would be evil.  Being separated from God is evil.  Being reconciled to Him is a good thing!

I can think of lots of evil things that turn my stomach this morning.  Evil is not always blatant and in your face.  Sometimes, it is those little things we do, the sneaky little things to undermine our neighbor and that do not glorify God, that is the evil that confronts and confounds us.  Evil comes sliding out from under the rock, mostly unnoticed by humankind.  But, it is there and we often fail to recognize it as existing around us. We fail to recognize it and end up accepting it as a normal part of life. 

I am always amazed when someone declares something as the epitome of evil.  It's like we're saying that thing or that person is evil, but I am not.  It's always good to say something is more evil than we are.  It makes us feel righteous.  Actually, what it makes us is self-righteous and the only one that is truly righteous is God.  In Him is our righteousness and in no other. 

^"Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name." (Psalm 97:11-12)

God's Peace - Pr. J