A Good  Leader – Titus 1:6-9

Intro;  Today Paul marks out the characteristics of a good leader.  These things I am sharing are not just principles for the church world but business, education, political or marketplace but also can be applied in the home very effectively as well.

1.        Paul says that before he left Crete he wanted to make sure things were in order and that there would be nothing left wanting or undone.  So he did two things, he ordained or set aside for service elders.  Men who were given spiritual authority over the church.  They were appointed to give oversight to the work of the Lord and to work together with the pastor or clergyman to accomplish the work of the Lord.

a.        Paul list three areas in which a leader was to shine or be an example and work very hard on.

He says you must live a blameless.  To be blameless means to live such a life that no one can attach blame to you.  Daniel and Joseph did this in their world.   As a Christian you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you.  So positionally as far as God is concern you are blameless because of Jesus Christ.  Morally socially, economically and personally you are to be an example of Christ like character.

b.      As a church leader this shows by being in a committed loving relationship with your spouse.  Honoring you marriage vows and all that entails.

c.       When you have children having them be committed people who believe and serve God.  Having children who are not wild, disobedient or rebellious.  It is a real balancing act and hard work but it is possible.  The following principles I am sharing will also help you in your work world as well.  I am only going to share six though I could share more except for time.

1.        Pray for them every day.  Invite God into the child rearing situation. 

2.       Be a role model in faith and practice.  Live your Christianity before them.

3.       Be consistent and fair.

4.       Be a parent.  You are their Mom and Dad when their kids you can be their buddy later

5.       Say you sorry and ask forgiveness when wrong.  Children are very forgiving and over look our faults failures and mistakes when we and they walk in forgiveness.

6.       Keep home and work separate.  Hard to do in this world of cell phone and electronic devices.

7.       Honor and work with their uniqueness.

2.        Paul then says a leader must be consistent with their conduct.  Paul deals the negative first.

a.       Be blameless and view yourselves as a steward of God.  We bring Christ into everything we are and do.  You do not separate your faith from your conduct.  You are doing God`s work not your own.

1.       Not self willed or overbearing.   You do not want your will but God`s and this enables you to work with others.  Team concept and working with others is your goal and aim.  This is an important point in the home as well.  You are working with your spouse.  Her ideas his just as important as yours.

2.       Not angry or quick tempered.  This is a killer for relationships!

3.       Not violent. 

4.       Not in it for the money, prestige power or status.  Talk about Mark Driscoll

b.      Paul then focuses on the positive.

1.       Hospitable.  You love to be with people and have people in your life.  Talk about Dave Gaskell.

2.       Loves what is good.  That comes from focusing on what God wants, thinking good thinks and hanging out with godly and good people.

3.       Sober and not given to drinking or wine.  Be temperate in your view to substances.

4.       Just means you are always fair in you dealing with family, friends and church.  You always want to do what is right and you pattern your justice and fairness on the bible.

5.       Holy, you live a life separated to God.   You know that you have an audience of one and you live your life according.  Talk about Billy Graham at 96

6.       Temperate.  self control is used in other translation.  If you allow the fruit of the Holy Spirit to flow through you and self control becomes real.

3.       The last quality is very important as well for leadership.

a.       Holding fast to the faithful and good word.  The Bible must be our final authority on word and practice.  The principles and truths of the word do not change just because of cultural shifts or political correctness.  This is why we have the Pope saying the creation story is not true.  That is why we have Crislam, well known preachers going soft on salvation, the debate on the family.  The Bible and nature teaches us that the family unit compromises of a man and a woman in a loving relationship.  Even the birds known that you mate for life.  You deviate from the Bible and you get into all kinds of ridiculous things.  2 Tim 2:15, Study to show yourself approved by God.

b.      You then can exhort rebuke and convince those who oppose it.  You have to know what you believe to give the hope that lies within you.  There will always be opposition some sincere others mocking but you have to be knowledgeable.  He says know your stuff.  This applies to all walks of life.  An architect needs to know his stuff to build a building, plumber, electrician or mechanic.  A good leader is always learning and growing.