but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, (Titus 1:8)
As an ambassador for the kingdom of heaven, the pastor must be willing to talk to strangers. His church must be a welcome environment to those that God is drawing into the body.
A few weeks ago a young lady and her husband accepted Christ and were interested in visiting our church. The teacher of one of the adult Bible study classes met them in the vestibule and helped them find the appropriate classroom for their three children. He then guided them to his classroom. Following class, he and his wife helped the couple find all their children and brought them to the worship area. When Paul talks about an elder being hospitable, this is what I envision.
The pastor should “love what is good”. There are no parameters placed on this. There are no denominational, cultural, economic, or language barriers that should prevent his obedience to this. Before I am accused of getting ecumenical, let me restate “loving what is good”. A pastor should love that which is good with the antithesis being that he abhors that which is evil. He should surround himself with good men, those able to give good advice and counsel. He should separate himself from those that would give bad counsel.
Despite the counsel he may receive, it is the pastor’s responsibility to use his God given mind to think and reason, to be sensible. He must be able to guard his mind, his thoughts, from the outside influences of the world.
In the role of arbitrator within the body of Christ, he is to be just and fair. Showing no partial treatment to any.
He is to be devout. The pastor is to strive for holiness. He is to be faithful in his duties to God and to the church.
Again, he is to be self-controlled. A man who can not govern himself, should not govern others.
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Notes: Titus 1:8
As an ambassador for the kingdom of heaven, the pastor must be willing to talk to strangers. His church must be a welcome environment to those that God is drawing into the body.
A few weeks ago a young lady and her husband accepted Christ and were interested in visiting our church. The teacher of one of the adult Bible study classes met them in the vestibule and helped them find the appropriate classroom for their three children. He then guided them to his classroom. Following class, he and his wife helped the couple find all their children and brought them to the worship area. When Paul talks about an elder being hospitable, this is what I envision.
The pastor should “love what is good”. There are no parameters placed on this. There are no denominational, cultural, economic, or language barriers that should prevent his obedience to this. Before I am accused of getting ecumenical, let me restate “loving what is good”. A pastor should love that which is good with the antithesis being that he abhors that which is evil. He should surround himself with good men, those able to give good advice and counsel. He should separate himself from those that would give bad counsel.
Despite the counsel he may receive, it is the pastor’s responsibility to use his God given mind to think and reason, to be sensible. He must be able to guard his mind, his thoughts, from the outside influences of the world.
In the role of arbitrator within the body of Christ, he is to be just and fair. Showing no partial treatment to any.
He is to be devout. The pastor is to strive for holiness. He is to be faithful in his duties to God and to the church.
Again, he is to be self-controlled. A man who can not govern himself, should not govern others.