"FOR this reason I left you in Crete, that you should SET IN ORDER the things that are LACKING, And APPOINT ELDERS in every city as I commanded you."
Titus 1:5 (NKJV)
VI. An elder should not be given to WINE—should not be an heavy drinker, or an alcoholic. That is, he should be able to control his appetite for food, and must not give in to alcohol. Believers are admonished to be filled with the Spirit and not with wine: "AND DO NOT BE DRUNK WITH WINE, IN WHICH IS DISSIPATION; BUT BE FILLED WITH THE [Holy] SPIRIT" (Ephesians 5:18 NKJV).
VII. Also, an elder should also not be Violent (Titus 1:7).
a. Being violent does not befit or speak well of an elder. He should not be a fighter—a quarrelsome person.
IF an elder in the church of Christ could not control himself, his emotions or Anger, how would he lead the people of God, by good examples.
b. The people, the congregation, would live after you. If things found in your life are not worthy of emulating or copying, What kind of leader would you then be?
GOD has not called you to lead people to perdition, but to eternity in God's Kingdom.
VIII. An elder also should not be greedy for Money (Titus 1:7).
DO not allow money to be your motivation in all you do in the house of God: "FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS A ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVIL, FOR WHICH SOME HAVE STRAYED FROM THE FAITH IN THEIR GREEDINESS, AND PIERCED THEMSELVES THROUGH WITH MANY SORROWS" (1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV).
NOTE:
a. Love of money drains the Anointing in a Minister's life.
b. Do not embezzle church's money.
c. Do not take a soft loan from church's money.
d. Do not suffocate your superior's vision with money, If you are under a senior Pastor. When you refused to support the vision, by not giving your money—even when you knew it was a project commanded by God; you are sabotaging him, trying to frustrate him.
e. Do not incite or influence other members of the church not to give, either through verbal or nonverbal communication.
f. Do not withhold your Tithes and offerings to frustrate your senior Pastor. Saying you want to teach him a lesson or punish him for what he did to you. All these can attract or bring God's wrath on you.
g. If you are in the pay roll of the church, let your stipend or salary satisfies you. Your presiding Pastor or the Head of your church cannot meet your needs, only God can do that—thus, let your trust not be in any person.
h. Do not be involved in any shady deal, illegal businesses, good name is better than gold and silver: "CHOOSE A GOOD REPUTATION OVER GREAT RICHES; BEING HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM IS BETTER THAN SILVER OR GOLD" (Proverbs 22:1 NLT).
REMEMBER, money is not all Things, the grace of God on your life is very important and cannot be bought with money. Do not rubbish the grace of God on your life because of money (Timothy 6:6-10).
IX. An elder must be hospitable, who enjoys or receives satisfaction in having guests in his house.
HE should be a lover of what is good. And should live wisely, and be fair, and must be sober and just (Titus 1:8).
X. Must be holy; be devoted and live a disciplined life (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15,16).
a. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. An indisciplined person cannot walk with God, and lead the people of God.
b. God is thorough; disciplined and not haphazard.
XI. An elder must have a strong and steadfast belief in the trustworthy messages which he was taught—that he may be able to encourage others with the right teaching and show those who opposed where they are wrong (Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:25,26).
a. You are to defend, whatever your church believes in, which is in accordance, or in line, with the Word of God—the Bible.
THROUGH this you will be able to edify those who are following you (1 Timothy 4:16).
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
- Whatever is contrary to your health and wellness is rebuked in Jesus' name.
- An end comes to that oppression of the devil in your body in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
- You shall groan no more in Jesus' name.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!