BE A PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS

1. "IN ALL THINGS SHOWING YOURSELF TO BE A PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
2. sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you."
   Titus 2:7,8 (NKJV)

• Leadership is a responsibility; it is not about bossing people.

• Paul was admonishing Titus, a young pastor who was given an assignment to set things in order at the Church of Crete (Titus 1:5).
• Titus was to be a pattern of good works.
  THOSE who are under his leadership should have good things to learn from him—through his demeanour, behaviour or conduct, that is, how he lives his life.
• He should be the pattern, an example, for others to follow.

"Brethren, join in following my [Paul] example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern."
Philippians 3:17 (NKJV)

• Leadership is influence.

• Titus, likewise, any other leader, should know that whatever they do will influence other people—either positively or negatively.
• A leader cannot afford to live a carefree life because he is a role model, he sets standards for others to follow—particularly the people under his leadership.
• Therefore a leader should be a pattern of good works.
• A leader in his doctrine, that is, teaching, should show integrity, reverence and incorruptibility.
  INTEGRITY in the passage talks about singleness of mind– being honest, steadfast and upright in character (Titus 2:7).
  HE should be reverent– respectful (Titus 2:7).
  INCORRUPTIBILITY: should be a person that cannot be persuaded to do a dishonest thing or something that is wrong—someone who is consistently consistent.
• Even among believers when leaders were to be chosen, they needed to look for those who fear God, men of truth, those who hate covetousness, and those with good reputation.
  IN OTHER WORDS, there are people in the church who do not have good reputation—who do not fear God, who are not men of truth, and those who do not hate covetousness.

"Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, SUCH AS FEAR GOD, MEN OF TRUTH, HATING COVETOUSNESS; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens."
Exodus 18:21 (NKJV)

"Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of GOOD REPUTATION, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."
Acts 6:3 (NKJV)

• Leaders should live what they teach or preach.

• One of the major problems in the body of Christ today is that we have a number of leaders, ministers, who are not practicing what they preach or teach.
  THEY do not live by the standards of the Bible.

"having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"
2 Timothy 3:5 (NKJV)

"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work."
Titus 1:16 (NKJV)

• Titus, likewise, other leaders, should behave impeccably (Titus 2:8).

• A leader should teach the truth so that his teaching would not be criticized—that those who oppose would be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about him or her.
• Doings of a leader, that is, what a leader does or practices, teach others about how to live; people learn a lot from their leaders—thus a leader cannot afford to live a carefree life.

"not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant or overbearing], but BE EXAMPLES [of Christian living] to the flock [set a pattern of integrity for your congregation]."
1 Peter 5:3 (Amp.)

• In summary, two things are spelt out here: the life that a leader lives and his doctrine or teaching, that is, what he teaches to others.

• People learn from the leader: he or she should know this and live with that consciousness.
• Their teachings should be sound that those who oppose the gospel would not have any evil things to say against them (Luke 21:15; Acts 6:10; Titus 2:8).

"for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist."
Luke 21:15 (NKJV)

"Teach the truth so that your teaching can't be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us."
Titus 2:8 (NLT)

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Peace.