2021 Spiritual Leadership ABCs, Titus 2:15

June was designated Gay Pride month. It was in your face whether you wanted it or not. I went to order a Starbuck’s coffee and the room, display boards and employees were decorated and outfitted with the colors of a rainbow. I went to log onto Word Press and this blog spot’s icon was changed from the standard blue to a rainbow of colors. It took me a few minutes to find the first time and I was reminded that much of the world was celebrating Gay Pride. Microsoft software and icon’s took on the rainbow colors. My city had a day of celebration! These are just a few of the ways I was confronted with the prevailing view that Gayness was a lifestyle to be celebrated not a behavior to be confronted. I didn’t react to these icons and intrusions beliefs about sexual relationships. If I had of responded, it likely would have stirred up an onslaught of labels and accusations because I have a different belief or opinion than the minority. Did you catch that, alternative views of gender and sexuality are minority views that have captured main stream media who cater to these views in order to not have this backslash of accusations and criticism. The public narrative is largely shaped by the LGQBTQIA+ agenda and narrative. I am thankful for the freedom those who hold these views have to express their opinion. I do not appreciate the efforts to limit and silence those who hold views that do not agree with their beliefs and behaviors.

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The cultural and political landscape of America and the world has prompted me to establish a new category on my blog spot: Cultural Preparedness Training. There are cultural movements that threaten the freedom and opportunities American’s and believer’s have enjoyed, freedom to live and share their faith. These are in the news daily and have made an impact on the lives of all Americans in recent years. I’m going to throw out a few terms that describe these movements but will not address their impact on the Gospel and the freedom of God’s people to have and hold to Biblical beliefs until later blog articles. But we all need to be aware and prepared to respond to and speak to these current cultural movements and developing world views: Black Life Matters, LGBTQIA+, Critical Theory, Critical Race Theory, Ethnic Gnosticism, Critical Social Justice, Antiracism, Intersectionality, White Privilege-Supremacy-Complicity-Equilibrium-Fragility, Woke, Racial Storytelling

All these terms stir emotion, question, fear and confusion. The dialogue is being structured in such a way that people are told not to express their opinions or speak about them. If you do speak about these issues, you will likely be labeled with one of these labels: Bigoted, Racist, Discriminatory, Insensitive, Ignorant, Broken, Anti-everything, Hateful, Out of Touch, Narrow, Unintelligent, In Need of Re-education.

So, what is our response and responsibility in this cultural of chaos and the emerging spiritual sounding but Gospel opposing world views? The answer is not simple or easy but it is sure and secure. This article will not address specifics but begin laying a foundation of the kinds of Spiritual Leaders the Bible calls for in the face of false teaching, compromise and capitulation by cultural religious leaders and spokes persons.

Paul wrote to Titus, Timothy, Silas and other spiritual leaders of the churches of Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Macedonia, Troas and other areas addressing false teachings, sinful behavior and misguided beliefs. For this article I will focus on some of Paul’s instruction to Titus as he endured ongoing opposition from the ungodly and from legalists within the congregations he served as a spiritual leader.

Paul delegated Spiritual Leadership authority and responsibilities to Timothy and Titus. He wrote letters to both of them to give them guidance and instruction regarding their role of teaching and leading local church fellowships. As I read through these letters in the past few months, a verse in the middle of this book jumped out at me as a succinct instruction of three important behaviors and responsibilities of spiritual leaders in the church, including pastors, teachers, shepherds, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, etc.

Titus 2:15 (NLT): You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say. 

Three words came to mind as I read this passage and contemplated the responsibility of a Pastor/Shepherd to lead God’s people: Authority, Boldness and Conviction. These are not popular characteristics in our current cancel, critical theory culture in America. If a leader expresses these three leader behaviors, they will likely be accused of being a bigot, a hater, out of touch, lacking love, etc. Nevertheless, true Spiritual Leaders, Shepherds and Teachers, must be faithful to their calling which at times may make them controversial within and without the church. Let’s learn a little more about these leadership behaviors and responsibilities:

AUTHORITY — The Greek word is exousia, and its basic meaning indicates “freedom of choice.” A person with great authority has maximum freedom of choice; one under authority has his or her freedom limited. The secret of spiritual authority is that it creates rather than limits others’ freedom of choice.

Where does a spiritual leader gain the authority to teach God’s Word? Jesus claimed all authority following His resurrection.

"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."  Matthew 28:18

Can anyone really question Jesus’ authority as the One who died willingly on the Cross of Calvary for our sins, was buried and then after three days, burst forth from the tomb and appeared to his disciples and many of His followers for the next forty days? I don’t think so. But what does that have to do with authority to teach God’s word? The next two verses shed light.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

He delegated this authority to His apostles (Paul being the last, one born out of due time). Paul delegated his authority (epitage) to both Timothy and Titus as his personal representatives. Since the death of these eye-witnesses, the New Testament (as well at the OT) has become the authority “for all subsequent generations of believers” (2 Tim. 3:15-17).

Bob Utley, Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey: 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy, Bible Lessons International

So every follower of Jesus has the authority of Jesus to “teach” others God’s word, commands, instructions and truth with a view for action, not simply for knowledge.

Also the Word itself claims power and authority. By it’s inspiration and infallibility we claim the authority of God’s word for teaching.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17

BOLDNESS–(παρρησίαν). Its dominant idea is boldness, confidence, as opposed to fear, ambiguity, or reserve. The idea of publicity is sometimes attached to it, but as secondary. Only here in the Pastorals: several times in Paul, as 2 Cor. 3:12; 7:4; Philip. 1:20. An assured position and blameless reputation in the church, with a pure conscience, would assure boldness of speech and of attitude in the Christian community and elsewhere.

What gives a spiritual leader boldness as they preach and teach God’s Word?

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 (ESV)

This is the boldness that David demonstrated as a shepherd boy in facing the giant, Goliath. David proclaimed to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

CONVICTION–A conviction is a belief that you will not change. Why? A man believes that his God requires it of him. Preferences aren’t protected by the constitution. Convictions are. A conviction is not something that you discover, it is something that you purpose in your heart (cf. Daniel 1, 2–3). Convictions on the inside will always show up on the outside, in a person’s lifestyle. To violate a conviction would be a sin.

Spiritual leaders must teach not just ideas or thoughts but well formed convictions based on the revelation of God’s plans, purposes and proclamations. A conviction is a belief that a person is confident in to the point of being willing to suffer lost or persecution in defending.

 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1,2 (ESV)

Authority, Boldness, Conviction are not popular behavioral characteristics of leadership but sometimes necessary when confronting sinful behavior or false teaching. However authority, boldness and convictions should always be expressed with humility and love. Ephesians 4:1-3, 15-16 give practical guidance regarding how spiritual leaders are to express themselves.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

galatians 6:1

Spiritual Leaders, we are not instructed to be silent, to shrink back, to stay on the sidelines of cultural thought processing . We are called to speak, to share with the authority of Jesus and His word, with the boldness of biblical beliefs that are based on convictions born through an abiding relationship with Jesus, our Creator, Lord and Savior. However, we must never speak from a heart of hatred or harshness but from a heart of compassion and confidence in Jesus and His eternal, living and never fading Word. Why? Because we love God and we love others enough to hold to and speak truth, even though it is unpopular and will be attacked and rejected by many in this world. Yes, that means many will reject you because of your words and way of living. Are you ready? Are you prepared to live and speak in the prevailing cancel culture in America? It’s time to prepare my dear brothers and sisters!