Titus 1:1-16 (NLT) PROBLEM } Corrupt church leaders calling themselves Christians. Knowing the truth generates a new & improved church . Titus 1:1–3 (NLT) This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. 3 And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him. Knowing the truth generates new & improved church . Titus 1:5 (NLT) I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. Titus 1:6–9 (NLT) …6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. 8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong. Titus 1:10–16 (NLT) 10 For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. 11 They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. 12 Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.” 13 This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith. 14 They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth. 15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good. What now? When you’re among the church, pay close attention & listen for the true gospel messaging – “God saves you by your faith, not by your faithfulness.” Before following any church leader, focus on inspecting their character & credibility, not on their charisma. Show patient grace with deeply flawed church members, but reprimand or reject a corrupt church leader. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION 1. When you’re among the church, pay close attention and listen for true gospel messaging. (“God saves you by your faith, not by your faithfulness.”) a. How might church members learn to do this better? 2. Before following any church leader, focus on inspecting their character & credibility, not on their charisma. a. Why do you think this is so hard for most people? 3. The New Testament consistently instructs us to show patient grace with deeply flawed church members in order to restore them back to God. But it instructs the elders to reprimand or reject corrupt church leaders sternly. a. Would you feel comfortable in a church that reprimanded one of the leaders? (Why / Why not?)