Today, we not only begin a new sermon series from Titus, in which Paul will outline some of the qualifications for church leadership, but also we get to see these traits in practice as we ordain a group of new deacons and elders. Given the events of the day, it seems appropriate that we sing about the church. At either end of the service, we’ll hear references from the Old Testament to Zion, “God’s own house,” whose inhabitants are protected and at peace (Glorious Things Of These Are Spoken; With Joy And Gladness In My Soul—Psalm 122). Many of the qualities of a godly leader in Titus are echoed in the description of the righteous man in Psalm 112, the man who “daily finds delight within Jehovah’s Holy Word” (Alleluia! How Blest The Man—Psalm 112). During communion, we’ll pray in song that the church would be steadfast in the Word (Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Thy Word) and strong to fight as nobly as the saints of the past (For All The Saints), just as Paul urges Titus to “put what remained into order,” and to “hold firm to the trustworthy word” (Titus 1:5, 9). Above all, let us keep Christ as our foundation, our help, and our
confidence alone: only He can bind “all the church in one.” —Henry C. Haffner
Key Words: Elder, Overseer, Doctrine, Deeds, Sound, Good, Faith, Cretan
Keystone Verse: This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. (Titus: 1:5)