Titus 1:7-9 - Foundations and Structures

Titus 1:7-9 "For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." (NASB)
Matthew 7:24-25 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock." (NASB)

When I first came upon the scripture tonight it really struck me how important it was that the structure of a church must be built with materials of the highest quality. The church leadership, its pastors and other leaders in the various ministries must hold themselves to the highest of standards.

Then the scripture from Matthew popped into my mind.......a church's structure (it's leadership), in order for it to be enduring must be built upon the foundation of the Rock of Jesus and not the sand of the religious doctrine which is subject to be shifted by the whims of interpretation causing the entire structure to eventually collapse.

Paul is pointing out that the work of the overseer demands a person of the highest character........who has put the Lord first in all matters of the church and life in general..........who is the model of self-discipline.......and who holds fast to the principles laid out by the Lord Himself through His Word.

And when care is taken to make sure the foundation is secure and that the structure is built with quality materials, it is then that a church can become a thing of beauty and strength.

Love in Jesus,

Jim

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"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." (1 Corinthians 12:18 NASB)

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

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This devotional was originally posted on CCI-Devo - Daily Group Devotionals on April 15, 2004 in post #527. It was written by Jim Ross, a former United Pentecostal Church member, who attends Christian Challenge International, the sponsor of the devotional group. The devotional is the copyright of Jim Ross and is reprinted on this site by permission.

Page added April 14, 2006

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