https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10210498882243803
November 30, 2017
The things that are wanting in some of the
Lord churches, and
The chief remedy for such ills
Titus 1:5
"For this cause left I thee in Crete,
that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders
in every city, as I had appointed thee."
Apostle Paul's gospel ministry on the isle of
Crete was blessed with many conversions in various cities; the converts were
promptly gathered into churches. Titus was left behind to complete what he had
begun.
(Crete is the largest island in Greece and
the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in the
southern part of the Aegean Sea. The island has an elongated shape: it spans
260 km (160 mi) from east to west, is 60 km (37 mi) at its widest point and
narrows to as little as 12 km. Present-day Crete is served by FOUR airports,
two serving international flights!)
The passage reminds me of a wise saying
before I was ordained as an elder as the Lord's servant to His little church in
Sungai Dua, "An elder is not necessary to the being of a church; he is
necessary to her well-being." Churches without elders (with the biblical
qualifications enumerated) do leave them wanting in many things.
The chief means to set in order the many
things that are wanting in the churches is the recognition and ordination of
biblical elders.
What roles do elders fulfill?
"...
to preach the gospel, and administer the ordinances to them, to watch
over them in the Lord, and put the laws of Christ's house in execution, and
keep up a strict discipline in it, according to the will of God. What Titus was
to do in this affair, was to put the churches upon looking out, and choosing from
among themselves proper persons for such service, and to direct, assist, and
preside at the elections and ordinations of them: for we are not to suppose,
that the ordination of elders was the sole act of Titus, or alone resided in
him; but in like manner as Paul and Barnabas ordained elders in every church,
by the suffrages of the people, signified by the stretching out of their hands;
in which they directed, presided, and also assisted in prayer, with fasting,
Acts 14:23." John Gill.
These activities of the elders, Christ's own
gift to His churches, will resolve many of those things that are wanting in His
churches.
Pray for your elders for your spiritual good
and usefulness
Give careful attendance and earnest heed to
their labours among you, otherwise, you dishonour the Lord who sent them, and
things will become wanting in your walk with the Lord.
Blessings to all who hear.
