"Set The Standard"
June 19, 2005

The Old Testament Lesson: Ezekiel 3: 16 - 19
The New Testament Lesson: Titus 1: 5- 2: 2

To challenge others (esp. fathers) to become examples others can follow

I.  Examples are easy to find.  Good examples are much more rare!
   A. Who would you name as the Greatest American?
        1. That is the subject of a TV program on the Discovery Channel.
        2. Each week they are going to do a bio on the nominees.
            a. I researched the list and recognized all the names.
            b. but I must admit that I was surprised by many of the names.
        3. Most of the names were there because of a skill they had displayed
            a. Some produced great things that have improved our lives (Salk)
            b. But the number of sports stars and entertainers amazed me.
        4. One surprise was Babe Ruth. I would not have thought of him at all.
            a. Sure, he was a great baseball player, but think of his life.
            b. He lived on a God-given natural talent that he never developed!
            c. He smoked, drank, over ate, caroused, gambled.
            d. Would any of us want a child to emulate his life?
        5. When it comes to true greatness, it takes more than skill.
        6. True greatness must be accompanied by character!
   B. It takes character to create a good role model.
        1. There are many people around who have become role models.
        2. Anyone who rises in the public eye has people looking up to them.
            a. That is true whether they like it our not.
            b. When people are in visible positions and achieve things it happens.
        3. Some years ago, Charles Barkley was at the top of his game.
            a. people complained about his behavior because he was a role.
            b. He argued, I’m not a role model, I’m a basketball player.
            c. But he was fooling himself.
            d. All over the country, children had his picture on his wall.
   C. We all base our lives on the examples we have growing up.
        1. One of the things we celebrate on Father’s Day are our role models.
        2. Every father provides a model for his children.
            a. our sons look to emulate our behavior; they learn from us.
            b. daughters gain an image of a husband and father for their children.
        3. Everything we do contributes to those models.
        4. What image are you giving to those who are looking up to you?

II Today’s Unsung Hero is one who was a great role model: Titus    A. Only thing most people know about Titus is that Paul wrote him a letter      1. He is apparently a VIP in Paul’s life.          a. over and over again, Paul relied on this one man.          b. Used him to quell conflicts in Churches.            c. trusted him Implicitly.        2. At one point in Paul’s career, he was forced to defend his work.            a. Jewish Christians questioned his work among the gentiles.              b. Paul was summoned to Jerusalem to talk with apostolic leaders.            3. Paul only took two people to stand with him.            a. One was the famous evangelist, Barnabas.  A Jewish Christian.            b. The other was one of his Gentile Converts: Titus.               c. Why did he take Titus?       4. Titus was Paul’s “Show-and-Tell”                1. He needed a practical example of his work.            b. He needed to show the Jewish leaders what he was doing.          c. Paul had to prove God was behind his work of building churches.            d. To do this, he took only one man: Titus         5. I sometimes wonder, Could Paul have taken me as his example?            a. Would I have been good proof of God’s activity?              b. How about you?  Could Paul take you? Say “here’s my example!”     B. Why did Paul choose Titus from among the 1000s of converts?         1. Titus had proved himself Trustworthy.         a. When Paul had a rebellious church in Corinth, he sent Titus.           b. Titus accepted the challenge and went.            c. Titus was able to re-assert Paul’s teaching about the gospel              d. He returned with the report and the Corinthian Church was stable        2. Titus had proved himself Dependable.         a. Paul then sent Titus back to Corinth!              b. Wanted him to continue to teach and counsel the people there.               c. Paul may have gotten the credit as founder, but Titus led the necessary follow-up efforts!        3. Titus had proved himself Loyal.              a. When the wind was blowing against Paul, Titus stood by him.          b. He did not waver in his support.      4. Titus had proved himself A good role model.             a. He understood what it meant to be a Christian.         b. He committed himself to the Christian life-style             c. He was not afraid to let others examine his life.           d. He accepted the role of example to those who needed to see!

III.  We very badly need good role models today!
   A. Because of who Titus was, Paul entrusted him to choose leaders
        1. Leaders destined to become role models in their congregations
            a. Paul carefully outlined the characteristics he expected.
            b. It is an impressive list.
            c. But it takes more than a list to choose the right people.
        2. Titus had what it takes because he was spiritually mature.
            a. In the process of discerning leaders, it takes one to know one.
            b. You must known those characteristics from the inside out!
   B. It is important that we are all growing in maturity.
        1. Each of us needs to be an example for the others.
        2. You don’t have to be old to be a good role model.
        3. This week at VBS, I had the opportunity to see many good examples.
            a. I was pleased to see my own son be a role model.
            b. Over and over again, people told me how good he was with Chace.
            c. I saw Debbie Davis be a role model for enthusiasm and faith.
            d. I saw some of our youngest members, like Luke and Jake give a good example of love, caring and friendship.
   C. Do you have people for whom you are concerned?
        1. are there people who you want to see grow to spiritual maturity?
        2. Are you caring for someone who is developing their values?
        3. Are there those around you who are setting their life direction?
        4. I hope you said “yes” to all these questions.
            a. caring for people and being an example is part of our calling.
            b. Every member of this church shares responsibility for each other.
        5. So determine in your heart to be a role model.
            a. guard the truth in your heart
            b. teach the truth with your words.
            c. Live the truth in your actions.

     VBS is one example of how we as a church are trying to share the truth in both our words and our actions.  We gathered adults from many different churches and collected Children together.  There, both adults and teens had the opportunity to show Christ’s love and concern in putting together an entertaining, action packed, musical adventure that displayed how we can: know God (WOW), talk to God (WOW), tell about God (WOW), Love God (WOW), and finally work for God (WOW).  But the job is not over.  A week of such love and concern is great, but it won’t mean anything unless we live it for the next 51 years.  To be an example means that we strive to be like Jesus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks and year and for the rest of our lives!

And as you go from this place, may you walk in the way of Christ Jesus and May God always find you faithful!