Pastor Terry opened Titus 3 and began a three-message focus on the “consummation of a faithful leader”—putting everything together we’ve learned about leadership so our lives openly announce God to the world. Leadership is influence; the Christian leader’s influence must point people past us to Christ. In Titus 3:1–3 Paul gives three public-facing marks of Christlike leadership: (1) be subject to authorities, (2) be civil in accusations—gentle and meek, and (3) be seasoned with humility, remembering what we ourselves once were. These verses shepherd our posture in society, our spirit with critics, and our patience with people who are still growing.

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Detailed, Verbose Outline

I. Be Subject to Authorities (Titus 3:1)

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.”

1. The reminder to submit
   • Titus is to remind the leaders he appoints that they themselves must model lawful submission—to principalities, powers, and magistrates.
   • Submission is not partisan; believers don’t pick and choose administrations to obey. We obey God first, but we also honor lawful authority as far as conscience and Scripture allow.
2. Followership precedes leadership
   • “You cannot lead if you don’t first know how to follow.”
   • Parents, pastors, and supervisors teach submission best by example—speaking respectfully of bosses, officials, and processes even when we disagree.
3. Readiness for good works
   • A rebellious spirit undercuts our testimony; a submitted spirit positions us to be “ready to every good work.”
   • Readiness is cultivated ahead of time: planning, study, visitation, and steady preparation (e.g., teachers preparing all week, not on Saturday night).
   • Picture: like a child buzzing for a long-awaited trip, the mature believer is chomping at the bit to serve when God opens the door.

Applications

• At work: stop undermining your boss with constant complaints; show what Christian submission looks like.
• At home: model respectful speech about authorities—you’re training a generation by your tone.
• In church: prepare now so when your “number’s called” you can step into leadership ready.

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II. Be Civil in Accusations (Titus 3:2)

“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.”

1. Guard your tongue — “Speak evil of no man.”
   • Don’t spend ministry hours defending yourself or debating your critics; spend them proclaiming the gospel.
   • Soulwinning wisdom: don’t get gridlocked in door-side debates; move on to the next open heart.
2. Refuse the fight — “No brawlers.”
   • Some people carry a chip on their shoulder; leaders don’t go looking to knock it off.
   • Especially for pastors (a qualification), quarrelsomeness discredits the pulpit and the mission.
3. Choose strength under control — “Gentle… showing all meekness.”
   • Gentleness is not passivity; meekness is not weakness—it’s power bridled by love.
   • Ministry deals with broken people (like broken glass); handle with care or everyone bleeds.
   • In a harsh world (think Crete’s reputation), compassion stands out and often opens the door for the Word.

Applications

• Let actions answer accusations.
• Respond to provocation with meekness; your restraint may be the very testimony God uses.
• Remember: God didn’t command us to defend His Word but to declare it.

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III. Be Seasoned with Humility—Serve in Acknowledgment (Titus 3:3)

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”

1. Remember your past — “We were…”
   • We forget the pit we were digged from and start demanding instant maturity from others.
   • Real leadership gives room to grow and grace in the learning curve (“inspect what you expect,” coach, correct, and celebrate progress).
2. Name what we were (and sometimes still are):
   • Foolish — spiritually dense; making heavy, costly choices.
   • Disobedient — said “no” to God when He was pressing us to change.
   • Deceived — sincerely wrong; needed patient guidance back to truth.
   • Serving divers lusts and pleasures — flesh-led patterns that don’t break overnight.
   • Living in malice — a harmful spirit; some were truly dangerous.
   • Envy — not merely wanting what others have, but resenting that they have it.
   • Hateful and hating — devilish pride at work; the flesh runs on demonic fuel.
3. Lead like a shepherd, not a boss
   • A boss pushes; a leader pulls—setting the pace, loving people through the process, delegating then following up to train.
   • Expect falls (like toddlers learning to walk); stay near to steady and set them back up.

Applications

• Keep your testimony tender by remembering who you were and Who changed you.
• When you correct, mix truth and grace—some are won by compassion, others by sober warning (Jude 22–23).
• Let your life announce God: submission, civility, and humility are billboards for the gospel.

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Summary

Big Idea: The public life of a faithful leader announces God to the world. We cannot lead if we won’t follow (v.1). We cannot lead if we’re always fighting (v.2). And we cannot lead well if we forget what we once were (v.3). Christlike leaders model submission to lawful authority, display meek, non-combative speech and conduct, and serve others with patient humility, giving people space to grow—because grace made that space for us first.

Take it with you this week:

• Practice followership—speak respectfully of authorities and get “ready to every good work.”
• Trade debates for declaration—let your actions answer critics.
• Lead with grace memory—remember your own process and give others time to change.