August 16, 2026

BUILT TO LAST: THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF HOLINESS

August 16, 2026

Teaching Pastor Charles Billingsley

Most of us might feel slightly dismayed or intimidated to have someone tell us they were giving us a tough job that would need our strong leadership qualities, and—more than likely—give us many sleepless nights! Paul, being led by the Holy Spirit, felt Titus would be a good leader for the churches in Crete. He was young like Timothy, but a strong leader. Born a Gentile, he was loved by Paul as a son, just as Timothy was. The bad culture of the citizens of Crete had begun to find its way into the church, and Paul needed Titus to restore order and sound doctrine, while rebuking the Judaizers and others for their false teaching.

Focal Passage: Titus 1.

Order in Leadership

The Assignment:

  • Read Titus1:5-9. What did Paul want Titus to accomplish in Crete? What was his first instruction? Does anyone recall what ‘set in order’ means in Greek? Does it help you to know it is from a word containing ‘ortho’? What does an orthodontist or orthopedic doctor do? What were some of the things that needed straightening out? (Judaizers, culture, etc.)
  • What was the second thing Titus was to do? If he was to appoint elders in ‘every city,’ how much can we assume the Cretan church had spread since Pentecost (perhaps less than thirty years past)? How would Titus find these godly men? If he had to pick them according to their reputation, what were their qualifications? Does this list differ from 1 Timothy 3?
  • As you read the list, what are some insights you see? Did character seem to matter much more than charisma? Why would integrity matter more than popularity? Why must an elder have these characteristics in vv. 6-9? Why is it necessary to have a leader with a strong sense of order?

The Opposition

  • Read vv. 10-16. Is God a god of order? How do you know? As Paul writes these next verses, does it seem as though the country of Crete had allowed disorder to be the rule of the day? What happens in families when children are not taught boundaries and order?
  • Why did Paul agree with the prophet of the Cretans in vs. 12? What had the churches in Crete began to tolerate in the congregations? Why are order and disorder not able to coexist?
  • Until Titus established qualified elders in the church throughout Crete, could he establish order and sound doctrine within the individual churches? Why not?

A Relentless Pursuit of Holiness:

Modeling Holiness:

  • As Paul listed the qualities Titus had to look for in those who would lead the churches, why are those same characteristics something all believers should strive for? Read Matt. 5:48. What is another way to translate this? Are believers able to be perfect, with no sin?
  • What happens when we strive with a consistent and relentless pursuit to be holy? Does anyone remember the video shown of the glass of cola? What happened as clear water ran into the glass? How is that a picture of what goes into our lives, and eventually what comes out? What is the common expression, ‘Garbage________-______.’ Is this true? Why should we guard our hearts with all diligence? Read Prov. 4:23. Do you guard your heart against trash going into your mind and heart? List some areas where you are not careful.
  • How do Christians model what they believe to be true? How does what you believe tend to control your behavior? Can you give the group an example?

A Life of Discipline

  • What does the pursuit of holiness demand from you? As you read your Bible daily, study Scripture, do ministry, or whatever, what does all of it take from the first thought? What can you do without discipline?
  • How does every step start with discipline? What has to be disciplined to bring about order in your life, and ultimately, holiness? If your thoughts are disciplined, where will you see it reflected? And if your actions are disciplined, what will be in your thought life? Can you have discipline in your thoughts, but your actions be disordered? Why not?
  • How is discipleship related to discipline? What does discipleship mean to you? What did Jesus’ disciples do throughout the Gospels? How did they differ from the Apostles? Are you one of the disciples of Christ? When you mentor a new believer, are you discipling them?
  • Read vs. 15. In your life, what will the pursuit of holiness result in? Do you control your thought life so that your thoughts are always pure? Read 2 Cor. 10:5b. What does this mean to you? Can you give an example of how this is demonstrated in your life? If you control your thoughts, will your actions follow?
  • Read vs. 16. If holiness results in purity in your thoughts and actions, will this result in authenticity? What does it mean to be authentic? Do you ever play a part when you’re with someone? How does that reflect on your holiness?

CLOSE:

God knows if you are playing a part as you go through life. He is not deceived at all. Other people may think you to be something you are not, but God knows your heart. As Charles spoke of his early years of being a person who strove to have a clean life without the benefit of a saving relationship with God, did he know his life was empty? Yes. When he finally gave his heart to Jesus Christ, life became the wonderful thing he had searched for while he played a part. This is how we know! Being authentic frees us to be ourselves, able to be the person God created when He fashioned us in the womb. Are there mannerisms you don’t like about yourself? Perhaps you need to look at them from God’s perspective. He gave you your gifts in order to share the Gospel. He made you like you are so you can bring Him glory with your life!

By Sandy Day
August 16, 2026

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