With Authority!

“Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you” (Titus 2:15).

I love dunks. There’s nothing like a basketball player rattling the rim with a power slam. Sure, it might only count on the scoreboard as two points, but registers in other ways. A jam fires up the home crowd or shuts up the fans on the road. Your opponents suddenly realize that you’ve got game. Could the dude have simply laid the ball in the hoop softly and tenderly? You bet. There’s nothing wrong with that. But when you throw it down, you do with authority. (First, a little self disclosure. I can’t dunk. Not on a 10 foot goal. Maybe on Nerf hoop in the bonus room. But just because I can’t, doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate!) Now Paul’s not a coach telling Titus to send it in. But he wants to make sure that the Big T understands his rights and responsibilities as a spiritual leader. Teach with authority. Encourage with authority. Correct with authority. Use your authority but don’t abuse it. 

Throw it down and lead. With authority.

The context of this verse is important. The amazing message of Jesus has absolutely washed over the Mediterranean island of Crete like a Gospel tsunami. The Apostle Paul has moved on to Nicopolis and left his right hand man Titus to wrap things up. His assignment is a three-point plan. First, select spiritual leaders for all the new churches (Titus 1:4). Second, stuff a sock in a pesky posse of false teachers (Titus 1:10-11). Third, establish a self-sustaining system of teaching new believers what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-14). If the Big T is going to pull this off, it’s going to take authority. God’s authority. 

Paul tells Titus to “declare these things” (v15). So what “these” are those? The apostle wants his go-to guy to make absolutely sure that he’s teaching healthy and robust doctrine (Titus 2:1). He has specific instructions on what to teach older men and women, younger dudes and dudettes, as well as servants and employees about what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:2-6, 9-10). His curriculum of Christ includes the cross in the past, the grace for the present, and His glorious return in the future (Titus 2:11-13). Once we wrap our brains around how much God gave to make us His prized possession, we’ll be absolutely on fire to good things and God things (Titus 2:14). Which things? “These things” (v15). 

I may sound like Captain Obvious here, but we can’t just know what to say and then never say it. I must communicate God’s truth verbally at some point. “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary.” This is a quote attributed (most likely, wrongly) to St. Francis of Assisi. Actions are important. Vitally important. At some point however, words are absolutely necessary. We have to explain the “why” behind the “what” of our Gospel driven actions. At some point, we all must “declare these things” (v15). With authority.

Spiritual leaders also must be able to “exhort and rebuke” (v15). There are some pairings that we can never break up. Bow and arrow. Peanut butter and jelly. Thunder and lightning. One without the other just isn’t the same. You can add “exhort and rebuke” to that list. A good leader does both. They cheer others on when they’re going the right way. And they ready to correct them when they get off track. But you can’t just simply be a cheerleader. And you can’t constantly correct. One without the other isn’t healthy. You need both. Encourage with authority. Correct with authority. Encourage and correct with all authority.

So just what does it mean to lead “with all authority” (v15)? Paul uses the Greek word eptage, which describes the proper exercise of rightful leadership. One scholar says this can be read as “show that you have every right to command.” You’re a leader. You’re legit. You’re bonafide. Not because you think you’re hot stuff, but because God has placed you in a position of influence and leverage. You have authority because you’re under authority. You have to answer to the Lord Jesus for how you’ve led. You’re accountable to Christ. Think about that for just a moment. Let that sink in. Tell me that won’t sober you up.

Like many men and women today, Titus has been given authority. He must use it. We must use it. And we must use it wisely. “With great power comes great responsibility.” Despite pop culture, this quote is from Voltaire, not Spiderman’s Uncle Ben. Don’t abuse your authority. But use it when you need it. Don’t be a bully. Don’t be spiritual thug. There are plenty of those around, ready to pound their victims with a 10 pound King Jimmy. Don’t be that guy. Lead. With authority.

Finally, Paul reminds Titus that some folks will be tempted to blow him off. “Let no one disregard you” (v15). The verb here in the original text is periphroneo. It means to despise, look down on, or overlook. It’s blatantly refusing to recognize the power of something or someone. Let’s face it. Titus knows he’s not Paul. The Cretans know he’s not Paul. It’s easy to see how folks might treat him like a substitute teacher. As Rodney Dangerfield used to say, “I tell ya, I get no respect!” When God places us in a position of spiritual authority, we can’t let those we lead bum rush us. 

Remember who you are in the eyes of God. He made you in His image. He’s the very source of your authority. Our heavenly Dad gave Jesus all the oomph to command and control. Christ then instructed His followers to use that same clout to tell the world all about Him (Mt 28:18-20). That’s the power behind Titus’ and his teaching. That’s the same power behind us when we rightly teach God’s Word (please notice I said RIGHTLY teach God’s Word). Ultimately our value isn’t in what others think of us. I can rest confidently in what Jesus thinks of me. 

Lead. With authority.