On Sunday evenings, our church is studying through the book of Titus. I am calling this series “Paul’s Recipe for a Healthy Church.” In keeping with that analogy, the first ingredient on Paul’s recipe is God-ordained Leadership. Healthy, Sound, New Testament churches must be led by men called and qualified to lead God’s church in their family, character, and calling.

This past Sunday evening, we learned why elders are necessary for healthy churches. It is due to their two-pronged ministry of the Word; instruction in sound doctrine and rebuking those who contradict (v9). At this point, Paul explains the nature of “those who contradict” and why they must be rebuked (vv10-16). It is a challenging word! The bottom line is that “those who contradict” sound doctrine either by teaching or living in opposition are not just opposing truth; they are actually opposing the Gospel! (cf v10, 16) The ministry if rebuking those teaching or living in error is then a Gospel issue. To rebuke those in error is to protect the church and attempt to restore or correct those who are blinded.

What prompted me to write this is that Dr. Al Mohler’s post today (8.18.09) is a prime, contemporary example of “those who contradict” and the dangerous implications of their false teachings. He is specifically addressing the message conveyed by today’s popular prosperity gospel teachers. The prosperity gospel is a false gospel. It is an exhortation for people to come to Jesus for reasons other than salvation from their sin and God’s wrath. It is a call for people to follow Jesus for reasons other than love for God, Christ, and His glory! The message of the prosperity gospel is that wealth and riches will make you happy, and God exists to make sure you have them. You only need to have enough faith and give enough money to “this” ministry!

In the end, Mohler concludes that the problem with the prosperity gospel is not that it promises too much, but that it promises too little! The prosperity gospel promises worldly, temporary, comfort! God, through salvation in Christ, promises eternal, abundant, joy-filled, satisfying, LIFE!

So with Paul in Titus, I say to all pastors concerning the advocates of prosperity - “they must be silenced!” (1:11) This is a salvation issue. This is a Gospel issue. This is a healthy church issue! Grip the Word men! Sound forth sound doctrine! And with the Word of Truth close the mouths of those who “for shameful gain” teach “what they ought not to teach!” (1:11)