Rules of Engagement | Ministering to Mercenaries | Pastor Rodney Thrift
Rodney Thrift   -   March 15, 2021

Titus 1:5 (NIV) 5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

Rules of engagement: (ROE) A directive issued by a military authority specifying the circumstances and limitations under which forces engage in combat with the enemy. Orders that soldiers are given when fighting in a war of what they can and cannot do.

Mercenaries: Soldiers for hire; soldiers hired to serve in a foreign military. In simplest terms a mercenary is an armed civilian paid to do military operations in a foreign conflict zone.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT) 1And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

SOUL TATTOO: It’s not easy to lead or to follow the rules.

 “Leadership is influence, nothing more, or nothing less.” Dr. John Maxwell

  1. L = Lead in life.
    Titus 1:1-5 (NLT) 1This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. 3 And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him. 4 I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace. 5 I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.

    1. Personal life
    2. Family life.
    3. Social life.
    4. Financial life.
    5. Professional life.
  2. E = Engagement to lead with passion.
    Titus 1:6-9 (NLT) 6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. 8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.
    God’s Rules of Engagement for Elders:

    1. Live a blameless life.
    2. Be faithful to your wife.
    3. Do raise children as believers and to not be wild or rebellious.
    4. Do not be arrogant.
    5. Do not be quick tempered.
    6. Do not be a heavy drinker.
    7. Do not be violent.
    8. Do not be dishonest with money.
    9. Enjoy having guests in your home.
    10. Love what is good.
    11. Live wisely.
    12. Be just.
    13. Live a devout life.
    14. Live a disciplined life.
    15. Do know the Word of God.
  3. A = Attack problems don’t avoid them.
    Titus 1:10-14 (NLT) 10 For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. 11 They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. 12 Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.” 13 This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith. 14 They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth.
    Left alone…

    1. Problems go awry.
    2. People go astray.
    3. Plans go amiss.
  4. D = Develop the right approach in leading.
    Titus 1:15-16 (NLT) 15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

    1. Lead myself.
    2. Lead my family.
    3. Lead others.

How does Destination Church Lead?

Our church government is made up of Leaders:

  • Guided by EXECUTIVE STAFF:
  • Guarded by THE LEAD TEAM:
  • Strengthened by PRESBYTERS:

SOUL TATTOO: It’s not easy to lead or to follow the rules.

The Lordship Prayer
Lord Jesus, I confess that I have sinned and I acknowledge my need of you. I thank you for dying on the cross for me, and I accept you as my Savior. I invite you now to be Lord of every area of my life. Lord of my spirit and relationship with you. Lord of my mind and all of my thoughts. Lord of my emotions and all of my feelings and reactions. Lord of my will and all of my decisions. Lord of my body and all of my behavior. Lord of my eyes and what I look upon. Lord of my ears and everything that I listen to. Lord of my mouth and what I speak. Lord of my hands and all that I do; and Lord of my feet and everywhere that I go. Lord of my sexuality. Lord of my time, my work, my ministry, my pleasure; my home, my family, my possessions, my finances and all of my relationships. Thank You, Lord, that your blood was shed and that I can be set free!