"OVERVIEW OF TITUS"

Background info –

Author – Paul

Date – 63 AD

Audience – Titus (1:4)

Titus 1:4 NASB95

4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Theme – “Adorning the Doctrine of God”

Why did Paul leave Timothy in Crete? – We find the reason in 1:5 -

Put in order what remains

Appoint elders in every town

The work at the church in Crete was unfinished when Paul left, that is why Titus was left in Crete.

Is there a specific problem that is going on within the church?

Read 1:10 – (FALSE PROPHETS)

Titus 1:10 NASB95

10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

Insubordinate – unruly, and disobedient

Empty Talkers and Deceivers – Meaningless talkers

Circumcision Party – A Specific group of people, we refer to them as false prophets

Read 1:16 –

Titus 1:16 NASB95

16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Profess to know God

Lives don’t demonstrate it

Paul describes the false prophets in vs 16 as –

Detestable – worthy of being hated

Disobedient – not compliant

Unfit (NASB uses the word “worthless”) – they are not approved to do good works

This is the issue (problem) that Paul is addressing in the book of Titus.

Paul did not write this book to Titus b/c of his lack of theology rather, it was written to address the false prophets and what they are teaching. Paul addresses the problem by telling Titus to “Adorn (enhance) the Doctrine of God.” We are going to break this down by looking at specific things that he tells Titus to do.

How are you adorning (enhance) the doctrine of God?

1. Teach sound words – 2:1

Titus 2:1 NASB95

1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.

Teach what accords – (NASB “Fitting” – Stands out)

Sound Doctrine – Accurate truth

As you teach be sure to – 2:7-8

Titus 2:7–8 NASB95

7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Model Good works (Practice what you preach)

Teach with integrity – “Incorruptible”

Teach with dignity – “purity”

Sound in speech – “does not deviate from the truth”

What you teach Titus must stand out b/c it is accurate truth which does not deviate from the truth of God’s Word.

Yes there are false prophets teaching things that are false. Don’t focus on what they are doing you focus on teaching accurate truth.

2. Demonstrate Submission – 3:1-2 –

Titus 3:1–2 NASB95

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

Rulers – Roman Government

Authorities – All other Authorities in life

The point is submit to them as long as they are not doing something contrary to God’s Word. Rom. 13:1

Romans 13:1 NASB95

1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

As you submit do it with the following characteristics -

Obedience – 1a

Ready for every good work – 1b

Don’t speak evil – 2a

Avoid quarreling – 2a

Gentle in speech – 2b

Show Courtesy to all – 2b (Consideration)

You as well as the church must not get absorbed with the false prophets. You all must demonstrate submission as you submit to the Lord. And as you do it become Christ like in all your behavior.

3. Recall the past –

Pre – conversion – 3:3

Titus 3:3 NASB95

3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

Foolish –

Disobedient –

Led Astray –

Slaves to ourselves –

Hated by people –

We ourselves hated people –

Enemies of the cross –

Conversion 2:11-12,3:5

Titus 2:11–12 NASB95

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

Titus 3:5 NASB95

5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Grace Appeared

Brought Salvation

Grace taught us to leave our past

Embrace Christ and pursue Christ

Vs. 13

Titus 2:13 NASB95

13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

Live in anticipation of His coming

Post – conversion – 3:8-9

Titus 3:8–9 NASB95

8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Devote yourself to good works – vs. 8

Watch out for false prophets – vs. 9

The way that Paul addressed the problem of the false prophets, was not by condemning them rather, he told Titus what to do as well as what to teach. Titus “Adorn (enhance) the doctrine of God in your own life as well as the churches life”

Luther sums the book up very well by saying – “I live as if Christ died yesterday, rose today and is coming tomorrow”

I encourage all us with one final thought –

In this life we will encounter joy, fun, friends, we will also encounter discouragement, difficulties, and disappoints in the midst of life’s challenges we must adorn the doctrine of God by living our lives as bondservants of Christ.