The Bible Series Titus
Notes
Transcript
People, Places, and Time…
When Lisa and I were missionaries, this church took us on as their missionaries… we were so blessed to have this church family supporting us, praying for us, and encouraging us…
I distinctly remember my wife as we were driving back to the mountains to the camp we served at saying, “I am so glad God has not called us to a desert place like Parachute!
In October of 2011, we started serving here at Grace as associate pastor. (we had to get a home on the green side)
I have thought about having Lisa say she is glad God has not called us to the Island of Crete… where Titus was ministering.
Stuck in the Mediterranean Sea on an island with crystal clear water, mountains, beaches
The people however… Titus 1:12
One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Lisa and I have grown to love this beautiful valley
The people however… have stolen our hearts. You all are so dear to us. You are family!
Regardless of your location… or the time or culture in which you live… PEOPLE deal with the same issues and God’s Word speaks to people TRANSCENDING time, culture, gender, race, and the scriptures speak to the issues we all deal with!
Letter Information
Letter Information
This letter, for being so very short, has one of Paul’s most in depth and longest greetings…However it sets the tone for the letter and establishes well Paul’s authority in the matter! Titus 1:1-4
Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
The work being done is on Crete, after Paul’s first release from prison in Rome around 63 AD
Sequentially this would be the middle Pastoral Letter
Paul most likely had an vital and direct role in Titus coming to faith in Christ. “true son”
Paul establishes his apostolic authority to be giving these directives!
There is work to do, a task to be accomplished (Titus and the Church)
This letter has a two-fold purpose seen in Titus 1:5...
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
To set things in oder
Establish and appoint Elders
In this letter Paul will discuss Roles and Responsibilities concerning our CONDUCT as children in God’s household…
Roles & Responsibilities
Roles & Responsibilities
ROLE: it is assigned or assumed, there is expected behavior and it allows one to function to function in a particular process.
In this letter we will look at the roles of :
Elders
Older and Younger men
Older and younger women
Bond-slaves
The household or Family of God
God has an expectation of how these ROLES behave and function
RESPONSIBILITY: you are called to answer or liable for something, liable for review, answering for one's conduct and obligations, choosing between right and wrong, accountable, submitting to one in greater power
PLEASE NOTE:
The roles and the responsibilities of these roles are established by God Himself. There is no greater power and He is the One we must submit to in this area.
God’s Word TRANSCENDS time, culture, and opinion. … and remember God’s Word is dealing with people!
Letter of Titus Overview
Letter of Titus Overview
When one thinks of conduct it goes beyond function or process. There is an aspect of managing ones behavior… but doing so based on MORAL PRINCIPLES. The letter to Titus lays our the moral principles or conduct for God’s church… His family!
First Priority is the leadership… ELDERS!
First Priority is the leadership… ELDERS!
This was not to be done by popular vote or positions of leadership prior… IT IS DONE BY APPOINTMENT
Paul states this s to be men appointed who are qualified in CHARACTER… Titus 1:6-9
namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Paul contrast the men around them (some even in the church!!!) and even states “who must be silenced”
He states that their mind and conscience are corrupted!
These individuals merely give lip service…
Paul says this about them… “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.”
These leaders / ELDERS will need to confront and deal with individuals like this! (THESE MEN WILL NOT BE POPULAR) but they will need to be bold, Titus will need to be bold!
Paul shifts to the Setting In Order… The Family Of God!
Paul shifts to the Setting In Order… The Family Of God!
Verse 1 of chapter 2 has astounded me… when I think of DOCTRINE I think of the Godhead, authority of scripture, baptism, communion, dispensations… and so forth. BUT NOTICE… Paul draws out “SOUND DOCTRINE...” Titus 2:1
But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.
In verse 15 after giving this sound doctrine… Paul declares, “You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.”
He then goes on to discuss:
Older men and their character and actions
He shifts to older women… here is their behavior / conduct
Why?… to Encourage and train the younger women!!!
As wives, mothers, understanding their CRUCIAL ROLE for their homes
Likewise… older men, train, teach, instruct the younger men!
He declares that they are to BE EXAMPLES!!!
Be watched, engage in time, life, come alongside… TEACH!!!
Be the instructors and spiritual leaders in your homes God has called you to be!
Men and women… if you and I are MANDATED to teach the younger ones, to look at them and declare, “follow my example”… then we have an obligation to understand God’s word, know it, study it and pass it on!
This by the way is to be done in the HOUSEHOLD OF GOD, starting in your own homes…
Paul continues to discuss “Bond-slaves” equivalent to most employees: you place yourself under someones control or authority by choice.
Be obedient
Please them
Don’t talk back and don’t steal
Be entirely trustworthy and good
Make the teaching about God (your verbal testimony) attractive to them!!!
Let your actions “adorn” make attractive and beautify the gospel!
In Titus 2:11-14 Paul declares the reason we do these things of Sound Doctrine…
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
To Wrap things up… Paul states things to Remember and Reject:
To Wrap things up… Paul states things to Remember and Reject:
Remember...
Submit to rulers and authorities
They should be obedient
always do what is good
Do not slander anyone
Avoid quarreling
Be gentle
Show true humility to all
WHY… because of Christ!!!
AVOID & REJECT...
Avoid foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees
Avoid quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws
These things are useless and a waste of time
Reject people causing divisions among you
give a first and second warning
After that, have nothing more to do with them
WHY… people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.
Closing…
Closing…
I want to close today being very practical… Titus 3:8 (in the NLT) states, “I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.”
I want you to take time today… and each day this next week to read Titus! It takes less than 10 minutes to read.
As you do so, consider what God is declaring as sound doctrine/teaching for your life!
Ask God what things He wants to work on
God has given you a role or multiple roles
He has assigned your role and expects a certain behavior
You are liable… you are accountable… you will give an answer
In what area(s) do you need to SUBMIT to the ONE in power
My prayer for you this week is that this powerful doctrine will impact your life in a powerful way, as God works I pray that this begins to impact the lives around you…
I look forward to asking you what you learn as you read and study this!
May our lives “adorn / make attractive” the message of Jesus Christ!