The Elect Of God - part 1

Having wrapped up our mini-series on the God Honoring Family a few weeks ago, we are due to start a new series today.

Our new series is taking us to the letter from the Apostle Paul to his young protege, Titus.

Part of the Pastoral Epistles

Full of instruction that reveal Paul’s pastoral heart in caring for the churches he started.

The epistle is really an instruction manual for how the church ought to be behaving itself.

The first chapter focuses on the leaders.

The second chapter focuses on the members. 

The third chapter focuses on how the church is to behave itself before outsiders

Read Titus 1:1-4

Paul

A slave of God

δοῦλος - slave

The word describes the status of a slave or an attitude corresponding to that of a slave

The emphasis is always on serving as a slave… it is not a matter of choice to serve or not, but an obligation

The δοῦλος has a dependence on his lord [master]

Slavery was widespread in the ancient world, and slaves were property with no freedom or rights.

Culturally: prohibited to discuss slavery in any acceptable way

Biblically: only way to properly understand our spiritual state Read Romans 6:16-18 1 Corinthians 6:20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Peter 1:18–19 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 2 Corinthians 5:15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Apostle of Jesus

ἀπόστολος - envoy; messenger

Commonly associated with sea-faring; particularly related to military expeditions

Thus, the individual is sent out with a purpose, as a messenger, from the commander who sent them

As an ἀπόστολος, Paul recognizes:

His commander: Jesus Christ

His purpose:

faith of the elect [this week]

the elect’s knowledge of the truth [next week]

Faith of the elect

Paul’s #1 purpose as an apostle of Jesus Christ is to bring to saving faith God’s elect.

Book of Acts - 3 missionary journeys to proclaim the gospel

Imprisonment - proclaims the gospel to all he interacts with (cf. Acts 16 & 28)

Desire - go to Spain and preach the gospel (c.f. Romans 15:24)

ἐκλεκτός - elect; chosen [beforehand]

Who are God’s elect/chosen ones?

OT - Israel

Read Deuteronomy 7:7-9

Psalm 105:6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

Isaiah 43:20–21 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

Isaiah 65:9 I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah possessors of my mountains; my chosen shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there.

NT - saints in Christ

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Romans 8:33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience

Read John 10:25-30

God’s elect are those whom He has particularly chosen to save and love for His purpose and glory.

Do we know who the elect are?

The quick, easy answer is to say “No.”

Charles Spurgeon If God would have painted a yellow stripe on the backs of the elect I would go around lifting shirts. But since He didn’t I must preach “whosoever will” and when “whosoever” believes I know he is one of the elect.

Consistent with the Apostle Paul’s endeavors:

2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Has God elected (chosen) who will be saved? Yes.

Do we know who has been elected? No.

Where do we go from here? Preach the gospel.

The truth of God’s election has no bearing on what Jesus has called us to do

Matthew 28:19–20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

1 Peter 2:9 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Be faithful proclaimers of the gospel of Jesus! Read 1 Corinthians 15:1–8.

v. 1-2 - the gospel saves those who resolutely believe its message… unless your belief is in vain (i.e. not sustaining… you turn from the faith)

v. 3 - Jesus died for our sins… He is the satisfactory sacrifice who took our due punishment on the cross . God poured out His wrath on His own Son, so that it does not have to be poured out on us for our offenses against Him.

v. 4 - His death was not permanent. He laid down His life and took it back up again. [His power over sin, death, and the grave!]

v. 5-8 - His resurrection wasn’t a secret. He appeared to hundreds of people who attested to this miracle.

Many people, including 11 of the 12 apostles, died horrible deaths in order to share this news with others. If it were not true, they would have been the ones who could have nipped it in the bud. Instead, they went to their graves clinging to this message.

There is nothing more important in this world… and there is no more important decision in your life… than to believe this message of the gospel and to call on Jesus Christ for salvation.

Romans 10:11, 13 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame… for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Salvation is the beginning.

When you believe in Jesus and call on Him for salvation, you become a new creation in Christ.

The Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence within you, and begins the lifelong process of conforming you to the image of Christ