Titus Another Son In The Faith

Titus 1

Titus finishes the pastoral letters. Paul only wrote to Timothy and Titus.......The epistle was written somewhere in between 1st and 2nd Timothy, in the time between Paul’s 1st and 2nd imprisonments.

Galatians 2:3 “But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:” ........Titus was a Gentile, some say that he possibly was led to faith on Paul’s 1st missionary journey.......Paul referred to Titus much like Timothy, a son in the faith.....Titus 1:4 “To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.” ........

Titus was very involved in the Corinthians church.......Paul also refers to Titus in his letters to Corinth as his partner and fellow worker.....2 Corinthians 8:23 “Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.” ......as his brother in 2 Corinthians 2:13 “I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.” ......I also like how Paul speaks of Titus in 2 Corinthians 8:6 “Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.” .....Titus had encouraged the believers at Corinth to participate in gathering a collection for the saints in Jerusalem, who was struggling in many ways.

Titus was familiar with the Judaizers (Christ plus circumcision, Christ, plus sacrifices).......In Galatians 2:1 “Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.” .......Titus went to Jerusalem with Paul and Barnabas do address this false teaching, this is all recorded in Acts 15.

In Paul’s very last letter to Timothy, he mentions that Titus had gone to Dalmatia which I have just found is modern day Yugoslavia.

Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete, much like he left Timothy in Ephesus, to pastor these churches.

Verse 1-3.......Paul’s intro......Paul starts off in his intro, which Titus would of knew very well about Paul.....But this how Paul wanted to be known........

In a letter we let folks know who we are mostly at the end......not sure how it was all done, but the intro was a who it is from and who it is to.

Paul was known by his service to God........In some letters he states that he is a servant to Christ Jesus.....It is interchangeable....

A servant, other translations render this “bond-servant” in the Greek is “doulos”, which means slave.......a willing slave to God

An apostle meaning “sent one or messenger”......of Christ Jesus.......Paul was called by Christ Himself, he was taught by Christ Himself.

“According to”........carries the meaning of the purpose and goal........The purpose and goal of Paul’s apostleship was to encourage both “the faith of God’s elect” and “the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.”

Most believers, when reflecting upon their own salvation, will attribute it totally to God’s working in their lives. They understand that they are redeemed only because of God’s love and grace.

It is a continual work that must be encouraged continually.......It is not just a prayer prayed on a certain date, it is a life, that I see God working in everyday and we must be encouraged daily in our faith and in the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Godliness is a trait of a genuine believer.......James 2:17–18 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

James would go on to say that the devils believe and tremble.......Genuine faith will produce a family resemblance and that is what Godliness is and it is produced by the Spirit, that comes in through our faith in Jesus Christ.

Godliness is according to truth.....which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ......without the truth anybody can make up their own version of godliness.....however, we have the truth it is in Jesus Christ, Who is full of grace and truth.......This truth, believed in, produces the fruit which is after Christ.

Just as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” ......Our labor in the Lord is not in vain.....there is hope of eternal life......

Jacob has been quoting this verse a lot lately....Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” .......When a genuine believer speaks of hope, it is the promise that we will be with God forever, in His Presence.......

God Himself is truth and the source of truth......it, then is impossible for Him to say anything untruthful........1 Samuel 15:29 “And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.” ..… Hebrews 6:18 “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” .......

This was promised by the One and Only God Who cannot lie, long ago.......before man was ever created this was decreed by God...

Ephesians 1:4–5 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,”

In due times.........literally “at the right time” or “the appointed time”..........His Word.....the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which includes the OT, which only speaks of or are a shadow of Jesus Christ.

Paul was entrusted with this Gospel of Jesus Christ......1 Timothy 1:11 “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

God our Savior......God sent His Son in the plan of salvation!

Verse 4......To Titus........Paul’s true son ..........the common faith....it may just mean the faith of Jesus Christ that they shared.......

Paul’s recognition of Titus as a son in the faith, suggests that Titus come to faith in Christ through Paul’s teaching.

Grace not justice........Grace through Jesus Christ brings peace with God.....

From God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior....Romans 5:8–10 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Verse 5........Much like Paul did with Timothy, he left Titus in Crete......Paul, whatever the reason, was not able to complete the full ministry in Crete.....… “what was wanting or what remains”...........

To set in order, carries the meaning of to correct “set right”.......whatever wrong doctrine that was going on there, teach them the right way.

To set things in orders you will need leaders to hold the line........Mature spiritual leaders (bishops/elders).......This is the way Timothy was taught to do it in Ephesus.....

Verse 6-9......What qualifies someone to be and elder/bishop.......If there be any that fit these qualifications:

Blameless.....this does not refer to sinlessness but to be free of public scandal, beyond a legitimate accusation....

How can one lead if there are things that he is legitimately accused of.....

Husband of One Wife....… We talked about this in 1 Timothy 3......What that means is man devoted to one woman in his heart and mind.

There is debate about this qualification and we have covered that.......

Polygamy wasn’t an issue in that time period, not even within the Roman rule......

Married and divorced and remarried.......which God has allowed in His Word for a couple of reasons to be able to remarry after a divorce....

Adultery

Unbeliever desiring to leave

It seems a faithful husband, faithful to only who he has committed himself to, that seems to fit.

Having children who believe......that is simple enough.....

Their conduct would also reflect their faith....

They would not be riotous which means “debauchery”

All kinds of wickedness

Nor would they be unruly which means “rebellious”.

This suggests rebellion from the Gospel.

These all tell us that a good leader should rule his house well in spiritual life.

The bishop....… “overseer”......elder/bishop......There is a list of what not to be, followed by a list of what to be......

Must be blameless, above reproach, as a steward (one who manages) of God.....

He must not be:

Self-willed...… “Stubborn”.........The Christian leader should be sensitive to use authority in ways that truly promote God’s work and not any personal agenda.

Not soon angry.......Quick tempered.......control his own emotions cannot exercise proper judgment

Not given to wine.....not addicted to wine.......This is self-explanatory to most of us........Lack of self-control follows being drunk and that is no quality in a leader.......And considering the addictive qualities in alcohol and other drugs, leaders should be careful not to indulge themselves too much in them.

Their responsibilities are more serious than earthly ones, this has eternity at stake and should be taken in that fashion.

Not a striker......Not a bully or violent.....The leader must not be known as a violent man.

Not given to filthy lucre...… “fond of dishonest gain”.....suggesting that the elder either (1) be reputably employed, (2) be absolutely honest in money matters including those involving the church, or (3) not use his Christian service as an opportunity for financial profit.

This is what the elder/bishop must be:

Lover of hospitality......Devoted to the welfare of others......

Lover of good men......the elder loves what is good (of the Lord)

Sober.......some have this as “sensible” or “prudent”.....serious........right priorities

Just.....Justice......righteous living and desiring such.....

Holy......Devout in his life

Temperate....self-controlled.....

The elder must also be known for his faithfulness to right teaching........The truth should taught and walked out.....That desire should be seen in the leaders.

The reason is this.....2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” ........The doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only, way, life, and truth and it must be strictly adhered to and not compromised in any way!

He must hold to the truth of Scripture so much so that he can convince those the try and contradict (gainsayer) this Word!

Verses 10-16........The task of dealing with these false teachers.....most of which were Jewish.