Know God Promised

Church of Christ Dapto The Letter to Titus Lesson 1 -Know God promised Titus 1:1-9 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness-- a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Saviour, To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.          Written by Paul Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect To Titus Titus 1:4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. Galatians 2:1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. Galatians 2:3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. 2 Corinthians 8:16-17 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 2 Corinthians 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honour to Christ.          God promised Titus 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness-- a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, Paul was given the responsibility by God to develop the faith of God’s elect, and impart to them the knowledge of the truth. That Truth about Christ Jesus, leads to godliness. Godliness is having a faith in Christ and a knowledge of Christ. This faith and knowledge have their foundation on the promise that God made to give eternal life through Christ Jesus to all those who believe in Him. We have this faith, we have been given this knowledge, and we look forward to the eternal life that God promised. We look forward to eternal life because we trust God, who does not lie or make false promises that He would give it to us. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:15 Dapto Church of Christ Sermon Series The Letter to Titus Lesson1 Chapter 1: 1-9 March 10, 2019 Page 2 God revealed Titus 1:3 and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Saviour, Galatians 4:4-5 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. God’s plan, made before Creation, prepared the world for the time that Christ was to come. When all the preparations had been put in place, God sent Christ. When the people of the world had been prepared for the message of Christ, God revealed it through the preaching of those He has sent.          Church Leaders Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. The churches in Crete, based on each town, needed local oversight and Paul had not been given the time to determine who those God-appointed leaders were. It seems that there was to be more than one Elder in each Church. Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Titus is given the responsibility to recognise and appoint leaders in the churches in each town. This position is part of God’s plan for His church and essential in the building of the Church. Qualifications of Elders Titus was to observe the men in each church to determine who filled the qualifications for the position. Family relationships Titus 1:6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Each Elder had to be above accusation of any wrong-doing, especially moral failures, show complete devotion and dedication to his wife and have all his children as believers and examples to the members of the church. It is apparent the damage that disobedient children could cause the Elder, and through him the church. Personal qualities Titus 1:7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. The Elder is entrusted with the work of God, not his own agenda or plans. To fulfil this responsibility before God, he needs to be above any accusation of sin. He must further show his high Christian standards through his temperate relationship with the members, and not be driven by his own ego. He must show that he can control his temper, not be controlled by alcohol, or aggression, and not be a lover of money. There is to be no hint that the position of Elder is a means to accruing a fortune. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:15 Dapto Church of Christ Sermon Series The Letter to Titus Lesson1 Chapter 1: 1-9 March 10, 2019 Page 3 Personal relationships Titus 1:8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. The Elder must be willing to share his home. He must show that he values that which is good, in God’s terms above all else. He must show self-control, be upright, holy and disciplined in his life, words and actions. Strong in faith Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. In order to lead the members into the Truth and encourage them to persevere in the faith, the Elder must know the Word and show that He believes it. He must also be able to stand against the false teachers in order to protect the flock from their attacks. Qualified to be appointed With these qualifications, a man is to be appointed to take the responsibility of under-shepherd of the sheep 1 Peter 5:2-3 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.          What are you to learn? The qualifications for Elder are not different to the qualifications for Church Members! Blameless Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe the husband of but one wife, Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Malachi 2:15 Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother”--which is the first commandment with a promise-- “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:15 Dapto Church of Christ Sermon Series The Letter to Titus Lesson1 Chapter 1: 1-9 March 10, 2019 entrusted with God’s work, Page 4 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. not overbearing, 2 Peter 2:10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; not quick-tempered, Proverbs 19:19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. not given to drunkenness, Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. not violent, Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. not pursuing dishonest gain. Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” be hospitable, 1 Peter 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. love what is good, Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. self-controlled, 1 Thessalonians 5:6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and selfcontrolled. upright, Titus 2:12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, holy and disciplined. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Hebrews 12:8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, 2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:15 Dapto Church of Christ Sermon Series The Letter to Titus Lesson1 Chapter 1: 1-9 March 10, 2019 Page 5 encourage others by sound doctrine Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. refute those who oppose it. 2 Timothy 2:25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,          Qualifications for the Church The Elders of the Church are not special but are to be seen as typical of all believers. The Elder of the Church is to be an example to the believers of the standards God calls them all to reach in Christian behaviour, relationships, and faith. Their example is to reveal the qualities all Christians are to display through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. The members of the church have the responsibility to see the example and to follow it completely so that Christ is glorified in all members of His Church. Ponder the damage which has been done to the Church of Jesus Christ by the lie that Elders are supposed to be far above the standard required by God for ordinary Christians and that ordinary Christians cannot reach their level. This belief has hindered the growth of the Church and the effectiveness of its message. The lie has permitted many Christians to secretly justify their sin and weakness by believing that, although they are not special enough to be an Elder, they are sufficiently special enough as they are. It has also allowed false teachers, because of their perceived superiority, to claim for themselves authority and power over the flock which is not given by Christ. All members should show the qualities of an Elder to display the power and effect of the Holy Spirit within. 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. Which qualifications do you lack? You are commanded to display them all! The qualities are not for your benefit, but the benefit of the church. Is the church suffering because you have not developed these qualities and are not showing yourself as an example to all?  Next Lesson: Be pure               Titus 1:10-16. Focus Verse: 1:15    These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:15