Teamwork in the Kingdom (Titus 3:12-15)

Teamwork in the Kingdom

Titus 3:12–15 (ESV)

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Introduction: The story is told that in a team meeting someone said to Michael Jordan that there is no I in team, to which he responded there is one in win.

How often many people take this very approach. many focus more on getting the win and give little regard to the team.

Today our text will aid us in understanding why we must focus on teamwork so that we will accomplish a win for the Kingdom of God.

Paul is now closing this letter to Titus and the churches in Crete. This part of the epistle is referred to as a benediction. When we refer to benediction we often think mostly o a goodbye or the end of a service. These are true realities but biblically the benediction goes further than say goodbye.

It is a call to action and a word of encouragement. This is an important part of Paul’s epistle. It is not to be skipped or disregarded.

Transition: There are within this benediction principles of teamwork given by Paul. The first principle we discover is, Team members must be available for the team.

We Must be Available for the Team (vv.12-13a)

Titus 3:12–13 (ESV)

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way;

Paul begins to list persons whom he is affiliated with and gives Titus instructions accordingly. I do not want us to get hung up on the names because to point of the message is not who they were but what they were doing.

Artemas- We do not know much about but we know Artemas is a friend of Paul and on the team.

Tychicus- We are familiar with because Paul mentions him in other epistles

Zenas- the lawyer we are just becoming acquainted with through Paul

Apollos- we have seen before.

What lesson do we learn from these guys?

These Christian servants made themselves available.

These Christian servants were dependable

Paul may have recieved the accolades and notoriety but these men loved the Lord and the Kingdom so much they were willing to serve in the background.

They were available and accessible to Paul.

Illustration:

Application: Do not allow your ego keep you from serving God. Give God your best even if nobody else notices. Be available to do what will strengthen the testimony of the Kingdom. There are people who stop working in the church because they feel no-one notices and no one appreciates them. God notices and God appreciates you. How are you going to explain your availability when you stand before God? How are you going to defend your dependability when you stand before God?

When the Lord asks why couldn’t you serve my Kingdom in 2021 what will your response be? Corona stopped you? Will he have to remind you that corona was in the vacation spots, the clubs, and the restaurants?

Transition: We must be available o God’s team. The second principle from the text is, Team Members Must be Encouragers.

We Must Be Encouragers (vv. 13-14)

Titus 3:13–14 ESV

13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

Paul advises Titus and the Churches in Crete to be encouragers to their fellow workmen as they were on their mission to serve and spread the Gospel. Paul explains that this encouragement must not be limited to words but also support in a tangible way.

Paul admonishes them of how far their help and support needs to go toward Zena and Apollos. He says, see that they lack for nothing. The phrase “see that they lack nothing” is translated ‘they have everything they need’. Ensure they are not in dire straits. Help them be successful.

But Paul also reminds them that encouragers must also encourage those who may not know and understand how to help and support the ministry. v.14 says, “14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” In other words, teach other people how to be encouragers.

— in urgent need - This refers to helping others who are in need.

— not unfruitful - ‘in order that they may not be unfruitful’ is translated ‘otherwise they will be good for nothing’ , ‘they should not live useless lives’, ‘They must not waste their efforts’ . ‘they may not live unproductive lives’

J. Harold Greenlee, An Exegetical Summary of Titus and Philemon, 2nd ed. (Dallas, TX: SIL International, 2008), 101.

Illustration: One of the many things I appreciate about serving the Grace church is when people are hurting our church members automatically move in to help. We have many who are willing to pray for and serve others who are hurting.

Transition: Our encouragement must be daily and also be in the DNA of the church meaning we must teach other people how to be supporters of the ministry and encouragers to each other.

Application: Be a model encourager. Be a model supporter. Do not allow it to be said that the church declined because you were not an encourager. Do not let it be said that the Church fail because you failed to tithe. You cannot encourage anyone sitting at home watching Netflix. You cannot encourage people if you are pouting because the choir is not singing. Think about the work it takes and the courage it takes for people to sing alone, during a pandemic to a camera, in a half empty church. Don’t knock it! Encourage them and support them.

Think of how tough it is for deacons to call families and attempt to reach people who do not want to be reached. Do not knock them. Encourage them, pray for them and support them.

Transition: Paul’s gives us another principle, which is, Team Members Must Be Gracious.

We Must Be Gracious (v.15)

Titus 3:15 (ESV)

15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Paul closes the epistle with well wishes and encouragement from those he is serving with and also himself. Paul pushes a bit further by instructing Titus and the churches, how to greet each other. Paul says, greet your fellow believers faithfully.