Exegesis of Titus 1:1-4

Submission > position. (vs 1a)

Paul opens up his more extended greeting by giving himself two titles, and these titles on the surface seem like a bit at odds with one another.

Let’s begin with apostle. This is a title of great authority, that immediately establishes his credibility to his office. If there was ever a title to flaunt this was it.

Paul was tempted, and in defense of his ministry as well as the Gospel he actually “commended” his apostleship to the Corinthians.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:11-13

2 Corinthians 12:11–13 ESV

I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

He even went on to commend himself by saying… listen I’m such an apostle I’ve been caught up to heaven and heard things one cannone be told, something I can’t utter.

Apostle was weighty position. Entrusted with the visible witness of the resurrected Christ, and endowed with apostolic power to perform miracles. A credible position to be sure.

If we were honest with ourselves we would each think… If only I had a powerful title, or position, then I’d have authority. We are so prone to elevate our position, thinking that our position makes us credible.

Rather CEO, Pastor, Elder, Lead Pastor over associate. Governing over shepherding. We are all tempted to climb the proverbial ladder and elevate our position.

But I want to draw our attention to the first Title Paul used, it isn’t a position of authority but one of submission.

Servant of God…

Slave, duolos, bondservant.

Not a title of great authority, but of great humility. He is one who was bought, owned, and directed by God.

Here’s my takeaway: The key to serving the Church is Submission, over Position.

Purpose, not popularity. (vs 1b)

But we submit and serve as a slave for a purpose!

to labor for the faith of those entrusted to our church. And ya’ll… this is messy. It will require teaching, exhorting, encouraging, and as Paul says later in this letter.. rebuking and silencing.

Here’s the point, we live for this purpose not for popularity. If you want to be liked, or pleased by others… laboring for the sake of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth may not be for us…

The purpose doesn’t end. Take Paul’s situation for example. Scholars believe he wrote the letter of Titus in 62-64 AD, in between two imprisonments.

the first impisonment is well documented in Acts, and many believe that he was released after 2 years on house arrest at rome. And what did Paul naturally do upon his release?

Revisit the churches he had planted, and then travels to the strategic greek island of crete to plant more churches.

He lived into His purpose, not popularity. And that purpose eventually led to his martyrdom in 68A.D.

Discples, not PhD’s (vs. 1c)

So we lean into that purpose, not popularity and realize that this work will forever go on until God calls us to glory, because we are making Discples, not PhD’s.

We like instructing people in the knowledge of the truth, but in our ministries are we content with information dissemnation, or are we looking to see people “accord with godliness”.

Vs. Faith is to ever be growing. Ever more like Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

That faith should result in people becoming like Christ. Discples, not PhD’s

God, not gods (vs 2)

Zeus was believed to have been born on Crete. Famous for his ability to manipulate, deciede, and lie. So Paul (again not popular) attacks this little g god, and says… THE REAL God doesn’t lie.

As we serve him with purpose, making discipels we must keep a clear, truthful view of God before our eyes, because there are a lot of competing little g gods that want your worship and attention and distort the true nature of God.

The God of sensuality, individuality, comfort, entertainment. Do not lose sight of God.

Kairos over chronos (vs 2-3).

What time is it?

What is this time for?

God has a way of intersecting our chronos with his kairos…are you paying attention? Is your time pregnant with prupose? Divine opportunity?

Entrusted, not entitled (vs. 3b).

We get to do this. The God of the Universe has entrusted a vocation to you. Don’t grow entitlted, remember you’re entrusted.

We often magnify the Cost, but its a privelege to serve God.