Single-Minded Purpose

Titus 1:5

Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Introduction

The island of Crete is only mentioned five times in the New Testament. Four of those times concerns the Apostle Paul’s missionary journey that brought him to the island as found in the 27th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 27:7, 12, 13, 21).

The ship on which Paul journeyed to Rome visited various ports of call and anchorages along the island, mostly on the southern coast of Crete. This is the only record of Paul's visiting the island. At what time he put Titus in charge there, and when this Epistle was written to him, are unknown.

Paul just did not drop off his protege with a handshake, pats on the back, promises of “I will write” in his fond farewell. He did not leave him on the isle of Crete without a plan or a purpose.

As I thought about Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles, it struck me how much he invested in those that he left behind to do his work.

I am reminded of Paul and Barnabas work:

Acts 14:19-23 (KJV) And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

The apostle Paul spread the Gospel. Confirmed the believers. Exhorting the elders to “continue in the faith.” They ordained elders in “every church, prayed and fasted, then commended them to the Lord.”

There is a pattern of Paul’s ministry that vitally important before we dig much deeper into this book. I believe it is the key to unlocking the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

He entered a town or city, usually without much fanfare. He soon found and set up residence (the timeframe is irrelevant) His prime mission was to present the Gospel whether he was making tents, meeting with the city elders, worshiping in the local synagogues, or anywhere he could find an audience. He carefully taught and then baptized the believers He invested in these believers and discipled them Of those he discipled, he would call elders from among them to oversee each church And MOST IMPORTANTLY, he did not try to do everything himself. His mission was not a single church in a village, town, or city. His ministry, left to him by the Savior, was to proclaim the Gospel and plant churches among the Gentile nations. He trusted those he called as elders to oversee each church. Paul uses the word “presbyteros” which the KJV translators defined as “elder.” The Jews recognized the term presbyteros as a member of the Sanhedrin, “The council of the Seventy.”

Purpose

Jesus’ Life Was One of Purpose

To Mary: Luke 2:49 (KJV) And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

John 9:4 (KJV) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

A ransom for many: Matthew 20:28 (KJV) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Shepherd Who gives his life for His Sheep. Matthew 25:32-33 (KJV) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Paul’s Life Was One of Purpose

“Immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20)

Titus’ Life Was One of Purpose

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)

A Christian’s Life Is To Be One of Purpose

Our Purpose is to Work

Faith or grace does not remove the need for works.

James 2:17-20 (KJV) 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. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

So the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry continues the process of the perfecting in our lives. (Hebrews 13:21)

Hebrews 13:20-21 (KJV) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Good works are to be used to glorify God. (Matthew 5:16) The Bible tells us that we are to let our lights so shine that others may see our good works for the purpose of glorifying God, not ourselves.

The Bible says that we are His workmanship

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We are to study the Bible for the purpose of the work in order that we are not (II Timothy 2:15)

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We are set aside by the Holy Spirit for a particular (Acts 13:2)

Acts 13:2 (KJV) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

The Christian’s Purpose is the same as the Work that the Father sent Jesus to Accomplish.

This is clearly laid out for all to read in Jesus’ high priestly prayer to the Father found in the Gospel of John: John 17:1-19.

Winning the lost (6)

Teaching them God’s Word (8, 17)

Praying for other believers (9)

Nurturing believers (12)

Sending them into the world to win the lost (18)

Setting an example of separation (19)

These are the works that Jesus did; therefore, they are the works that we as Christians are to do as well.

Conclusion

Single-minded Purpose