Instructions/standards for Church life
Instructions/standards for church life- Titus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 44:12
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Our Introduction/Background
Our Introduction/Background
We start a new journey in the next of what is called the Pastoral Epistles, Titus. We need to lay some groundwork along the way so we can understand the content even more.
Author: Paul (Tit1:1; Act14:1-23; 1Tim1:1-3; Tit1:5)
1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
Paul identifies himself as the author, we will get into the phraseology later this morning.
Paul in fulfilling his ministry help as you know in the establishing of many churches (see Act14:1-23) some directly, some indirectly by the preaching of the gospel
21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
OK, not on your outline but we have to ask some questions of the text, what was the results of the preaching of the gospel (v.21)?
Made many disciples
There is a promise, maybe not one we may like, but nonetheless a promise (v.22)?
Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom.
23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
After making disciples, they did what (v.23)?
Appointed elders, prayed, fasted, commended.
There was always follow up that needed to be done, some was done by Paul as made his way back around to the churches, some he left people behind to do it.
Like Timothy in Ephesus (1Tim1:1-3)
And here in Crete Titus
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
His identification (Tit1:1; Jm1:1; 2Pt1:1; Jude1:1)
We already identified Paul as the author, he does not do much different than other writers
1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
and then there is Peter
1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
and Jude
1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:
Each identifies himself as a bond-servant. What is different is that he here says he is a bond-servant of God. Most places, most people say of Jesus Christ, including Paul in other places.
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,
OK, what more can we tell about identification here from (v.1)
He is an apostle of Jesus Christ
By Faith (expand on this)
His authority (Gal1:1; Tit1:1-3)
Paul tells us in (Gal1:1) like the other apostles he was chosen by Christ Himself
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
To proclaim the faith of God’s elect
To preach the truth that leads to commitment to the commandment of God
And, to nurture hope for eternal life
Recipient (Tit1:4; 1Cor4:15)
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
What do we learn about Titus and also Paul’s will for Titus from (v.4)?
True child in common faith; a true child, meaning more than like as noted in (1Cor4:15) he was converted by Paul, those who were, well, they were considered his beloved faithful child in the Lord.
Background on Titus (Gal2:3; Act15:1-2; Gal2:1-5)
Titus was a Greek Gentile as noted (Gal2:3)
Traveled with Paul to Jerusalem as inferred in (Act15:1-2) and noted in (Gal2:1-5)
1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.
3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.
5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
Some more history (2Cor2:12-13, 7:5-7, 13-15, 8:16-9:5)
During the 3rd missionary trip, Titus was a missionary sent to Corinth (2Cor2:12-13)
Titus brought word back to Paul about the Corinthian church.
5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.
and a few verses later
13 For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth. 15 His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
Paul was so encouraged, he used Titus and known brothers to deliver the letter back to the church at Corinth (2Cor8:16-9:5)
His ministry (Tit1:5, 3:12; 2Tim4:10; 2Cor8:23)
Paul had left Titus in Crete
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
Titus would, Lord willing, catch up with Paul again
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
Last word on Titus is towards end of Paul’s life when he was sent to Dalmatia (2Tim4:10)
Date and location (Act28:30-31; 1Tim1:3; Tit3:12; 2Tim4:13)
We do not know the exact date, and the date does not impact the message, but we can draw some information.
Now what I have found is a common belief by writing by Ryrie Study Bible that many follow this time line
Purpose (Tit1:5-9, 2:1, 2:14, 3:1, 8, 14)
To a young preacher tasked with am important and Difficult task.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
Can you see the task in (v.5)?
7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
We are not going to get into all of these things tonight, this is just introduction and background.
Second purpose found in (v.9) to exhort, teach, in sound doctrine, you can see that again in
1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.
Third, to exhort, teach to be zealous for good works as noted in (Tit2:14, 3:1, 8, 14) which we will get to in the weeks to follow
14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
OK, had to give you one.
Content
Intro (1:1-4)
Instructions for organization (1:5-16)
Instructions for conduct (2:1-3:11)
Conclusion (3:12-15)
(Transition) now that we have all that laid out, some general information, now may we turn back to the beginning of Titus and look at just a few verses in the longer greeting than some of the other epistles of Paul. Now may we look at the phraseology of the greeting in short.
Committed Preaching
Committed Preaching
In the midst of mission field, left with an important task, it starts with an introduction and a reminder, may we spend a few minutes on this?
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,
3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
There is a direct link by Paul of the correlation between the ministry and the doctrine (Word of God) and in our remaining time I would like for us to look at four phrases that are used.
According to the faith of God’s elect (v.1; also referenced Eph1:4; 1Pt1:1-5)
Paul was a servant, a bond-servant of God and an apostle according to the faith of God’s elect
So who are God’s elect (not on screen below; Eph1:4) ?
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Maybe consider (below not on screen, ask everyone to turn in bibles to 1Peter1)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
God’s elect are those who have received and believed by faith and placed their trust and obedience in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior
Acknowledgement of the truth in accords to godliness (vv.1-2; Tit1:2, 2:12; 1Pt1:3)
Godliness is an important concept taught by Paul, to Timothy and to Titus and we can learn and apply too.
Godliness as in acts of righteousness
Godliness as in good works
The gospel changes the life from ungodliness (Tit2:12 not on screen)
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
to holy, godly living. This is more than words but by life. There are many who proclaim the name of Jesus, proclaim Christianity but their life does not prove it out. and by that their life denies their profession.
This faith, Paul is speaking of not only saves us but transforms us and gives us hope for the future, eternal hope (Tit1:2). We have that living hope that we read a moment ago in (1Pt1:3).
According to commandment of God (v.3; 1Cor1:21, 1Tim1:11; Gal1:10-12; Tit2:12)
Where some may think it is foolish (ref. 1Cor1:21) the word, the gospel was entrusted to Paul and was a commandment to be shared (below scriptures not on screen either)
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
Take a minute and turn to Galatians chapter 1.
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. 11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
This world needs a Savior and Paul uses that word, that term, that person being Jesus Christ to Timothy and to Titus in our passage tonight as well as others as we work our way through the book.
It is the Word that reveals the Savior and that is what we need, the Savior! For the Savior brings grace and salvation (not on screen below).
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
After our common faith (v.4)
Maybe it is time I put the scripture back on the screen.
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
The shared faith, the common faith, like mentioned in Jude which we recently studied.
This is a possession of the elect, those who receive by faith that is obedient faith. This is not for a select few, but for all who will believe and receive
Any departure from this common faith is false teaching and they were then (Timothy, Titus, Jude, James, John) were instructed as we are too to watch out for false teachers and false prophets proclaiming a false gospel which is not the gospel at all. These things were not to be tolerated in the church then, not in Crete where Titus was and not here in Fort Dodge where we are either.
So, in summary we have seen the introduction and a few bold statements that Paul surrounded made his ministry around the Word of God that brought about faith in Christ Jesus. He is instructing Titus to make the word center of his ministry too, may we be people of the word, or as we call ourselves “Simply Christians studying God’s Word Together”
May we continue to teach it contextually, systematically and practically in a manner that is understandable to all, so all can come to the common faith!
(Prayer) (Exit)