Sermon Tone Analysis

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)

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

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.

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

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

and then there is Peter

and Jude

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.

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

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)

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)

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.

and a few verses later

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

Titus would, Lord willing, catch up with Paul again

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.

Can you see the task in (v.5)?

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

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

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

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?

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) ?

Maybe consider (below not on screen, ask everyone to turn in bibles to 1Peter1)

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)

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)

Take a minute and turn to Galatians chapter 1.

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).

After our common faith (v.4)

Maybe it is time I put the scripture back on the screen.

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)