1. It must have been something special to serve alongside of Paul the Apostle, to be with him in the ministry!
a. Paul was definitely a go-getter.
b. Calling him a ball of fire would probably be very accurate.
c. He was a man passionately in love with Jesus Christ.
d. Willing to do anything. Willing to go anywhere.
e. For the sake of Jesus… for the sake of the souls of men and women whom Jesus died for! He described it as:
2 Tim. 4.6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I’m SURE SERVING WITH Paul had to have it’s moments!
His life WAS predictable at times. He taught the Word of God, saw countless saved, and moved on to the next city that needed to hear the Word filled with people that needed to get saved.
• YET his life was also UNPREDICTABLE at times. Will he start another riot here? Will he stay a little longer? Will he have to confront the false teachers one on one?
• At times you could REST, while other times you RAN!
• For sure it was a time of unparalled ministry & SERVICE.
Despite the busyness of Paul’s life, we find in him an example that’s crucial to our own success.
• Paul invested his life in people, from all walks of life.
• The difficult, the easy. The believers & unbelievers.
• The holy, the hypocritical, the happy, the sad…
• He set out to do exactly what he told Timothy to do
2 Tim 2.2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2 Tim 4.2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
His attitude is clear in v1, of Titus 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,
NOTE: He saw HIMSELF as a DOULOS of God… a bondservant!
• He viewed himself in this very humble, dependent, surrendered position… not to man, or to a movement, but to God!
• It meant that his life was totally submitted to God.
• So much so that when the Holy Spirit spoke to Paul, he quickly followed and obeyed.
NOTE The title DOULOS, bondservant of God is not title of SHAME!
• Event though this word meant GALLEY SLAVE, or UNDER ROWER.
• It was and still is a title of the highest honor.
Moses was a doulos…
Deut 34.5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
David was as bondservant of the Lord.
Psalm 89.20 I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him,
SO WE have another key to the powerful, passionate, persevering life in the Christian… a life that’s surrendered, wholeheartedly to God and God alone.
• And a person sold out to God will find himself/herself investing their lives into the lives of others.
NOTE: Titus was one of the many touched by Paul’s life.
• We don’t know much about Titus, but we do know he was probably led to the Lord by Paul as he’s called ‘his son’ in the faith in 1:4
• Even though he traveled with Paul extensively, he’s not mentioned by name at all in the book of Acts. But he was at the council meeting in Acts 15! – Galatians 2 tells us that.
• Titus also helped in the raising of support for the struggling church back in Jerusalem…
• And after that he was sent by Paul the island of Crete to set things in order in the church there…
• AND That’s where Titus is when he receives this note.
CRETE was an island in the Mediterranean About 135 miles in length and only about 30 miles wide.
• A very mountainous area and highly populated area.
• The people there were difficult, idolatrous & problematic.
• But the gospel would come, a church would be born, and shepherds would be sought…
I. (1.1-4) INTRODUCTION
1. (1) I’m here to further your growth.
a. Again, Paul’s a servant, an apostle… 1 sent with a message.
b. He was sent according to the faith… or to help it along.
c. I like how the NEW CENTURY VERSION translates v1.
Titus 1.1-3 (NCV) From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I was sent to help the faith of God’s chosen people and to help them know the truth that shows people how to serve God.
SO, Paul was saying, I am a servant & an apostle, for the advancement of your faith…
• I exist so that God’s people might go further and do better in the things of God.
• I just want to see God’s people grow & mature.
APP: That’s so often our heart, to see people mature & grow.
• To help others along the way, knowing & growing!
• It’s such a blast to watch people grow… or as a sister recently said to me, “I get it.” YES, Lord, you’re so good!
2. (2) In Hope.
a. So Paul lived in hope of eternal life.
b. Although he lived to serve today, he also had that hope!
c. He looked forward to the day when he would shed his earthly body and be clothed in his heavenly body…
d. He longed for that face to face encounter with Jesus.
e. Let’s flip back to Philippians 1.21-26
NOTE: So he lived In hope of ETERNAL LIFE. What exactly is that?
• WELL ETERNAL LIFE is not just then… but it’s also now.
• It’s age-abiding life, yes in heaven eventually, but it also means life now, enjoying the Lord, caught up in His majesty!
• Jesus in John 17 when he prayed that high-priestly prayer said:
John 17.3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
SO OFTEN we think of ETERNAL LIFE being HEAVEN, some day, way out there… BUT That’s only a part of it.
• ETERNAL LIFE is here and now, in our hearts, through our lives.
• It’s walking with God today, talking with him, growing in him.
• & it’s this daily life, in hope, that brings great purity & strength
3. (3) By His Word.
a. This is such a great introduction.
b. In it we have the ministry of God through man.
c. God’s choice by God’s grace to further the faith of believers in hope of eternal life.
d. How? by God’s Word through Human Preaching!
e. Get that? REPEAT IT.
Isn’t that amazing? God could have manifested His word in many other different, and more effective ways… but He chose man.
• He chose the preaching & teaching of HIS Word even though it would seem like foolishness to those that heard it go forth.
1 Cor. 1.21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
AND YET haven’t you found in your own life that through the teaching of His Word… you’re blessed, you grow, you leave encouraged and ready to take on another day!?!
• So often I would be sitting in a study just like this, listening with Bible in hand, notebook ready to write…
• And the Holy Spirit would speak a word to my heart… WOW?
• Who told pastor Jeff about what I’m going through?
• Ahhhh… it’s the power of Spirit blessing the Word of the Lord.
• BUT… That’s crazy, that’s insane, that’s foolishness.
• But I just couldn’t get enough. God speak to me!
• It’s a habit I still have today… listening to hours of Bible study.
NOTE: There is something about the TEACHING OF THE WORD, the preaching of the Gospel that is so delightful and fulfilling!
• And as a fellowship, we’re committed to providing you with a steady diet of teaching & preaching all the way up until we see the Lord, face to face. Oh how precious His Word is!
Psalm 36.7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
II. (1.5-9) LEFT TO CHOOSE
1. (4-5) Grace, Mercy… I left you in Crete.
a. Titus, a true son in our common faith. Again we see that Titus was probably a convert through Paul’s ministry.
b. And he wishes him GRACE, PEACE, and MERCY…
NOTE: Mercy? Usually Paul’s greetings just included grace & peace.
• BUT, we find in the letters written to his sons… mercy.
• And in these same letters, not only sons, but pastors… mercy.
• To Tim fighting false teachers & his own insecurities… mercy.
• To Titus serving in a tight spot, with difficult people… mercy.
RECEIVE MERCY… EXTEND MERCY… serve consistently in love.
• Keys to a healthy ministry… GRACE & MERCY, LOVE & PEACE.
• Grace… getting that which you don’t deserve.
• Mercy… NOT getting what you deserve.
• Love… self-sacrificial, never ending agape…
• Peace… that which flows through the Grace & Mercy from God!
• One THING’S MISSING IN THIS LIST… JUDGMENT, getting what you deserve. Why’s it missing? Jesus took it upon Himself.
• Turn to 1 Peter 1.21-25
2. (5) For this reason… I left you in Crete.
a. Titus, you’re there to set things in order.
b. Things that are lacking… healthy leadership.
c. The phrase “set in order” is a medical term and literally refers to the setting of a broken bone.
d. Titus, the church there is broken & fractured.
e. The answer is to CHOOSE & APPOINT elders… leaders.
NOTICE: The elders were to be chosen & appointed by Titus.
• There’s no mention of a church vote. No elections.
• When the Bible speaks of leaders, we see it uses terms like choose, appoint, commit, seek out, separate. Never vote.
• I believe inserting the idea of a VOTE is reading into the text.
• Again, Let’s flip to Acts 6:1-3
Acts 13.2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
2 Tim. 2.2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
• There’s no room for political maneuvering in spiritual leadership, in the ministry of the church!
• Leadership is not to be based on popularity, or personality, or persuasive campaigning…
• SO Pastor Titus, you choose the elders, you set them in order.
• And here’s what you look for…
V6 – Blameless – He’s to be above reproach. A good reputation. A life that so when the accusations come, they don’t stick.
• Be sure that they’ll come.
V6 – Husband of one wife – faithful in his marriage.
V6 – Having faithful children – His first ministry is in the home. Does he pastor his flock at home?
• Is he consistent in his parenting as unto the Lord.
V7 – A steward of God – A steward does not own but oversees all his master trusts him with.
• He’s to be Trustworthy with the fear of God in him since he will be overseeing the flock of God.
V7 - Not self-willed – just a man who thinks of others more highly than himself. Not always pushing to have his own way.
V7 – Not given to wine
Prov. 31.4-5 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; 5 Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
V7 – Not violent – A leader is a helper, not a hurter. You’re not to be the type of man who abuses others… abusing your authority.
V7 – Not greedy for money – Money should not be the motive in getting into the ministry even though hundreds of televangelists teach otherwise.
V8 – Hospitable – the opening of your home and your heart to others
V8 – Lover of what is good – He just loves what is good.
NOTE if we would just capture this guys, life would be so much more fun, and easy, and light. Legalism would be out the door.
• The key to healthy, holy living, is to be a lover of what is good.
• Pastor, can we see this movie? Can we dance? Can we read this?
• Well, do you love what is good? Is that good?
• What does the Holy Spirit tell you? Again turn to Phil. 4.8ff
V8 – Soberminded, just, holy – A man of integrity who keeps his word and can be counted up. Living a life that can be followed.
V8 – Self controlled – Goes along with v7, not violent. He’s in control, not flying off the handle.
V9 – Holding fast the faithful word – Because God’s word is faithful, we should be faithful in using it and depending upon it.
• Giving answers from the Word. Studying it. Learning it sharing it.
V10 – Able to convict & convince (Exhort) – Using it to confront false teaching and sinful behaviors.
And so they elders here would have a 2-fold ministry…
#1 – They would build up the church with ‘healthy’ doctrine.
#2 – They would come against false teachers purging them from the Body… convicting & convincing!
AND so… that’s what an elder, a spiritual man, a spiritual woman looks like in overseeing the ministry.
• This applies to you and me who want to be godly and be used of God in the days in which we live!
TOGETHER with our studies in 1 Timothy 3 we see the absolute qualifications of the person called to spiritual leadership…
• The elders, the deacons, the overseers, the pastors/teachers.
• Why the tough standards? Why the high call to holiness?
III. (1.10-16) LEFT TO DEFEND
1. (10-11) There are many insubordinate.
a. There are many who desire to tear down the church.
b. Many who have no desire to develop & help.
c. They instead want to dismantle & hurt.
ESPECIALLY those of the circumcision… the LEGALISTS, the RULE MAKERS, the SIN SNIFFERS.
Phil. 3.2-3 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
Gal. 5.1-3 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
And here Paul adds… INSUBORDINATE: really, unwilling to submit to any spiritual authority.
• They were also IDLE TALKERS: what they said impressed people, it was a good delivery… but there was no substance.
• V11 – Their mouths must be stopped! Titus it’s serious stuff.
• They are fleecing the flock, not feeding them.
2. (12-14) It’s true.
a. The Cretens were difficult people… their own people write of their problems.
b. SO rebuke them sharply… so that soundness might return.
c. That is the heart of rebuke… to correct & bring change.
d. And don’t go the way of the bizarre stories & fables.
3. (15-16) They profess to know God.
a. Titus, these guys have problems. They tend toward lying, legalism, and laziness.
b. You’ll know them not by what they say, but by what they do.
c. Even if they say their godly, watch them & pray!
d. Because their behavior can and will disqualify them.
SO THE SHEPHERD… He’s to LEAD & FEED. He’s to CHOOSE & CULTIVATE… He’s to WATCH & WARN.
