A Look Inside The Local Church
Part II
Titus 3:9-15
There were a couple of church events that I would have loved to attended this week. The Men of Memphis conference took place at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Also, Woodstock Baptist hosted their annual Johnny Hunt Men's Conference over in Georgia. Though I was unable to be there in person, I did have the opportunity to go online and watch portions of these events. I realize it was nothing like being there in person but it was still great to see God move in these churches.
We have a similar opportunity when reading portions of God's Word. You and I can get a glimpse inside churches from nearly 2,000 years ago. Last week we began the conclusion of our study of Paul's Epistle to Titus. Through Paul's closing words we are able to take a look inside a church that existed thousands of years ago on the Isle of Crete. I would like to pick up where we left off last week and continue to take "A Look Inside The Local Church".
Some of the things that were present in that church so many years ago are also present in the church today. Last week we saw that:
i. YOU CAN FIND FOOLISHNESS IN THE CHURCH
There was no shortage of foolishness in the church at Crete. Paul wrote about the trouble brought on by the Judaizers. In verses 9-11 he told Titus how to deal with the "Heretics" in the church. This word "Heretic" literally means "schism". It speaks of those that would cause division in the church. When there is trouble or "foolishness" in the church, the focus is taken off of Jesus. This brings a whole host of problems.
In Part I of this sermon we considered the fact that "Sometimes There Are Foolish Problems In The Church" and "Sometimes There Are Foolish People In The Church". Let it be noted that the foolish people in the church are the cause of the foolish problems in the church. When there is foolishness or troubles of any kind in the church, it must be addressed immediately and biblically. We spent a great deal of time focusing on the negative last week, so today I would like to examine some positive things that you can find in the church. Verses 12-15 show us that:
ii. You Can Find Fellowship In The Local Church
iii. You Can Find Fellow-Laborers In The Local Church
iv. You Can Find Fruitfulness In The Local Church
Even with the troubles that were present in the church at Crete, there were still some good things going on inside that assembly. And I am glad to say that you can find each of these attributes here in Stockdale Baptist Church.
- Let's begin by considering that:
II. YOU CAN FIND FELLOW LABORERS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH - v12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
It seems that this letter was written during the autumn months. As Paul plans his next move he desired for Titus to join him at Nicopolis for the winter. He would send someone to take Titus' place in Crete. In these verses Paul begins to name some of his trusted ministry associates. Let's look as some of the names he mentions:
A. Titus - Obviously Titus was dear to Paul and vital to the ministry at Crete.
B. Artemas - He is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament but history tells us that he eventually became the bishop of Lystra.
C. Tychicus - This is a man who had proven his worth to Paul in the past. Twice Paul had sent him from Rome to Asia during his first imprisonment. In Ephesians 6:21 Paul refers to Tychicus as a "beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord". What a great testimony!
D. Zenas - He was a lawyer, (a Jewish scribe) who had been converted and was a faithful follower of Christ.
E. Apollos - Acts 18:24 tells us that Apollos was an "eloquent speaker who knew the scriptures well. He too was a Jewish convert. You probably remember Paul referencing his name in 1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. It is likely that Zenas & Apollos were the couriers of this epistle, bringing it to Titus personally.
What I find so encouraging about this group of men is the willingness to go where they were needed. Also, it seems that they were willing do whatever needed to be done. This is the kind of cooperation that you will find among people who are focused on serving Christ more than glorifying self. Titus had been sent to Crete for a season and now he was needed elsewhere, and he was willing to go where he was needed.
I praise God for the willingness of some of the people in this church. I am thankful for those who say "just put me somewhere, I don't care what it is I just want to serve the Lord!" We have people on standby who can step into certain positions at a moments notice. All across this church we have faithful servants of God. They don't do it for the notoriety, they don't do it simply because of obligation, they surely don't do it for the money, they do it because they love the Lord and they want to serve Him!
But you folks don't just serve... you serve together! We are truly fellow-laborers. It is a fact that we can do more together than we can alone. Consider what Solomon said in - Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
May we continue to labor together for sake of the gospel! Fellow-laborers can be found inside the local church. The group that Paul named here in this chapter was focused on what matters. There was no room for pride and ego. They had no time for jealousy. Each man was willing to go where he was needed. Each servant of God was willing to do what was necessary. Those who held certain positions were willing to step aside and allow someone else to take their place if that was what was needed. This group was focused on the Kingdom and willing to work together. If we are going to have an impact for Christ we must do the same! I am glad that when you take a look inside Stockdale Baptist Church you find fellow-laborers. And when fellow-laborers work together in ministry they will be fruitful for Christ.
- This leads us to the next thing you can find in the church. Notice:
III. YOU CAN FIND FRUITFULNESS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH - v14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Paul speaks of the importance of maintaining good works He also declares that we as Christians should be fruitful. Remember what he said at the beginning of this chapter - Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
This was the goal of this letter and this was the purpose of this epistle. Paul wanted the people of God to do good works. God wants His children to be fruitful and productive for the Kingdom of Christ. Titus tells us how the church should operate and when the church operates like it should, the people in the church will be fruitful!
Remember what Jesus told His Disciples in - John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:
Jesus said that He chose them... in the same way HE CHOSE US! He chose us for a purpose and that purpose is to "bear fruit". We bear fruit by evangelizing, we are to tell people the good news of Jesus Christ. We are to point them to the Savior. We cannot convert them but we can compel them. When they are converted we have the opportunity and the responsibility to disciple, mentor and train them!
Jesus said that He chose us and ordained us to go and bear fruit. And He also says that our "fruit should remain". This means that bearing fruit is not a temporary success. The fruit of our labors will remain throughout eternity. We should be fruitful as individuals. When we are, we can have a tremendous impact as a body of believers. My prayer is that when God looks inside this local church , He sees fruitfulness.
- Along with Fellow-laborers and Fruitfulness...
IV. YOU CAN FIND FELLOWSHIP IN THE LOCAL CHURCH - v15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.
Those that were with Paul at the writing of this letter sent their greetings to Titus. Paul sent his greetings to those who were with Titus. There is a common bond between all parties involved. Though they were in different places and serving in different capacities they were all brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus was their Savior, ministry was their purpose and fruitfulness was their goal.
The same should be said of us today. And we should (and do) have that sweet fellowship and spirit of unity in this assembly. The Greek word for fellowship is "koinonia." This word means "communion" partnership, joint participation, sharing in common, something widespread, familiar and ordinary.
The common bond experienced Christians is supernatural. It is knit in the hearts of believers by the indwelling Spirit of God. In the church there are many different people and personalities but we are joined together by the common bond of Jesus Christ. Blacks and Whites, Men and Women, Millennials and Baby Boomers, Rich and Poor, Doctors and laborers, Auburn fans and Alabama fans, Seniors and teenagers.... How do we coexist when we are so different? It is only possible through the common bond of Jesus Christ.
a) We can join together and commune because we are brothers and sisters that is FELLOWSHIP.
b) We can work together for the cause of Christ because we are FELLOW-LABORERS
c) We can see people come to faith in Christ and see others mature and grow in their walk with the Lord, that is FRUITFULNESS.
Are you doing your part? Are you a fellow laborer who is involved in the fruitfulness and the fellowship of this church? If not, you should be! Why don't you make things right and begin to do those things that God has called you to do?
Maybe the reason that you are unproductive for the Lord is because you have turned your back on Him. You have gone your way and abandoned his call on your life. I encourage you to return to a right relationship with the Father today.
Perhaps you are here and you have never been born again....My friend, life is short, death is certain, judgment is coming, Heaven and Hell are eternal and Jesus Christ is the only hope of salvation. Today could be your last opportunity to be born again. Turn to Jesus while there is time! If you will, then you can become a fellow laborer in the work of God, who is fruitful for the Kingdom of Christ and you can enjoy fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
These are just a few of the things that you can find when you take "A Look Inside The Local Church".
