We are curious people. People have a fascination about learning the “scoop” on other people. Live is approached like a virtual soap-opera. Some will intentionally go public with very private and personal areas of their life. There are a growing number of people who have given internet access to their personal lives by mounting cameras in the inner sanctum of their home—not understanding or caring about their sense of sacredness.
This morning I am going to participate in this game. I am going to read you a portion of a very personal letter that someone wrote to another friend. It’s okay, I have permission.
Let me give you a very important principle that should be observed when listening to other people’s “stuff.” While listening and processing, our story should be interpreted, and we should make decision about how we will live. That is what I want us to do as we listen in as Paul speaks to his close friend Titus.
The letter is about understanding the divine call to discipleship.
In 1896 Charles Shelton wrote a wonderful little book on discipleship, In His Steps. It has been translated into at least 20 languages. It touches a nerve by asking a very poignant question: “What does it mean to be a disciple?
Historically there have been numerous responses to this question. Most focus upon personal lifestyle. Others emphasize social activism. Some have taken the monastic approach. I see two extreme approaches that many Christians have taken.
First, the “name it and claim it” approach teaches a very self-centered understanding of discipleship. When you honestly study the New Testament, you will not see this. In the New Testament, discipleship is a call to obedience and service, not a call to self-absorption.
Second, many Christians still live with a hang-over theology from the revival era. In revivalistic theology discipleship became synonymous with conversion. Out of a fear that people would think they had to do something for salvation, all emphasis on obedience and service were put on the back shelf. The New Testament does not make a distinction between conversion and discipleship. When a person becomes a Christian, the next step is to become a follower, a learner and servant, a disciple of Jesus.
The Titus letter is less personal than Paul’s letters to Timothy, it is more official. The direct way it is written sounds more like a manual. It needs little explanation; the principles are clear. And, if we aspire to godliness, we need only to practice what Paul writes to Titus.
In this series, God will draw our attention to the uniqueness of the call to discipleship. We will learn principles about the faith that will challenge us to ask Shelton’s question, “What does it mean to be a disciple?” God will also help us understand what we need from Him to ascend to godliness.
It is not for the faint hearted.
It is not for the pleasure seeker.
It is not for those who only want more “stuff” for lives already cluttered with too much.
As a young man I did some outlandish things with an unspoken drive to find meaning and self-worth. I now understand, through the study of epigenetics, what it means for the transgressions of those in our lineage to be transmitted through families. My low sense of self-worth was linked to a long family history, and I was attempting to find self-worth in a lifestyle that was opposed to the one God intended. It was a life changing experience when I stopped trusting in self and flawed systems, hoping to find meaning. Accepting the challenge to become a faithful follower of Jesus was a huge step for me and my family.
1. THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP IS AN INVITATION TO LIVE BY DIVINE APPOINTMENT
In a society that claims to be progressive and attempts to elevate self-worth, I find it interesting that a great number of people don’t have a genuine sense of self-worth. As I did, they use systems of meaning that sound good, create short term pleasure, and then leave a person continually searching for meaning. A survey Annette Blackwell indicated 81% of the children surveyed said “there is nothing right about me.” I recall a note a third grader student hand me as she erupted in anger; over and over it said, “I hate myself!”
This feeling is not unique to a small group of children. It is a universal problem that has sin roots. While this is too deep for some and viewed as archaic to others, it cannot be denied. Our self-worth is contingent upon our connectedness to God.
Paul does not ask Titus how he feels about Himself. He simply draws his attention to the task before him.
Paul does something unique in the first four verses of his letter. In verse four he called Titus his “true son in our common faith.” Beginning in verse five he gives Titus instructions for Crete. However, before Paul jumps into these instructions, he says something about the “common faith” to which he has alluded. We need to listen carefully to how Paul describes his view of discipleship. Discipleship is the process in which a person denies self and follows Christ. At first, the feel like a blank piece of paper until God begins to write a new chapter about who they are in Christ.
It is obvious Paul had served as a mentor for Titus. Paul had quickly learned that he couldn’t do everything and be everywhere. In this sense Titus was a disciple of Paul. In the introduction to his letter Paul tells us something about what Titus had learned from him.
A. He tells us a true disciple is a “servant of God.” The term he uses is a very strong word. Paul uses doulos, slave when describing himself. His life was totally submitted to God. It is obvious that Paul realized he had the freedom to walk away, revert to Judaism. He is talking about the kind of servanthood we see in restaurants. The servers are not in bondage or indentured servants. They serve because they choose to serve us as we go to restaurants. In other words, there is a huge difference between being forced to do something and doing it because you are willing.
Doulos is a term that is used to describe prophets and great people of God.
“Moses my servant is dead.” Joshua 1:2
“Joshua...the servant of the Lord.” Joshua 24:29
“I sent you my servants the prophets.” Jeremiah 7:25
The call to discipleship and the ascent to godliness is a call to totally surrender ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus.
B. He tells us that a disciple’s ascendancy to greatness is predicated upon servanthood and not by position. Doulos suggests greatness is measured by total submission instead of climbing to the top of the proverbial ladder.
C. In this statement there is both humility and assertiveness. We could say this of Paul: Because of the way he had totally surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ, God had exalted him to apostleship and had given him the task of leading churches and equipping leaders.
I am fascinated with the dynamics seen in these verses. Paul has a sense of boldness about his call. He has no problem asserting himself. Titus and the church will have to decide how well they will receive his encouraging words. The key is in how well they view Paul as a true servant.
This is a principle we need to contemplate. Church leaders who attempt to serve from the top down will lose their effectiveness. Christians who major on being the greatest doulos will find themselves propelled to greatness. This is reflective of the line, “People will not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
First, The Call to Discipleship Is an Invitation to Live by Divine Appointment.
II. THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP IS AN INVITATION TO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE
In Paul’s introduction to his letter, the use of self-descriptive language serves a dual role. First, it establishes his authority and right to speak. Second, he uses it to introduce theological statements about God. He lets the reader see something unique about God’s plan.
Paul’s use of eternal life is not restricted to conversion and our existence beyond this life. We must be reminded that the word eternal, aionois, in a technical sense, can apply only to God. The reader learns that God is offering us a share of his life.
In this brief introduction, Paul moves from establishing his role to the purpose for God appointing him as an apostle. Paul’s purpose is linked to his passion, “for the sake of the faith…” The reader learns that God is calling us to become disciples and servants.
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. Titus 1:1
His purpose is two-fold:
1. Encourage the “faith of God’s elect.”
2. Encourage “the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.”
These prepositional phrases are used to describe Paul’s apostleship and some important theology.
Accepting the challenge to try something hinges upon the trust we place in the person extending the invitation. Influence can never be underestimated. While serving as the Quality Edge Campaign Director for Louisiana College I learned about the importance of influence. I had befriended a donor who had a close relationship with a man responsible for a foundation. He set up a meeting with the man. After lunch and casual conversation, the discussion moved toward us asking for a contribution to endow a scholarship. When asked, the man turned toward our mutual friend, not to our President, and said, “Because of our relationship, I will commit to that.” I saw relational influence work throughout the campaign.
Paul is reminding Titus of the source of his call. We often need to revisit our call. First, Jesus’ call to discipleship is a call to share in His life. Second, the call to discipleship is a call to live a particular way.
This passage is rich with the language of election. God elected for us to share in his life. Titus had accepted this call. It meant that he was secure in his relationship with God.
God’s elect are certain of their inheritance and they know who they are in Christ. Psychological models are powerless to create something in the heart and mind that is not already there. Psychological models are wonderful methods for helping people explore their uniqueness. The best cure for low self-esteem is faith in Jesus Christ. He and He alone can boost our self-image and empower us for life. A way of appreciating our sense of self-worth is to see ourselves through the lens of salvation. Paul viewed it this way, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 Too often we attempt to measure self-worth based upon our present situation. Genuine self-worth is rooted in our faithing response to God, straining to peer into the next chapter of our life. Genuine self-worth doesn’t allow the things from our past to destroy us. Paul had a dark past, demonstrated in his treatment of those on the way. Yet, his sense of security in Christ allowed him to think this way.
“Brothers, I do not count myself to have attained, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Paul uses three significant terms in Titus 1:1: Faith, knowledge, and godliness.
A. Faith has to do with our ability to trust Jesus in our search for significance. In a world consumed with finding ways to boost our self-image, Paul points to a personal relationship with Jesus as the way to find our identity. Our call is predicated upon trusting Jesus as he molds and shapes our identity
B. Knowledge refers to the rudimentary elements of the Gospel. The Greek word that is used for the common way we understand knowledge is gnosis–a more general term for information learned. Paul uses the term epignosin, meaning a more precise, first-hand, and experiential knowledge. Paul uses it to make a reference to the gospel in its fullest sense.
C. Godliness is the way a Christian is to live according to the revealed truth of God. Godliness is predicated upon the believer faith in the Gospel and the ability to believe God will empower them to put into practice that which He has placed in their heart.
We will see throughout this letter that faith, knowledge, and godliness suggest a pattern of true Christian discipleship. Paul was convinced that Christians enjoyed the benefits of their relationship with God in the process of serving as ambassadors.
William Barclay describes the benefits of relying upon God when attempting to be a disciple:
Power for our frustration
Peace for our dispeace
Truth for our confusion
Goodness for moral failure
Joy for sorrow
The simple truth is this, you can only pass on that which you have personally experienced.
First, The Call to Discipleship Is an Invitation to Live by Divine Appointment.
The Call to Discipleship Is an Invitation to Live According the Promise of Eternal Life
III. THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP IS AN INVITATION TO DEVOTE OURSELVES TO KINGDOM SERVICE
Paul considered it a great privilege to serve Jesus. He saw God ushering in His kingdom and he was committed to living the kind of life where his life would have the greatest impact. Though the pay may have been low, the reward of participating in the most significant event the world has ever know was enough.
He also believed that Titus would experience the same. He believed that God was using him to awaken people to faith through proclamation of the Gospel. Paul never envisioned that people would be reading his letter to Titus generation after generation, and, literally, around the world. This letter written to a friend and mentee found its way into Holy Scripture because those assigned the godly task of assembling the Bible recognized the significance of its content.
Its message is relevant for today. Just as Titus was called out to serve in a particular fashion and in a particular place, so, too, is God attempting to call us out. Faithful disciples are needed today as God continues to usher in His kingdom.
There are two things we need to understand about this call. First, God’s process and timing demand faithful disciples. Second, kingdom principles are caught more than they are learned. Following are several statements related to things God wants disciples to catch, along with related questions
A. God’s process and timing are bound to his eternal purposes. His purpose for calling us out is to invite others to “try it and see!”
Question: Do we understand the urgency of the call to salvation?
B. God’s method involves the process of calling out, equipping, and sending out disciples who are faithful and loyal. He wants to use us to awaken the faith of those who have never tasted of the goodness of kingdom living. In Mark 6:7 we read about Jesus sending the disciples out two by two. There are several reasons theologians give for the reasoning of this method; however, I believe the passage points to a disciple’s call. Jesus had called them, equipped them, and sent them out to increase the number of people who could hear the message of redemption. That was/is God’s purpose for them; they had to decide on servanthood vs a religion of self-absorption.
Paul had learned that Titus was a trusted and valuable helper. In the next message we will look closer at his character. Someone said there are two kinds of people:
1. Those who make a bad situation worse
2. Those who bring order out of chaos, peace out of strife.
Paul believed Titus was the latter.
Question: Can God count on us because we have totally surrendered our lives to Him and have elected to serve Him with all our being?
C. God’s timing is critical for seeing people respond to His call. The timing of God is sure and certain. He sent Moses to lead the people from Egypt at just the right time. Jesus was born at just the right time. Jesus was born, lived, died, buried, and was resurrected at just the right time. The gospel spread from Jerusalem at just the right time. Following are some of the timing factors for Jesus sending out his disciples. They are also factors that resulted in the great expansion of the church.
1. Known world spoke Greek
2. Roman world had no territory boundaries
3. Travel was made easy
4. Pax Romana, Roman peace, provided a safe setting
5. World was conscious of her needs:
a. Old faith systems were broken
b. Common person could identify with the Gospel, not with the current philosophies
c. People were looking for salvation–“A hand let down from Heaven”
I believe God is attempting to call us out because He understands the needs of our time.
Question: Am I willing to be used of God as He attempts to sweep through my known world? Will I commit myself to faith, the knowledge of truth and godliness so Christ will bring salvation to the world through me?
I can explain the method and process of God. You must respond to His call to discipleship. Yet, I must be honest with you, timing is critical! I believe people are looking for “A hand let down from heaven.” If we do not intersect with them in God’s timing it may be too late.
Since 2013 I have presented at mental health and substance misuse conferences in several states and in Australia. The Integration of Spirituality and Psychotherapy is one of the presentations that has always drawn a lot of attention and feedback. The response indicates the openness to spirituality. Health care providers are ethically responsible for including spirituality and their assessments and incorporating it into treatment.
It may not look like the timing is right; however, that is because we aren’t seeing the world as God sees it. There is an opportunity to connect with those who have a spiritual yearning.
Remember:
First, The Call to Discipleship Is an Invitation to Live by Divine Appointment.
Second, The Call to Discipleship Is an Invitation to Live According the Promise of Eternal Life
Third, The Call to Discipleship Is an Invitation to Devote Ourselves to Kingdom Service
CONCLUSION
The ascent to godliness begins in the heart of God’s love. In the sovereignty of God’s purpose, process, and timing, he calls us to salvation in Jesus Christ. As we reflect upon God’s will and purposes for the world, we should be challenged to acknowledge God’s call to discipleship, aspiring to godliness.
