In the early years of my ministry Christianity was too often measured by church attendance and how well you excelled at Bible trivia. Don’t get me wrong, as observed through these messages, a key part of discipleship must focus on the study of Scripture. We will not fair well as Christians in the world unless we have a solid belief system. In 2002 we left a pastorate where we met Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night week after week. I became the pastor of a mission church, Vail Valley Baptist Church, on the east side of Tucson. We didn’t meet Sunday evenings. I began asking the question, when is there enough meeting and when should we begin to get outside of the church?
Discipleship is measured by the way we study the Bible; however, it is also measured by the way we practice what we have learned and are teaching others. Learning for the sake of learning has little meaning. It is when we begin to apply things learned that we learn what it means to be a true disciple. Paul is often viewed as one of the prominent teachers of the early church. Not only did he preach the Gospel and disciple young believers; he served as a mentor for those entrusted to serve as elders and pastors.
As he brings his letter to Titus to a close, he gives us a unique perspective on what it means to be a disciple, one where Holy Spirit has created a relational dimension to discipleship.
Paul demonstrated that kingdom people must aim for the best qualities of the Gospel. In addition to his wonderful teaching, we also learn from Paul’s example. He illustrates the kind of relationship that should exist among believers. I believe it is also the kind of attitude we should have for those outside the church. Listen.
12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
15Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Immediately before this passage, Paul has cautioned against anything that is "unprofitable and useless." While the Gospel clearly expresses the necessity of God's desire to change our hearts, it is also clear about the need for us to focus our minds on the things of God, instead of our will.
The ascent to godliness invariably will lead each of us to make certain and specific decisions about the mission of our life. The ability to move toward excellency does not come without effort. We must gaze into the heart of God, see His passion for the church, understand our place in the church and strive to be the best you can in service to Him. Chuck Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, (p. 17) says,
No one ever oozed his way out of mediocrity like a lazy slug. Everyone I know who models a high level of excellence has won the battle of the mind and taken the right thoughts captive.
God continues to draw my mind to a theme that is central to understanding the demands of the Gospel. It has to do more with what we devote ourselves to than with what we gain for personal gratification. The theme? In Christ, Christians find their greatest sense of fulfillment to the call to disciple through witnessing and ministering to their neighbors.
A. Disciples Have a Benevolent Disposition Toward Life
I hear ministering standing in influential pulpits talking about the pragmatism and individualism that is distorting the true understanding of discipleship. I must concur! However, I believe this self-centered lifestyle is symptomatic of a greater issue. We have become lovers of self more than lovers of God. (see Rom. 1:21-25)
Many professing Christians are consumed with a gospel of self-absorption. They come to church with one criteria for satisfaction. How will it benefit me? Will it make me happier? Will it give me the secret for being successful? Will it get me a better job and position in life? Will it make all of my problems disappear? Sadly, if they don't feel like Christ is answering these questions to their satisfaction, they quickly become apathetic or bored.
Church rolls are full of apathetic or bored church members. John Savage, in The Apathetic and Bored Church Member, describes this phenomenon. The apathetic who follow the apathetic track focuses on an external cause for their inactivity (e.g., somebody got their seat, the preacher didn't visit them enough, the pastor's sermons were too short, etc.) The bored member turns the blame within, begins to feel guilty and drops out (e.g., magnifies a moral struggle they face, becomes neurotic over trivial matters, allows reality to blind them to grace, etc.)
Let me share with you the key for remaining true to your call to discipleship. It is not in the discipline of studying the Word, though that is important. It is not in gaining a perfect attendance award. It is not in worship services that always tickled your emotions. It is not in how well others serve you and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Allow me to illustrate by asking you a couple of questions.
Do you love the Lord? Do you really love the Lord? Do you, do you love the Lord? In talking with Peter, after His resurrection, these were the questions Jesus had for Peter in their fireside chat. (I dealt with this in my sermon from John 21) Each time Peter responded by affirming His love by using the word phileo.
file,w phileo {fil-eh'-o} • love, kiss • 1) to love, to approve of, to like, sanction, to treat affectionately or kindly, to welcome, befriend, to show signs of love
Let's look at the John 21 passage to help us put disicipleship in perspective.
John records one of the most tender moments a person can have with Jesus. Three times he asks Peter if he loves Him.
TWO DIMENSIONS TO THIS QUESTION:
1. Jesus wants Peter to reflect on his priorities. "For you Peter, who/what is at the top of your priority list? Peter, do you truly love me more than these?" I don't believe Jesus is pointing to the disciples. Peter has gone back to the ways of His past life.
Jesus was saying, "Peter, I remember the day I called you to follow me, do you? Why have you reverted to the old way of living? Are you going to continue to abandon me? What is drawing you away from following Me? I am here, right now, because I perceive you are in danger of deserting me."
2. Jesus wants Peter to reflect upon the degree of love he has for Him. Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him--the first two times He uses the word agapas. Peter responds using the word philo. In Jesus' third question He uses Peter's word.
Agapan has more of judgment and deliberate choice; philein has more of attachment and peculiar personal affection. (Easton Bible Dictionary)
Some have taken a negative approach to Peter's response--suggesting that his philein was inferior and insufficient to Jesus' Agapan. Others suggest (Easton) Peter may have felt Agapan was too cold of a word, as if Jesus was holding him at a distance.
This may be John's intended purpose. Perhaps Peter's heart was reaching out to let Jesus know how he longed to reconnect--substituting a word that was stronger. In turn, Jesus responded using Peter's word. (Peter didn't make Jesus compromise, Jesus elavated the intimacy of his request.)
From sermon: "What Do We Do After Easter?"
In Titus 3:4 Paul uses an interesting word in describing the Love of God.
But when the kindness and love (filanqrwpi,a philanthropia {fil-an-thro-pee'-ah}) of God. . .
We use the word, philantrophy, in association with fund raising.
Philantrophy: The word comes from the Greek words philein, “to love,” and anthropos, “mankind.” This love of mankind has influenced the values and quality of our world. We receive a rich tradition. The spirit behind philantropy has always been to make good things happen -- to make a difference.
This is the very word that Paul uses in Titus. He says God is a philantrophical God, an affectionate lover of humankind.
Lets take this concept to another level. In Titus 1:8 Paul uses the root of philanthropia when describing the behavioral characteristics of disciples: "An elder must be. . . one who loves what is good." This I believe is the heart of the book of Titus. While directing the Quality Edge Campaign for Louisiana College, a consultant told me, “it isn’t fund raising, it is friend raising.” In his closing remarks. Paul illustrates how godly love is rooted in philanthropia.
I find it interesting that Titus does not contain material related to styles of worship, church polity, specifics about doctrine, etc. Perhaps it says to us that until we have become lovers of humankind, in practice, we are shallow spiritually and emphasizing the rest would only serve to frustrate us.
Jesus draws our attention to that which really matters in life.
A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (Jn. 13:34, 35)
If you love me you will obey what I command. . . Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by the Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. (Jn. 14:15, 21)
How do you measure your spirituality? By following Jesus' example and having a benevolent spirit to all of God's creation!
Jesus made His mission very clear :At the beginning of his ministry:
Luke 3:18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
At the end of his earthly ministry, death, and resurrection Jesus uses his philantrophic goal to challenge the disciples to go and share in his zeal for discipling others.
Matthew 28:16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Do you want a litmus test for the strength of your faith? Evaluate how well you are serving others. You know and I know it is tempting for us to place our energy in the wrong thing/place.
B. Disciples Are Devoted to Doing Good
In chapter three of Titus two great realities are weighed over against each other. Paul says that we are to guard against things that are "unprofitable and useless." Chapter three challenges us to concentrate on "doing what is good."
Christians who have discovered their spiritual gifts and have determined their life will focus upon using their gifts for fulfilling the commands of Jesus never need special attention. They don't have unrealistic expectations for their church. They don't have to be pampered in order to stay plugged in to worship and discipling and servanthood opportunities.
Again, a lot of the "stuff" I hear and see that is in the name of Christianity is reflective of the self-centeredness of our individualism. Do you love the Lord? If so, you will be able to evaluate how effective you are in obeying him. Jesus looked at Peter and said, "Okay, if you love me, you are truly a lover of people as I have loved them and you will demonstrate this love by serving them, feed my sheep." True discipleship is not measured by what you are getting; it is gauged by the manner by which you are using your gifts to serve.
John Kasich, Courage Is Contagious, (p. 81) says there is one characteristic that stands out when observing those who serve others. He says there has been a decisive moment in their lives where they have said to themselves, "I won't stand idly anymore--I'll do something."
James was inspired to write,
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? . . . In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:14, 17)
Do you love the Lord? Are you using your gifts to serve Him? These two questions are asking the same question.
C. Disciples Place High Value On Grace And Fellowship
Too many view Christian service as a laborous duty that leads to burnout and pulls us away from the fun stuff of life. That stems from a self-centered worldview. A worldview that places high value on relationships understands the joy of caring for others.
The story of the Rich Young Ruler illustrates the challenge of moving from a self-absorbtion worldview to a self-giving worldview. When you truly love the Lord you will rejoice in having opportunities to extend grace to people as God draws you into relationship with them.
The story of Karen Olson, "A Sandwich for Millie," illustrates this. In Grand Central Station she saw a woman sitting on a crate. She listened to her heart and, even though she was late for a luncheon meeting, went to a deli and purchased a sandwich for the lady. The woman touched her hand and said, "God bless you!" Karen says, "I reached out to her from my heart, not my head. My head came later. I talked to her and realized that we had a common humanity that was more important than outward appearances. I'd been afraid to talk to a homeless person. So many people are still afraid of them." (Kasich, 84)
Jesus invites us into a fellowship with all of humanity. In this family there is no room for prejudice. We understand the value of grace in our lives when we busy ourselves with extending grace and fellowship to all people.
My heart is broken because we have failed to understand the heart of God. He longs for us to comfort and care for hurting people. (see 2 Cor. 1:3-7) We don't realize what the church is missing because we have failed to invest ourselves in serving Him.
The greatest critique Jesus had of the Jews was the manner in which they made their Bible an end to itself. They had failed to understand the call to become a people that would be used to extend grace and fellowship to the world.
Too many people have a task orientation toward life when it comes to understanding church and they fail to get involved in church from a higly relational orientation. Listen to our text from a relational perspective.
13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
15Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
The Bible, Sunday School, worship and church organizations have little, if any, relevance apart from "doing good"--by doing good the Bible means extending mercy, grace, and fellowship to all people. Christian maturity is measured by how well we practice the challenge of Titus.
Yes, the book was written to Titus; however, it is very obvious that Paul expected what God had given him to be shared with other Christians.
CONCLUSION:
The call to discipleship is the begining of an incredible journey. No, it is not for the weak hearted or those looking for a life consisting only of thrills and frills. It is a call to take up the self-giving lifestyle of Jesus and live life to the fullest.
Here is the question that demands a response: What is keeping us from serving as a paraclete? First, among fellow believers? Second, to those who are loved by God but are not believers? The “world” is sensitive to how we do or do not model Christian love. If we aren’t serving and affirming fellow believers by extending mercy, grace, and fellowship those outside the church will see through us.
One day Jesus was with his disciples. They were chatting about a variety of subjects. One spoke up, expressing concern that he had observed someone outside their circle, casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus’ response is very interesting.
Jesus wasn’t pleased. “Don’t stop him. No one can use my name to do something good and powerful, and in the next breath slam me. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally. Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice.
“On the other hand, if you give one of these simple, childlike believers a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Mark 9:39-42 MSG
Too often Christians want to draw a tight circle around their understanding of who is in and who is out; however, it is interesting that they always put themselves inside the circle. They spend a lot of time and energy bashing those who are outside the circle. Jesus demonstrates in this passage that he is the one who draws the circle, saying some of those we view as outside the circle in reality are our ally.
Chuck Swindoll wrote a book, Living Above The Level of Mediocrity, that cuts through the symptomatic issues and confronts us with one of the greatest struggles facing the church. As with Paul, he challenges believers to pick up the towel and serve each other and have a philanthropic approach as we relate to people. Paul demonstrated this and sought to excel in goodness and mercy.
Do you know what will transform helplessness, hopelessness, apathy, boredom and mediocrity into life-sustaining joy? Set your God-given gifts free to the work of Christ! What is keeping you from giving yourself to Jesus, completely, extravagantly?
While dining in the home of Simon, a leper, a woman took a bottle of expensive oil and anointed Jesus. Others became infuriated and called her actions criminal and a sheer waste. They missed it!
But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why are you giving her a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me. You will have the poor with you every day for the rest of your lives. Whenever you feel like it, you can do something for them. Not so with me. She did what she could when she could—she pre-anointed my body for burial. And you can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she just did is going to be talked about admiringly. Mark 14:6-9 MSG
Will you break the bondage of individualism and waste the best for Jesus? Will you excel in goodness and mercy?
