Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.
E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk
Note to the reader:
If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information, HOWEVER, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMUNICATE. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God for the fact that all over the globe, the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.
Thank you.
Herman Abrahams,
Cape Town, South Africa.
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TITUS – AN OUTSTANDING APOSTLE OF THE LORD
By Herman Abrahams
INTRODUCTION
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Timothy is mentioned more often than Titus in the scriptures and Paul had a special love for Him. That’s probably why Timothy’s personality appears to be stand out more. Little is written or preached about Titus, however, here is ‘evidence that demands a verdict,’ that Titus indeed, by the very nature of his assignments and the way that he completed them, was an outstanding apostle.
‘Titus proved more effective in his ministry than did Timothy, and Paul sent him on more difficult missions. It was Titus’s mission to Crete that was the occasion for Paul to write the letter that we now have in our New Testament.’ (Richards, L. 1999. Every man in the Bible . T. Nelson: Nashville)
Key Scriptures:
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2Cor. 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives (Greek – ‘apostello’) of the churches and an honor to Christ.
Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you
Titus was an apostle. A Greek convert, He was entrusted by Paul with very important and difficult apostolic ministry. These included teaching and maintaining sound doctrine; appointing elders; accompanied Paul and Barnabus to the council meeting in Jerusalem to discuss the matter of circumcision of Gentile believers. He was also sent to Corinth to collect money from the churches for the needy among the believers in Jerusalem.
1. He Was Paul’s Partner And Fellow-Worker.
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2Cor. 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker
Although Titus is not mentioned in the Book of Acts, Paul’s letters reveal that he was the man of the hour at a number of key points in Paul’s life.
2. He Accompanied Paul And Barnabus To See The Other Apostles In Jerusalem.
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Gal 2:1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. Gal 2:2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. Gal 2:3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
As an uncircumcised Gentile, Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem as a living example of a great theological truth: Gentiles need not be circumcised in order to be saved.
It would appear that Titus was involved in the discussions at the “council meeting” with all the ‘senior apostles’ of the day. Paul must have valued Titus’ input highly to take him along to a meeting of this nature where an extremely sensitive issue, with major implications for the future of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, was being discussed. .
3. Titus Next Appears In Connection With Paul’s Mission To Corinth.
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While Paul was in Ephesus during his third missionary journey, he received disturbing news from the church at Corinth. After writing two letters and paying one visit to Corinth, Paul sent Titus to Corinth with a third letter (2 Cor. 7:5–7).
2Co 7:5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 2Co 7:6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 2Co 7:7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. …………….2Co 7:13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 2Co 7:14 I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. 2Co 7:15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 2Co 7:16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.
By reading the above passages of scripture, we can see that Paul was very concerned about the situation in the church at Corinth but was ‘comforted’ (vs.6) when Titus came back with a good report. There appears to have been much tension in the church at Corinth, but Titus was God’s ‘man of the hour’ who was able to bring peace in the midst of a storm. Paul would not have sent out a novice to do what Titus had to do – the assignment was truly work for an apostle.
When Titus failed to return with news of the situation, Paul left Ephesus and, with a troubled spirit (2 Cor. 7:5), traveled north to Troas (2 Cor. 2:12–13).
2Co 2:12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 2Co 2:13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia.
Finally, in Macedonia, Titus met the anxious Apostle Paul with the good news that the church at Corinth had repented. In relief and joy, Paul wrote his third letter to Corinth (2 Corinthians), perhaps from Philippi, sending it again through Titus (2 Cor. 7:5–16).
4. He Was Given Responsibility For Completing The Collection For The Poor Of
Jerusalem.
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2Cor 8:6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
2Cor 8:16-24 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 2Co 8:17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 2Co 8:18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 2Co 8:19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 2Co 8:20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 2Co 8:21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. 2Co 8:22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 2Co 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives (Greek – ‘apostello’) of the churches and an honor to Christ. 2Co 8:24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
2Co 12:17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you? 2Co 12:18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course?
Titus and two other brothers were specially chosen by the churches to go to Corinth and collect the money for the poor in Jerusalem. When churches collectively choose men for a job of work as their representatives, then it must be serious business and as we can see in verse 23, the work of apostles.
5. Titus Appears In Probably His Most Important Role In Scripture - On The Island Of Crete.
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5.1 Beset by a rise in false teaching and declining morality, Titus was told by Paul to strengthen the churches by teaching sound doctrine and good works.
Tit 2:1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
Teaching doctrine is an apostolic function (Acts 2:42)
5.2 Titus had to appoint elders in every city.
Tit 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
The appointing (ordaination) of elders is an apostolic function (cf Acts 6:6)
5.3 Paul then urged Titus to join him in Nicopolis for winter.
Tit 3:12 As 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.
Nelsons Illustrated Bible Dictionary comments as follows: According to Titus 1:5, Paul left Titus on the island of Crete to continue establishing churches by appointing “elders in every city.” As soon as Artemas or Tychicus relieved him, Titus was to meet Paul in Nicopolis (on the west coast of Greece) where the apostle planned to spend the winter (Titus 3:12).
6. A Final Reference To Titus (2 Timothy 4:10).
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2 Timothy 4:10 Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
Here Paul remarks in passing that Titus has departed for mission work in Dalmatia (modern Yugoslavia).
Titus was a man for the tough tasks. He was also enthusiastic, a man who used his own initiative (2 Cor. 8:17) and a blessing to the brethren (2 Cor. 7:6). He had a great capacity for human affection (2 Cor. 7:13–15) – he loved people. Possessing both strength and tact, Titus calmed a desperate situation on more than one occasion. He is a good model for Christians who are called to live out their witness in trying circumstances.
CONCLUSION
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Had Titus been purely a pastor (as we have always understood him to be), Paul would have left him to continue shepherding the flock on the island of Crete. However, one of his responsibilities was to appoint elders, train them to do the work in the local congregation and then move on to do apostolic work elsewhere by repeating the process.
After his work was finished at Crete, Titus left there. He was truly was a man on the move – an apostle, a sent one. He moved between cities and from one city to another - Jerusalem, Corinth, Phillipi, Corinth, Crete, Nicopolis and Dalmatia.
(end of document)
Compiled By:
Herman Abrahams
E-Mail: mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk
Phone: +27 – (0)82-663 4108
07 November 2006
Your comments or questions are most welcome.
