“Mission Possible”
Titus 1:4-5, 3:1-7
Tit 1:4-5 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. (5) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Tit 3:1-8 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. (3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. (4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; (7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (8) This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
There has been much teaching on the role of the pastor and his relationship to those God has placed in the local CHURCH under his authority.
Throughout the Bible, God’s people are referred to as "sheep" (Psalm 79:13, 100:3) and sheep have need of a shepherd to both feed and tend to their needs.
Both the Hebrew and Greek, translation of "shepherd," CAN also BE translated "pastors."
AND SCRIPTURE SAYS pastors or shepherds were given to the Church as a gift. (Ephesians 4:11)
SCRIPTURE DEFINES THE DUTIES OF THE shepherd/PASTOR Feed the flock Strengthen the diseased Heal the sick Bind up the broken Bring back those who were driven away AND Seek for the lost
AND SCRIPTURE IDENTIFIES THE ROLE OF THE SHEEP UNDER THE CARE OF THE SHEPHERD/PASTOR.
SOME "MUSTS" for sheep
Must know the voice of the shepherd.
Must follow the shepherd
Must eat what the shepherd feeds
Must heed the warnings of the shepherd.
THE SHEPHERD CAN ONLY LEAD IF THE SHEEP FOLLOW.
NEXT we also affirm that the role of the Pastor/shepherd is ordained not by man but by God.
This office is established by God WITH the business of the church to fulfill the Great Commission THROUGH PASTOR/SHEPHERD servant leadership.
When God wanted His people delivered from an oppressive pharaoh, He used a Servant/leader named Moses.
When he needed Jerusalem’s wall rebuilt, He used a Servant/leader named Nehemiah.
When He wanted His people to experience a golden era, He used a Servant/leader named David.
When He wanted to build a temple, He used a Servant/leader Solomon.
When he needed a statesman-prophet, He used a Servant/leader named Isaiah.
And when He needed a fearless church planter, He used a Servant/leader named Paul.
Throughout history, whenever God has needed someone to initiate, organize, and carry out an important project, He has called upon Servant/ leaders.
Crete is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean it had very fertile valleys
The famous Mt. Ida rested upon the island of Crete
A land full of expert seaman
A land believed to be the land of the gods
And Pastor/Overseer Titus is thrust into this environment
Reminder
In our text today this servant leader receives a simple reminder from his
father in the ministry Paul
Relationship
He reminds them of their relationship
He says to him Titus you are my son in the faith and don’t you forget that “
He calls him his own son after the common faith
By calling him his son he shows his affection for him
He also shows the priority of the gospel
He says that we are of the same faith
I am your father in the faith but I am also your brother
As your father remember
You represent me
You are a product of time spent with me
Observing me
Listening to
Traveling with me
Late night chats
Walks in the mall
Conversations over a meal
Correction when you were mistaken
I couldn’t stay in Crete with you
As your brother I need to encourage you
To be strong in the faith
Fight the good fight of faith
Endure hardship as a good soldier
Preach the word be instant in season and out of season
For the time will come when they will not hear
V.5 but you are left there and while you are there I need to do some thing for the kingdoms sake
Pursue the King and the kingdoms agenda
The King is counting on you
Restoration/Reconstruction
The King is counting on you to set things in order
The greek word for set in order appears nowhere else in the New Testament
It means to arrange further
It means to improve upon
Simply put there is some unfinished business
There are some things left undone
It is the picture of setting a broken limb
Or straightening a crooked limb
Relationship
Ordain elders/Team Members
Bro Edwards Jr & Sr
Rev Lockett
Rev Dunn Sis Edwards Sis Borders
Make an investment
Impart to them
Give them some of yourself
Give them some of your time
Give them some of your knowledge
Give them from your heart
As the Holy Spirit rests upon you, you give to them
As the Holy Spirit breathes upon you, you share
3: 1 Remind the people to be obedient:
Remind them that they are stewards
Remind then that they are accountable
Remind them to be ready to do whatever is good
V 3. Remember from whence you came:
This will help you do at least two things
It will cause you to be patient with them
It will cause you to remember that your capacity is fruit inspector
If the yare not bearing fruit / go back to your room and work on the food you feed
It will cause you to extend mercy as it as been extended to you
What mercy I’m glad you asked
The same mercy that God extended toward us
When we were foolish enslaved liars deceivers
Remember that while we yet sinners Christ died for us
Remember how the love of God appeared and still appears
Remember the mission
You tell them
He saved us
He washed us
Through Jesus Christ
If you remember
You will preach with clarity
You will preach with power
