Stay In Crete

“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