The Accomplishments Of Christian Teamwork

The ACCOMPLISHMENTS of CHRISTIAN TEAMWORK—Titus 3:12-15

Paul typified the positive nature of Christian teamwork to the readers of his epistle to Titus.

Christian teamwork is indispensible to the faith.

When is Christian teamwork typified?

Christian teamwork is typified when the team satisfies...

1—Christian teamwork is typified in its satisfying...

Christian LIMITATION(:12)

Explanation:(:12)Titus needed relief/Refreshing

:12—“When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.”

Paul will definitely send either Artemas or Tychicus to Titus. Paul is thus sending him this letter to let him know that he is to be relieved in Crete. And that he is to leave Crete for Nicopolis, where he is to join Paul. Titus is a gifted pastor able to organize & “set in order” that which the church lacks for fervency & efficiency. However, there is need for his presence with Paul for either personal reasons, training, &/or preparation for another assignment.

“When I send Artemas to you,”

Artemas: “Artemas”= ‘Gift of Artemis”

There is no further mention of Artemas in Scripture. Obviously of pagan descent(parents), a Gentile as Artemis[Diana] is a Greek pagan deity later identified with the Roman goddess Diana. The Hellenic goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity & young girls, bringing & relieving disease in women; she often was depicted as a huntress carrying a bow & arrows.

*No matter a person’s background & past, they can be used mightily of the Lord!

Acts 19:23-28—“And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana[Artemis], brought no small profit to the craftsmen. He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, & said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. “Moreover you see & hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded & turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana [Artemis] may be despised & her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia & the world worship.” Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath & cried out, saying, “Great is Diana [Artemis] of the Ephesians!””

Acts 19:35—“And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana[Artemis], & of the image which fell down from Zeus?” “When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus,

Tychicus:

Accompanied Paul on his missionary journey from Corinth to Asia Minor(Acts 20:4). He was trusted with recounting the “news” about Paul to the churches of Colossae(Col. 4:7) & Ephesus(Eph. 6:21). Thus he probably delivered letters from Paul to those churches. He was trusted as a representative of Paul to the church at Ephesus(2Tim. 4:12).

He is glowingly referred to by Paul as: “A beloved brother & faithful minister in the Lord, who “will make all things known” to his recipients at Ephesus(Eph. 6:21). He is further described as a “beloved brother,” ‘Faithful minister” & a “Fellow servant” “in the Lord.”

Acts 20:4—“And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia--also Aristarchus & Secundus of the Thessalonians, & Gaius of Derbe, & Timothy, & Tychicus & Trophimus of Asia.”

Col. 4:7—“Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, & fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.”

Eph. 6:21—“But that you also may know my affairs & how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother & faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you;”

2Tim. 4:12—“And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.”

“Be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis”

Nicopolis:

There were no less than nine cities named Nicopolis(‘City of Victory’). Probably is the one on the west coast of Achaia(a southern province of Greece). Located on the far southwestern tip of Epiris(Province of Greece). Specifically on a peninsula separating the Ambraciot Gulf(bay) from the Ionian Sea-Adriatic Sea. Crete was SE. Founded by Octavian(Augustus Caesar) after his defeat of Marc Antony & Cleopatra at the battle of Actium in 31 BC.

“For I have decided to spend the winter there.”

Paul expects Titus to put forward his best effort in reaching him in Nicopolis. Paul will “winter” there. The wording suggests that Paul is not yet there as of this writing. Therefore he must be free at this point in his ministry.

Travel is limited in winter as weather is inclement, rain may make passage difficult, the ocean may have contrary & inconsistent winds.

Acts 27:12-ff.—In winter, Paul’s journey to Rome took an unintended detour to the island of Malta at the expense of the entire ship. (CONT...)1—Christian teamwork is typified in its satisfying...