The Resource Of Obligation-2 Series

The RESOURCE of OBLIGATION-II—Titus 1:1-4

His request approved, the CNN News photographer quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport to charter a flight.

He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.

Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside a hanger.

He jumps in with his bag, slams the door shut, & shouts, 'Let's go'.

The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind & took off.

Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, 'Fly over the valley & make low passes so I can take pictures of the fires on the hillsides.'

'Why?' asked the pilot.

'Because I'm a photographer for CNN' , he responded, '& I need to get some close up shots.'

The pilot was strangely silent for a moment, finally he stammered, 'So, what you're telling me, is . . . You're NOT my flight instructor?'

The pilot’s obligation was NOT a resource for the reporter.

Paul’s saw his spiritual obligation as a resource for Titus’ ministry.

Spiritual obligation is a resource for the ministry of others.

How is one’s obligation a resource for the ministry of others?

A Resource is something others can rely on, turn to & learn from.

My Obligation becomes a resource for others when it

aligns/correlates with Christian....

1. OWNERSHIP(:1) “Bondservant”

2. REPRESENTATION(:1) “Apostle”

3. ELECTION by FAITH(:1) “the Faith of God’s elect”

Parallel:

2Pet. 1:2-4—“Grace & peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God & of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life & godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory & virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great & precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

4—My Obligation is a resource for others when it correlates with Christian....

KNOWLEDGE(:1)

Explanation:(:1) “the acknowlegment of the truth”

:1—“Paul, a bondservant of God & an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect & the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,”

“Acknowledgment/Knowledge”—epignwsiv—Precise & correct knowledge. An intensive meaning as compared with gnwsiv, it is a fuller, clearer, more thorough knowledge.

You may know about God, but do you know God precisely, correctly, savingly?

Heb. 10:38-39--11:1—“Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”....“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

“Truth”—alhyeia—What is true in any matter under consideration.

Argumentation:

TRUTH:

Jn. 18:33-38—“Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, & said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation & the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, & for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, & said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.”

—The same attitude we have today. Its comfortable & non-committal to think truth is relative to your belief...BUT that makes you God.

1Pet. 2:21-24—“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.”

Deut. 32:4—“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth & without injustice; Righteous & upright is He.”

Ps. 25:4-5—“Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth & teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.”