The Church is Entrusted With the Gospel {Reading The Book of Titus~Week 9}

The Church is Entrusted with the Truth of the Gospel: The church is Called to Holy Living

God called Paul as an apostle, He sent him as a messenger of Jesus Christ and entrusted him with that gospel. The word “entrusted” sticks out to me in this first chapter. I remember in 2 Timothy that Paul told Timothy to entrust the gospel to faithful men.

“The things which you heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2

In this letter to Titus, I believe Paul to be doing the same thing. He has left Titus on the Isle of Crete and entrusted him to set in order what remained or correct the wrong doctrine and practices of the churches. According to chapter 1:10-13 Paul already knew about these men who needed to be corrected and he describes them as:

• rebellious men,
• empty talkers,
• and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision. {Jews}

Paul is commissioning Titus to reprove these men severely, correct them sternly. These men must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families and teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain, or in other words,  they were money hungry. The purpose of this stern correction is two-fold.

1. To silence
2. So that they may have a sound, solid  faith.

Not only is Titus to reprove these men by teaching  them truths of the Scriptures but he is also  instructed  to make sure they do not  pay attention to men who have turned away from the Truth.  These men are described as  defiled, unbelieving, their minds and their conscience are  defiled, and unclean. They profess to know God but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable, disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

In light of this Titus is to entrust the Scriptures  to some  men of Crete and appoint them to shepherd the flock in the churches. But their character is to be in direct contrast to the false teachers that we have just been discussing. Titus is to be looking for men who have the characteristics that God laid out for those who would shepherd the flock of Christ.  He gives quite a list but ends this list of “to be” and “not to be” with the call to hold fast the faithful word. This man is to learn the word, study the word, hold fast the faithful word so that he will be able  to encourage the people with right teaching, and refute, or correct those who contradict it.

False teachers are not going away. We need godly men who study the word of God to step in and refute those who hold a doctrine that is not according to the Scriptures. Unfortunately, there are many false teachers standing in many pulpits today proclaiming a false gospel.  Droves of men, women, boys and girls are being led astray by them. Be in your word and make sure you are sitting under someone who models the characteristics of Titus 1:6-9.

Holy Living Inside the Church and outside the Church

Notice Paul started his teaching laying out for Titus the  characteristics of the Elder  or pastors of the church.For a church to be healthy it must be led by a true man of God. One who models godly behaviour and encourages the same out of the people. Now that we have the elder in place what does the church congregation look like? 

Titus chapter 2:2-5 is often called the “Titus 2 Woman.” Rightfully so. This passage gives the godly characteristics of the older women in the church and the mandate to model this behaviour  to the younger women. Older women are to teach the younger women to model this same behaviour not only in the church but also in their homes. Christian living is not just for the Sunday Morning service. It is a way of life. Inside the church, the home, at work, and in the world. The men are not exempt from this holy behaviour  they are called to the same standard and are to model the same behaviour to the younger men. I see mentoring and disciple making taught through this whole book. What about you?

adorn The Doctrine of God In Every Respect

The bond-slave is to model godly character that adorns or glorifies God. This does not only apply to the bond-slave but to all who are Christians. We are to make the gospel attractive to those who we come in contact with. Especially those who we are around on a consistent basis.

The MAIN POINT of the Letter

The preceding verses are the reason for the calling of godly elders and the holy living of the saints. The reason, to provide a witness that brings God plan and purpose of salvation to fulfilment.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. Titus 2:11-13

Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:14

We are called to show the world the work of the cross in our lives. We are God’s witness  to the truth of the gospel. Our lives should reflect the glory of God. What a high calling we have!

A call to Remembrance

Paul finishes this letter with a reminder. It is so easy to lay aside humility and to walk in pride. I forget sometimes where I once was. I pray often that God never lets me forget what I was before He saved me. If nothing else in this post grabs your attention I pray this does.

We are called to be subject to, peaceable with, and gentle to everyone. We are to speak evil of no one. Why?

For we also were once foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived. enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. Titus 3:3

But

When the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to te hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

Without the grace, mercy, and kindness of God, we would still be dead in our trespasses and sins. Never forget where you were. Never forget that our salvation is a complete work of God!

This message from Paul is so timely. It is so vitally important for the believer to be in the word of God renewing their minds and learning what the will of God is.

MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES

Why is it That Important to Memorize Scripture

Why I recommend the New Inductive Study Bible

I want to Know You… Studying the Attributes of God

Six Important Questions to Ask When You Study the Bible

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