May 11, 2008
Morning Service

Titus 1

 

Review, and Introduction:

1.       As we finished the Roman letter, we pursued the admonition from the Apostle Paul to watch, and fight against false doctrine, and it’s teachers.  No better place than to see what he wrote concerning this matter  to two young ministers, Timothy, and Titus.  We have finished the letters to Timothy, and today we want to begin with the letter to Titus.

2.       Some interesting notes concerning Titus:    

·       Titus is referred to, as Timothy was, as Paul’s true son in the common faith.

·       Titus is not mentioned in the book of Acts.  However is mentioned 13 times in Paul’s writings.

·       Titus is very likely a gentile from Syria Antioch.

·       Paul leaves Titus in Crete to set the church in order there.

·       Titus also is the name of the Roman General that destroys Jerusalem in AD 70, and succeeds his father Vespasian as emperor.

3.       Paul writes Titus around the year 63 AD.  while in Corinth. 

4.       As we see God, using the Apostle Paul, for the founding of the church in many areas, we see certain things are elaborated on:   Church structure; fighting false doctrine, keeping the unity of the true gospel;  the character of believers, believers responsibilities in the church; just a few of the important growth factors of the church.

5.       As in every letter we study, let us examine ourselves and make sure that we are found in this pure doctrine of Christ.

 

Let’s begin with chapter one of Titus:

 

Tit 1:1-16 KJVR  Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 

• Paul starts right out by letting Titus know that this life we profess is a life of Godliness.  It is the life of true Godliness that acknowledges the power thereof, not the life of the ones he warned Timothy to stay away from, those who deny the power thereof.  The Holy Ghost, or true gospel of Christ.

(2)  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 

• Paul said this in Rom 2:7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:

(3)  But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior; 

• Paul said this in Rom 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
• And was quoting this; Isa 52:7  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

(4)  To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. 

• There is Paul’s wonderful salutation.  I love it.

(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: 

• Here we go with the structure of a solid foundational church.
• Titus, young Evangelist, or preacher, faithful to his mentor the Apostle Paul who has the authority from God to say, and do the things he does.

(6)  If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.  (7)  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God;

• Just as in Timothy, Paul tells Titus, choose men, older men, elders, to fill the office of Bishop, or Pastor, to lead the church.  Notice the qualifications!
• Blameless, 
• the husband of one wife, this eliminates a woman from this position.  What are you going to think when you see a woman leading a congregation?  Hopefully you will think, “well, this is not of God.”
• Faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly.  Same principle applies.
• not self-willed,  not soon angry,  not given to wine,  no striker, or brawler;  not given to filthy lucre;  not money hungry. (8)  But a lover of hospitality,  a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;  (9)  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 

(10)  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision:  (11)  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.  (12)  One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.  (13)  This witness is true.

• A description of false teachers:  unruly;  vain talkers;  deceivers;  especially the Jews;  they teach things they ought not teach;  for monetary gain;
• Then a description of the Cretians, liars, evil beasts, slow bellies, which means slothful, and gluttons.  Paul says this is a true description.

Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 

• Rebuke them sharply:  with what?  The true gospel that I have taught you, and others.
• What we have compiled, the Bible.  We must adhere to the written Word.

(14)  Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 

• There are so many people like this today, charismatic preachers, that follow their own interpretation of the Word, and not in the unity of the Word.

(15)  Unto the pure all things are pure:

• Jesus said, “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” 
• Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is also the Word of God.  We have Him with us in Spirit, and also in the Words of the Bible.

but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.  (16)  They profess that they know God;

• Paul, how we gonna know them?

but in works they deny him,

• Their conduct is such as to show that they have no real acquaintance with him.

being abominable,

• It means that which is detestable, or to be held in abhorrence.

and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

• This means that in reference to everything that was good, their conduct was such that it could not be approved, or trusted.

Notes from Barnes:

It was for this reason; from the character of the people of the island of Crete, and of those who claimed to be teachers there enforcing the obligation of the Mosaic law, that it was so important for Titus to exercise special care in introducing men into the ministry, and in completing the arrangements contemplated in the organization of the churches there.

Yet is this character confined to them? Are there none now who profess that they know God, but in works deny him; whose conduct is such that it ought to be abhorred; who are disobedient to the plain commands of God, and whose character in respect to all that pertains to true piety is to be disapproved by the truly pious, and will be by God at the last day? Alas, taking the church at large, there are many such, and the fact that there are such persons is the grand hindrance to the triumphs of religion on the earth. “The way to heaven is blocked up by dead professors of religion.”

 

HOPEFULLY WE CAN SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF TRYING THE SPIRITS TO SEE IF THEY ARE FROM GOD.

MAY GOD HELP US, AND ADD HIS BLESSINGS TO THIS WORD.