The book of Titus was written by Paul to his friend and helper, Titus. Titus was working as a leader of the churches on island of Crete. Paul wrote this letter because Titus needed to appoint men to lead the churches there. Paul wanted to remind Titus about the kind of character these leaders should have. They needed to know how Christians should behave. Paul also advised Titus how he should teach all types of people. He needed to emphasize the true message of Jesus.
Titus 1 – Instructions for Elders
Paul starts the letter by calling himself a bondservant of God. A bondservant is slave who is loyal to his master. This title shows Paul was humble and was honored to serve God. He also calls himself and apostle of Jesus Christ. An apostle is someone whom God sends and has the authority of God.
Paul and Titus had visited Crete on one of their missionary journeys. Titus stayed behind to get the churches organized and do it by appointing godly leaders (elders) in every town. This was a big job because Crete was the largest of the Greek islands. An elder is another name for Christian leader. He is a spiritually mature man knowledgeable in the Scriptures. Paul told Titus the qualities and standards these leaders should have which still apply to Christian leaders today. These were to be chosen by the kind of character Paul described.
Qualities of an elder:
“An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. He must not be overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright holy and disciplines. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” – Titus 1:6-9.
It was very important for Titus to appoint qualified leaders. “There were many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group.” – Titus 10. There were many false teachers in Crete and many of them were Jews. These types of false teachers were not useful. They told false stories, led people away from God’s truth, had bad effects on family life, taught lies, were greedy for money, and didn’t care about others. Paul told Titus that these people must be stopped. He said these difficult people believed that nothing was pure and their minds and consciences were corrupted. They claimed to know God, but their actions show they deny Him. They were detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. (Titus 1:10-16). A person who truly knows God will behave in good ways. Actions show who a person really is.
“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” – Titus 1:16. As Christians we need to examine ourselves to be sure our lives line up with our profession of faith in Christ.
What do your actions reveal about you?
Do your actions show that you know God?
Does your life line up with your profession of faith in Christ?
Do you sometime stretch the truth?
Are you teaching your children what you ought to teach?
Elders should work together to shepherd God’s flock in their given church. There are many ways to shepherd the church flock. Elders must feed God’s Word to the church and know the Scriptures enough to teach. They should help the young grow in health and maturity, bind up wounds, and nurse the sick back to health. They should disciple the younger men to train some to be future leaders. They may be involved in determining church polices and decisions about church and community needs. With godly men overseeing the church, the church will be strong and resist pressure to conform to the evil of the world.
Principle: Christ runs His church through godly men who shepherd His flock.
Titus 2 – Instructions for Sound Doctrine and Sound Behavior
Paul charges us we must teach sound doctrine. He gives instructions for different groups of people and how they should behave. Older women are to be reverent in the way they live. They should train the younger women, be self-controlled and pure, be kind and subject to their husbands. The purpose is so no one will malign the Word of God by their actions. Young men should be encouraged to be self-controlled. A good example should be set for them to follow. They should be taught integrity and sound speech. Slaves should be subject to their masters. They should be loyal and trustworthy.
The reason why every Christian should live a good life and set a good example is because of God’s grace. Grace means that God is kind to us. His grace trains us to give up anything bad and guides us to do good things. When a person becomes a Christian, he starts a new life. The old character is put off and the character of Christ is put on. Christians are not satisfied with wicked desires anymore. God’s grace teaches to control of desires and how to behave.
God’s grace trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires. We are all still in training. Our transformation is still a work in progress. We are still working on our relationships with one another. We are not perfect yet, but one day we will be. Until then we need to keep our eyes on Jesus and let Him work on perfecting us.
We should think about the future. One day Jesus who is both God and Savior will return in glory and power. Christians wait in hope for this blessed event.
Principle: Teach sound doctrine and practice sound behavior so our actions will be attractive to others.
Are you actions attractive to others?
Are you waiting expectantly for Jesus’ return?
Are you ready to meet Him?
Titus 3 – Instructions for Godly Living
Paul wanted Titus to remind the people how to live godly lives. The lessons are for us today. We are to be subject to rulers and authorities. We are to not slander. We are to live peaceable and be considerate. We used to live foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of desires and pleasures. We lived with envy and hate. Because God has extended His grace and mercy to us through Jesus Christ who saved us by His death on the cross, we are to devote ourselves to doing what is good and live productive lives.
Where are you living with envy or hate?
Do you gossip or talk bad about someone?
What trivial controversies and arguments do you participate in?
Do you have desires that you know are not what God wants for you?
Do you live peaceable and considerate showing humility to others?
Principle: God’s grace is the motivation for living a godly life.
The book of Titus is an important book for the church. We are to be strong in what we teach and watch how we act so the Christian life will be attractive to others.
Join me here next time -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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