Product of Salvation is Doing Good - Study 6/28-7/5/12
Product of Salvation is Doing Good
By Bobby Harris
Titus 1:1-9
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, 4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 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
(Historically) This pastoral letter from Paul to Titus was intended to offer encouragement and wisdom as Titus endured ongoing opposition from the ungodly and from legalists within his congregations.
Paul instructed Titus to complete his assigned job of establishing overseers (elders) for the churches under his care. He described what sort of people these leaders should be, and how all believers should live in relation to each other as well as in their interactions with nonbelievers. Proper Christian behavior is based on the fact that “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,” and therefore those who believe in Christ are to “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives” as they await his return. Paul probably wrote this letter in the 60s A.D.
Paul was released from his house arrest in Rome (where we find him at the end of Acts), probably because his accusers did not choose to press their charges against him before Caesar (Acts 24:1; 28:30). Their case, therefore, was lost by default, and Paul was freed.
By nature, the people of Crete were not easy to work with (1:12-13), and Titus needed extraordinary patience and love."As he does in the opening greeting of Titus, Paul again identifies formally his status and his office and then identifies and blesses the intended recipient. This sets the tone and introduces the main theme of the letter.
(Practical) Titus had his share of problems! The churches needed qualified leaders, and the various groups in the churches needed shepherding. Again the issue of false teachers was trying to mix Jewish law with the Gospel of grace (Titus 1:10, 14), while some of the Gentile believers were abusing the message of grace and turning it into license (ref Titus 2:11-15) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. THE TWO (LAW AND GRACE) SHOULD NOT BE MIXED.
Paul uses two terms to introduce himself in verse 1. Servant of God occurs only here in the Pastorals. Question: CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN THIS FASHION? It describes Paul as one who is under compulsion, committed to faithful service as a slave to a master. It also indicates his submission to the will of God. Apostle of Jesus Christ, as we have seen at 1 Timothy 1:1, signifies Paul's selection for service and his sending by Christ himself. This is a technical designation of one to whom Christ's authority has been delegated.
The person written to, who is described, 1. By his name, Titus, a Gentile Greek, yet called both to the faith and ministry. Observe, the grace of God is free and powerful. I have begotten you through the gospel, said he to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 4:15. Ministers are spiritual fathers to those whom they are the means of converting, and will tenderly affect and care for them, and must be answerably regarded by them. "My own son after the common faith, that faith which is common to all the regenerate, and which thou hast in truth, and expresses to the life." SONS FOLLOW IN THE FOOT STEPS OF THEIR FATHERS…
My True Son: This might be said to distinguish Titus from hypocrites and false teachers, and to recommend him to the regard of the Cretans, as being among them a lively image of the apostle himself, in faith, and life, and heavenly doctrine.
To this Titus, deservedly so dear to the apostle, is,
The blessings wished: Grace, mercy, and peace. Grace, the free favour of God, and acceptance with him. Mercy, the fruits of that favour, in pardon of sins, and freedom from all miseries by it, both here and hereafter. And peace, the positive effect and fruit of mercy. Peace with God through Christ who is our peace, and with the creatures and ourselves; outward and inward peace, comprehending all good whatsoever, that makes for our happiness in time and to eternity. Observe, Grace is the fountain of all blessings. Mercy, and peace, and all good, spring out of this.
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou should set in order the things that are wanting
1. The purpose of Paul's ministry (1:1). Three main phrases combine to describe what made Paul tick. The first two focus on purpose, and that purpose was the salvation and spiritual growth of others. He lived to bring the body of Christ God elect to faith and maturity in Christ. The second phrase continues without a break in the Greek sentence to define the first phrase in terms of acknowledge of the truth. This is a description of salvation based on a rational decision about the gospel
In Crete, as in Ephesus, the traditional meanings of "truth" and "gospel" were disputed by false teachers. For this reason Paul adds the important qualification that leads to godliness. The "truth" that his ministry was concerned with produces genuine Christians. Godliness throughout the Pastorals defines the Christian experience as a balanced and holistic life in which correct knowledge of God affects every part of life. Consequently, Paul conceived of his life's task not simply as planting seeds of faith but also as producing strong, mature and fruitful Christians. His purpose was accomplished only when people were well on their way to maturity in Christ.
Challenging Questions…
A. Are you fruitful?
B. Are you maturing?
C. Would your walk be classified as strong/blameless?
Practical Application : Producing fruit, blameless, steward of God, Self willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, striker, filthy lucre…etc verses Titus 1: 7-9
By Bobby Harris
Titus 1:1-9
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, 4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 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
(Historically) This pastoral letter from Paul to Titus was intended to offer encouragement and wisdom as Titus endured ongoing opposition from the ungodly and from legalists within his congregations.
Paul instructed Titus to complete his assigned job of establishing overseers (elders) for the churches under his care. He described what sort of people these leaders should be, and how all believers should live in relation to each other as well as in their interactions with nonbelievers. Proper Christian behavior is based on the fact that “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,” and therefore those who believe in Christ are to “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives” as they await his return. Paul probably wrote this letter in the 60s A.D.
Paul was released from his house arrest in Rome (where we find him at the end of Acts), probably because his accusers did not choose to press their charges against him before Caesar (Acts 24:1; 28:30). Their case, therefore, was lost by default, and Paul was freed.
By nature, the people of Crete were not easy to work with (1:12-13), and Titus needed extraordinary patience and love."As he does in the opening greeting of Titus, Paul again identifies formally his status and his office and then identifies and blesses the intended recipient. This sets the tone and introduces the main theme of the letter.
(Practical) Titus had his share of problems! The churches needed qualified leaders, and the various groups in the churches needed shepherding. Again the issue of false teachers was trying to mix Jewish law with the Gospel of grace (Titus 1:10, 14), while some of the Gentile believers were abusing the message of grace and turning it into license (ref Titus 2:11-15) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. THE TWO (LAW AND GRACE) SHOULD NOT BE MIXED.
Paul uses two terms to introduce himself in verse 1. Servant of God occurs only here in the Pastorals. Question: CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN THIS FASHION? It describes Paul as one who is under compulsion, committed to faithful service as a slave to a master. It also indicates his submission to the will of God. Apostle of Jesus Christ, as we have seen at 1 Timothy 1:1, signifies Paul's selection for service and his sending by Christ himself. This is a technical designation of one to whom Christ's authority has been delegated.
The person written to, who is described, 1. By his name, Titus, a Gentile Greek, yet called both to the faith and ministry. Observe, the grace of God is free and powerful. I have begotten you through the gospel, said he to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 4:15. Ministers are spiritual fathers to those whom they are the means of converting, and will tenderly affect and care for them, and must be answerably regarded by them. "My own son after the common faith, that faith which is common to all the regenerate, and which thou hast in truth, and expresses to the life." SONS FOLLOW IN THE FOOT STEPS OF THEIR FATHERS…
My True Son: This might be said to distinguish Titus from hypocrites and false teachers, and to recommend him to the regard of the Cretans, as being among them a lively image of the apostle himself, in faith, and life, and heavenly doctrine.
To this Titus, deservedly so dear to the apostle, is,
The blessings wished: Grace, mercy, and peace. Grace, the free favour of God, and acceptance with him. Mercy, the fruits of that favour, in pardon of sins, and freedom from all miseries by it, both here and hereafter. And peace, the positive effect and fruit of mercy. Peace with God through Christ who is our peace, and with the creatures and ourselves; outward and inward peace, comprehending all good whatsoever, that makes for our happiness in time and to eternity. Observe, Grace is the fountain of all blessings. Mercy, and peace, and all good, spring out of this.
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou should set in order the things that are wanting
1. The purpose of Paul's ministry (1:1). Three main phrases combine to describe what made Paul tick. The first two focus on purpose, and that purpose was the salvation and spiritual growth of others. He lived to bring the body of Christ God elect to faith and maturity in Christ. The second phrase continues without a break in the Greek sentence to define the first phrase in terms of acknowledge of the truth. This is a description of salvation based on a rational decision about the gospel
In Crete, as in Ephesus, the traditional meanings of "truth" and "gospel" were disputed by false teachers. For this reason Paul adds the important qualification that leads to godliness. The "truth" that his ministry was concerned with produces genuine Christians. Godliness throughout the Pastorals defines the Christian experience as a balanced and holistic life in which correct knowledge of God affects every part of life. Consequently, Paul conceived of his life's task not simply as planting seeds of faith but also as producing strong, mature and fruitful Christians. His purpose was accomplished only when people were well on their way to maturity in Christ.
Challenging Questions…
A. Are you fruitful?
B. Are you maturing?
C. Would your walk be classified as strong/blameless?
Practical Application : Producing fruit, blameless, steward of God, Self willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, striker, filthy lucre…etc verses Titus 1: 7-9
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