Thursday
Evening Bible Study
August
16, 2018
Introduction
Titus is one of the unknown heroes of the early church.
We hear lots about the apostles, Paul, and even Timothy, but Titus was
there most of the time in the background.
Titus was even the famous “test case” when the church had it’s first church
council (Acts 15) to decide whether or not Gentile believers needed to be
circumcised and follow the Law of Moses in order to be saved.
(Galatians 2:3
NKJV) Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was
compelled to be circumcised.
While Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to pastor the church there, Paul had
left his other sidekick, Titus, on the island of Crete.
Titus was to oversee all the churches on the island.
The people of Crete had a reputation in the ancient world as not being very
nice people.
The Greeks had even invented a word, “to cretanize”, meaning “to lie”.
When Paul left Titus on Crete, his mission was to …
(Titus 1:5b NKJV) … set in
order the things that are lacking
We might call Titus a “fixer” for Paul.
He’s been sent to Crete to “fix” the things that were broken.
Over the last couple of weeks, Caleb has taken us through chapter two and
shown us some of those broken things that needed to be fixed.
We saw that everyone in the church has a place, whether it’s older men,
older women, younger women, or younger men.
Some of the specific things that Titus was to focus on “fixing” in the
church on Crete had to do with sobriety, not just in abstinence from their drug
of choice, but also to learn to have a “sound mind” (Greek: sophron).
Titus was to challenge the people not only in their actions, but even in
the words they used.
Even slaves had a part in the church, and their character was important, in
how they served their masters.
All of these “fixes” had a common source – they were all motivated by God’s
grace.
(Titus 2:11–12
NKJV) —11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to
all men, 12 teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly in the present age,
This not only spoke of how we ought to be motivated by Jesus in His life
and teaching, but in the grace itself.
The more we grasp what God’s grace is like in our lives,
how unconditionally and fully He has loved us, we are motivated to change.
We’re actually going to pick up the letter in an area that Caleb briefly
touched on last week.
Caleb told me that he was hoping I would pick up some of the gems left on
his cutting room floor from last week’s study, so I’m going to start tonight in
Titus 3:3. I’ll just touch on a few
things…
3:3-8 The Faithful Saying
:3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving
various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one
another.
:3 foolish, disobedient, deceived
foolish – anoetos (“not” +
“mind”) – not understood; unwise, foolish
We all have done things like the Scarecrow … if we only had a brain.
disobedient – apeithes (“not”
+ “persuaded”) – unpersuadable, not compliant, disobedient
We’ve all been at that place where we didn’t believe, we were unpersuaded
by what God wanted.
deceived – planao – lead
aside from the right way
Haven’t we all been deceived at some point in our lives?
:3 serving various lusts and pleasures
serving – douleuo – to be
a slave, serve, do service
various – poikilos – a
various colours, variegated; of various sorts
lusts – epithumia –
desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust
We’ all know what it’s like to be enslaved to different kinds of lusts.
pleasures – hedone (“hedonism”)
– pleasure; desires for pleasure
:3 living in malice and envy
malice – kakia (“evil”) –
malignity, ill-will, desire to injure; wickedness, depravity
envy – phthonos – envy
These are some of those underlying forces that drive us to do bad things. And
we’ve all been there.
:3 hateful and hating one another
Paul uses two different words for “hate”, the first one being more a
“passive” idea, someone who is hated.
The second is about hating others.
We all know what it’s like to be hated as well as to hate others.
hateful – stugnetos –
hated, detestable, despicable, loathsome
hating – miseo – to hate,
pursue with hatred, detest; to be hated, detested
:3 For we ourselves were also
Lesson
In the mirror
In Paul’s opening to Titus, he told Titus that one of the roles of a leader
was to confront others.
(Titus 1:9 NKJV) holding fast
the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound
doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
The first word “exhort” has a kinder, gentler tone to it.
The word “convict” is the harsher, sharper word.
Through the letter, Paul has given examples of these two
words:
The first chapter saw the harsher one:
(Titus
1:13 NKJV) …Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
The second chapter was the kinder, gentler one:
(Titus
2:6 NKJV) Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
Some people feel their ministry is to point out the faults of those around
them and make them as miserable as possible.
The problem as I see it comes when we forget where we’ve come from. We’ve
forgotten to look in the mirror.
We focus on the faults of others but neglect to remember that we were not
all that different ourselves.
Paul says, “For we ourselves were also…”
The word “were” is an “imperfect” tense. It speaks of
continuous action in the past.
He’s not saying, “We were was once for a brief moment that
way”, he’s saying, “We were continually like that ourselves…”
If you find yourself in the place of Titus needing to speak up and either
gently “exhort” someone, or maybe possibly sharply “rebuke” them, don’t forget
to look into the mirror first.
Remember that you are indeed a treasure of grace…
Yet you too were once a person alienated from God, going your own way.
(Galatians 6:1
NKJV) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are
spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself
lest you also be tempted.
Pay attention to the next four verses, they seem to be the text of an
ancient song, or perhaps a set of words that the people would memorize and
recite.
:4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man
appeared,
:4 the kindness and the love of God … appeared
kindness – chrestotes –
moral goodness, integrity; kindness
As Caleb mentioned, “kindness” is the word Paul uses in:
(Romans 2:4 NKJV) Or do you
despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not
knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
The kindness or “goodness” of God is intended to draw us to Him, to bring
us to repentance.
love … toward man – philanthropia
(“love” + “man”) – love of mankind, benevolence
Paul uses a unique word here, that combines two words, “love” and “man”. It’s
the “love of man”.
Our word “philanthropy” comes from this word.
The phrase could be translated more literally, “the love of man from God
our Savior…”
It’s a word used by Luke to describe how the natives of Malta treated Paul
and the other shipwrecked survivors:
(Acts 28:2 NKJV) And the
natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us
all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
The word “appeared” is an “aorist” tense – meaning that it took place at a
point in time in the past.
As Caleb pointed out last week that this is when Jesus took on human flesh
and was born in a manger in Bethlehem.
We call this the “incarnation”.
It’s at the incarnation that we see the appearing of God keeping His
promise to mankind, the promise of a Savior.
It’s at Bethlehem that we catch a glimpse of God’s kindness and love for
mankind.
:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His
mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy
Spirit,
:6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
:5 not by works…but according to His mercy
Paul has been putting such focus on how the Cretans needed to change, they
could be getting the idea that a person is only saved by changing their ways,
but doing good deeds.
Paul makes it very clear here that we are NOT saved by our works, but only
by God’s mercy.
:5 the washing of regeneration
washing – loutron –
bathing, bath, the act of bathing
Washing – making us “pure”? (1:15)
regeneration – paliggenesia (“again”
+ “born”) – new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation
renewing – anakainosis – a
renewal, renovation, complete change for the better
We get a fresh start when we receive Christ.
We are washed from our sins.
We are “born again”.
:6 He poured out on us abundantly
poured – ekcheo – to pour
out, shed forth; metaph. to bestow or distribute largely
abundantly – plousios –
abundantly, richly
It’s the Holy Spirit that is poured out abundantly.
I think he is referring to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
:7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according
to the hope of eternal life.
:7 we should become heirs
being justified – dikaioo –
to render righteous or such he ought to be; to show, exhibit, evince, one to be
righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered; to declare,
pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be
grace – charis – grace;
that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace
of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favour
heirs – kleronomos – one
who receives by lot, an heir; in Messianic usage, one who receives his allotted
possession by right of sonship
Grace makes us heirs of God.
Have you ever daydreamed about being an “heir” of someone rich and famous?
Lesson
The Son’s Gift
Grace is about getting what you don’t deserve. It’s about a gift.
Paul uses the same words of “grace” and “kindness” here:
(Ephesians 2:7
NKJV) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His
grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
In eternity we will begin to grasp the true measure of the
kindness God has shown us in Christ.
Illustration
THE ART COLLECTOR
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son,
shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world,
adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by
Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family
estate. The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child
became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business
mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors
around the world. As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young
man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father
received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector
anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within
days, his fears were confirmed, the young man had died while rushing a fellow
soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming
Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, that he and
his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer. On Christmas
morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed, old man. As he walked to
the door, the master- pieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son
was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a
large package in his hands. He introduced himself to the man by saying, “I was
a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in
for a few moments? I have something to show you.” As the two began to talk, the
soldier told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his, not to mention his
father’s, love of fine art. “I am an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to
give you this.” As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to
reveal a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it
the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking
detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang
the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had
departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went
above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of art. His task
completed, the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift
he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized
that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on
because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued
dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the
stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and
satisfaction began to ease his grief. The painting of his son soon became his
most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which
museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest
gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and
passed away. The art world was in anticipation, that with the collector’s
passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at auction.
According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned
on Christmas Day, the day he had received the greatest gift. The day soon
arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the
world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day;
greatness would be achieved as many would hope to claim, “I have the greatest
collection.” The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s
list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening
bid, but the room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?,” he asked.
Minutes passed, and no one spoke. From the back of the room came a voice, “Who
cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son.” “Let’s forget about
it and move on to the good stuff,” more voices echoed in agreement. “No, we have
to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the son?”
Finally, a neighbor of the old man spoke. “Will you take ten dollars for the
painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.” “I have
ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. After more silence,
the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice, gone.” The gavel fell. Cheers
filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and we can
bid on the real treasures!” The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced
that the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up
and asked, “What do you mean, it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of
some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of
dollars worth of art here! I demand that you explain what is going on!” The
auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father,
whoever takes the son...gets it all.”
It's because of grace that we become “heirs” of God. We’ve done nothing to deserve it except to
“receive” the Son. We will have eternity
to begin to uncover the depth of the riches of the inheritance we’ve received
because we’ve taken Jesus Christ.
:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm
constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain
good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
I want – boulomai – to
will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded; of willing as an affection, to
desire
affirm constantly – diabebaioomai
– to affirm strongly, assert confidently
should be careful – phrontizo –
to think, to be careful; to be thoughtful or anxious
Subjunctive mood
good – kalos – beautiful,
handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable,
commendable, admirable
works – ergon – business,
employment, that which any one is occupied; any product whatever, any thing
accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind; an act, deed, thing done: the
idea of working is emphasised in opp. to that which is less than work
to maintain – proistemi –
to set or place before; to be over, to superintend, preside over; to care for,
give attention to
who have believed – pisteuo –
to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; the
verb is a perfect participle, the action taking place in the past with the
results continuing on into the present.
Perfect tense
:8 This is a faithful saying
The Greek phrase here is “Pistos ho
logos”.
I mentioned this back in 1Timothy, that Paul uses this Greek phrase 6 times
as he writes to his younger disciples Timothy and Titus.
The earlies church didn’t have the New Testament as we know it, some of the
books hadn’t been written yet, and others hadn’t been circulated to the entire
church.
They did have certain things that helped them lock into what is most
important.
These “faithful sayings” were among the things intended to be taught,
memorized, perhaps sung, and repeated over and over again to help the believers
grow in Christ.
Lesson
Remember what’s important
Let’s look at what Paul thought was important.
(1 Timothy 1:15
NKJV) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
What’s the “faithful saying”?
Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
(1 Timothy 3:1
NKJV) This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of
a bishop, he desires a good work.
What’s the “faithful saying”?
It’s a good thing to mature and be a leader in the church.
(1 Timothy 4:8–9
NKJV) —8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable
for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to
come. 9 This is
a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
What’s the “faithful saying”?
Godliness is profitable for all things.
(2 Timothy 2:11–13
NKJV) —11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we
endure, We shall
also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
What’s the “faithful saying”?
The entire section is “faithful”, perhaps they sang this
song of God’s faithfulness
(Titus 1:9 NKJV) holding fast
the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound
doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
This is an exhortation to the elders, that they need to learn these
“faithful sayings”, and be able to teach and correct others.
And then we get to our verse…
(Titus 3:8 NKJV) This is a
faithful saying…
The “faithful saying” is the previous four verses. In the Greek they are
written like poetry, like a song, like 2Tim. 2:11-13.
(Titus
3:4–7 NKJV) —4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man
appeared, 5 not by works
of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,
through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He
poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having
been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of
eternal life.
This is a grand painting of the gospel itself – that Jesus
came to save us and give us eternal life.
Just like the “mature” elders, we’d do well to have these ideas tucked away
in our heart.
:8 that those who have believed …good works
When we understand the “faithful saying” of how we are saved, through the
kindness, mercy, and grace of God, then we need to be careful about how this
truth affects our life.
We ought to respond to God’s grace by being careful to live lives that are
examples of good works.
3:9-11 Avoid these
:9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings
about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
foolish – moros (“moron”)
– foolish; impious, godless
disputes – zetesis – a
seeking; a questioning, debate; a subject of questioning or debate, matter of
controversy
contentions – eris –
contention, strife, wrangling
strivings – mache – a
fight or combat; of those in arms, a battle; of persons at variance, disputants
etc., strife, contention; a quarrel
avoid – periistemi – to
place around one; to stand around; to turn one’s self about for the purpose of
avoiding something; to avoid, shun
unprofitable – anopheles –
unprofitable, useless
useless – mataios – devoid
of force, truth, success, result; useless, of no purpose
:9 avoid foolish disputes
Paul said the same thing to Timothy:
(1 Timothy 1:4
NKJV) nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause
disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
Listen to Charles Spurgeon talk about the kind of theological nonsense that
was going on in theological circles during the middle ages:
Illustration
There was among learned men such a rage for Aristotle that his ethics were
frequently read to the people instead of the gospel, and the teachers
themselves were employed either in wrestling the words of Scripture to support
the most monstrous opinions, or in discussing the most trivial questions. Think
of men gravely debating whether the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary
in the shape of a serpent, of a dove, of a man, or of a woman? Did he seem to
be young or old? In what dress was he? Was his linen clean or foul? Did he
appear in the morning, noon, or evening? What was the color of the Virgin’s
hair? Etc. Think of all this nonsense veiled in learned terms and obscure
phrases! While human minds were engaging in weaving such cobwebs as these, no
progress was made in real knowledge, and the gloom of the dark ages deepened
into tenfold night.
We are much in danger of the same evil from another quarter. The reign of
obscure nonsense and dogmatic trifling may yet return. An ultra-spiritual sect
has arisen whose interpretations are mystical, whose prophetical hypothesess
are ridiculous, and who arrogance is superlative. To leave the consideration of
well-known and soul-saving truths to fight over unimportant subtleties is to
turn our corn fields into poppy gardens. True spirituality shuns the obscure
and the dilettanti, and delights in the plain and practical.
-- Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Quotable Spurgeon, (Wheaton: Harold Shaw
Publishers, Inc, 1990)
I think that some of the discussions about the end-times can start to stray
into this kind of nonsense.
Some of these discussions are “unprofitable and useless”.
:10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
:11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
:10 Reject a divisive man
admonition – nouthesia –
admonition, exhortation
reject – paraiteomai – to
ask along side, beg to have near one; to avert by entreaty or seek to avert, to
deprecate; to beg pardon, crave indulgence, to excuse; of one excusing himself
for not accepting a wedding invitation to a feast
divisive – hairetikos (“heresy”)
– schismatic, factious, a follower of a false doctrine; heretic
warped – ekstrepho – to
turn or twist out, tear up; to turn inside out, invert; to change for the
worse, pervert, corrupt
self-condemned – autokatakritos
– self-condemned
Warren Wiersbe writes:
But there is another kind of problem person we should deal with: the
“heretic.” This word means “one who makes a choice, a person who causes
divisions.” This is a self-willed person who thinks he is right, and who goes
from person to person in the church, forcing people to make a choice. “Are you
for me or for the pastor?” This is a work of the flesh (see Gal. 5:20).
Such a person should be admonished at least twice, and then rejected.
Over the next five to ten years we are going to face a challenge as a church.
There may be folks who want to cause division over Caleb and I. They may want to stir things up and say,
“Well Rich never did things this way…”
The strict idea behind “heresy” is not limited to doctrine, it’s just
dividing people.
Some may think that they are trying to be loyal to me.
Others will want to take advantage of a younger pastor and try to gain a
place of authority in the church.
Let me say right here and now – this is “heresy” at it’s core. It’s divisive.
Of course Caleb and I are different people and will do
things differently.
But I am for Caleb, he’s the one I picked over five years
ago, and don’t try to mess with the process.
3:12-15 Closing
:12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at
Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
:12 Artemas – “gift of Artemis”.
A friend of Paul’s that we don’t know about.
:12 Tychicus – “fateful”
This is a friend who is part of Paul’s inner circle, most likely from the
city of Ephesus (at least “Asia”)
He appears as early as Acts 20:4, as one of Paul’s ministry team.
(Acts 20:4 NKJV) And Sopater
of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the
Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of
Asia.
He had been in prison with Paul (Col. 4:7)
(Colossians 4:7
NKJV) Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant
in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
He would be involved in the ministry at Ephesus (Eph. 6:21)
(Ephesians 6:21
NKJV) But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing,
Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all
things known to you;
:12 come to me at Nicopolis
As we’ve seen Paul was either writing from Nicopolis, or was planning on a
rendezvous with Titus in Nicopolis.
diligent – spoudazo – to
hasten, make haste; to exert one’s self, endeavour, give diligence
decided – krino – to
separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose
:13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that
they may lack nothing.
:13 Zenas – “Jupiter”
This was a Jewish teacher of the Law who afterwards became a Christian.
:13 Apollos – “given by Apollo”
This is that famous Jewish preacher from Alexandria who became a Christian
and leader in the church. (Acts 18:24-28)
(Acts 18:24–28
NKJV) —24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent
man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had
been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke
and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism
of John. 26 So he began
to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they
took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he
desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to
receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed
through grace; 28
for
he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus
is the Christ.
He’s the one that some of the Corinthians preferred over Paul’s ministry.
(1Cor. 1:12)
(1 Corinthians 1:12
NKJV) Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of
Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”
It is possible that this letter from Paul was carried to Titus by Zenas and
Apollos.
:14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet
urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
urgent – anagkaios –
necessary; what one can not do without, indispensable; connected by bonds of
nature or friendship; what ought according to the law of duty be done, what is
required by the circumstances
One last plea to Titus to encourage the people of Crete to be doing good
works.
:15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the
faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.