Titus, Pt. 1 (Who is Titus?)
 
Who Is Titus? Titus, Pt. 1 By Pastor Dan Kennedy © November 15, 2015 www.pastorkennedy.com Today we are beginning our study of the personal letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to a Gentile coworker in the faith, by the name of Titus. How many letters written to Gentiles have become part of the New Testament? Who is Titus? Titus had become a dedicated fellow believer in Jesus Christ, to whom Paul entrusted key ministries in a network of churches, which were springing up through their missionary work; and in particular, to lead those who were coming to know the salvation in Jesus Christ, on the Island of Crete, just off the shores of Greece. (see End Notes) In the book of Acts we primarily read about two key leaders who worked closely with Paul: Barnabas and Silas; but, there were many more who ministered faithfully together with Paul, with a desire to build up the Body of Christ. In stark contrast to the instant communication, which we have today, Paul relied on coworkers to communicate and build spiritual relationships with the early churches so that these fledgling ministries would not drift back into spiritual deception, doctrinal error, or Jewish legalistic bondage. The Pauline epistles sometimes list specific names at the end of his letters, most often to give Paul’s greeting to specific coworkers and friends. These names give the reader an opportunity to glimpse a broader picture of those with whom Paul ministered. 1. Barnabas 2. Silas 3. Demas 4. Crescens 5. Titus 6. Luke 7. Mark 8. Tychicus 9. Carpus 10. Prisca and 11. Aquila 12. Onesiphorus 13. Erastus 14. Trophimus 15. Eubulus 16. Pudens 17. Linus 18. Claudia 19. Artemas 20. Zenas, the lawyer 21. Apollos 22. Onesimus 23. Aristarchus 24. Justus 25. Epaphras 26. Luke 27. Timothy 28. Nympha 29. Archippus 30. Stephanas 31. Fortunatus 32. Achaicus 33. all the brothers… The above is a basic list of named leadership who shared the Truth of God’s Word as they worked with the Apostle Paul in Acts, 2 Tim 4:10-12; 19-21; Titus 3:12-13; Col. 4:7-18; 1 Cor. 16:15-16, etc. The Revelation that these ministers of the Gospel taught, is that which encapsulated the Truth taught to the New Testament Church, of the foretold “Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world.” This Truth transforms Spiritual Life, as it still does today. This Biblical teaching has been and is our spiritual “Standard Model” through the centuries. Physic’s “Standard Model”: What We are Made Of In the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s we were told that the smallest particle in our world that explains what our world is and what it consists of is called “the atom”. It consisted of three basic parts – electrons, protons and neutrons. Since those early days of atomic discovery, physicists, with more powerful and sophisticated tools, including atomic microscopes, have delved considerably deeper into the hundreds of particles and complex interactions that take place on subatomic levels, the latest endeavor being the Large Hadron (particle) Collider (the LHC) in Cern, Switzerland. One of the fundamental goals of those working at the Cern LHC seems to be a more complete understanding of the origination of the universe and what will happen to cosmic life in the future. Physicists seek to discover answers to their questions through the intense, and extremely expensive study of minute and illusive elements, through the collision of subatomic particles, forced to break apart at the speed of light, which they deem to be the foundation of substance and life in the universe. The answer to the question of what formed life and what will happen to life has been a subject that humans have wrestled with for millennia; and, individuals, nations, tribes and families have most often approached its quest through the dimension of spiritual forces evident in the world. What formed human life and what will be its end? Is the answer understood through the microanalysis of subatomic physical particles or through the spiritual dimension? Physicists have refined their current understanding of subatomic particles into a simple and comprehensive theory called, “the Standard Model”: • 6 quarks • 6 leptons – with the best known lepton called the electron • Force Carrier Particles, including the photon • With an unknown “dark matter” at the center, which holds all matter together, identified with an “H”, called the “Higgs boson”, named for the physicist, Peter W. Higgs who theoretically discovered a mechanism contributing to our understanding of the origin of the mass of subatomic particles. These extremely complex particles are those, which physicists call the building blocks of our intricate world, on which all life exists. At the center is an unknown force that holds us together, which physicists can only identify as “the Higgs boson”, or “H”, currently understood to be “Dark Matter”. The Scripture tells us that the One who holds all things together is our Creator, Jesus Christ (Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:1-3). Cannot the God who Created all things, hold all things together? Colossians 1:16–17 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Hebrews 1:1–3 1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. The ultra-simplicity of the supposed building blocks of life from which Darwin drew his (“God-not-needed”) evolutionary model in the late 1800’s, to our 1950’s and ‘60’s crude understanding of the atom, to today’s revelation of the staggering complexity of the hundreds of particles and complex interactions that take place on subatomic levels leading to Physic’s current “Standard Model”, defies the logic of “random selection evolving from nothing”, but points instead to ONE True Standard Model centered upon God as our profoundly awesome Creator. Does the Believer in Christ’s “Standard Model” differ from the World’s Model? They differ enormously. This difference has been taught and maintained by Paul, Titus and all the Early Church leaders, right unto our modern day’s Bible teaching Churches. It has endured an astounding maze of conflicting “Standard Models” offered by the world from the Roman Empire to the Atomic Age World Powers and everything in-between. The World’s “Standard Spiritual Models” Throughout history, the spiritistic world has developed “standard models” for each of their religions. These are related to powerful spiritual entities, which rule in the realm of the kingdom of darkness under Satan’s domain. These religions and their “belief” systems compete in the battle for the souls of mankind. Today many people in progressive societies, because of supposed faith in themselves – because of their accomplishments, have come to accept one of several agnostics “sub-standard models” for our existence and spirituality. New Testament disciples did not teach the “sub-standard model” of worldly reasoning prevalent in their generation. Nor would they have taught the “sub-standard model” of the so-called “truth” expounded in this age. We did not create ourselves, Aliens did not seed our planet with life, Nor did random chance, from “nothing”, over long periods of time permit the existence of our fragile yet extremely profound planet, with its enormous diversity and dynamic mystery of life. What we are studying today is not the “sub-standard model” of this world’s philosophy, but a God-sent “Standard Scriptural Model” which was taught by Jesus Christ to the New Testament disciples, and what we continue to know to be the basic Truths of Christianity from God. The Biblical sacrificial, redemption traditions from the beginning support this Model. Jesus Christ taught this Scriptural Model. The Early Church taught this Scriptural Model. Paul taught this Scriptural Model. Titus taught this Scriptural Model. We teach this Scriptural Model. The Standard Scriptural Model • God IS: There is a personal God who created us, and to whom we are accountable. • Sin Exists: We have sinned against this Holy God and the standards of His Kingdom. • Accountability and Justice: We will be held accountable for and justly judged for our sin against Him. • Redemptive Atonement: God sent His pure and only Son, at just the right time in the history of the world, to bear the punishment for our sins, through His death on the cross. • Death and Resurrection: Jesus conquered sin, and the enemy of death and rose again from the dead. • Eternity: Jesus will one day come again to be King over all – for eternity. • Forgiveness and New Birth: Those who, by faith, accept Jesus’ redemption and sacrifice, for their sin, will receive forgiveness for their sins from God and will have “new birth” into the Family of God through the power and transformation of His Holy Spirit. How Can We Discern if TRUTH is Being Taught? The fundamental characteristic of TRUTH that Jesus Christ evidenced in His ministry is also the mindset of honorable disciples of Christ, to this day. What Is Truth? There are interesting verses in John 7 that reveal poignant aspects of how to discern “truth”. John 7:16–18 16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17 If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.” 1. Anyone can claim that their truth is from God, but claims must be verified. This is the beginning point for sharing Biblical Truth…the affirmation that this Truth is from God and can be verified for honest seekers. John 7:16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. Jesus miracles and what He taught distinctly proved His claims, but ultimately Jesus’ death and resurrection from the dead sealed the validity of the Truth of His Teaching. 2. There is Affirmation of Truth in the hearts of those truly seeking God. John 7:17 If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Satan is a great deceiver. Millions have been deceived into thinking that who they are worshipping is god, when, in fact, it is not true. Any number of tests can be applied to supposed “faith”, from historic reality, to transformation of spiritual life, codes of living, and the outworking of the faith, corporately and individually. Those who, by faith, choose to do God’s will and personally accept Jesus Christ as the One who can bring them forgiveness and a new spiritual life, finds a deep and reassuring peace confirming the Truth of their faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit. 3. An “Acid Test” of TRUTH is “who will get the honor for the Truth”. John 7:18 He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.” Every human being loves to be given the respect and “glory”, which comes with being honored. Jesus spoke of the “Test of Honor” to be a “test” of the TRUTH that He was teaching. Those seeking the Honor of God first, through what they are teaching and how they are living, pass the “acid test” of truth. Those who seek to first honor themselves, their mind, their philosophy, and their wise ideas, do not pass the test. The “cost” for those seeking to honor God first can be the loss of their life. Men and women who prefer to honor themselves will not allow their lives to be lost, but instead will again reveal themselves by skewing the truth to protect their own honor, accolade, personal benefit and life. • Because one claims to know and teach truth from God does not make it so. Even in the close circle of Jesus’ first disciples was a deceiver. Judas taught others what Jesus had said, during those three intense years as Jesus’ disciple, but Christ’s teachings were not resident in his heart. Judas killed himself because he was a traitor to the Living Truth. • Jesus gave His Life for the Truth given to Him by God, His Father. • The rest of Jesus’ disciples were martyrs (including the Apostle John who died exiled on the Isle of Patmos) because they sought to honor the Truth from God, and not to honor their very lives. John 7:16–19 16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17 If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?” In review, how can we discern what is Truth? 1. The Claim and Confirmation of Truth from God. 2. The Truth being affirmed in the hearts of those truly seeking God. 3. An “acid” test of “who gets the honor”. Paul and his Associates Evidenced Selfless Ministries…except for Demas The Apostle Paul and these who were ministering with him normally had this “Truth” in common…I say “normally”, because Demas revealed by his “defection” back into the worldly mindset (2 Tim. 4:10), to not have the “honor God first” mindset! Who was Titus? • Titus was a man who loved God and had become a believer in Jesus Christ. He had learned the Truth of the Word of God from Paul who was taught by Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:11-12; 15-18). Titus then faithfully taught others the Truth of God’s Word. • Titus was Paul’s trusted Gentile co-worker, along with many other dedicated fellow-workers for Christ, in a network of fledgling churches. Paul then gave Titus the opportunity to establish and lead a difficult church, which was forming on the Island of Crete. We can be like Titus. Many of us are “Gentiles”. We are not pre-formed into a Jewish model of Mosaic Law and ritual, but have been grafted into the Body of Christ. We have observed and may have even participated in the changing “Standard Models” of the Worldly beliefs and mindsets, but now, as believers in Christ, we want to know and take hold of that which is True, deep, and lasting, which will give us spiritual peace in a storm-filled, transient world. We have accepted the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – that He bore our sins in his sinless body on the Cross, died and was buried, and rose again the third day. That He will come again one day as King of kings and Lord of lords and we will be with Him forever! We can reach out to those who want to have peace with God but do not know how to find it. We can serve in the church toward the goal of building up the Local Body of Believers in Jesus Christ, as well as strengthening believers around the world. We can lighten the load for those who are more heavily involved in the work of the Lord. We can build a deeper personal relationship with Christ, through prayer and meditation in His Word and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We can also purposefully connect in fellowship with those who we know have a vital relationship with Christ. End Notes Titus’ Ministry with Paul as seen in Scripture 2 Corinthians 2:12–13 12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia. 2 Corinthians 7:5–16 5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you. 2 Corinthians 8:1–24 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving…. Titus Sent to Corinth 16 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. 22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. 2 Corinthians 12:14–21 14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course? 19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. Galatians 2:1-5 2 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. http://www.pastorkennedy.comshapeimage_2_link_0