PASTOR’S NOTES
Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”
This week we begin our journey into the book of Titus. Titus, much like the book of Timothy, is God’s blueprint for ministry. Much of what we studied in 1 & 2 Timothy will be repeated in the book of Titus. Please know that this will not serve as a redundant message, but a powerful reminder that God’s instruction does not change! Titus is a different age and has a different relationship with Paul than Timothy did, and God’s blueprint remains the same. Titus is in ministry in a different location with different people, and God’s blueprint remains the same. The book of Titus is a powerful reminder that God’s instructions do not change, no matter person, place, or situation.
In this shorter letter written by Paul, Paul reiterates his message of the importance of the Gospel, Godly leaders in the church, and peace among brothers and sisters in Christ. Hopefully as you learn more of God’s word, you see these patterns in messages that are filtered through each book of the Bible. Personally, there are times that I feel that I am preaching the same message at some point every month because God’s word doesn’t move far from what’s most important. Please know, that is great news!
Many today try to add or subtract from God’s word based on the times in which they live. We see this truth all across our world. In that, the world grows darker and darker the more it distances itself from God’s simple design. As we grow in the knowledge of the Bible, we see that God’s word is not as complicated as we use to think that it was.
We saw in 2 Timothy that God’s word is for our good and given to us so that we could “profit.” Today, so many are not profiting simply because we are not holding true to God’s perfect and simple design. Many have attempted to alter God’s word which has resulted in destruction, not peace.
At the end of chapter 2, Paul tells Titus to “Speak these things”, much like he told Timothy to, “Preach the Word.” As believers, our calling is to keep speaking the word with no alteration. Our calling is to make much of Christ and point all people to the woven thread Jesus has in all parts of life. Our calling is to love God’s word, and protect it in whatever ministry He has placed us in.
No matter what.
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
Go back and read 1 Timothy 1, 2, and 3 just to compare the 2 books.
HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR BIBLES
Highlight verses in both chapters in Titus that you also heard in 1 & 2 Timothy. This would be a great exercise to do with your children as well.