Basic Church Instruction

INTRO

Before we start on our Bible study, I want us to think about the background of this passage. First, Paul referred to Titus in this book with the same term of endearment that he used with Timothy—“mine own son” (1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4 KJV).

Second, I want us to think about the island of Crete. As Kyle points out in Titus 1, there were believers, who had been a part of Pentecost, on Crete before Paul arrived there. Paul’s work in the mission of the church came years after Pentecost. Also, the people on Crete had their own island culture. The people of Crete were called “lazy.” Typically islands don’t have a lot of industry, but rather, rely on tourism. For someone coming out of a faster-moving culture, the island culture would have seemed much slower and lazy. Because of shipping goods and transporting passengers by water, many people would have gone through Crete in their travels. The people traveling through could have helped promote the growing church in Crete, and took the Word from there on to other places.

All this just shows how incredible the letter to Titus is, because in three short chapters, Paul covered the work and organization of the church, as well as the full gospel message. This had to have been part of the whole divine strategy of building on the people going through Crete. Today, no one would go there in passing because they would fly over it on their journey. Yet God knows how to reach every generation!

TEACHING

Titus 3:1: Paul begins the chapter with instructions for the ministry of the church. He told Titus that believers were to subject themselves before principalities and governmental powers and to obey the judges so they would be ready to do good work (v. 1). Don’t be distracted by principalities and powers (Romans 8:38; Ephesians 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Colossians 1:16; 2:10, 15). The word for rulers (archae), could refer to either human leaders or spiritual leaders. Obviously, here in Titus 3, these are human. Typically, in an island nation, you’ll find a lot of people doing their own thing, and governmental authority is not a big deal. But Paul countered that, because God’s way expects us to be subject to the people who are over us.

Titus 3:2: Paul told them to not speak ill of anyone, but to be gentle and show meekness to all people. Paul’s instructions meant believers are not to be obstinate. We should be those who contribute to the well-being of community. We should be hands to help those who are in need. We get along with people and use the “faith difference” as an opportunity to do good, not as a divider between us.

Titus 3:3: Paul knew what the Cretans had been called, and he responded to that by describing who he and other believers had been before Christ: foolish, disobedient, deceived, having diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice, envy, hate, and hating one another. Paul’s point is that when we realize where we have come from, surely we have hope for others.

Titus 3:4–7: Verse 3 was the before-Christ picture. Verses 4–7 give the after-Christ picture. We received the kindness and love of God our Savior, and because of His great mercy, He saves us through regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (vv. 4–5). God’s mercy was abundantly given to us through Christ our Savior, justifying or making us right before God so we could be His heirs having eternal life (vv. 6–7).

Titus 3:8–11: Paul repeated that believers were to devote themselves to good works (v. 8). Paul said this is what believers should be known for because it is a good testimony and peaceable lifestyle. Paul said they were to avoid (turn away from) foolish questions (worthless debate) and genealogies, contentions (the talk of differences), and strivings or disputes about the law. These are unprofitable to the church and vain for the individual—they are useless and serve no godly purpose (v. 9). Paul then said to reject a divisive person (a heretic) after two warnings because that person is perverted, sinful, and self-condemned (vv. 10–11). Think of the impact the island culture could have on the church. Many islands have a subculture of voodoo or witchcraft or special beliefs that could easily have been pulled into the island church if they did not turn away the divisive heretic.

One definition of a heretic is: one who takes truth and speaks it out of balance of what it is meant to do. Truth out of balance is heresy. Quite simply, that means taking a truth from the gospel and adding requirements and expectations to it that the Bible did not give it. Sometimes we need to look past the words someone is saying to the heart of what they are saying.

Titus 3:12–15: Paul ended with final instructions to Titus. He told Titus he would send Artemas or Tychicus to take his place in Crete so he could join Paul in Nicopolis for the winter (v. 12). Paul then asked Titus to help Zenas and Apollos on their journey (give them financial support) so they would have everything they needed (v. 13). Paul also repeated to Titus that the people were to devote themselves to good works to meet urgent needs so they would be fruitful (v. 14). Finally, Paul sent Titus greetings from all those who were with him and asked Titus to give his greetings to the believers in Crete as well (v. 15).

CLOSING

I think the book of Titus is often overlooked or unappreciated. I have often overlooked it because I focused on Timothy. But now, I wonder what God’s call on us is today. I wonder who is already in a strategic position that God will use to present His gospel.

“God, use us. You’ve already sent us, so give us an understanding of what You want us to do for You.”