JESUS, THE ONLY PROPER FOCAL POINT

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

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—in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 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,

To Titus, my true son in our common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Titus 1:1-4

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Today, we begin a study of Paul’s letter to Titus who he refers to as a “true son in our common faith” in the introduction that forms the foundation for this opening message.

It’s believed that Paul wrote his letter to Titus between his two letters to Timothy, sometime after being released from his first incarceration in Rome. The scriptures don’t give us his actual location at the time of his writing but we do know that he was heading toward Nicopolis where he would spend the winter (Titus 3:12).

As for Paul’s relationship with Titus, it’s interesting that the letter’s recipient isn’t mentioned at all in the Book of Acts. We have to go to Paul’s other epistles to glean information that includes the following:

1. In 2 Corinthians, we find that Paul cared deeply for his friend Titus, so much so that he found comfort and peace in mind when he was with him.

Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. 2 Corinthians 2:12-13

When we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 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. 2 Corinthians 7:5-7

2. As Paul’s “partner and co-worker”, Titus was integral in promoting stewardship in the Corinthian church.

So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:6-7

Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 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. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

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. As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 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 8:16-24

3. Titus was a converted Greek Gentile and rebuked the notion of circumcision when with Paul during a visit with believers in Jerusalem.

Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. Galatians 2:1-3

Despite attempts by the Judaizers to add the need for circumcision to the requirements for salvation, Titus stayed steadfast and true to the legitimate, true Gospel which would have placed him strongly in Paul’s favor.

And so we know Titus was very integrated into and a trusted member of Paul’s missionary team. Like Timothy, Paul had mentored Titus after helping bring him to Christ and we know how close the two were as he chose to write this personal letter.

Where was Titus at the time?

Verse 5 of this first chapter tells us he was in Crete which was the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean, directly south of the Aegean Sea. We’ll see references to the island and its citizens, the Cretans, in future messages as we go through this letter verse by verse.

So we know when this letter was written, who it was written to, and where Titus was when it was written. We also know it was written by the Apostle Paul who opens the letter with a reminder of the blessed hope we have through our Savior Jesus Christ. Look again at his words here:

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—in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 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. Vv. 1-3

Note here that although Paul was the writer, Jesus was the focal point.

Paul was only an apostle because of Jesus. And frankly, he was only a Christian because Jesus chose to challenge him on the dusty road to Damascus (Acts 9). Indeed, his divine appointment propelled him into a dedicated life of furthering “the faith of God’s elect” while increasing “their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness”, all with the end goal of bring people to the “hope of eternal life” that was “promised before the beginning of time”.

This was the heart of the good news found in God’s salvation plan for all mankind, a salvation plan centered on the redeeming work of Jesus, His Son, on Calvary’s cross where he purchased the pardon for sinners through His broken body and shed blood. It was the good news that Paul, as well as we, get to share with others as we fulfill the Great Commission command (Matthew 28:18-20).

Yes, Paul spent a lot of time writing letters to the fledgling Christian churches of his time as well as some special individuals who were near to him and shared in his passion for helping others get saved but there is never any doubt that Jesus is at the heart of everything he writes.

As we communicate with others, whether by voice or the written word, let us follow his lead and ensure that Jesus Christ is magnified and glorified in everything we say.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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