TO TITUS, MY TRUE SON

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST PLEASE FOLLOW US, SHARE WITH OTHERS AND PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS AND GIVE US A LIKE.

Translate this site into your preferred language, look for our Google translator in our home page: diningwithjesus.net

Traduce este sitio en tu idioma preferido, busca nuestro traductor de Google en nuestra página de inicio ve a: diningwithjesus.net

In the New Testament there is a letter from the Apostle Paul that goes by the name of Titus. A quick search for the name of Titus in the New Testament shows that the Apostle Paul spoke of this man 12 times outside of the letter that bears his name. Compare that to Barnabas who is mentioned only five times and it would seem that this man was very important to the Apostle Paul and to many of the early churches. 

Titus was a Greek, non-Jewish man who had befriended Paul around the same time as Barnabas. These two men were with Paul in his earliest days of ministry and were instrumental to the advancement of the message of Jesus Christ across the Roman Empire. 

Toward the end of Paul’s ministry, as he awaited his trial before Caesar in AD 64, Paul wrote a letter of instruction and encouragement to  his friend and co-laborer in Christ. The purpose of this letter can be heard in the opening section of the letter which is given below:

1 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 — 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 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, 

4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

(Titus 1:1-9 NIV11)

Gospel

In verses 1-3 we hear Paul identifying himself as one who was sent by Christ to share the truth that leads to eternal life and godliness for those who receive the work of Christ. Paul again makes it clear that he was entrusted with the message of grace, the gift of God that cannot be earned or paid back but that must be received by faith. 

Crete

In verses 4-5, Paul explains that Titus is a God-called, fully equipped minister of the Gospel of Christ and servant of the church. His calling in this section of the letter was given by Paul as being the one that God wanted to use to build up and grow the churches that were planted in Crete by Paul and Barnabas so long ago. 

As the Apostle who preached the message of grace to the people of Crete, Paul uses this authority to promote Titus into the role of bringing peace and order to the church as it was found on the island of Crete. 

Elders

The first job given to Titus was to go to each of these churches and either appoint Elders (overseers) for the churches or ensure that the Elders that did exist in these churches met the qualifications for this important role in the life of the church. 

Qualifications

In verses 6-9, Paul lists off some qualifications that should be found in everyone who seeks to take on the task of providing spiritual leadership for the church. 

While some of these qualifications are unique to Elders (the calling of an Elder / Overseer is specifically given to men in this and other examples of these qualifications), the rest of these characteristics should be sought out by every person seeking to become more like Christ. 

Short list

Here is a brief summary of those qualifications that apply to anyone seeking to do ministry in the name of Jesus Christ:

·  Blameless – Not open to any charges

·  Faithful in marriage (if not married, faithful to Christ)

·  Invest in the faith of your children (or in the children of the church)

·  In control – Not wild or disobedient

·  Not overbearing

·  Nor quick-tempered

·  Not a drunkard

·  Not violent

·  Not seeking financial gain through the church

·  Honest with your own finances

·  Hospitable (open your home and heart to others)

·  Self-controlled

·  Knows and holds to the truth of God’s word

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, examine my heart and mind today. Search me Lord and help me see where I need to submit my thoughts, my actions, my relationships under your authority. If I fall flat in one or more of these qualifications, help me develop a plan to seek godly help from others in the church so that I can bring you glory in all of my ways. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

Copyright © 2024 Ryan Laden – All Rights Reserved.