October 9, 2016 Dr. Jim Cecy

A Slave With A Purpose Titus 1:1-4 Review of Last Week: Introducing the Book of Titus: Bringing Health Back Into Christ’s Church Though Titus 1:1-4 is descriptive of the apostolic position and pastoral priorities of the apostle Paul himself, there are some meaningful applications to every member of the Body of Christ, especially those in positions of leadership in the home, the church and the community Titus 1:1-4 “Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”

I. OUR SPECIAL POSITION Position Reminder #1. We are called to be bondslaves of God Titus 1:1 “Paul, a bondservant (Greek: doulos) of God...” — a slave of God and a servant of men. “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” (1 Peter 2:16) We have all been called to be like our Savior who Philippians 2:7 tells us “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant” and who in the gospels we are told came to serve rather than be served. (cf. Mt. 20:28; Mk 10:45) Matthew 20:26-28 “...whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve...” The essence of biblical leadership is biblical slavery! We are owned by God. We own nothing and owe everything to the Master! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” “Behold the bondslave of the Lord. Be it done to me as You wish.”

Position Reminder #2. We are called to be bondslaves with a purpose Titus 1:1 “Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle (Greek: apostellos = “one sent with a message) of Jesus Christ...” 2 Corinthians 3:5 “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—” Matthew 25:21 “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” `

Position Reminder #3. We are called to be children in a common faith Titus 1:4 “to Titus, my true child in a common (Greek: koinos = common) faith...” cf. Ecc. 4:12 The beauty of the Church is its unity amidst diversity! Ephesians 4:3-6 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

II. OUR SPECIFIC PRIORITIES Leadership Priority #1. To help promote confidence in God Titus 1:1 “...for the faith of those chosen of God...”— “whose goal is the faith (i.e. the confidence) of those chosen of God.” A leader is called to be a faith-builder - building people’s confidence in God Himself • When people come to us for help do they leave with a greater faith in God's answers or ours? • Have they left with a greater appreciation for God’s Word or us? • Upon whom have we encouraged them to place their trust? Us or God? • Are we truly faith-builders? “Lord, make me a better faith-builder in the lives of the people I am called to lead. Make my life a sign-post — always pointing people to God and not myself!”

Leadership Priority #2. To help perfect knowledge of biblical truth Titus 1:1 “...the knowledge of the truth...” Greek: epignosis = knowledge upon knowledge — that leads to a dramatic change in attitude and lifestyle and intimacy with God cf. 2 Timothy 3:7; Ephesians 4:13) • Are we biblically pre-disposed? • Are we truly Bible-believing disciples of Jesus Christ? • Have we let our traditions and experiences dictate our theology and practice? • Do we really care that everything we say and do is consistent with the Word of God? • Are we willing to make appropriate changes no matter what the cost — even if it means offending others. • Are we willing to admit that we've not been totally consistent in the Word? (cf. Col. 1:9-10; Eph 1:17))

III. OUR SUPREME PURPOSE Titus 1:1 “Paul, a bond-servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness...” (NIV =...the knowledge of the truth that LEADS to godliness”) Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God (i.e. Jesus Christ) has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age...” As bond-slaves of God we have been called to so minister the Word of God to people that it will result in Christ-likeness in them. Our primary goal is to see people become more like Jesus Christ! (cf. Col. 1:25-29) • Are the people I serve more like Christ because of me or in spite of me?

IV. OUR SOLID FOUNDATION Titus 1:1-2 “Paul, a bond-servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago...” “the hope of eternal life” (Greek: aionos zoe) = “abundant life” (John 10:10) Unlike the Cretans who had a reputation of being liars (v. 12), our hope in the promise of eternal life made long ages ago comes from a Truthful God, who cannot lie (v. 2) Titus 1:1-2 “...a faith and knowledge RESTING on the hope of eternal life...” (NIV)

V. OUR SIMPLE METHOD Titus 1:1-3 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior...” (cf. 1 Cor. 9:6; 1 Tim. 4:11-16) Titus 2:1 “But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.” Titus 2:7-8 “...in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

VI. HIS SIGNATURE ENCOURAGEMENT Titus 1:4 “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” Grace — that special gift of God that gives us that which we don't deserve Grace — that keeps us going when the going gets tough Grace — that keeps us giving when there's nothing left to give Peace — that doesn’t ensure the absence of conflict but ensures the absence of panic in the midst of conflict. Peace — that reminds us that God is in control of the details of our lives Peace — not as the world gives but as only God can give Peace — that is a precious gift that God offers His bond-slaves Peace — the one word every leader needs to serve wherever God calls.

Discussion Questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

In what areas has God called you to specifically lead at home, church or in the community? What does it mean for you to be a slave with a purpose — a slave of God and servant of men? Concerning which of the leadership priorities taught do you have the most struggle? What are the ways you can improve as a faith-builder and knowledge-builder? In what way can you more effectively proclaim the Word of God to those you are called to lead? Are the people you serve aware of your commitment to godliness? In what ways do you get most discouraged as a leader? Most encouraged? What did you get most out of this message?

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