How Do We Meet The Need?
Good Morning Friends,
Paul had left Titus in charge of Crete to complete what Paul had only half finished. Some of the people of Crete had been at Pentecost but now several decades’ later elders had still to be appointed. It seems that Crete faced one of the most pressing strategic problems in the missionary enterprise…the passing on of leadership. In this situation Paul urged Titus to develop a second place type leadership….one that honored Jesus. He encouraged him to keep a good grip on solid doctrine
and to remind people to respect government and yet be firm and persistent, taking a stand on those matters essential for the good of everyone. The dominant theme of Titus however is in staying focused on good works. The focus is in how to succeed in establishing a continuing culture of service. How Do We Meet The Need?
Scripture: It was one of them, their very own prophet, who said, “Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons.”
Titus 1:12 (NRSV)
With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his proclaiming the good news; I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves with the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?
2 Corinthians 8:18 and 12:18 (NRSV)
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned. When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Make every effort to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and see that they lack nothing. And let people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive. All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.
Titus 3:1-15 (NRSV)
But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.
Galatians 2:3 (NRSV)
Message: Today’s quote from the first chapter of Titus is actually Paul quoting
Epimenides, a famous poet and prophet from Crete. The statement is a bit of a paradox for Epimenides was from Crete so if he was a liar as the statement implies we are left perplexed. And I can imagine that Titus was a bit perplexed given the situation in which he was placed. Interestingly both his parents were Gentiles and he was not required to be circumcised. Can you imagine him trying to convince the Cretan men that as adults they needed to be snipped? Timothy on the other hand, whose mother was a Jew and father was Gentile, was required to be circumcised as an adult but he was assigned to minister to modern day Turkey. So really I think Paul is, in a humorous way giving Titus a tool for reaching Cretans, implying that perhaps there is readiness to welcome a teaching which counters the chaos of perverted living. And perhaps that humor and wit might help in conveying the Gospel. But frankly we really do not know too much about the young associate of Paul named Titus. We know that he was involved in a collection for Jerusalem from 2 Corinthians 8:18 and 12:18 and was well known in many churches. And we do not know much about the church in Crete. We do know that Crete is a large Mediterranean island that is famous for Mt. Ida, very fertile valleys and skilled seaman. It is a land referred to as the land of the gods. It may have been the original home of the Philistines. In this environment arrives Titus and he is a sort of inconspicuous leader and yet there is a sense that he did not sacrifice his conviction. We do know that Paul encouraged Titus to be preoccupied with doing what is good. So too we should be encouraged to meet the needs we see. Friends we each are accountable to be ready to do whatever is good. Today we like Titus are asked to make an investment. Give to someone a part of ourselves. Give some of our time. Give some of your knowledge. Give some of our hearts. Friends, today let the Holy Spirit rest upon you as you share from one generation to another a gift of helping to meet the need for youth to succeed. We are to be Christians not Cretans…known for our good deeds not sinful behavior.
Pray we devote ourselves to doing what is good. Pray we realize that egocentric spiritual leadership betrays Jesus. Pray we are kind to everyone. Pray we avoid controversy but realize that some controversies must not be avoided. Pray we be willing to confront divisive people….false teachers, immoral examples, and contentious spirits. Pray we realize that the best way to maintain harmony is to be devoted to doing what is good…to doing together what we cannot possibly do alone. Pray that we remember the mission of Jesus and remember the clarity and power of His love. Pray we ask for the grace of docility to the Holy Spirit to move God’s will forward through us.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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