Group warm up time:
Compare and contrast the
salutations of the three “Pastoral Epistles” (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus).
What do we learn about the
character of God in Titus 1.1-4?
Titus 1.1-4 / Salutation
1 Timothy 1.1-2
1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
2
To Timothy, a true son in the
faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Timothy 1.1-2
1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in
Christ Jesus,
2
To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace,
mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
§
Apostle of Jesus Christ, God our Savior,
hope/promise of life, grace, peace
§
“The
salutation [in Titus] is remarkably long
and heavy for such a short epistle.” –Thomas Constable
Theme/Big idea: “…Christianity is based on the
truth of the gospel and demands the response of faith lived out in a godly
life.” –William
Mounce
I. Paul
A. Servant
of God
- Not a house servant, minister, or deacon, but doulos the lowest
- Believers should behave a slaves to God (1 Cor 7.22; Eph. 6.6; Col 3.22-24)
- Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lord’s slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. Fr the Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isa 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Joshua 14.7), David (Ps 89.3 cf. 2 Sam 7.5, 8), and Elijah (2 Kings 10.10); all these man were ‘servants (or slaves) of the Lord.’
B. Apostle
of Jesus Christ
- Speaks of his authority: “of Jesus Christ” alludes to the commission received on the road to Damascus
- Speaks of his mission: Speaking what Jesus Christ taught him.
II. The Elect
A. 1st Objective
of his Apostleship
according
to… (1. in accordance with) 2. with the purpose of
1. Faith -
§
(Could be used
in its creedal sense of that body of truth that we believe in.)
§
Could be used
in the verb sense of a response to the truth.
That understanding would see a reference to conversion and the resulting
walk of faith.
“of
God’s elect”: We can debate and
differ on the basis of God’s choosing, but still all rest in the security that
God’s election provides.
The
“unelect” can give sincere assent, but not have saving faith (James 2)
2.
Knowledge
- epignosis
– Understanding that results in experience.
Not just book learning, but experienced knowledge (ex. Scott (gnoskw) knows
woodwind instruments, but he epignoskw the trumpet.)
Christian
truth is not a concept to just be discussed.
It your faith something for you to talk about or act on?
3.
according
to godliness -
§
Godliness was
not a reference to keeping the ceremonial law.
§
“…the
repetition of “good works” emphasizes the point (Titus 1:16; 2:7, 14; 3.1, 5,
8, 14). The truth of the Gospel changes
life from ungodliness (Titus 2.12) to holy living. – Wiersbe
§
…right belief
and right behavior are inseparable. --William Mounce
B. 2nd Objective (hope)
…in hope of eternal life Also in Titus 2.13; 3.11
§
Do we posses
eternal life now or wait for it in the future?
§
“hope” here
vs. John 3:36 “has the Son has life”; We have eternal life in a real way now,
but not in its completest sense. We
still look forward.
§
1 Thess
4.13 “…lest you sorrow at those who have no hope.”
1. Promised -- What
attributes of God are these promises based on.
-- God who cannot lie
– before time began
§
If it was
“before time began” or ‘before the ages”
§
“What was God
doing before He created the Earth? (No
before or after with God. He is outside
the realm of time.)
§
What does if
mean that the promise of eternal life was in place before creation and before
sin?
2. Preached
a. Appointed time (cf.
Galatians 4.4)
§
God entered
the time-space continuum
§
appointed speaks of God’s design and control of history
b. Entrusted
§
By God’s
command
§
To Paul (Note the personal responsibility.) Has it been entrusted to you?
(God
our Savior: Jesus did not persuade
and unwilling, angry God the Father to
relent and let us be saved. The Father
is our savior.)
III. Titus
A. Description
true son
“Philosophers and rabbis spoke of their disciples
as their children (1 & 2 Timothy1.1)”
--IVPBBC
“I’m an Apostle and this is my man. He speaks on my behalf.”
B. Blessing
1.
What
§
grace has a link back to the OT concept of God’s hesed, -- covenant love
§
peace brings to
mind the OT concept of shalom, –
single/undivided wholeness, well being,
harmony, & peace
2.
Origin
a. God the Father
b. Christ Jesus
Savior
“…Christianity is based on
the truth of the Gospel and demands the response of faith lived out in a godly
life.” --William Mounce in WBC
Converted: Elect, believing
Being sanctified: Living Godly
Anticipating
glorification: the hope of eternal life
