God’s Hello To The Heart
                                         Titus 1:1-4  (#1)
                                            Dr. Larry Halsey

Emerging from the brutal days of the Civil War, came an 18-word telegram that turned the tide, and two days later, led to the end of the bloodiest conflict in the history of our country.

The message was written by a battle-wearied President, to the field general, Ulysses S. Grant.  Dated April 7, 1865, 11 o’clock in the morning, it read: 

           “General Sheridan says, ‘If the thing is pressed, I think Lee will
            surrender.’  Let the thing be pressed.  (Signed) A. Lincoln.” 

General Grant got the message, nodded in agreement, and carried out the order.  He let the thing be pressed.  Two days later, with great dignity and humble sadness, the magnificent Confederate General, Robert E. Lee, dressed in his best dress gray uniform, tied a red sash around his waist, and rode his horse to Appomattox, where he  surrendered the armies of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant and the Union troops, thus officially ending the War.
Sometimes enormously important information comes in brief, simple messages.  For many centuries—before email—that meant writing it on a scroll, or in a hand-written letter.
Today we step into the time tunnel and look at a 46-verse, three-chapter letter, that has somehow lost its way in our spiritual growth.  It has been here all the time, and is of immense importance.  God does not preserve anything that isn’t important in His word.

You may be wondering, “Why a study of Titus, Why Now?”

We saw in Nehemiah, that the book falls into two natural divisions:  

*Chapters 1-7—The Building of the Wall
*Chapters 8-13—The Building of the People

Although our “wall” up the hill, isn’t complete, I am impressed that it’s time to turn our attention to the building of the people…
…those who will, by God’s grace, occupy the facility and will set a course
    for new, visionary out reach and ministry.

More specifically, I am drawn to Titus because…of its “hands-on,” practical approach.  It’s …

…doctrine in shoe leather. 
…Holy Spirit-packaged, “ready-to-live” truth

designed to teach us how to “walk the talk”—to live effectively for Christ in a morally corrupt culture that has lost its way.

Look at chapter 2:10, where the inspired apostle tells Titus to exhort the believers to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” (Do you see that?)

The arresting verb translated “adorn” (kosmeo) gives us the English word cosmetics.  The idea is arranging something in proper order so as to give it symmetry, comeliness and beauty.  In Paul’s time, it was used of arranging jewels in a broach, a necklace or a ring, in a way that best displayed the exquisite beauty of the gems.

This book is about making the doctrine—the faith—attractive, winsome, desirable—to people around us who don’t know Christ, and are quite content to live just as they are. 

A young missionary named John Wesley was returning to England after a stint of ministry in Georgia.  On the eight-week trip, the ship ran into a brutal, life-threatening storm.  Young John, beside himself with anxiety and sheer terror, noticed the quiet, calm demeanor of a group of Moravians huddled together on board.  The contrast led him to some honest evaluation.  He later reported thinking to himself,

      “I went to Georgia to save to heathen, but who is going to save
       me?”

He found the answer:  he put his faith in Christ.  It all began with a little band of believers who simply “adorned the doctrine” when the ship (and life) seemed as if it were coming apart!

As we are learning to “walk the talk,” the Holy Spirit makes the faith attractive; He accomplishes what we could never accomplish.

There are three specific areas:

*Walkin’ the Talk In the CHURCH— 1:5-16
*Walkin’ the Talk in the HOME— 2:1-15
*Walkin’ The Talk in the WORLD— 3:1-11

Then, I am drawn to this little epistle because of its uniqueness:

Listen to John Phillips, “[Titus] is a veritable miniature manual for
         ministers, and includes several outstanding doctrinal statements
         (There are three, in fact.)  As brief as the letter is, it contains 44
         words (Greek words) that occur nowhere else in the New
         Testament.”
The British pastor, John Stott notes, “The apostle’s instructions to his
          trusted lieutenant have extraordinary contemporary relevance.  We
          need to hear Paul’s exhortations.”
In the 16th century, Martin Luther made a study of this little letter, and wrote, “Titus is a short epistle, but it contains such a quintessence of         
           Christian doctrine and is composed in such a masterly manner that
           it contains all that is needful for Christian knowledge and life.” 
Isn’t that amazing? 

In chapter one, verses 1-4, you find “God’s Hello To The Heart.”  Lets stand for the reading of the Word.  (Read verses 1-4)

When you embark upon a study of a book of Scripture, it’s much like getting acquainted with a new friend.  There are several questions that just naturally come up.  (Page 41, Hall)

I had six honest serving friends—
they taught me all I knew
Their names were Who and When
Why, What, Where and Who?

There are two “whos” that jump from the page in the introduction; the first is Titus. He is introduced in verse 4- “Paul…to Titus, a true son in our common faith.”Through only 13 NT references to Mr. T. —all in Paul’s writings—we get a thumbnail sketch of this man.

Through only 13 NT references to Mr. T. —all in Paul’s writings—we get a thumbnail sketch of this man.The imminent historian, Sir William Ramsay, said something that peks your attention: “Titus is the most enigmatic figure in early church history.”Why did he say that?  Because as a trusted associate and friend of Paul, he isn’t mentioned once in the book of Acts.  Ramsey went on to conjecture that the reason is probably family modesty, he may have been Luke’s brother.  (Maybe modesty didn’t begin with mountaineers after all.)

Why did he say ?  Because as a trusted associate and friend of Paul, he isn’t mentioned in the book of Acts.  Ramsey went on to conjecture that the reason is probably family modesty, he may have been Luke’s brother.  (Maybe modesty begin with mountaineers after all.)Unlike Timothy, Titus was a thoroughly Gentile pagan until he met the apostle, who led him to Christ. That’s the point of the phrase, “a true son (a genuine son) in our common faith.” When and where they met, and the circumstances surrounding Titus’ salvation, we don’t know. 

He surfaces in the ministry of Paul at Corinth (where the apostle stayed for 18 months).  Titus watches him, studies him and learns from him as they minister together in this very problem church in all the NT. 

Their relationship underscores several timeless spiritual growth principles:

First, To Grow In Your Faith, It Helps To Attach Yourself To Somebody Who Knows More Than You Know. 

Take time to be with them; seek them out; ask questions; be accountable.  It can be formal or informal.

I could have avoided a lot of mistakes if early on I had had someone in my life to ask me the right questions, smack me on the hand when needed, and pat me on the back occasionally. 

This kind of relationship often begins in a small group situation, like Men of Trust, or an early morning meeting, where you get close enough to listen and watch someone;  and you say to yourself, “I think I can learn something from that guy,” or a small group of guys.

Then, as a gentile, growing up in a pagan home and environment, Titus gives me hope.  He models the kind of person God uses. 

He mirrors principles that demonstrate how to be a difference maker; How to live out God’s purpose for my life. 

When you summarize what you find in the 13 brief NT references:  You discover that Titus was…  (Transparency #3)

1. Spiritually Mature—Titus grew—In II Cor 7: 5-15, Paul expresses
    confidence in Titus’ ability to help the carnal Corinthians spiritually.

A mother put her little boy to bed.  In a little while she heard a thump on the floor in his bedroom.  He rushed in to find him lying in the floor dazed,
rubbing his head.  “What happened,” she asked.  “Well,” he said, “I think I went to sleep too close to where I got in.”You should never stop growing spiritually; growth is never through the process of osmosis; it never happens by accident.

2. In II Corinthians 12:18, You learn that Titus was SPIRITUALLY
    MOTIVATED.

He was ready to serve when called upon.  Titus has been called, “God’s Troubleshooter.”  He had served in Corinth, a cave of carnality; His present assignment is Crete, an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. 

You should never stop growing spiritually; growth is never through the process of osmosis; it never happens by accident.2. In II Corinthians 12:18, You learn that Titus was He was ready to serve when called upon.  Titus has been called, “God’s Troubleshooter.”  He had served in Corinth, a cave of carnality; His present assignment is Crete, an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Before you think, “A tropical island ministry, where do you sign up for that,” you should know that Crete was a beehive of deception, confusion and controversy.   More on that later.

But Titus tackled it!

Third, in II Cor 8:16, you discover that Titus of a person of GODLY
      COMPASSION

Fourth, II Cor 8:17, paints him is one having a POSITIVE ATTITUDE—
      Enthusiasm, optimism. Fifth, The Person God Uses Is Marked By LOYALTY & INTEGRITY—
         II Cor 7:6,7

In Corinth, Titus found a lion’s den of criticism against Paul.  If he had sympathized with the critics, he could have boosted his own standing and ego.  He stood firm!

In Corinth, Titus found a lion’s den of criticism against Paul.  If he had sympathized with the critics, he could have boosted his own standing and ego.  He stood firm!Put those five qualities together, and you see a portrait of the person God uses.

The first “who” is Titus; the second is Paul…

“Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.”Writing to his trusted son in the faith, why does the apostle take time to introduce himself.? There are a couple of reasons.

riting to his trusted son in the faith, why does the apostle take time to introduce himself.? There are a couple of reasons.*The little letter is a personal letter, but it is much more than that—It’s one
  of Paul’s three “Pastoral Epistles.”  It was for a wider audience, namely,
  the churches on the island, and us.

You and I live in a time when credentials are very important.  When someone stands to speak, or presents themselves as an authority on some subject, you automatically asked yourself,

       “What qualifies him (or her) to speak on this topic? ”  That’s why a speaker or presenter is introduced, or the speaker will begin his speech or seminar with an overview of his resume.

When I pick up a book, the first thing I want to know is: Who is the author, what qualifies him (or her) to write on this subject? 

The word “credentials” is very close to the term “credibility.”  Someone said that the two least credible sentences in the English language are:

”The check is in the mail,” (and)
”I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.”

When Titus read this straight-forward, unflattering, authoritative letter in the churches, a typical response might be:  “Paul? Whose He? “Who died and left him boss?”

The Apostle says four things…(each phase is a gold mine)… Look at this overview:  (It’s fleshed-out a bit more in the Listening Guide)

 I. Paul’s Credentials—Verse 1a

    A. A Servant— “A bondservant of Jesus Christ…”  Paul could have
        used any one of six terms, he chose “doulos.” Why is this first?
        Because it’s the beginning (first step) to learning to walk the talk. 
        You first have to settle the question:  Who calls the shots? Who sets
        the agenda?  Paul settled it on the Road to Damascus—“Lord, what
        would you have me to do?”

    B. An Apostle— A specifically-called, personal emissary of a king.

 II. Paul’s Calling—V1b   (“according to”- Kata- “in the interest of”)

     A. To lead God’s elect To Faith—He had a ministry of Salvation

          Notice that Paul saw himself as an active partner with God in
          leading people to Christ.  To Paul, election was no excuse for
          passivity. 

    B. To lead God’s people to maturity in the faith— A “the acknowledge-
          ment (means, “a clear perception of”) of the truth…” A ministry of
          Sanctification.

III. Paul’s Companion—Titus (Verse 4)

IV. Paul’s Concern—Verse 5— His Reason for Writing the Letter

Now, zoom in on two phrases.  The first one is in verse 2:

”In hope of eternal life.”

Ministry in Crete was no cake walk.  Working and living on the island meant grappling with all the pressures and frustrations of living in a culture that had lost its way morally.

A group of students from Vanguard Christian school in Southern California, went going door-to-door talking to people about Jesus.  A couple of them rang a doorbell, and a young woman answered. She was obviously a mom, and this was not a good time.

…She had a vacuum cleaner in one hand and a baby in the other.
…There was a child crying in another room.
…Something clearly was burning on the stove.
…They glanced just past her, and there was another kid marking on the
       wall with a crayon.  
…The phone was ringing.
…the television was blaring.

One of the students blurted out, “Madam, are you interested in eternal
life?”  “Frankly,” she said, taking a deep breath, “I don’t think I could stand it.”

That harried mom, was a bit confused.  She was thinking about “everlasting life”— Life without end.  (And it was not a bright prospect, at least in the short term.)  ”the hope of eternal life” isn’t about the prospect of life without end.  That’s “everlasting life.”

It’s a quality of life, that you enjoy right now!  A life that gives you the power to walk the talk!

Jesus said, (John 10:10)— “I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” It says literally, “have life is abundance.”  It has the idea, “that you might have a super supply on top of your life.”

Jesus comes to bring spiritual life…A relationship with God, the forgiveness of sins, a home in heaven…That would be enough! But there is this, PLUS.  (We could says a plus…plus…plus.)

…Joy
…Peace
…Victory over sin in your life.
…The Holy Spirit to guide us
…on and on!

Dallas Willard says that so often in the American church today we have absorbed the spirit and expectation of the culture.  He says, “We have assumed the normalcy of failure and viciousness and corruptness.”

We are a victorious people….We are overcomers.  John says, “This the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.”  Jesus came to set us free and to give us a new vision and new power for living.

With that thought in mind, link “the hope of eternal life,” with a phrase in verse 1, “which accords with godliness.” Paul says,  “My ministry is about teaching the truth (literally, “in the interest of”) Godliness”

What image comes to your mind when you read that term? Chapter 2:14 in the King James translation says we are “God’s peculiar people.” I know some of those…(and) If that’s it, I’ll pass! 

I want you to remember this. It’s the key that unlocks this splendid little book: Godliness is a life that works.  It’s a lifestyle that functions well in God’s universe.

Godliness is the power to act as we ought.  It is the desire and power to take “responsibility.”  Separate “response” and “ability.”  It’s the strength to do what you ought to do when you ought to do it.  (Say that with me.)

We enjoyed beautiful piano music this morning.  It happened because the pianist had the strength, the power, to do what she ought to do when she ought to do it. 

I could sit down over there and peck around on the keys for awhile,
and play some notes, maybe a few right notes, but you would have interest in it, because I don’t have the ‘response’ ‘ability’ to play the notes  when I ought to do it…I couldn’t keep time… I’m not disciplined in that; And a beautiful song would be slaughter!

Sin is dissonance.  That’s what it was doing to the Cretan believers.  They were miring the song! The song of salvation in a culture that’s lost its way wasn’t getting through!

Our wonderful musicians have appropriate power.  They are “response”-“able.”

The young man Joseph…kidnapped…One day, a slave in Egypt, he become the target of the lust of a very powerful woman, Potaphar’s wife. We have a term for that today, ‘sexual harassment.’ 

On a certain day, a typical day, she pressed herself up against him, and said, “Lie with me.” (Whisper) It was the voice of the devil!—he ran!  He said, “I will not do this wicked against God and your husband who has entrusted everything he has to me.” 

Joseph was godly—He did what needed to be done when it needed to be done.

What’s the motivation for such a life? Why should I be interested in learning to walking the talk?

Phillip Yancey tells about a surgeon friend who specializes in hand surgery. Every day he does intricate microsurgery, reconnecting nerves and blood vessels finer than a human hair, performing meticulous 12-hour procedures with no breaks.

One morning, at 3:00 AM, he was awakened from a thick sleep by the telephone ringing. It was the hospital. Listen to Yancey’s own words…

    “As he tried to overcome his grogginess, he realized that he needed
    a little extra motivation to endure this one marathon surgery. On
    impulse he called a close friend, also awaking him.  ‘I have a very
    arduous surgery ahead of me,’ he said, ‘and I need something extra to
    to concentrate on this time.  I’d like to dedicate this surgery to you. If I
    think about you while I’m performing it, that will help me get through.’”

Isn’t that wonderful?

Quote the verse on the screen with me.  It’s I Corinthians 10:31—

    “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the
    glory of God.”

”The glory of God”  that’s your mission!  Your privilege!