Maranatha Grace Church

Today we start the Book of Titus Challenge.  This three chapter book is very important for our understanding of the true nature of Christian leadership and Christian living within the context of the local church. In this time of Celebrity Television and Internet pastors, mega churches, and virtual churches, it is good to remember that the local church leaders are gifts of the Lord to the local church.  “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11-12).”

Have a blessed reading of the book of Titus!

Hello:

Book of Titus Challenge – Day 28 – Titus 1 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)

⁶ An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe^[b] 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 1:6-9)

God looks into the heart, not what catches the eyes for choosing leaders for his church. In Acts 6 is found the first explicitly listed qualifications for church leadership position, “Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task (Acts 6:3).” These leaders needed to be men who were led and lived by the Spirit.

God gets leaders from amongst his people. So every Christian has the responsibility to live the life of character and integrity that the Lord requires for leadership positions in his church. We note that this life doesn’t start in the church, it starts in the home. It doesn’t start in the limelight, rather it starts in obscurity. It is said that the true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching. However, God is always watching.

One of the Apostle Paul’s secrets for the success of his ministry was the continuous prayer of the church on his behalf. Often in his letters, he would insist that the brothers and sisters pray for him. Would you pray for your pastor and the leaders that God has gifted to your local church?

May the Lord richly bless you!

Hello:

Book of Titus Challenge – Day 29 – Titus 2 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. (Titus 2:11-15)

After Paul had finished talking about the ethical and moral requirements of Christians living, he wrapped up the whole section by pointing the church to grace. The preacher is not a moralist, rather he proclaims the good news of the Gospel which is a message of “the grace of God that has appeared that offers salvation to all people (Titus 2:11).”

The “No” that we say to the world is a result of our salvation, not the other way around. We do not say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions in order to get saved, rather it is because we are already saved by grace that we are able to say “No” to the world, and “Yes” to what is good.

In the chapter there are three “so that” reasons for Christians to live godly lives:  “So that no one will malign the word of God. (v 5); so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (v 8); so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. (v 10).” We do everything in order to honor God who has graciously saved us through his son Jesus Christ.

May the Lord richly bless you!

Hello:

Book of Titus Challenge – Day 30 – Titus 3 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)

³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:3-8)

What does God mostly expect from us? Fortunately, the Bible gives us a direct answer to that most important question. The answer is found in the reply of Jesus to the expert in the law, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37).” Christianity is not a list of dos and don’ts, it is a love relationship with God.

This relationship was made possible by the sacrificial death our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We love God because he loved us first (1 John 4:19). But why did God love us so much that he provided salvation for us? Just grace. Titus 2:5 tells us, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

The same truth regarding salvation without works, salvation by grace alone [ the unmerited favor of God ] is repeated in Ephesians 2:8-9, “⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.” So, why do we go great works? We show our gratitude to God and our appreciation for his great of salvation by devoting ourselves to doing what is good. You can be sure of your salvation.

May the Lord richly bless you!