| The Assignment of Titus
Scripture Reading: Titus 1:1-16
This message was preached on October 27, 2019, at Northland Bible Church, by Pastor Henry Mukonda. Henry is a pastor in Zambia and also the African Regional Director for W.I.L.D. (Wise Intentional Leadership Development - which is based in Rhinelander Wisconsin).
The following is a brief outline of Pastor Mukonda's message, submitted by Pastor Alex Lindsay of Northland Bible Church, Tomahawk, Wisconsin. A few extra Scripture references were added by Pastor Lindsay.
The book of Titus contains a theme of the importance of doing good. See Titus 1:7-8, 15-16; 2:3, 5, 7, 10, 14; 3:1, 8, 14. We will now look at the ministry of Titus and see why there was such an emphasis on good character and good works in Paul's instructions to him. We will consider:
- Titus - Assigned in Crete
- Titus' Assignment
- Ordaining / Appointing Elders in Crete
Titus - Assigned in Crete (Titus 1:5, 12)
- Crete was a difficult assignment. People there were described as:
- Always liars
- Evil beasts
- Slow bellies / lazy gluttons
- In other words, they were untrustworthy, deceivers, who did not naturally do good.
- Titus was a Greek person who was united to Paul as a son in the faith. He had learned from Paul and was sent forth by him to work in this difficult culture.
Titus' Assignment (Titus 1:5)
- To set things in order in the churches.
- To ordain elders in each church. See Titus 1:6-9.
Consider the negative culture in which these churches existed (Titus 1:10-16 cp. 2:11-15). There were many crooked things that Titus would have to straighten out as he made disciples and developed leaders. Note Titus 2:13-15. Jesus Christ is God! We must stand on His authority when we teach and preach in His name!
Consider what it means to work with people who are in the world and do not know God. Their defiled mind and conscience can make anything impure. They may be religious, but their lives show them to be reprobate. See Titus 1:15-16.
Consider the fact that we can speak of the things of Christ's gospel and Christ's kingdom today because of the faithfulness of men like Titus!
Ordaining / Appointing Elders in Crete (Titus 1:5)
- Paul wanted Titus to establish accountability, authority, and effectiveness amongst the churches in Crete.
- Paul understood this because he also was an appointed servant - an apostle ("delegate" = "one who is sent with authority on a mission."). See Titus 1:1.
Consider the fact that those who are appointed are sent by the Lord, yet the Lord is still with them. We all have a calling and are sent by the Lord to serve Him. We are accountable to Him. We need not fear, for the Lord will guide and protect us. See John 17:14-20; 20:21; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 1:1-7; I Corinthians 1:1-9; Philippians 2:13-16; II Corinthians 2:14-17.
Conclusion:
Paul's vision for doing missions well is based on the Word of God. Missions is not the spreading of culture, but the spreading of God's Word. It doesn't matter if it is Crete, or Africa, or America. All places have people who are liars and act as evil beasts. Someone needs to reach into the context of their culture and rescue them from it. We need to correctly apply the truth to that context / culture. |
