Titus 1:1-4

“This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him. I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.”

 Second Paul points to our:

2.         Purpose in the Kingdom –Vs 2-4 – Serving the Savior

Your position is a slave of the Savior, so your purpose then is to serve the Savior. It’s here that we discover that purpose flows out of position. If you don’t know whose you are you will never know who you are and therefore you will never know why you are here. Our identity crisis doesn’t just cripple us it compromises the church. Many of us are making our purpose attaining a position. But when you understanding that as a royal priest you already have a position it frees you to put your energy into living out our purpose. Paul now tells us how we are to serve the Savior:

1. Furthering the Faith of others 1a

Stop making service about self. How do we further the faith of others, Pray for them. I remember going to visit an older man who was physically limited and on oxygen and instead of talking about his problems he reminded me of the power of prayer. He pulled out his prayer list, which consisted of a long list of people that he regularly lifts up before the Lord. Who are you pursuing in prayer? We can encourage and edify one another with our words. So let me ask you are your words blessing or bruising, are you helping and healing or are you hurting. Is your mouth a ministry or a menace? We are often quick to criticize but slow to commend. One of the greatest ways to further other people’s faith is to set a good example, by being faithful in our faith, going to church, having daily devotions, witnessing. So what are you doing to further the faith of others? Or are you making the focus of your faith you? Second

2. Growing in Godliness – 1b

Are you making the goal godliness or are you making the goal getting. Most of us are motivate more by worldly goals than by God’s Word. How do you know if you are growing in Godliness? Does your character reflect Christ or the culture? Truth should transform the way we live. Proper belief must lead to practical behavior because doctrine is deadly when it is divorced from godly living. Third

3. Teach the truth 1b

Not only do we need to trust in the truth but we need to be teaching the truth. More things are caught than taught, which means that we must model the truth not just mouth it. Parents don’t just preach biblical principles to your kids practice them. Fourth

4. Give Priority to proclaiming 3b

As we minister in our Crete, we must never forget the importance of sharing the good news of God. Proclaiming truth is the primary catalyst for transformation. Scripture is what changes sinners into saints.

E. Commit to what we have in common in Christ – 4

I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share. Because of Christ we have more in common than we do apart. Focusing on our differences leads to division, focusing on our faith leads to unity.