Me Third

“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness” (Titus 1:1).

Great servant leaders realize they can’t do it alone. They understand the importance training others and eventually handing off the work to someone else. They understand they serve those in authority by serving those they shepherd. In the opening lines of his letter to Titus, the Apostle Paul gives us a classic picture of “Me Third” leadership. “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness” (v1). He’s serving God as Jesus’ official representative. The Godhead sends him to serve Jesus’ followers and build up their trust in Him. The apostle doesn’t want to be number one. He’s not looking to be ranked second. His rightful place in the polls is third. 

And now the apostle has handed off the very important project on Crete to his boy Titus. We’ll dig a little deeper into Titus’ bio and his relationship with the apostle down in verse four. At this point, just know Paul understands that he’s not only serving His Savior, the Christ followers of Crete, but also his handpicked replacement for this critical mission. It’s not about Paul. Not even close. This is about making Jesus famous on this Mediterranean island. This is about growing the faith of His followers there. This is about allowing a young gun named Titus to spread his wings as a leader. Yeah, this is NOT about Paul.

A few years back, you never would have never dreamed this kind of servant leadership from Paul. Back then everyone knew him as Saul, one of the rising stars in the Jewish faith. I mean the dude was Hebrew hot stuff (Phil 3:5-6). He was born and raised in Tarsus (Acts 22:3), a town on the southeastern coast of modern day Turkey. He eventually went off to school and studied under greatest rabbis of the day, the great Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). The young stud completely flips out when Jesus and His followers challenge much of what he believes. Saul becomes so passionate about wiping the Way off the face of the planet that he runs the coat check table at Stephen’s stoning (Acts 7:58-60). Before you know it, he begs Jewish leaders to let him go a search-and-destroy mission for the folks who actually believe the Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee is the Messiah (Acts 8:1-3). As a one-man wrecking crew, Saul doesn’t just arrest Jesus’ followers. He hunts them down and murders them (Acts 22:4). 

That all changed on one of his patented black ops missions to Damascus to rub out another pesky rebel cell. The resurrected Jesus personally blindsides Saul. He simultaneously blinds the man from Tarsus and opens his eyes to the truth of who He is (Acts 9:1-9). Christ turns Saul’s life upside down. He goes from murderer to missionary. Jesus transforms this assassin to an apostle. Just in case you think Jesus can’t turn a life around, remember what He did with Saul. When Christ gets His mighty mitts on you, anything is possible. He specializes in selecting rejects and using them in ridiculous ways (1Cor 1:27-29). He did it with Paul. He can do it with you. 

Paul describes himself as “a servant of God” (v1). In other words, he plays the God card in a very humble way. He doesn’t puff out his chest and say he’s a vice president with the company or some sort of big shot. Nope. He’s a servant. Just in case you’re unclear on just exactly what comes with that position, it does NOT include a corner office, a key to the executive wash room, and private elevator. On the other hand, Paul lets us know that he’s working for the Ultimate Authority. He may only be a servant, but he comes with some serious cred. 

The former Pharisee is also “an apostle of Jesus Christ” (v1). So just what is an apostle? This title has kind of lost its original meaning over the centuries. One reason is that we don’t exactly run into apostles at Starbucks these days. Back in the first century, this word “apostle” (Gr. apostolos) described anyone who was a handpicked delegate serving as a someone’s official representative. In other words, the person doing the sending gives them the same power and authority of the sender. So when the Apostle Paul speaks or writes, his words carry the same oomph as our Savior. He starts a lot of his letters by letting folks know he’s writing as the Lord’s official rep (Rom 1:1; 2Cor 1:1; Gal 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1; 1Tim 1:1; 2Tim 1:1). And he does it again here. Yeah, so being one of Jesus’ apostles is a pretty big deal. 

While there are no longer any living capital “A” apostles, every follower of Jesus is His official representative. Just as His Heavenly Dad sent Him into our world on the greatest rescue mission the universe has ever seen, He sends you and me. He sends us with His gracious invitation to be part of His kingdom. He sends us with the message of forgiveness and grace found only in Christ. You and I may not be apostles, but He personally sends us out into the world as shiners of His light and spreaders of His salt. 

Paul says God has given him this specific assignment “for the sake of the faith of God’s elect” (v1). In other words, the Lord is using Him to build up the trust of those who have placed their trust in Jesus. On this side of eternity, our faith is going to struggle at times. Like the dad who went running to Jesus to heal his boy, we both believe but desperately need help with our unbelief (Mk 9:23-24). The apostle’s role is to help folks grow their faith in God. Like Hans and Franz, he’s here to pump…you up! Who are those people God has placed in your life to pump up your faith in Jesus? Maybe Christ has put you in a position to build up the trust of others. Never miss a chance to point folks to who Jesus is and what He’s done. As we’ll read a little bit later, faith not backed up by action is dead as a doornail. 

We build up the faith of others by helping them with “their knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness” (v1). By truth, Paul means Jesus. Christ Himself had the audacity to claim He is the personal embodiment of “the Truth” (Jn 14:6). Not just A truth. But THE Truth. So just what is the truth about the Truth? Jesus lived the perfect life we failed to live. He died the death for our disobedience and sin we should have died. He rose to a spectacular new life we don’t deserve. In other words, Jesus did for us what we could never dream of doing for ourselves. 

The truth of Jesus and His Gospel changes everything. It “accords with godliness” (v1). Godliness stands out. The more we trust and obey our Lord, the more we stand out from culture. Do you do what Jesus tells you to do? Does your life of obedience to Christ contrast with the world around you? Do you handle money differently than others? Do you love your family differently from others? Do you work at your job differently than your coworkers? Do you interact with your neighbors differently than the rest of the people on your cul-de-sac? If you’re trying to remember His instructions, they’re pretty simple. Love God. Love others. According to Jesus, that’s the perfect way of obeying everything in the Old Testament (Mt 22:35-40).

We see here that Paul’s bottom line has nothing to do with Paul It’s about serving god. It’s about being sent by Jesus. It’s about building up God’s people. It’s “Me Third.” In college sports, everybody is working their tails off to get to the top spot in the polls. Not Paul. He’s fine finishing third. And in God’s rankings, that’s last. God first. Others second. Me third.

It Starts and Ends with Grace

“All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all” (Titus 3:15).

We all blow past the blah-blah-blah. You know the stuff I’m talking about. The license agreement for new software. The fine print of the home owners association covenants. The itty bitty print of the side effects for your prescription. And I tend to do the same with certain parts of the Bible. Those verses where Paul introduces himself at the beginning of a letter as well as that whole “Sincerely, Paul” business at the end. When we come to these passages, we need to slow our roll. We need to pump our brakes. There’s great stuff here. Don’t blow past them. There are greetings. And there is grace. And you never blow past grace. Ever.

Before we drill down into the close of this little letter, let’s take a step back at what’s going on here. Jesus’ gracious invitation is washing across the Mediterranean rim like a Gospel tsunami. People of every race, culture, social strata, and demographic group are placing their trust in the resurrected Rabbi from Palestine as the one and only Son of God. One of the places the Good News turns upside down is the island Crete, just off the coast of Greece. There are new believers everywhere. The Apostle Paul led a team that ministered to these baby Christians but has now moved on to the Greek seaport of Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). He leaves behind a squad to finish the next phase of the mission, led by Titus (Titus 1:4) as well as Zenas the lawyer and Apollos (Titus 3:13). 

The apostle gives Titus and the boys a three-point plan. One, appoint qualified spiritual leaders for every church on the island to fill the leadership gap (Titus 1:5). Two, shut down and shut up a pesky pack of false teachers who are stirring up trouble among these baby believers (Titus 1:10-11). Three, establish a self-sustaining system of telling folks what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). Once those items are crossed off the to-do list and once reinforcements arrive, the Big T is to pack his gear and spend the winter with Paul in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).

The apostle wraps up his letter with greetings to Titus and all the believers on Crete. It’s easy to simply read these unimportant and meaningless sentences. You know, we see this as basically, “Everybody here says ‘hello’ to you, Titus. Please say ‘hey’ to all the folks following Jesus on your end.” Don’t make that mistake. This is SO much more than a shout out from the Nicopolis posse. Remember that the Holy Spirit inspires every single word on the pages of Scripture (2Tim 3:16-17). This verse is there for a reason. Second, you didn’t waste paper (actually parchment or papyrus) back in the first century. It was EXTREMELY valuable. You wouldn’t waste it with worthless words.

So what does Paul really mean when he sends along all of these “greetings” (v15)? He uses the Greek verb aspazomai. It means SO much more than giving somebody a shout out. For those of us who love the old “Andy Griffith Show, this isn’t “tell’ em Goober says ‘hey!’” This word means to salute, honor, express good wishes, and pay one’s respects. And the apostle doesn’t use just once, but twice! So it’s kind of a big deal. So what’s the meat behind the greet? Let’s see how this term is used a few other spots in the NT. Jesus sends out His dozen disciples and instructs them, “As you enter the house, greet (Gr. aspazomai) it” (Mt 10:12). Make sure to introduce yourself to you host. Salute their commitment to God’s kingdom. Make a personal connection. Encourage them as they serve Jesus. When the Son of God rolls into one town, the people are stoked to see Him. “And immediately all the crowd, when they saw Him, were greatly amazed and ran up to Him and greeted (Gr. aspazomai) Him” (Mk 9:14). They pay Him honor and treat Him with respect. When Paul wraps up mission number two, he pays his respects to the home church in Jerusalem. “When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted (Gr. aspazomai) the church” (Acts 18:22). 

While it is important to greet people, introduce yourself, and say “hello,” but this is beyond a handshake or a howdy. This is saluting what God is doing in the lives of those we meet. This is paying tribute to someone’s sacrifice for Christ’s kingdom. This is acknowledging a person’s worth as one made in the very image of God. Paul is personally honoring Titus’ service to Jesus and the people of Crete. He’s also passing along the encouragement and thanks of the rest of Nicopolis crew. In the same way that we should always remember to thank members of the military for their service to our country, we should salute those who serve our Savior. 

The apostle lands the plane by writing, “Grace be with you all” (v15). Again, this isn’t just Paul’s way of saying, “I’m out. (Drops mic.)” These final words are closely related to how this letter started. “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior” (Titus 1:4). He starts with grace. He ends with grace. That’s how the man from Tarsus begins and ends every single letter he writes. Don’t believe me? Check for yourself. I’ll wait. Okay, you’re back! This is a not-so-subtle reminder that our entire relationship with Jesus starts with grace and it ends with grace. We’ve done absolutely nothing to deserve it. We’re done nothing to earn it. Christ saved us because of His goodness, not ours. He lived the perfect life that I failed to live. He died the death on the cross for my sin that I should have died. He rose to new life that I don’t deserve. Just like Paul’s letters, my salvation starts with grace and ends with grace.

Whatever you do, don’t blow past what you think is the blah-blah-blah. You never blow past grace. Ever.

Spiritual First Responders

“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help in cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:14).

When the call comes in, they go out. That’s the role of the first responder. Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics are ready to roll and come to the rescue. Lights flashing!  Sirens screaming! When there’s an urgent need, first responders learn to run toward trouble, not away from it. It’s a necessary part of their training. Paul tells his protege Titus that this is a critical part of what it means to follow Jesus. When the call comes in, we need to go out. We must be ready to roll. When there’s an urgent need, we need to run toward trouble, not away from it. Christ calls us to be spiritual first responders.

A huge part of Titus’ to-do list is teaching new believers on the island of Crete what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). The apostle wants to make sure his go-to guy understands exactly what that means. “Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works” (v14). Not everybody else. “Our people.” If you’re a member of a local church, this means you! If you’re not, relax. For those of us who have placed our trust in the resurrected Rabbi from Nazareth, we’re exactly who Paul’s talking about. 

Before we can roll as spiritual first responders, we need training. We need to learn what to do in order to make good works top priority. The apostle uses the Greek verb manthano, which means to be taught through experience, discover, and find out. We’re talking formal training and learning by doing. People in Jerusalem couldn’t figure out how Jesus could pull off all He did since He had never been to seminary. “How is it that this Man has learning, when He has never studied (Gr. manthano)?” (Jn 7:15). Paul had been there and done that and had “learned (Gr. manthano) in whatever situation I am to be content” (Phil 4:11). The writer of Hebrews says that even Jesus “learned (Gr. manthano) obedience through what He suffered” (Heb 5:8). Learning by doing. Learning through experience. 

Actually, the grammar here is important to what Paul is writing. The verb is in the present active imperative form. Before you ask “what in the world does THAT have to do with anything?” pump your brakes and let me explain. It simply means that this is NOT a one-time lesson. We can easily translate this as “let our people be continually learning” (v14). Our training never stops. Think of this as continuing education. First responders must keep their training up to date. As spiritual first responders, let’s be lifelong learners of doing good things and God things for others. 

As followers of Jesus, we should take the lead when it comes to helping others. The apostle drops the term “devote” (Gr. proistemi). It literally means “to stand above” something. In various places in the Bible, it describes putting oneself at the head (1Tim 5:17), taking the lead (Rom 12:8), as well as providing protective care and aid (1Tim 3:4, 5, 12), and engaging in something with great intensity (Titus 3:8). When it comes to responding to trouble, believers must learn to be the first ones there. We need to take the lead when providing aid. Are you and I devoted to help others in trouble? Are we willing to take the lead? Are we willing to be the first ones there? Be a leader as a good deeder. (Too much? Yeah, I thought so too.)

This is the sixth and final time that Paul uses the phrase “good works” in this little letter. So I’m guessing it’s kind of a big deal. People who give God a spiritual stiff arm are “unfit for any good work” (Titus 1:16). We should be a supermodel of “good works” to those around us (Titus 2:7). Jesus has come to our rescue so that we could be “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). As good citizens, believers should be locked and loaded and “ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). Priority one for believers must be to “devote themselves to good works” (Titus 3:8). 

Let’s be VERY clear about these “good works.” We don’t save ourselves by doing them. We do them because Someone Else has done the ultimate good work for us. Jesus has done for us what we could never, ever dream of doing for ourselves. He lived the perfect life of which I was an epic fail. He died in my place on the cross for my sin. He rose to a jaw-dropping new life that I don’t deserve. Dudes who tuck their shirts in use terms like “penal substitutionary atonement” and “imputed righteousness.” The bottom line is that Jesus did good works to save you and me. Let’s trust in what He did. We’re not saved BY our good works. But we are saved TO good works (Eph 2:8-10). Think of it this way. God doesn’t need your good works, but your neighbor does. So when the call comes in, let’s roll as spiritual first responders.

Paul instructs Titus that we must be trained in what to do “to help in cases of urgent need” (v14). There are certain extreme situations that require top priority. They are critical. They need immediate attention. Maybe it’s a cancer diagnosis. Runaway child. Overdose. Trip to the ER. Fired from work. Divorce. When you can be there in person, BE THERE IN PERSON! Texts are okay. Phone calls can be important. But when I can show up and dive into the situation with the one in trouble, I REALLY need to make that happen. Let’s face it, that’s exactly what Jesus did for us. He rolled. He responded. He came to our rescue in Person. As spiritual first responders we need to be in constant training to know what to do. We don’t have to heal or fix or restore anything. But we can make sure that we point to the One who can. 

When the call comes in, let’s roll as spiritual first responders.

Jesus and Lawyer Jokes

“Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing” (Titus 3:13).

“Did you hear the one about the lawyer who..?” Everybody knows a lawyer joke. There’s one about Satan complaining to God about people throwing him under the bus even when he had nothing to do with their problems. “People argue, fight, cheat, swindle, yet I get blamed. Isn’t there something You could do?” asked the devil. And so God created lawyers. Okay, that’s nowhere in the Bible (I don’t it’s in there, but we probably ought to check). Lawyers have a terrible reputation. Ambulance chasers. Most folks don’t trust them until they need them. They’re the butt of a million jokes. But Jesus died for them too. Don’t believe me? A friend of Paul and key member of Titus’ team is Zenas the attorney. 

We’re in the final lines of Paul’s letter to his protege Titus. The apostle has left Big T on the island of Crete to appoint leaders (Titus 1:5), shut down false teachers (Titus 1:10-11), and establish a system of educating folks about what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). There’s a lot to get done after the Gospel turns a place upside down. But Titus isn’t flying solo. Zenas and Apollos have his back. There’s also a pretty chance that this dynamic duo of discipleship also delivered this letter to the Big T. As this phase of the mission wraps up, reinforcements are on the way. Artemas and Tychicus will be there before you know it (Titus 3:12). At that point, Titus will pack up and hit the road to hang out with Paul in Nicopolis for the winter. But before he does, there’s something very important left to do. “Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing” (v13). Make sure that the Z-man and the A Bomb are locked and loaded for their launch. 

The apostle tells Titus to do his dead level best and give these guys everything they need for their next mission. The phrase “do your best” is the Greek adverb spoudiaos, which is closely related to the verb in the previous verse. It means urgently, as quickly as possible, earnestly. The term emphasizes the urgency of a request. He’s to do everything he can “to speed” them on the next leg of their journey for Jesus. Paul uses the verb propempo, which means to send forward, to move someone in the direction they had already been headed while providing help. The term literally means thrust forward. Give them a boost. Give them a proper launch and liftoff. 

Before they roll out, Titus is to serve them by making sure “that they lack nothing” (v13). They need supplies for their journey. You know what it means to travel. When you have friends getting ready for the road, what do they need? Zenas and Apollos weren’t exactly loading up the minivan for a trip to DisneyWorld. They were hopping aboard a ship to sail to their next mission on the Mediterranean rim. They need food. They need money. They need prayer. They need encouragement. They need to know how God used them in a critical way during their time on Crete. When our friends and family walk out the door, let’s make sure “they lack nothing” (v13). 

So just who are these two dudes? The first is “Zenas the lawyer” (v13). This is the only time he’s mentioned in the New Testament. It’s a Greek name, so chances are the Z-man isn’t Jewish. That helps us understand just what kind of an attorney he is. Come on, be honest. When you first read his job description here, did a shiver go up your spine? A lawyer? A CHRISTIAN lawyer?!? The word “lawyer” (Gr. nomikos) literally means “of the law.” It describes one who is an expert in legal matters. If he is Jewish, this could mean Zenas is somebody who who teaches and interprets the Mosaic law. But as a non-Jew, it’s a pretty good bet he’s a civil attorney. This is a reminder that Jesus invites anybody and everybody to be a part of God’s kingdom. There are plenty of poor and disenfranchised people who’ve placed their faith in Christ. There are working stiffs and middle class folks who follow Jesus. And there are also white collar professionals like Dr. Luke and Zenas the lawyer. Remember, the ground is level at the foot of the cross. God saves lawyers too. And that’s no joke. 

This legal eagle doesn’t fly alone. His traveling partner is none other than the one and only Apollos. He’s a Jewish Christian from Alexandria in Egypt. He first became follower of Jesus after first being a disciple of John the Dunker (Acts 18:24-28). The A Bomb is an outstanding speaker and Bible teacher who “taught accurately the things concerning Jesus” (Acts 18:25). Luke recalls the time Apollos “powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus” (Acts 18:28). He eventually became somewhat of a celebrity and even had his own cult following in Corinth (1Cor 1:11-12; 3:4). You can imagine that this a pretty formidable pair when teamed up for the cause of Christ.

A couple of thoughts about this seemingly insignificant little verse. We’re to look out for folks who lay it all on the line to tell others about Jesus. Look for ways to give them what they need. Look for ways to give them a boost. Whether that means food, supplies, transportation, money, or whatever the situation, we need to do our best to see that they lack nothing. It’s a great reminder that we don’t serve in a vacuum. We’re part of a bigger team that’s telling the world the Good News. There are no High Plains Drifters for Jesus. There are no lone gunmen. We’re members of the Body of Christ. No one flies solo. And finally, there’s no one beyond Jesus’ ability to save. Not you. Not me. Not even Zenas the lawyer. We can’t out-sin Christ’s saving power. Jesus is a much better Savior than I am a sinner. 

Did you hear the one about Jesus and the lawyer? It’s no joke.

Help on the Way

“When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there” (Titus 3:12).

Deadlines are important. Knowing you have limited time on the clock to wrap up your assignment is a huge motivator. Without a date is circled on the calendar, there’s no urgency. Once the target date is established, stuff gets real. Paul writes to Titus that he has a limited amount of time left to wrap things up on Crete. Reinforcements are coming. Help is on the way. 

This the perfect time to review Titus’ to-do list. The Apostle Paul has left his protege on the Mediterranean island with a very specific three-point plan in the wake of the Gospel’s impact on the people there. One, put elders in all of the churches to fill the leadership vacuum (Titus 1:5). Two, put a stop to a posse of false teachers that are stirring up trouble for these new believers (Titus 1:10-11). Three, put in place a self-sustaining system to teach people what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). That’s some serious stuff to get done. And that’s only going to get done because God is behind it all. Now we see that Titus doesn’t have the next few years to get things done. He needs to wrap up his assignment by the time Artemas or Tychicus hit town. Help is on the way.

Paul promises to send one of two dudes to Crete for the next phase of this operation. Either Artemas or Tychicus will be there before you know it. So just who are these guys? We really don’t much about Art. This is the only time his name shows up in the New Testament. Some folks think he might have become the bishop of Lystra in modern day Turkey. But we really can’t be sure. What we do know is that the man from Tarsus had tremendous confidence in Art to take the baton from Titus and keep running. 

We’ve got a much more complete scouting report on Tychicus. This guy is a biblical beast (in a good way!). Paul gives him props as “the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord” (Eph 6:21), as well as a “fellow servant” (Col 4:7). Dr. Luke lets us know that Mr. T is from Asia (modern day Turkey) and was buddies with another believer named Trophimus (Acts 20:4). Paul handpicked him to be part of the team responsible for delivering the relief money from various churches back to Jesus’ followers under persecution in Jerusalem. Tychicus clearly proved himself to be somebody the apostle could count on to deliver. As matter of fact, he was the courier for at least three of Paul’s letters to Ephesus, Colossae, and his buddy Philemon. Just before Paul died, the apostle sent Tychicus on at least one other important mission to Dalmatia, which is a region in Croatia (2Tim 4:12). Let’s call him the Mail Man. Tychicus always delivers. 

This is a HUGE reminder that we don’t serve Jesus in a vacuum. There are no Lone Rangers in His kingdom. I don’t have to do it all by myself. Ministry is a team sport. Everybody plays a part. Everybody has a role. Even the Apostle Paul was no solo artist. His team included such studs as Titus, Artemas, and Tychicus. Who’s on your team? Who can you count on? Who can count on you? When we’re part of a team, we can count on others to have our back. We can count on others to come alongside. When we’re not flying solo, we can be sure that help is on the way.

Once reinforcements hit the beach on Crete, Titus is hit the road. Paul encourages the Big T to “do your best to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there” (v12). Titus isn’t to waste a moment once help arrives. The apostle commands him using the Greek verb spoudazo. It means to make every effort and hurry to do something. It’s the idea of doing something in a hurry and giving it everything you’ve got. For you fans of the classic Star Trek, think of Captain Kirk begging Scotty for every ounce of power from the Enterprise’s engines right now. The chief of engineering would respond, “I’m giving her all she’s got, Captain!” Paul tells Titus to give it all he’s got and get to Nicopolis. Spare no effort. Put the pedal to the metal. Make it priority one. Apparently Paul needs reinforcements. He knows that help is on the way.

The apostle is settling in to ride out the winter in Nicopolis. This is a port city on the west coast of Achaia, what we now call Greece. It’s about 450 miles northwest of Crete. This isn’t like grandma and grandpa packing up to spend a few months in Florida. Paul knows that this is a very strategic location for upcoming missions to telling the world about Jesus. From Nicopolis, several European locations are within easy reach, including the Dalmatian coast. That’s where we later will find Tychicus in Paul’s final days (2Tim 4:7). But that will happen once Titus meets up with the apostle again. That’s what will happen once help arrives.

Self-Inflicted Wounds

“knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned” (Titus 3:11)

My biggest enemy is the dude in the mirror. Oh sure, the devil and his demonic toadies are doing their satanic thing. The fallen world always seems to be tapping my shoulder and inviting to forget this “Jesus thing” and come out to play. But my toughest opponent stares back at me every morning when I shave. That’s why it’s so frustrating to know that my sin and rebellion is nobody’s fault but my own. I do it to myself. Sin is a self-inflicted wound. Here in his instructions to Titus, the Apostle Paul says that false teachers are actually their own worst enemy. The Big T shouldn’t blame himself when he gives them the boot from the church. These troublemakers have been warned, not once, but twice (Titus 3:10). They knew the consequences. They threw themselves out. Getting kicked tossed for stirring up trouble is a self-inflicted wound.

One of the front burner issues on the island of Crete is a posse of pesky false teachers (Titus 1:10-11). They are causing a ton of trouble for all the new believers. They’re spiritual con artists that use all sorts of smoke and mirrors to twist Jesus’ message and stir up trouble. After warning the followers of Christ to not get drawn into ridiculous theological fights over things that just don’t matter (Titus 3:9), Paul tells Titus that it’s “three strikes and you’re out.” He’s to make it absolutely clear to these knuckleheads that they need to shut it down and shut it down NOW. He’ll warn them once. He’ll warn them twice. But if they do it a third time, they are gone, goodbye. Once they know it’s wrong, they’re making their own choice. See what I mean about a self-inflicted wound?

We see that these troublemakers are “warped” (v11). The man from Tarsus uses the Greek verb ekstrepho, which means to be turned inside out, perverted, corrupted, turned and twisted. They’ve flipped and then flopped. And they’re “sinful” (v11). Let’s do a quick refresher course on the definition of sin. It’s our deliberate disobedience of God. We don’t just sin by commission. We sin by omission. We don’t do what we know is right. And we even sin when we do the right thing for the wrong reasons. 

We’re all sinners from the very beginning (Rom 3:10-11, 23). That’s not who Paul is talking about. He’s warning Titus about folks who have seemingly repented from their sin and then spun back around putting Jesus in their rearview mirror. They haven’t done a 180 but a 360. They are back where they started from. So the question is: Did they lose their salvation? I thought “once saved, always saved.” A better way of understanding the situation is that they never really repented in the first place. Think “IF saved, always saved.” This rebel has spun all the back around. Now THAT’S twisted! THAT’S warped! The big dance number in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is “The Time Warp.” It’s just a jump to the left and a step to the right. To do the Sin Warp, you spin all the way around. You’re headed the same way you always were. Toward self. Toward sin. Away from Jesus. That’s the dance these troublemaking false teachers are doing.

As a result doing the Sin Warp, these spiritual con artists are “self-condemned” (v11). Paul digs deep into his bag of vocabulary tricks and pulls out autokatakritos. This is a triple compound word that only shows up in the New Testament. The apostle combines not one, not two, but three words. A sort of Triple Lindy of Koine Greek. It means to pass judgment (-krino-) against (kata-) yourself (auto-). It paints a picture of a person who demonstrates by his own actions that he is wrong or guilty. They are self-doomed. They are self-damned. They have nobody to blame but themselves. When we know what to do, have been given a clear warning and correction, and still do it, we’re autokatakritos. We’ve made our own bed and now have to sleep in it. We’ve done it to ourselves. And in the case of the false teachers, they’ve done it to themselves. They’ve gotten themselves kicked out.

This is a self-inflicted wound.

A Three Person Job

“Whom He poured on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:6)

Some jobs take more than one person. Some jobs can’t be done solo. Some jobs require a team. Here in his letter to his boy Titus, the Apostle Paul tells him that God’s work of salvation is a three person job. The entire Trinity rolls up its sleeves and gets busy in our rescue. God the Father. God the Son. God the Spirit. Take a close look at these verses and you’ll see all divine hands are on deck. You’ve heard the expression that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, we see here that it takes a Trinity to save a sinner. 

Salvation is a Three Person job.

Paul wants Titus to make sure the new believers on Crete have a clear view of what it means to follow Jesus. We’re to be good citizens (Titus 3:1). We’re to use our mouths to build folks up and not tear them down (Titus 3:2). Despite being fools, rebels, dupes, slaves, bullies, and haters (Titus 3:3), God the Father came to our rescue as an act of His overflowing love (Titus 3:4). We brought absolutely nothing to the table when it comes to our salvation except the desperate need to be saved from our own sin (Titus 3:5). At the end of verse 5, the apostle brings God the Spirit out on stage to explain His role in our rescue. He washes perfectly clean. He makes us completely new. Then we see how God the Son is the one who unleashes the supernatural firehose, pouring out the Holy Spirit on new believers. When God’s Spirit drenched us, He was “poured on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (v6). 

When it comes to giving out His Spirit, Jesus isn’t stingy. He doesn’t carefully ration the Spirit. He doesn’t measure Him out in a quota. Nope. Christ turns on the holy hydrant and lets the Spirit surge onto His people. Paul writes how God’s Spirit is “poured out on us” (v6). He uses the Greek verb ekcheo, which means to generously provide or give in abundance. Many times, the writers of the New Testament use this word to describe something messy. Liquids slosh and slop. They splash and gush. When He teaches about how old wineskins can’t handle being filled with the latest vintage of Merlot, Jesus says, “The skins burst and the wine is spilled (Gr. ekcheo)” (Mt 9:17). Dr. Luke paints a pretty nasty picture of Judas Iscariot’s body after his suicide when “he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out (Gr. ekcheo)” (Acts 1:18). Change went flying when Christ cleaned the crooks from the temple courts. “He poured out (Gr. ekcheo) the coins of the money-changers” (Jn 2:15). In the same way, God is so generous with His love and grace that things get messy when He saves us. When He passes the disciples a glass of wine, Jesus tells His posse the night before His execution, “This is My blood of the covenant which is poured out (Gr. ekcheo) for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28). 

God is especially generous and lavish when it comes to pouring out His Holy Spirit. Before He headed back home to heaven, the resurrected Jesus told His crew to hang in Jerusalem until the Spirit drenches them like they’ve never been drenched before (Acts 1:8). Once Jesus turns on His firehose, things get REALLY crazy and REALLY messy! People think His followers are hammered. At that point, the Apostle Peter delivers his first-ever sermon. He says what’s going on is what God promised through the prophet Joel. “I will pour out (Gr. ekcheo) My Spirit on all flesh…in those days I will pour out (Gr. ekcheo) My Spirit” (Acts 2:17-18). Pete goes on to explain that all Three Persons of the Trinity are involved with what’s going on. “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out (Gr. ekcheo) this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:33). Later, Pete and other Jewish believers jaws hit the floor when God starts saving non-Jews as “the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out (Gr. ekcheo) even on the Gentiles” (Acts 10:45). You see, things get messy when the Godhead gets going. REALLY messy!

Like I said, Jesus isn’t stingy when it comes to giving out God’s Spirit. He sloshes Him out on us “richly” (v6). This is the Greek term plousios, and it describes something in abundance, full measure, and something of great value given in large amount. It carries with it the idea of great wealth. This makes perfect sense since God is incredibly generous and the greatest Giver the universe has ever seen. God “richly (Gr. plousios) provides us with everything to enjoy” (1Tim 6:17). The Lord is “rich (Gr. plousios) in mercy” (Eph 2:4). He loves the world so much that “He gave His only Son” (Jn 3:16). So it’s only logical that God the Son would also be an abundant giver. Jesus fills us to overflowing with His Spirit. He maxes us out. Our gauges red line with the Comforter. And once God gives us His Spirit, He fills our hearts with His unfailing love like the spigot fills your bathtub. “God’s love has been poured (Gr. ekcheo) into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given us” (Rom 5:5). When the Trinity gets busy, things get messy. 

Salvation is a Three Person job.

Am I so stinking sinful that it takes all the resources of the Trinity to come to my rescue? Before the Godhead saved me, I certainly was, in the words of Ulysses Everett McGill, “in a tight spot.” I couldn’t even dream of saving myself. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit all get involved in this great rescue mission because they WANT to be involved! There’s no greater friendship and fellowship in history than what They experience. I’m not even going to try and explain how and what the Trinity is. Think of Them this way: three Who’s and one What. Because They enjoy the perfect relationship, the Godhead does everything together. That includes saving you and me. Maybe this is sacrilege, but I see Dad, Son, and Spirit so stoked about what They’re doing that things get crazy. They’re excited. They’re generous. They’re messy. 

Salvation is a Three Person job.

The Spotlight on My Savior

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared” (Titus 3:4-5)

I was in trouble. Big trouble. Worse than that, I had no idea just how jacked up and desperate I was. I didn’t have a clue. Despite all of that, God still came to my rescue at just the right moment. My Rescuer stepped just in the nick of time. He did it because He drips with the ultimate goodness. He did it because no one loves people like He does. Jesus took center stage in the title role of Savior. That’s the point that Paul is getting across in his instructions to Titus. When it comes to following Jesus, always shine the spotlight on our Savior.

The apostle has given the Big T quite a to-do list. He’s left Titus behind on Crete with a lot to get done. The message of Jesus has hit the Mediterranean island like a Cat 5 hurricane. There are baby Christians all over the joint. Something needs to be done and done fast. That’s where Titus comes in. First of all, he’s to find spiritual leaders called elders for all of the local churches (Titus 1:5). Second, he’s to stuff a sock in the team of false teachers that’s stirring up trouble among these new believers (Titus 1:10-11). Third, the apostle’s man is to establish a self-sustaining system of teaching Cretan Christians what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). In the face of this massive assignment, Paul reminds Titus to never, ever forget that Jesus is the One who made it all possible. He’s the One who deserves the applause. Shine the spotlight on our Savior. 

Let’s set the stage of our situation before our Hero made His spectacular entrance. In other words, before I can ever wrap my head around the goodness of the Good News, I have to understand how bad the bad news is. The previous verse reminds me who I was BC (Titus 3:2). Before Christ. Fool. Rebel. Dupe. Slave. Bully. Hater. I had done absolutely nothing to deserve being saved. I bring nothing to the table. I have nothing to offer. As William Temple said, “The only thing of our very own which we contribute to our salvation is the sin which makes it necessary.” To make the situation even more dire, I’m absolutely incapable of getting myself out of this mess. I have as much chance of saving myself as a Slinky does of going UP the stairs. That’s the scene before Jesus takes the stage.

Against this pitch black backdrop of my own stinking pile of sin, “the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior” (v4) sparkles. Just how good is His “goodness?” Paul uses the Greek word chrestotes, which means benevolence, graciousness, kindness, and mercy. It’s doing what is right in the face of all that is wrong. As Paul tells his buddies over in Rome, God’s very goodness that draws like a tractor beam. “God’s kindness (Gr. chrestotes) is meant to lead you to repentance” (Rom 2:4). He doesn’t beat us into submission. He loves us into obedience. Jesus does this despite the fact that “no one does good (Gr. chrestotes), not even one” (Rom 3:12). He’s totally good when we’re totally not. And get this, God’s not doing being good to us. “In the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness (Gr. chrestotes) toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7). His goodness isn’t just a one-and-done deal. Here’s the part that blows me away. Our good God is doing something good in you and me. As followers of Jesus we’re to dress ourselves in “compassionate hearts, kindness (Gr. chrestotes), humility, meekness, and patience” (Col 3:12). We’re only able to do that because of the incredible change His Spirit is doing in us. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness (Gr. chrestotes), goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). The Good News just keeps getting better! When the spotlight hits our Savior, His goodness dazzles like a disco ball.

Paul also points out our Savior’s “loving kindness” (v4). This is the word philanthropia. Look familiar? Well, it should. It’s where we get philanthropy. It describes friendliness, kindness, hospitality, benevolence, and a friendly disposition toward people. This is a compound word that literally means “love (phil-) of humanity (-anthropia).” The only other place we see this word in the Bible is in Dr. Luke’s sequel we call Acts. The people living on the island of Malta went out of their way to show tremendous hospitality to Paul and the other survivors of the shipwreck through their “unusual kindness (Gr. chrestotes)” (Acts 28:2). Here in Titus, the apostle wants us to know that God has a special place in His heart for the ones He made in His image (Gen 1:26-27). His creation was perfect but God was so stoked after handcrafting Adam and Eve, He things were now “very good” (Gen 1:31). God is a people Person. And that becomes unmistakable when He steps front and center. 

Let’s take a closer look at the Star of the show: “God our Savior” (v4). This idea of Jesus as our Savior (Gr. soter) may have gotten so familiar to us that it’s lost its oomph. The Lord is our Rescuer. He’s the One who saves our bacon. He’s our Champion. He’s our Hero. Forget the brother from Krypton with the “S” on his chest. The dude we call the the Dark Knight ain’t got nothing the Light of the World. The Avengers look like Cub Scouts up against the resurrected Rabbi from Nazareth. Jesus executed the greatest rescue mission the universe has ever seen. He left heaven’s palace to go dumpster diving on our behalf. God and God alone is our Savior. Paul hammers this nail hard six times in this little letter (Titus 1:3, 4; 2:10, 13; 3:4, 6). We couldn’t save ourselves. We desperately need a Hero. We urgently need a Rescuer. When Jesus takes the stage, the crowd goes wild!

We’re overwhelmed by God’s amazing goodness and grace the moment the spotlight hits Him. The apostle describes the moment when Jesus first took the stage during His incarnation as when He “appeared” (v4). He drops the Greek verb epithaino, which means to show oneself, become known, or make visible. It literally means “to shine the light upon” someone or something. It wasn’t until Jesus was in the limelight of His earthly ministry that we began to have any idea about just how awesome and gracious He is. Look back up the page and you’ll see that Paul uses this very same word and this very same idea. “For the grace of God has appeared (Gr. epithaino), bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11). When the spotlight hit Christ in Palestine, He lived the perfect life that I failed to live. He died the brutal death in my place that I should have died. He rose to glorious new life that I don’t deserve. 

My Savior is the star of the show. He’s the only One who deserves the applause. He’s the only One who worthy of the ovation. Jesus Christ Superstar? Please. That doesn’t even come close to describing His jaw-dropping glory. He’s not some celebrity on the Walk of Fame. He is THE Hero of THE Story. For everything that He is and all that He’s done for me, it’s my absolute honor to shine the spotlight on my Savior!

Haters Gonna Hate

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).

“Haters gonna hate.” This little three-word ditty is everywhere. Folks drop it to justify themselves when they believe other people are putting them down. Other times, our friends try to encourage us when we’re being criticized by reassuring us. What else would we expect from those losers? Haters gonna hate. The dissenters will inevitably abhor. But you might be surprised that you find this idea in Bible. Yup, two thousand years ago, our man Paul wrote about this very same notion to his buddy Titus. But instead of getting cocky and thinking we’re hot stuff, the apostle used it to remind us of where we’ve been. We were fools. We were rebels. We were easily duped. We were all about doing what feels good. We were bullies. We were haters. We were hateful. In other words, haters gonna hate. And haters gonna be hated.

As he tells Titus what’s in the curriculum of teaching Cretans how to be Christ followers, Paul makes sure history is one of the classes. Every believer needs to know our own history before Jesus jumped in and saved us. Don’t forget who we were and what we were before God came to our rescue. It’s critical to know who Jesus is and what He’s done for us. He lived the spotless and perfect life that I totally failed to live. He died a cruel and brutal death for my sin that I totally should have died. He rose to a glorious new life that I totally do not deserve. But I also need to where I was before God got involved in my life. I need to know where I would be if God left me on my own. Let’s take a quick look, shall we? Fool. Rebel. Dupe. Slave. Bully. Hater. Sheesh, no wonder folks hated me. I’m pretty sure I would hate me too.

Let’s take a little walk down Memory Lane and get a little closer look at who we used to be. First of all, we were “once foolish” (v3). We didn’t have a clue of what to do. We didn’t think things through. In other words, I was a knucklehead and a moron. Folks would watch what I would do and sit back and shake their heads. We were “disobedient” (v3). Nobody was going to tell me what to do. You’re not the boss of me! We were “easily led astray” (v3). I was an easy mark for the latest con. Before Jesus rescued us, we were “slaves to various passions and pleasures” (v3). I did what wanted, when I wanted, with whom I wanted, with what I wanted. Damn the consequences. I lived for the right here and right now. I thought I was in complete control of my life when in fact my glands and my ego were running the joint. We were “passing our days in malice and envy” (v3). My hobby was meanness. I looked for trouble. And when you look for trouble, it always finds you. 

Here at the end of this history lesson, Paul lists the detestable dynamic duo. We used to be “hated by others and hating one another” (v3). When we see “hated” in the ESV, the apostle actually writes stugnetos, which means despicable, reprehensible, and loathsome. Before Jesus, I could play the title role in “Despicable Me.” Let’s face it, if I fit the previous description of being a fool, rebel, dupe, slave, and bully, that really is somebody that’s easy to hate. And if that’s not enough, we’re haters. We’re hated and we hate. We return the favor. This is the the Greek verb miseo. It describes detesting something or someone with hostility. It’s hate that does something. Jesus says that when we’re hated, we shouldn’t hate back. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate (Gr. miseo) you” (Lk 6:27). Haters gonna hate. But our Savior is gonna save. Christ saves us when we were still haters (Rom 5:8). As a result what He’s done for us, we the hated and hating should now forgive and love. Stop worrying about retribution. Stop plotting the Big Payback. Haters gonna hate. But the former hated and hating should forgive and love. Forgiven gonna forgive. Loved gonna love.

We all need a history lesson. We all need to know where we come from. We all need to remember where we would be without Jesus. Otherwise, haters gonna hate. 

Don't Drop the Gloves

“to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2)

Hockey in the seventies was an absolute brawling bloodbath. Back in the day, every team had a goon. His job was simple. Beat the living snot out of anybody who even looked crossways at one of his teammates. Some teams like the Philadelphia Flyers had an entire roster of guys willing to drop the gloves and fight. They earned a reputation as the Broad Street Bullies. In his letter to Titus, Paul instructs him that this is exactly the opposite of what Jesus calls us to. Cut the the trash talk. Stop looking for a fight. Be kind and considerate. Not just to your teammates. Not just to people you like. To everybody. 

Don’t drop the gloves. Show the love.

You don’t exactly need to do a Greek word study to understand what the apostle is saying here. It means what it says. It says what it means. Once God puts us under the waterfall of His grace, we’re changed. Here in chapter three of his note to Titus, Paul gives us a picture of what a Christ follower looks like. First of all, we’re good citizens who are ready and willing to do good things and God things for those around us (Titus 3:1). 

In the next verse, we read that there are at least a couple of regular activities we need to eliminate for our daily routine. At the top of the list, I’m to “speak evil of no one” (v2). It’s interesting that the verb here is blasphemeo. If that looks like blasphemy, there’s a good reason. When I normally think of blasphemy, usually I understand that to be trashing God’s reputation. Earlier Paul tells Titus “that the older ladies should teach young women that the Word of God may not be reviled (Gr. blasphemeo)” (Titus 2:5). But it’s clear that God has a zero tolerance blasphemy policy toward anybody. Remember Aretha Franklin’s famous line to Jake and Elwood in “The Blues Brothers.” “Don’t you blaspheme in here! Don’t you blaspheme in here!” God does not want us talking smack about other folks to their face or behind their back. 

Well, there certainly have to be exceptions, right? We can’t be talking about my weird neighbor. You know that crazy cat lady down at the corner, don’t you? What about that person who hurt me so deep that I don’t think I’ll ever get over it? This certainly doesn’t include that cheating spouse, does it? The accountant who stole my life savings? The drunk driver who killed my child? Let’s take another look at the verse and see if Paul gives us a clue. “To speak evil of NO ONE” (v2, emphasis added). Well, that sure seems like an all inclusive list. No loopholes. No exceptions. Stop your griping. Stop your whining. Stop your gossiping. Follow Aretha’s advice. “Don’t you blaspheme in here! Don’t you blaspheme in here!”

We’re not just to turn off our verbal flamethrower. As followers of Jesus, we should “avoid quarreling” (v2). A closer look at the original language reveals the word amachos. It literally means “no (a-) fighting (-machos).” The term describes someone who is peaceful, not a brawler, not contentious, and who abstains from fighting. Over in a very similar note to Pastor Tim, Paul writes how an overseer must be held to a higher stand and “not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome (Gr. amachos), not a lover of money” (1Tim 3:3). Believers aren’t hockey goons, skating around and looking to throw down. We’re not looking to fight. We’re not hoping for conflict. Be a non-fighter.

Don’t drop the gloves. Show the love.

Instead of trolling for a so called “dance partner,” Jesus calls us “to be gentle” (v2). The Greek word here (Gr. epieikes) means to give up your place in or on something. Think of offering someone your seat. As follower of Jesus, we give. We don’t take. Don’t be a bully. Stop stealing their lunch money. Stop being a punk. Stop being a hockey goon. Just because you’re stronger, doesn’t mean you should throw your weight around. Instead, be kind. Be sympathetic. Be considerate. Show grace. Show compassion. Paul tells his friends over in Philippi, “Let your gentleness (Gr. epieikes) be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Phil 4:5 NIV). 

Just in case we weren’t paying attention, Paul hits us with his velvet hammer of gentleness a second time. “Show perfect courtesy toward all people” (v2). Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just saying “please” or “thank you.” This isn’t simply holding the door for someone or playing the good Boy Scout by walking the old lady across the street. The word here (Gr. prautes) describes gentle friendliness, considerateness, and accommodating another’s weakness. It’s serving and loving someone right where they are. This is putting others’ needs ahead of my own. It’s a “me third” attitude. That means God first, others second, and me third. It’s walking behind the parade of life with a bucket and a shovel. It’s being a servant. Once again, don’t miss the fact that the apostle leaves no wiggle room or loopholes. I’m not simply considerate and courteous to folks who are nice to me. I’m to “show perfect courtesy TOWARD ALL PEOPLE” (v2 emphasis added). God has made every last one of us in His image (Gen 1:26-27). Every single person we lock eyes with is someone for whom Jesus died.

But there are a couple of problems here that we have to admit. Our culture has duped us into thinking that gentleness is being a wuss. But in so many cases, being gentle is expressed by the one who has the position of strength and leverage. Just because they can use their power against someone, doesn’t mean they should. Think of the religious thugs known as the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus dealt with. I think we all need to take a long and uncomfortable look in the mirror as ask ourselves if we’re spiritual bullies. People are broken and bruised. They need a Savior not a slugger. The other issue is that so many of us hide behind masks of intimidation. We play the bully when the truth is we’re broken. Chances are the person who torments you is hiding behind their own pain. Will Bowen hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “Hurt people hurt people.” 

Don’t drop the gloves. Show the love. Show the love of Jesus.

In the Blocks

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1).

The runners gather at the near the starting line. They shake and stretch their muscles. The tension builds in the crowd and on the track. We’re just moments away from the race. All of the training and all of the preparations, come down to this. The starter stands by the track as the athletes position themselves in the blocks. The buzz in the bleachers builds. The starter gives his first command, “Runners, on your mark.” The anticipation is so thick you could cut it with a chainsaw. “Set.” The stadium is about to explode as the starter raises his pistol. 

This is the scene as we start chapter three of Paul’s letter to Titus. Once new believers know what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10), it’s time to get going. At some point, we have to start running. At some point, we have to put into practice the truth of what we know about Him. At some point, we have to leave the starting block and run the race. We know that “the grace of God has appeared” in the person of Jesus to rescue every one of us (Titus 2:11). We know that His amazing goodness gives us the ability to live for Him right here and right now (Titus 2:12). We know that He’s certain to make His incredible comeback someday soon (Titus 2:13). Once we know our situation, it’s time for the application. Now that we know the “Who” and the “why,” it’s time for the “what.” We’re in the blocks and ready to run the race.

Runners, on your mark. Set.

In those final moments before the start of the race, Paul wants Titus to give us some important final instructions. “Remind them” (v1). In other words, they’ve been told before. This isn’t the first time they’ve heard this. This reminder to be reminded reminds us of our need to remember the basics. As followers of Jesus, we constantly need to hear the Gospel. We need to hear it every single day. We need to be reminded. And we constantly need to remind those around us that everything we need we already have in Christ. Before we can do anything, we absolutely must remember what He’s done for us. Jesus lived the perfect life that I completely failed to live. He died the death for my sin that certainly should have died. He rose to a spectacular new life that in no way deserve. I constantly need to be reminded.

Once we leave the starting line, the first Paul wants us to do is be good citizens. “Be submissive to rulers and authorities” (v1). Notice that he doesn’t say to do this when the leaders are good and godly. We don’t just obey folks in charge when they are the people we support and voted for. As a matter of fact, remember the historical setting of this little letter. Rome rules the Mediterranean rim with an iron fist. The infamous Nero sits on the throne. You remember Nero, don’t you? Yeah, it’s that same Nero whose favorite hobby was to torture and execute Jesus’ followers. The apostle says that the quality of the leader isn’t important. Be good citizens. Be light shiners and salt spreaders no matter who’s in charge. Just in case you think this idea was limited to folks living on the island of Crete, Paul told his friends living in the capital city the very same thing (Rom 13:1-7). So did his buddy Peter (1Pet 2:13-17). And this is a guy that Nero eventually crucified upside down. 

Are you looking for loopholes? Are you cheating on your taxes? Are you blowing off the speed limit and blowing the doors off the cars on the interstate? God calls us to obey the law. One of the best ways for us to spread the message of Jesus is by being good citizens. The runner in the race can’t cheat and still win. You don’t leave the blocks early. You don’t cut across the infield. You don’t knock down the other competitors. You race and follow the rules. Be obedient. Do what you’re told. Run the race with integrity. Be a good citizen.

Runners, on your mark. Set.

Paul tells Titus to remind folks “to be ready for every good work” (v1). He uses the Greek word hetoimos, which means healthy, fit, and prepared. The term has a sense of certainty and anticipation. We’re to be stoked and excited for what’s about to happen. A runner is ripped and ready for the race. Training has prepped the athlete for this very moment. The moment the starter pulls the trigger, we explode from the blocks for “every good work” (v1). This is one of six times in this letter that the apostle tells the Big T about the importance of Christ’s followers doing good works. False teachers disqualify themselves from doing them (Titus 1:16). Jesus saved us as His personally prized possession to be on fire for doing good stuff and God stuff (Titus 2:14). A huge part of Titus’ assignment is to teach believers “to devote themselves to good works” (Titus 3:8, 14). 

This is actually one of Paul’s favorite phrases. He uses it in several different notes to various churches and friends. God drenches us in His grace in every moment of everyday so that we “may abound in every good work” (2Cor 9:8). The apostle prayed that the Christ followers in Colosse would be so overflowing in their relationship with our Savior that they would be “bearing fruit in every good work” (Col 1:10). When we pursue the holy purpose of God in are lives, we’re like the good china used only for special occasions like Thanksgiving, “ready for every good work” (2Tim 2:21). God gives us His Word to prep us and train us “for every good work” (2Tim 3:17).

But remember that we only do good works and God works because of the ultimate work of Jesus. It’s why He screamed from the cross, “It is finished!” (Jn 20:30). The work of our rescue was over. Done. Complete. There’s nothing more we need to do. We can’t add to what He’s done. There’s not one stinkin’ thing we can do to stay saved. But what we can do are good works and God works that bring Him glory and shine His light to a lost and dying world. Once we know who Jesus is, what He’s done, and who we are in Him, we can run the race of life knowing what to do.

Runners, on your mark. Set. BANG!

With Authority!

“Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you” (Titus 2:15).

I love dunks. There’s nothing like a basketball player rattling the rim with a power slam. Sure, it might only count on the scoreboard as two points, but registers in other ways. A jam fires up the home crowd or shuts up the fans on the road. Your opponents suddenly realize that you’ve got game. Could the dude have simply laid the ball in the hoop softly and tenderly? You bet. There’s nothing wrong with that. But when you throw it down, you do with authority. (First, a little self disclosure. I can’t dunk. Not on a 10 foot goal. Maybe on Nerf hoop in the bonus room. But just because I can’t, doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate!) Now Paul’s not a coach telling Titus to send it in. But he wants to make sure that the Big T understands his rights and responsibilities as a spiritual leader. Teach with authority. Encourage with authority. Correct with authority. Use your authority but don’t abuse it. 

Throw it down and lead. With authority.

The context of this verse is important. The amazing message of Jesus has absolutely washed over the Mediterranean island of Crete like a Gospel tsunami. The Apostle Paul has moved on to Nicopolis and left his right hand man Titus to wrap things up. His assignment is a three-point plan. First, select spiritual leaders for all the new churches (Titus 1:4). Second, stuff a sock in a pesky posse of false teachers (Titus 1:10-11). Third, establish a self-sustaining system of teaching new believers what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-14). If the Big T is going to pull this off, it’s going to take authority. God’s authority. 

Paul tells Titus to “declare these things” (v15). So what “these” are those? The apostle wants his go-to guy to make absolutely sure that he’s teaching healthy and robust doctrine (Titus 2:1). He has specific instructions on what to teach older men and women, younger dudes and dudettes, as well as servants and employees about what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:2-6, 9-10). His curriculum of Christ includes the cross in the past, the grace for the present, and His glorious return in the future (Titus 2:11-13). Once we wrap our brains around how much God gave to make us His prized possession, we’ll be absolutely on fire to good things and God things (Titus 2:14). Which things? “These things” (v15). 

I may sound like Captain Obvious here, but we can’t just know what to say and then never say it. I must communicate God’s truth verbally at some point. “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary.” This is a quote attributed (most likely, wrongly) to St. Francis of Assisi. Actions are important. Vitally important. At some point however, words are absolutely necessary. We have to explain the “why” behind the “what” of our Gospel driven actions. At some point, we all must “declare these things” (v15). With authority.

Spiritual leaders also must be able to “exhort and rebuke” (v15). There are some pairings that we can never break up. Bow and arrow. Peanut butter and jelly. Thunder and lightning. One without the other just isn’t the same. You can add “exhort and rebuke” to that list. A good leader does both. They cheer others on when they’re going the right way. And they ready to correct them when they get off track. But you can’t just simply be a cheerleader. And you can’t constantly correct. One without the other isn’t healthy. You need both. Encourage with authority. Correct with authority. Encourage and correct with all authority.

So just what does it mean to lead “with all authority” (v15)? Paul uses the Greek word eptage, which describes the proper exercise of rightful leadership. One scholar says this can be read as “show that you have every right to command.” You’re a leader. You’re legit. You’re bonafide. Not because you think you’re hot stuff, but because God has placed you in a position of influence and leverage. You have authority because you’re under authority. You have to answer to the Lord Jesus for how you’ve led. You’re accountable to Christ. Think about that for just a moment. Let that sink in. Tell me that won’t sober you up.

Like many men and women today, Titus has been given authority. He must use it. We must use it. And we must use it wisely. “With great power comes great responsibility.” Despite pop culture, this quote is from Voltaire, not Spiderman’s Uncle Ben. Don’t abuse your authority. But use it when you need it. Don’t be a bully. Don’t be spiritual thug. There are plenty of those around, ready to pound their victims with a 10 pound King Jimmy. Don’t be that guy. Lead. With authority.

Finally, Paul reminds Titus that some folks will be tempted to blow him off. “Let no one disregard you” (v15). The verb here in the original text is periphroneo. It means to despise, look down on, or overlook. It’s blatantly refusing to recognize the power of something or someone. Let’s face it. Titus knows he’s not Paul. The Cretans know he’s not Paul. It’s easy to see how folks might treat him like a substitute teacher. As Rodney Dangerfield used to say, “I tell ya, I get no respect!” When God places us in a position of spiritual authority, we can’t let those we lead bum rush us. 

Remember who you are in the eyes of God. He made you in His image. He’s the very source of your authority. Our heavenly Dad gave Jesus all the oomph to command and control. Christ then instructed His followers to use that same clout to tell the world all about Him (Mt 28:18-20). That’s the power behind Titus’ and his teaching. That’s the same power behind us when we rightly teach God’s Word (please notice I said RIGHTLY teach God’s Word). Ultimately our value isn’t in what others think of us. I can rest confidently in what Jesus thinks of me. 

Lead. With authority. 

En Fuego

“who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14)

Back in his days at ESPN, Dan Patrick would let folks watching SportsCenter when an athlete couldn’t be stopped. DP loved to say they were “en fuego!” That’s “on fire” in Espanol. It was his all purpose catch phrase that translated to any sport. Michael Jordan dropping 50 in the playoffs is “en fuego.” Jerry Rice snagging 14 passes for three TDs is “en fuego.” Albert Pujols going 5 for 5 with two homers is “en fuego.” Here in his instructions to Titus, the Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus personally rescued us so that we would have a burning passion to do good stuff. He sacrificed Himself in order that we would be “en fuego.” 

A huge part of this letter from Paul to Titus are directions on how and what to teach new believers about following Jesus (Titus 2:1-15). The Big T was to make sure senior saints had a handle on the Good News so that they could teach the next generation about who Christ is and what He’s done for us. We apply what Jesus has done for us by doing good works. Good works that make God famous. Good works that bless the people around us. We give because we’ve been given. 

Right out of the chute, the apostle tells us that Jesus “gave Himself for us” (v14). In so many ways, this is THE Big Idea of the Bible. God is a Giver. Get it out of your head that the Almighty sits on the edge of a cloud like some sort of heavenly hall monitor, ready to zap us with a lightning bolt when we break the tiniest rule. Hall monitor, no. Good Giver, yes. He created the universe out of the overflow of His goodness and He’s never stopped giving. The pages of Scripture drip with the grace of our incredibly giving God. Jesus told Nick one night about what an incredibly gracious Giver God is. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him  should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Because God loves, God gives. Paul wants his Corinthian buddies to join in and shout, “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible Gift!” (2Cor 9:15). By “Gift,” he means Jesus!

So just how awesome is this awesome Gift? Jesus gave Himself in order “to redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for Himself a people for His own possession” (v14). He offered Himself in our place for two reasons. To redeem us. To purify us. Paul’s talking about how someone would redeem a slave or a prisoner. In order to bust somebody free, someone with a wallet full of cash would drop big bucks to make it happen. Think of paying a ransom to a kidnapper. Jesus gave Himself to pay the price for our freedom. He paid a bill so enormous that we could never dream of paying for it ourselves. And He did it with His very own flesh and blood (Acts 20:28). He freed me from my own sinful self. After playing the role of Redeemer, Christ becomes our Purifier. After buying our freedom, He doesn’t just leave us hanging. That’s when He goes to work cleaning us from all of the disgusting sin stains. He didn’t just post our bail. He scrubs us totally clean. This all happens as result of what Luther calls the Great Exchange. “For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God” (2Cor 5:21). In other words, Christ takes our sin and gives us His godly goodness. That’s indeed an awesome Gift!

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t make us free and scrub us clean only to move onto His next project. Instead, Christ does this to create in us “a people for His own possession” (v14). He desperately wants a relationship with you and me. He wants to hold us closely. Jesus doesn’t just love you, He likes you. The Apostle Peter pulls no punches when it comes to why the Lord did this. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1Pet 2:9-10). He makes us His own prized possession so that we can shout to the world about just how incredibly good and giving He is.

Jesus redeems and purifies us so that we would be folks “who are zealous for good works” (v14). When we see “zealous” in most of our translations, Paul actually uses the Greek word zelotes. This is someone with a burning passion. It comes from a root word that describes lighting a fire under something and heating it up. What are you stoked to do? Does what Jesus has done for you light a fire under you? Are you boiling with a passion to do something with what He’s done for you? We should all be “en fuego” for Jesus.

We’re to get fired up to do “good works” (v14). This little letter is loaded with references to these “good works.” False teachers actually reject God and because of that they are totally “unfit for any good work” (Titus 1:16). Paul tells Titus that he should do everything possible “to be a model of good works” to the people of Crete (Titus 2:7). A critical point to tell new believers is that we should all “be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). A sure sign of faith in Jesus is when people “devote themselves to good works” (Titus 3:8, 14).

But let’s make sure we’re clear what “good works” are and what they’re not. Don’t buy the lie that we save ourselves by what we do. It’s so stinking easy to no only fall for the fiction that we’re not just responsible to get ourselves into God’s kingdom but staying there too. Drop that nonsense like a bad habit. While doing good works has nothing to do with be saved or staying saved, they are an indication of what Jesus has done for us that we could never dream of doing for ourselves. God saves us by His grace when we place our total trust in what Christ has done (Eph 2:8). He lived the perfect life that I completely failed to live. He died the brutal death for my sin on a bloody cross that I should have died. He rose to a spectacular new life that I in no way deserve. I have no reason to brag about how I’ve rescued myself (Eph 2:9). I don’t save myself by my good works, but Jesus saves me to do good works. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10). In other words, our good works are the result of what God has done for us, not how we are saved.

We do good stuff and God stuff when we give ourselves to others. In other words, “good works” are when we give of ourselves and sacrifice like Jesus. It’s doing for folks when they can’t do anything in return for us. We don’t ask what we can get out of doing something good for this person. When we do this in order to get that, we’re as far from grace as we can get. God gives us what you and I absolutely do not deserve when there’s no way in heaven we could do anything for Him. Being fired up with God’s grace is the very definition of “good works.”

Are you on fire? Are you stoked to do good stuff and God stuff? Are you “en fuego?