(Titus 1:4-5) Let's Meet The Reader

#2 LET’S MEET THE READER

(Titus 1:4-5)

^[4] To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

^[5] For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

In our first study of Titus we met Paul, the author of the letter that is called the Book of Titus. He introduced himself as a “servant” and “apostle of Jesus Christ.” We learned something about the purpose and passion of his ministry among the people of God.

In our second study, we want to meet the reader, or the person to whom Paul sent the letter. We meet the reader in verse 4. His name is Titus. We find reference to Titus 13 times in the Bible, 9 of them in 1 Corinthians. His name means “pleasing” and indeed, he was one who brought much pleasure to the heart of Paul.

In verses 4-5, Paul greets Titus and tells him of a specific work he has for him to do in Crete. Let’s meet Titus the reader of this letter and consider the following things about him. First, let’s notice:

1. PAUL’S APPRECIATION FOR TITUS

In verse 4 Paul writes, “To Titus, mine own son after the common faith.” Paul speaks of Titus as:

A) A Convert of His Ministry

When Paul refers to Titus as “mine own son” he is not referring to a physical relationship. Instead he is referring to a spiritual relationship. Titus was one of Paul’s spiritual children. Titus had been converted under Paul’s ministry.

The relationship they share is “after the common faith.” Both had placed their faith in Christ and it was their faith in Christ they both had in common. Paul had come to Christ by faith, and through the ministry of Paul, Titus had to Christ by faith.

Paul had no children after the flesh, but he had many children by the Spirit. He was the spiritual father of many that he had led to Christ and those that had been saved under his ministry. Do you have any spiritual children? Have you ever been responsible for someone coming to Christ? I am thankful I can say that I have not only 3 boys after the flesh, but many sons and daughters after the Spirit. I not only have 4 grandchildren, but I have some spiritual grandchildren. Some of the people I have led to the Lord or has been saved under my ministry have won others to Lord, making me a spiritual grandfather. Praise the Lord!

What a wonderful thought! Just think about it. Somebody will miss hell and go to heaven because of your life and witness. Can you think of anything that is more thrilling and exciting? No one has to be spiritually childless. You can and should be a witness for Jesus Christ! You can be the person responsible for someone coming to Christ.

Titus was not only a convert of Paul’s ministry, but as you learn of him from other places in the Scripture, you find that he was also:

B) A Confidant of His Ministry

Titus became a very loyal, trusted and valuable assistant to Paul in his ministry. He was with Paul at Ephesus during his third missionary journey. In 2 Corinthians 12:18 Paul, referring to Titus, said “walked we not in the same spirit? Walked we not in the same steps?” They shared a kindred spirit and heart for the things of God.

In 2 Corinthians 8:23 Paul referred to Titus as “my partner and fellowhelper.” The word “partner” means “companion” or “associate.” He was a close companion of Paul in the ministry, one that was a “fellowhelper” or a “co-laborer.” You could say that he was Paul’s right hand man.

It was Titus that Paul sent to Corinth to deal with the problems that existed in the Church. That Paul would entrust him with such a task reveals his spiritual maturity and stability.

Titus was not only a spiritual son of Paul; he was also a spiritual servant with Paul. He was not only a son of God, but was also a servant of God. Once he was saved, he went to work for God.

Service is a natural response of one that has been saved. I am a firm believer that when a person really gets saved, they want to live for God and serve Him. Some people who profess to be saved never demonstrate any desire to live for God or serve Him. I can’t help but question the validity of that person’s profession. Service is always the outcome of salvation.

As one has said:

I cannot work my soul to save,

For that Christ has already done.

But I can work like any slave,

For the love of God’s dear Son.

Paul and Titus working together in the ministry is a wonderful picture of believer’s working together. Each Christian has a role to play in God’s work. We are to join hands together, work as team to win others to Christ.

I remember reading years ago the story of a little girl that was lost in one of those vast Kansas wheat fields. The night was coming and those searching for her knew that darkness and the cold of the night would mean certain death for the little girl. They searched for hours but to no avail. As darkness fell upon them, someone suggested that they all join hands and walk the field. Sometime later, someone shouted, “Here she is. She’s over here.” However it was too late. One was overheard to say, “Why did we not join hands sooner.”

There is so much more that could be done for God if every believer became involved in God’s work. If we all joined hands together and went to work for God, we could win many more to Christ.

Secondly, notice not only Paul’s appreciation for Titus, but also:

2. PAUL’S ASPIRATION FOR TITUS

In verse 4 Paul expresses his desire for Titus in the words, “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.” These words are more than just a formal greeting, but a prayer that expresses Paul’s heart for his dear companion. They speak of Paul’s desire for:

A) God’s Blessings in His Life

Paul expresses his desire that the blessings of God be upon the life of Titus. He describes the source of “grace, mercy, and peace” as “God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.” These are blessing that come from God and he wants Titus to be a recipient of these wonderful blessings.

One writer describes “grace” as “divine love manifesting itself toward guilty sinners in free forgiveness and unmerited blessing.”¹ Paul wants Titus to enjoy and experience all the blessings that are freely bestowed upon a believer through grace.

“Mercy” is best defined as that which God does not give us. The word means “compassion” or “loving-kindness.” Instead of getting what we deserve, God gives us what we do not deserve. Paul’s desire was that Titus would experience the great love and kindness of God in his daily experience.

“Peace” is the rest and quietness in the heart of one who knows they belong to God and that He is in control of their life. Paul wanted Titus to live in the wonderful realization of his relationship to God and all that relationship meant to him.

Paul’s greeting expressed not only his desire that Titus experience God’s blessings in his life, but also that he experience:

B) God’s Best for His Life

Paul did not want Titus to live a mediocre or average Christian life. He wanted him to enjoy and experience God’s best for his life. He desired that God’s richest of blessings rest and be upon the life of Titus.

The greatest life that anyone can live is a life given to God and blessed of God. Anything less is to short-change your life. D. L. Moody used to speak of people going to heaven first-class or second-class. Those who live a life blessed of God are traveling first-class.

Because of costs I have always traveled second-class. Many times after an over-sea flight, as I exited the plane and walked through the first-class section, I have thought of how nice it would be to travel first-class. I confess that after sitting in a seat with my knees upon around my ears for 8 hours, and seeing those big seats with all the room the first-class passengers had, I have often been overcome with envy and jealously.

However, I do not have to travel to heaven second-class. I can enjoy and experience God’s blessings and God’s best for my life. To experience God’s grace, mercy and peace is to know God’s best. Why would we settled for second-class when we can enjoy first-class.

Lastly, notice:

2. PAUL’S ASSIGNEMENT FOR TITUS

In verse 5 Paul states the reason for this letter and the work that He has for Titus in Crete. He says, “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting.” Once before, Paul had called on Titus to be a trouble-shooter. As I mentioned earlier, Paul had sent Titus to Corinth to straighten out the problems the Corinthian Church was experiencing.

Now he calls on Titus for a similar mission in Crete. The island of Crete is one of the largest in Mediterranean. As indicated by Paul’s words, he and Titus had worked there together. How long they had worked there together is unknown, but when Paul left, he left Titus behind with a specific assignment and task.

There existed in Crete:

A) The Problems That Needed Confronting

The churches in Crete were like so many. They had their internal conflicts and problems. It would seem that the churches were deficient in organization.

It would also appear that the pastors of the churches in Crete were not doctrinally sound. As well, the lack of doctrinal soundness had allowed false teachers to slip in.

That Paul left Titus behind to confront these problems is an indication that God expects us to confront problems in the Church. The reason some churches have so many problems is because they don’t confront problems when they arise.

When it comes to sound doctrine, there can never be any tolerance of false doctrine. Of course in our day and time, doctrine is often the sacrificial lamb for spiritual unity. We hear people say that it doesn’t matter what we believe. We just need to love each other and get along with one another. Doctrine is never a minor issue in the Church. It is the major issue. Doctrine is fundamental to a Church. And, when it comes to false doctrine, it must always be confronted.

Furthermore, the problems in the church were not only to be confronted, but you also see that additional steps need to be taken. There were not only the problems that needed confronting, but also:

B) The Problems That Needed Correcting

Titus was to “set in order” the things that were wanting. The word’s “set in order” are a medical term that speaks of setting a broken bone. Titus was not only to confront the problems that existed, but correct them as well.

He was to be a spiritual doctor and correct these problems. As we shall see, he needed to ordain elders who were qualified to serve. He needed to ground them in doctrine so they would faithfully proclaim God’s Word and expose those who were preaching false doctrine.

Paul’s assignment for Titus reminds us that God expects us to keep His church doctrinally sound and scripturally straight. I have an obligation to God to be doctrinally sound when I preach. And, if the day ever comes when I am not doctrinally sound, you are to replace me with someone who will.

His assignment also reminds us that God expects certain things of those who are leaders in the Church. As we see in our next study, God expects certain things of the pastors. His expectations filter down to all who are leaders in the Church.

To be a leader in a church is to assume a position in which God expects certain things of you, therefore the Church has a right to expect certain things of leaders as well. I have known leaders that got upset when the church demanded certain things of them. God demands it; therefore the church is to demand it. A church that does not hold its leaders to high expectations and certain standards is a church in which there needs to be a Titus who will confront and correct.

Endnotes:

1. D. Edmond Hiebert, “Titus and Philemon”