Titus chapter 1
A world of change. Faith in Jesus is in the margins. “I can live without God” is the common ethos.
Information
When? Where? How? Titus on Crete as the man of God. Cretans were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, when when Peter preached the first Christian sermon to thousands. Now some hear Paul describing what someone said of the Cretan character, and say “Yes, that’s what we were like!” Real people, real place, in real history. Applies to us in the 21st century too.
Transformation
Titus left in Crete to straighten out what was left unfinished. But not Titus by himself, for the church needs many wise leaders. Elders in every town, to demonstrate and teach what grace-filled lives look like in the community. About the bad news of God’s judgment on sin, and the good news of being forgiven and reconciled to God through Jesus. 2:12-14
3:8 “careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.” Not that good works save us, they can’t. Who ever has done enough? No, it is what Jesus has done for us. Grace is never deserved. Grace pays for our sins and brings us to Christ.
Transition
Paul knows he will soon be gone, along with the other apostles. So he passes the baton on to younger men. “God buries his workmen, but continues his work” John Wesley. Being liked by the world is not required. Being faithful to the Gospel is. Being salt to flavour and preserve, and light to shine on the way to hope and joy.