Today's message at Garfield ridge was about not getting stuck in your past. Staying focused on your present efforts in order to maximize your future. Staying focused on the "one thing", honoring Jesus...
TITUS Category: Pastoral Epistle Author: Paul, Located at Necropolis Recipient: Titus of Crete Date: Approximately 66-67 AD Structure: Instructions Regarding Leaders, Chapter 1 (Deductive); Instructions for Laity Chapters 2-3(Deductive, Particularization)
OBSERVATIONS A) The Judiazers where a constant problem for new Christians. (Galatians 2:14 Paul vs. Peter, Acts 2:1-10 Judiazers vs. Paul and Barnabas). Paul, rightly, posited that God desires us to live free of legalistic understandings of who God is…the broader idea being that we (humanity) have a tendency to gravitate toward rule based systems, whereas God desires not the rule, but the relationship. Paul’s life story distilled (Pharisee: Rules, Apostle: Relationship). B) The work of building the church is not solely the responsibility of the Pastor. The literary structure of Paul’s letter to Titus demonstrates this idea. One third of the letter focuses attention on leadership, the other two-thirds upon the laity. Most of Paul’s instruction to Titus deals with how to manifest God’s love through the body of the church. C) Harmony builds the kingdom, not division. Apparently, the people of Crete had the reputation of being difficult, maybe even obstinate. It seems like just the kind of place that a group of “Christians” that thought new converts should be circumcised would flourish and present a challenge to Paul. However, Paul instructs Titus to rebuff the legalists and shepard his flock toward allowing God to manifest His good works through them. Not for themselves, but for others.
FINAL MANLY THOUGHTS In many ways we MANLY Men are Titus. The instructions that Paul gives are our marching orders for our protégés. Modeling God’s love through His works within us, protecting new Christians from threats to their ongoing faith development and recognizing our role in building onto God’s Kingdom are Paul’s instructions to us all.
It was a blessing to celebrate Eddie's birthday by joining him in intercession during the 11:30 service. It would be great to have M3 men anchor intercession on the 1st Sunday of each month at the 9:30 and 11:30 services!
Here is the 3 fold test of real disciples
ReplyDelete1. The test of confession
2. The test of commitment
3. The test of cross carrying
Way to go Robert! You're more faithful than the United States Post Office!
ReplyDeleteToday's message at Garfield ridge was about not getting stuck in your past. Staying focused on your present efforts in order to maximize your future. Staying focused on the "one thing", honoring Jesus...
ReplyDeleteHow about Eddies prayer from the pulpit?
ReplyDeleteH.O.U.S.E.
Hungry Obedient Unstoppable Strong Encouraging.
Way to go happy birthday!
Thanks George!
DeleteTITUS
ReplyDeleteCategory: Pastoral Epistle
Author: Paul, Located at Necropolis
Recipient: Titus of Crete
Date: Approximately 66-67 AD
Structure: Instructions Regarding Leaders, Chapter 1 (Deductive); Instructions for Laity Chapters 2-3(Deductive, Particularization)
OBSERVATIONS
A) The Judiazers where a constant problem for new Christians. (Galatians 2:14 Paul vs. Peter, Acts 2:1-10 Judiazers vs. Paul and Barnabas).
Paul, rightly, posited that God desires us to live free of legalistic understandings of who God is…the broader idea being that we (humanity) have a tendency to gravitate toward rule based systems, whereas God desires not the rule, but the relationship. Paul’s life story distilled (Pharisee: Rules, Apostle: Relationship).
B) The work of building the church is not solely the responsibility of the Pastor. The literary structure of Paul’s letter to Titus demonstrates this idea. One third of the letter focuses attention on leadership, the other two-thirds upon the laity. Most of Paul’s instruction to Titus deals with how to manifest God’s love through the body of the church.
C) Harmony builds the kingdom, not division. Apparently, the people of Crete had the reputation of being difficult, maybe even obstinate. It seems like just the kind of place that a group of “Christians” that thought new converts should be circumcised would flourish and present a challenge to Paul. However, Paul instructs Titus to rebuff the legalists and shepard his flock toward allowing God to manifest His good works through them. Not for themselves, but for others.
FINAL MANLY THOUGHTS
In many ways we MANLY Men are Titus. The instructions that Paul gives are our marching orders for our protégés. Modeling God’s love through His works within us, protecting new Christians from threats to their ongoing faith development and recognizing our role in building onto God’s Kingdom are Paul’s instructions to us all.
It was a blessing to celebrate Eddie's birthday by joining him in intercession during the 11:30 service. It would be great to have M3 men anchor intercession on the 1st Sunday of each month at the 9:30 and 11:30 services!
ReplyDelete