Itty Bitty Bible Study – Titus 1:1-2

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Itty Bitty Bible Study Titus one

I utilize various resources to research and study these Itty Bitty Bible Studies.
This time, for Titus, I hooked up with Keith Loy’s Celebrate Titus on RightNow Media.  RightNow Media is a subscription for everyone in a church.  If you don’t have RightNow Media on your computer or TV streaming channels, the  Celebrate Titus dvd is available. I don’t know if it’s more or less information.

I am not an Amazon associate, so I don’t get anything out of sharing this! I will let you know that I will be quoting him!

 

Titus 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Greeting
1 Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
3 In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior:

In IBBS Titus Introduction, we discussed Paul’s definition of himself as a servant or slave, and apostle.
We discussed the why – to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.

Here’s a few quick comments.
Who are God’s elect?
Got Questions has a great article on the theologies of Predestination and Election.

In Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 1:3-6, I discuss what I feel is the most important focus in this debate. I hope you go look at that…It points to the need for faith.

In Luke 18:7, elect is also translated as chosen.

Luke 18:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay to help them?[a]

Acts 13:48 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the message of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Ephesians 2:8-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

In IBBS Ephesians 2:1-10, I talked about this very concept. We are saved by Grace, through faith BY GOD!

We know that we are a chosen generation, correct? 1 Peter 2:9
What about Godly?

Psalm 4:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.

What does that mean about who can be saved?

1 Timothy 2:3-4 King James Version (KJV)
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

and this puts both together:

2 Timothy 2:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Or complicates it…but, no matter what, Jesus said:

John 3:16-18 King James Version (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

I believe in the Whosoever doctrine!

You see, God desires that all men come to him.

1 Timothy 2:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Our time is short:

2 Peter 3:8-10 King James Version (KJV)
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

The fields are indeed white for harvest. Matthew 9:37-38 – but we must be ready to be the workers!

Matthew 9:35-38 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Lord of the Harvest
35 Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every[a] disease and every sickness.[b] 36 When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Let your light shine before all menI believe that Paul is speaking to those that confess to be believers, and discussing how the body needs to be helped.

Therefore, yes, we are to share, preach, and minister to those outside the church, but especially the household of Faith:

Galatians 6:10 KJV
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

So often, we are told to build up one another in our most holy faith. Jude 1:20, 1 Thes 5:11, Eph 4:29 for a few.
This is the purpose of the Church body!
1 Corinthians 12 talks about the needs of the Body of Christ.

We are the Body of Christ. We should be encouraging one another

Ephesians 5:19-21 King James Version (KJV)
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Outside of the church, we are to go, preaching the gospel and making disciples.

Mark 16:15-16 King James Version (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Inside the church, we are to encourage one another, lift one another up, sometimes, exhort one another, but mostly..LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Why is Paul doing this?
He wanted to lift up those believers….
…securing their knowledge of the TRUTH…
To what end?
…leading to godliness.

So, outside, we have the unbelievers that need to know the truth of salvation, and at the end of this blog, I have several links that will share the truth of salvation.
Inside, teaching the truth that leads to godliness(vs 1)…what is that about? If they are believers, they(we) don’t need to be preached salvation to, right? What do we need to learn about?

1 Peter 2:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Living Stone and a Holy People
2 So rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation,[a] 3 since you have tasted that the Lord is good.[b]

1 Corinthians 3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Problem of Immaturity
3 Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 because you are still fleshly. For since there is envy and strife[a] among you, are you not fleshly and living like unbelievers?[b]

Hebrews 5:11-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Problem of Immaturity
11 We have a great deal to say about this, and it’s difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. 12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. 13 Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

What is the indication of immaturity? Ungodliness. Therefore, Paul is writing to draw believers to the truth of faith that leads to godliness.

Does that mean perfection?
Well, there is a verse with which I used to beat myself over the head.

Matthew 5:48 King James Version (KJV)
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Thank you Blue Letter Bible!~ I’ve included the search link so that you can look even deeper.

Outline of Biblical usage
brought to its end, finished
wanting nothing necessary to completeness
perfect
that which is perfect
consummate human integrity and virtue of men
full grown, adult, of full age, mature

Can we choose to walk in integrity? Yes!
Do we have all we need to move into completeness in Christ? Yes, His word and the Holy Spirit!
Can we choose to walk in virtue? Yes!
Can we grow into the fullness of Christ, maturing day by day? Yes!

It’s not that we are perfect NOW, but that we are choosing day by day the things of God, rather than the things of this world!

How do we do that?
THE WORD OF GOD! Get in the Bible! God’s TRUTH leads to godliness.

Psalm 119:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 I have treasured Your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against You.

Proverbs 4:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
shining brighter and brighter until midday.

It’s a choice, a growth, moving towards something.

Even so, just like the truth about being saved by God, by a gift of faith, we grow in God by His working in us!

Philippians 2:13-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.

Godliness…defined:

Dictionary.com
conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devout; pious.
coming from God; divine.

The Meaning of Godliness by Classroom:

Godliness is a significant term in the Christian faith. According to Strong’s Concordance, the word is translated from the Greek word for “piety”, and is used in the New Testament fourteen times in the letters of Peter and Paul. While the expression also refers to the divinity of God, godliness in the Bible is mainly used to describe a positive way of life influenced by God, and inspired reflection in the tenets of the Christian faith.

We have all felt the condemnation of needing to be perfect.
It’s just that…condemnation.
Condemnation brings death.
Conviction brings life.
If it brings fear, worry, and doubt – it’s not from God.
If it brings challenge, love, and courage – it’s probably from God, even if it hurts.
Giving up our pet sins hurts.
Losing out on God’s best will hurt eternally!

Here’s some verses about truth leading to godliness:

Proverbs 1:1-7

Proverbs 1:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Colossians 2:2-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.[a] 3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.

Colossians 1:25-27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
25 I have become its servant, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The promise is that it’s GOD that began the work, and God will complete it!

Phil 1:6 HCSB
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Oops, here is another clue that there are differences…in this case, the apostles vs the other people following along. What’s up with that?

Matthew 13:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 He answered them, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them.

There are multiple types that are in the church.

  • Mature Believers – called, elect, chosen…however you want to depict them. See verses above.
  • Young, Immature Believers – can’t handle the meat of the word yet…but need nurtured. see the verses above.
  • Tares among the wheat…Matthew 13
  • Wolves…Matthew 7:15 King James Version (KJV)
    15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Remember, we were like them at one time.

Romans 2:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing[a] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Galatians 6:1-2 King James Version (KJV)
6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

This gives some insight into expectations of those that are more mature in the Lord, and how they are to minister! We are all in a different place in our walk with Jesus – we can learn from all – beware that we not be tempted – but lovingly come alongside each other to grow together in Him!

Is godliness required?
We are to offer the sacrifices of righteousness…

Romans 12:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.[a] 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Psalm 4:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 Offer sacrifices in righteousness[a]
and trust in the Lord.

With His Help:

Psalm 5:7-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 But I enter Your house
by the abundance of Your faithful love;
I bow down toward Your holy temple
in reverential awe of You.
8 Lord, lead me in Your righteousness
because of my adversaries;[a]
make Your way straight before me.

Did Jesus say this?Matthew except your righteousness

Matthew 5:20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus gave us some pretty clear instructions for behavior in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5, Mt 6, and Mt 7
We have a promise:

Isaiah 32:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 The result of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness
will be quiet confidence forever.

Romans 14:16-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
16 Therefore, do not let your good be slandered, 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by men.

For more about these promises, and more of an explanation of what righteousness is, Please go to
IBBS Ephesians 1:7-14
IBBS Ephesians 1:15-23

Remember, if we have received Christ as our Lord and Savior…and we have chosen to look forward, to become more like Christ…and we work out our own salvation day by day, we are right with God.

Righteousness with God…is being right with God.
Do we sin?
Yes
Does that separate us from the Father?
Only in the same way that disappointing a parent would briefly cause separation from our parent, until we repent, ask forgiveness, and turn from that behavior that causes separation.
It’s not a  lose or keep salvation situation, it’s a fellowship situation.

Getting to know Jesus is key to being in fellowship with him.
Spending time in His word is key to getting to know Him.
Spending time with the Holy Spirit in prayer is key to connecting with the Godhead.

This is what Paul wants to prepare Titus for,  to help with in the church at Crete.
This is what God wants us to be prepared for, in the church we attend.
He wants mature believers to minister to the other believers, so that they will have knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness…
and to share with those outside the church, the hope of eternal life, that God promised before time began.

And seriously, can’t we all be ministered to by remembering the hope of eternal life? …remembering that God keeps his promises?

Romans 15:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

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