Words of Life Bible Study Notes: The Letters To Titus and Philemon

WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 27 (2) Look at verse 10.
A divisive person is someone who is convinced that he is right

and everyone else is wrong. Such people must be admonished, and they must not
BIBLE STUDY NOTES THE LETTERS TO TITUS AND
be given any position of leadership or authority in the church – look up Matthew
PHILEMON 18:15-17; Romans 16:18.
by Francis W. Dixon (3) Look at verse 11. Such people have perverted or ‘warped’ minds. Their thinking is
not straight and is certainly not spiritual.
Study 9 A TRUE SAYING AND SOME TRUE MEN These are some of the pitfalls that have to be avoided by those who are
(Scripture Portion: Titus 3:8-15) responsible for the work of God. Paul then says to Titus:-
The title of this concluding study in the Letter to Titus is suggested by verse 8, where 3. TITUS, THESE ARE THE KIND OF MEN GOD WANTS AND CAN USE IN
reference is made to a ‘trustworthy’ (or ‘true’) saying; and verses 12 and 13, where we
HIS CHURCH
read of four true men. In the Pastoral Letters there are five ‘trustworthy sayings’:-
(1) 1 Timothy 1:15 – the fact and purpose of the Incarnation. In verses 12 and 13, Paul mentions four men who represent the kind of men
(2) 1 Timothy 3:1 – the importance of wise administration in the church. God can use as channels of blessing in the Church:-
(3) 1 Timothy 4:8-9 – the great value of godly living. (1) Artemas was evidently one of Paul’s co-workers, but beyond this we know nothing
about him. However, the fact that he is mentioned here reminds us of the many
(4) 2 Timothy 2:11-13 – the believer’s identification with Christ. people in the Lord’s work who are not prominent but who are faithful in their
(5) Titus 3:8 – the necessity of maintaining sound doctrine. stewardship – look up 1 Corinthians 4:2.
What does Paul mean when he says in Titus 3:8: ‘This is a trustworthy saying. (2) Tychicus was a great friend and fellow-worker with Paul, as Acts 20:4; Ephesians
And I want you to stress these things’? They are the great doctrinal truths in 6:21; Colossians 4:7 tell us. Those whom God has blessed in pastoral and
verses 3-7. Therefore, what Paul really says to Titus is this:- preaching ministry owe a great debt of gratitude to men like Tychicus who have
been their fellow-workers and who have stood by them.
1. TITUS, THIS IS THE MESSAGE YOU MUST PROCLAIM
(3) Zenas is described as a ‘lawyer’, which means he was qualified to expound the
‘This trustworthy saying…I want you to stress these things’ – verse 8. This is Jewish Law. It also means he had a brilliant intellect and was a man of some
the truth you must preach. It is ‘solid’ and ‘reliable’; and just as Titus was to calibre. It is wonderful how the Lord takes up our natural talents, sanctifies them
proclaim these truths so must we. What truths are entrusted to us to preach? and uses them for the promotion of His work and for His glory.
(1) The depravity of the natural man (verse 3) – Ephesians 2:1-3. (4) Apollos is mentioned in Acts 18:24-28; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:6; 16:12, and the one
(2) The loving-kindness of God (verse 4) – John 3:16; Romans 5:8. thing we notice is that he had ‘a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures’. Here is the
(3) The sovereignty of God in salvation (verse 5) – Jonah 2:9. type of man whom God can use powerfully for the extension of His Kingdom.
(4) The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (verse 5) – John 3:3-8. It is very important that those who are seeking to guide God’s work should pray
(5) The fullness of blessing that is in Christ (verse 6) – Ephesians 1:3. for and seek the kind of key workers whom God can use. Paul then says to
(6) The justification of all who believe (verse 7) – Romans 5:1. Titus:-
(7) The eternal blessedness of the saved (verse 7) – 1 Peter 1:3-5.
4. TITUS, CONSTANTLY ENCOURAGE YOUR CHURCH MEMBERS TO
These are the truths we are to proclaim, and they are the very truths being LIVE CONSISTENT AND FRUITFUL CHRISTIAN LIVES
denied today. Let us ‘stress’ them constantly – look up Jude 3. The most One translation of verse 14 reads: ‘Let our people learn to practice fine deeds…
effective way to counteract error is to proclaim the truth. This is also the most that they may not live useless lives.’ Christianity is very practical; it has to do
effective way of producing Christ-like Christians, as the concluding part of verse not only with what we believe but how we behave. This is the great emphasis
8 tells us. Now notice the second thing Paul says to Titus:- of this letter – look up John 15:16; Ephesians 4:28. Are our lives and our
2. TITUS, THESE ARE THE PITFALLS YOU MUST AVOID service fruitful? Finally, Paul seems to say to Titus:-
We see these in verses 9-11. Whenever the truth of God is proclaimed there 5. TITUS, REMEMBER THAT YOUR CHURCH IS JUST A SMALL PART OF
will be those who will want to argue and disagree with the preacher. This form THE CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST
of ‘discussion’ can be dangerous and damaging to the work of God. Beware of Verse 15 brings before us a wonderful picture of many unnamed Christians who
people in the church who love to think they know better than the Lord Himself, are greeted and loved in the Faith. It was important for Titus to be reminded
who are not prepared to submit to what God says in His Word and who ‘argue’, that his churches in Crete were only part of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ,
‘wrangle’ and ‘contend’. All this is ‘foolish’, ‘unprofitable and useless’. and that all believers are ‘all one in Christ Jesus’ – look up Galatians 3:28! Let
(1) Look at verse 9. Much time has been wasted in asking and answering such us beware of being over-denominational, and let us rejoice in our true unity in
questions as, ‘Where did Cain get his wife?’ Christians have often been brought Christ and our love for all the children of God – look up John 17:19-20.
into bondage ‘about the Law’! Some people simply love an argument.
WORDS OF LIFE MINISTRIES
PO Box 334, EASTLEIGH, SO53 2UB, UK
www.wordsoflife.co.uk

Words of Life Bible Study Notes: The Letters To Titus and Philemon

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Words of Life Bible Study Notes: The Letters To Titus and Philemon

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Words of Life Bible Study Notes: The Letters To Titus and Philemon

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 27 (2) Look at verse 10.

A divisive person is someone who is convinced that he is right

You might also like