Paul gives Titus several admonitions to heed to fulfill his ministry.
Proclaim the Word, vv. 1-4–>see Jude 3
A. The Word of God is central to the ministry of the Church.
B. The Problem at the Church of Crete
- Abuse of the grace of God: “God saves us by grace, so we are free to sin.”
- Paul’s answer is “the truth which is after godliness.”
- a. God’s grace saves sinners and sanctifies believers;
- b. a holy life follows true faith in Christ;
- c. expect Christ’s imminent return.
C. Stop Pursuing worldly methods to replace the preaching of the Word.
- Marketing instead of the Message of God’s Word;
- Entertainment instead of Evangelism;
- Social services instead of sanctification; or
- Programs instead of prayer.
Organize the Church, vv. 5-9
A. “Set in order” is a medical term, as in “set a broken bone.”
B. Ordain Elders chosen by the churches–>Pastor / Bishop
- They must know the Word to minister to the saints, and
- to refute false teachers (gainsayers).
Refute the False Teachers, vv. 10-16
A. Wherever Christ sows the good Seed, Satan follows with counterfeit seed and false teachers:
- Judaizers teaching legalism, and
- the traditions of men.
B. Cretians are gullable: “Idle gluttons, liars, beasts”
C. Dietary laws and asceticism were key doctrines of false teachers:
- “To the pure, all things are pure”
- a. This does not mean “I can do whatever I want because I believe my motives are pure.”
- b. Paul meant that the believer who knows the Word receives all food as clean; the unbeliever see nothing as pure.
- c. Moral purity is not a matter of diet; it’s a matter of a clean heart and a good conscience. See Matthew 6:22-23 and Romans 14:14.
D. False teachers are not to be tolerated. They should be rebuked, and if they refuse to repent, they should be rejected and removed.