Titus' Syllabus

Monday, February 23, 2009: Titus 3:3

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
Background: The Island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea had a reputation of being peopled by those of low moral fiber. Titus, a gentile convert, was asked by Paul to recognize elders in every Church on the Island.

Titus 3:4

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
If ‘once’ is the past, what is amazing about the kindness and love of God? It is amazing that He could love us and be kind to us who are described so vividly in verse 3.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009: Titus 3:5a

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,
If ‘once’ is the past, what is the change that has brought us into the present? He saved us by His mercy and NOT by our good work. Our good works can never cancel out our sin.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009: Titus 3:5b

(He saved us) through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
What is another way of expressing ‘washing and renewing’? Being born again, believing in Jesus Christ, etc.

Thursday, February 26, 2009: Titus 3:6

(the Holy Spirit) whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
What is the connection between this and John 7: 37-39? Poured = water for the thirsty.

John 7:37–39

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Friday, February 27, 2009: Titus 3:7

that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What is our hope for the future? We will be heirs of God!

Contradicting

The Greek word antilego is translated as speaking against or contradicting.

Monday, February 16, 2009: Titus 1:9

holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Background: Paul is speaking to Titus, asking him to identify overseers (bishops) in the Churches of the cities on the Island of Crete. This verse is end of the characteristics that qualify them.

How should Overseers build up while convincing those who contradict of their error? This evidence of having oversight is when one has used his knowledge of the Word of God and has used sound doctrine (teaching) to edify (build up) the critic and to convince him of error.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009: Titus 2:9–10

Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Give an example of what should NOT be done during a staff meeting. Why should it not be done? It simply leads to bitter feelings: nothing positive can come out of it.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009: Luke 20:27

Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,

What reflection we can glean out of this example about the Saducees? The Saducees, who did not believe in resurrection, were forever plying their hidden agenda before everyone and convincing nobody. They were patronizing and their motives were transparent to others. Let this not happen to a believer.

Thursday, February 19, 2009: John 19:12

From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”

In their desire to see Jesus Christ crucified, what tactic did the Jews resort to? They perverted justice by using politics and treason as reasons to accomplish Christ’s death.

Friday, February 20, 2009: Acts 13:45

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

Why were the Jews filled with envy? Paul was not preaching Christ Jesus to them only, but to the Gentiles! Their strategy changed into opposing and speaking against the Word of God.

Addages

I am indebted to Alan Parks for 'Addages.'

Monday, February 9, 2009: John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

What are our sources of trouble and peace? We will have trouble in the world as followers of Christ, but in Him we have peace.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009: Philippians 4:19

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

How are our needs supplied? Our needs are met, not from, but according to His riches in heaven.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009: John 14:3

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

What is the essence of this promise? If I go, I will return for you.

Thursday, February 12, 2009: James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Does faith require works? No, but without works, faith is like a dead (useless) person.

Friday, February 13, 2009: Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Should the followers of Jesus Christ look out for themselves? No, we are to look for God’s kingdom — then all our needs will be added to us.

Work while there's time.

Monday, February 2, 2009: 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Do you know anyone that fits this description? There is a point in life when a person stop being dependant on parents and strike out on their own. Of necessity, they stop being disorderly.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12

that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

Is lacking nothing connected with work? No, it is also connected to minding your own business and behaving properly to the world around you.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009: 1 Corinthians 3:12–13

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

How will our work be tested? The fire of judgment will check its worth in the Kingdom of
God.

Thursday, February 5, 2009: 1 Peter 1:17–19

And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

If salvation depends on our faith, what does this passage mean? Reward for eternity depends on doing God’s will in your life.

Friday, February 6, 2009: Galatians 6:4–5

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.

Doesn’t our supervisor examine our work? Yes, but if we objectively examine our work in terms of the requirements set before us, we will better bear our load.