God's Promised Hope

Pastor: James Sayers
Date: 9 Aug 2009
Notes by: Robert Grandin
Communion Meditation: John 6:51-54
Offering Meditation: Jacob's dream of a stairway

Titus 1:1-4
Titus was a gentile convert, Paul's ``show and tell'' in Jerusalem, and a church developer in Crete (at this time, Crete was a less-than-desirable place. See Titus 1:12-13).

Looking at these four verses we notice that God is mentioned 5 times, so as to make a point to Crete.

• v.1 - Usually Paul identifies himself as a servant of Christ (not of God)
  • Servant: slave, dedicated to someone
  • Apostle: one who is sent out (Greek understanding of the word)
    • This title denotes a special authority and the backing of church leadership
• v.2 - Mission: faith and knowledge
  • Result: Godliness
    • Life of submission devotion, piety, visible manifestation
  • Basis: faith, hope (Biblical hope, not wishy-washy)
  • ``does not lie'' contrasts the Creteans
• v.3 - Method: preaching
  • Eternity begins now, not at death

So What?

• Paul's mission was the same as ours currently is
  • Help people know Christ
  • First: Do I believe/understand?
    • Connection between faith and lifestyle (visible faith)
  • What does my hope in eternity compel me to do?
  • Will I share the life-changing message this week?