Jonathan Edwards

Paul's deep love for the Lord Jesus Christ was the balm of Gilead, and it dissolved any feelings of timidity and discouragement. Paul wanted to engender to Timothy that a deep prayer life is absolutely essential in the ministry. Both Titus and Timothy had to rock solid in their convictions, and also had to be freshly anointed from on high to be courageous in the midst of many challenges. The Holy Spirit would give preserving graces to Timothy to maintain true Gospel integrity. The same God gave preserving graces to those God fearing pastors and priests in the concentration camps; despite terrible times, they maintained their testimonies

Been real good about witnessing over the years. Keep Christian literature by my Jeep windshield. Been out involved innstreet Evangelism for many years. Distributed Gospel tracts at work in common areas. Stay methodical! Getting involved in an evangelistic ministry is very important even if one has to go alone and just distribute Gospel tracts in a respectful manner. Most of the time, one will not have the support of a local church. Sadly many churches don't have evangelistic outreaches nor services. In our day and age, a person really needs to be prayed up and launch into the deep. One may just have to go to the local nursing home or prison to inquire about starting a new ministry based on solid evangelistic principles.

Get back on the saddle! A person may not want to do so, but at times we have to really make very clear that is very important to get back to the ministry provided if he properly trained and ready for effective Gospel ministry. At times, a serious inquiry must be done before some one has lapsed or just finished a Ministerial rehabilitation program. A strict prayer life and daily Bible study are essential. Titus had to be a man of deep prayer and a diligent Bible student. He had to raise up shepherds to assist him in pastoral visits and evangelistic outreach throughout Crete. Spending time in deep prayer is essential. The man of God must maintain a holy watchfulness; he cannot afford to fritter time in frivolous conversations and in spurious discussions on gnostic ancestral genealogies.

Regeneration: God does the saving. We couldn't redeem ourselves due to original sin. The Word of God is the living water that washes, regenerates, redeems us. When we receive the Word of God the HOLY Spirit takes up His abode in our hearts. Prior to accepting Christ as personal Saviour, we were in a state of sin; we were dead in our trespasses. Now being converted we have different desires, hopes, and plans. The Holy Spirit has been poured richly on us who believe. The Holy Spirit is the author of our salvation, and gives the ability to live a sanctified lifestyle. We now can do good works and produce fruit. We have been baptized into Christ and put on Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Vicar of Christ here on earth preparing the Church the Bride of Christ for the second Advent.

Truly the Bible plan of salvation was wrouht of God. Apostle Paul reiterated this time and time again. The early believers were converts from idolatry and were taught mystery religions; they knew about superstition all too well. Titus had to always lift up the Banner of the Cross. It would quite tempting for new converts to go back to trying to save their souls by human merits. Salvation originates in mercy-not by justice. Bible plan of salvation originates in the heart of God, and becomes ours by receiving the finished work of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Author of the New Birth. Our entire righteousness are as filthy rags. Surely it is not by works of righteousness. If our good deeds could procure salvation or save himself, the Cross of the Lord Jesus would be in naughty. Our righteous deeds could never supplant the foreordained once and for all Sacrifice of Christ, both Priest and the Lamb of God.

Being a sober minded Christian means to act in a rational manner in a non Christian society. Apostle Paul knew that the Gospel could truly transform lives, and bring glory to God. He wanted the new believers to set a good example to fellow citizens. Christians are to adorn the Gospel by their daily lives. Getting involved in political strife, rebellions and uprisings are not for the Christian believers. Usually an anti-government stance is a waste of time. The exception would be Christians protesting unjust wars and other unjust issues. Many Christains protested the Nazi euthanasia programs in the late 1930s and had success. There were just anti government protests abortion; these demonstrators were mostly peaceful. St Paul would stress that speaking intelligently and kindly would be very important. He would not approve of violence and disrespectful behavior. Gossip and backbiting takes away our inner peace; the focus is on chaos instead of centering on Christ. We must be watchful: maintaining our peace; we cannot afford to spend time in strifes, party splits, and in endless chatter. It is not for the Christian. The Christian must maintain his watchful mind at all times; he is part of the chosen nation, royal priesthood and a peculiar people. The local church is called the ecclesia---mystical Body of Christ. The splits and multiplication of various Christain sects are contrary to John chapter 17.

Atoning work : Christ was both High Priest and the Victim. Under the Old Law, there was no such unity. Christ was in the order of Melchizedek.....an eternal High Priest that still in effect for today. Out of immeasurable love and voluntary obedience, Christ went to Calvary; Christ have of Himself. Christ became the Lamb of God; He paid the price for our Redemption when He shed His blood. Christ's sacrifice dissolved the connection between our sins and our liability for punishment. We need purification so we can be fit for the Master's use. Now bring partakers of the Spirit of Holiness, they have zeal for practical holiness in their everyday lives. They adorn the Gospel in their everyday lives.

We would pursue the higher life with more zeal. Denial of ungodliness, denial of worldly lusts. A zeal to live a serious Christian lifestyle that is pleasing to God. In this present world, we give testimony to our belief in our great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. This would be crucial for the believers in Crete. If they lived as true Bible believers, their neighbors would be attracted to Christianity. The testimony of their lives would be clarion calls to repent and get baptized. Truly a joyful doctrine! A blessed hope because we are the bride of Christ. We are the holy nation and royal priesthood, a peculiar people sanctified for the Master's use. We have been WATCHFULL in our walk with the Lord; we have put on Christ at our Baptism. No more serving the world, the flesh and the devil. It will be a worldwide phenomenon. Christ Will come back in great glory. His return will not be a quiet affair. Apostle John described the Parousia in great deal.

We end up in presumption, a false security of God's favor on our lives. The flow of the Holy Spirit is impeded due to not allowing the inward move of the Holy Spirit to outwardly reforming our characters. We are still being saved daily, each day we must do a self exam and repent of ungodliness and ungodly behaviours. We cannot be like those who rebelled in the forty year sourjourn in the desert; God heard and recorded their grumblings. Sons of Korah were swallowed up, including their possessions. Our hearts are centered on the Rapture and 2nd Coming of Christ ! We are WATCHFULL,..we remain sanctified as we wait for the Lord Jesus Christ. We have this GRACE NOW (JOHN 3:16; TITUS 2:11). More reason to live in holiness all the day long.

Young men: lack mature logical thinking. They act in immature ways that don't glorify God and bring scandel to the church They lack sound speech devoid of healing words for spiritual and physical healing. They don't have a pattern of good works. Instead they waste time in idle chatter and living in hypocrisy. Young wives: Busy in wasting time in idle chatter, neglecting their domestic chores and not being obedient to their husbands. Employees: Being argumentative, disrespectful, disobedient, stealing goods and acting unchristian on the job. We are to deny ungodliness, deny wordly lists, live soberly, live righteously, live godly and adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. Titus was to be an icon of Christ to the Christian Church of Crete. He truly adorned the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. Titus was a prime example of the Christian lifestyle. People could look to hi as a model of a God-fearing man of God. Paul knew that Titus was truly a man of God: Titus was a true model of Christian living.

Basically they were getting involved in behaviors unbecoming for new converts. They were getting involved in idle chatter and wasting time in things that were not properly Christian. In pagan Cretan culture men were used to various pagan gatherings: involvement with alcohol and drinking parties. The ladies too had to renounce heterodox agendas and stop being busybodies. Titus had a serious mission to further catechize the congregants: those who were baptized in Christ have put on Christ; they have been given their baptismal robes. They now have to glorify God by their new lifestyles: working with their hands, no more pagan drinking parties, no more spending time in idle chatter. Spiritual formation in the home is crucial. Young people needed to see the wonderful changes in the lives of their parents.

Lack of a serious appreciation of the purpose of the Church of God; poor understanding of the supernatural high calling of the Church. The people of Crete were exposed to all sorts of mystery religions and cabalistic Judaism. Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to take strong positions on heterodox doctrines, and rebuke false teachers that were spreading false doctrines in the assemblies in Crete. Laxity will bring forth confusion and misled souls into accepting spurious doctrines. It is so evident these days. Many have been seriously deluded to the detriment of their salvation. That's why it is so important for the pastoral staff to firmly buy kindly contend for the Faith once delivered to the saints. This way the heterodox believer or backslider will come back to the truth.

We avoid empty and worldly chatter. We also don't get heavily involved with the gain Sayers who just want to get on their "hobby horses" and promote their agendas. They are not teachable, nor will they accept godly counsel. Yet we cheerfully give the reasons for our Orthodox faith in a spirit of kindness, humility and enthusiasm. We reply with God's authoritative Holy Bible for the doctrines we teach. We are not arrogant, but we have attitudes of love.

We are to assist others in their need. To be a cheerful giver is important for the Christian. We live according to 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Our focus is on Christ the Author and Finisher of our Faith. That's how we fulfill our apostolic call; we serve others with a generous spirit. We fight the good fight of faith; we don't get involved with worldly and empty chatter, endless spurious Gnostic genealogies, and opposing arguments. Apostle Paul is teaching that we must have the Mind of Christ. The HOLY Spirit will teach us all things as we study the Bible, and pray each day. Fixing their hopes on God is central, not fixing hopes on the uncertainty of riches. Being conceited or proud is foreign for the Bible believer. This will all guide us to dispense of our riches in a sane fashion. We fulfill the Sermon on the Mount as we live a rational and well balanced Christian life.

Lukewarmness is the main cause. People lose their first love for Christ; their Bible devotional practices are sporadic, weak prayer life, no concern for souls, and exhibit plain apathy for the things of God. Nominal Christianity-no zeal for evangelistic outreach, one hour Sunday service and the rush to get home to eat and look at football all afternoon. A trap indeed, a snare that so many nominal Christians end up in. Solution for many is to seriously consider that a particular judgement is around the corner. It will be either "mene, mene tekel upharsin" or "well done faithfull servant'. There will be for each person a particular judgement at death. Either rewards or lost of rewards. Love of money is symptomatic of the lack of the outward work of the inward work of the Holy Spirit.

We are beckoned by God to be "inner court" Christians. We are called to enjoy a Sabbath rest; Christ is our High priest in the order of Melchizedek, we are part of this royal priesthood. Jesus our Joshua has gone on before us, we are seated in heavenly places with Christ. No wonder why we should seek contentment ! This doesn't mean we become slothful in business nor in domestic affairs. The mundane duties are sanctified as well. We offer them up to God as prayers. Christ transfigures our daily chores and successes. It is God's will that we are successful in business or in academia. Our attention is on the Lord Jesus Christ as we go to work, wash the dishes, do the laundry, remove the old cat litter, eta, eta.

Lack of serious doctrinal Bible study is the root cause of such errors. Many people don't have a serious prayer life neither. Malformed spiritual training could be a huge part of the problem. So called "prosperity preachers and pastors" went into the ministry not properly trained and sadly ended up in serious doctrinal positions. There are elements of truth in many of the messages of various prosperity ministries; however, one cannot forget that God is Sovereign, His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. There are things that happen here in our time that we don't understand. Only in eternity, will we know why we didn't get that pot of gold or a cherished inheritance. We have to have a deep awe of the Almighty; He knows what is best.

We are all one in Christ. St Paul beautifully expounds on this topic in his letters to Ephesians and Colossians. Christ is all, and in all. The Mosaic Law provided compensation for the loss of freedoms,and considerate treatment was definitely secured by the Torah. St Paul didn't intend to upset the constitution of the Roman empire by starting fruitless endeavor for social equality. St Paul did recognize that proper respect for distinction of rank and class must be paid to those in authority. The early Apostles had big challenges to maintain the Orthodox Christian faith and to catechize the new believers. They were in many ways restricted in how to proceed in proper fashion within a pagan society. Apostle Paul didn't get involved in various political struggles in the Roman empire.

Aiding and abetting someone not ready nor fit for the ministry is wrong. Apostle Paul knew all well that candidates for the ministry still have development issues : home life, secular issues, personality defects and more important: doctrinal issues. The Ephesian church couldn't not afford more problems by allowing those unfit candidates to be ordained. Many came out of "mystery religions", and carried over gnostic pagan ideas. Not saying that they were not sincere; they needed more time and catechesis before ordination. Today, we see this horrific situation. Current pastors and church workers in much trouble. Divorced, separated or charged for serious crimes. Even went through the seminary formation and received academic degrees. Many churches had to pay out millions of dollars due to lawsuits incurred due to pastors, deacons and church workers acting in ungodly fashion.

Maintaining true Christian doctrine was paramount. Timothy had to be reminded of his solemn charge to maintain order in the local church. This wasn't optional. Apostle Paul had a tremendous insight of the Church of God as the Body of Christ, the elected and predestined children of God. Apostle Paul knew that there will come a time when all our works will be tested. Will we have wood, stubble and hay or choice gold and rubies. Our characters must be formed by the Holy Spirit. Timothy would need to be partial in his pastoral judgements, not listening to rumors and half truths. Also he had a firm obligation to not to give into timidity from reproving men of high influence in the Ephesian church. In our day and age, compromise on so many issues is common. Apostle Paul had such a a profound sense of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the profound mission of the Church: just the thought of compromise and not reproving those in error was just unheard of in Apostle Paul's ministry. Our culture lacks fortitude. Reason why so many churches are in error is lack of manly ministers in the pulpit. Compromise of doctrine and lack of chutzpah to combat heterodox doctrines and characterize many churches and seminaries.

Those actually preaching and teaching the Word of God. They study and prayerfully prepare to instruct their congregations. They just don't do administrative work like some of the local elders. Deuteronomy 25 is our text to support our position on financial compensation. They indeed receive honor due to their spiritual dignity as shepherds whom the Holy Ghost has set over the flock of Christ.

Neglect of widows involves practical denial of the Faith. The heathen held widows in high regard. So it was incumbent for Timothy to make sure that the Ephesian church would be a shining light in the midst of unbelievers. The light of this mystery of godliness" would greatly aggravate these sins of neglect, and therefore cause scandel. The denial of the duty of love, a denial of the faith. It is in conjunction with our Faith to take care of the widows who nourished and cared for us in our childhoods. The person who deliberately neglects providing for his household is deemed worse than an unbeliever. This is referring to relatives who live under one roof. Paul deems such infidels as "wanting in the Faith"....those who profess faith but do not live out the spirit of the Gospel.

The secret of the devout Christian life is the indwelling of Christ within, not on abstaining from things without. The Christian who dwells in the Holiest of Holies is focused on Christ alone; it is without controversy, undisputed fact that Christ is the mystery of Godliness..1 Timothy 3: 3:16; Colossians 1:27. Godliness is outworking of the Grace of God outworking in our daily lives. Our characters are being formed; we have the Mind of Christ as we study the HOLY BIBLE. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are manifest in our lives as we walk with the Lord. It is indisputable....Christ lives in me. I now have soteria due to the one final sacrifice of Christ. Strict morality has its place. However, we cannot lose sight that it is THE GRACE OF GOD that we are preserved in holiness all day long. Our focus is on the Lord not focusing on minutae of rules. In the Christain life, it is due to our love of God that we act in a sanctified manner. We have been regenerated by the HOLY Spirit. Adherence to rules alone will only go so far.

Their spiritual development is malformed. Instead of having a personal relationship with God, and meditating on the mystery of holiness; they focus on externals most of the time. It could be the upholstery of the pews, the specific color of the sanctuary walls, or whether or not to support a Bible school. A number of denominations are in endless debate over the use of musical instruments. Same thing going on in the Kerala state in India. One denomination is in uproar about Liturgical practices. Lack of evangelistic zeal ! Instead of preaching the mystery of holiness; sadly many churches get off the tracks. They end up going Laodicean;. their first love for the Lord is practically gone. No one is getting saved, no one is getting healed; the church assembly has become insipid. It forgot the clarion call of 1 Peter 2:9.