Titus 1
Scripture
Titus 1:1-4
1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. 3 And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him. 4 I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share.
Observation-What does it say?
This is a letter from Paul to Titus. Paul is reminding Titus of the vision of the ministry and why he left him on the island of Crete. Titus’ job was to complete the work that they both started by appointing elders in each town there. Paul also mentored him by telling him what to look for in an elder.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Paul continues to mentor young leaders and Pastors even while away from them. Timothy was one of his protégés and now we are reading a letter written to Titus, who he described as his “true son in the faith that we share (verse 4).”
Life Application
Are you discipling and/or being discipled by someone?
Discipleship is at the heart of ministry here at DSC. Everything we do is an excuse for discipleship. In one of my previous posts, I shared that if we are a Christ follower, we are already a couple steps ahead of someone who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our testimony points to how we came to know and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and also how we were baptized.
Let’s be on mission for Jesus and multiply Christ followers everywhere through discipleship! Let’s actually live out our call of Matthew 28:19-20-“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
-Michelle Gaddi
2 Timothy 4-7.26.21
Scripture
2 Timothy 4:3
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.”
Observation-What does it say?
In this final letter to Timothy, Paul writes to warn him of possible troubles ahead for the church. Paul encourages Timothy to be prepared , to keep a clear mind, and patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage the church with good and sound teaching. Where does good and sound teaching come from? Directly from the Word of God.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Stay the course. Finish the race!
The verse I chose this morning really stuck out to me because it really seems like Paul is speaking about the generation that we live in today. We live in a society where just having the phrase “In God We Trust” on our currency offends people. We live in a society where having the 10 Commandments posted somewhere within our school’s walls is offensive. I guess having some sort of morals like not killing, not stealing, or not committing adultery is something people don’t want crammed down their throats, huh?! 🤷🏽♂️ The fact of the matter is we live in a society that is deteriorating. We live in a society that Paul speaks of in this passage-(society that wants to pick and choose which commandments they like, and which ones they want to to ignore and replace). The problem with having people determine what is right and wrong is that we are all sinners-(see Romans 3:10). We are imperfect people. So instead of following the ways of a Holy and perfect God, we choose to do things our own way to fill our own selfish desires. And that is what Paul is warning Timothy about here, and it should be a warning for the church today. We need to be prepared. We need to stand firm on God’s Word. We cannot give in to pressures of society and dilute God’s Message. We need to encourage and pray for one another to stay the course, be on mission, and finish the race! Because at the end of it all, I know I would like to be able to say what Paul said in verse 7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”
Life Application
Pray for “The Church” to stand up for God!
Now when I say “The Church”, I’m talking about all followers of Jesus Christ. We are His hands and feet out there in this world.
We are called to be set apart, to be holy, from the rest of the world. We need to stand up and fight for what we believe in. Don’t let anyone pressure us into going against our beliefs. I pray for God’s people to stand united, and be on mission together. Let’s be the salt and light of the earth. Let’s pray for revival in our nation and God’s wisdom for our leaders. We can sure use it in our country’s situation right now. But it has to start with us (His Church)!
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”-2 Chronicles 7:14
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”-1 Corinthians 16:13
-Moses Gaddi
2 Timothy 3-7.23.21
Scripture-
2 Timothy 3:14-15 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Observation-
In chapter two, Paul explains the importance of discipline to Timothy. Coming from his experience with persecution for his testimony, Paul encourages Timothy to have both the endurance of a soldier, the discipline of an athlete and the perseverance of a farmer. Paul reminds Timothy to hold tight to the true gospel, because he fears there is trouble waiting for the church. This trouble is described in the opening verses of chapter three. We will see generations of people who are “lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:2-4). It is because of these times that we must stay faithful to the calling of the gospel. Verses 14 and 15 give us the central message of this chapter, staying true to the gospel and the previous pattern of ministry so we are not disqualified from our salvation.
Understanding-
I’m not sure exactly why, but retirement is always a big topic amongst my colleagues, many of whom are still in their mid-thirties like myself. It might be the short life expectancy of people in law enforcement and emergency services that prompts this behavior. They say police officers and firefighters will most likely only live about five years after retirement. So the planning for this time period seems to start relatively early. Either way, retirement planning is something that takes a great amount of discipline. The length of our days is not known, therefore you don’t know how long to prepare for. The more sacrifices you can make early in your life will equate to more comfort and ease when you are no longer working. It’s often referred to as delayed gratification. Studies have shown the earlier you can develop your sense of delayed gratification, the more successful you will be in all areas of life.
More important than our retirement, is the position we will find ourselves in for eternity. Paul’s words to Timothy give us a reminder that delayed gratification applies most directly to our spiritual life. We cannot see or touch the spiritual things while on this planet, but we must hold to the certainty of their coming, not only for ourselves, but also for those around us who may come to a knowledge of God through our lives. As the writer of Hebrews expressed to his audience, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Our faith in Jesus is the basis of our salvation and our connection to God and our entrance to eternity.
Life Application- Jesus, help me not to look only at my current circumstances and seek my pleasure here, but give me an eye for the eternal. Help make my actions ones that will have an impact eternally and not merely for this temporary life. For our citizenship is not here, but in heaven and we are eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus (Philippians 3:20-21).
-Tyler Galloway