A Godly Man Is Sound In Endurance, Titus 2:2

A Godly Man Is Sound In Endurance

Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

A godly man has this quality, He is

• Sound in Endurance - ability to withstand hardships
• This man keeps going when things are tough
• He doesn't allow life's circumstances to control his perspective
• Suffering is something to conquer, he perseveres through it
• Hardships make him stronger

~Dad

A Godly Man Is Sound In Love, Titus 2:2

A Godly Man Is Sound In Love

Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

A godly man has this quality, He is

• Sound in Love - cares for others
• He treats others well.
• Caring for the needs of people marks his life.
• He lives the attributes of love found in 1 Corinthians 13.
• He is not cruel nor does he degrade others.

~Dad

A Godly Man Is Sound In Faith, Titus 2:2

A Godly Man Is Sound In Faith

Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

A godly man has this quality, He is

• Sound in Faith - firm in doctrine
• He does not waver in his faith
• This man knows the truths of the Word
• He knows what God expects and live accordingly
• Bowing to the latest church fad doesn't occur in his life
• He knows there is more to Christianity than just John 3:16
• This man knows that God is the same in the Old and New Testament
• He believes that ALL Scripture is God breathed and useful in his life today

~Dad

A Godly Man Has Self-Control, Titus 2:2

A Godly Man Has Self Control

Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

A godly man has this quality, He has

• Self-control - able to restrain one's own impulses, emotions, and desires
• He is able to control his anger
• Sexual desires do not master him
• There is an ability to stay calm and controlled in tense situations
• "Once-in-a-lifetime" deals do not fool him into foolish purchases

~Dad

A Godly Man Is Worthy Of Respect, Titus 2:2

A Godly Man Is Worthy Of Respect

Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

A godly man has this quality, He is

• Worthy of Respect - held in high regard
• People see how he acts and approve
• He is honorable in his dealings
• Loved by those around him
• Lives in a way that people can trust him

~Dad

A Godly Man Is Temperate, Titus 2:2

A Godly Man Is Temperate

Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

A godly man has this quality, He is

• Temperate - marked by moderation
• This person will keep himself from swinging on the pendulum
• He will not be excessive in eating, drinking, exercising, style of clothes, hair etc...
• Will not go overboard on being stern or in being lenient
• He will not be boisterous
• He is even keeled, relaxed but not lethargic, firm but not overbearing, jokes but does not cut down others

~Dad

Attributes of A Godly Man, Titus 2:2

Attributes Of a Godly Man

Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

K and A, Christian men are to have these qualities. Your "man" is to posses these traits. What a great husband you will have if he fulfils the traits of a godly man.

I will take each attribute and expound on them over the next few days. A - look for a young man who desires to become this man. K - help your husband to become this guy. That is part of your responsibilities as a wife.

~Dad

Titus' Teachings, Titus 2:1-15 (12)

Titus' Teachings

Titus 2:12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age

What are the purposes of Titus' teachings? They were to help the people in Crete to say "No". You too, daughters, will be able to say "No" to sin when you learn what he taught and when  you learn the other timeless truth of God's word. ~Dad

Teach Truth, TItus 2:1

Teach Truth

Titus 2:1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

As Paul's spokesman, Titus was to pick leaders who held firmly to the message of the gospel. As he taught them, they would teach others what was consistent with the Word of God. In the verses that follow, Paul gives doctrine that are applicable today. They are not varied by cultural norms, rather they are truths that timeless. We would be wise to not only keep to them, but to teach these doctrines to others under or care. ~Dad

Proof In Action, Titus 1:16

Proof In Action

Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.

Our actions don't determine what we believe, but they do prove what we believe! People will know who you are by what you do. Show the world around you the love Christ gave you when he saved you. Put proof in your Christian walk. ~Dad

Beneficial Rebuke, Titus 1:13

Beneficial Rebuke

Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith.

Today we choose to coddle children growing up. This has developed entitled millennials and the next generation is on track to become even more narcissistic and deserving. The same thing is happening in the church. WE don't want to tell someone they are wrong... that would be terrible.

Here we see Paul telling Titus you must rebuke or people will be weak in their faith and may develop into people who will be liars, cheaters, and evil brutes tearing others from the faith. A loving rebuke early will develop followers who are sound in the faith, in the home and in the church.

~Dad

Reputation Earned, Titus 1:12

Reputation Earned

Titus 1:12 Even one of their own prophets has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons."

In Greek literature, to cretanize means to lie. The people of Crete earned their reputation. What reputation are you earning? As a Christian, others will watch you and a reputation you will earn, not only for you but your family, your church and your God. It is so easy to ruin a good reputation and so hard to regain. ~Dad

Rebellion Destroys, Titus 1:11

Rebellion Destroys

Titus 1:11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach - and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

It may appear that one's rebellious state affects only himself, but it destroys those around him. It brings doubt into the hearts of many and creates disunity. Leaders must stop rebellion against sound doctrine or soon there will be no church. It will become just a gathering place with no fullness of the Spirit, people going through the motions. ~Dad

Talks A Good Line, Titus 1:10

Talks A Good Line

Titus 1:10 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcised group.

A leader needs to stand up for the truth. Just because someone is a good talker, certainly doesn't mean they know what they are talking about. In fact, Proverbs says that where there is much talk, there is sin. ~Dad

Qualification For Church Leadership, Titus 1:6-9

Elder Wrap-Up

Titus 1:6-9  A unrefined paraphrased version by ~Dad

Qualifications Required For Church Leadership
Vs 6-9   A leader of the church is to be a man of highest righteous morals and standards. He is not to have multiple wives. He must show spiritual integrity and leadership at home and not just at church. He will not allow his children to be involved in sinful revelry. He knows how to teach and discipline them. They are to be well behaved and followers of the Way. His character and integrity are of top priority. Although he pushes others to succeed, he will not force them, rather he is patient and kind. He allows the Holy Spirit to control his life not his natural desires. He does not use alcohol, drugs, or worldly pleasures to handle life; he finds release in the Lord. He is peaceful and gentle, honest in his dealings, and does not cheat to get ahead, Those around him find him inviting, receptive, and giving. He searches for ways to uplift and build character in others. A true leader will reject pleasures that stem from evil, will flee evil thoughts and acts of sin and resist the Devil. With integrity of heart and soul, he dedicates himself to godly practices, and is marked by spiritual living and is involved in ways that please the Lord. He plans ahead and follows through on tasks, is reliable and trustworthy, and develops ways to accomplish the responsibilities given him. A person worthy of leading the church does not waver in his belief of the Gospel message. He lives it in everyday life. That message is this: to care for those who cannot care for themselves and keep from being polluted by the world. He does not desire to become like the culture around him in thought or deed, nor does he use its wisdom to help and lift those in the church. Rather, he uses the principles and truths found in Scripture. When others say that today's wisdom is superior, the Bible was for a different time and culture, he does not sit idly by but refutes "truths" which are not backed up by the Word of God. A leader must be a true man of God.

Elder Qualifications IV, Titus 1:9

Elder Qualifications IV

Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Elder Qualifications IV

• Holds firmly to the message of the gospel - sound doctrine
• He does not waver in his belief of the Gospel message.
• He lives the Gospel message
• That message is this (according to James):
• To care for those who cannot care for themselves
• To keep from being polluted by the world - do not become like them
• Encourage others using sound doctrine
• Does not use the wisdom of the world to lift people, rather he uses principles found in scripture
• Refutes those opposed to the Message
• Does not sit idly by as people claim "truths" not backed up by the Word

~Dad

Elder Qualifications III, Titus 1:8

Elder Qualifications III

Titus 1:8  Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Elder Qualifications III

• Hospitable
• Inviting, receptive, giving
• Lover of Good
• Searches for things that uplift and build character, Rejects pleasure that stem from evil
• Self-Controlled
• Flees evil thoughts and acts of sin, Resists the Devil
• Upright
• Has integrity of heart and soul
• Holy
• Dedicated to godly practices, Set on spiritual living and the things of the Lord
• Disciplined
• Plans ahead, Follows through on tasks, Reliable and Trustworthy, Develops ways to accomplish the responsibilities given him.

~Dad

Elder Qualifications II, Titus 1:7

Elder Qualifications II

Titus 1:7  Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless - not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not given to dishonest gain.

Elder Qualifications II

• Blameless
• Character and integrity top priority 
• Not Overbearing
• Pushes others to succeed but not too much
• Not quick-tempered
• patient and kind
• Does not get drunk
• Under the control of the Holy Spirit, does not use alcohol or drugs to handle life
• Not violent
• Peaceful and gentle
• Not given to dishonest gain
• Honest in his dealings, Does not cheat to get ahead

~Dad

Elder Qualifications I, Titus 1:6

Elder Qualifications

Titus 1:6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

Elder Qualifications

• Blameless
• Of highest righteous morals and standards
• Husband of one wife
• Not a polygamist
• Children are believers
• Shows his spiritual integrity and leadership at home not just before others
• Children are not wild, not even open to the accusation
• Does not allow sinful revelry
• Children are not disobedient, not even open to the accusation
• Knows how to teach and discipline

~Dad

Attributes Of An Elder, Titus 1:6-9

Attritutes Of An Elder

Titus 1:6-9 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless - not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not given to dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Wow! can we find a man like that in today's church? We will pick through each of these verses over the next few days and make a bulleted list, opening them up so we can see God's view on what the leaders of a church should look like.

For now, suffice it to say that Paul believed that the choice of an elder was extremely important. Think of the leaders in the church you attend... how do they measure up? How is this helping or hurting your church?

~Dad

Unfinished Business, Titus 1:5

Unfinished Business

Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.

Ever think you were inept because you could get all your work done? Well, even Paul couldn't get everything complete and had to leave an area before all the work was done.... but before you start excusing yourself, make sure you do as Paul and double back around and make sure your tasks get taken care of. If not, life will get all out of sorts, and all your hard work may come to nothing. ~Dad

A Salutation of Love, Titus 1:4b

A Salutation of Love

Titus 1:4b Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

How do you greet others? Desire God's gift of serenity, even if the that person doesn't appear to deserve it. Then, they will sense the love you have for them right from the beginning. ~Dad

Son In The Faith, Titus 1:4a

Son In The Faith

Titus 1:4a To Titus, my true son in our common faith.

Titus was taken under the wing of Paul and taught and trained by him like a son. He wanted to become like Paul. Titus became a leader of the church in Crete and other areas of the Roman world.

I pray, daughters, that you are spiritual daughters to me as well. That is the point of this blog. I desire you to follow my footsteps, forsaking the pleasures of the world and instead walk with Christ. ~Dad

Appointed By God, Titus 1:3

Appointed By God

Titus 1:3 and at his appointed season he brought he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.

Paul, at the beginning of the book of Titus, establishes his authority as originating from God. These are not his words that he preaches and teaches, they are the words of God himself. Paul is appointed to bring them to light.

Let us be careful to follow God's Word today ~Dad

I Cannot Lie, Titus 1:2

I Cannot Lie

Titus 1:2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.

A book on George Washington tells that little George explained to his father that he cut down the cherry saying, "I cannot lie, Pa." This quote has no known truth to it. Satan is called the father of lies, making lying is a common sin for which the lake of fire was created. So, be careful, ladies and speak the truth. 

On the other hand, God does not lie and his children do not either. Like him, you are to carry out your promises. Your word is to be reliable, above question. Then  people will put their trust in you, knowing you will not lie. ~Dad

The Point Of Godliness, Titus 1:2

The Point Of Godliness

Titus 1:2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.

We know that faith and knowledge leads to godliness. But why be godly? Because godliness is the required character trait needed to receive eternal life. If you are not godly, you will not make it into heaven. ~Dad

Paul's Commission, Titus 1:1

paul's Commission

Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.

Paul served God so that people might have faith in God and to teach them the truths so they would know the way to godliness.

K and A, if you are going to be godly, you will need to know what Paul teaches here in Titus along with knowing the other truths taught by Paul throughout the New Testament. ~Dad

Titus For Us

Titus For Us

I have chosen the book of Titus. It is not for any particular reason beyond it is short and a useful book to learn what Paul expected to be taught in the church. It also shows how the church polity was organized and requirement for the people chosen the different positions.

Titus was an important co-worker with Paul and was utilized by him to establish churches in different areas around Greece and into what now is in the area of Croatia. He accompanied Paul on many of his journeys and was a reliable leader of the early church.

We can learn from Paul's instructions to Titus. We must be careful not to eliminate the teachings for cultural or generational teachings. They are very applicable to us today. Truly Titus is for Us.

May God bless our hearts and lives as we open his Word to our understanding. ~Dad

What's Next, Proverbs 1:8

What's Next

Proverbs 1:8 Listen, my [daughters], to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

Hello daughters, I wasn't sure where to go next. The shorter format is nice for both you and me. So I decided to do a book of the New Testament. Probably a shorter one. I will be picking highlights from the passage. I won't be doing an exegesis of the book. If you have a particular book you want me to do, contact me. If not, I will choose one tomorrow. I pray the Lord blesses your life as you utilize these spiritual insights. ~Dad

Called By Name, John 20:16

Called By Name

John 20:16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni.!" which means Teacher)

Jesus knew her name, and she knew his. While Mary was about her duties, Jesus called her by name and she responded.

Will you recognize the voice of God when he calls your name? Daughters, Jesus has a way for you, and he will call you to it. Be faithful in his service until he calls your name. Answer him saying; Teacher, what do you have for me. Then, follow wherever he leads. ~Dad

Have a Bless-ed Easter!