The Servant of God…  (4 points)

• 1^st – Paul was a servant… vs. 1
  • 1^st – Paul was a SERVANT…
    • SERVANT – doulos – 127x in NT used to describe a SLAVE!
      • Deuteronomy 15:17 – God defined the role of a doulos – a bondservant…
      • If a servant was to be set free – but CHOSE to stay – he had his ear pierced on a doorpost…
      • He became a BONDSERVANT – someone who CHOSE to be a slave for His master!
      • Jesus does not demand that we give our lives to Him – it is our choice…
      • We can choose to live for ourselves – live for this world – in bondage to this world…
      • But the irony is when we give our lives to Jesus – that is when we are truly free!
      • John 8:36 – “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
    • A SLAVE is owned by their master…
      • We have been purchased – God bought us with through the cross – paid with His life!
      • I Peter 1:18-19 – “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you… the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver.  He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”
      • We are not our own – our lives are not ours to live as we choose…
      • We were purchased with the highest of prices – the life of Jesus…
      • Our lives belong to Jesus – we should live in a way that glorifies Him!
      • I Corinthians 6:20 – “You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
    • A SLAVE can only serve one master…
      • You cannot go in two directions at the same time – you cannot serve two people…
      • Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters…”
      • We choose who we serve – in the simple seemingly insignificant choices of life…
      • We are either going to be serve the world – to the pursuit of money / pleasure…
      • Or we are going to be serve the Lord – worshiping and following Him!
  • 2^nd – Paul was a SERVANT of God…
    • Paul is giving his QUALIFICATIONS – by stating WHO he worked for…
    • He was a SERVANT of God – meaning he came in with in the AUTHORITY of God Almighty!
    • Every day when we walk out our front door – we REPRESENT the one we work for…
    • We do not speak in our AUTHORITY – we come in the POWER of the one who sent us!
    • Many times we are shy to stand up for Jesus – intimidated by the world…
    • Or we fret about what we are going to say – afraid we do not have the right words…
    • But we do not go in our STRENGTH – we ROAR with the POWER of God…
    • We just need to open our mouths – God will speak through us!
    • Matthew 10:19-20 – “Do not worry about what to say… it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you!”
  • 3^rd – Greatest in the Kingdom…
    • A SLAVE – was the lowest position you could have…
      • Paul worked for God Almighty – but he was just a lowly SLAVE!
      • In the world – those who are GREAT – have all the authority – and often ABUSE it!
      • In the workplace – those who have the power – tell everyone else what to do…
      • In government – those who have the power – tell everyone else what to do…
      • But the Bible contrasts the world to how things should work in church…
      • To be GREAT in the church of God – you must be a SERVANT!
      • Mark 10:43-44 – “Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your SERVANT.  And whoever of you desires to be first shall be SLAVE of all.”
      • Greatness to us is riches/ power / influence / having SERVANTS…
      • Not the person who empties the trash / cleans / is the servant!
      • We would call that a SERVANT – but God calls them GREAT!
      • So to be GREAT in church – pick up the trash / clean a table / change a diaper!
    • If you want to be FIRST (the greatest of all) – then be a SLAVE (doulos)!
      • The same word the Apostle Paul uses to describe himself… 
      • Those who desire to be LEADER in the church – the GREATEST – be the SLAVE of ALL!
      • Leadership in the church should not look like the leadership in the world…
      • It should be the opposite – a leader in the church does not tell others what to do…
      • A leader is the one who lives his life to serve (slave to) everyone else…
      • The GREATER we become in the Kingdom of God – the more of a SERVANT we become!
    • The Greatest of all servants – was Jesus Christ…
      • Mark 10:45 – “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
      • Jesus had every right to be served – He was God almighty!
      • But instead He came to SERVE – and to give His life as a RANSOM for many – 
      • RANSOM – price paid to purchase a SLAVE / we were all SLAVES to sin – Romans 6:18
      • The price Jesus paid to save us – was to give His life for us!
      • Jesus gave us the example of Godly greatness – to give our lives for others!

• 2^nd – Paul was an apostle… vs. 1
  • 1^st – An Apostle of Jesus Christ…
    • The word APOSTLE simply means someone who is SENT OUT to preach the Gospel…
    • The picture is that of an ambassador – a representative of God to the world!
    • II Corinthians 5:20 – “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us…”
    • Because people do not know Jesus – they are lost in darkness and sin…
    • We can all can think of people right now who are not going to heaven…
    • We know people lost in superstation / worthless religion / and empty sinful pleasures…
    • We are called to be APOSTLES – SENT OUT to tell them about Jesus – Ephesians 4:11
  • 2^nd – THE Apostle to the Gentiles…
    • Saul was given authority from the priest to arrest anyone who confessed Jesus – Acts 9:2
      • But as Saul was nearing Damascus – a brilliant light beamed down on him…
      • A voice from Heaven called out saying – Saul why are you persecuting me…
      • When he came to the city – a man named Ananias came to pray for him…
      • The Lord had told Ananias – Saul is my chosen vessel – Acts 9:15
      • Chosen to be THE Apostle the Gentles – Romans 11:13 / I Timothy 2:7 / Galatians 2:7
    • Peter was the Apostle to the Jews – Galatians 2:8
      • Yet Peter was the working man – Paul was a Pharisee of Pharisees…
      • Simple logic would tell us that God would have called Paul to the Jews…
      • Paul knew Judaism inside and out – he was perfect to minister to the Jews…
      • Peter was a working man – he could have easily related to the Gentiles…
      • Yet God called them to the exact opposite ministries!
      • We are not always SENT OUT where we think we are the strongest…
      • If God called us to our strengths – then we would trust in our own abilities…
      • More often than not God calls us to our weaknesses – so that we trust in Him…
      • Never be afraid to step out in faith – especially if it seems impossible!
      • Remember God a simple man to build the ark – while the experts built the Titanic!
    • Chosen to bear fruit that lasts…
      • Paul wrote 1/3 of the New Testament – and his fruit can still be seen today!
      • Because if God is the one who calls / anoints a person – the results are dynamic…
      • We might come up with Great ideas – BUT only the ideas God comes up with work…
      • If God is doing the work – then even if I am not there – the work continues – fruit remains! 
      • John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…”

• 3^rd – The message of Paul… vs. 1-3
  • 1^st – Encourage the FAITH to those God had ELECTED… vs. 1
    • According (kata) to the FAITH of the ELECT of God…
      • ELECT – eklektos – 23x in NT – speaks of the sovereignty of God – He chose us…
      • Paul certainly understood this because he was ELECTED by God!
      • Acts 9:15 – “The Lord said unto him – go thy way: for he is a chosen [same word] vessel…”
      • This can be a hard concept for us to comprehend – God chooses those who go to heaven!
      • John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you…”
    • God CHOOSES based on His foreknowledge…
      • Romans 8:29 – “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined…” 
      • God is eternal – which means He has no beginning or end – Revelation 1:8
      • God does not have an endless amount of time – God is outside of time!
      • God sees all of time – from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 all at once!
      • Isaiah 46:10 – “Declaring the end from the beginning…”
      • In a sense God cheats – He knows every ones choice before they every make it…
      • God sees EVERYTHING – He knows exactly who will believe in / receive Jesus…
      • So He chooses those who He knows will choose Him!
    • What if you do not want to choose to believe in Jesus…
      • Then you are NOT one of those whom God has CHOSEN to be saved – to go to heaven…
      • You might say – but I want to go to heaven – then CHOSE to believe in Jesus…
      • When you do you will find out – God had already CHOSEN you!
      • Joshua 24:15 – “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…”
  • 2^nd – Teach the truth – to know how to live Godly… vs. 1
    • The ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the truth – which accords with Godliness…
      • ACKNOWLEDGEMENT – epignōsis – to have the COMPLETE and TOTAL understanding…  
      • Of THE (definite article) truth – THE truth that Paul was teaching was the Word of God!
      • We live in a world that would love to question TRUTH – there are no absolutes…
      • What is right for you / may not be what is right for me – everything is RELATIVE…
      • Event Pontius Pilate famously said to Jesus – what is TRUTH – John 18:38
      • It does not matter what MEN say – the only place we can find TRUTH is in the WORD!
      • Romans 3:4 – “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.”
      • John 17:17 – “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” – Psalm 119:160
    • The TRUTH of the WORD teaches us how to be GODLY…
      • People have a lot of ideas on how they are supposed to live their lives…
      • Living for Jesus is almost always the exact opposite of what the world says…
      • The world says to seek riches – the Bible says to be content – Hebrews 13:5
      • The world says to focus on yourself – the Bible says to die to ourselves – Luke 9:23
      • The word says to be strong – the Bible says we need to be weak – II Corinthians 12:9
      • It can be hard to accept – it is so different from everything we were taught…
      • But the TRUTH – what the world misses – is found in Christ!
      • The only way we can know how God intends for us to live – is by studying the Word!
  • 3^rd – Bring the HOPE of eternal life… vs. 2
    • God who CANNOT lie…
      • Hebrews 6:18 – “It is impossible for God to lie…”
      • People can make all the promises in the world – but they will break them…
      • People can make all the threats in the world – but they cannot keep them…
      • But whatever the Lord says – that you can guarantee will come to pass!
      • Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that he should lie… or change his mind. He has never spoken and failed to act. He has never promised and not carried it through.”
    • Promised BEFORE the world began…
      • Before God created the world – Adam and Eve – God had a PLAN for salvation…
      • If you knew that making a decision would cost your life – would you still do it…
      • God knows all things – He sees the end from the beginning – Isaiah 46:10
      • God knew that by creating man – it would mean He had to die – Isaiah 53:7
      • The Lamb of God slain before the foundations of the World– Revelation 13:8
      • Romans 5:8 – “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
      • How much does God love you and me… 
      • So much He created us knowing it would cost Him His life!
    • Therefore we have the HOPE of eternal life…
      • HOPE – 54x in NT carries the idea of expectation – what we EXPECT to happen…
      • Hope – is trusting God for the future – the amazing promises that God has given to us!
      • We cannot see God – have never been to heaven – have not seen Jesus…
      • It is only through HOPE we believe the Gospel is true – has the power to save us…
      • By HOPE we believe that life is not only about living here on earth…
      • By HOPE we believe one day God will take us to be with Him forever in heaven!
      • Hebrews 11:1 – “Faith is the substance of things HOPED for, the evidence of things not seen.”
    • Therefore we do NOT fear death…
      • The world watches us – because they see in us something different – they see hope…
      • We know death is not the end – in fact it is just the beginning of eternal life…
      • Those who are in the world live in constant fear of death – it terrifies them…
      • And they want that same hope – peace – we have because of Jesus!
      • I Corinthians 15:55-57 – “Death, where is your sting… thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  • 4^th – MANIEST through preaching the Word… vs. 3
    • MANIEST – phaneroō – 49x in NT – to reveal or make visible…
      • The HOPE of ETERNAL LIFE – was MANIFEST through the preaching of the WORD…
      • Which was committed to Paul according to the command of God our Savior!
    • Many churches today have neglected PREACHING the Bible…
      • Too many pastors today spend too little time PREACHING the Word…
      • Instead they tell funny stories to entertain – sprinkled with the occasional Bible verse!
      • But it is not our words / or funny stories – people need to hear…
      • They need to know about the dangers of hell – and the reward of heaven…
      • About the coming judgment of God – and the amazing hope of Jesus!
      • But they do not know these things – because they do not know the Word!
      • And the ones who should be teaching them – the pastors – do not…
      • The biggest problem in the church today – there is a famine in the Land!
      • Amos 8:11 – “Not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD.”

Because there is no greater calling or purpose in life – than to share Jesus with the world!

4^th – The introduction of Titus… vs. 4

1^st – Titus was a TRUE son in common faith…

Titus was actually a son of Paul – he was a son through their COMMON faith…

This is the identical greeting that Paul gave to Timothy – I Timothy 1:2

Because Paul had taken them BOTH under his wings – and discipled them in the Lord!

Some of us are blessed with CHILDREN – who we are called to bring in the FAITH…

It is also the responsibility of the Dad to teach the kids about Jesus!

Too often fathers forget that they are to be the spiritual leaders of their homes

Take the time to read the Bible with your children / pray with them…

If we do not teach our kids to have a relationship with Jesus – who will!

Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers… bring [your kids] up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

Others are like Paul – they have sons in the FAITH…

We are all called to DISCIPLE others – raise up the next generation…

God brings people – sons and daughters in the FAITH – into our lives…

We pour into their lives desiring to see them blossom in their walks!

Being an example for them on how to live for and follow Jesus!

I Corinthians 11:1 – “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”

2^nd – Paul wanted Titus to walk in Grace…

From God our Father – and the Lord Jesus Christ – our Savior!

Titus was chosen by God – not because of whom he was – it was by Grace!

Maybe we think – I am pretty sure God did not choose me…

Because we are looking at how messed up we are – and how few talents we have…

But we need to remember God do not choose us because of who we are…

He chooses by Grace – looking at who He is going to make us to be!

2^nd – Paul adds Mercy to his common greeting in all his Pastoral Epistles…

Because Paul wanted God to hold back – have MERCY – what these pastors!

My pastor once told me – Dave do not know why God made me a pastor…

He knew if it was not my job – I might never read the Bible!

We get the idea that LEADERS are somehow – holier / more righteous than the rest…

Chances are God choose us because He knows us all too well…

And he knows that if He does not keep us extra close – we would get in a LOT of trouble!

3^rd – Paul wanted Titus to have peace…

Knowing we are chosen by God by His Grace – not because of our gifts…

Knowing that we have mercy – God will not give us what we deserve…

We can have peace – knowing God will stand with us as we LEAD others to Him!