 Shalom, welcome everyone to class. Thank you all for joining the class on our study on the book of Titus this morning. We looked at the introduction to the book of Titus last class, last Friday. Now we begin studying Chapter 1. Before we study Chapter 1, can one of you please lead us in prayer, please? Anyone can lead us in prayer? Shall we pray? My dear Father, we want to say thank you this morning for the gift of life. Thank you all for everyone. Thank you for our pastor. Thank you for the end coming on this section of this lecture. Father, we give you all the glory. Thank you for the beginning and thank you for where we are. Father, we commit our lecture into your hands today. Father, may we be your doers of your word and give all strength and increase the wisdom and knowledge of our pastor in the name of Jesus. Thank you, my Father. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. Not able to hear all of you. I think I need to disconnect and then reconnect again. So, I don't know if I should do that or just continue with our class and then maybe do that in the second hour. Okay, so if you have any questions, any doubts, you can post it in the chat section or if you want to say something, you can say it and then maybe Jeffina can just repeat it out for me because she's just sitting in front of me. Okay, we'll begin with chapter one. Can one of you please read verses one to four, please? Titus chapter one verses one to four. Anyone like to read? Titus chapter one verses one to four. Paul, a born servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. According to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgement of the truth which occurs with God in his hope of eternal life with which God who cannot lie promised before time began. But has in due time manifested his word through preaching which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Saviour. So Titus, a true Son in our common faith, grace, mercy and peace from God, the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. Thank you, Jeffina. Okay, so we'll begin with verse, y'all can hear me clearly, right? Okay, thank you. Okay, so Paul, a born servant of God and an apostle of Christ Jesus. So Paul is basically following the letter writing customs of his time by writing, putting his name first, basically saying who's writing this letter. And then, you know, he goes on to give his greetings and in this letter to, you know, to Titus, it is basically written to the Christians on the island of Crete as well, even though it is specifically addressing Titus, but also, you know, this Paul knew that this letter would be read publicly among the churches on the island of Crete. So in the opening part of his letter in the introduction itself, you know, Paul is taking great care to tell the believers or to tell the churches at Crete what his credentials are and where he stood on important issues. Okay, so that is why he says Paul, a born servant of Christ Jesus, an apostle, a born servant of God, an apostle of Christ Jesus, according to the faith of God's elect and acknowledgement of the truth which, which accords to godliness. So the word he uses here, born servant of God, you know, when Paul chose to call himself as a born servant of God, he's basically used choosing to use this ancient Greek word called doulos. And this word doulos basically means a slave, and it's a word that is only designated to a low slave, somebody who's a very low slave. Okay, and it's also he's saying that he's a born servant, which means he's made himself a slave by choice. So we know that, you know, God makes his provision for slaves in the Old Testament that, you know, on the seventh year they are set free to go, but if a slave loves their master very much and their master's been very nice to them, kind to them, you know, then the slave can choose to work the rest of his life for his master. And then, you know, they basically pour a whole in his ears just to show that he's a born servant for life. So here we see that Paul is saying that not only a slave, but also born slave by choice, I've made myself a slave, because he's saying that I'm someone who's completely surrendered myself to the will, to the authority of another. And so Paul chooses to be a slave who has surrendered his will and authority to God. So Paul is saying that though I've chosen to be a born servant, yet, you know, he's saying that he has a high place, because he's a born servant of God. And it's never, you know, a low thing to be a servant of God, or it's never a low thing to serve or be a servant of this great and mighty God. And then he says he's also an Apostle of Christ Jesus. I'm not going to explain this phrase, Apostle of Christ Jesus, because I've explained this when we studied 1st Timothy chapter 1 and 2nd Timothy chapter 1 as well, okay. So we move on according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgement of the truth which accords with godliness. Now if you look at the Passion Translation, the Passion Translation renders this verse as, I'm writing you to further the faith of God's chosen ones and lead them to the full knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. So this gives us a better understanding. So basically Paul is mentioning here his mission and his mission is to further the faith of God's chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth that is in keeping with godliness. That is what this phrase, according to the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth which accords to godliness meets, okay. And then he says, according to faith of God's elect. So God's elect are those whom God foreknew even before the foundations of the world who would choose him and receive his salvation. And those who receive salvation do so by exercising their personal faith which is prompted or empowered by the Holy Spirit, okay. So we can all identify with God's elect because we have responded to the gospel of Jesus Christ or we've responded to salvation and we are living our lives after that gospel, okay. And then he says according to faith of God's elect and acknowledgement of the truth which accords with godliness. So what does this phrase with accords with godliness mean, okay. The aim of God's truth is to promote what? What does it aim to promote? What does scripture aim to promote in us? God's laws, commandments, what does it aim to promote in us? It says here in this verse, aims to promote godliness, right. Because it says with accords with godliness, okay. So the aim of God's truth is to promote godliness in God's people. So Paul's ministry and mission as an apostle was to preach and teach the gospel to the body of Christ and to establish the churches in sound doctrine, in sound faith, in the knowledge of the truth. So this was Paul's mission and focus and this should also be the mission and the purpose of the church today. This should also be our mission and our purpose for ourselves today. Because our need should be to promote the development and the growth of mature faith in God's chosen ones which is his believers. And this is when we, you know, teach them the truth in his word, okay. Verse 2, Paul says, in hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie promised before time began. So basically Paul is stating that his ministry and apostleship in the interest of the faith of God's chosen ones and their knowledge of the truth that also promotes godliness rests on the hope of eternal life. Okay, so everything that we are doing to build people in the truth, in the knowledge of truth, you know, is to promote godliness and this rests on the hope of eternal life. In hope, the word hope here is not just wishing for something or just hoping that something will come true. Hope, basically the Greek word for hope means, you know, confident expectation and anticipation. So it's a confident expectation and anticipation. And why are we having this confident expectation because it rests on the promise of a God who not only does he not lie but cannot because of his perfect and holy character. Okay, so that is our confident expectation because it rests on the promise of a God who not only cannot lie but also because he is holy, he is perfect in every aspect in every area of his life. And the word eternal life means, you know, the zoe life, the God kind of life also. And it's not something that believers will possess only, you know, on the day that we die and seek God face to face when we believe eternally with him. But it's also something that we realize now and we can live now and experience now. And this reality of this eternal life can become a present tense reality in us when we are born again. And that is what John chapter three was 36 promises us that the one who believes in the sun has eternal life. That means has possessed eternal life, has received eternal life. So eternal life is something that we experience here and now in the present, even though it's a eschatological hope, but it's also a realized eschatology. That means we can realize and lift that hope of eternal life here and now in the present. Okay, and then he says which, which God who cannot lie. Okay, so there are two points apostle makes here the reality or the truth of God and the eternal nature of his promises. Okay, and God cannot lie means God is free from falsehood, or it's used as not guilty of falsehood, or, you know, he is always truthful. Okay, so the literal meaning here is God who is free from all deceit or falsehood. So when we saying that God cannot lie, it's basically meaning that he is free from all deceit or falsehood and also that he is truthful and trustworthy. Okay, so how wonderful that our eternal life rests on the truth of a God who simply cannot lie, who's completely truthful and honest. Okay, and he says that this is something that he has promised even before time began. So Paul goes to show or tell us that this eternal life that is promised was not, you know, a momentary decision or some point in history or time and God made this decision that came into his mind, or it did not come into his mind after man's sin and, you know, sin to control over him, like we read in Genesis chapter three, but this promise stretches back to eternity past even before the foundations of the world. Okay, verse three, but has in due time manifested his word through preaching which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our savior. Okay, so what does Paul mean by saying, but as in due time manifested his word. Anyone like to throw some light on this? What does Paul mean when he says, but has in due time manifested his word. I think it actually means that there was a promise in Genesis chapter three that the Christ was going to come and they Can't hear you. Yes. Please go ahead Lou Bega. What were you saying about the meaning of what Paul is saying in due times manifested his word. I was saying that we know very well that when they talk about the what they are three or two parts to this sentence according to my simple analysis. One would be in Genesis chapter three, God promised that the Christ would come and we call him when you read in John one, one, it means the word was the Christ. And again, it was in due time that God decided to give Paul a chance to be a coworker in his kingdom. So when you we all know that it was the Judah either before I mean was the was the Sunday's peace or a forest was the forest. But on the road to the mass cast God appointed him and took him in Arabia and trained him so that he can also be preaching the word of God. So I think this is the line in which we think he is meaning. Thank you. Yes, thank you Lou Bega. Anyone else. What is Paul basically meaning when he says but has in due time manifested this word. I'll just share my thoughts. Maybe Jesus being manifested in the human format. He was the word maybe that's what he's talking about but he also says through preaching, which could be like us preaching about Jesus. I'm just sharing whatever it comes in. Thank you. So if you need to look at any verse and understand it, we need to understand it in the context and also what this comes before it or after it. So here, you know, in in verse two, he's saying the hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie promise before time began. So eternal life was something that was planned and completed thing in the heart and mind of God, even before the foundations of this world. So when Paul is writing and continue to talk about this in verse three, he's saying but has in due time manifested this word. He's saying that while salvation was eternal life was, you know, something that got purposed and was settled in his heart in eternity past. You know, with the lamb being slain, even before the foundations of the world, Revelation chapter 13 was eight, even before Christ came to the earth and he died on the cross. Even before that, you know, the lamb had already been slain. You know, it was already the work of salvation, the work of redemption was already completed done thing in the heart and mind of God, even before it took place in history. So Paul is saying, you know, it was a completed thing in the heart and mind of God. Yes, it happened at one point in time. And the proclamation of this, that message was made known in God's own time according to his own purpose. That's when Jesus came the fullness of time, the Chairos moment. So in the Old Testament, there was an anticipation of the salvation message through the prophets and through the tabernacle, the priesthood, the sacrifices, everything that God had instituted, everything pointed out to the Messiah, which spoke about Christ, the work he's going to do, the work he's going to fulfill, the work he's going to complete, everything was pointing out to Jesus, the Messiah would come. So everything that God instituted on the Old Testament was actually pointing out to Jesus Christ, the person and work of Jesus Christ. So with the coming of Christ and the witness of his life, his death, his resurrection, the message was actually not only being made evident by these historical events that were happening, but it has now been even more made known through the world. So Paul is saying that, yes, all this was completed, done thing in the heart and mind of God. And at the right time, the Chairos moment, Jesus came, he fulfilled everything, he did everything, what was spoken to the prophets, what God instituted, the tabernacle, the prophets, sorry, the priest, the sacrifices, Jesus did everything. And now he's saying it is time for us to preach and teach about this and make it known to the world around us. So at Paul's time, when Christianity came into the world, it was a time when also was the right moment, the Chairos moment, because it was a time when it was uniquely possible to spread the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ very rapidly. And that's why we see the early church, the gospel was spread very rapidly and quickly because there was one common language that was Greek. And the Roman Empire was very, very vast and I hope you've heard the saying that says, all roads lead to Rome. So travel was, it was somewhere very easy, there was, traveling was very easy for, to travel like, you know, travels very easy in Europe, when you go to Europe, you can just travel to various cities in very less time. And also the world was very conscious of its need for a messiah and a savior. Okay, so William Barclay, the commentary writer says, there was never a time when the hearts of men were more open to receive the message of salvation with the Christian missionaries brought. So we see that Christianity came into a world when it was the right time and it was uniquely possible for this message to be spread rapidly. And so Paul is saying that, you know, yes, it was planned, even, salvation was planned even before time began in eternity past, Christ fulfilled it. And Paul knew that preaching is the only way that God's eternal work or Paul's, or God's work of salvation or redemption could meet people today. So preaching is the only way that God's word is made evident or made manifest, okay, or made a reality, a very tangible reality, a presence for people when God's word is preached. When what Christ has done on the cross is preached, it makes it very evident for people. Okay, and he says, Paul says, which was committed to me. Okay, so I'm just reading that, but has in due time manifested this word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our savior. So Paul viewed this message or the proclamation of the salvation message as a treasure, which was entrusted to him, he says it was committed to him. So the Greek word committed means to have faith to entrust. So the meaning here is to be entrusted with something which is a privilege and a responsibility to proclaim this message. So Paul knew the work of preaching was entrusted to him as not only entrusted to him only, but it is committed to all believers. Okay, because the great commission Jesus told us to preach, teach and baptize the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Okay, so here in Titus, the Apostle becomes an example to Titus and to the believers at Crete or to the Cretans and to us. The message of the Savior is a treasure that we have received, okay, for safekeeping. And even as it's a treasure that we have received for safekeeping, it's not something that we need to hide like we, you know, keep all our jewelry and our very price possessions hidden and very carefully, you know, in lock and key. So it's not something that should be hidden in a safe deposit box, but it's something that has to be proclaimed and shared with others. But why is he saying that it's a treasure that is kept given for safekeeping? Any idea? Why is Paul saying that this message of salvation is a message that has been deposited to us, is given to us as a treasure for safekeeping? Any idea why he says that? I think of all that we have learned in the book of Romans, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy. Hello class. I don't think it's a very difficult question. We've been talking about this over and over again. Why is a gospel message given to us as safekeeping? If someone can try, what has basically Paul been talking about in 1 Timothy? Is warning Timothy against whom? Okay, the false preachers. Yes, false preachers and false teachers and he's saying God, the doctrine that is deposited to you is given to you. Okay, so we are supposed to, you know, is a treasure guarded and keep it for safekeeping. But it's not something to be hidden in a box, but something to be shared with others. So this God is given trust, given us to proclaim this message and it's not a take it or a leave it matter for Christians. It's not an option for Paul. It's not an option for Titus, for Timothy. It's not an option for you and me. You know, and we have this great commission where we are asked to be disciples and with a trust, a command given by the savior to preach and teach and to baptize all believers. Okay, and then he says God our savior. So Paul identifies God as our savior and this is a very, very title that's very close to our heart that he's our God, he's our savior. And it basically stresses the very nature and the heart of God that he's one who's concerned with man's salvation, man's salvation. Or he's concerned with, you know, the sin's penalty, the power of sin and the presence of sin in our lives. And that is why he died and he set us free from the power, the dominion and of sin and of death and Satan. Okay, so that is what he's, when he's talking about eternal life, he is saying that it is, his God our savior. Any questions before we move on to verse four? Any doubts? Just a little more explanation on when you said eternal life is realizing a scripture. We realize it now. So how do we actually put it in practice? What is our view on it? Just let them know the explanation. Okay, eternal life is a what? We say eternal life, what do we really mean? I always thought it's a life that I have to help him. So, but we also understand that we are going a little bit eternally because, but yeah, I'm quite confused. Okay, so when you talk about eternal life, what do we really mean? Even when you think it's a futuristic hope? We believe there is no power of death over this, some has more power over this. And we believe there's no pain, there's no tears. There's no sickness, there's no pain. Yes, so when Christ died on the cross, he broke the power of sin, power of death and the power of Satan. And what does Paul write in Romans chapter six? He says we are no longer the power of sin over us is, you know, no longer operative. You know, it's rendered powerless, inoperative. We have the life and the nature of God. Okay, so we have and we receive eternal life. We have the life and nature of God in us spirit man. Yes, our flesh is still the same old flesh, our soul, our mind, our emotions is just the same. But we will see the life and the nature of God in our spirit man. Okay, so for us to, which means that, you know, we can, so it's not only when we go to heaven that we experience power over Satan, but also Paul writes in Romans chapter six, our spiritual identification. How do we spiritually identify with Christ? Yes, we are, we spiritually identify with his death, his burial, his resurrection, his ascension and then seated outside. So what does it mean that when we are seated at the right hand of God? It basically means that we have authority over every dominant powers of Satan. So we already are there as spiritual identification is that. So we operate from that. What do we mean that when Christ ascended, we also ascended? What does it mean? It means now we look at everything from heaven's perspective. So we already have the life and nature of God in us, which means that we have the power to say no to sin. We can overcome sin. We can overcome temptation. Yes, we will have sickness and suffering, but, you know, God has given us the weapons that we can, and the promises in his word, the weapons that we use to fight against Satan to overcome sickness, pain, poverty, you know, and to walk in that, the fullness of that eternal life. It's not something, yes, it's a futuristic hope. It's an eschatological hope. Eschatology means something way into the future. So it's eternal life is an eschatological hope, but it's also realized eschatology. Something that we can realize now and live. We don't have to just go to heaven to and wait to overcome Satan. We can even, we have already overcome Satan because Hebrews says that Jesus is the captain of our salvation. He has won the victory. We have already won the victory. We have dominion. He's given us everything that we need for life and godliness, all the weapons that we need. We can also walk in the power of the Holy Spirit like Jesus did. That is why Jesus set us an example. He actually look at Jesus's life. It's a taste of eternal life what he lived. But did he go through sufferings and hardships and difficulties? Yes. But did he enjoy the fullness of the God kind of life? Yes. Did he do the will of the Father? Did he overcome temptation? Yes. Did he do science, miracles and wonders? Yes. Did he have joy, peace? Yes. So we can experience all of that here and now and not just wait until we go to heaven. Of course, that is in the perfect sense. But this is also in a very realized way that we can experience. We can experience God's move, His provision, His joy, His peace even in the midst of turmoil and difficulties and pain just like Jesus slept peacefully in the storm. You know. So also we can. So all of those things is something that we can still real experience. Okay. Okay. Thank you, Jeff. That's a good question. Anyone else? Okay. If not, we will move on to verse four where Paul saying is writing to, he's saying he's writing this to Titus, a true son and a common faith, grace, mercy and peace and God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Okay. So he's saying Titus a true son. He's basically tight. Paul had a relationship of and looked at Titus as a son because he was somebody who mentored him and helped him to grow spiritually and released him for the in the service of God. Okay. And also says in our common faith, that means Paul and Titus had a father son relationship because of their common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And by using this term common, the Apostle is reminding us that which we hold in common with all believers that it's our faith in Jesus who is the Lord and Savior of our lives who, you know, holds us together as one in Christ. We are the body of Christ. We are one in Him. Regardless of the places we come from, the languages we speak, our race, whatever, we are all one in Christ Jesus. Okay. So also that, you know, in Christ Jesus, we have brothers and sisters in Christ. And some cases we have spiritual fathers and mothers. And, you know, it is this common faith that provides us the basis for harmony and communion. And then he goes on to say grace, mercy and peace. This is something that is we've already studied in 1st Timothy chapter one. I explained this in detail in 1st Timothy chapter one. So I'm not going to look at it again. And then he says from God, the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are Saviour. So, you know, grace, mercy and peace comes from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are Saviour. Okay. Explain all this in 1st Timothy chapter one. So I'm not going to go through this again. And then we'll move on to verses five to nine. If anyone has any questions you can ask or doubts. And then we'll move on to verses five to nine. Any questions, any doubts? Okay. Then can somebody please read verses five to nine of Titus chapter one please. For this reason, I left you in a crate that you should set in order the things that we are lacking and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. If a man is blameless, a husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of this petition or insubordination, or insubordination, a bishop must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sub-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exalt and convict those who contradict. Amen. Thank you, Lubega. So Paul is saying for this reason I left you in a crate. So Paul left Titus behind in a crate to basically stabilize the churches there and look for qualified people who could take over leadership positions. And this was specially needed in a crate because, like I said in the introduction, the Cretans were a wild bunch of people who were known to be lazy and liars. And Titus had this responsibility to find and train good, eligible, capable leaders for the churches in this island of Crete. So he's saying set in order. The Greek word for order basically means to straighten further, to correct in addition. That means when Paul and Titus were in Crete they did a certain amount of work at Crete but now Titus has to continue on this work and because the work has not finished Paul felt the need to leave behind Titus there. So Titus was to continue his work and not leave the work behind and go away anywhere else because if he does that it would be like giving birth to children and not caring, just caring for them for a little while and it would just basically look like abandoning them or leaving them at someone else's doorstep. So Titus had to preach and teach them so that they can grow spiritually and he can also point godly leaders and build those who were childlike in their faith or babes in their faith. And he says set in order the things that are lacking. Now if you compare the work of Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete it shows that there was much more lacking among the congregations of the home churches at Crete because Paul specifically or specifically told Titus to set in order things that are lacking and we don't see any such command to Timothy. And then he says appoint elders in every city as I've commanded you and then he gives the list of qualifications for the elders of the bishops and I'm not going to explain in detail verses 7, 8 and 9 because this is something that we've already looked at in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and I've already explained to you who is a bishop, who is an elder and all of those things and what it means to be self-controlled, hospitable, not violent, tempered self will not given to wine. I've explained all of that in detail. So I'll just mention here that in verse 6 he talks about domestic qualifications. He says if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of dispassion or insubordination. And then in verse 7 he talks about personal qualifications. He says for a bishop must be blameless as a steward of God. Let's not self-fill, not quick tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money. And then in verse 8 he talks about positive qualifications but he must be hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled. And in verse 9 he talks about the doctrinal qualifications. Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convict those who contradict. So he basically is talking about these are the qualifications that you have to look for in a leader or elder or a bishop that you are appointing in the churches at Crete. So, Jefina's question was, was Titus also as young as Timothy because Paul calls both of them and his sons just out of curiosity. Yes, I think both of them were young. I think when Paul left Timothy at Ephesus, you know, he was somewhere in his 30s. Yes, so it is believed that Titus also was young much like Timothy but their specific ages are not given in the biblical texts but because he calls both of them as sons in the faith it basically, you know, talks about his closeness and also that they are very young, yes. Okay, so in verse 9 he talks about the doctrinal qualifications of a leader and then he also has mentioned positive qualifications and other other qualifications that Titus needs to look for in a leader. Okay, so we'll move on to the characteristics of false teachers in verses 10 to 16. So in verses 6 to 9 Paul basically lists out what Titus must look for when he's appointing leaders and Paul lists the qualifications and we saw it can be divided into domestic, personal, positive and doctrinal qualifications and then he goes on to talk about the characteristics of false teachers in verses 10 to 16. So can one of you please read verses 10 to 16 please. For there are many insubordinate, both idol-talkers and deceivers especially those of the circumcision whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole households taking things which they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them a prophet of their own said, This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the face not giving heed of Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth to the pure. All things are pure but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure. But even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God but in works they deny him being abominable, disobedient and disqualified for every good work. Amen. Thank you, Lubega. So in verse 10 he says there are many insubordinate both idol-talkers and deceivers especially those of the circumcision so he begins this part of the letter by saying four. So in this section he's introduced with this word four which gives the reason why elders with doctrinal qualifications are needed which Paul mentions just before this or he mentions or describes in verse nine are needed. He's saying look for people with doctrinal qualifications why because he says there are many who stand opposed to the truth. We read this in verse nine and verse 14 as well and he says these people who oppose the truth are insubordinate which means that someone who will not submit to God's authority. Okay. And we know that God has established authority in various areas of our life whether it is the home, in the church, in the workplace, in the community and God wants us to recognize authority that is placed in our lives and he wants us to submit to that authority. Okay. We'll stop here and we'll come back after the break and continue. Thank you everyone.