Titus 2
2 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Mistake
Sin
Carrying High - Jesus Christ as a Banner of Love and Forgiveness.
Titus is a progression in the 12 Disciples.
Titus 1
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Jesus is leaving us a map of what being led by Jesus Christ looks like. Peter, married, was not a mistake. Oops - Jesus goofed. Actually, Christianity was born, died and Killed Death in Victory in a Syrian suburb. in a non-media world, 16 years later the Emperors trembled at the Name of Jesus.
The New Testament was not echoing the Exodus with Moses being told to stay on Mt. Nebo and watch the progression. Right. Peter is just as active as Paul and his life has mattered. Fully. Almost 100 years of archaeology has decided Peter's grave is 80 feet below the Vatican Alter showing, again, Jesus as God knew exactly, totally, completely, what was happening.
Peter, was not oops. Peter was making a life people made sure his home and his grave were completely graffitied to keep the Fire of Jesus burning. His skeleton shows his feet were cut from the cross.
What is the Map?
Saint Titus is not in the Gospels. Titus is not recorded in the Book of Acts. This is the second generation. Men who had witnessed the power of the Name of Jesus, changed lives, careers, patterns of being shy, saw people rise from the dead, life time problems healed.
Titus is like Paul, like us. Jesus has found us. We have not gone to sit at the feet of Jesus in this life.
The miracles of Jesus reach through time, and, immediately, Jesus is with us.
8 years, 80 years, 180, 580, 1000, 1800, 2080 - people witness the Name of Jesus is Life.
How has Paul reached the point, he not only fellowships with the men who did walk with Jesus in awe; Paul has shown himself as sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Paul has zeal for good works, but over and over Paul has told us - we can never earn the Grace of Jesus.
With this fruit of the Spirit that adds on to Love, Joy, Peace, Patience of Galatians 5 - We find Timothy, Titus. Silvanus. Luke, Mark.
The Scriptures are not about dusty roads and robes with sandals, the Scriptures explain to us of where faith leads. Growth.
Proverbs 31:25,26 is Spiritual Growth:
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Titus had a long life. Just as Jesus told Chorazin and Bethsaida woe to them for not believing. Titus was placed on the Island of Crete. Where the Greeks of the dispersion welcomed Jesus. Is this unusual? Father God is good to those who pray and call upon Him with faith.
Psalm 91
15"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16"With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation."
Psalm 40:5
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.
Lent is the preparation of Easter. Everyone prepares differently. Some branches of Christianity practice beautiful Easter music and what they will say to visitors. Some reflect on what they did last year that would be done better to please Father God. This Lent I am going to be grateful to Jesus for my given Salvation. Jesus walked this life going to people who needed Him. He appeared and healed sometimes to the entire crowd.
This is still amazing.
This Lent I am going to lift someone I love in prayer who has asked for more of life to provide a way forward. I will look to see the answer Father God provides. He may say "No. in His Time, or Yes." But I believe this Lent asks us to hold up those we love to Jesus. I am going to do as Jesus said, I am going to fast in ways that are healthy, for me that is giving up sweets, exercising more.
We are preparing for the Celebration of Salvation. Jesus' Victory over death. And I will lift up a specific prayer for a loved one who has told me how much that person needs His help. And something will advance for the Kingdom of God.
If you are going to pray more and fast for Lent, why not decide who would need more of Jesus the Lord and pray and fast for His blessing upon that person. This is someone I have known for decades and decades. Jesus Himself told us fasting and prayer make huge difference. This loved one had defended the faith, has wondered about the faith, has proclaimed the faith and has lately been down. Wondering if Father God cares and loves. I am in complete expectation of the joy of eternal life of my loved one, but this is the Season to pray for this lamb of God. We will pray for God's blessing of faith, hope and love.
May the Power of Jesus Christ fill our petitions and prayers for more of the Love of Jesus Christ within us and those we Love. May our fasts be pleasing to Father God and our expectation of Joy be tender upon His Heart. In Jesus the Lord. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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