Titus 3:12-15.  Paul’s final instructions to Titus give a job description for the church and explain how each local church can continue to be involved in the mission of reaching the lost world for Jesus Christ.

1. He instructs Titus that he will soon be replaced by another missionary in Paul’s team (12).  This was probably to give Titus the opportunity to personally report to Paul.  He had been sent on a mission.  It was now time to evaluate the success of that mission.

Missions is about sending people to serve among other people.  We send people to accomplish a task.  We send them because Jesus has appointed them that they should go and bear fruit (John 15:16).  Unless they go, there will be no fruit.

2.   He instructs Titus to support Zenas and Apollos in their missions work as well.  Perhaps these two were planning a visit to Crete to raise support for their work.  Paul tells Titus to “see that they lack nothing” (13).

Financially supporting missions work is an opportunity for churches to use their resources to touch the lives of people outside their community.

3.  He also instructs Titus to keep training the believers in Crete to do good works.  He especially mentions helping in “cases of urgent need” (14). 

Lovingly serving others by taking care of them in their times of need is also an opportunity for churches to be “fruitful” in mission.

LORD, make us a missions church, who send, support, and serve others so that your will is done.