Monthly Archives: June 2011
mission: avoid distraction
Titus 3:8b-11. Paul instructs Titus to proclaim the gospel of justification by grace (5) and to also insist that the church devote themselves to good works (1, 8, 14). The good works are in response to the Holy Spirit’s washing … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, divisions, faithfulness, genuineness, gospel, grace, sanctification, witness
Tagged Titus 3
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mission: insist on good works
Titus 3:1-8a. Paul is the champion of salvation by grace, apart from works. He teaches that in this text when he says that God “saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own … Continue reading
mission: model a transformed community
Titus 2. God’s grace has appeared to all people, and has brought salvation (11). It has appeared in the person of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness … Continue reading
mission: facilitate order
Titus 1:5-16. The Cretans were not known for their honesty and trustworthiness. They were likely to fall for false teachings, and Paul warned Titus that the island had “many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers” (10). Titus was tasked … Continue reading
mission: preach the faith
Titus 1:1-4. Paul had placed Titus in Crete for the reason that Timothy had been stationed in Ephesus. Titus was a missionary, tasked with the establishment of the newly planted churches. Titus was a disciple of Paul – or, as … Continue reading
Posted in church, destruction in hell, eternal life, faith, gospel, resurrection, witness
Tagged Titus 1
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mission: do not go quietly
2 Timothy 4:9-22. Paul’s final words written to Timothy are not the words of someone resigned to rest upon his accomplishments. He knows that he will soon die for his faith, but he will not go quietly. Many of his … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, faithfulness, gospel, ministry, missions, mortality, perseverance
Tagged 2 Timothy 4
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mission: continue in what you have learned
2 Timothy 3:10-4:8. Paul knew that he was “already being poured out as a drink offering” and it was time for him to depart this life (4:6). He expected to be raised to life again, and to get his reward … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, faithfulness, ministry, missions, perseverance, resurrection, scriptures, second coming
Tagged 2 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 4
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mission: avoid the opposition
2 Timothy 3:1-9. Paul’s picture of the last days is frighteningly accurate. He describes difficult times that will come because of ungodly people. These people are: lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, discernment, faithfulness, hypocrisy, leadership, ministry
Tagged 2 Timothy 3
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mission: be devoted to discipling
2 Timothy 2. False teaching had infested Ephesus, so Paul warned Timothy to avoid its “irreverent babble” because it would “lead people into more and more ungodliness” (16). He instructed Timothy not to debate these teachers, because their “foolish, ignorant … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, divisions, faithfulness, gospel, grace, holiness, ministry, missions, sanctification, scriptures, witness, works
Tagged 2 Timothy 2
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mission: do not be ashamed
2 Timothy 1:8-18. Most of the leaders in the churches of Asia Minor had already stopped visiting Paul – apparently ashamed that he was still imprisoned. In this section, Paul explains why Timothy should not join them, in deserting him … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, faithfulness, gospel, Holy Spirit, missions, witness
Tagged 2 Timothy 1
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Devotions 