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Devotional: Titus 2:6-8

Today’s passage: Titus 2:6-8

Helpful thoughts:

  • The previous verses ended with the details of older women teaching the younger.  In verse 6, Paul moves back to a major spiritual growth goal for the younger men, self-control.
  • In verses 7-8, Paul is again speaking to Titus, serving as a pastor/elder in the church.
  • Pastors are to teach and train the church to do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13).  This does not excuse the pastor from participating in the work however.  He is to teach by word and by example.

Questions to consider:

  1. Looking back to the previous verses in context, how will the growth of a younger man in exercising self-control help his young bride to pursue what she is called to in verses 4-5?  Why should a young man first look at his own heart and actions before seeking to correct his young bride (Matthew 7:1-5)?
  2. In what way is Paul saying to Titus here, “practice what you preach?”
  3. Why is important that a pastor speak with “sound speech?”  How could careless talk and crude words hurt the cause of the gospel in the church?

July 27, 2023 Category: Devotions, Titus

Devotional: Titus 2:1-5

Today’s passage: Titus 2:1-5

Helpful thoughts:

  • Teenagers do not turn into adults magically the moment they turn 18.  Children turn into adults through a process of transformation and growth.  In the same way, men and women do not turn into what Titus 2 calls older men and women to be automatically.  It takes time, effort, humility, grace, etc.
    • Throughout the Christian life, the Christian must pursue growth in Christ-likeness.
  • These transformations do not happen in a vacuum or in a bubble.  Christian growth comes in community, in teaching and in relationships.
  • Pastors are not the only people in the church who should/can teach.  The pulpit is not the only teaching post.  Teaching can happen in class rooms, at dinner tables, living rooms, restaurants, parks, sidewalks, etc.

Questions to consider:

  1. Which characteristics stuck out to you related to older men, older women, and for the younger?  How do these traits fit into the complementary model of biblical manhood and womanhood?
  2. If you’re an older woman and the thought of teaching younger women freaks you out, why is that?  What is it about discipling younger (or newer) believers that bothers you?  Are you willing to be trained to teach younger women?  Men, we can ask the same questions of ourselves.
  3. Is there someone (or a group) of people you know who are (or could) build into you for your growth?  Is there someone you could be encouraging/teaching/discipling in their growth?  Be encouraged to reach out and participate in God’s design for spiritual maturity in the church!

July 26, 2023 Category: Devotions, Titus

Devotional: Titus 1:10-16

Today’s passage: Titus 1:10-16

Helpful thoughts:

  • The reason for the final qualification for elders is given a direct application in today’s passage.  See verse 9 leading into verse 10 and following.
    • Pastors/Elders need to step up and protect the church from false teaching.
  • “The circumcision party” were those who taught that a male must be circumcised (Old Covenant law) in order to be saved.
    • Even their motives were identified by the Apostle Paul.  The preached their doctrines for shameful gain.
  • Those whom God has purified and is purifying will pursue repentance, growth and good works.  Those who are truly unbelieving will not tend to do well when they are rebuked.
    • Those who are in the church (Yet who are living and speaking as unbelievers) are to be rebuked.

Questions to consider:

  1. What parts of this passage make you feel uncomfortable (Maybe even hoping someone else will do it so you don’t have to)?  Why?
  2. If a Christian refuses to rebuke someone in the church because they will feel uncomfortable, what do they need another Christian to do for them?  Does obedience to the Lord and the possible joy of repentance for others outweigh the distaste for feeling uncomfortable?
  3. Knowing the context from verses 5-9, who needs to lead the way in the church in rebuking those who are teaching false doctrine and living in sin?
  4. What is the purpose of rebuke?  Is it to be done for sport?  Should the rebuker feel exhilarated putting others down (Is that even true rebuke?)?  What is the hope of outcome for all Christian rebuke (Matthew 18:15, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8)?

July 25, 2023 Category: Devotions, Titus

Sermon: 1 Peter 2:13-25

July 24, 2023 Category: 1 Peter, New Testament, Sermons

Devotional: Titus 1:5-9

Today’s passage: Titus 1:5-9

Helpful thoughts:

  • Titus was given to serve churches in Crete, in part, through setting up leaders in every local church.  That leadership started with elders (pastors).
    • Notice, there were to be elders (plural) in every church.
    • The necessity we see through the New Testament was that a church first needed elders, then deacons came later when the need arose.
  • The use of the word “overseer” in verse 7 is not naming a separate office, but one of the functions/responsibilities of the elders.
  • A couple notes from verse 6:
    • “The husband of one wife” could be translate “the man of one woman” or a one-woman man.
      • This does indicate (Among other passages) that elders must be men.
      • This doesn’t necessarily forbid any man who has ever been divorced from being an elder.  More information would be needed (Such as the time, cause, response, attempts at reconciliation, to name a few).
    • The word “believers” could also be translated as “faithful.”  No man can guarantee his children are converted.  That is God’s work.  However, a faithful husband and father (Whether a pastor or not) should lead his family to know the Word of God, understand the gospel, and be involved in the church as long as they remain in the household.

Questions to consider:

  1. How many of these qualifications are good for all Christians to pursue?  How many for all Christian men, husbands, etc.?  What qualifications would be specific for the role of an elder?  What does this tell us about the ministry of an elder?  Is it only a teaching (Public speaking) position?
  2. If these churches were small and newly planted, what must we infer concerning the calling of at least 2 elders in every church?  Were they all scholars?  Were they all paid full-time salary?  Did they come from some seminary or other church far away?  How does 1 Timothy 5:17-18 add to our understanding here?
  3. How can this passage help you to pray for your pastor(s)/elder(s)?  How could the whole church’s pursuit of many of these areas of growth in character and conduct benefit the elders and everyone else?

July 24, 2023 Category: Devotions, Titus

Devotional: Titus 1:1-4

Today’s passage: Titus 1:1-4

Helpful thoughts:

  • The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Titus, most likely, between his first and second imprisonments in the mid-60’s AD.  This would have been around the same time as the letter of 1 Timothy.
  • Paul’s calling as an apostle was a calling to be a servant of God, for the sake of those who would hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and believe.
  • True learning and knowledge of the truth produces godliness, change and growth in holiness.
  • What Paul preached/taught (And what we continue to preach/teach) happened in world history at certain points, but was promised by God before creation came into being.
    • What God wills, will be accomplished.
    • What God has accomplished gives us all the more assurance that what has not yet come, will certainly happen.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why isn’t simply holding to a good doctrinal statement the measure of spiritual maturity?  What does truly believing in good biblical doctrine produce in the life of a genuine believer?
  2. Paul is not the only servant in the church.  We are all servants of the Lord in different ways.  How have you been blessed to be able to serve others in the church?
  3. What are the gospel promises God has already fulfilled?  What are the promises yet to be fulfilled to which we look forward?

July 23, 2023 Category: Devotions, Titus

Devotional: Leviticus 27

Today’s passage: Leviticus 27

Helpful thoughts:

  • The final chapter of Leviticus speaks to the fulfillment and/or redemption of vows and dedications made to the Lord.
  • Whether a person vowed to offer themself or a member of their family for service in the temple, or land, or house, or other gifts, there was a way to redeem that offer (To recoup what was given).  It often required a 20% to the value.
    • It’s believed the values given to men and women could have been based on the rates for slaves.
  • Those that were firstborn could not be given to the Lord because they were already His (Exodus 13:2).

Questions to consider:

  1. What would the increase of 20% in value serve to teach the people concerning their vows and dedications?  Were they to be given flippantly?  Were the priests and the tabernacle to be treated as things that could be treated without respect or consideration?  What kind of giving is honorable before the Lord?
  2. What does the final verse remind us of concerning the timing of the writing and teaching of this book?  Where was Israel and at what stage were they in their history when all of this was given to them?
  3. What have been some themes or main ideas that have stuck out to you as we have worked our way through the book of Leviticus?  What have we learned about Israel?  The Lord?  Man’s ability to keep the law?  God’s redemption of man?

July 22, 2023 Category: Devotions, Leviticus

Devotional: Leviticus 26

Today’s passage: Leviticus 26

Helpful thoughts:

  • It might seem weird to see the Lord shift from idolatry in verses 1-2 to all the promises in verses 3-13.  But, all the things the Lord commits to giving Israel in 3-13 are all the things the surrounding nations worshipped other false gods in hopes to receive.  The Lord was their God.  He was their protector, provider and redeemer.  They had no need to worship any other.
  • If Israel chose to worship those false gods anyway (Which they did) not only would those false gods fail to provide what Israel wanted, but the Lord would ensure they didn’t receive the things for which they hoped.
  • The Lord had a right to a holy jealousy concerning Israel.  He had formed them as a people.  He had freed them from slavery.  They had formally entered into a covenant with Him.  He was going to give them a land to call their home.
    • In truth, the Lord has a right to a holy jealousy for all peoples…He is the one true God and the creator of all things.  He alone must be worshiped.  The people of the world in all places and at all times are either obediently worshipping Him, or they are in sin.

Questions to consider:

  1. Given the promises of Lord here (For good and for bad) what did Israel do?  What did/will the Lord do (2 Kings 6:24-31, 2 Kings 25:8-11, Ezra 1:1-4, Revelation 19:6-11)?
  2. From the perspective of man, who would be responsible for the good that came, or for the bad?  Who would the “newspapers” say caused the great harvests or the military victories and defeats?  Ultimately, who was responsible for it all?  What does this passage teach us about the providence of God?
  3. How can this passage appropriately cause us to “sit up straight” under the Lordship of Jesus Christ?  We joyfully rest in His grace, and it is right for us to obey Him in everything.  How can you be growing in following our Lord and Savior?

July 21, 2023 Category: Devotions, Leviticus

Devotional: Leviticus 25

Today’s passage: Leviticus 25

Helpful thoughts:

  • The people of Israel were to keep a Sabbath day every week on the seventh day.  The land of Israel was to keep a Sabbath year of rest every seventh year.
  • The forty-ninth year was a Sabbath year that brought in the Year of Jubilee (The fiftieth year).
    • The land would have rest for the duration of two years.
    • All people would go back to their ancestral lands.
    • All land ownership (Which was really more like a lease agreement) was returned to the original owners.
      • When the land was “sold” (leased) to others, the cost was to be calculated according the the years left before the next Jubilee to ensure a fair price.
    • Any Israelite who had become an indentured slave/servant was to be freed.
    • Houses in walled cities were exempt from the rule of Jubilee.  Once you sold it, you only had the first right to buy it back within a year of the sale.  After that, you had no claim to the house.
  • Whether a person was an Israelite or a foreigner (An immigrant), they were expected to keep the laws of Israel within the land.

Questions to consider:

  1. How does the law of the Year of Jubilee differ from our laws?  What did the Year of Jubilee do to change the concept of the ownership of land, the needs of the poor, etc.?
  2. What was the motivation to be to take people in and help them in their time of need (Verse 36)?  What actions/attitudes would have made it hard to fulfill this command?  What must those who were being helped be willing to do for those who were providing for them?
  3. In what ways is the slavery spoken of in this passage different than the slavery we often think of from the history of the United States?  How were the slaves to be treated according to Leviticus 25?  What were they actually providing?  Ultimately, who actually “owned” all the people in Israel (Verse 55)?

July 20, 2023 Category: Devotions, Leviticus

Devotional: Leviticus 24

Today’s passage: Leviticus 24

Helpful thoughts:

  • Today’s chapter could be divided in two halves:
    • Preparation in the tabernacle (The lamps and the bread).
    • An occasion for laws concerning punishment.
  • There were twelve loaves set out as “The Bread of the Presence.”  They symbolized the covenant between the Lord and the twelve tribes of Irsael.
  • The death penalty was given to the one who cursed and blasphemed.  Verses 16 and 22 make it clear, it had nothing to do with his Egyptian background (Not based on his ethnicity), and everything to do with his sin.  Should an Israelite do the same, the same punishment would have been warranted.
  • The judgments against crimes would not have to be the exact pain inflicted (Not a literal broken arm in exchange for a broken arm) but the phrase, “as he has done it shall be done to him” gave a limit to the punishment.  The punishment needed to fit the crime.

Questions to consider:

  1. To where did Moses turn when he needed wisdom in judgment?  To whom should we go when we need to learn what to do?  How does this evidence a humility in ourselves and a trust in the truth of God’s Word?
  2. How does this passage speak to the idea of justice in this world?  What is necessary for justice to be carried out?  What did Israel have to do with God’s command here?  What happens in a society when those in authority withhold justice?

July 19, 2023 Category: Devotions, Leviticus

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