Titus 1:4
In Verse 4 we have:
1. The Recipient == “To Titus”
2. The Relationship == “mine own son”
3. The Reason == “after the common faith”
4. The Resource == “Grace, mercy, and peace”
5. The Rewarder == “from God the Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.”
Tit 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace,
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
1. The Recipient == “To Titus”
Note,
Much of the NT was written firstly to individuals.
8 out of the 27 books were written in the context of personal correspondence.
Luke, Acts, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 2 John and 3 John.
Note 2,
What the scripture says of Titus.
I. How Paul valued Titus.
2Co 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
2Co 2:13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
II. How Paul was encouraged by Titus.
2Co 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
2Co 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
III. How Paul trusted Titus
2Co 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
=======
2. The Relationship == “mine own son”
This verse is very similar to the words in 1 Timothy.
1Ti 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Note,
The relationship we have in the Church is not one of a business or a mere society etc.
But it is the relationship of Family.
Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
John Calvin
Hence it is evident in what sense a minister of the word is said to beget spiritually those whom he brings to the obedience of Christ, that is, so that he himself is also begotten. Paul declares himself to be the father of Titus, with respect to his faith; but immediately adds, that this faith is common to both, so that both of them alike have the same Father in heaven.
=======
3. The Reason == “after the common faith”
Note,
The reason why we have this relationship is because we have a common faith.
“Blood” ties physical families together.
“Faith” ties the family of God together.
Note 2,
It is not just Faith but THE common Faith.
Consider the following scriptures.
I. Peter speaking to the Jews after the healing of the lame man.
Act 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
II. Just after the appointing of the seven.
Act 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
III. The sorcerer in Acts 13.
Act 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
IV. Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians.
1Co 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
V. Again to the Corinthians.
2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
VI. Paul writing to the Colossians
Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Col 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
VII. Paul writing to Timothy.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
There are many other examples of this phrase being used in the NT
Note also,
It is the Common Faith.
It is something we share together.
Note,
Individualism is not a doctrine of the Scriptures
Modern man talks of individual faith, the Word of God speaks of common faith.
Note,
The word Individual is not even found in scripture.
The word Alone is.
The first mention is;
Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
This applies just as much to our relationship to others in the church as it does to our relationship to our spouse.
=======
4. The Resource == “Grace, mercy, and peace”
Note these 3 words are found together in four verses in the writing of Paul.
(1Ti 1:2) Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
(2Ti 1:2) To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Tit 1:4) To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
(2Jn 1:3) Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Note,
In every one of them the relationship between the Father and the Lord Jesus is prominent.
Application.
The only reason and basis for sinners to know the grace mercy and peace of God is not our relationship to God but the relationship between the Father and the Son.
Note secondly,
Grace and Mercy is the only fountain of peace!
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
=======
So we have looked at;
1. The Recipient == “To Titus”
2. The Relationship == “mine own son”
3. The Reason == “after the common faith”
4. The Resource == “Grace, mercy, and peace”
Finally
5. The Rewarder == “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.”
Note,
We have here incidental evidence of the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Albert Barnes on Romans 1:7
Which says:
Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
From thus connecting the Lord Jesus with the Father in this place, we may see,
(1) That the apostle regarded him as the source of grace and peace as really as he did the Father.
(2) He introduced them in the same connection, and with reference to the bestowment of the same blessings.
(3) If the mention of the Father in this connection implies a prayer to him, or an act of worship, the mention of the Lord Jesus implies the same thing, and was an act of homage to him.
(4) All this shows that his mind was familiarized to the idea that he was divine.
No man would introduce his name in such connections if he did not believe that he was equal with God; compare Phi_2:2-11. It is from this incidental and unstudied manner of expression, that we have one of the most striking proofs of the manner in which the sacred writers regarded the Lord Jesus Christ.
=========
So we have considered,
1. The Recipient == “To Titus”
2. The Relationship == “mine own son”
3. The Reason == “after the common faith”
4. The Resource == “Grace, mercy, and peace”
5. The Rewarder == “from God the Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.”
Application,
If we have such a Relationship based on the Faith once delivered unto the Saints?
If we have the resources of Heaven at our disposal?
If we have the promised blessings of the Father and the Son?
What manner of people ought we to be?
2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Amen.
Sunday 10 June 2007 |
Older
Top
