Titus

Today we start Titus. Before we start, I have a schedule for the next three weeks. A schedule helps keep me accountable and on track. So, for my benefit & hopefully yours, here's our reading schedule:

2/3 - Titus 2
2/4 - Titus 3
2/5 - 1 Timothy 1:1-11
2/6 - 1 Timothy 1:12-20
2/7 - 1 Timothy 2:1-15
2/8 - 1 Timothy 3
2/9 - 1 Timothy 4
2/10 - 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2
2/11 - 1 Timothy 6:3-10
2/12 - 1 Timothy 6:11-21
2/13 - Titus
2/14 - 2 Timothy 1
2/15 - 2 Timothy 2:1-13
2/16 - 2 Timothy 2:14-26
2/17 - 3:1-9
2/18 - 3:10-4:8
2/19 - 4:9-22

Onto Titus. Titus was a personal friend of Paul. He was in charge of the church in Crete. This church seemed to be an unorganized group of believers in need of lots of instruction. Paul wrote this letter around A.D. 63-65 to provide his friend with encouragement and instruction.

I love that Paul spends the opening lines of his letters praising and acknowledging God. I have a feeling Paul spent a lot of time acknowledging God. Follow his example - spend time worshipping our awesome God! You'll never go wrong starting this way.

Titus was left to oversee the establishment of the church in Crete. His first task seems to be establishing a good leadership. Which is another good place to start - remember how often we have spoken of relationship and leadership. Whenever two people attempt to do something together, someone has to be in charge. Otherwise, conflict without resolution pops up. So, Paul lays out some criteria for leadership:

- A man committed to one woman, whose children are obedient and respectful. Why does this matter? Well, leadership must start in the family. A leader who cannot manage his home will certainly struggle to manage a larger organization.
- Blameless - what does this mean? It means you can't accuse him of wrongdoing. Notice a lot of the issues listed here have to do with self-control: not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not a drunk, violent, or dishonestly self-seeking. If a man cannot control himself, how will he be able to control anything else?
- He must be committed to the Word of God and to serving other people. Leaders must remember it's not about them, it's about who they serve!

There will always be plenty of rebellious people in any organization. The church is no different. We need strong, wise leaders who can deal with disruptions and rebellion with love and confidence, always relying on the Word of God for guidance.

Do you aspire to leadership? Do you want to be in control? Hold a high position? If so, take these words into heed and learn the lessons given above. Only then will you succeed in being successful. Never forget - it's never about you, it's ALWAYS about HIM. Even if you have no desire for leadership, there will be a time in your life when you are in charge of something - be it a class project, your home, your children, a work project. Regardless of how big or small your leadership, follow these principles.