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The Scriptorium

Bondservants and Apostles

We all have a calling like Paul. Titus 1.1-3

Titus 1.1-3

Pray Psalm 82.8.
Arise, O God, judge the earth;
For You shall inherit all nations.

Read Titus 1.1-3

Prepare.

1. How did Paul view his calling from the Lord?

2. What is the relationship between truth, godliness, and the Gospel?

Meditate.
In Paul’s letter to Titus we are given an inside look at the work of disciple-making. Paul’s mandate from the Lord was to bring faith and transformation to those He was pleased to save; his method of doing this was to teach faithful men, who would be able, like Titus, to teach others also (2 Tim. 2.2). 

In Paul’s dual identification – bondservant and apostle – we get a glimpse of his love for God, Whom he serves, and for the world, to which he has been sent. Paul was commanded by Christ to this calling, as are all believers (Matt. 28.18-20), in their own unique Personal Mission Fields. The difference between us and Paul lies only in the field to which the Lord has sent us, and the degree of faithfulness with which we carry out our task. 

Paul’s commitment to Titus was to make clear – and make sure – that the work he had begun would come to full fruition.

All the writings we have from Paul are in the form of epistles, either to churches, or, as here, to individuals. But even the form of letter-writing was changed by the power of the Gospel, as we shall see in our next installment. The main characters in this story are Paul, Titus, the elders and people in the churches in Crete, and the unbelievers before whom the Church must live its testimony to God’s grace and truth. Paul was on to his next place of service, somewhere toward the end his ministry (mid-60s AD), and he wrote to Titus, following-up on their work together on Crete, instructing him concerning the right order for the churches. 

God is present as Architect, Builder, and Supervisor over the work of growing His Church. Paul’s remarks about his own ministry are not intended as boasts; rather, he sets up a template for Titus to follow in carrying out his own ministry from the Lord, so that the newness of the Gospel of the Kingdom can have its full effects. And in serving as a template for Titus and the believers on Crete, his words are a template for us as well.

Reflect.
1. In what sense are Paul, and all believers, bondservants of God? Is that a good thing? Explain.

2. An apostle was one specially sent by Jesus with the mission of living and proclaiming Christ and His Kingdom. In what sense are all believers apostles (cf. Jn. 20.21)?

3. God commanded Paul to take up the work of his Personal Mission Field. He has commanded all of us as well. Have you mapped out and begun working your Personal Mission Field?

If then it is a commandment, it is not at my disposal. I fulfill what is commanded. For of things to be done, some are in our power; others are not. For what he commands, that is not in our power; what he permits is left to our choice.… But commandments are not left to our choice, we must either perform them or be punished for not doing so. John Chrysostom (344-407), Homilies on Titus 1

Lord, I am Your bondservant, and You are sending me into the world today. Help me to prepare for this day by…

Pray Psalm 82.1, 2, 8.

The book of Titus is about church leaders and those who labor with them to bring the Lord’s good order to His churches. Use these verses to pray for yourself, your church leaders, and your fellow believers, that we would fear the Lord and live in such a way that we need never fear His discipline or His wrath.

Sing Psalm 82.1, 2, 8
Psalm 82.1, 2, 8 (Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
God stands amid His people to judge their rulers all.
How long will they oppress those who on His favor call?
How long will they the wicked show partiality,
And treat with scorn the meek who their proper care should be?

Rise up, O God, in splendor according to Your worth!
Rise up in pow’r to judge all the nations of the earth!
Rise up, O God our Savior, and hear our fervent call,
For You possess and rule o’er the nations one and all.

T. M. Moore

What are church leaders supposed to do in leading the Lord’s flock? Our workbook, Shepherding God’s Flock, will you show you how to bring effective pastoral ministry and disciple-making into the everyday life of your church. Order your copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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