Titus, Philemon - Overview

[Jim Watt]

“*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE” MINISTRIES*

*Jim & Marie Watt*

*Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com*

*Web: www.2rbetter.org*

*August 2, 2009
<http://www.2rbetter.org/>*



   *T4901R - TITUS, PHILEMON - OVERVIEW*

“*GOOD WORKS: SIGN OF MATURITY”*


 *1. Titus 1:4 (1:1-4) PAUL TO TITUS. “To Titus, my genuine child after a
common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our
:Savior.” *This is the way Your Kingdom comes, Father! It is a way of Your
Spirit coming from You and proceeding through Jesus, because of His atoning
blood. First the blood - then the oil! *Hallowed be your :name.*


 *2. 1:5 (1:5-9) ELDERS: CITY PLURALITY AND QUALIFICATIONS. “For this cause
I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things wanting, and
appoint elders in every city, as I gave you charge.” *Note that in the
beginning each church in the home required but one elder; plurality of
Eldership was for the *city* church, containing many churches in the home
(or local churches). Seven deacons served the *entire city church* of
Jerusalem. Denominational tradition makes it difficult for us to see
this. *Your
:kingdom come.*


 *3. 1:13b-14 (1:10-16) GAINSAYERS: TO BE REBUKED. “For which cause reprove
them sharply, that they be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish
fables, and commandments of*

*men who turn away from the truth.” *This hardly sounds like Your apostle,
Father; but his love for Your true sheep causes him to protect them
vigorously. Paul is a true shepherd, defends Your sheep, and finds You
faithful in Your part. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.*


 *4. 2:7-8 (2:1-14) VARIOUS CLASSES: THEIR STANDARDS. “In all things showing
yourself an example of good works; in the teaching showing uncorruptness,
gravity, **8** sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of
the contrary part be ashamed, having no evil to say of us.” *Here is Your
standard for the apostolic city pastor, Father. May we petition You for such
a leader in each city: a James; a Timothy; a Titus! *Our :daily :bread Give
us this day.*


 *5. 3:4-5 (2:15-3:11) GOOD WORKS: TEST OF GRACE. “But when the kindness of
:God our Savior, and his :love to man, appeared, 5 not by :works which WE
did in righteousness, but according to his :mercy he saved us, through a
washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” *Justification by
grace through faith: this is the basis of salvation. From this flows good
works, a way for us to say, Thank You for Jesus, Father. May we not depart
from this clear position. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have
forgiven our :debtors.*


 *6. 3:14 (3:12-15) SELF-SUPPORT AND WORKS OF LOVE. “And let :our
peoplealso learn to maintain good works for the necessary uses, that
they be not
unfruitful.” *All fellow believers are to be wise in the use of stewardship.
You have not made us to be spiritual spongers Father, but Jubilant Givers! *And
bring us not into temptation.*


 *7. Philemon 9-10 (1-25) PHILEMON: PAUL PLEADS FOR ONESIMUS. “For :love's
sake I rather beseech, being such as Paul, an old man and now also prisoner
of Jesus Christ: 10 - I beseech you for my :child, whom I have begotten in
my :bonds, Onesimus.” *Father, we are sure Philemon shed tears at this
petition; learning of the salvation of his run-away slave; hearing of the
joy Onesimus brought to Paul; receiving this earnest petition for
forgiveness! *But deliver us from the evil one.*



 *NOTE*: Titus is as it were a short synopsis of 1 & 2 Timothy. It was
essentially the same material, but in an abbreviated form. And of course,
the Holy Spirit through Paul applies it personally to Titus as an
individual. Like the letters to Timothy, this also has direct application to
all apostolic pastors over cities.


 Believers in Crete had special problems that Paul knew required Titus to
exercise strictness concerning their besetting sins.


 Then, just as he held up the importance of example in Timothy, he repeats
this exhortation to Titus. And this applies to all of us as believers. Our
example often - and usually - speaks louder than words. Oswald Chambers in
all of his various writings, strongly makes this same point.


 But the last epistle in order by Paul in the New Testament, is Philemon. It
is fitting that the Holy Spirit chose to have this placed in this position
in the Canon of Scripture. (Note that Bible Numerics established the order
of New Testament books, which varies from the normal order.)


 Many Commentators feel that this short epistle is a true commentary on 1
Corinthians 13. Here we see the wisdom and love and sensitivity of Paul to a
fellow-believer, when he is asking a difficult favor. We can all learn from
Paul through his example here. - J.A.W.



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