Titus is among the shortest books in the Bible, but just like a small post-it-note they can be big reminders of very important things. I prefer to think of them as post-it-notes – or slogans – something you might find on any refrigerator in any home.
Titus 1:1 identifies the apostle Paul as the author of the letter. The letter to Titus was written about A.D. 66. The letter was written to encourage Titus in the faith. Paul had left him in Crete to lead the church which Paul had established on one of his missionary journeys (Titus 1:5). How wonderful it must have been when Titus received this letter from his mentor and read: “To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior” (Titus 1:4).
The island of Crete where Titus was left by Paul to lead the church was inhabited by island natives and Jews who had not heard the truth of Jesus Christ (Titus 1:12-14). Paul felt it to be his responsibility to follow through with Titus to instruct and encourage him in developing the church at Crete. Paul directed Titus in his search for leaders. Paul also suggested how Titus should instruct the leaders so that they could grow in their faith in Christ and grow in their numbers (Titus 2:1-8).
For just a moment, I want you to think back to your worship service for Easter. Think about the experience you had on that day of worship. What a great Sunday! What a great crowd! Why are the crowds smaller today?
What was so attractive then that is not as attractive today? Did we miss the post-it-notes on the bathroom mirror? Did we forget to brush our teeth – smile – use deodorant – shower! Did we not make it attractive enough within the church last week? Should I preach a gospel of Health and Wealth? Should we have said, “Come as you are – NO commitment required?” We have Free Gifts!
One of the biggest excuses the world uses to rationalize why they don’t come to church is: “I don’t go to church because it’s full of hypocrites.” There is probably no greater a curse on the church than that. Note that the world is not so much turned off by what we preach, but rather they are turned off by the fact we don’t practice what we preach.
Titus was having a similar problem in Crete. Apparently after some early success the church was not growing and the gospel was losing its appeal. Paul writes Titus to help him understand the problem in Crete. He also lets Titus know that he will need to work to make the gospel more attractive.
Paul then outlines what he believes will make the Gospel message more attractive. The instruction to Titus is every bit as relevant for us today.
Paul begins by reminding us that faith must be personal.
We must be able to personally give a response to what it means to be Christian. The world has the notion that Christians are claiming to be perfect people who never break the rules and are always looking down their noses at people who don’t act like they do.
But when one becomes a Christian he is not saying they are perfect. In fact, to be a Christian one must admit they are not perfect. The definition of a Christian is one who admits he is a sinner and is working by the grace of God to be better.
The answer to what it means to be a follower of Christ is not found by letting someone else speak on your behalf. We must be able to answer clearly for the faith we claim. We must own our faith as our own – not our parents – our church – our pastor – the media – or anyone else.
It is personal and if we are to make this faith our own, Paul instructs us to find a good Biblical model and study it. We should make the study of sound doctrine personal priority (Titus 2:1).
Paul also lets us know that our faith must become personal to others.
We must allow ourselves to be inconvenienced for the sake of others. We need to seek to cooperate and assist others around you by being a representative of Christ’s grace on the earth. We must be willing to become involved in other’s lives.
Paul instructs Titus to have the older women instruct (get involved with) the younger women (Titus 2:3-4). He instructs him to see that this happens because it was not happening and this is also not happening today. But make no mistake this is not just a women’s issue.
This is true with our men, our youth, and our children. We do not have the volunteers willing to commit themselves to the next generation. We do not have the people committed to the work of faith. No wonder today’s church is becoming less significant. Who wants to be involved with something that no one else is committed to? “It’s a good thing – so you do it. It’s just not for me.” – That won’t work!
Finally, Paul instructs Titus to get people involved in doing good in their community (Titus 3:14).
William Barclay, the theologian, once stated, “A man’s message will always be viewed in context with his character.” In other words, your message won’t mean squat if your actions don’t make it real. Titus 1:16 points out the real problem, “They claim to know God, but by their actions deny Him.”
Sometimes we make the mistake of attending to things of God, studying good doctrine, and promoting good works, but we fail to see the connection to our everyday lives. “In everything set the world an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about you” (Titus 2:7-8).
We need to show the world that there are Christians who are for real. We will attract people when we can show them that faith creates people that are desirable.
It would seem to me that nearly 2000 years later we seemed to be repeating the same mistakes of the early church in Crete. Today the church is becoming known as just another political party. We as Christians are known more for what we are against - than what we are for - and we spend so much time commenting and complaining about things that have nothing to do with the gospel that people are getting confused about just what it means to be a Christian in today’s society.
So we claim to be Christian and we show up at church to get something that makes us feel better for the moment so that we can return to our everyday lives come Sunday afternoon.
Jesus Himself said that the one thing that should set us apart - the thing that non-believers should comment on when asked about Christians is this: love. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).
If we want to make the gospel message more attractive, then we must learn to live lives of authenticity and character. The message of Christ will become meaningless and irrelevant if we forget that which we have been taught: God loves you. Jesus died for your sins and then rose from the dead so that how you live your faith would matter!
Jesus is alive and people today want to see Him. People want to believe in Jesus as much as Thomas did 2000 years ago when he said “I won’t believe until I can touch the hands and side of Christ.”
People! We are the hands of Christ! We who are filled with the Holy Spirit are the Body of Christ.
If we want the Gospel to be more attractive, If we want the Church to be more attractive, If we want to see more people come to know Jesus, if we want the church filled every Sunday like it is on Easter and Christmas then we must be willing to take on the responsibility of being Jesus in this world.
We must show grace and mercy. We must show kindness and humility. We must be willing to love as Jesus loved us.
St. Frances of Assisi once said, “Preach the gospel and if necessary use words.”
When we become the people that God has called us to be, there will not be enough room in this place to hold the people that will come wanting what you have!
There once was a rather pompous-looking gentleman who was endeavoring to impress upon a Sunday School Class of young boys the importance of living the Christian life. He asked them, "Why do people call me a Christian?” After a moment’s pause, one young boy raised his hand and said, "Sir, maybe it’s because they don’t know you."
How well do people know you?
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