But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. Titus 2:1-10

One of the themes that continues to surface in this epistle is the idea of blamelessness. In chapter 1, Paul called for blameless men to be selected for ministry. He was very specific in the qualities required of one chosen to lead. 

The other theme that remains prevalent going into chapter 2 is the teaching of sound doctrine, which will effectually produce a blameless church. We know from the end of Titus 1 that this was not the case in Crete.

 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. Titus 1:16 

There were believers slandering other believers and causing division based on false teachings. Their conduct was not befitting of their faith and God’s Word.   

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine Titus 2:1

Notice the contrast at the beginning of this sentence, “But”. With the words that follow, Paul is realigning the standard by which the church at Crete is to conduct itself. Through the teaching of sound doctrine, the people are to be transformed by the Word so that their conduct and speech (Titus 2:8) may be blameless and cannot be condemned. 

To be a leader in the church is not a position of esteem, prestige, or glamor. It’s a function of servitude. The role of a leader is to be the example of a blameless life and to faithfully teach sound doctrine. In many ways, the spiritual condition of a church is a reflection of those who lead it.  

“For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” Titus 1:10-16

Whenever you see the word “for” at the beginning of a sentence, it is super important to go read the verse or verses that came before it. The word “for” indicates that what is coming after it is qualifying something that was just said. It’s like saying “because”.

Yesterday we looked at the qualifications for spiritual leadership (Titus 1:5-9), in the following verses 10-16 Paul explains the importance of a leader meeting those specific qualifications.

In Titus 1:10-11, Paul brings to attention the presence of certain “Christians” in Crete who are stirring up trouble among the churches and causing division. “[O]f the circumcision” implies that these were Jewish Christians. This was not at all uncommon during those days. These troublemaking “believers” were teaching things that they ought not to teach. By Jewish standards, the native Cretans were unclean and the Jews openly condemned the Cretans for it. (I wonder if that’s where we get our slang word).

Paul charges Titus and the appointed Godly leaders to correct these people causing division and misrepresenting the gospel. The truth of the matter is that some Jews still felt obligated by the Mosaic law to observe certain traditions and regulations (verses 14,15). However, Jesus’ sacrifice had freed them from bondage to the law and gave them salvation by grace. This was the true doctrine that needed to be taught and is the reason that godly leaders MUST be grounded in the Word in order to recognize false teaching and to lovingly correct those who are spreading fallacies.

Finally in verse 16, “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”. To know God is to know that he is love. He is not condemning, in fact he WANTS to save. The condemning attitudes of the Jewish Christians were not indicative of true faith. Paul calls them “abominable, disobedient, and disqualified.”

It has been said that Mahatma Gandhi studied Christianity and valued many of its principles, but he said, “I would be a Christian, if it were not for Christians.”

I was street witnessing one day downtown, and a Hare Krishna person told me “Christians are selfish hypocrites who care for no one but themselves and their own salvation.” I sadly had to agree with him to a certain degree. There are many who profess to be Christians but their lifestyles don’t reflect it.

I have an athiest friend who rejects Christianity simply based on the fact that many “Christians” he knows are condemning, immoral, and not worth associating with. Even though he’s a non-Christian, he’s one of the most genuine people I know. I’d even dare say that in his choices and attitudes he is more Christ-like than some who profess to be Christians.

Even if you are not slandering and condemning people with your mouth and imposing laws and rules on people like the Jewish Christians in Crete, your lifestyle, your vocabulary, your pasttimes are all indicative of your spiritual state.

Again, I ask. If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to prove it?

“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” Titus 1:5-9

What makes a good leader? Who should lead? What qualifications should a leader possess?

Within the context of Spiritual leadership, Paul explains God’s standards to Titus in this passage of scripture.

Titus 1:5 shows us that leaders are appointed; they are not self-proclaimed or take the position of leadership by force. We know that that Paul himself was selected and sent out by God. In the same way, Paul charges Titus to carefully select leaders to oversee the churches of various cities.

In Titus 1:6, Paul explains that leaders must be blameless in their conduct with their families. An elder (or bishop) maintains a faithful and committed relationship with his wife. His children are cared for and they treat him with respect. Your family life says a lot about your spiritual state. Are you the same person in public as you are in private?

Titus 1:7-8 describe the nature characteristic of a Godly leader. At the foundation of it all, a leader is to recognize that he is a steward tending to a flock that does not belong to him. In recognition of this, a leader must adopt a position of humility and servitude. His responsibility is the welfare of others over his own. It is a lifestyle of dying to self for the good of those he leads. This is very different from the traditional view of leadership that is prominent in secular arenas.

Finally in Titus 1:9, one of the most important roles of a leader is to guide people to grow in the Lord. This is only made possible by correctly teaching them the Word. It’s disheartening to see some pastors stand before a congregation and preach incorrect doctrine. I’ve on occasion visited another church where the pastor was teaching on a topic and selected 18 verses as support. Of the 18 verses used, 15 were used completely out of context. What broke my heart even more was hearing the resounding “Amen” from the congregation over each misrepresented scripture. I’d like to hope that this pastor has good intentions, but certainly is ill-equiped to rightly divide the Word of truth.

In closing, let’s focus on one of the underlying themes of this passage: being blameless. In any one of the aforementioned areas, any indiscretion on the part of the leader can have devastating effects on those he leads. Leaders are to be the example to follow. The sad thing about sheep is that they will follow you right off the edge of a cliff if you lead them there.

“Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,” Titus 1:1

You see it all the time, a person’s name followed by their credentials:

Doogie Howser, M.D.

Raymond Regno, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Mickey Stonier, PH.D in Marriage and Family Studies , Master of Divinity, Certified Trauma Responder (CTR), Certified Trauma Service Specialist (CTSS), Certified Trauma Specialist (CTS), etc. etc. etc.

Here Paul gives indication of his credentials: a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.

The word “bondservant” comes from the Greek word “doulos”. A bondservant or “bondslave” was someone who voluntarily subjected his whole being to the will of another. Paul was wholly surrendered to the will of God. His life was no longer his own.

The word “apostle” comes from the Greek “apostolos”, which means literally “one who is sent out” particularly with orders or some mission. The function of apostle is a gifting ordained by the Holy Spirit. Paul’s entire life and purpose in life was to go where God sent him, to share that hope that comes only through Jesus, and to equip others to do the same.

From a spiritual standpoint, do you think you could be associated with such highly esteemed credentials as these?

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13

A few months ago, a prayer request was sent from our church in South Bay. A 19-year-old girl named Brandy, who attends the church there, was suffering from cystic fibrosis and was told she didn’t have much longer to live unless she got a transplant.

Our high school principal, Laura, heard about this need and began praying for Brandy to find a donor. Somewhere along the way, Laura heard the Lord saying to her “what about you?”. In obedience, she submitted an application to be a possible donor. As months past, her name slowly began climbing the list of possible candidates. Recently, she learned that she was a positive match and she went in for surgery last week to donate one of the lobes in her lungs.

The transplant was a success and Brandy is breathing much better now and is going to be fine! How amazing, and how great a sacrifice on Laura’s part, especially for someone she didn’t even know. What’s even more extraordinary is that even from her hospital bed, Laura calls into the church from time to time to check on how things are going on at the school.

What a sweet reality check. Today’s been kinda rough for me. Lots of unexpected things popped up adding to my already heavy load. My head is throbbing, and I’ve gone into leave-me-alone-I’m-busy mode. But hey, at least I’m fully intact. What a great reminder to just chill out and not get so caught up in the worries of the day.

Anyway, this whole thing came to mind because I noticed a get well card for Laura in the copy room as I was getting a drink of water. I’m thankful that despite my tendency toward tunnel vision, the Lord has kept my eyes open enough to catch his subtle hints, reminding me that He’s called us all to a life of self-sacrifice.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9

There is often this transitional period between wakefulness and sleep where I often find myself praying or hearing God speak to me. It almost feels like a dream, but I remember it vividly.

This verse was running through my head this morning; over and over.

Piggybacking on yesterday’s reflection, I’ve had three weeks straight of just heavy ministry. The next two weeks aren’t going to let up either. This Saturday I have the privilege of performing my sister’s wedding. Next week, we are doing our annual Thanksgiving Outreach . I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tired. I haven’t had a day off in weeks.

Thankfully, these daily reflections have kept me in the word, and little encouragements like these verses have kept me going. Our half day expedition to Disnleyland after church on Sunday helped a little too. =)

If you’re tired like me, don’t lose heart, “for in due season we shall reap”. Paul encourages us further in Romans 8:18:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us“.

I cannot even begin to imagine the things that Paul endured for the sake of the ministry. Beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, etc, etc…

And finally, I leave you with this:

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” Acts 3:19

There is a great promise here for those who have repented and have been converted: that as we simply abide in His presence, there will be times of refreshing.

Seek His presence in His Word. Don’t lose heart!

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

The last few weeks have been hectic. Between the fires, the Week of Prayer and Fasting, Thanksgiving outreach prep, and all the other million-and-one needs to be met, it gets hard sometimes to spend adequate time in the Word and just spending time with the Lord.

We’ve all heard this verse before to some extent. It’s a nice pithy statement that gets thrown around quite a bit. As I was praying and reflecting on what God’s been showing me lately, this verse popped into my head. Let’s look at it in context:

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:1-10

I dunno about you, but when I slack in being in the Word, I tend to go back to my old character: critical, irritable, short-tempered, etc.

What that inevitably boils down to is “Pride”.

You know what I’ve discovered that is absolutely scary? You can pour your entire life into serving the Lord and STILL be completely far away from Him.

I’ve found that when I neglect to take time with the Lord, pride and self-focus can set in and cause all sorts of problems. I can begin to get critical of the people I’m serving with. Or my sense of compassion goes out the window and the things I’m doing become merely tasks to get out of the way. The “pleasure” I seek becomes relief that comes with simply “getting it over with”. The “war and fights” that result become an inner struggle between doing what’s in the best interest of other, and the desire to seek my own devices. Rather than ministering through His spirit, I begin to operate as a worldly person in my own strength.

Love goes down the toilet.

God’s commandments are simple: Love Him, and love people.

When you become too busy to pray or too busy for people. You’re busier than God ever intended for you to be. You’re busier than God!

When people go from being opportunities to share God’s love to mere annoyances, you’re in a a dangerous place.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Come to him with humility. Experience and be filled with His grace. You can’t give what you don’t have.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Yesterday was the six-month anniversary of the most devastating day of my life. Interestingly enough, the day coincided with my completion of the Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation’s certification course on Grief after Trauma.

But even without the certification, God’s given me numerous occasions over the past several months to minister to others struggling with similar challenges. I can’t stress enough the powerful promise presented in this piece of scripture.

Over the last several months, the truly extraordinary thing is that mingled in with my deepest hurt, I have felt an intimacy with God I somehow knew existed but had never had privilege of understanding. With it comes a sense of brokenness and dependence on God that, in turn, allows God to truly show himself strong on your behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9 [first half]).

Looking back, I know that God allowed me to go through that season of brokenness to build my character and prepare me for the ministry has for me today. Not a day goes by where I’m not overtaken by an overwhelming sense of gratitude for what God has done and is doing now in my life.

If you are struggling today, trust in God’s comfort. Engage Him and lay your cares at his feet, for He is faithful. (Jeremiah 29:11)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When I was in the School of Evangelism, I learned that you can’t really worship someone you don’t know. For that reason, all worship leaders were required to compile a list of “100 Attributes of God” before being allowed to lead the school in worship during morning devotionals. I have to admit that before writing that list, I never really thought much about who God is.

I remember sitting in front of an excel spreadsheet and just typing out words: “good, great, awesome, faithful, holy, righteous, loving, gracious, merciful…” I didn’t dig very deep at all. That was my first semester.

Second semester students were required to compile a list of 200 attributes. This time around, I wanted to really pour myself into it. Rather than just writing whatever words came to mind, I decided to be very specific about who God is in my life. “God provides for me when I’m $65,000 in debt, have no steady job, and have tuition due and don’t know how I’m going to pay it.” (amazingly he did) “God gives me peace that is beyond my understanding when circumstances should cause me to be anxious.”

Who is God?

Well, here in this scripture, we see that he is the “Father of Mercies” and “God of All Comfort”

Let’s focus today on “Father of Mercies”

I’m very confident in saying that living with a “mercy mindset” is CRITICAL to every Christian walk. The apostle Paul emphasized this throughout the first half of his epistle to the Romans.

When you shine a flashlight in a dark room, the light reveals the things hiding in the shadows. The Word of God is the same way. The more I read the Bible, the more I understand how wretched and sinful I am. I realize how hopeless my condition would be without God.

The concept of “religion” in itself is man’s attempts at achieving holiness or enlightenment or favor with God. But think about this fact: if you are imperfect, what can you possibly offer a perfect God?

The answer is nothing.

Have I ever told I lie? Yes, so that makes me a liar. Have I ever stolen anything? Yes, so that makes me a thief. What this boils down to is that I am a sinner.

God is very clear on the consequences of sin: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

I deserve death. In God’s economy, sin is sin. Whether I steal a pencil, or murder someone, it’s all the same. Sin deserves death.

What blows me away is that even though God is justified in destroying me for my shortcomings, he chooses to show mercy toward me and love me.

And more than that, in my own life as a leader in ministry, I’m reminded every day of his mercy toward me. I have no right to be leading people or teaching people the Bible or listening to their problems. I’m so unworthy of it, but by God’s mercy and grace (which is different) he allows me to be a minister to others.

Today, I would encourage you to reflect on your life. How has God shown mercy in your life?

In recognizing His goodness, we naturally are compelled to a spirit or repentance (Romans 2:4). And with a repentant heart, God is able to do great and marvelous things.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” 2 Corinthians 13:5

This past Sunday, I was in the usher’s closet at church and I saw a bumper sticker on the front of a metal cabinet that I’d never noticed before. It said,

“If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to prove it?”

I’ll tell you one thing, I’d probably never be accused of being a Christian when I’m driving! That’s a weak point for me.

Anyway, I’ve been chewing on that all week, and I started recognizing areas in my life that could definitely use some work.

How ’bout you? Which of these verses best describes you? Galatians 5:19-21 or Galatians 5:22-25

If you tend toward the former rather than the latter, there IS hope! Paul exhorts us in the second half of today’s verse:

“Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?”

Paul is alluding to something he mentions earlier in this epistle:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Some of you are probably thinking, “Okay, so why am I still the way I am?”

The truth is that we don’t all mature as Christians at the same rate. I know of some people who were drug addicts one day, then committed their lives to the Lord and never did drugs again. When I became a Christian, I all of a sudden, without really thinking about it, stopped cussing. Certain things stopped being appealing to me. There are other things (like driving) that I still struggle with.

The truth is that we’re human. We WILL make mistakes. In Galatians 5, Paul encourages us to walk in the Spirit. You can’t tell me you’ve been walking your entire life and have never slipped and fallen before. The point is to keep walking. I gave up a ton of times in college thinking that it was ME who needed to change. It wasn’t until I understood that it was the other way around that I really started to grow in my relationship with Jesus.

Let me leave you with this encouragement from Paul’s epistle to the Philippians:

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 2:6

HE does the work. Just be willing and available and let Him work. YOU are the only thing that can limit God’s work in your life.