SNAPSHOTS OF CHURCH LIFE
Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on September 5, 2010 under 2010 |
Preached Sunday, September 5, 2010
from
Titus 3:12-15
Theme: Paul’s closing instructions to Titus give us some ‘snapshots’ of a healthy, loving church at work.
(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
We come this morning to the closing verses of the apostle Paul’s tiny letter to Titus. They give us some final words of instruction and greeting that Paul wrote to Titus. In the last chapter, in verses 12-15, Paul wrote;
When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
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As a rule, we should never treat any portion of Scripture as if it were unimportant. Every word of Scripture has been sovereignly preserved by the Holy Spirit for the instruction and enrichment of God’s people; and that makes every passage very important. Digging a little deeper into the seemingly non-essential passages always yields a rich spiritual reward. These few verses at the end of Paul’s letter—words that, ordinarily, would seem easy to disregard—are no exception.
Over the past several months of studying this letter together, we’ve seen how it has taken-up some of the most vital themes of church-life that we can think about. It has taught us about the importance of good spiritual leadership in a church; and that each church be pastored by the kind of man who is found to be “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” (1:9). It has also taught us about how important it is that every individual believer in the church family faithfully live-out sound biblical doctrine their personal lives; so that they behave in such a way as to truly “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things ” (2:10). And it has taught us to make sure that such biblical living reaches out and touches the unbelieving world around us; so that we “who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men” (3:10).
Those are the three great instructions that Paul gives to Titus in the three chapters of his letter: (1) establish good, solid biblical leadership; (2) exhort the people to live the kind of lives that are consistent with the gospel; and (3) encourage them to rise up and do good as Jesus’ ambassadors to this world. These three things are vital to a healthy church family. They are the kind of things that enable a church to be a faithful witness-bearer of the gospel to a lost and dying world. And if you look at them closer, those seemingly-unimportant closing verses actually illustrate those great themes in practice, and give us a glimpse of healthy church-living in action.
I like to think of these few little verses at the end of Paul’s letter as a little like a “photo-album” of church-life. Our church family has a few photo albums that capture important moments in its history. You probably have quite a few photo albums in your home and for your family. You probably have some on Facebook or Flicker.
Let’s look together at this little “photo-album” at the end of Paul’s letter; and see some of the “snapshots” he gives us of church-life in action. Let’s learn from some of the lessons these “snapshots” teach us. I believe that, as we do so, we’ll be enriched and inspired to become more of the kind of church family Paul’s letter intends for us to be.
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First, consider verse 12. In it, Paul says, “When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.” There are several people mentioned in these closing verses; and here, we’re introduced to two of them. Paul was evidently unsure which of these two individuals would be coming to Titus; but whenever one of them came—whichever of the two of them it will be—Titus was to turn his responsibilities over to him and come to meet Paul in the place that he was staying.
The first of these two individuals, Artemas, is not mentioned in the Bible anywhere else but in this verse. But though we don’t have much biblical data about him, we can say that we actually know a great deal about him by implication; because he’s associated with the other individual named Tychicus; and Tychicus is someone about whom we have a great deal of information in the Bible.
Turn with me to Acts 20; and let me show you a few things about this wonderful servant of God named Tychicus. In Acts, Luke tells us about the history of Paul’s missionary work; and we’re told that after Paul’s busy ministry in Greece and Macedonia—while on his way to a return trip to Asia Minor—he was accompanied by several ministry assistants that had become associated with him at key points in his travels. We’re told, “And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia” (Acts 20:4). Apparently, this man Tychicus had heard the gospel that Paul preached while in Asia Minor the first time, and had become a believer. Paul came to have such confidence in him that he drew him into his circle of close ministry partners.
The next time we find mention of Tychicus is some four or five years later; when Paul wrote a letter to the believers in the new, growing churches of Asia Minor. In Ephesians 6, Paul—who was in prison at the time—wanted to comfort the believers who were worried about him; and so, he brought them comfort though a letter that was most likely delivered to them by none other than Tychicus himself! Paul wrote;
But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts (Ephesians 6:21-22).
Much as he wished that he could, Paul couldn’t be there to comfort his friends personally. But he had complete trust in Tychicus to not only bring his beloved friends the news about him, but also to comfort them on his behalf. What a testimony of Paul’s confidence in him!
Now; those are some pretty amazing things he says about Tychicus, aren’t they?—that he’s “a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord”? Wouldn’t you agree that it would be a great honor to have those kinds of things said about you by the apostle Paul—and then see such words recorded forever in the pages of God’s holy word? Well; such a commendation from Paul—and then some!—was recorded about Tychicus not only once in Scripture, but twice! In Colossians 4, at the end of Paul’s letter to the believers in the ancient city of Colosse, he wrote;
Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here (Colossians 4:7-9).
And there’s more to say about Tychicus. Did you notice that Paul mentioned that Tychicus would come to Colosse with a man named Onesimus? Onesimus was a runaway Colossian slave that Paul met while in prison and led to Christ. He’s the subject of the tiny little New Testament letter of Philemon. And this means that Tychicus is a very important man to you and me personally; because it may very well be that no less than three New Testament letters from Paul were faithfully delivered by Tychicus to the people they were intended for—preserved forever in our Bible’s as the letters of Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon!
So you see; even though it’s true that there isn’t anything else in the Bible about the first man Artemas except for that one mention that’s made of him in Titus 3:12, there’s actually very much we can know about him by implication. He was a ministry associate of this marvelous man Tychicus that the apostle Paul had put so much trust in. Artemas and Tychicus were so closely associated in faithfulness of spirit, in fact, that Paul wasn’t sure which of the two could be coming to Titus—”When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus . . .” (emph. added).
And so; here’s an important “snapshot” of church-life that’s preserved for us in Paul’s photo album. Earlier in this letter, Paul said that he had left Titus on Crete to set in order the things that are lacking in the different churches, and to appoint godly elders in every city. But once that was done, it was necessary for Titus to be called away to another field of service. And just as Paul could trust either Artemas or Tychicus to step into the role and serve the churches in the next phase of their growth, so could Titus. God was not going to, in any way, leave the churches uncared for. He was providing one of two good leaders to serve them; and Titus could safely hand the work over into that other man’s hands, and confidently move on to the next place God wanted him to be.
If I may, that’s an important lesson to learn in church-life with respect to the things Paul teaches us in this letter. We all serve one Lord and Master—Jesus Christ; and that one Lord has ordained that His church be cared for by qualified elders. But we should never think that it’s through only one, indispensable leader alone that the Lord Jesus does His work. To think otherwise can be very destructive to an otherwise-healthy church.
In 3 John 9-11, the apostle John had to deal with a ‘high-controlling’ leader who wouldn’t allow anyone else serve in the church. He said;
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God (3 John 9-11).
The fact is that the Lord Jesus raises up many godly, biblically qualified, competent servants in his church and appoints them as He knows best. Even the great apostle Paul was able to have confidence in them. Titus also, when the time came, was able to pass the work on to them. And we, likewise, should learn to trust them when God makes their calling clear.
What a healthy church we become if we keep from ‘clinging’ to ministry as if it were our own private domain; and instead allow others to do the work God has appointed them to do!
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I’d like to suggest that another “snapshot” we see in this passage has to do with Paul’s love for Titus himself. Paul told him that, whenever it may be that one of those two leaders came—whether Artemus or Tychicus, he was to “be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there” (v. 12).
“Nicopolis” means “Victory City”; and many scholars believe it was the ‘Nicopolis’ that was situated on the western shores of Greece. It was a city that was most likely given that name in commemoration of the victory that Julius Caesar had over Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 B.C. Paul wanted to remain there during the winter months because travel by sea during that time of year was extremely dangerous.
Paul had to put his ministry travels on hold for a while. But while he was there in Nicopolis, he wanted Titus to be with him. And I don’t believe it was just because he needed another helper. I believe he longed for the friendship of his dear brother and ministry partner Titus. Paul had great affection for him. Earlier in the letter, Paul called him “Titus, a true son in our common faith . . .” (1:4) Titus had come to mean much to Paul over their years of ministry together; and as he prepared to winter in Nicaoplis, the aging apostle wanted him to try ‘diligently’ to come so they could enjoy fellowship and share together in the ministry challenges that lay ahead.
I’ll never forget a great example I saw of this a few years ago when I attended the Billy Graham School of Evangelism in Colorado. Rev. Cliff Barrows—Dr. Graham’s long-time ministry partner—was sharing with our group that Dr. Graham had called him on the phone the night before. Rev. Barrows was in his late 70′s at the time; and Dr. Graham was in his early 80′s. Both were slowing down quite a bit; and their many years of ministry together were drawing to a close. When Rev. Barrows answered the phone and asked, “What can I do for you, Billy?”, Dr. Graham said, “Oh; I didn’t need anything, Cliff. I just wanted to call and say that I love you.” That’s the way it should be among those who serve the Lord in His household.
One of the things that comes across loud and clear in the New Testament is Paul’s amazing love for his co-laborers in the Lord’s work. He didn’t just want their service; but he also longed for their fellowship. This is another picture of healthy church-life. The believers within a church family who serve together truly love one another. They long for one another’s fellowship. They count each other as their dearest friends.
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Now; look at verse 13. There, Paul tells Titus; “Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing.”
Just like Artemus, Zenas is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible but here. But he’s mentioned alongside Apollos; and Apollos is someone that is mentioned a great deal in the New Testament. The book of Acts tells us that he was a Jewish man who was born in Alexandra—the intellectual capital of the ancient world. He was “an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures” (Acts 19:24). Before he was a follower of Jesus, he went on lecture-tours to various synagogues in which “he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John” [the Baptist] (v. 25). Some Christians who met him “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (v. 26); and as a result, “he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ” (v. 27).
Just to show you how important Apollos was, Paul once had to deal with divisions that were forming within the Corinthian church;
For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:11-12).
But even though people in the church were wrongfully dividing themselves up in this way, there was no sense of competition between Paul and Apollos whatsoever. Paul looked with great respect on the field of ministry that God had given to Apollos; seeing himself and Apollos together as fellow servants of the Lord. He wrote,
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:5-6).
So; once again, even though the Bible doesn’t tell us anything about Zenas beyond what we find in this one verse, we can certainly know a lot about him by the remarkable company he kept.
Apparently, these two servants of the Lord—Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos—had come to Titus at Crete while on their way to other ministry duties. Perhaps they stayed for a little while to help Titus in his ministry. As a “lawyer”—that is, as an expert in Jewish law—Zenas may have been very helpful to Titus in dealing with the false teachers on Crete who were spreading “Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth” (1:14); and in teaching the people to “avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law” (3:9). And Apollos’ expertise in the customs and traditions of the Jewish people would have been a great asset too. It’s very likely that these two men actually delivered this letter from Paul to Titus. (As someone pointed out to me the other day, lawyers often come bearing letters—and in this case, it was a wonderfully good letter!)
But whatever their reason for coming, and wherever it was that they were next going, we see yet another “snapshot” of healthy church-life. Paul wanted Titus to “send” them on the next leg of their journey “with haste”; or, as the New American Standard translation has it, “Diligently help” them “on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.”
Even though some in the early church had divided themselves against Paul by declaring themselves to be “of Apollos”, Paul knew that the Lord Jesus had given Apollos—along with Zenas—a particular field of work in His service; and Paul wanted to make sure that Apollos and Zenas were well-supplied for that work. Titus, as per Paul’s instructions, was to be careful to provide them with whatever was needed; so that their work of service to the Master they shared in common was able to be performed.
That’s a good principle of healthy church-life; isn’t it? There’s no competition in the Lord’s work among His laborers. If God has called you to some area of service, and I can help supply what is needed for it, then I should do so gladly and diligently. Likewise, if God has called me to some task, and you can help supply what is needed for it, you should also do so diligently. We share in the work together—because we both serve the same Lord.
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And this leads us to another “snapshot” of healthy church-life. Paul didn’t want Titus to personally bear—all by himself—the load of provision he was to make for Zenas and Apollos. Paul wanted to make sure that the people of God within the church at large also shared in it. He wrote to Titus and said, “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful” (v. 14).
One of the most beautiful descriptions of healthy church-life that we find in the Bible is in Ephesians 4:11-16; where Paul wrote of the Lord Jesus that
. . . He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:11-16; emphasis added).
You know; it’s a very unhealthy situation in a church when only a few do the work, while the rest sit and watch. Such a church ceases to grow. Soon, it shrivels up and dies. It would be, as Paul would put it, an “unfruitful” church. But what a difference it makes when the leaders present the needs to the church family, and everyone in the church has a particular area of service to the Lord that they perform faithfully for the benefit of everyone else! That’s a church that grows!
Now; this is something that Paul emphasizes elsewhere in this letter. He said, in 2:14, that the Lord Jesus gave Himself “that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works”; and in 3:8, he told Titus to “affirm constantly” these things, “that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” And this, I take it, doesn’t come naturally. It’s natural for the pastor and the leaders of the church to try to do it all; and it’s natural for everyone else to stand by and let them do so. But Paul told Titus, “And let our people also learn to maintain good works . . .” So; I and the leaders will serve this church best when we keep the church informed of the needs; but not try to get up and meet them ourselves. That way, the whole church ‘learns’ to “maintain good works, to meet urgent needs”.
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There’s some closing “snapshots” in verse 15. Notice how Paul communicated the love for Titus that Paul’s co-laborers felt for him. He wrote, “All who are with me greet you.”
That first “you” in verse 15 is singular, and refers to Titus himself. What an encouragement it must have been for Titus—in the midst of what must have been, at times, a very difficult ministry—to know that he was not serving all alone and forgotten. Paul loved him, cared for him, and prayed for him; but so did those who were with Paul. We do a great service in the Lord’s name to others who serve Him—through a card, or an email note, or a phone call, or though a letter, or even a face-to-face visit—in just saying, “Hey; thanks for all that you do. I love you and appreciate you for it. And so do a lot of others.”
Expressions of genuine love beget other expressions of genuine love. And I wonder if that might not be behind the next thing that Paul says; “Greet those who love us in the faith.” What a wonderful picture of healthy church-life! As brothers and sisters in Christ, we may not always be in the presence of one another while on earth; but we are going to be with one another forever in the Father’s house. And so, we should always be ready to share a greeting of love to one another until that day comes. We do a great service when we become the ‘messengers’ of one another’s love to each other.
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And finally, notice the closing words—perhaps the greatest “snapshot” of them all. Paul says, “Grace be with you all.” The “you all” indicates the plural; which means that this letter was read to the churches. There were some strong words of instruction that Paul felt led by the Lord to include in it; but it was because of ‘grace’—God’s unmerited favor, given free of charge, as a gift to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ—that those things could be done to glory of God and the good of all.
What a hopeless thing a church would be, if it weren’t for the grace of God through Jesus Christ! But because of it, we can rest assured that He will glorify Himself in us!
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