Craig Cooper

Titus is a short book Paul wrote to one of his protégés, Titus. The letter provides guidance for church leadership as well as various aspects of Christian living. Paul emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine (fundamental biblical beliefs) and good works and encourages Christians to live godly lives while awaiting the blessed hope of Christ’s return. Throughout the book of Titus, we have seen the importance of being established in God’s Word, doing good works, and unity. Unity in the church is essential for fostering a strong sense of community, promoting shared values, and working together to do good, fulfilling the church’s mission and purpose.

In Titus 3:8-11 we discover that the responsibility of believers is to avoid foolishness as well as how to deal with a divisive person. In the Bible, foolishness is often associated with a lack of wisdom, understanding, or reverence for God. Paul, in Titus 3:8, begins by writing about the responsibility of believers.

Paul has written in Titus 3:4-7 about God’s kindness and salvation. He emphasizes that God’s love and mercy, not our own deeds, lead to our salvation through Jesus Christ. This passage underscores the importance of faith and grace in Christian theology and practice. In Titus 3:8, Paul instructs to “insist on these things” and to do “so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.” After all, “these things are excellent and profitable for people.” Those who have experienced God’s saving grace should make every effort to show it by doing good works.

It’s important to keep in mind that good works are not the cause but the necessary fruit of our salvation. We are to keep the gospel in focus at all times and not allow other things to become primary. The point is that believers, recipients of God’s saving grace, are expected to do good and live in alignment with their faith, not focused on useless things.

In Titus 3:9, Paul writes that we believers must avoid “foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law.” We are to avoid such things because “they are unprofitable and worthless.” Paul is more than likely speaking of speculative theology about nonessentials, which brought arguments rather than edification. People who turn nonessential issues into the center of our faith are merely being divisive and must be dealt with rightly. It has no kingdom value if it’s not advancing God’s kingdom. The simple truth is that believers must avoid engaging in pointless and divisive disputes.

Lastly, in Titus 3:10-11 Paul speaks on confrontation. Talking about a divisive person, Paul tells Titus, “After warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.” Why? Because “such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” In context, Paul is encouraging Titus to confront a person causing dissension within the Christian community. He’s to take the initiative but be gracious. We can assume a private loving reproof is intended.

Paul is instructing Titus and us to not conduct a witch hunt but to follow biblical guidelines for confrontation and discipline to promote understanding, reconciliation, and a Christ-honoring community founded on our Lord’s example of truth, love, and forgiveness. Isolation is the last resort. If the person continues to sow discord and division after two warnings, the instruction is to have nothing further to do with them. This doesn’t mean total abandonment but rather a separation within the church community to prevent further harm. A mentor, Keith Drury, once told me, “The job of the under-shepherd is to keep the wolves in sheep’s clothing away from the sheep.” The point is that believers must do the difficult work to protect unity and peace within the Christian community.

The church’s call is to maintain good works, fostering unity through truth and love among its believers, exemplifying the teachings of Christ. As we reflect on Titus 3:8-11, remember that just as a ship’s anchor keeps it steady amidst turbulent waters, our faith in Christ anchors us in the midst of life’s storms. Let’s strive to be vessels of God’s grace, showing Christlike kindness and patience, always avoiding divisive controversies, and dealing rightly with divisive people. In doing so, we keep our focus on the eternal, unified gospel faith and are ready to share the hope of salvation with a world in need. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

The book of Titus is a short letter written by the Apostle Paul to Titus, a fellow Christian and leader in the early church. The letter’s primary focus is on guidance for church leadership and godly living within the community of believers. It ought not to surprise us then that Titus speaks on relationships. Billy Graham remarked, “Relationships are the hallmark of the Christian faith. Our relationship with God and our relationship with others should be a driving force behind all we do.” These are powerful words and ought to cause us to want to pay attention to what Paul shares on this pivotal topic.

In Titus 3:1-8 Paul encourages believers to obey authorities, be kind and considerate to others, and remember God’s grace in their lives. It emphasizes the importance of avoiding quarrels and focusing on doing good deeds. This passage addresses personal and communal transformation.

Paul begins in verse 1, addressing proper conduct toward authorities. Paul instructs Titus to remind people to be submissive to rulers and authorities. Christians are to be good citizens. The danger in a passage like this would be to misuse it to justify passive submission to inappropriate acts and calls to action. Being subject to authorities does not mean we don’t question their decisions. Being subject to authorities does not mean we don’t raise our voices in protest to actions and decisions felt to be unjust or unfair. When the demands of authorities contradict the demands of the kingdom of God, the believer has no choice but to take the often costly stand and speak out – whether it means ostracism, punishment, exile, or even death. Therefore, we must obey rulers unless they tell us to disobey God and help with “good work” in our community.

Paul continues in verse 2 to speak of proper conduct towards all people. We believers must show courteous consideration at all times and under all circumstances. Christians are to influence for good by doing good and being peaceable and considerate toward others. This is only possible with genuine humility.

In verse 3, Paul then reminds us believers of our former state – before we came to Christ. We were “foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, and hated by others and hating one another.” As we look at this list, we can wrongly assume that sin and unrighteousness are primarily defined by outward acts. The Bible penetrates more deeply into the inner recesses of our very being. Sin is not necessarily a matter of destructive or unacceptable external behavior; it’s also a matter of inner attitude and maturation. As long as we major on the outward aspects of sin, we’ll never understand the fundamental nature of sin. However, because we believers were once bound by these ungodly acts and have been delivered by Christ, we should be gentle and try to help those still held captive by sharing the love and message of our Lord with them.

Paul proceeds in verses 4-7 to emphasize God’s grace. He writes, “When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared.” This speaks of amazing grace! God’s love for us appeared in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Jesus saved us. He did so not because of works done by us in righteousness. Jesus saved us according to His own mercy. Salvation simply cannot be achieved by our good works. It’s all God’s doing from start to finish. Jesus saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. This inner cleansing is symbolized in Christian baptism. Regeneration (rebirth) and renewing are brought about by the Holy Spirit, who makes us “a new creation” in Christ. This new life results from a fundamental change, a cleansing, from sin to the beginnings of holiness as the believer is initially sanctified by the Spirit. The good news is that our faith places great hope in the future (heaven); our future calls us to take the present seriously, and our future renews our strength amid today’s hurts, failures, and frustrations.

Paul ends in verse 8 by instructing Titus to “insist on these things.” He is speaking of all he has mentioned in verses 4-7. This teaching should be affirmed so that those who have experienced this grace will make every effort to show it by continually doing “good works.” Think of it this way. Good works are not the cause but the necessary fruit of salvation.

We learn from Titus 3:1-8 that we are to be in a right relationship with God and others so that through humility, we who are being transformed will be transforming agents in the places where we live, work, go to school, and play. God’s grace in us should be evident by the respect we give to authorities and how we treat others. We were once ungodly like those yet to receive Christ, but God has changed us in ever-increasing Christlikeness. Therefore, we should maintain the fruit of our salvation, good works.

Imagine a community where people once lived in constant conflict, filled with bitterness and anger towards one another. But then, a transformative event took place. A flood of kindness and love flowed through this community. People started helping each other, showing genuine concern, and speaking words of encouragement. This transformation was not due to a sudden change in circumstances. It resulted from people coming to Christ for salvation, following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus. This is the picture Paul gives us in Titus 3:1-8. When we take Christ and Scripture seriously, lives, families, and communities are transformed. Titus 3:1-8 encourages us believers to be agents of positive change in our communities through sharing God’s Word as well as through acts of love and kindness, reflecting God’s grace, and transforming the world around us. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

The Book of Titus reminds us of the importance of living with faith, integrity, and a sense of responsibility within our Christian community and where we live, work, go to school, and play. D.L. Moody declared, “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.” Therefore, it ought not surprise us that Titus has much to say about our conduct. All the emphasis on sound doctrine and the proper ordering of life in the church has little, if any, significance unless it produces changed lives that demonstrate a high quality of life and love.

Paul proceeds in Titus 2:1-10 to address four groups of people besides Titus. William Barclay entitles this section “The Christian Character in Action.” Contrary to false teachers, whom Paul describes as “professing to know God, but they deny him by their works” (Titus 1:16a), Paul provides these words to assist us in godly living.

In Titus 2:1, we read, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” What needs to be taught is to be in “accords with sound doctrine.” This sets the foundation for the rest of this passage’s teaching. Truth is the best antidote to error.

Paul then proceeds to provide guidance on Christian living and conduct. He emphasizes the importance of teaching and living by example. In other words, believers are to teach and embody sound biblical principles in both belief and behavior. When maturing is part of aging, our perspective and values grow into sobriety, a clearheaded way of viewing everything around us, which is helpful to others. In a practical sense, maturing narrows the gap between our best judgment and actual behavior. As we grow older in Christ and in life, we ought to grow more mature and able to share this knowledge with others.

As to Paul’s words concerning women, I don’t think the principles of the importance of being a good wife and mother ever change. But the application, of necessity, must change from time to time and place to place. For instance, Paul speaks of women working at home. The only employment available to the vast majority of young women in first-century Crete was prostitution on the streets or in a pagan temple. Moving west from Crete, through Athens to Rome, we do meet a few businesswomen, but they are exceptions to the rule and typically older women with grown children. Young women had no real options other than marriage or motherhood.

I am not, in any way, minimizing women’s important role in marriages, childrearing, and the sort. But I am drawing our attention to the importance of noting the historical context of what was happening in the early churches, such as the one in Crete. No way is this passage to mean that, for instance, women are forbidden to have a career. Simply, women needed to be careful not to abuse their liberty in Christ and, therefore, not to bring scandal to the word of God.

We understand, as believers, that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28). The challenge for the church has always been how to promote this truth in the cultures where they live. At times, change and growth have seemed small, but over and over again, genuine Christian teaching has led to the liberation of people to stand on equal footing before our Lord.

Cultural implications must be considered when examining Paul’s words addressed to bondservants. First, it’s important to note that a “bondservant” is a historical term used to describe a person bound to serve another person, typically as a form of indentured servitude or a slave. More than one-third of the population of the cities of the time were slaves, and certainly more if you count those who had been set free (freedmen). The conduct listed for this group is mentioned: “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.”

The practice of bond servitude had to be a challenging issue for early Christians. The complexities were enormous, whether viewed from the standpoint of a bondservant or an owner who had come to Christ. There just weren’t any easy answers, but to allow the Spirit to lead all to genuine freedom in Christ and among each other. Paul is teaching that bondservants are to carry out their duties, thinking of their role as Christians rather than as slaves.

There’s an overall thought with all that’s been addressed in this passage that there is a sense in which our behavior can make the gospel attractive. I would encourage all of us to take some time to look through what Paul has written to Titus about Christian conduct and consider how these principles apply to each of our lives. We ought to be challenged to live out these teachings.

Let me summarize Paul’s teaching in Titus 2:1-10 in a single directive. Believers are to live in a manner that aligns with sound biblical principles, demonstrating self-control, respect, and positive examples to foster spiritual growth, a strong Christian community, and witness to those yet to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. John Wesley taught, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” I believe Paul and Titus would say, Amen! How about you? Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

Titus is a book on Christian leadership that provides a plan for developing a healthy church that’s not quick and easy but effective. Warren Wiersbe had this to say about the book of Titus, “Titus is a treasure of a book with much to say about living a godly life in a difficult world.” Who among us doesn’t need a little help in this area?

In Titus 1:10-16, Paul is writing to Titus, a young leader, a warning about false teachers. If anything will trip us up in our lives, false teachers are certainly among them. These false teachers were individuals or groups spreading falsehoods within the Christian community. While the book of Titus doesn’t provide extensive details about these false teachers, it does offer some insights into their characteristics and actions. It’s important to remember that the same challenges that Titus and the Cretan church faced nearly 2,000 years ago we face today. Our challenges may not exist in the exact forms they took in Crete, yet they persist.

Paul challenges us in Titus 1:10 that we must identify false teachers. He notes their means that they “are insubordinate, empty talkers, and deceivers.” These false teachers were “insubordinate” to church authority. They spoke nonsense but deceived those who would listen to them. It’s important to be mindful that if we in the church are “empty talkers” and not doers of love, peace, mercy, and justice, we merely take our place alongside the false teachers of Crete.

Addressing false teachers within the church is paramount, as it safeguards the integrity of faith, maintains doctrinal purity, and preserves the unity of the Christian community. Failure to confront false teachings can lead to confusion, division, and spiritual harm among believers. For sure, any teaching that adds to or distracts from the love and message of the gospel is ultimately disruptive and destructive.

Paul further challenges us in Titus 1:11–13 that we must realize the impact of false teachers and silence them. The Greek word used for “silenced” here implies a process of reasoning. In other words, silencing them is not to be by force or violence but by teaching and correcting with the truth. No doubt, if we aren’t careful, we become more interested in winning the argument than in winning the person. These false teachers are “upsetting whole families.” You don’t have to look very far to discover that even though the false teachers may not wear the same clothing or teach the same things as those in Crete, they are ever present in the church of every age and place.

Paul makes it clear that they are to be “rebuked sharply.” What is the purpose of such a rebuke? “Rebuke them sharply” so that “they may be sound in the faith.” Paul desired for these false teachers to repent and enter into a proper understanding of the gospel and live ever-increasing godly lives. Paul hoped the false teachers would be corrected.

Lastly, Paul challenges us in Titus 1:13b-16 that we must correct false teachers while seeking to live correctly. The predicament of these false teachers is that “to the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure.” In fact, “both their minds and their conscience are defiled.” Consider that bad doctrine and bad behavior often go together. Their hypocrisy is that “they profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.” “They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

The real test of purity is the heart. The person whose mind and conscience are defiled can neither think clearly about spiritual things nor distinguish between good and evil. If thinking and conscience are wrong, actions are seldom right. But, if a person has the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5) and a heart filled with godly love, Christlike living will follow. Such living is made possible in Christ through the Spirit. Our “work” demonstrates the genuineness of our faith.

Simply put, where practice contradicts profession, there is deception and falsehood. God enables those in a right relationship with Him to do good works for His glory and the benefit of others. False teachers have disqualified themselves from the work of the Lord. This passage makes it clear that the most effective antidote to a false teacher is a true teacher.

We correct others with right words as well as right living. Living what we preach is the ultimate testament to the authenticity of our beliefs, as our actions speak louder than words. Ultimately, we can identify and correct false teachers and live holy lives by knowing the truth. Just as a skilled appraiser can identify counterfeit paintings by studying genuine masterpieces, we can recognize falsehoods by intimately knowing the authentic gospel truth.

We find these words of Christ in the Gospel of John, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Jesus uses this metaphor of sheep and He being the Good Shepherd to signify that those who follow His teachings, the presumption being that His followers are reading and applying Scripture, and those having a close relationship with Him can discern His guidance and wisdom amidst the noise and chaos of the world. Remember, “If you abide in God’s word, you are truly Christ’s disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Knowing the gospel truth has liberating power for each of us, others, and even false teachers who will respond to the truth in repentance. Like Titus, we must understand that it’s essential to heed Paul’s warning, be vigilant and resolute when confronting false teachers, safeguarding the integrity of the knowledge and teaching of the gospel truth. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

Titus is a book on Christian leadership that provides a plan for developing a healthy church that’s not quick and easy but effective. In Titus 1:5-9 we discover that leadership is about quality. Paul presents Titus and us with a look at what leadership needs to look like in the church. It’s a call for godly character.

Author and inspirational speaker Simon Sinek gets it right when he states, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” It’s also entirely accurate that as the leader goes, so goes the team. Leadership is vital because it brings guidance and direction, inspires, and is essential for problem-solving and decision-making.

In Titus, Paul presents us with a picture of godly leadership. Godly leaders are guided by principles and values found in Scripture, empowered by the Spirit, and living for God’s glory as His under-shepherds, serving His people for His purposes. We all lead in a sense in the places we live, work, go to school, and play. Therefore, this teaching found in Titus speaks to all of us.

In Titus 1:5, we find out that Paul had left Titus in Crete to complete the work of organizing the churches. He was to straighten out any problems and appoint leaders for the local churches. This is vital since healthy leadership in a church is like a strong foundation that supports the entire church family, enabling it to reach new heights of spiritual growth and community impact.

In Titus 1:6-8 Paul lists the character traits and qualities of leaders. Paul begins by listing some positive qualifications in Titus 1:6. Leaders must have their family life in order. When appointing leaders, consideration must be given to their families. Their children should be Christian, of good reputation, disciplined in their manner of life, and obedient to their parents. It’s important to note that perfection in a family is not expected, but one aiming for godliness is of vital importance.

Paul proceeds to share some qualifications from the negative or otherwise stated what they ought not to be in Titus 1:7. Those in leadership must avoid bad vices. Leaders are stewards of God, ones who care for God’s household. Five vices are specifically prohibited. All five traits are of a self-centered person. Think about it. The essence of genuine leadership lies not only in the pursuit of success but in the unwavering commitment to moral principles. Through biblical integrity, leaders inspire trust, guide with wisdom, and leave a lasting legacy of righteousness.

Paul concludes his list by sharing some more positive qualifications in Titus 1:8-9. Those in leadership must cultivate biblical virtues, and their teaching must be faithfully instructing in the truth of the gospel. By contrast with verse 7, those mentioned here are to be evidenced. For instance, a lover of good is in contrast to what false teachers love. They are to be self-controlled, which is a characteristic of the Spirit-filled life (Gal 5:23). Godly virtue is the radiant light within us, illuminating our path with compassion, humility, and love, guiding us toward a life that reflects the divine goodness of Christ we, by His help, embody.

Lastly, Paul stresses that church leaders need to have a clear understanding of biblical truth. We need to be aware that charisma is no substitute for understanding biblical truth. In fact, the exemplary life of the leader is a product of sound doctrine (understanding biblical truth). In short,

we can’t emphasize either practice or doctrine at the expense of the other.

When we consider all these leadership qualities and characteristics, we discover that leadership development begins by having an understanding of articulated biblical standards. We need to know what the Bible says and stand on those standards. Paul instructs Titus to appoint leaders who have specific qualities and characteristics; therefore, the goal in finding leaders is recognizing those who measure up to biblical standards rather than shaping standards to fit the people.

For you and me, let’s consider the following. A church will not rise above its leadership. You and I will not rise higher than our self-leadership. A family will not rise higher than its leadership. Overall, we discover from this passage in Titus that the quality of the leadership determines the quality of the life of an individual, a family, or a local church.

What is truly remarkable is how unremarkable the leadership qualifications are and how they ought to be genuinely present in the life of every believer. Therefore, we believers should take some time to reflect on our own life and character. When we consider growing as believers, we should seek mentorship and guidance from experienced believers who exemplify these qualities. After all, there is little doubt that your life is a reflection of the voices you allow to speak into it. Lastly, let me suggest that we use Titus 1:5-9 as a basis for prayer and spiritual growth, seeking God’s guidance and the Spirit’s empowerment to embody these qualities. As we look at Titus 1:5-9, let us heed the call to biblical leadership, for it’s not a privilege reserved for a chosen few but a divine invitation for every soul to rise and shine within the grace and wisdom found within the sacred pages of Scripture. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

Over the years, I have read a significant number of leadership books, such as The 360 Degree Leader, Lincoln on Leadership, The Leadership Challenge, and one of my favorites, Leadership Principles of Atilla the Hun. I even have a graduate degree in Leadership for Evangelism and Discipleship. With all of this said, I am no stranger to leadership material. By far, my favorite leadership book is Titus.

Titus is a book on Christian leadership that provides a plan for developing a healthy church that’s not quick and easy but effective. It’s important to remember that God’s church is the sum total of every one of His followers. Therefore, Titus deals with the church’s structure and how a sanctified church operates in a fallen world.

Paul is writing to Titus, who is on Crete, while he is wintering in Nicopolis, instructing Titus on how to execute a leadership plan on Crete. Titus is a Greek who probably was led to Christ through Paul’s ministry. He is Paul’s special representative to the church on Crete. Titus’ parents might have been nobles from Crete. Church tradition teaches that Titus is believed to have died in Crete. The book of Titus was written around AD 64, about the same time Paul wrote 1 Timothy.

The opening greeting in Titus is much longer in proportion to the total length of this letter than that of any of Paul’s other letters. This is an excellent reason to give it a serious look. Paul writes, “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior” (Titus 1:1-4).

What does this greeting have to do with us today? Let me share three lessons we learn from Paul’s greeting to Titus. I share them in no particular order. First, truth is always inseparably linked with godliness. Doctrine becomes hazardous when it’s divorced from godly living. Doctrine is the body of teachings of the Christian faith concerning its central beliefs, which is grounded in Scripture and aims to maintain the integrity of Christianity. It’s of central importance in Christian preaching and teaching in that it equips the people of God for effective and faithful service in his world. Truth must produce goodness, or it’s not truth.

Godliness consists of expressions in everyday living of the character of God. Since God is love, godliness consists of loving in word and deed. Since God is mercy, godliness consists of being merciful. Since God is patient and kind, godliness is expressed through patience and kindness. The point is that while our expressions and behaviors will never achieve godly perfection, our being perfected enables us to reflect the nature of God Himself through our devotion and obedience to Christ. Therefore, putting God’s truth into practice, godliness is not the work of a special few but is the natural flow of a life in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Second, eternal life begins in the here and now, but it’s also a hope because it’s not yet a completed reality in our experience. In one sense, the believer has eternal life in Christ now. But in another sense, it’s yet to come. There is no doubt to be in Christ is to have eternal life. We read in 1 John, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12). We don’t have to wait until we die to experience eternal life. In this sense, eternal life refers to quality more than duration. But eternal life also affirms that death is not the end of our lives. We have yet to experience the reality of this aspect of eternal life. The hope Paul speaks of is not a mere wish-dream because of Jesus’ victory over death in his resurrection.

The last lesson from Paul’s greeting that I will share is that identity matters. Believers are to find their identity in Christ, which speaks of who we are and our purpose. Paul clearly understood who he was in Christ and how that affected his purpose. Paul reminds Titus of who he is in Christ and, therefore, how that affects his purpose. All believers must be mindful of who they are in Christ and how that affects their purpose. As God’s child, identified with Him through Jesus Christ, you are loved, chosen, forgiven, redeemed, and adopted. God is the one who grows our faith and makes us new. As we believe the things that He says of us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do what He has called us to do. As we continue to move from one degree of Christlikeness to another, we are not only blessed but also genuinely able to bless others as His people, the church of Jesus Christ.

Growing up in my home, I was regularly reminded of what being a part of the Cooper household meant. In fact, I came to understand the benefits and expectations of being a Cooper. The benefits centered around being family. As a Cooper, I understood I was not alone; I had a whole family supporting me. I also was made keenly aware of the expectations. A Cooper doesn’t lie; we are faithful, strong, and on and on. When I was out and about, I represented the family and was expected to behave in a manner worthy of that name and never to bring dishonor to the Cooper name. When I did, I was corrected.

I guess this is why I found it more natural to accept that I am part of the family of God. I bear God’s name, identified with Him through Christ. I have been granted eternal life and called to share that such a life is available to all who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. I also understand that the gospel truth is tied to godliness. I need to put my faith in practice for my good and the goodness of others. I am a child of God, and like Paul and Titus, all of us who are, receive great benefits and expectations, which Paul lays out for us in Titus.

I want to share this part of Paul’s greeting as a benediction of sorts. To you, my church family, “grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” Grace and peace bring two remarkable thoughts together. Grace is God’s underserved and unearned favor at work in our lives through Jesus. It results in a sense of harmony and well-being, the peace of God. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

I have a confession to make. I like being served. I enjoy going to a restaurant with good food and having it served right at my table. I don’t like buffets. I don’t want to spend a lot of money. But I like reasonably priced delightful food brought right to me. I appreciate those who prepared and delivered it. A good dining experience is something I cherish. I don’t believe I deserve to be served. I pay for it. The servers reap the reward of a healthy financial tip. Yes! I enjoy the experience.

I would guess most of us have examples of how we like to be served, from the clerk at our favorite supermarket to a restaurant and on and on. On another note, Paul writes, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus, God, laid aside the glory of His deity and took the form of a servant, born as an earthly man. He placed humanity upon His divinity. His obedience and servitude extended to death on the cross, a punishment reserved for slaves and common criminals. We are called to possess an attitude of complete submission to God like that depicted by Christ.

Jesus, addressing his followers, declared, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45). The disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest in Christ’s kingdom. Their jealous spirit was nothing like that of Jesus. He explains that unbelievers may live for themselves, but those who follow Him are to live lives of selfless service, following His example. Jesus died to set all people free from sin and death.

I am not saying it’s wrong to enjoy going out to eat or having a good experience at a grocery store. Not at all. I’m emphasizing that it’s more natural to enjoy being served than to serve. In fact, the true test of a servant is how you respond when you’re treated like one. Think about it. In a culture where we have acknowledged “inalienable rights” (I am so thankful we have done so), it can be challenging to embrace the example and attitude of our Lord as a servant. But this is precisely what we are called to do. We are to serve our spouses, friends, and even enemies. I’m not calling us to embrace unhealthy situations or relationships. The Bible does not mandate this either. I’m challenging us to note our attitude when treated like servants. I, for one, need a whole lot of Jesus to possess his attitude and follow His example. The good news is that I have Him in endless supply through the indwelling of His very Spirit. Lord, help us have your attitude and follow your example. I know He will. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

The Bible is filled with illustrations and references to agriculture. This largely is due to most of Scripture being written in a heavily agrarian society. The church continues to use agriculture speak to explain biblical principles in a similar fashion. I came across this one, “Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve being planted.” Although this is not from the Bible, it’s quite biblical.

In 1 Peter, we read, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:8-10). Due to The Fall, the world (culture), the flesh (sinful leanings), and the devil wreak havoc on all our lives. No matter how attractive things contrary to God’s permissive standards may appear, they bring only ultimate sorrow. In this life, bad decisions, our and others, and the state of the world create circumstances that seem to bury us.

Peter challenges us to resist every temptation to compromise our faith. When we suffer, we are to courageously remember God’s faithfulness and follow the examples of past and present believers who have persevered. I’m reminded of these words from Romans 8, “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). This verse does not deny hardships. Still, it offers hope that we can be confident that nothing can hurt God’s people so deeply that God cannot turn it around for their good. God is so powerful He takes that which appeared to bury us and uses it to sprout us into “oaks of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3).

I’m reminded of the tale of the phoenix, an immortal bird from Greek mythology. The phoenix dies in a show of flames and combustion, and from the ashes is birthed a new phoenix. Like the phoenix, our God brings “beauty out of ashes” (Isaiah 61:3). He takes even those dark events that seem to bury us and, from the proverbial aches, produces in us a more profound understanding of His grace and the ability to flourish in Him. From the ashes comes life for those in Christ. You might feel like you are buried under the crud of life, but take heart, in Christ, you have been planted, and God will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

God has graciously provided us with no less than 32 names for Himself in the Old Testament. He presents these names to us so we can grow in knowing Him and walk more intimately with Him. One of those names is Jehovah Rohi, meaning the Lord is our Shepherd. The 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon declared, “We have all things and abound; not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because the Lord is my shepherd.”

In our modern lives, most of us live distant from that of actual shepherds. This is not to say that shepherds don’t exist today. They certainly do. But, a vast majority of us don’t have hands-on knowledge of where the food we eat and the fabrics used to make our clothes come from. However, God has placed this description of Himself as Shepherd for a purpose, which is that we know Him more fully and intimately.

What does the word shepherd or rohi mean? The word rohi is derived from a word meaning to feed. The word came to characterize a figure of great importance to Jewish culture; the shepherd who feeds and tends a flock of sheep. A shepherd cares and watches over his flock. Due to the shepherd’s care, many sheep got to know and trust their shepherds, trusting them with every aspect of their lives. This is a beautiful picture God presents to us of Himself. This is the kind of relationship God wants to have with everyone.

The most famous reference to Jehovah Rohi is Psalm 23. David starts off using the words, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Even though this psalm is often used to comfort mourners at funerals, it wasn’t David’s intent to merely be used in mourning loss. It’s a psalm that expresses walking with God and Him being our shepherd through all the seasons of life. Psalm 23 is a psalm of profound hope.

Psalm 23, in its entirety, describes what it means that God is our shepherd. For instance, we read that God makes us lie down in green pastures, where we can rest peacefully with all the provisions we need. The first blessing we receive from our divine Shepherd is spiritual nourishment. As a shepherd leads sheep to fresh grass for feed, so the Lord leads His people. Anyone who follows the Lord does not lack any spiritual nourishment.

We also are told that God leads us beside still waters, where we can quench our thirst without fear of being swept away. A second blessing that comes from our Lord’s shepherding is spiritual restoration. As a shepherd leads his sheep to water for rest and cleansing, so the Lord restores and refreshes the soul. We can safely find forgiveness and peace as we follow Him.

Further, God restores our souls, meaning he meets all our needs, including our emotional needs. Another blessing we receive from our Shepherd is He being our constant to help us manage our emotions. It’s easy to allow the stuff of this earth to have the greatest impact on how we feel and react. However, when we place our trust in God as our Shepherd, we can receive from Him all we need in every way, including emotionally.

God leads us in paths of righteousness to help us become more and more the people He has created us to be in Him. When we walk with God, our Shepherd, He leads us down the right path for our lives. God knows the right path to bring us, His sheep, safely home. The Lord loses none of His sheep but guides them in the right way and does so, in part, “for His name’s sake.”

Lastly, we don’t have to fear any evil because He is with us, comforts us, and provides victory for us. The Lord provides protection. If one finds himself in a valley of deep darkness (or “shadow of death”), he need not fear. The Lord is with us and will protect us, leading us to victory.

I once heard a pastor declare, “The closer we are to the shepherd, the safer we are from the wolves.” The picture we receive from this psalm is of a God who is both tender and mighty. God is both in never-depleting amounts. God, as our shepherd, is able to fend off all attacks as well nurture us in His love.

In John 10, Jesus refers to Himself as not just any shepherd but “the Good Shepherd:” Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” because His purpose is to willingly give His “life for the sheep.” Jesus declares His love, concern, and care for all believers from all peoples and all time who are one people as part of God’s forever family and are one under the Good Shepherd, our Savior, and Lord. Genuinely, every word of Psalm 23 reaches its fullest depth of meaning in the Christian’s peace and trust in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, Jehovah Rohi.

The great invitation of our Lord is to come to Him, the Good Shepherd. How often have we gone our own way and faced unsuccessful consequences? He knows us and the right path for us to journey with Him. From start to finish, the Lord hears us, sees us, and is present and willing to care for our wellbeing. Christ is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep. He cares, protects, forgives, heals, and saves. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

Of the 32 names of God that present us with attributes and characteristics of God in the Old Testament, Jehovah Nissi, the “Lord Our Banner,” is one of them. The name for God, Jehovah Nissi, appears in Exodus 17:15. This is the only place it occurs in the Bible. It combines Jehovah, the Latinized version of Yahweh, the most frequently used name for God, with the Hebrew word, for a “banner” or a “flag.” The verse reads, “Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner” (Exodus 17:15).

What prompted Moses to build an altar and dedicate it to Jehovah Nissi – “The Lord is My Banner?” In Exodus 17, we find the Israelites, shortly after they’ve been set free from bondage in Egypt while traveling to the Promised Land, camped at a place called Rephidim. They came under attack by the Amalekites, who didn’t appreciate the Israelites passing through their land. Moses puts Joshua in charge of leading the Israelite forces in battle. Moses declares that he will stand up on the hill with the staff of God held in his hand. This is Moses’ battle plan.

What was the “staff of God?” Moses was holding the staff he had used under God’s direction to work miracles. He used this staff when the Red Sea was parted and Israel escaped from the Egyptians. This is no ordinary staff. Joshua battled with the Amalekites all day, and Moses held up the staff. When Moses raised the staff, the Israelites prevailed, but when Moses lowered the staff, the Amalekites prevailed. As Moses’ arms tired, Aaron and Hur assisted in holding his arms high, staff in hand. In the end, God gave Israel victory over the Amalekites. The staff Moses held was like a banner flying over the army of the Israelites. It identified them as God’s people. The staff represented God’s presence with the Israelites as well as His power. The staff represented God’s people depending on Him. So, Moses built an altar to create a place of remembrance and celebration of what God had done, He being their banner.

Although God being named as Jehovah Nissi is found only in Exodus 17:15, we discover elsewhere His “banner” as a representation of His protection and salvation. For instance, Psalms 60:4-5 and 20:5 speak of God’s protection and salvation using the imagery of His banner. We discover that much like banners and flags in the ancient world, and today, God’s banner identifies those who belong to Him, those He has saved in Jesus Christ.

In Scripture, Jesus is mentioned as a banner (Isaiah 11:10, 12; Romans 15:12). He will raise a signal (or banner) for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. This includes believing Jews and Gentiles, who’ve placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Jesus makes this affirmation of Himself, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). Think about it, nothing can ever ultimately overcome us when we look to Christ, our banner, for salvation.

What can we glean from Exodus 17:15 and the other explored verses? What is the meaning for the believer? First, believers are not left to fight their battles alone but in the strength and direction of the Lord. When God’s people faced the Amalekites in battle, they were recently freed from slavery in Egypt. They were not a battle-hardened army. However, God was with them, and under His leading and power were victorious. As believers, we understand, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). On our own, who could win such a fight? But we are not on our own. We have God, and He offers His strength and leading. In fact, God promises victory, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Therefore, the second meaning for a Christian is that believers experience ultimate victory as they rely upon, trust, and follow the Lord. Israel was victorious as long as Moses held up the staff of God. We depend on God for our victory, but we’re also responsible for trusting and following Him, cooperating with the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 John 5:4-5). Let me add as Moses built an altar he called “The Lord Is My Banner” to remember what God had done for Israel, we, too, need to remember and celebrate the way God has led us and the victories He has provided, most importantly, salvation in Christ.

There’s a quote often attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” This quote is thought to have been spoken by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War as a reaction to a clergyman who had actually commended the Union’s reason as being “the Lord’s cause.” Lincoln emphasized the importance of aligning oneself with God and His will instead of presuming that God is in agreement with us. We need to realize that Moses held up the “staff of God.” It’s God’s staff. We need to understand that we’re not the banner. God is the banner Who brings protection and salvation. We need to remember we aren’t to wait for God to rally to us; we are to rally to Him, Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our Banner. When we do, ultimate victory is ours in Christ. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!