CROSSING The T’s STUDY in TITUS – Biblical Precepts and Principles for Pastoral ministry: CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION: The apostle Paul considered Titus to be a spiritual son of his (as he did Timothy; TITUS 1:4) as well as a brother whose company the aging apostle craved (2 COR 2:12-13), and also a co-laborer (2 COR 8:23) for the kingdom of GOD. He was likely older than Timothy, spiritually more mature, as he apparently was given more responsibilities than Timothy. The apostle Paul assigned him on missions to Corinth (2 COR 8:16-18), accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (GAL 2:1), was established as the pastor of the church at the island of Crete in the overseeing of multiple fellowships, as this epistle ably demonstrates. He served very much in the same sacrificial spirit as did Pau’s other spiritual son in the faith, Timothy – both mirroring the ministry of their mentor (2 COR 12:17-18). He was at one point one of only two companions with Paul during his imprisonment in Rome, but he eventually left for Dalmatia (probably by instruction from Paul; 2 TIM 4:10).

Ona side note: he was a full-blooded Greek (GAL 2:3), whereas Timothy’s father was Greek, his mother Jewish (ACTS 16:1).

He was instructed by Paul to establish pastoral elders in every city in Crete, so as to offset the self-appointed preachers who wanted a following for themselves, who didn’t truly serve Christ and His church.

Counsels and exhortations make up the majority of this epistle, duties, and doctrines, with an emphasis on “maintaining good works”.

Key verses are:

TITUS 1:5
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. And…

TITUS 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

So without further ado, let’s get into this three chapter epistle by Paul to his other son in the faith!

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NUMBERS – From SINAI To The PROMISED LAND: Chapters 34

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez, and James Fire

NUMBERS 34: “DOES GOD HAVE MORE FOR ME?” by Sonny Islas, check out the complete audio teaching here!

INTRODUCTION: As we draw near to the end of the Book of Numbers, in chapter 34 we find God giving the command to appoint the borders of Canaan (a.k.a. Israel) and to appoint the leaders that will be in charge of dividing the land by lot to each tribe.

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NUMBERS – From SINAI To The PROMISED LAND: Chapters 33

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez, and James Fire

NUMBERS 33: “NOTE TO SELF” by Albert Lopez, check out the complete audio teaching here!

INTRODUCTION: Do you own a Planner, Journal, or a Diary? Do you use them regularly? We often need reminders for important appointments and dates; reminders to get certain tasks going and completed. We need to send notes to self on our duties GOD has granted to us, His children, His laborers, His soldiers and ambassadors.

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WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE?

~ by James Fire

Check out the audio teaching here on SHINE BRIGHT Church YouTube Channel.

In making disciples, there are teachings given to new believers, called the Fundamentals of the Faith, some of which are as follows:

~ The objective, absolute truth as recorded in Scripture
~ The sinful nature of humanity
~ The Holiness of GOD
~ Salvation by grace alone according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
~ The Deity & Humanity of Christ/His virgin birth
~ The Trinity of GOD
~ The Second Coming of Christ & Judgment Day, and many other such teachings.

As disciples of Christ and of His Word, we all believe these things, don’t we?
As members of SHINE BRIGHT Church, where the Word of GOD is being taught, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book, from GENESIS to REVELATION (and when we finish REVELATION, it’s back to GENESIS), we are confident in what we believe, Amen?

So I could ask any one of you what you believe about the Bible, and to one degree or another, you could provide competent answers for me, couldn’t you? I’m sure you could!

So then the next question I would ask you is: Why do you believe the Bible?

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NUMBERS – From SINAI To The PROMISED LAND: Chapters 32

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez, and James Fire

NUMBERS 32: “FIGHT FOR YOUR BROTHER’S BLESSING” by Sonny Islas, check out the complete audio teaching here!

INTRODUCTION: At this point in the story, Israel is at the borders of Canaan (what will become Israel/The Promised Land). They are stationed on the East side of the Jordan River.

Numbers 32 focuses on three tribes that want to stay and live where they are stationed, in the land of Gilead (on the East side of the Jordan River) because they have lots of animals and Gilead is perfect for raising livestock (for grazing).

The three Tribes are Ruben (1st), Gad (7th) and half of Manasseh (11th/Joseph). These three Tribes are the first to settle in and possess their land or portion BUT as we’ll soon read, no one was to settle in and enjoy their God given property without fighting on behalf of all Twelve Tribes. Once we get to the Book of Joshua, we’ll read about every other tribe getting their lot and land from God - except for the Levites, because their portion is the LORD. The Levites lived among the other tribes.

It’s important for us as Christians to know the history of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel because in one sense their story is our story. Our Savior came from them, making their Savior our Savior. It’s good for us to know and understand how God dealt with Israel just as it’s good for us to understand how God deals with the New Testament Church.

We can’t divorce what God is doing today from what God has done yesterday. From what God did in the Old Testament from what God did in the New Testament – it’s all one big powerful storyline.

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