Category Archives: Sermon Notes & Announcements

Jan 8, 2023. Titus 1:1-9

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GODLY ELDERS. Titus 1:1-9. 01/08/2023. #1.

1 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, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and [a]the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. 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— 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of [b]dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a [c]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, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 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. Titus, faithful servant of the Lord

                a. Titus = not mentioned in Acts, but thirteen times in the New Testament

                b. Apparently, Titus worked with Paul in Ephesus

                c. A faithful worker and the example that Paul used of an uncircumcised Gentile Christian (Galatians 2)

                d. Titus was used on several missions: he went with Paul to Jerusalem for the Council (Galatians 2), to Corinth to correct error (I Corinthians 2), to Dalmatia (II Timothy 4:10) and to Crete

                e. “My son in the faith” probably refers to the fact that Paul had led Titus to faith in Antioch

                f. Paul had worked briefly with Titus in Crete and then left Titus there to organize the churches

2. Paul’s calling card

                a. Paul identifies himself with three terms:

                                a1. A bondservant (slave) of God => committed to obey God in all things

                                a2. An Apostle of Jesus Christ => one sent to share the Gospel of Christ, to draw all men to the Savior

                                a3. A preacher of the Word of God => committed to him for evangelism and discipleship

                b. Paul spends extra time to define his role

                                a1. His apostleship is according to faith in common with all the elect (chosen) of God

                                a2. For the purpose of godliness

                c. Faith has a purpose

                                a1. Hope of eternal life (reward of faith)

                                a2. Since God can’t lie, the hope is real

                                a3. Truth of election predates creation

3. Titus’s task

                a. Titus was to appoint elders to direct the churches

                                a1. Not an enviable task since the churches were knew and Cretans were often lazy

                                a2. The standard for eldership is very high

                b. An elder’s family must be in order

                                a1. Husband of one wife

                                                b1. Romans 7:1-4 married for life

                                                b2. Not “one wife at a time”

                                a2. Faithful children (believing children, following the Lord) – I Timothy 3:1-7

                c. An elder must be moral

                                a1. Blameless (lit., “not called against”) = someone unable to be accused of wrong doing or evil intent

                                a2. Not a drunkard or addicted to alcohol

                                a3. Not rebellious or insubordinate to God or legitimate authority

                                a4. A good steward (household manager) of God (doing all things for his glory and will)

                                a5. Not self-willed (prideful stubborn)

                                                b1. A prideful dominating man is not elder material

                                                b2. Not insisting on his own way

                                a6. Not quick-tempered (wrathful)

                                a7. Not a violent man (a brawler)

                                a8. Not greedy or covetousness

                                                b1. Not seeking ill-gotten gain

                                                b2. Not a lover of money

                d. An elder must be a good example: hospitable to all people, loving goodness, prudent (living wisely and properly), just (doing right), holy (set apart from sin and world unto God), holding onto Words of faith

                e. Task: to able to teach believers and defend the faith

Key Verse: 1 Timothy 3:1-71 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Jan 1, 2023. II Timothy 4:17-21

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II Timothy 4:17-22 (New King James Version)

17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. 21 Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Dec 25, 2022. Christmas 2022, John 17:1-5

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MORE THAN A BABY. John 17:1-5. 12/25/2022. CHRISTMAS.

1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

1. A peasant’s birth

                a. The Lord of the universe entered the world in incarnate form in the lowliest of fashions

                                a1. Born to a peasant girl

                                a2. Born away from home in a stable

                                a3. No family was present to aid Mary

                                a4. God had to provide a witness

                b. Jesus had no biological father

                                a1. Joseph was a carpenter from Nazareth in Galilee (a minor town on a trade route)

                                a2. Before Jesus is 30, Joseph passes away

                                a3. Jesus had 4 half-brothers and at least 2 sisters

2. A walk of obscure distinction

                a. Isaiah 53:2 Jesus had no outstanding physical features (not handsome like Absalom, strong like Samson, famous like David, or acclaimed like Solomon)

                b. John 2 he did not reveal his nature until age 30

                c. Through numerous miracles and much amazing teaching, he gained a following and powerful enemies

3. Gloria

                a. What was hidden was his eternal glory as the creator and master of the universe (kenosis – emptying out)

                b. All who saw him did not realize who he was

                                a1. All authority had been given to him (Matthew 28)

                                a2. Before his Incarnation he shared glory with his father, God

                c. No one knew that after he finished his task, he would glorify father who would glorify him

                d. No one knew that the savior was the almighty God

                                a1. Colossians 1:13-20 Jesus is the creator of all things and sustains everything

                                a2. He appeared before Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Gideon, and Manoah

                e. All that he is was hidden behind a veil of human flesh (no light, emanating power, or thunder)

                f. In 3 short years of ministry he gave hints of his ID

                                a1. He healed the lame and leper, made the blind to see, and raised the dead

                                a2. He cast out demons and silenced evil spirits

                                a3. He spoke words no man had ever said

                                a4. He turned water into wine and multiplied fish and loaves of bread

                                a5. He calmed a raging storm with the wave of his hand and by his command

                                a6. He revealed what was in the hearts of men

                                a7. He predicted the future

                g. None of what he did was done in secret

                                a1. At 12 he baffled the learned men of Israel

                                a2. His disciples saw him turn water into wine and calm the storm

                                a3. Many saw Jairus’s daughter raised

                                a4. Thousands witnessed the multiplying of fish

                                a5. Many, including the Pharisees and priests, saw Lazarus rise from the dead

                h. All that Jesus did proved that no ordinary babe had come to Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago

                                a1. Isaiah 7:14 this was Immanuel

                                a2. Isaiah 9:6-7 this was the Everlasting Father

                                a3. John 2:1-2 this was the savior that takes away the sin of the world

                i. All who honor the babe without honoring the God indwelling the babe, miss the point and eternity

                                a1. He could point to stars and say, “I made that”

                                a2. He points to us and says, “I did this for you”

                j. The babe, man on cross, and resurrected Lord = same

Key verse: Colossians 1:13-20

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Dec 11, 2022. II Timothy 4:14-16

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FECKLESS ABANDONMENT. II Timothy 4:14-16. 12/11/2022. #14.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

1. Detractors

                a. Alexander the coppersmith was a vehement opponent against Paul (perhaps in Ephesus)

                b. Demetrius the silversmith led his guild to stir up Ephesus against Paul (Acts 19)

                                a1. Paul preached that there are no gods made with hands (idols)

                                a2. The silversmiths made money off of making silver images of the Temple of Diana

                c. Alexander was a “worker of brass”

                                a1. Brass is an allow of copper and zinc (a cheap substitute for gold fixtures)

                                a2. Alexander probably made much money off of fashioning brass idols and implements to be used in idol worship (pans, tongs, shovels, flesh forks, and basins)

                                a3. The Gospel message threatened the businesses of idol makers

                d. 4 reactions of opponents to the Gospel:

                                a1. Ignore the messenger and the message

                                a2. Ridicule the message and messenger

                                a3. Provide an alternative message to the Gospel (naturalism, cults, religions…)

                                a4. Actively persecute the messenger

                e. Persecution comes in two forms

                                a1. Unofficial personal attacks

                                a2. Official government sanctioned persecution via condoning anti-Christian actions or official arrests leading to prosecution

                f. Alex., like Elymas in Cyprus, apparently pursued Paul relentlessly, doing much damage to witness

                                a1. This was a personal grudge by Alex.

                                a2. Those who hate God will take their angst out on God’s servants

                g. Paul was personally affronted by Alex.

                                a1. Like David, Paul wanted God to avenge him

                                a2. We are supposed to pray for those who despitefully use us, but the damage done to the Gospel message was great (Matthew 5)

                                a3. Paul cries out for justice against Alexander

2. Alone in trials

                a. Paul states that at his first defense

                b. Paul uses a rare double enforced word for forsook (enkataleipo) – to abandon, to leave in a bad strait, to leave behind, or to run away from

                                a1. Just as the disciples ran away when Jesus was arrested, Paul’s fellow believers disassociated from Paul at his trial before Nero

                                a2. Paul does not mention who these unfaithful disciples were (Luke? Aristarchus? Trophimus? Believers from Roman church?)

                c. This abandonment was different from Lord’s case

                                a1. Paul’s friends were fully discipled workers

                                a2. These workers knew trials and opposition

                                a3. Paul expected more courage and commitment from these co-workers of the Gospel

                                a4. Paul counted on having support at trial

                d. Paul prays that the Lord would not hold this against these weaker brethren

                e. Zechariah 13:7 just as Jesus’s disciples came back and were restored (John 21), God can restore any of us

                    when we falter in weakness (Mark 14:43-52)

                f. Even though Paul was abandoned just as Jesus was, God was not done with those who faltered

                                a1. John 21 Peter was used greatly after betrayal

                                a2. Mark was used as he abandoned Paul

                                a3. David was used after his fall into sin

                g. We falter due to fleshly weakness (Matthew 26:41)

                                a1. I John 1:9-10 we can confess and repent

                                a2. I Corinthians 1 God uses flawed people

Key verse: Mark 14:43-52

43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.” 45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then they all forsook Him and fled. 51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, 52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.