Ministry Blog

As Christians, we are blessed to have access to the Word of God, which provides us with guidance and wisdom for all areas of our lives. While every book of the Bible is important, there are some that stand out as particularly valuable, and the Book of Titus is certainly one of them. Written by the Apostle Paul to his fellow worker Titus, this letter contains powerful and timeless lessons that are just as relevant today as they were in the first century.

One of the primary themes of the Book of Titus is the importance of sound doctrine and healthy church leadership. In Titus 1:5-9, Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders in every town, and he provides a detailed list of the qualities that these leaders should possess. Through this, we learn that a strong and healthy church requires godly and competent leadership. Additionally, in Titus 1:10-16, Paul emphasizes the importance of holding fast to sound doctrine and avoiding false teachings, which is just as crucial today as it was in the first century.

Another important theme of the Book of Titus is the character and behavior that should characterize our lives as believers. In Titus 2:11-14, Paul reminds us that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, and that this grace also teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. These words are a powerful reminder that as followers of Christ, we are called to live holy and upright lives, even in the midst of a world that often encourages us to do otherwise. Additionally, in Titus 3:1-2, Paul instructs us to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to speak evil of no one.

Finally, the Book of Titus emphasizes the importance of God's mercy and grace in our salvation. In Titus 3:4-7, Paul writes that God saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. This truth is foundational to our faith, and it reminds us that our salvation is a gift that we cannot earn or deserve, but that we receive solely by the grace of God.

So why is the Book of Titus still so relevant today, thousands of years after it was written? The answer is simple: because the principles and truths contained in this letter are timeless. We still need godly and competent leaders in our churches today, and we still need to be reminded of the importance of holding fast to sound doctrine and living holy lives. And most importantly, we still need to be reminded of the amazing grace and mercy of our God, which is as true today as it was when Paul wrote this letter.

In conclusion, the Book of Titus is a treasure trove of wisdom and guidance for believers of all ages. By studying and applying these teachings from the Book of Titus, we can grow in our faith and become more like Christ. May we honor and glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through our lives, as we strive to live in accordance with the teachings of the Book of Titus.

The cross of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. It is the symbol of our redemption and the demonstration of God's great love for us. The cross represents the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus to pay for the sins of humanity. However, the story of Jesus does not end with his death on the cross. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, and opening the way to eternal life for all who believe in him. As Christians, we are called to live on the resurrected side of the cross, embracing the victory that Jesus has won for us.

Living on the resurrected side of the cross means that we have been set free from the power of sin and death. In Romans 6:4, the apostle Paul writes, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Through faith in Jesus, we have been united with him in his death and resurrection, and we now share in his victory over sin and death.

Living on the resurrected side of the cross also means that we have been given new life in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" We are no longer defined by our past mistakes and failures. Instead, we have been made new in Christ and given the power to live a life that honors God.

Living on the resurrected side of the cross also means that we have access to the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells his disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit is our helper and guide, empowering us to live the life that God has called us to live.

Living on the resurrected side of the cross means that we can have hope for the future. In 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, Paul writes, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" Because of Jesus' resurrection, we know that death has been defeated, and we have the hope of eternal life with him.

Living on the resurrected side of the cross is not always easy. We still face struggles and temptations in this life. However, we can take heart in the words of Jesus in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Because of Jesus' victory on the cross, we can have confidence that we too can overcome the challenges we face in this life.

In conclusion, living on the resurrected side of the cross is a life of victory. Through faith in Jesus, we have been set free from the power of sin and death, given new life in Christ, and access to the power of the Holy Spirit. We can have hope for the future, knowing that death has been defeated and that we have the promise of eternal life with him. Let us embrace this new life that Jesus has won for us and live each day in the victory that he has provided.

I'm a person who likes lists. Give me a list of things to do, or a list of groceries needed and I'll work that list and get things done. When that list is done, give me a new list. I find control in a list well defined, self worth in a list well followed, accomplishment in a list completed. I like to compare my list to others list...how far are they compared to me, are they ahead of me, behind me...have they even started yet? 

My favorite verses and books of the Bible are those that seemingly give me a list. Those defining what I should do and what I shouldn't do. I've made lists from verses in Titus: blameless, not overbearing, not quick tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, hospitable, loves what is good, self controlled, upright, holy, etc...

Having a list puts me in control. The problem with that is that Jesus has something else in mind. Jesus isn't interested in my list of things I am doing or not doing. Jesus is interested in my HEART. When I give him my heart, I mean truly give my heart to Jesus, HE does the work. He changes my heart...which alters and sets my behavior.

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...

Colossians 3:10 - ...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Titus 3:5 - ...he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Today I encourage you to give your heart fully committed to Jesus, give up your religious lists, and let HIM do the work in you. When we do...we truly find freedom and that is truly the good news.

Learn It, Live It - Ephesians 6:13-17

Acts 9 is where you find the story of Saul and how Jesus encountered him.  It's a story worth reading if you haven't before and worth reading again if you have.  It's a story of a un-deniable (especially to those involved) interaction between Jesus and Saul which completely converts a religous zealout who hated and persecuted Christians to a Christian himself.  The conversion is so complete that Paul spends the rest of his days spreading the word of Jesus enduring beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, imprisonment and finally death.

Are you waiting for that Saul-Paul moment in your life?  I think there are a lot of people who are.  Are you looking for the un-deniable interaction; a moment that once happens; you know would change your life?

Would we recognize it if we saw it?  Would I, would you?

2 Samuel 22:26 and Psalms 18:25 both state "To the faithful you show yourself faithful..."

Remember that Saul was very faithful to God; he followed all the rules, he knew the Bible (the first five books of the Bible) like the back of his hand.  What Saul didn't know, what he didn't understand was that Jesus was God.  It took a very impressive show of God to show Saul the error of his ways.

What are you doing with your life while you wait for that moment?  Are you showing yourself faithful?

Joe Eckert

Matthew 3:15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fullfill all righteousness"

I'm not sure about your Bible, but in my Bible these are the first words in RED.  This is the first direct quote from Jesus (at least in the ordering of the books of the Bible) in the Bible. 

Jesus came to be baptized by John the Baptizer and John said "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"  John's calling was to prepare the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3) and part of that calling included baptizing Jesus.

Are you pursuing your calling or your potential?  There are so many things each of us have the potential to do in this lifetime.  The number of things we can do, that we can pursue are endless.  We can get so caught up in that "keeping up with the Jones'" pursuit of our potential that we forget to pursue our calling. 

I think it's very fitting that the first words in red are Jesus telling John to continue in his calling to prepare the way of the Lord.  Now if John wouldn't have pursued his calling, I'm sure that God would have figured something else out, someone else would have baptized Jesus.  So He doesn't need us to pursue our calling to accomplish his work, but he wants us to pursue our calling to accomplish his work.

How much more fruitfull would be pursuing your calling versus your potential?  How much more happy would you be?

Are you following your calling?

"Let it be so now..."