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Exegetical Notes: Titus 1

Titus 1.1-16

  1. BUILD UP BELIEVERS 1.1-4

1 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,

  • “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ” – these designations give Paul authority to write to Titus.
  • Notice Paul did not use his position as an apostle as a tool of leverage, but he understands apostleship as service.
  • See Matt. 23.1-11.- 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
  • “Jesus Christ” – Paul understood himself to be a servant because he correctly knew that Jesus was the one and only Lord.

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What Happens Next? Revelation 16: 7 Bowls of Wrath

In six scenes, bowls of divine wrath demolish the realm of nature and the realm of Antichrist. In the seventh scene the whole world is engulfed in one final catastrophic judgment. – Kendell H. Easley, Revelation, vol. 12, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 282.

1-9 – Wrath Upon Creation

10-16 – Wrath Upon The Beast

17-21 – Final Consummation Of Wrath (Armageddon)

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What Happens Next? Revelation 15: The Second Exodus

One commentator noted that this chapter begins the “final exodus”. A parallel probably intended by John, where he makes obvious connections to God’s deliverance from his people from the hands of Egypt. There are multiple mentions of plagues and a song of Moses as well. Through Moses, God delivered his people from the Egyptians, through Christ he will deliver them from the domain of darkness and the consequences of sin.

“Revelation 15, the shortest chapter in the entire book, is remarkably parallel to Exodus 15. The victorious saints are gathered on “the other side” and stand beside the sea. They praise God for their great salvation. They have participated in the final exodus.” – Kendell H. Easley, Revelation, vol. 12, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 269.

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What Happens Next? Revelation 14: Who Will You Worship?

“In Revelation 14, John continues describing vision two that began in chapter 4. He is now describing the end of a great drama (12:1–14:20) that explains why the consummation is necessary. This chapter has four scenes. The first one is in heaven, where the perfected 144,000 have arrived to worship the Lamb; the second is in the skies where three angels tell of coming judgment. The last two scenes describe Christ’s return for his people as a gathering of grain and his judgment on the wicked as a gathering of grapes for treading.” – Kendell H. Easley, Revelation, vol. 12, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 244.

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What Happens Next? Revelation 13: 2 Beasts

13 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.

  • “beast” – literally: monster, in our understanding.
  • “out of the sea” – there is much speculation as to the meaning of this phrase, the ocean, for many ancient peoples was a place of unknown terrors and great storms, thus it is often used to represent evil and danger.
  • “ten horns and seven heads” – the monster mirrors and mimics its master, the dragon. See 12.3. For the dragon this description is meant to communicate wisdom and power, thus they should be understood this way here as well.

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Getting the Most from God’s Word: 9 Tips For Better Bible Reading

Be on the lookout for these 9 things as you read:

  1. Repetition of Words/Phrases
  2. Contrasts
  3. Comparisons/Similarities
  4. Lists
  5. Cause and Effect
  6. Figures of Speech – What imagery is being used?
  7. Conjunctions – Especially For, Therefore, & But
  8. Verbs – Past Present, Future, Active, Passive, Command?
  9. Pronouns – Who or what is the subject?

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Grace Makes A Difference (Titus 2.11-15)

Introduction: 

Throughout our lives we encounter various individuals who really help mold us into who we are to be. We learn from these people and they change our thoughts and actions. We see this most frequently from our parents. I catch myself saying something or thinking something, and I immediately think, “That sounds just like my Dad.”

Another individual who impacted me greatly, was Mr. Rodney Middleton. He was an older gentleman in my home church. He gave me my first real job. He taught me about work, fun, love, hope, and how Jesus makes all of these possible.

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Anticipating the Gift

INTRODUCTION

I’ve was always the kid who couldn’t wait for Christmas morning. My children aren’t that bad, they get up a hair early, but I wasn’t like that growing up. I was the kid that stayed awake on Christmas eve as long as they could, and would then wake up every hour on the hour starting around 2:30 or 3:00am. Once I interrupted a very frustrated Santa while he was in the middle of assembling a bicycle for my sister. I offered my assistance and was sharply told to go back to bed. However, after much waiting, eventually there would be presents under the tree. As a child, I just couldn’t wait to see what was under the tree on Christmas morning. Now, as an adult, I don’t want to see the bank statement on Christmas morning. Ignorance is bliss.

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