Titus 1:2, 3

In Titus 1:1 Paul introduces himself as a servant of God and an Apostle on Jesus Christ. His role is for the sake of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness. The thought is that the true Gospel produces godliness. In verse two it is clear that Paul’s mission here is,  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;   (Titus 1:2-3 ESV).

This is a hope that comes with certainty not a might be, could be, kind of hope like I hope it snows or rains or I hope my team wins. This hope is a secure and certain hope. That we can be confident in who God is and that His promises will be fulfilled. Paul has been entrusted to preach the truth of the Gospel. He preaches this for the sake of God’s elect. God has promised eternal life for those who believe (have faith) and it is a sure promise. These will have knowledge of the truth and godliness will be produced in them. Let us rest securely in this promise from our God who never lies. No matter what trials come or what immorality happens around us (there was much immorality on the island of Crete) we can still have confidence and securely hope for eternal life. Not because of trust in ourselves and our own works of righteousness like being a servant or an apostle, but because of our glorious and trustworthy God! May we follow in obedience like Paul and preach what we have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior.

 

Parental Responsibilities

The community group that I am a part of has been studying Bryan Chapell’s book, Each For The Other for a few months. We are almost to the end of this study and we have entered the section of the book in which Chapell focuses on parenting. This past Sunday’s discussion was very helpful to me. Chapell gives wonderful biblical insight into parenting. The key text for this week’s study was Ephesians 6:-4 (ESV) “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

The main point of application that Chapell brought out for me personally was that children have a responsibility to be obedient to their parents. This is true not simply because we are in charge or “because I said so”. Rather our children are responsible to obedience for two reasons according to the text.

1. Children are to obey because it is the right thing to do.

Children are to obey because it is right in the eyes of the Lord and in accordance of His Word. This is right simply because it is in line with the Holy commandment of the Lord. It is important to communicate this with our children from a young age. It is vital to family discipleship that children understand their family is built on the commands of the Lord instead of culture or the latest wind blowing in parenting strategy. If we communicate this we communicate that we love God and love our children.

2. Children are to obey becuase it is good.

Chapell states: “Not only is it right for our children to obey, it is good for them (Eph. 6:2-3)….In essence, the apostle warns that a disobedient child endangers himself physically and spiritually.” (Chapell 172-173). We must communicate to our children that we have their well being as a priority in our instructions. An example is that I discipline my daughter if she runs towards the street and does not listen to my instruction to STOP. This is becuase I have her well being in mind. This is the reason for God’s commands in Scripture that it may go well with us. We do not set rules to strip our children of having “fun” we set rules to protect them from harm.

May our children know how much we love them and how much we love our God through teaching them of their own responsibility for obedience.

Titus 1:1

Over the past few weeks we have been studying the book of Titus together at Bay Creek Community Church. I have decided to add a few of the important points that we have studied together here on the blog. Also, these sermons will be available on our website http://baycreekchurch.org be sure and check those out.
We began the book of Titus with the introduction of St. Paul as he is the writer of this New Testament Epistle. He wrote to Titus who is the young pastor of a church on the Island of Crete. Titus is a gentile by birth and most likely a convert through the ministry of Paul himself. Paul is leaving Titus to shepherd the people of Crete. However, he does not leave Titus empty handed. He leaves him with clear instructions to follow which are still very applicable to the Church today.
Paul first presents himself and his ministry…
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,
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Tt 1:1–2.

Paul views himself first as a servant of God. This is the Greek word doulos. He is a bondservant of Jesus Christ. He also views himself as an Apostle. This contributes to Paul’s specific calling as an Apostle to the Gentiles to which he had been called to minister. The application is that Paul is a “sent one”. You could say Paul is a “Sent Servant”. How cool is that? That’s what we should be about servents of God that are sent to advance the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you serving God? Where and how are you sent?

Why store treasures in heaven?

    ¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!  ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (New International Version)

On March 4th and 5th Bay Creek Community Church will be working with other churches in the surrounding area to present Storing Treasures Weekend.  I am very excited about this weekend for several reasons.

1. It has ministered to me personally.

Storing Treasures has greatly ministered to my own life. I am a fellow struggler in the faith, I know the struggles of paying the mortage, the light bill, put food on the table, etc. This ministry has allowed Adrienne and I to discover our own financial personalities and to see what God’s Word says about our financial resources. I have also found my own CPA, Mortage Broker, and Real Estate Agent through this ministry. As we walk through life as stewards of God’s resources it is important to have financial professionals around you who are God focused as they help you make financial decisions.

2. We all store treasures

We all have treasures, we among all people have been fiscially blessed. It is a matter of where we store them? Are we storing treasures here on earth or in heaven? Do we value having a fat 401k, a big screen, and a nice house or do we value seeking God to discover where He would have us invest our resources? I believe (because I have experienced it) that one of the cultural temptations we face is to be comfortable with spending our lives pursuing more earthly goods. We face the temptation of being too comfortable and thinking of ourselves as “self-made men and women”, may we instead have thankful hearts that God has seen fit to bless us with ability, drive, and culture to provide for our families. We have been given a great responsibility in the Kingdom because of what we have been given as stewards. We are extremely blessed and may God give us a heart to give generously.

3. There is a call to evangelism

As we bear a Christian witness to those around us where we invest our money is very important. At this particular weekend there will be a Gospel presentation. Please take the time to bring someone you know who is seeking God to this event. Let them see your passion for investing finiancially in the kingdom of God.

4. Storing Treasures in heaven brings glory to God.

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.” If we open up our checkbook registers and our day timers we will quickly discover what we worship. If your heart is for God then your treasure will be there. If your heart is for earthly things then your treasure will be there. Just as we all store our treasures somewhere we all worship something. Worship is often defined as worth-ship, what is worth the most to you in your life? Where do you find your satisfaction? Follow your treaure and you will find your answer.

So, please join me in prayer. Yes, pray for Storing Treasures Weekend: pray that many would come to place their financial resources under the authority of God for the Kingdom. Pray that many would here the Gospel presented and would enter into an all satisfying relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Pray that many hearts would turn from earthly things to heavenly things. Pray that as churches work together it would display unity and the world would know that we are His (John 17). But also pray for Bay Creek Community Church corporately and individually to have a heart for God and store up treasures in Heaven. May God be glorified through this weekend and lifestyle.

Visit Storing Treasures Website: http://www.storingtreasures.com

A Generation That Seeks His Face Part 2

In this particular blog I will be focusing on the second half of Psalm 24. This Psalm is rich indeed as it drives us to seek the face of the One who made us. The first six verses are introspective causing us to look into our own hearts for and cry out to our God for clean hands and a pure heart that we might see the face of God. The last four verses give us perspective causing us to look to the King of glory the One who is mighty in battle.

“Lift up your heads, O gates!” This is representative of Jerusalem that the ancient gates would swing wide for the King of Glory is come in this is representing that the King of Glory is supreme, sovereign, and worthy of all honor. The Life Application Study Bible notes (NASB) explains this passage so well,

“This Psalm, often set to music, was probably used in corporate worship. It may have been re-enacted many times at the temple. The people outside would call out to the temple gates to open up and let the King of glory in. From inside, the priest or another group would ask, ‘Who is this King of glory?’ Outside, the people would respond in unison, ‘The Lord strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle,’ proclaiming his great power and strength. The exchange was then repeated (Ps. 24:9,10), and the temple gates would swing open, symbolizing the people’s desire to have God’s presence among them.”

Can you imagine the scene? Can you imagine the people corporate claiming together in unison that the LORD is mighty in battle. That He is indeed the King of glory! That there is none other like Him? There are no other God’s that are worthy of this ultimate worship only the Lord Almighty!

Application: Many times I tend to get busy or bogged down with “theological study” and I forget how awesome the LORD is. I forget that He is mighty in battle. I forget just how glorious He is. May I remember the LORD and worship the King of glory! Lift up your heads, O gates; that the King of glory may come in.

A Generation That Seeks His Face Part 1

One of my favorite worship songs of all time is “Give us Clean Hands”. It takes me back to a time in my life when I was becoming more and more passionate about the Lord. I remember thinking, “I want to be part of that generation that seeks his face”. Last night I spent some time journaling that really focused on Psalm 24 and the earnest cry to have clean hands and a pure heart. This comes from seeking the face of God. Here are some thoughts that might be of encouragement to you.

1. The earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof. (24:1,2)

The whole earth decalres the beuaty of the Lord. He is the glorious creator and there is no one like our God! He is the sovereign ruler over His creation.

Challenge: Find a quiet spot and meditate on the glory of our God!

2. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.  (24:3-5)

This is a hymn that may have been chanted by worshippers entering the temple. The hill of the Lord is represented by Mount Zion and refers to those who will go to heaven. This is the Church who will go to heaven this is the people of God who shall ascend the hill of the Lord. However, we know that there is something wrong because we are not holy enough to stand in the presence of the Holy One. The earth is full of is glory how can I ascend the hill into His presence? The answer comes through grace. The answer comes in our advocate Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1-7).

The answer comes in knowing that it is He is the one whom the Psalmist seeks for clean hands and a pure heart. Let us not forget that we are asking that of our Savior. He is the one who cleanses us by His mercy (Lam. 3:22,23) and his grace (Rom. 5:8; 8:1).I come to worship with clean hands and a pure heart but only because my Savior has seen fit to forgive me and cleanse me. Not because I am ever “good enough” to ascend the hill of the Lord. In this the Lord gives the gift blessing and of righteousness (not mine, but Christ).

Challenge: Ask the Lord for clean hands and a pure heart.

3. This is the generation who seek your face O God of Jacob (24:6)

Each generation has distinctive events and characteristics that mark them forever. What if my generation was to leave a legacy of seeking the face of God. Before we thought about social, environmental, or political issues we thought about seeking the face of God. What if we were to really genuinely ask the question, “Does my life look like Scripture tells me it should?” What if we got on our knees before the Father to seek his face more than anything else.

Seeking the face of God is important because the face tells us so much about who God is. When I am away from my family I look forward to coming home and seeing their faces. I looking forward to seeing my wife and seeing her facial expressions as I hear about her day. I look forward to kissing the face of my little daughter and looking into her eyes to telling her how precious she is and wondering what she will be like when she grows up. When we seek the face of God there is an intimacy that is there because we know Him. We look forward to the day when we will be in His presence and see Him face to face.

I thought about my generation and we aren’t known for this yet. Then I thought about myself and asked, “Does my life look like this Scripture?” It starts with me, I am a part of this generation and God has called me to live for Him. I’m praying for clean hands and a pure heart. I’m desperately seeking His face and I’m praying for my peers that we might be part of a generation that experiences a revival and our hearts are set afire for the glory of God.

Challenge: Let it begin with you, seek the face of the God of Jacob.

May God appropriate this truth in our hearts, Amen.

Welcome!

Look for my blog coming soon!
Blessings,
Adam