Farewell

When you think about the book of Titus what is the theme, what is the purpose of the book? Paul is going to remind them, but we too need to remember too.

In the beginning; instructions to set things in order (Tit1:5)

Appoint elders in every city, with certain qualifications (Tit1:5-10); and he gave the reason (Tit1:11-16)

Instructions about speaking things of proper doctrine and conduct of the body (Tit2:1-10)

Instructions on how to act as heirs of God’s abundant grace (Tit2:11-3:11)

(Transition) Now this leads us to our final passage as we close out this study.

The final message

The farewell

Titus 3:12–13 NASB95

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.

Titus 3:14–15 NASB95

14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

what do you see, notice before we break it apart?

Gleaning from the scripture

This is where we get the exegesis part, you know, we have been looking at that on Sunday nights, so let’s bring it in this morning too.

What are the instructions given and why (v.12)?

When Artemas or Tychicus come, you come to me, I will be spending winter in Nicopolis.

What is being told to do in (v.13) and why?

Help Zenas and Apollos so that they lack nothing or are lacking nothing.

More instructions given (v.14) what are they

Greet those who love us in the faith

then he closes with grace be with you all.

(Transition) we will be looking at a few of the people as well as the instructions regarding good works and the farewell greetings

Final instructions

In one of the shorter epistles of Paul it is rich with instructions and standards for life as the church. Some instructions specific for people, other for the church (body of believers) as a whole.

(Insert Final Instructions PowerPoint here)

Some of these people we have seen before and Paul has noted before, so I will not spend much time on them but give honorable mention and a brief summary.

Final instructions regarding Artemas (v.12)

Paul was going to send Artemas, and if not Artemas it was going to be Tychicus.

We do not find Artemas elsewhere in Paul’s writings, but

It is believe according to ISBE that he was one of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus and he was the bishop of Lystra.

Final instructions regarding Tychicus (v.12; Act20:4; Eph6:21-22; Col4:7-8; 2Tim4:12)

We have seen him before. He is a Christian from Asia (modern day Turkey)

You can find him four other times in scripture as noted in your outline but in brief

He travelled with Paul during third missionary trip.

He was the carrier of the letter to Ephesus and to Colosse he was sent with information about Paul’s welfare.

Paul sent him to Ephesus to relieve Timothy so Timothy could come to Paul at the end of Paul’s life

I will give you one scripture to consider Col4:7 “7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.”

Final instructions regarding Zenas and Apollos (v.13; Act18:24-28, 19:1; 1Cor1:10-13)

As for Zenas we know he is identified as a lawyer, so he could be one who was a Jewish scribe prior to his conversion, or just a Roman jurist. Beyond that we do not know.

When it comes to Apollos we can see him in other passages as

A great orator, eloquent and mighty in the scriptures.

He only knew the baptism of John and needed to be taught more accurately.

He was of great help to the church in Corinth after his salvation

He also was one who was inadvertently idolized as noted in 1Cor, Just like Paul and Peter.

Final instructions to Titus (vv.12-13; Rom15:24; 1Cor16:11; 3Jn6-8)

This one I do need to spend a little time with, Titus, we have seen instructions/standards

Titus was to instruct and send on their journey.

Titus was instructed to do so with all diligence and hospitality so they lacked nothing.

It is this kind of action, diligence, hospitality that helped the church grow then and can help the church grow today.

Instructions were given for Titus, upon relief to come to Paul in Nicopolis (which is Western Greece)

(Transition) It is people like these that made the gospel spread, that made the kingdom work flourish and it can do the same today, when we work together, engage together.

Final instructions about good works

I think by now you can agree that this epistle is all about application, application as the church. So there is much said, can be said regarding good works.

Titus 3:14 NASB95

14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Who is to do what (v.14)?

Our people, Christians, the church

How are they to do it (v.14)?

They are to learn to do it.

When are they to do it (v.14)?

To meet pressing needs, current, urgent needs.

Why are they to do it (v.14)?

So not to be unfruitful

Oh hold on, Jesus had something to say about this even

John 15:1–2 NASB95

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

Not only are we to learn, but learn to maintain, to keep doing good works.

In the Greek the word learn is “manthanetosan” and it is a present active imperative, to keep on learning how according to Roberts Word picture dictionary.

Now with your bible, or bible app, let’s journey back through good works and this epistle.

(Insert Good Works PowerPoint here)

Good works application from this epistle:

Have someone look up and read each of these scriptures, don’t put on the screen.

Learn to maintain them (3:14)

tit3:14 “14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.”

Be careful to maintain them (3:8)

tit3:8 “8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.”

Be ready for them (3:1)

Tit3:1 “1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,”

Be zealous for them (2:14)

tit2:14 “14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”

Make it your pattern, be an example (2:7)

Tit2:7 “7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,”

So not to be disqualified (1:16)

tit1:16 “16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”

May we take a few minutes and bring in some other scriptures about good works, good deeds?

We were created for them

Ephesians 2:10 NASB95

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

They are visible and bring glory to Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 NASB95

16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

May they be our reputation

1 Timothy 5:10 NASB95

10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

And may we be rich in them.

1 Timothy 6:18 NASB95

18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

(Transition) Are we willing to maintain good works in our love and service to Christ and the church, which is the household of God, the body of Christ? - we still have one more section to look at the farewell greetings

Farewell greetings

Paul had a thankful heart for everyone who helped in the mission work and loved the churches along the way and now has some closing words as we wrap up this epistle.

Titus 3:15 GNB

15 All who are with me send you greetings. Give our greetings to our friends in the faith. God’s grace be with you all.

The love of the people who are with Paul send their greetings with Paul’s.

Whereas there is no names given, they would be people that the church in Crete would have known were with Paul. So there was no need for names. Now, in other places we see the cast of characters like in 2Tim and it Romans.

He gives the greetings to those who are in the faith

Or in some versions “the” faith. - Paul enjoyed the fellowship that extended the island and beyond his association with Titus.

May grace be with you all

This is proof that this epistle was not just for Titus but for the church, it was to be shared

We are recipients of God’s amazing, abounding grace that we should be willing to share with others through Words and works. God’s word and good works.

Titus 2:11 NASB95

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

Had to bring that in since we are speaking of grace

And one more

Titus 3:7 NASB95

7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(Insert book of Titus picture here)

The manifold grace of God has hopefully clearly been seen in this short, simple, instructive and encouraging letter.

May all of us who study this, read this again in the future know the major points we have looked at

Do we have things set in order?

Be sure to speak things that are of sound doctrine. May we also avoid foolish disputes.

Because of the grace of God, the manifold grace of God, that we are heirs of, may we learn and maintain a life of good works.

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