Transcript

Distinguished Producer

Paul of Seattle.

Podcast Introduction

It’s Epistle Sunday, and the epistle we’ll be from today is Paul’s epistle to  Titus. We’ll read all three chapters, after which I’ll have some comments for you. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode “Respect.”

Comments on Titus

After Paul’s salutation in the first chapter, he tells Titus what he should be looking for in men who would be leaders in the church there in Crete. It was important to get men of integrity who were above reproach because there were some in their midst who were causing trouble. Especially (in Paul’s words) “those of the circumcision”. 

What he meant by that was old-school Jewish men. The reason that was a problem is that they were trying to teach that the people should follow the old Jewish laws of doing the various sacrifices and dietary restrictions and a host of other things that are no longer necessary, because the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus did away with those things. 

The message of the Gospel, which means Good News, is that Jesus was the final and perfect sacrifice once and for all those who believe in Him. The Law put people under bondage, but Jesus brought grace, which makes us free. 

In chapter two, Paul talked about how believers should behave so as to not bring dishonor to God. Some of the language sounds politically incorrect to our 21st century ears, especially in regards to how women should act, so I would like to briefly address those things. In regards to young women, Paul says that they should “love their husbands, love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”

There’s a lot there, but let me focus on the last part. “workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands,” What Paul was saying was that young wives who had children should not be going about, leaving their children at home, and partying. But they should nurture their children at home in a loving way, and they should be subject to *their own* (not others’) husbands. 

Remember, the men had already been told to be sound in love, and when there is love on both side, the matter of being subject to one another is not a problem. In the book of Ephesians, chapter 5, Paul used similar language. He said that wives should be subject to their own husbands, as they would to the Lord. And he tells husbands to love their wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave His life for her.

In my almost 33 year marriage to the lovely Lady LeeAnn, LeeAnn is subject to me, and I would do anything in the world for her. As Jesus does not rule over the church with an iron fist, I do not do that to LeeAnn. Jesus sacrificed his very life for the church, and I would do the same for my wife. We have respect and love for one another. She does everything possible to make me happy, and I do the same for her. She doesn’t gallivant around town causing embarrassment to me or God, and I don’t don’t go carousing around, either. 

And while I’m on the subject, let me say that LeeAnn supports what I’m doing here one hundred percent. When you’re hearing my voice, in a way, you’re hearing her. I would not be able to do this show seven days a week without her support. She sacrifices a lot so that I can do this. It takes time away from the things she would like me to do for her, but because she loves God first and then me, she never complains. I just thought you should know.

Back to Titus:

This is what Paul was saying. When both husband and wife love God and then love each other, that home honors God.

In verse 9 Paul talks about bondslaves. This is not the kind of slavery that we think of that happened here in the United States in our early history and happens even still in various other parts of the world. When people got into debt that they could not repay, they would sometimes volunteer to put themselves into bondslavery under the person to whom they owed the debt until they could work it off. 

Chapter three is a thing of beauty. Verses 4 and 5 state beautifully the message of Jesus: But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy.

In reality, the entire Bible is a love letter from God to you. It really is. As Paul said in verse 8 of this chapter, “This is a trustworthy statement.” 

Mentioned On the Show

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-3 NASB

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Transcript (Corrected by Denise)

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Steve Webb 0:00
The entire Bible is a love letter from God to you.

Steve Webb 0:11
Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And coming to you since 2004, I am your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. Welcome. I’m glad you’re here today. Thank you for letting me be a part of your day. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. It’s Epistle Sunday and the epistle we’ll be reading from today is Paul’s Epistle to Titus. I’ll give you a brief introduction to Titus before we begin the reading. We’ll read all three chapters after which I will have some comments for you. We’ll have an On This Date in Church History segment. And we’ve got prayer requests and a praise. I’m calling today’s episode, “Respect”. The shownotes page is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e256. Feel free to comment on the show. And also feel free to email me at st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 1:03
Titus was a man who traveled with Paul and helped him in his work. In other parts of Scripture, Paul calls him his brother, his partner, and his fellow helper. And in this book, you heard Paul refer to him as his true child. So we see that Paul really thought highly of him. Titus was a Greek and was with Paul in Rome when Paul was put on trial in front of Caesar. Before they were in Rome, however, the two of them had been in Crete, introducing the people there to the message of Jesus. But Paul was unable to stay there very long, and he left Titus there to continue the work. Now Titus had some difficulties in Crete and Paul sent this letter to encourage and help him and the new believers there.

Steve Webb 1:46
Titus, Chapter 1

(1) Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, (2) in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, (3) but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,

(4) To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

(5) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, (6) namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. (7) For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, (8) but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, (9) holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

(10) For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, (11) who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. (12) One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” (13) This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, (14) not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. (15) To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. (16) They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Steve Webb 3:57
Titus, Chapter 2

(1) But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. (2) Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

(3) Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, (4) so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, (5) to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

(6) Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; (7) in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, (8) sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

(9) Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, (10) not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

(11) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, (12) instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, (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.

(15) These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Steve Webb 5:37
Titus, Chapter 3

(1) Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, (2) to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. (3) For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. (4) But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, (5) He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, (6) whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, (7) so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (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. (9) But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. (10) Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, (11) knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

(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. (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.

Steve Webb 7:26
After Paul’s salutation in the first chapter, he tells Titus, what he should be looking for in men who would be the leaders in the church there. It was important to get men of integrity who were above reproach, because there were some in their midst who were causing trouble, especially, in Paul’s words, those of the circumcision. Well, of course, what he meant by that was the old school Jews. The reason that was the problem is that they were trying to teach the people that they should follow the old Jewish laws of doing the various sacrifices and dietary restrictions, and a host of other things, including circumcision that were no longer necessary, because the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus did away with those things. After all, the message of the Gospel is that Jesus was the first and perfect sacrifice, once and for all, for those who believe in Him. And the law put people back into bondage. But Jesus brought grace which makes us free.

In chapter two, Paul talked about how believers ought to behave so as not to bring dishonor to God, some of the language in chapter two sounds politically incorrect to our 21st century ears, especially in regards to how women should act.

So let’s talk a little bit about that. In regards to young women, Paul says that they should quote “love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored”, unquote. Well, there’s a lot there, but let me focus on the last part, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands. What Paul was saying was that young wives who had children should not be going about leaving their children at home and partying. They should nurture their children at home in a loving way, and they should be subject to their own, not others, to their own husbands. Remember, the men had already been told to be sound in love. And when there is love on both sides, the matter of being subject to one another is not a problem. In the book of Ephesians, chapter five, Paul used similar language he said that wives should be subject to their own husbands as they would to the Lord. And he tells husbands to love their wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave his life for her.

The Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I are coming up on 33 years of marriage this year, and LeeAnn is subject to me and I would do anything in the world for her. Jesus doesn’t lord it over the church with an iron fist. And I don’t do that to LeeAnn either. Jesus sacrificed his very life for the church and I would do the exact same thing for her. We have respect and love for one another. She does everything possible to make me happy. And I do the same for her. She doesn’t galavant around town causing embarrassment to me or God. And I don’t go carousing around either.

And while I’m on the subject, let me say that LeeAnn supports the Lifespring Family Audio Bible 100%. When you’re hearing my voice, in a way, you’re hearing hers as well, I wouldn’t be able to do this show seven days a week without her support. She sacrifices a lot so that I can do this. It takes time away from the things she’d like me to do for her. But because she loves God first, and then me, she doesn’t complain. I just thought you should know that. And by the way, if you’d like to email her, you can do so it la**@*************ia.com. Since there are so many ways to spell LeeAnn, I thought it would be easier to use “lady” in her email address. So that’s why it’s la**@*************ia.com. Drop her a line.

Now back to Titus. This is what Paul was saying, when both husband and wife love God and then love each other, that home honors God.

And then in verse nine, Paul talks about bond slaves. This is not the kind of slavery that we think of that happened here in the United States in our early history, and happens even still in various other parts of the world. Yes, there are slaves today. In biblical times, when people got into debt that they couldn’t repay, they would sometimes volunteer to put themselves into bond slavery under the person to whom they owed the debt until they could work it off.

Now, chapter three is beautiful. verses four and five state so well, the message of Jesus, quote, “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy”, unquote. When you really look at it, in reality, the entire Bible is a love letter from God to you. It is. And as Paul said in verse eight of chapter three, this is a trustworthy statement.

Do you have a comment? Would you like to react? Please do so at Lifespringmedia.com/s12e256. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page where you’ll find a box that you can put your comments in. Tomorrow is Lawful Monday and we’re reading from Numbers, one of the books of the Law. Next up are chapters 17 through 20.

Boost!

Steve Webb 12:52
Paul of Seattle is our newest Distinguished Producer. He added a weekly $22.22 donation to his existing monthly $20 donation. And that puts him in as our newest Distinguished Producer. Paul, thank you so much, brother. God bless you.

And Denise has volunteered to donate time to the show. She emailed me this morning to say that she’d be willing to edit the transcripts. Yay! Denise, thank you, my sister, and God bless you.

The Lifespring family has really stepped up this season in donations of time, talent or treasure, and I couldn’t be more pleased. It’s a great encouragement to me. And I thank God for everyone who’s been a part of the show in donations of time, talent or treasure. It takes every one of those to make this thing happen. So I’m so thankful to you guys. God bless you.

If the Lifespring Family Audio Bible is an important part of your day. If you believe in what’s happening here, donating time, talent or treasure is how you can help keep it going. Is the show helping you to read more of the Bible? Are you growing in the Lord? Are you challenged, understanding more? Support the show at lifespringmedia.com/support. I’ll thank you and I truly believe God will bless you.

Steve Webb 14:16
On this date in church history, May 15, 1889, the Epworth League of the Methodist Episcopal Church the forerunner of youth ministry programs found in the United Methodist Church today was organized during a two day conference in Cleveland, Ohio.

And on this date in church history, May 15, 1948, Father Edward J. Flanagan died he was the Irish born parish priest who founded the Boys Town orphanage near Omaha, Nebraska, in 1917. Did you ever see the movie Boys Town with Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney? It’s a really good movie from 1938. I’ve seen it two or three times. Tracy’s role in Boys Town is that of Father Flanagan and Mickey Rooney plays a troubled teen boy. I’ll have the official trailer to Boys Town on the show notes page if you’d like to see it.

Steve Webb 15:15
But first off, I have a praise to share. My primary care physician doesn’t seem to be too concerned about the abnormalities that showed up on my CT scan. But he does want me to have another one in three months. So praise the Lord for that.

Another praise is that Kathi’s doing better. Her appetite is still not back to normal, but it’s better and she’s eating more. So that certainly is a praise. Maybe now she’ll get some of her strength back.

And my brother in law, Mike is still having those intermittent sharp pains under his armpit. So let’s keep him in prayer.

So let’s pray. Our heavenly Father, Lord, help us to be careful to bring honor to you as we live our lives. As I’ve prayed before, we want to be ambassadors for you. We want to live in such a way that people see Jesus and not us.

Thank you, Lord, that my primary care physician isn’t too concerned about the abnormalities on my CT scan. And I pray God that when we do it again in three months, that the spots will not have grown, and that it’ll end up being what I said before, probably just something from when I breathed that nasty dust when I was a kid. I thank You, Lord, that at this point, it looks like it’s nothing to be too concerned about.

I thank you that Kathi is doing better. I pray God that you would continue to bring healing to her and that you would restore her strength.

I pray for my brother in law Mike, help the doctors Lord to figure out what’s going on with him.

Father, I pray that You would bless the Lifespring family today. Lord, I thank you for those that this season have been so supportive in so many different ways. I pray God that you would bless them and that you would bless everybody in the Lifespring family, draw us all closer to you and grow our faith. We thank you and I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

Steve Webb 17:06
Comment on the show at lifespringmedia.com/s12e256. Email me at st***@*************ia.com. Share the show.

And thanks to Kirsty and Sean of San Pedro. And now thanks to Denise for all of their generous donations of time, talent and treasure. And thank you for sharing your time with me today.

Support the show at lifespringmedia.com/support.

Until tomorrow. May God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise