Transcript

Today’s Bible Translation

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

Podcast Introduction

It’s Epistles Sunday, and we’ll read the book of Titus. Yes, all three chapters. I’ll give you a brief introduction to Titus before we read them, and I’m calling this episode “Trustworthy.”

Comments on Titus 1-3

Introduction to Titus

Titus was a man who travelled with Paul and helped him in his work. In other parts of Scripture Paul calls him “his brother”, “his partner and fellow helper”, and in this book you heard Paul refer to him as “his true child”. So we see Paul thought highly of him. Titus was a Greek, and was with Paul in Rome when Paul was put on trial before 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 very long, and he left Titus there to continue the work. Titus had some difficulties in Crete, and Paul sent this letter to encourage and help him and the new believers there. 

Comments on Titus 1

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. 

Comments on Titus 2

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.

The lovely Lady LeeAnn have been married for over 33 years. 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. And by the way, if you would like to email her, you can do so at la**@*************ia.com. Since there are so many ways to spell LeeAnn, I thought it would be easier to use lady.

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. 

Comments on Titus 3

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.” 

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Transcript

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

Steve Webb 0:11
This is the Lifespring one year Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, sorta. And podcasting since 2004. I’m your og Godcaster. Steve Webb. I’ll explain the sorta word in just a moment. This is the daily podcast where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year and I’m glad to be with you. It’s epistle Sunday, and we’ll read the book of Titus. Yes, all three chapters. I’ll give you a brief introduction to Titus before we read them, and I’m calling this episode trustworthy. Now about sorta this episode is pre recorded. Liana and I are in Florida this week for grandchild number five pennies first birthday. So that means this week’s episodes have all been pre recorded. That means that donations will be acknowledged next week. And prayer requests and praises will be on the show next week as well. However, when you send prayer requests or praises in I will pray for you or rejoice with you as soon as I see them in my inbox. So there’s no need to wait until next week to send those in. We’ll be in the Orlando area. And if you’re somewhere around Orlando, let me know we’ll see if we can arrange to have a meal with you or something like that. I’d love to meet you. Now, before we read, let’s pray. Our gracious heavenly Father, how we do thank you for your word. And I pray God today that you would bless this time together. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Okay, are you ready? Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 1:39
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 in 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 hightest 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 2:22
Titus chapter one, Paul, a bondservant 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 in the hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie promised long ages ago, 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, to Titus, my true child in a common faith, grace and peace from God the Father, in Christ Jesus, our Savior. 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, namely, If any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion, 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 sorted gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just devout, self controlled, 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, for there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sorted gain. One of themselves a prophet of their own said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true. For this reason, reprove them severely, so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 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. They profess to know God, but by their deeds, they deny him being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.

Steve Webb 4:32
Titus chapter two. But as for you speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible sound in faith in love in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved too much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands to love their children to be sensible. Your workers at home kind, being subjected to their own husbands so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible in all things. Show yourself to be an example of good deeds with purity and doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bond slaves to be subjected to their own masters in everything to be well pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed and to purify for Himself of people for His own possession. zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Steve Webb 6:12
Titus, chapter three, remind them to be subjected to rulers to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malai no one to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish, ourselves disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life and malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 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, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace, we will be made errors according to the hope of eternal life. 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, But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sending being self condemned. When I send Artemis or ticket cars to you make every effort to come to me at necropolis for I have decided to spend the winter there, diligently helped Zenus the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. All who were with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith, Grace be with you all.

Steve Webb 8:02
After Paul’s salutations 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 years, 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, 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, unquote. Well, there’s a lot there, but let me focus on the last part, workers at home kind being subjected 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 that? 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 wife for her. The Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I have been married for over 33 years, 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 Galavan 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 at lady at Lifespringmedia.com. Since there are so many ways to spell Leanne, I thought it would be easier to use lady in her email address. So that’s why it’s lady at Lifespringmedia.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 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. What are your thoughts? Let me know call the Lifespring family Hotline at plus 1-951-732-8511. Send boostagram to me or go to comment.lifespringmedia.com and leave your comment there. Tomorrow will be the law Monday and we’ll read numbers 17 through 20

Jingle 13:19
Lifespringmedia.com/support

Steve Webb 13:29
As of the recording of today’s show, I’m not sure who did the show art and but big Thanks to both Scott Snider and Jason Paschall, because when I do shows in advance, they have to do extra work as well. I have no doubt that they’ll have done the work by the time the show’s published. So I’ll just say Thanks, guys. Also, Michael Haner had to do the chapters in advance. So my hat’s off to Michael too. Thanks, guys. I appreciate you. God bless you. And Thanks to Sister Denise and Brittaney the rest of the team. I’m blessed to have all of you on the team. Until tomorrow. May God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb. Bye

Announcer 14:05
the Lifespring media family of programs are made possible by the generous support of listeners like you, thank you.

Announcer 14:15
And now it is time for le boost

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