Overview:
Among Paul’s library of writings, his letter to Titus is among the most poignant—marked by practicality, clarity, and urgency. This short letter isn’t short on truth! The apostle Paul charged Titus with guiding churches on Crete that were filled with a mix of legalists, passive members, former pagans, and even false teachers! No doubt, the young minister welcomed direction from a balanced, caring leader like Paul.From Titus 1, Pastor Chuck teaches how you, too, can walk in a greater measure of faith, knowledge, and hope!
Message Summary:
In this message centering on the opening salutation of Titus 1:1–4, Chuck Swindoll explores the profound depth found in the introductory lines of Paul's letter to Titus. Swindoll begins by contrasting modern, impersonal emails with the enduring value of handwritten letters, noting that God chose to communicate His truth through the personal "touch" of men like Paul rather than through a mechanical process. He highlights that while the Holy Spirit is the ultimate Author, the personality and handwriting of the human writer are preserved in the text [3–7].
Swindoll breaks down Paul’s self-identification in the opening verse, noting a unique distinction: Paul calls himself a "bondservant of God"—a title he uses in no other opening of his thirteen letters. Swindoll pairs this humility with Paul’s authority as an "apostle of Jesus Christ," illustrating a balance of absolute submission to God and delegated authority to the church. The message then unpacks Paul’s three-fold "credo" or purpose for living: to bring the chosen to faith, to equip them with the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, and to remind them of the hope of eternal life [12–15].
The sermon concludes by examining the relationship between the mentor, Paul, and his protégé, Titus. Paul refers to Titus as his "true child in a common faith," a description that blends paternal affection with spiritual equality. Swindoll challenges listeners to apply these four aspects to their own lives by asking: What is your identity? What is your credo? What is your calling? And with whom are you cultivating a deep, mentoring relationship? [25–27].
Message Key Facts:
The Value of the Handwritten: Swindoll quotes Sir Francis Bacon regarding reading and writing to illustrate that while emails are fast and forgettable, handwritten letters possess an "exactness" and a personal touch that God honored by using the epistolary format for 21 of the 27 New Testament books [4–5].
• One Long Sentence: Swindoll notes that for "sticklers for literature," Titus 1:1–4 constitutes a single, continuous sentence in the Greek text.
• "Bondservant of God": Swindoll points out that while Paul often calls himself a servant of Christ, the specific phrase "bondservant (doulos) of God" is unique to the opening of Titus among all of Paul's writings. It signifies a slave owned by the Creator of the galaxies.
• The Lincoln Analogy: To illustrate selfless leadership, Swindoll references a biography of Abraham Lincoln, noting that like Paul, Lincoln was a man who took the blame for others, gave credit to his generals for victories, and remained unassuming despite his authority.
• The Three-Fold Purpose: Swindoll outlines Paul's life purpose (and the purpose of ministry) as:
1. Evangelism: Leading the "elect" to faith.
2. Edification: Teaching "knowledge of the truth" which must lead to godliness, not just head knowledge.
3. Encouragement: Proclaiming the "hope of eternal life" [12–15].
• Ages Eternal: The phrase "long ages ago" (or "ages eternal") indicates that the plan of salvation was orchestrated by the Trinity before time, space, or humanity existed, but it was "manifested" at the proper time through the written Word [15–16].
• Proclamation (Kerygma): Swindoll defines the word for "proclamation" as an announcement made by a herald in a public place on behalf of a king. He connects this to the necessity of expository preaching, arguing that a systematic explanation of Scripture is the most effective way to feed a "malnourished" church [17–19].
• "Junk Food" Theology: Quoting Walt Kaiser, Swindoll warns that the church is languishing because it has been fed "junk food" (artificial preservatives and substitutes) rather than the solid meat of God's Word, resulting in a "worldwide spiritual famine" [18–19].
• "Common Faith": Despite calling Titus his "true child," Paul levels the playing field by adding "in a common faith." Swindoll notes that in the family of God, no one "pulls rank," as all share the same salvation [25–26].
Message References:
• Titus 1:1–4: The primary text, covering Paul’s greeting, identity, and the theological foundation of his ministry.
• Titus 1:1: Paul’s identity: "Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ...".
• Titus 1:2: The eternal timeline: "In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago".
• Titus 1:3: The method of ministry: "Manifested His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted...".
• Galatians 1:11–17: Referenced to provide background on Paul’s conversion, his calling from the womb, and his direct revelation from Jesus Christ [20–23].
