“Just because I’m the one that gets to talk the loudest doesn’t make me any worse or better than anybody else.” said Pastor Josh in the opening of the sermon. The passage was taken from Titus 1:1-4. Paul has identified himself first, as a servant of God; and second, as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He is both of these “according to the faith of God’s elect.” (Titus 1:1)
Sometimes reading through verses one skips right through it and doesn’t really digest what is being said. This is the time that the preacher slows us down to really take it in. The faith of God’s elect, what is that? The elect are people who have chosen to believe God. Faith here and trust are interchangeable. Believers trust that God is who he says he is and will do what he says.
The remainder of the verse is “and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness.” First Timothy 3:16 makes it clear. The mystery of godliness is that God became flesh, was approved by the Spirit, announced by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed and went to glory.
It’s not just a simple introduction. The next verse speaks of hope of eternal life from God who can’t lie and promised eternal life before the world began. This is the mystery kept secret. (See Romans 16:25) Titus 1:3 has to do with preaching which our pastor was making a point about. He even recited I Corinthians 1:21 which speaks of the foolishness of preaching.
We begin as people who believe God. Because of that God has promised eternal life. “Let that sink in. Eternal life, no darkness, no illness, no coffins, no cemeteries, no coyotes.” said Pastor Josh. The coyotes were because his kids went out to catch lightning bugs. They came right back in. The howling of the coyotes had scared them.
The final verse (4) speaks of the common faith. Our pastor referred to Romans 12:3. It’s a long verse but, basically, it says that none of us should get a big head because God is the one that gives to every man his measure of faith. Don’t compare others and put one in more high esteem than another. All Christians have a job to do. It’s easy to compare yourself to others. Don’t do it. God, in his grace, gave you the measure of faith that you have.
What’s important to remember is this: it’s possible to have strong faith, unwavering faith and, unfortunately, wavering faith. That part depends on each individual. Faith to be useful has to be a growing faith. Second Thessalonians 1:3 says, “…because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth”. Faith grows by reading the Word, heeding the Word (James 1:22-24), and testing the Word (Malachi 3:9-11). Every believer has been gifted with a measure of faith. It’s what we do with it that matters.
Sometimes reading through verses one skips right through it and doesn’t really digest what is being said. This is the time that the preacher slows us down to really take it in. The faith of God’s elect, what is that? The elect are people who have chosen to believe God. Faith here and trust are interchangeable. Believers trust that God is who he says he is and will do what he says.
The remainder of the verse is “and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness.” First Timothy 3:16 makes it clear. The mystery of godliness is that God became flesh, was approved by the Spirit, announced by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed and went to glory.
It’s not just a simple introduction. The next verse speaks of hope of eternal life from God who can’t lie and promised eternal life before the world began. This is the mystery kept secret. (See Romans 16:25) Titus 1:3 has to do with preaching which our pastor was making a point about. He even recited I Corinthians 1:21 which speaks of the foolishness of preaching.
We begin as people who believe God. Because of that God has promised eternal life. “Let that sink in. Eternal life, no darkness, no illness, no coffins, no cemeteries, no coyotes.” said Pastor Josh. The coyotes were because his kids went out to catch lightning bugs. They came right back in. The howling of the coyotes had scared them.
The final verse (4) speaks of the common faith. Our pastor referred to Romans 12:3. It’s a long verse but, basically, it says that none of us should get a big head because God is the one that gives to every man his measure of faith. Don’t compare others and put one in more high esteem than another. All Christians have a job to do. It’s easy to compare yourself to others. Don’t do it. God, in his grace, gave you the measure of faith that you have.
What’s important to remember is this: it’s possible to have strong faith, unwavering faith and, unfortunately, wavering faith. That part depends on each individual. Faith to be useful has to be a growing faith. Second Thessalonians 1:3 says, “…because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth”. Faith grows by reading the Word, heeding the Word (James 1:22-24), and testing the Word (Malachi 3:9-11). Every believer has been gifted with a measure of faith. It’s what we do with it that matters.
