FPFO

Jesus continues discussing the Kingdom of God and New Birth with Nicodemus foreshadowing His own death on the cross to provide the atonement needed by sinful men to be reconciled to God.

In John 3:1-8, Nicodemus comes to Jesus and the Lord shows him how he is not good enough to enter the Kingdom of God, but that God requires from Nicodemus the one thing Nicodemus has never considered and that only God can give.

In this final sermon in conjunction with elder nominations we consider 1 Tim 5 in which Paul gives insight into the function of the elder as both ruling and teaching/preaching.

Paul continues to explore the benefits of justification by faith and particularly the peace with God we now have that is not bare cessation of hostility but one of reconciliation and love.

Having begun to discuss the first benefit of justification by faith (i.e. peace with God), the Apostle now turns to consider one cause for rejoicing Christians presently have: our present sufferings. We rejoice now not only because of the certain hope of future glory, but also because of what God is doing in and through our ongoing suffering.

Paul describes the beautiful life produced by a sincere embrace of orthodox doctrine and truth. But he grounds Christian living in the gospel, remind us we already have our Father's approval, which frees us to live for Him without free and with every joy.

After giving instructions for Titus to rebuke, silence, and correct the false teachers because they are completely unfit for any good work, Paul turns to describe how beautiful orthodoxy is manifested in the church through the teaching of "fit" doctrine.

In Romans 5 the Apostle begins to explain several of the benefits that accompany justification. He begins in Romans 5:1-2 meditating on the new relationship God has with His people, one of peace.

We continue in our study of Titus in preparation for Elder Nominations. In the closing verses of chapter 1, the Apostle Paul gives Titus clear and direct instruction for how he and the new elders must to deal with opponents of the gospel and truth.

We take a break from our time in John's Gospel to consider Paul's letter to Titus at Crete as we prayerfully seek to nominate those whom God has called to the office of elder. In this opening section of Paul's letter, the apostle lays out the mission of Titus and charges him to appoint elders in every city for the churches. Even though Crete was a difficult place to minister and find qualified men, Titus must still submit to the Bible's standards for church office.