- Who wrote Hebrews & does it matter?

- What does Hebrews 6 mean when it says, "fall away?" Can people lose their salvation?

- What about the gifts of the Spirit? How should we view those?

- What about Proverbs? Is it still wisdom for us in the New Covenant?

- Why were all the apostles male?

As we wrap up our journey through Titus today, we will see 10 takeaways from this short letter that will help us come to greater and greater awareness of just how good and even counter-intuitive the Gospel of Jesus truly is!

Paul's final words to Titus include a request for Titus and the church to generously help other believers. But there were false teachers who were teaching for "sordid gain." So how to we know how to financially give? What is the foundation? What's the motivation? Are believers under the law of the Tithe? How does giving in the New Covenant look?

Last week we saw that order in the body of Christ was first realizing that the grace of God teaches us to say no to sin and Yes to Jesus, not the Law. Today, we'll see more order! What causes us to change our minds about behaviors? Is it the judgement for sin or the kindness of God? Paul clearly says that it is the kindness of God that changes our minds and behaviors. Why then is fear used so much in church today? Maybe we are out of order?

What is God's "order" for the church? Paul left Titus in Crete to "set in order what remains." What was out of order? What is the order to be? We might be surprised! Godly order isn't just godly behavior. Godly order is godly behavior as learned from God's Grace! If we do good things but fueled from any other source than God's grace, then we are not in order!

Paul left Titus in Crete to establish leaders for the young churches. Do we ever really stop and ask, "why do church leaders even exist?" Most likely think that church leadership is there to organize worship services, manage finances, and mobilize the people for ministry opportunities. Sure, these are all great things to do, but none of these are reasons why Paul had Titus establish leaders in the churches of Crete.

So why? What is the central purpose for church leadership?

It cannot be denied that we live in very troubling, divisive, confusing times. If you pay attention, you are certain to hear ideas, philosophies, and views that concern or perplex you. Something about these claims just seems wrong or in direct opposition to your faith. But where did all of this particular thinking come from? How has it run rampant in our universities? What are the origins of this troubling society in which we live? To understand the answers to all of these questions, we must first understand Postmodernism. In this sermon, we are going to take a look at the thinkers and first principles of Postmodernism and what our Christian response should be. Every believer needs to be aware of how the unbelieving world thinks, and every parent needs to understand the culture in which they are raising their children. We must be the messengers of The Truth to a world that has divorced itself from any form of truth.

We are excited to begin a new teaching series through the letter Paul sent to Titus. We'll see, from Paul's own words, the urgency to stand fast in the truth of the finished work of Jesus because many, both inside and outside the faith, seek to change it.

Can we today stand fast and not wavier in what the truth of what the gospel really is? Who are we to change what God has done? Let's not mess up what God has set up!

What role do we play in this new covenant of God's Grace?

Is it Jesus despite us? That is, Jesus works in us despite our constant failures. Think of a parent and a rebellious teenager.

Is it Jesus without us? That is, everything good that happens is all Jesus and none of us. We are passive and not involved. Think of a parent and an infant baby.

Or is it Jesus in perfect partnership with us? That is, we now in a glorious new partnership with Jesus where we walk with Him and, together, we see His life displayed through us. Think of a husband and wife.

What role do you play? What is your relationship with Jesus really like?

"How can we have peace in the midst of chaotic life circumstances?" How can we not be shaken when the worst of the worst this world has gets thrown our way? How can we not lose it and get dashed upon the rocks of trouble, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness? How do we keep from isolating ourselves from the ones we love the most? 

Paul learned the secret! It's no secret really anymore! Are you sick and tired of watching yourself get tossed around emotionally by stuff that happens around you? I bet you are! Discover the same secret Paul discovered so that you too can have a deep peace regardless of the circumstance. The glory isn't in the removal of the circumstance, but rather in the peace found in the midst of the circumstance.