“My Main Ambition” Titus 1:1-4 May 19, 2013 Building Leaders #1 [To be fully what God has called me to be]

Let’s Learn About Titus Paul took Titus- a Greek convert- to Jerusalem with him as an exhibit of God’s grace among the Gentiles. (Acts 15:1, 2; Gal. 2:1-3) Titus worked with Paul and for him. He was sent to Corinth on at least 2 occasions. To help in this troubled church. To take up a collection for the Jerusalem saints. (II. Cor. 7:5-16; 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18) Paul passed through Crete on his way to Rome as a prisoner. His glimpse gave him a burden. A Roman army training ground- heathen. (Acts 27) Are you ever burdened in places you go? Paul is imprisoned, later released, and possibly returns with Titus to Crete, leaving him there to organize and oversee struggling churches. Let’s Learn About Titus

…and about the letter to Titus. Paul writes to Titus stationed on Crete. (Titus 1:5) To advise him regarding his responsibilities of supervision. This is a “How-to” manual. Key verse (1:5) Written about the same time as I Timothy, but different. I Timothy- to “Timid” Timothy who is at an established, strong church. Titus- to “Tiger” Titus- bold in the faith on a mission of hardship in an outpost area. Ultimately, Titus is relieved (3:12) and meets Paul to work with Him. He either goes on a mission by himself, or is sent by Paul to Dalmatia. Tradition says he returns to Crete- to die. …and about the letter to Titus.

It is my desire to be… My Main Ambition Generally a Christian hears three calls: A Call to the gospel- come unto Me and be ye saved- believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. A Call to glorify- to glorify Him in all things. I Cor. 10:31- “Whether ye eat…” Col. 3:17- “and whatsoever ye do…” Rom. 8:28, 29- “to be conformed…” A Call to conform to His purposes (Rom. 8:28, 29)- Be what God wants me to be! Paul’s main ambition was to be what God had called him to be.  My main ambition is that I might be fully what God has called me to be! As I think about this ambition… It is my desire to be… My Main Ambition

It is my desire to be… 1. Conscious of My Calling. (Titus 1:1) Explanation Paul was!!! Note his: Attitude- Bond Slave of God Authority- Apostle (Sent one) of Jesus Christ. The age of the Apostles is over. They left us the Scriptures. Our authority is God’s Word. Paul had to write this part. Illustration Amnesia - a school teacher who lost a vital awareness. Application We are called to be servants! We are to carry with us the authority of God’s Word! I remember my early days as a Christian, as a husband, as a pastor. I need to remember two words: Servant and Scriptures It is my desire to be… 1. Conscious of My Calling. (Titus 1:1)

It is my desire to be… 2. Consistent in My Calling (Vs. 2) Explanation “according to”- consistent with- His claim to apostleship had to be consistent with 2 standards. The faith of God’s Elect. What he said and who he was had to be consistent with God’s Word (faith) and God’s People. The acknowledging of the truth after godliness. Did what Paul said make it easier to live a godly life and say no to sin? Illustration Waco, Texas- D. Koresh said he was the Messiah- 2 tests of consistency. Application On Paper- Do they agree on paper with my faith? “How about me?- I say I’m a Christian. Have I trusted Christ?” In Product- Do they agree in practice or in life? Is the product of their teaching godliness? “How about me?- Am I growing in godliness?” Two tests of consistency: Is it agreeable with those who are God’s elect- those who know and love God’s Word? Is it an aid to godliness? What is the product of my calling? It is my desire to be… 2. Consistent in My Calling (Vs. 2)

Do we ever say- I know what is God’s will for my life- but I plead my own desires and an extra cupful of grace… Stay in your marriage! Stay on your knees! Stay in service! Stay in your local church! And run the two tests of consistency

It is my desire to be… 3. Confident in My Calling (vs.2,3) Explanation Paul is confident in his calling. Note the… Explanation of His Confidence In hope of eternal life He says- “My calling rests in an unshakable conviction- an unmovable confidence in eternal life.” He could serve the Lord because he was confident in his eternal life. Origination of His Confidence A God who could not lie- an un-lie-able God promised this eternal life before He created the world. II Tim. 1:9; I Pet. 1:20; Eph. 1:4; Heb. 4:3; Mt. 25:34; Jn. 17:24 In God - > who cannot lie! Proclamation of His Confidence God has appointed times of revelation- dispensations Paul says that in this time, God shows His truth through preaching. God had commanded Paul to VERBALLY PROCLAIM the truth. It is my desire to be… 3. Confident in My Calling (vs.2,3)

Illustration Application Baseball – no confidence /Building a tree house- overconfidence Application I can be confident in my calling It is this God that cannot lie - or fail or be fooled. It is this God that calls- What has He called you to do? It is this God that enables- equips, explains, and empowers

It is my desire to be… 4. Constrained by My Calling. (vs. 4) Explanation He is motivated to action by his calling. Remember, he is a servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ. This calling motivates his concerns for Titus. He is constrained to minister to Titus. To his Son in the faith he offers grace, mercy, and peace. He then pours out a helpful letter to him. Illustration D.L. Moody once witnessed to a man- talked earnestly with him about his soul- “Mind your own business!” “Sir, it is my business!” Application If your main ambition is to be the kind of Christian God wants you to be, then you will be constrained by that call. Constrained into activity. If you believe that souls need the Savior- you’ll witness. If you believe in prayer- you will pray. If you hear the Word’s reminders to give- you’ll give. If you believe the Holy Spirit indwells you- you will yield to Him. If you catch the vision of fellowship- you’ll fellowship in your local church. If you catch the burden of discipleship- you’ll be discipled and disciple. It is my desire to be… 4. Constrained by My Calling. (vs. 4)

God has called me. It is my desire to… Be conscious of my calling. Be consistent in my calling. Be confident in my calling. Be constrained by my calling. God has called me.