August 06, 2017

Morning Meeting

• Scripture: 

  • Hebrews 12:2 
  • Hebrews 3:1 
• Hymn 35 - Rise, my soul! behold, tis Jesus 
• Prayer

• Scripture: 

  • John 1:36 - Looking upon Jesus, seeing Him as the Lamb of God. 
  • Hebrews 2:9 - Seeing Jesus, who was made a little lower then the angels, for the suffering of death, but now is sitting on the right hand of the Father.
• Hymn 98 - Gazing on the Lord in glory
• Scripture: Luke 24:29-32 
• Prayer 
• Breaking of Bread 
• Hymn 71 * - Oh my Saviour crucified
• Prayer  

Children’s Meeting: Norman Burgess

Reading Meeting

Titus 1

Titus is Greek; unlike Timothy who is half Jewish. Titus had been appointed to set different men to different offices in the church.  In verse twelve, though, we have the Cretians described as liars, evil beasts, and slow bellies. Paul describes what a bishop should be like in verse seven. Titus was given quite an interesting assignment.

The “according to” in verse one is also in Ephesians. There we have “according to the riches of His glory”. It lends character to what is received. Here the characteristic is “to the faith of God’s elect.” The characteristics are the truth. Paul says that this is his ministry. Godliness is contrary to the Cretians, but these things are just as valid today. They should be part of our characteristics.

Before the world began a promise was made within the Godhead. It’s amazing how these decisions happened long before the world came into existence. He knew the need for eternal life before the world began. It stretches our minds a bit. This was all in God’s mind before we were around.

Darby translates verse four as, ” to Titus, my own child according to [the] faith common [to us]: Grace and peace from God [the] Father, and Christ Jesus our Saviour”.  Paul adds mercy in his greetings when he is writing to individuals.

Paul tells Titus why he left him in Crete in verse five. Orderliness appears to be one of Titus’ characteristics. There is a divine order; a right order.

Verse six starts as, “If any be blameless”. Is anyone blameless? Verse seven is the main criteria for a bishop. Darby has it, “For the overseer must be free from all charge [against him] as God’s steward; not headstrong, not passionate, not disorderly through wine, not a striker, not seeking gain by base means;“. Verse seven is like our old nature, and verse eight is like the new nature. ESV translates “striker” as “violent”.

Today appointing doesn’t happen. It was an apostolic privilege to appoint. There are those who willingly take a responsible position in the assembly. Bishops and elders were apostolic positions. When all the apostles died no one else was appointed.

Hymn 346 - Jesus who lives above the sky

Prayer