Titus

Paul wrote this book to Titus (1:1-4) during his fourth missionary journey while he was in Corinth .  At this time, Titus was in Crete, as Paul had left him there to set the churches on the island in order and appoint elders to each of them (1:5).  Crete, at that time, had a terrible reputation for drunkenness, insolence, untrustworthiness, lying, and gluttony (Barclay).  “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’” (1:12) Paul emphasizes the importance of rebuking those who contradict sound doctrine (1:9).  This was especially important because of the existence of the Circumcision Party (1:10).  The circumcision party was made of Jews who taught that salvation was not through faith alone, but also through obeying the law (i.e. being circumcised). Paul also outlines what it ought to look like for different groups of people in the church to live out that sound doctrine (Chapter 2). He has to do this because the church has people who devote themselves to Jewish myths (1:14), and they deny God by their works (1:16).  He warns against following those with false teaching and falling into the sinful world that they are very much in the middle of (1:10-14). 

William Barclay, “The Letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon” (Westminster John Knox Press, Kentucky), 1975 Page 242-243

So, as was true last week, we studied a LOT in class, but I am only going to draw out one aspect of one small portion of the book for you.

I'm going to focus on what Paul says in the first couple verses of the book, "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ... in hope of eternal life".  There is more in there, but I am focusing on the fact that Paul is a servant in the hope of eternal life.

OBSERVATION

Connective-“in hope of eternal life” (1:2)

What 2 ideas are being connected?

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, is connected to the hope of eternal life.

INTERPRETATION

How does having hope in eternal life affect Paul’s service to God and apostleship?

His hope in eternal life is the reason he is a servant of God.

This can be encouraging to Titus, to be reminded that, although he may be in the midst of opposition or difficult circumstances, there is a reason he’s doing this.

APPLICATION

What is the timeless truth?

Especially when we are discouraged in our ministries (but really at all times) we ought to keep in mind the reason why we have hope and are doing these things.  Christians need to live with an eternal perspective.  We are looking forward to heaven!

In light of a question I received, I would like to make some additional comments.
Here was the question:
Is our hope of heaven the only reason we serve the one true God?  Would we do it even if there was no hope of heaven?  What if this was all there was?  Would loving God be enough just because of who he is?

I asked around the YWAM base and here are some general thoughts:
-In John 17:3 it says, "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."  From this, it seems like eternal life is not only living on and on forever, but it is relationship with God.  Seeing as that is the reason we were created, to be in relationship with God, if there were no eternal life as it is defined here, there would be no reason to pursue/follow God.
-The idea of having an eternal perspective does not only apply to our own lives, but also in our interactions with others.  If we truly love others, we should be trying to bring them into a relationship with God, into eternal life as well. (not so much a thought on this question as a thought about the idea of having an eternal perspective)
-If this life was all that there was, but we could still have a relationship with God during this time, some say that it would be worth it for the peace that they feel living at the center of God's will, for the miracles that they see God bringing forth, and for the encouragement and excitement of having the Holy Spirit dwell within them.
-Others say that they would not, because without the hope of eternal life, temporary pleasure would take precedence, and they would probably follow the ways of the world.

So I guess, ultimately it's a matter of opinion.