Bible Studies
In the Interest of Our Faith (Titus 1:1-3)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. We generally hear few sermons based upon the salutation of the letters of the N.T., but this one is. 2. And I base this lesson on a salutation because in this one Paul defines his objective. It is not just an objective for the epistle that he is writing, but also his objective generally as a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. 3. And in this objective he defines the most important thing for us as the people of God: our faith. 4. Read with me from Titus 1:1-3.Discussion:
I. Paul is writing “for the faith of those chosen of God” (Titus 1:1).A. This is the translation given in the NASB.
1. The marginal reference notes that this could be translated “according to the faith of those chosen of God.”
2. The KJV translates it this way.
3. The ESV says, “for the sake of the faith of God’s elect.”
4. William Hendriksen translates, “in the interest of the faith of God’s elect.”
5. The meaning seems to be that he is writing “for their faith,” “in the interest of their faith,” and that is the meaning that we are going to follow in this lesson.
B. The concept of faith takes on various nuances in Scripture and in our understanding.
1. There is “the faith” once for all delivered (Jude 3).
a. This is the objective information given by God that communicates Jesus Christ to us.
b. It is that body of truth that we are to contend earnestly for.
c. Some will fall away from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1). We all need to be nourished on the words of the faith (1 Tim. 4:6), lest we wander away from the faith (1 Tim. 6:10) or go stray from the faith (1 Tim. 6:21).
2. But there is another sense in which the term “faith” refers to our dependence upon God.
a. It is used this way in Rom. 14:23 when it refers to one believes eating meat is wrong.
b. That text says, “he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith.”
c. That is, he is not confident that it is right. He doubts.
d. This faith is something that is subjective. It depends upon an individual’s personal understanding.
e. Paul refers to those who suffered “shipwreck in regard to their faith” (1 Tim. 1:19).
3. Sometimes we get these two concepts confused. We think that our personal faith is “the” faith. When we do this we may impose our faith on others condemning them of unfaithfulness because their faith is different than our faith. Such is at best unfair and at worst arrogant, disrespectful and divisive.
C. It is this subjective faith that Paul is writing in the interest of in Titus.
1. This subjective faith is vital to the Christian.
2. This is the faith that can be weak (Rom. 14:1) or strong (Rom. 4:20).
D. Paul is writing “for the faith of those chosen of God.”
1. When you are for the Kentucky Wildcats that means you are on their side.
2. You do what you can to support them.
3. You cheer them. You root for them.
4. Thus Paul is writing for the benefit of their faith, AND OURS.
E. We need to accept and be receptive to such benefits.
F. We need to be “for the faith of those chosen of God.”
II. Our subjective faith is founded upon our knowledge of the truth (Titus 1:1).A. Truth is absolutely critical to have soundness of faith.
1. You can have faith in something that is false, but it is not healthy.
2. Many people had faith in FACEBOOK and invested heavily on the first day that it went public, but they lost money when the stock prices plummeted.
3. Confidence without truth leads to disappointment. This is Paul’s reasoning in 1 Cor. 15:12ff.
B. Faith based on truth is solid and rewarding.
1. In Titus 1:2 Paul refers to the “God who cannot lie.”
2. Our hope of eternal life is founded on the promise of God, who cannot lie, thus our faith is solid.
3. But some do not have such confidence.
a. This may come from a lack of information. You cannot trust that which you do not know.
b. Failure to investigate leads to a lack of faith.
C. God has manifested the truth in His word (v. 3).
1. So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17).
2. Thus the summary Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, and Be Baptized.
3. Thus there is a close association between hearing the word and believing in your heart (Rom. 10:8ff).
D. The more familiar we are with the word of God the greater our faith.
1. If we look at it relationally—the more we know about God and His trustworthiness, the greater our faith in Him, i.e., the more we trust Him.
2. The less we know about Him the less faith we have. The more we know about Him the more faith we have.
3. How much faith do you want? Paul wants us to have more rather than less. God wants us to have more rather than less. The less faith we have the more vulnerable to doubt we are.
III. Godliness increases as faith increases (1:1).A. Evident from what is said in the epistle.
1. Titus 2:11-14.
2. Titus 3:1-8.
B. Questionable teaching undermines faith and therefore must be rejected (Titus 3:9-11).
C. Leadership must lead the way in sound doctrine while refuting those who contradict (Titus 1:5-16).
Conclusion:
1. In the interest of our faith… 2. We must receive the communication of God. 3. Leaders must lead us in the truth. 4. Doubts must be minimized, thus incredulous teaching must be silenced. 5. In the interest of others we must be for their faith. a. Are you leading others to greater faith? b. Are you setting the precedent for greater faith?
