March 1, 2020

THE BEST JOB WITH THE BEST PAY
March 01, 2020
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Every day we put our faith in hundreds of things that may or may not fail us. What are some? Why do we not think twice about using these items (or matter) without conscious thought?

Open:

Do you ever question your level of faith? There is no “half-way” mark in following God. If you’re not all-in, you’re out. Not because you don’t have a choice, but because true believers are so grateful for and so aware of the miracle of salvation that anything less than our best is not an option! Today we read the opening of Paul’s letter to Titus, whom Paul called “a son in the faith.” Paul’s joy to be a slave for the gospel of Jesus Christ is an example of what our life should be like.

Focal Passage: Titus 1:1-4.

We don’t have a choice

  • Read Titus 1:1a. How did Paul describe himself in this passage? What did he mean by “bondservant”? How could Paul call himself an apostle?
  • Until a person makes a decision to be a Christian, what is his position in relation to eternal life? Can there be “fence-riders” in the Kingdom of God? Why or why not?
  • If you have made a declaration of salvation, but are not ready to leave a  lifestyle of disobedience, what may be the state of your soul? Will a true believer desire to live a life of obedience to God?
  • Why do we say a believer—Christ-honoring, all-in Christ-follower—has no choice but to be a bondservant of God?

Not just to know truth, but to live truth

  • Read verse 1b. (NLT: “…teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.”) How can you know about Jesus Christ, but not have enough faith to live for Him? Do you have an example?
  • As your soul, mind and spirit grow in knowledge of God, what should be happening to your relationship with Him?
  • Read John 8:31-32. What did Jesus mean that “the truth would make you free”?

This truth matters

  • Read Titus 1:2. Why is it important that God cannot lie? What is the difference between someone who DOES NOT lie, and Someone who CANNOT lie?
  • Is there any promise you can go to in the Word of God and not tie it back to Titus 1:2? Why? Why does it matter that this is true?

It’s our job. It’s our joy

  • Read verse 3. What are some of the words for the translation for Paul being “committed” with the job of preaching?   
  • Read 1 Timothy 2:5-7a. Why did Paul not have any doubt that Jesus Christ had given him the mission of preaching for as long as he was able?
  • Read Acts 20:24. Is there any greater joy than doing what you know God has appointed you to do?

Given to us all

  • Read verse 4 and Matt. 28:18-20. Whom did Christ commission with the task to preach the gospel? How do you know in your own life whether it is a calling (i.e., your job), or a by-product of living the Christian life?
  • If God has given you another profession, how can you reach lost souls for Christ as you live your life?
  • Read James 4:17. How would this verse apply to you, if you never testify to friends or neighbors of the salvation you’ve experienced?

Close:

Most of us have heard the story of Charles Blondin, the amazing French tightrope artist who, in the mid-1800’s, showed his daring feat of crossing Niagara Falls, providing the prime example of what true faith is.

Mr. Blondin stretched his tightrope across the Falls, walking back and forth several times, each time with a different challenge: once he was blindfolded, once he was in a sack, on stilts, on a bicycle, in the dark, and once with a stove, over which he cooked an omelet!

The watching crowd grew more and more enthusiastic, eventually drowning out the thunderous Falls themselves. Blondin yelled to the crowd, “Do you think I can carry a man across in this wheelbarrow??” “Yes, we believe,” they yelled! Again, he asked, “Do you think I can carry a man across in this wheelbarrow??!” The crowd screamed, “Yes, yes!!” Blondin yelled back, “Who will come get in the wheelbarrow?” The crowd fell silent. No one took up the dare.

This beautiful, true story from an incredible man provides the perfect example of the call of God upon our lives. We must be so filled with faith in Jesus Christ that we are ready to answer with a positive cry of “YES” to any task He wants us to perform! As Paul himself tells us, he was a bond-servant of God—a slave for God—because he could never repay with his life what God did in providing His own Son to pay for the sins of Paul—and any of us. Our love in return, because of His great love with which He loves us, should evoke the highest passion of praise and worship that we can give. It should never be just knowing truth, but living the truth.

It has been said that the person who loves his job will never work a day in his life. What a joyful statement, and how perfectly did it describe Paul! Through the physical torment, the bodily suffering, and the mental anguish as he was deeply concerned about his planted churches, he was still filled with contentment and joy (see 2 Corinthians 11:23b-28). How totally important it is that we teach our children and grandchildren the worth of searching our hearts to find what thrills our souls with a passion, then train for that work. Meanwhile, continually take your spiritual pulse to make certain your love for Jesus Christ never grows dim or becomes lukewarm. Telling those we meet of His grace should always be our joy!