My Sunday Skl

The Faith of God’s Elect

As we wrap up our discussions on the gospel, let’s start by turning to Titus chapter 1. 

Verse 1. We have Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, writing according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledging of the truth which accords with godliness.

First thing we note is this: as a servant of God, Paul is also an apostle, or you may say a sent one, of Jesus Christ. These are not separate descriptions. There is no servant of God who is not also an apostle of Jesus.

The person who is involved in God’s service should also be found affirming and communicating the things of Jesus. Why? Because it is according to the faith of God’s elect. Not only that, it is according to the acknowledging of the truth which leads to godliness.

What is this truth that leads to Godliness?

Let’s look at verse 2.

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;.

Let’s unpack this further. 

Verse 2 states this promise of eternal life was made “before the world began.” This sounds simple but it’s implications are grand. It was before the world began. This means it was not made under duress or external pressure. It was not reactionary. It was not because God was made to. It was a promise made in eternity past by God Himself, apart from any influence. A promise rooted in His own eternal nature and being. God was not guilted into the promise. God did not watch humanity for thousands of years, and decide one day to show us some mercy after seeing us misbehave. No, it was a promise before the world began..

At the appointed time in history, God manifested and made obvious His word through the preaching entrusted to Paul. We covered this in one of the earlier parts, but here is a recap. The Greek word for “preaching” here refers to the content being communicated – the message itself. It is through this message that God provides evidence that He did not lie and cannot lie about His promise.

Look closely at verse 3 – God manifested His word through the preaching “which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior.” Paul could not just say anything he wanted. As God’s servant, he had to say what was committed to him according to God’s commandment as the Savior. 

Notice how Paul states the message preached was “committed unto me according to the commandment of God.” What would that say about preachers? The parameters of what ministers are to preach has been predetermined and commanded by God. It is not being figured out. God is not suddenly allowing preachers to start preaching a new message. It might surprise you, but the boundaries of the true message have been set by God long before any preacher came on the scene.

God is the one who has determined the content ahead of time. Paul makes this clear in verse 3 – the preaching was committed to him “according to the commandment of God our Savior.” 

Not only is God our Savior, but because He is our Savior, on account of His eternal promise, He has commanded what is to be preached. 

So what does this tell us? We cannot just go about saying anything we want when preaching the gospel. No, what we proclaim in our words has been predetermined by God as the One who cannot lie. Why has He done this? So that through the preaching committed to His sent ones, He provides evidence that He is fulfilling His unchanging promise made before time began.

So this means that Ministers cannot simply preach whatever they want – the message is predetermined and commissioned by the God who cannot lie. Why? In order to show His integrity measured by His eternal promise of life made before time began. When you hear the true gospel preached, you are witnessing the fulfillment of God’s unchanging word spoken forth from eternity.

Following in Paul’s Footsteps

You see this same idea of God’s predetermined message in 2 Timothy 2:1-2. 

Here Paul refers to Timothy as “my son,” saying “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men…”

First, let’s be clear. When Paul calls Timothy “my son,” he is not saying Timothy is his literal, biological son. Rather, he is complimenting Timothy as the one who strongly embraces the grace that Paul preaches – the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

To be called Paul’s “son” means you are the one who follows his teaching wholeheartedly. It is a badge of honor to be “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” just as Timothy was. The “son” is the minister who embodies and faithfully transmits the God-commanded message, proving he has truly received it himself.

Paul expected Timothy to receive being called “my son” as a great compliment. For it signified that Timothy was strong in the grace of the message Paul preached – the grace that is in Christ Jesus. To be a “son” of Paul meant being a faithful steward of the truth entrusted to him by God’s command.

Please, once again, let’s be clear. When Paul addresses Timothy as “my son,” he is not claiming biological paternity. He is not calling himself big daddy.He is affirming Timothy’s spiritual maturity and steadfastness in holding to the gospel message Paul was commissioned to preach. Being Paul’s “son” is about being united in the faith once delivered to the saints by God’s decree.

We’ll say it again: To be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus is to be considered Paul’s spiritual “son.” This concept is further unpacked in the next verse. Pay careful attention.

Look at 2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men…” Here we see the measuring stick for who qualifies as Paul’s “son.” It is the minister who says exactly what he has been taught by the apostles among many witnesses.

When Paul calls Timothy “my son,” he is simply saying “Timothy, you are the minister that can be taken seriously, the one who is faithful to what I have taught in the presence of many witnesses.” Paul’s “son” is the man who accurately reflects Paul’s message and character that was taught publicly.

It’s not about biological relation, but theological alignment. A “son” means being a reflection, an embodiment of the apostolic doctrine witnessed by many. This is why Paul could say of someone contradicting his teachings, “No, you are not my son3.” Sonship is about maintaining the integrity of the apostolic tradition.

If someone claims, “Paul is my father,” but does not preach the gospel according to what Paul taught openly, that claim is invalid. Why? Because to be Paul’s “son” is to be strong in the exact grace – the message and ministry – that Paul was committed to by God’s command in front of many witnesses.

You must watch carefully what qualifies as Paul’s “son.” It is saying exactly what he was taught by the apostles themselves. A “son” does not veer from or alter the apostolic teachings received among the many eyewitnesses.

The Grace Prophesied

Let’s go back to verse 1. What is this “grace” that Paul refers to? We can find helpful context in 1 Peter 1. Here, Peter describes the grace as something the ancient prophets diligently inquired about and searched for (v.10). It was “the grace that should come” – a promise and hope yet to be fulfilled in their day.  

Peter explains that the grace they prophesied was the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow (v.11). The prophets testified about and ministered concerning Christ’s sufferings and glory. This was the “grace” they spoke of in advance as something still to come.

Remarkably, Peter states that the prophets’ testimony and ministry about this coming grace is now being “reported” by the apostles who preach the gospel (v.12). Their prophetic utterances about Christ’s sufferings and glory have become the apostolic report and message.

In other words, the preaching of the gospel is the report, testimony and ministry about what Christ accomplished in His sufferings and the glory that followed – the very grace the prophets foretold. The apostles’ preaching unpacked and proclaimed as an accomplished reality what the prophets foresaw as a future grace.

Peter drives this home, saying the prophets’ ministry was “unto us” – it was ultimately meant for the current generation hearing the apostles’ report (v.12). The prophets were ministering and testifying in advance about the realities being preached in the gospel.

The prophets searched diligently about the grace to come, while the apostles reported and proclaimed that grace as a present, realized reality in Christ. The prophets laid the groundwork for the apostles’ fuller revelation of Christ’s sufferings and glory.

Peter emphasizes that the prophets ministered “unto us” – their words were ultimately destined for those who would hear the fulfillment reported by the apostles. Though they didn’t grasp the complete picture, the prophets were diligently testifying in advance about what would be made clear in the gospel proclaimed by Christ’s apostles.

The Grace Prophesied = Christ Himself

Go back now to 2 Timothy 2:1 – “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” To be strong in this grace means being emphatic about the fact that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of what the prophets testified about.

The “grace” spoken of by the prophets is the coming of Christ – His sufferings and subsequent glory. 

This is what Paul himself taught, according to the gospel committed to him (Titus 1:3). The grace or gospel always centered on Christ’s sufferings and glory as promised beforehand by the prophets. The preaching of the apostles was the unveiling of the grace prophesied – the sufferings of Christ and the glory that would follow.

We see this same truth in Titus 2:11-14. Here the grace of God is not some abstract concept, but the person of Jesus Christ Himself. He is the embodiment of God’s promised grace that brings salvation. When you preach Jesus, you are preaching the grace foretold and pledged by God.

So to be “strong in the grace” is to be resolute in proclaiming that Jesus Himself is the grace of God made manifest. He is God’s faithfulness on display, keeping His word about the coming Deliverer. Christ is the grace incarnate that the prophets anticipated.

This is why Paul could call Timothy his “son” – because Timothy was proving to be just as tenacious as Paul in heralding the prophetic message now realized in Jesus the Messiah.

Notice in 2 Corinthians 1:19, Paul reminds the Corinthians that he, Silvanus and Timothy all preached the same message – “the Son of God, Jesus Christ.” They were united in boldly proclaiming Christ as the fulfillment of God’s ancient promises spoken through the prophets.

Let’s go back for a second – Jesus is the embodiment of God’s grace. When you say Jesus is the grace of God, you are simply affirming that Jesus has brought to reality the salvation God promised would come. 

Jesus is God keeping His word, God bringing to pass what He pledged from ancient times. The man Jesus is the incarnation of God’s grace – His faithfulness made flesh to fulfill His promises of redemption. As Paul states in Titus 2:11-14, the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared in the person of Jesus Christ our Savior.

This is why Paul charges Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1 – “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” To be strong in this grace means being resolute that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the prophetic message. He is the realization of what the prophets testified about – the sufferings of the Messiah and the glory that would follow.

So this spiritual lineage Pual shares with Timothy represents a ministerial relationship of holding fast to the apostles’ doctrine – the prophetic testimony committed to them directly by God. When someone claims to be “Paul’s son” or a spiritual son/daughter, it means they are faithfully preaching the same grace and truth entrusted to the apostles.

Paul provides an example of this in 1 Corinthians 4:14-17. 

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

Paul is not their literal father, but he spiritually begat them through preaching the gospel, so they should imitate his example of holding to the apostolic message.

To summarize, when the apostles referred to their “sons”:

– They were not speaking of a literal, physical father-son relationship

– They were identifying those who embraced and preached the apostolic message.

– This spiritual sonship flowed from the indwelling Spirit revealing our adoption as God’s children  

– It represented a ministerial lineage of passing down the prophetic testimony given to the apostles by God Himself

So the next time you hear a minister call someone their spiritual son or daughter, assumign they also know what they’re saying, you should understand the profound significance. It’s an affirmation that they are united in preaching the same divine truth – the very promise of God testified by the prophets and apostles across generations.  

This spiritual lineage traces all the way back to the mouth of God. His promise was given to the prophets, written down by them, then preached by the apostles, and has been passed on by faithful ministers ever since. When you embrace this apostolic message, you join this lineage as a son or daughter of the truth.

However, it’s crucial to exercise discernment regarding who you allow to speak into your life with spiritual authority. Not everyone who claims this apostolic lineage genuinely represents it.  

John warned in 1 John 2:18-19 about antichrists who went out from among them, showing they were not truly part of the apostolic company. These deceivers departed from the apostles’ teaching.

Paul likewise warned the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:29-30 about savage wolves arising and speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after his departure. Corrupt men would distort the truth to create their own following.

So while celebrating the beauty of this spiritual lineage, we must be wise and discerning. Test the spirits and make sure those claiming this ministerial lineage are truly abiding in the apostles’ doctrine committed to them by God Himself through the prophets. Anyone departing from that apostolic foundation is not part of this lineage, regardless of their claims.

An Incredible Privilege  

But it’s not all fear and trembling.

This spiritual lineage reminds you that you are part of something greater – a long line of faithful witnesses proclaiming the eternal truth of God’s promise across generations. The same message that burned in the hearts of the prophets and apostles now burns in your heart by the Spirit. 

You have not just inherited a dry doctrine, but the very revelation from the mouth of God that has transformed lives for centuries. The authority you walk in does not come from mortal man, but from the eternal promise committed to the prophets and apostles by God Himself.

So embrace this reality, this spiritual lineage. Abide in the apostles’ doctrine. Preach the prophetic testimony committed to them by God. And join the countless sons and daughters across history who have had the unshakable revelation that they are children of the Most High God, heirs to an eternal inheritance.

Allow the reality of your spiritual adoption to fill you with confidence and unwavering faith. You are not an orphan, but a dearly loved child of the King. An entire lineage of overcomers in Christ has gone before you. Now the baton has been passed to you to run your leg of the race, fueled by the same apostolic message that has never lost its power.

Let this spiritual lineage put iron in your spiritual backbone. You are standing on the shoulders of giants – the prophets who received the very words of God, the apostles who were entrusted with that prophetic testimony. Their divine message courses through your veins by the Spirit. 

So preach with boldness, knowing you are an ambassador carrying forth an eternal promise that has toppled kingdoms and shaken nations. Confront darkness with the light of this gospel that exposes every deceptive work. Silence skeptics with the unshakable truth that has outlasted centuries of opposition.

This is your inheritance as a son or daughter of the apostolic lineage. You are a living embodiment of the gospel. You are not a novelty, but a continuator of the faith once for all delivered to the saints. So take your place in this great cloud of witnesses and run with perseverance, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of this faith that has been passed down to you. 

The Macedonian Example  

This concept of embodying the gospel message is powerfully exemplified by the Macedonian believers in 2 Corinthians 8:5. Paul marvels that they “gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by the will of God.” Their selfless conduct so impressed and emboldened him that he “urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete this act of grace for you” (2 Corinthians 8:6).

The grace they exhibited, this total giving of themselves, was the same grace found in Christ. As Paul recognizes, “The grace in Jesus is the grace by which the Macedonians gave.” When the gospel is faithfully preached, it becomes “the pattern of the believer” – not just their beliefs, but their conduct, thoughts and actions.

Paul saw in the Macedonians something so phenomenal that it made him quickly desire to send Titus to help complete this work. As he states in 2 Corinthians 8:6, “So much so that we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete this act of grace for you as well.”

The Preacher’s Pattern

To truly preach the gospel is not merely about words; it’s about a lifestyle that authenticates the message. There is a “sanity,” a “sobriety,” a distinct character and way that the gospel molds. Just as the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles embodied what they taught, so too must we live out the very truths we proclaim. 

As Paul emphasizes, gospel ministry has steps we will never take and steps we will always take, “because they are steps consistent with the message…consistent with preaching what the apostles preached, what the prophets preached.”

In essence, to be a true son or daughter in the faith is to walk in lockstep with those who have gone before us, never veering from the path blazed by the apostles’ teaching. It is to let the gospel so thoroughly permeate our lives that our actions become an unassailable testimony to its power. Our manner, our way, our very lifestyle preaches before we even open our mouths.

The gospel is not merely a message to rehearse, but a spirit to embody through a distinct “way” of living. Just as Paul could entrust Titus because he was his “true son,” so too must we prove ourselves faithful sons and daughters who never abandon the apostolic footsteps. There is a recognizable “spirit,” a “sanity” produced by the gospel that marks its true proclaimers.

My friend, if someone purports to be preaching the authentic gospel, yet their conduct violates its sacred truths, you can confidently respond, “You are not my father, for we do not walk in the same steps or spirit.” The gospel demands congruence between the message and the messenger’s lifestyle. Let its power so shape your character that your very being broadcasts the reality of its transforming truth.

When you truly embrace the gospel in your heart, it becomes the defining reality by which you are identified. Believing the gospel separates you as a “believer” and “child of God,” indwelt by the Spirit. Rejecting it marks you as an “unbeliever” and “sinner” opposed to God. The gospel’s content is so powerful, so sacred, that it divides all humanity into two spiritual categories based on their response to it.  

And this division isn’t just a one-time event – it’s an ongoing reality that should shape your identity and lifestyle. Paul says a faithful minister is marked by their continual posture of either “embracing or rejecting” the gospel (2 Timothy 3:8). Your spiritual steadfastness is measured by your high fidelity and commitment to stewarding the gospel truth you’ve received.

In Philippians 1:27, Paul exhorts the believers to “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” He’s calling them to let the gospel reshape their thoughts, attitudes and actions in every sphere of life. The gospel isn’t just a mental assent, but a transformative worldview that redefines your entire reality.

In 2 Corinthians 12:18, Paul says that true ministers must operate “by the same Spirit” and walk in “the same footsteps” as the apostles. In other words, the gospel you hear from a faithful pastor today should align with the very gospel preached by Paul, Peter, John and the other apostles who received it directly from Christ.

Your life should start exhibiting the same virtues, perspectives and “walk” that flowed from the apostles’ gospel understanding. Like Timothy, you should be able to hear your pastor’s words and recognize the same spirit and cadence as the apostolic writings themselves. A faithful minister will bear the marks of apostolic doctrine.

This is why the gospel is so sacred – you truly live and die by it, just as the apostles did. Preaching and teaching it is an enduring marathon, not a sprint.

As a minister who names the name of Christ (preaches the gospel), Paul says you must “depart from iniquity” in 2 Timothy 2:19. What iniquity is he referring to? The iniquity or immorality of unsound, false doctrine – saying or emphasizing anything that contradicts and departs from what the apostles preached from the prophets’ writings.

Look at verses 16-18 of chapter 2 for context: “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker…” Paul says there are certain “babblings” and false words from false teachers that you must shun and turn away from, because they spread like cancer and lead people away from the truth.  

He goes on in verse 18, “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” The “truth” he is referring to is the apostolic doctrine of the gospel founded on the scriptures. To depart from that is iniquity that overthrows people’s faith.

So in summary, as a minister of the gospel, you must continually depart from any false teachings, empty rhetoric, or overemphasis on anything that deviates from and casts doubt on the pure gospel revealed in the Old and New Testament scriptures. To do otherwise is to fall into ministerial iniquity and lead people astray from the truth.

The gospel makes a lifelong claim on you to marathon through the holy scriptures in your teaching and preaching, rightly dividing the word of truth that has been passed down from the apostles who learned it from the prophets’ writings. As Paul said, “The Lord knoweth them that are his” – the Lord knows and has sealed those sacred words of the gospel we must remain faithful to. There is no other message to proclaim.

I hope you have been blessed by the Gospel series. We will be putting a pause on it here for now, as we transition to a new series: The New Man in Christ.