ApostelloJournal

Text: Titus 1:4-9

Three Pillars of Church Administration

Contained within our text are three key areas of God’s administration in the Church.  The Apostle Paul as a good administrator addressed these areas in his Epistle to Titus.  Paul writes:  “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that you should set in order the things that a lacking, and ordain elders in every city, as I appointed thee⁵. . .Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.⁹”

Sound teaching (doctrine), qualified leadership (elders), and good order are the keys to successful ministry. Without these, any work will be in danger of failure.

The Importance of Sound Doctrine

The Apostle Paul continues in his letter to Titus:

            “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).   “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing un-corruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned. . .” (Titus 2:7-8).

Paul wrote to Timothy:

            “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained” (1 Timothy 4:6).  (See 1 Timothy 1:3, 10; 4:13; 16; 5:17; 6:1, 3; II Timothy 3:10, 16; 4:2, 3).

In his letters to Timothy and Titus we see the importance Paul placed on sound doctrine, or teaching.  As an Apostle, Paul founded churches in many cities.  It was critical to his effective and long standing ministry that these works be established on sound teaching.  Paul continually warned against false teaching (see his letter to the Galatians).

Paul wrote to the church at Rome:  “Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).  On a more positive note Paul wrote, “But God be thanked that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you” (Romans 6:17).

It is vital that our faith rest on the Scriptures and their correct interpretation given to us by the Holy Spirit.  Of the early church is it written: “And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). 

A fundamental part of our gatherings, in addition to prayer, singing, testimonies and sharing is the teaching of the word. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “How is it then brethren when you come together, everyone of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Be encouraged today.  Be joined to a fellowshp that follows the teachings of the Scriptures and let God order your life to His will and purpose.  We will be blessed in all we do, if we follow God's administration in our lives.

1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause”?

Cause (def): n. <fr Latin: causa> the grounds, reason, basis, rational motive, or justification for an action.

David and Goliath:  Removing the Reproach (Shame)

David had it in his heart to defend the honor and majesty of the Lord God.  The Philistine giant, Goliath, had come to defy Israel causing a great reproach (shame/disgrace) to come upon them.  David saw this and asked “What shall be done to the man that kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel?  For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

David as a type of Christ was willing to take the reproach upon himself and bear it at risk to his own life as Christ took our reproach upon Himself and saved us from our shame, our blame and judgment (see Psalm 69:9; Romans 15:3).

For This Cause:

Hezekiah: 2 Chronicles 32:20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven (See II Kings 19:14-16).

Pharoah:  Exodus 9:16  And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

The Cause of Marriage—The Great Mystery (Christ and the Church): Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? (See Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:7).  Ephesians 5:31-32  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Jesus, our Redeemer:  John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Jesus, the Truth:  John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.

Christ, our Mediator:  Hebrews 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

The Apostle Paul (Justification for His Actions):  Acts 28:20; Romans 15: 9; 1 Corinthians 4:17; Ephesians 3:14; Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Timothy 1:16; Titus 1:5.

There is a cause.  There is a reason, a rational motive and justification for our actions.  Let God ignite your heart and set it ablaze with His zeal and go forth in His Name.

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Gen. 49:10).

Shiloh: The place of rest; peaceable, pacific

The Patriarch Jacob spoke prophetic words over his sons before his death and his gathering unto the fathers.  His words to his son, Judah, are particularly relevant to us as Jacob prophesied of the coming Messiah, Christ Jesus our Lord.

In the Gospel of Matthew Christ declares, “Come unto Me. . .” (Matthew 11:28).  Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace, gives us an invitation to gather ourselves unto Him, to abide with Him, to stay with Him in a place of eternal rest.  We are invited to leave our present place under heavy labor carrying heavy burdens, to go to a new place of rest.  “Come unto Me” is an invitation to abandon self to obtain Christ.

Shiloh was a city of Ephraim, to the north of Bethel (House of God), on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem.  Shiloh was one of the earliest and most sacred of the Hebrew sanctuaries.  It was the temporary resting place of the Ark of the Covenant after the conquest of Canaan, when it was moved from Gilgal to Shiloh to the House of God there.  Shiloh is a type and shadow of the true place of rest in Christ during our journey in the land of promise, in the Kingdom of our God.

As we have alluded, Christ is the fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecy.  His words in Matthew 11:28-30 speak to us as salve upon a wound.  “Come unto me” is an invitation to “all ye that labor and are heavy laden.”  Along with the invitation to come to Him, we are asked to take His yoke upon us, to learn of Him.  His “yoke is easy and [His] burden is light.” In the taking of Christ’s yoke we find rest for our souls (Matt. 11:29-30).

Jacob said “Unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”  These words could also be translated “Unto him shall be the obedience of the nations.”  As we are gathered to Christ, we learn of Him, we learn obedience to His commandments.  The Apostle John says His commands are not grievous (1 John 5:3).  John further states that we overcome in Him by our faith (1 John 5:4).  So the place of gathering unto Christ (our Shiloh) is the place of obedient faith.  This is truly a place of resting from our own works, a true sanctuary.

The Scepter Belongs to Christ

The writer to the Hebrews says: “But unto the Son, he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:  a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom” (Heb. 1:8; Ps. 45;6).  Our text above could be translated “The scepter shall not depart from Judah...until He whose right it is comes.”  Shiloh is the true Prince of Peace, who’s right it is to reign in righteousness as the Son; and unto Him shall the obedience of all nations come, under His power, dominion and authority.  As it is written, “every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God” (Romans 14:11).  A scepter is a staff of authority.  It is carried by one who’s right it is to carry.  The Scepter of God is in the right hand of the Father, in Christ, the Son.  He rules and reigns in righteousness and peace forever.  Let us gather in obedience unto Him and find rest for our souls.

“Then cometh He to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.  Now Jacob’s well was there” (John 4:5-6a).

The Spirit of the Lord wants to share with us today a spiritual reality taken from a natural environment called Sychar (or Shechem originally).  Our text tells us Jesus went there to rest from His journey to Galilee and passed through Samaria on His way.  He rested at Jacob’s well near Sychar.

The location of Jacob’s well is significant for us for it is located in a very fertile valley between two mountains:  Mount Ebal to the North and Mount Gerizim to the South.  It is located on a water-summit with streams issuing from the numerous springs that flow to every slope of the valley, with spreading vegetation in all directions (see Smith’s Bible Dictionary [Shechem].

Christ specifically chose this location to give us a picture of the “living water” that He gives; as He said to the Samaritan woman: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and Who it is that saith to thee, ‘Give Me to drink;’ thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water” (John 4:10).

Between Two Mountains

This place of which we speak where was Jacob’s well, lies between two mountains that are very close in proximity to each other:  Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.  These two mountains represent the pronouncements of blessings and curses (see Deut. 27:11; and Joshua 24:23-25).

The Oak of Moreh at Shechem

Blessings and cursing were also spoken to Abraham when he was called by God to go to the Land of Canaan (see Genesis 12:1-7).  Abraham’s first place of encampment was by the Oak at Moreh at Shechem.  Moreh means “teacher.”  So the first place we abide is in the place of teaching.  Shechem means “shoulder.”  The government of the Lord is upon His shoulder (Isaiah 9:6).  So in this place of refreshing and rest we are taught the government of the Lord.  We are taught obedience to His Word, His will and authority.

The Eternal Place of Blessing

The water at Shechem was an aquifer that flowed forever.  It was Jacob who dug the well, and nourished himself and all the generations to follow; but even when the people of Israel were not in the land (during their sojourn in Egypt for over 400 years); yet that water was still there.  Christ, the giver of living water abides forever.  Were the Church to go into apostasy, false doctrine or lose its way (as it has often); yet, Christ will always be there for the people of God to return. Christ is the place of Blessing.  He is the eternal fountain of living water, Christ is the ever flowing aquifer, as He said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

And elsewhere Jesus said: “He that believeth on Me, as the Scriptures hath said, out of his belly (or innermost being) shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).

“And He looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the Treasury.  And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.  And He said, ‘Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God:  but she of her poverty hath cast in all the living that she had’” (Luke 21:1-4).

Def. Corban: (Greek) Strong’s #2878 Korban:—a gift devoted to God for sacred uses; a consecrated and sacrificial present or offering.  An oblation (sacred gift).

Def. Gift (Greek) Stong’s #1435 Doron—A special present; a sacrifice

Def. Gift (of God) (Greek) Stong’s #1431 Dorehah—from 1435; a gratuity

With all of us there is something that we value highly, that we hold dear or consider precious; something that we wish to hold onto.  There may be something in our lives that we would find difficult to release, or let go, or give away.

At a wedding a father gives his daughter to marry a young man.  Perhaps there is an heirloom that has been in the family from long past ancestry that is waiting to be passed down to the next generation.  There are precious things, priceless possessions that we love and cherish.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son” (John 3:16).  God gave the full measure of a Gift to save the world.  Jesus said to the woman at the well: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink. . .;” (John 4:10).

God the Father give the full measure of His Gift to the world, His only Begotten Son, out of His great love.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).  Salvation is a gift a “Doron” of God—a special, sacrificial present.

The Spirit of the Lord is speaking to our hearts today to declare something in our lives that we hold dear: Corban.  There is something in our lives that we are to consider a gift devoted to God for sacred uses.  We are to consecrate that gift and present it to God as a sacrificial offering; an oblation, a sacred gift. Corban is generally associated with a vow.  The gift is irrevocably dedicated or committed to God

The poor widow out of her great poverty gave all her living.  It wasn’t much in the eyes of man (two “mites”—the smallest denomination of Greek copper coins), but in the sight of Jesus she gave more than the rich men who gave only out of their abundance.  They gave their pocket change; she gave everything.

In three of the Gospels the story is told of a woman with an alabaster box of very precious ointment. She broke the box and poured the precious ointment over the head of Jesus.  Christ honored the gift of this woman and said that her story would forever be remembered as a memorial.  What is the Lord speaking to your heart today?  Respond to His calling and give the gift: the Corban, the Doron, the Dorehah that gives a full expression of your love for the Lord.

The Old Testament Prophets foretold the coming of the Kingdom of God; and in the fullness of time Christ appeared, bringing the message of the Kingdom.  God also sent His messenger, the prophet John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of the King.  John declared, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 3:2).  Jesus, likewise proclaimed this message (see Matthew 4:17).

The Kingdom of God as promised has come to us in power; but it has not come as man expected.  In the Gospel of Luke the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come.  Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  Neither shall they say, Lo Here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). 

When a special event occurs, such as an Inauguration of a new President, we observe it.  It is a date on the calendar.  There is a transfer of power and a transition into a new administration.  When a king or queen comes to power there is a Coronation with great pomp.  Jesus, however, says the Kingdom of God comes without observation. The Kingdom of God comes to us when we receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts by faith.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, “the Kingdom of God is not meat or drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).  The Kingdom of God is within us, in our hearts; and we live in the Kingdom of God by faith in God, in His Word, in His Gospel, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  We live under His dominion and authority.  We pray as Jesus prayed, “Thy will be done” (see Matt. 26:42).

Before Jesus ascended to heaven He gathered His disciples together.  They asked Him, “Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”  Jesus said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His own authority.  But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me” (Acts 1:6-8a).

This is the invisible Kingdom of God.  Jesus spoke of this to Pontius Pilate as recorded in the Gospel of John.  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews:  but now my kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).

The Kingdom of God is within us and it is an eternal Kingdom that cannot be shaken or removed.  The writer to the Hebrews wrote: “Wherefore, we, having received a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).

In the Gospel of Mark Jesus was asked regarding our obligations to human government authority, such as the payment of taxes.  Jesus answered them “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).  Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer to pray to our Heavenly Father, to honor Him as God for “Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen” (Matt. 6:13b).

The mysteries of Christ are being revealed to the saints even in this last day Church.  That which was first revealed to the holy Apostles and contained in the Scriptures is being disclosed by the Holy Spirit.  One of these previously hidden truths is the revelation of submission.

Biblical Submission

Biblical submission may be defined as coming together in unity and oneness of agreement by one agreeably yielding control to another’s authority, or will.

Biblical submission may be illustrated best by the example of our Lord found in the Gospel of Matthew 26:39, 42, 44 in the Garden of Gethsemane where three times Christ fervently prayed with the words, “Thy will be done.”  In these prayers Christ exemplified the truest example of Biblical submission.  As painful a sacrifice as it was, as contrary to the flesh as it was; yet Christ agreeably yielded control of His destiny to the will of the Father. 

Biblical submission is a deferring to, acceding to; i.e. to agree or express agreement with; to yield to, or to subject oneself to another.

Submission to the Authority of the Scriptures

In Ephesians 5:24 the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “Therefore, as the Church is subject unto Christ.”  We must ask ourselves, are we subject to Christ?  Are we praying, “Thy will be done”?  Are we agreeably yielding to His authority and will in our daily lives?  If we can honestly say yes; then we will assuredly follow His commands.  We will live in accordance with His revealed will as contained in the Scriptures.  The Scriptures are a powerful expression of the will and mind of Christ.  The Scriptures were given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (II Timothy 3:16).  The Scriptures will profit us “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” i.e. all that is in accordance with the right ways of the Lord.

Submission of Wives to Husbands

There is a reason why the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write to the Church at Ephesus, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22).  This command is not a yoke of bondage, it is not coming under the Law; it is a revelation of the relationship between Christ and the Church.  It is a vital part of the “in love” Oneness of Christ.  It is one side of the proverbial coin designed by God in Christ.  It is part of the wonderful, exclusive relationship between two who have become one.

Paul illustrated the Oneness of this exclusive relationship by writing:

²²Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  ²³For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and He is the Savior of the body.  ²⁴Therefore, as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything (Ephesians 5:22-24).

To the Colossians Paul wrote: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord” (Col. 3:18).  The phrase, “as it is fit” means: conforms to, agrees with, or corresponds with.  Wives are to be in submission to their husbands as this conforms with, is in agreement with, or corresponds with the Church’s submission to Christ.

The Blessings of Submission

Submission has great advantages and blessings that are inherent to the relationship.  When we submit to the Lord we come under His divine protection, i.e. we are secure in Him.  We come under His love and care, His watchful eye, His mighty hand of mercy.  We come into His provision.  We partake of His Presence in unity of heart and spirit.  We come under His covering of Grace.  The Scripture declares, “Wherefore, He says, ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble;’ submit yourselves therefore to God” (James 4:6-7a; see also I Peter 5:5).

Submitting to the covering of Grace is the recognition of Headship.  Christ is the head of the Church and only His glory must be seen.  Symbolically, this covering of the head of women by tradition was the recognition of the headship of the man.  Even the angels in the presence of the throne of God covered their faces and feet in submission to the glory of the Father (see Isaiah 6:2).  Therefore, the Apostle Paul makes reference to this point in I Corinthians 11:10 “For this cause ought the woman to have authority on her head [or a covering, a sign that she is in submission to her husband] because of the angels.”

We need not return to the traditions of men, but we do need to avoid the corrupting influence of the world.  We do need to have spiritual understanding of spiritual things in the Lord.  The Apostle Paul’s discourse on this issue in I Corinthians 11 is a teaching on this important element of our life in Christ.  These are heart issues, and the Lord is a discerner of our hearts (see Heb. 4:12).  In whatever capacity we are currently in as a husband or wife, as a child, or single man or single woman, let us humbly come before the Lord as His Body and live in accordance with His will.

The writer to the Hebrews states: “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).

The Apostle Peter wrote:  “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake . . . for so is the will of God that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (I Peter 2:13a, 15).