Good morning,

The word “wait” is defined as, “stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens, or used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

We do not like to wait. We live in a world of fast food, immediate news, and everything at our fingertips. No waiting.

Then, “Waiting on the Lord” is counter intuitive to the way we live life. The problem for believers in Christ is that the Bible tells us to wait.

We are to wait for our salvation, strength, answered prayers, protection, and instruction.

STRENGTH

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)

As I grow older, I do not posses the physical strength that I had when I was younger. When I wait on the Lord, He strengthens and refreshes me. Waiting on the Lord also strengthens the heart. The stress we exert on our hearts from the fast-paced world we live in is destructive. Bad food, stress, lack of exercise, have caused our hearts to become diseased. We need God to strengthen our hearts.

Will you take time out of your busy day and wait on God? It is medicinal.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The word “wait” is defined as, “stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens, or used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

We do not like to wait. We live in a world of fast food, immediate news, and everything at our fingertips. No waiting.

Then, “Waiting on the Lord” is counter intuitive to the way we live life. The problem for believers in Christ is that the Bible tells us to wait.

We are to wait for our salvation, strength, answered prayers, protection, and instruction.

SALVATION

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” (Psalm 62:1)

“The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.²⁶ It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26)

“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.” (Proverbs 20:22)

Israel was looking to the Lord for their salvation. They waited on the Lord, looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

Today, we are looking from the cross. Jesus has come and paid the sin debt we owe. John 3:15-17 tells us, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

If you have not believed on Jesus Christ for your salvation, please do so now! Call me if you have questions.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

“FEW portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister? Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer.” (Adam Clarke)

This week we will look at Titus’ command to teach sound doctrine, what to teach and to whom, and the place of grace in the Christian life.

The Place of Grace in the Christian Life

Saving Grace (2:11)

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

What Grace Teaches Us (2:12-13)

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

The Heart of the God of Grace (2:14)

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

The Messengers of Grace (2:15)

“These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

Salvation appeared to all men. Jesus Christ gave Himself to redeem mankind. Go tell others.

Go with the authority of God. Go boldly. Ours is a life changing message.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“FEW portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister? Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer.” (Adam Clarke)

This week we will look at Titus’ command to teach sound doctrine, what to teach and to whom, and the place of grace in the Christian life.

Paul exhorted Titus to teach the word to several groups of people. Paul stressed that each group was to be taught differently.

Aged Men (2:2)

“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”

Aged Women (2:3-5)

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Young Men (2:6)

“Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.”

Titus and his practical example to the young men (2:7-8)

“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,⁸ Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”

Servants (2:9-10)

“Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;¹⁰ Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.”

Titus needed to understand the needs of the people of Crete. Specifically, the believers. Each group needed different emphasis and encouragement.

The aged women seem to receive the most teaching and bear the greatest responsibility. These verses are similar to Proverbs 31.

Today our Pastors need to incorporate these principles in their teaching and preaching.

This leads to sound doctrine.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

“FEW portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister? Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer.” (Adam Clarke)

This week we will look at Titus’ command to teach sound doctrine, what to teach and to whom, and the place of grace in the Christian life.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (TITUS-2.docx, DOCX, 15KB)

Good morning,

“FEW portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister? Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer.” (Adam Clarke)

This week we will look at Titus’ command to teach sound doctrine, what to teach and to whom, and the place of grace in the Christian life.

Titus’ command to preach sound doctrine (2:1)

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”

This sets Titus apart from the people described at the end of Titus 1. They may teach legalism and fables, but Titus was to teach the things which are proper for sound doctrine.

Sound doctrine produces right living. We can’t escape it. The Bible is a book that tells us how to live. It is the height of hypocrisy to say that we believe its truth if we ignore how it tells us to live our lives. We don’t always like it, but we always need to hear how God expects us to live.

Paul simply wants Titus to fulfill the command of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20: “…Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”

It is the duty of Pastors to teach sound doctrine. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Church doctrine, prophets, wise men, have incorrectly interpreted God’s clear teaching. Thus, deceiving their people with heresy.

The only way that we as believers in Christ will know what correct doctrine is, is to know what the Bible says. To do that we must be willing to read it, study it, meditate on its precepts, and obey.

Thu we will look at what should be preached and to whom.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

The book of Titus tells how Paul encourages Titus to plant the church in Crete.

Chapter one tells us of Paul’s mission for Titus, the problem and problem makers at Crete, the witness against the Cretians, and the solution to the problem.

This week we will focus on each of these items.

Paul’s solution for Titus (1:6-8, 11, 13, 9)

Paul gives Titus guidance on who to choose to be elders and bishops.  

^“If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.⁷ For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;⁸ But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;”

Then confrontation with those who teach false doctrine.

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. (1:11)

This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; (1:13)

Finally, the key is God’s word, the Bible. The Bible is our weapon to confront the unbelievers and deceivers.

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (1:9)

That is why it is so important to know what the Bible says, understand its teaching, and be able to share it with others.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The book of Titus tells how Paul encourages Titus to plant the church in Crete.

Chapter one tells us of Paul’s mission for Titus, the problem and problem makers at Crete, the witness against the Cretians, and the solution to the problem.

This week we will focus on each of these items.

The witness (1:12-14)

¹² One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.¹³ This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; ¹⁴ Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

We have the same type of people in our cities and towns. Some preach false doctrines or pervert the gospel message. Their intent is to turn believers and unbelievers from the truth.

Paul tells Titus not to give heed to these people. We must rebuke them.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

If we know God’s word, we will not be deceived!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The book of Titus tells how Paul encourages Titus to plant the church in Crete.

Chapter one tells us of Paul’s mission for Titus, the problem and problem makers at Crete, the witness against the Cretians, and the solution to the problem.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (Introduction-to-Titus.docx, DOCX, 18KB)

Download (Titus-1.docx, DOCX, 14KB)

Good morning,

The book of Titus tells how Paul encourages Titus to plant the church in Crete.

Chapter one tells us of Paul’s mission for Titus, the problem and problem makers at Crete, the witness against the Cretians, and the solution to the problem.

This week we will focus on each of these items.

The problems and problem makers at Crete (1:10-11, 15-16)

The problem (1:10-11)

¹⁰ For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:¹¹ Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

The character of these difficult people (1:15-16)

¹⁵ Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. ¹⁶ They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

The problems Titus faced in the first century are the same we face today. People who do not care about the truth, but pervert it. They try to deceive church members by division, false teaching, and outright lies.

They deny God, His teachings, and His people. Some seem very nice and can be very convincing, but they are of the devil.

We will know them because what they say, what they do, and their manner of life are not in agreement with Scripture.

That does presuppose that people who name the name of Christ, call themselves believers in Christ, and say they are Christians know what God’s word says. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Many church’s today do not teach their congregation the Bible. Many of the ones that do, do not teach the Bible correctly.

That is why Church goers are easy prey for the deceivers.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001