Taste & See That the Lord is Good

In the first part of Psalm 34, the psalmist calls upon us to taste and see that the Lord is good in verse 8, an odd expression to us. This is while David is fleeing from Saul for his life, and he ends up among the Philistines in I Samuel 21:10-12. He goes from one bad situation to another, and he realizes that he must turn to God if he is to survive to be king. During this time, he writes Psalm 34.

David calls for deliverance in the first four verses, and the later part of the chapter is focused on those who would come to his aid. David calls himself a poor man when the Lord helps him, and this verse leads into verse 8. In this analogy, how does our relationship with God relate to our tastes?

The Taste of God’s Goodness.

• Often, when we want food, we want it soon. I John 4:13-17 encourages that God wants us to lean on Him, to rely on Him. He is there any time we need Him.
• Additionally, we desire fresh food when we hunger. I Corinthians 4:16-18 gives us a refreshing message of the hope in God. Eternity waits for us in Him.
• We want food that fills us. John 6:35 records Jesus calling Himself the bread of life, giving a message of spiritual and eternal fulfillment, a quenching of our hunger and thirst.
• We sometimes fear trying something new. We have to give up some control when we submit ourselves to a new experience, Proverbs 3:1-12 encourages us to give spiritual control to God. It can be scary, but He assures that He provides for us.
• The best meals in life are often free. Romans 6:20-23 calls us free from sin, receiving fruits of sanctification. His gift to us is free if we but submit to Him and give Him control.

Sometimes we like to smell our food before taking a bite. It may guard us from risking something we don’t like, but Psalm 34:8 blesses the one who simply trusts in God. He praises the man who partakes of God’s goodness freely and without hesitation.


Confidence in God
Consider Psalm 18, which Paul writes later in his life. Can we call God our refuge or our rock? Can we face death and destruction with God at our sides? Do we call to Him in our distress? God hears us. He knows when our hearts need Him the most. In this chapter, David trusts the strength of the Lord, the forgiveness of the Lord, and the security of the Lord. Can we express this same confidence? David says he will praise God before the nations for the salvation he gains in Him.

How are we experiencing God’s goodness? Are we just smelling, just sampling, or are we completely giving ourselves over to that hope? God invites us to experience all He has to offer, but, in doing so, we must completely give ourselves over to Him.

lesson by Donn Koonce

Nehemiah: The Servant Leader

Sometimes we take leadership skills from the business world and try to apply them to shepherding a flock of Christians, but these skills are often far from the type of leadership we see in the Bible. One such example we have is Nehemiah, a man who leads through service. He is one example we have of a servant leader in the Bible.

A Personally Involved Leader
In Nehemiah 1:1-11, Nehemiah hears of the state of Jerusalem, its walls, and the temple. His response to this news is to pray. He refers to himself as God’s servant, and he dedicates himself to leading God’s people as His servant. He has a clear recognition of a specific need. He is personally concerned with that need. The condition of Jerusalem drives him to tears, and these emotions drive him to action. Throughout his book, Nehemiah will display a variety of emotions, and he uses these emotions to help him lead God’s people.

Before all else, Nehemiah goes to God. He prays for the ability to help his people, and he prays for success in that endeavor. Moreover, as a leader, Nehemiah wants to be in the middle of things. He wants to help take care of these needs personally rather than step back and allow others to pick up the slack. Nehemiah recognizes that a leader needs to be personally involved.

A Rational Leader
In Nehemiah 2:1-10, Nehemiah meets with king Artaxerxes regarding his wishes. He waits rationally to approach his king, roughly four months in this text. He considers and waits for the right opportunity, and the king provides it when asking about Nehemiah’s condition. At this point, Nehemiah again prays before answering his master. He turns to God before turning to himself.

Starting in verse 8, Nehemiah outlines his plan for Jerusalem, including a timeline upon which the king can rely. He asks for letters to obtain the materials and services he needs. Clearly, Nehemiah has been planning out the details of his vision, and when the time came, he was able to give answer regarding his plans, and he trusted God’s power to help his plan come to fruition.

A Motivated Leader
Chapter 2:17-18 demonstrates the strong motivation in Nehemiah’s heart. Additionally, we do not see Nehemiah approach those in Jerusalem negatively. He does not berate them for past inaction. Rather, he pushes them toward future progress. We need to be able to move forward and press on rather than dwell on past failures if we are to lead God’s people.

With progress comes opposition, however. Sanballat and Tobaiah stand against these efforts, but Nehemiah, in chapter 2:19, stands up to this opposition and reaffirms his trust in God. Nehemiah 4:1-3 records more opposition from these individuals. They mock the Jews rebuilding the walls. Nehemiah again returns to God. He does not let the taunts tear him down nor does he personally retaliate. He goes to God, and he stays on task.

An Encouraging Leader
Nehemiah 4:10 reveals that the labor and the discouragement is taking a toll on the workers. The task seems insurmountable, and the opposition appears overwhelming. This discouragement robs people of their strength and vision. It damages their confidence and their sense of security. As Christians, we have a hope and confidence in Heaven, and we cannot give in to the various influences tearing us away from that hope.

How does Nehemiah respond to their discouragement? Starting in chapter 4:13, he unifies their efforts. In verse 14, he directs their attention toward God. In verse 15-17, he balances thoughts with actions. He makes a plan to keep everyone involved, and he determines a rallying point around hope in God in verse 20.

A Servant Leader
In Nehemiah 4:22-23, Nehemiah demonstrates that he will stand side-by-side with those he was leading in their efforts. He was servant to his earthly king, and he becomes a servant in leading the people of his true King. We are all building a structure in our own lives. Their are times when our efforts crumble and falter. There are times when we need to rebuild. We can encourage one another, be motivated to serve God and others, and be spiritual leaders like the one we seen in God’s servant Nehemiah.

lesson by Ben Lanius

Paul's Answer to Felix

If someone was to ask you why you live how you do, why do you believe what you do, how would you answer? How would you use this single chance? We might talk about the gospel’s power to save, the good news contained in that message. We might appeal to the so-called steps of salvation. By these qualities, we might defend our hope.

Paul, in Acts 24, has this opportunity when he presents his defense before Felix, and he takes an approach quite different from one we might make. In verse 42 of this chapter, Felix and his wife inquire of Paul about the path he has chosen. In verse 25, Paul reasons from righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.

On Righteousness
Righteousness is simply holiness in daily thought and action. Our conduct and our attitudes reflect our righteousness. Romans 12:1-2 instructs us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice in our spiritual service. Paul calls on us to be different from the world, separate and distinct in our thoughts and actions. I Peter 1:13-16 instructs to prepare our minds, setting our hope on God and reflecting His holiness in our lives. Romans 1:16-17 affirms God’s power to save through the gospel, demonstrated in those who live by faith, those whose lives are defined by their service to God.

Romans 10:1-3 records Paul praising the zeal of his national brethren, but he warns that they should not be satisfied by their own standard of righteousness. The same is true of us today. God does not compare our level of righteousness to those around us. He compares us to His standard, even if those standards call for changes in our lives that we may be hesitant to make. Our standards must raise to God’s standard.

On Self-Control
Self-control is a personal application of what we know to be right as guided by God’s will. Proverbs 25:28 calls one lacking self-control like a city whose defenses are destroyed. (Remember the importance of walls and defenses around cities during this time period.) Self-control is our defense against forces that can tear us down. Galatians 5:22-23 groups this quality with other fruits of the spirit like love and kindness. II Peter 1:5 instructs us to work on self-control as we develop the qualities of our faith. Also, Titus 1:8 applies this quality to those who would help oversee a congregation.

We don’t always want to be in control of self. We don’t like others to monitor us, and sometimes we neglect to monitor our selves. We want to do what we want to do, but God tells us to guide ourselves by His will rather than by our own will. In I Corinthians 7:5 warns against the devil’s willingness to tempt the limits of our self-control. We cannot drop our defenses, or our adversary will overtake us. We must use God’s word to equip us to control ourselves.

On Judgment
God’s judgment emphasizes personal accountability. Romans 13:12 warns that all will give an account before God, and Ecclesiastes 12:14 says all works will be brought to judgment, secret or otherwise. II Corinthians 5:10 tells us we will all be revealed for who we are before Christ’s judgment seat. However, we may convince ourselves that God will take us in even when we have rejected Him. He has demonstrated His love to us by offering up His own son in our place, but we cannot continue to resist Him. Matthew 25 depicts God dividing people on His right and His left. We should be living so, when we are judged, we know that we will have an Advocate in Christ.

Conclusion
The faith we have in Christ Jesus is not dependent on my feelings or my own standards. It is rooted in our confidence in God’s word and our submission to that word. In Acts 24, when presented with these arguments, Felix sends Paul away until a more convenient time. He leaves Paul in jail, does visit him in hopes of a bribe. It seems Felix’s convenient time never comes.
What are we waiting for to make the changes in our lives that we need? Will we, like Felix, simply put God off? He is waiting for us to come to Him, but we must come to Him on His terms, striving to reflect His righteousness, exercising self-control, and submitting to His mercy preparing for that judgment to come.

lesson by Tim Smelser

Faith In God Rather Than Man

Why should I go through the struggle of living faithfully? What makes the effort worth it? Sometimes, faithful Christians may look around and see the abuses in the name of Jesus, the hypocrisy demonstrated by too many who wear His name, and we wonder why we’re a part of this. Philippians 2:12 encourages us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Now, this is not indicating that we each figure out our own way to Jesus. Instead, Paul is warning us against attaching our faithfulness to what we see in others. Our journey to Heaven is a personal one. We may help others and be helped by others, but our faith cannot hinge upon them.

In I Corinthians 1:14, Paul deals with the issue of people hanging their faithfulness on those who converted them, and he calls this carnal thinking. Verse 29-31 says no flesh should glory before God but rather in the Lord. Chapter 2:4 records Paul saying his teachings are in the power of God rather than the wisdom of men. It makes no difference, he is explaining, who baptizes you. What matters is the adherence to God’s word.

Maintaining Hope
In Genesis 3 & 4, Adam and Eve are blessed by God, living in an idyllic garden called Eden. They have but one condition, and they disobey. Then, in chapter 4, we read of Cain and Abel. What if Abel had been a defeatist due to the failings of his parents? Instead, he gives his best. Additionally, what if Seth had given up based on his parents and the actions of his brother Cain. Genesis 4:16, Seth and his family maintain worshipping the Lord.

I Samuel 20:30 records Saul growing angry with his son Jonathan due to his son’s friendship with Saul’s perceived rival David. Saul goes as far as attempting to kill Jonathan. Again, what if Jonathan had given up on David because of this? I Samuel 20:41-42 has David and Jonathan affirming their friendship in spite of these obstacles. Jonathan could have turned on David based on his father’s influence, but he does not. In I Samuel 8:1-6, we see a contrast. God’s prophet Samuel has sons who do not walk in his ways or God’s ways. Where Saul’s wickedness does not impact his child, Samuel’s children do not negate his faithfulness.

In Colossians 4:14, Paul is writing from house arrest. As he concludes his letter, sending greetings to specific saints, and he mentions one named Demas who is working with him. He is also recorded in Philemon verse 24. II Timothy 4:10 records a contrast, though, where Demas abandons Paul, loving this present world. All of the good he does for Paul is not negated by his actions. Likewise, Diotrephes in III John verse 9 has fallen, but any good he had accomplished before is not erased by this.

Conclusion
Men are fallible, and even our personal heroes fall. Noah, David, Peter – these and more are heroes of faith. However, even these struggled and fell short of God’s word. We remember the those involved in the incestuous relationship of I Corinthians, but II Corinthians 7 speaks of godly sorrow that brings repentance. Just because we see others, even those we admire, fall short, we have no reason to throw aside our faith.

The children of Israel carried into Babylon captivity were surrounded by the unrighteous, but some return as a righteous remnant who maintained hope despite many reasons to cast it aside. Onesimus obeys the gospel despite being in the wrong, and Philemon remains faithful despite being wronged by Onesimus. In Revelation 2, God speaks of righteous individuals, even in congregations full of those displeasing to Him.

While we draw strength from each other, and we can be discouraged by each other, our faith is ultimately between ourselves and God. Our hope and our salvation is in Him alone, and no man can take that from us.

lesson by Tim Smelser

Ephesians 4 & Our Interactions

Ephesians 4:11 begins discussing diverse roles we can fill in a church, and the scope of these verses is the church at large. Ephesians 2 begins establishing the fact that Jew and Gentile are one in Christ. Imagine coming to the conclusion that Jesus can save you from your sins, but you will be working with those who hold you in contempt. Many Jews and Gentiles felt this way about each other in the first century. Conversation may have become hostile at times as their differences would come to a head, but Paul, in Ephesians 2:15, reinforces that Christ brings peace. He calls them fellow citizens, and he calls them one body in the next chapter.

Chapter 4:1-3 emphasize an attitude of humility that leads to unity in the church, and the makeup of the Ephesian congregation would have possibly had a hard time accomplishing this. Paul reminds them that they are no longer of the world, no longer Jews or Gentiles but new creatures. In Ephesians 4:25, Paul begins to discuss the conduct that should be reflected in these who have put on spirituality.

Four Principles of Godly Communication
Ephesians 4:25 is often applied to our speech – our language, lying, etc. While these are good applications, Paul is addressing some principles of communication in these verses. This passage outlines how we are to interact with our brothers and sisters.

Honesty. Ephesians 4:25 tells us to put away falsehood and to deal honestly with one another. This is for the sake of unity. Nothing divides Christians more than partisanship, misrepresentation, and suspician. While we may not have a problem with outright lies, we may have issues with misrepresentations. We may skew facts or events to cast ourselves in abetter light.

Think of Ananias and Sapphira who misrepresent the percentage of their finances that they give. God treats this as a lie. Think of the life of Jesus where the scribes and Pharisees would incite the people against Him by misusing and misrepresenting his words. In the book of Romans, Paul deals directly with others taking his words out of context to make him look like he was saying something untrue.

We may utilize hyperbole: “Everyone thinks that…;” “I’ve always seen…” We may exaggerate. We may leave facts out. We are a spiritual family, and we should avoid getting caught up in these kind of subtle falsehoods. Our goal should be unity, and that is accomplished through honesty, fairness, and openess in our conversations with one another.

Remain Current. In verses 26-27, Paul entreats us to avoid sin in our anger. There are things that happen, things that are said, that hurts our feelings, hurt our pride, and make us angry. Ephesians 4:1-2 calls for us to be long-suffering and to exercise forbearance. Do we hold on to our anger? Do we let it fester? Do we stew over our frustrations? Paul says we can be angry, after all.

In this passage, Paul may be quoting Psalm 4:4 which makes the same appeal, calling on us commune with our hearts and be still. In Ephesians, Paul warns us against letting the sun set on our wrath. Our moments of anger should only be brief. Psalm 4:5 says to worship God after we deal with anger, and Matthew 5:23-24 records Jesus telling his listeners to reconcile with those they’ve wronged before worshipping God.

When we dwell in anger, we open a door to the devil according to Ephesians 4:27. Anger is little more than wounded pride, leading to resentment and animosity. What if the Grecian widows of Acts 17 had held on to their hurt and continued to revisit it? What affect would that have had on the Jerusalem church. What if Philemon held Onesimus’ flight over his head instead of forgiving him? What if Peter and Paul had been unable to get past the events of Galatians 2? We must learn from the past, but we cannot use it as a weapon.

Address the problem, not the person. In Ephesians 4:29, Paul speaks of corrupt speech, and the only other times this Greek word is used is in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, speaking of rotten trees and fruit. It is defined as something unprofitable and worthless. We may say some rotten things toward each other, and it can be hard to separate what is said from who said it.

We can disagree without being disagreeable, and verse 30 encourages to use speech that is edifying, spiritually beneficial, and gracious. When we attack each other, we grieve God’s Spirit. Our actions can actually bring grief to deity. Rather, we should patient with each other as God is patient with us.

Act; don’t react. This takes serious self-control. Seldom do we speak of reacting to something in a positive light. We seldom think about our words or measure our actions when we are busy reacting. Proverbs 29:20 condemns the one who is hasty in his words, who is reactive, as hopeless. Proverbs 18:13 calls it shameful to give answer without listening to the other side.

We want to be quick in inserting our arguments into a discussion. However, Ephesians 4 tells us this type of conduct brings about bitterness, wrath, and anger. Negative reactions give birth to more negative reactions, so Paul says to put these qualities away in Ephesians 4:31. In verse 32, he asks us to put on kindness, forgiveness, and tenderness. Unlike the reactive qualities, these take effort and initiative.

Walking In Love
Ephesians 4:32-5:2 reminds us that we are imitators of God, and that we should be walking in the love of Christ. We are one in God’s eyes. In our group settings and private settings, we should look at Ephesians 4 and ask if we are conducting our relationships as God would have us. We can build each other up in how we interact with each other, patient and loving toward each other, helping each other toward our spiritual home.

lesson by Tim Smelser

Prevailing In Defeat

What if we had to flee our own country for our own safety? What if we had to return home, knowing that circumstances may not yet be safe? Imagine if, upon returning home, you knew an army was standing in your way. These are the circumstances upon which Jacob returns home after his time working for Laban. Jacob knows that Esau had vowed to murder him after the death of their fathers. He doesn’t know what to expect upon return.

In Genesis 32, Jacob sends messengers to meet Esau, and they tell Jacob that his brother is coming out to meet him with four hundred men. Jacob divides his house and prepares to die. He seems to expect Esau to fulfill the threat he made some twenty years prior. He prays to God, and someone appears to him and wrestles with him in verse 24. Hosea 12:3-4, the prophet identifies this man as an angel of God. As dawn breaks, the two are at a draw. The angel somehow dislocates Jacob’s hip, and he renames Jacob as Israel. In this, God is teaching Jacob a lesson, and He is teaching us through him.

Relating to God Through Jacob
When, in His word, we hear of God confronting man, that man represents you and me. This struggle demonstrates how a relationship with God is difficult. Up to this point, Jacob has been on a journey, and his views have turned more spiritual the longer he has been away. At this point, he has resigned himself to death. He has given up self, and the result is true blessings. Jacob once was a manipulator and a schemer. Now he is in God’s hands, and it’s in God that blessings will come.

This conflict ultimately results in a change in Jacob, and our relationship with God should change us. Jacob changed from usurper to Israel, prince of God. Likewise, we shed our old identity when we enter into our relationship with God. We displace the man of sin and become a nation of priests, heirs of God’s promise.

Victory in Defeat
A paradox exists in this struggle. Jacob receives his blessing because he prevails. Even after Jacob’s hip is dislocated, the angel says Jacob prevailed. Hosea says Jacob prevailed. He physically lost the struggle with the angel, but he prevails because of his defeat. He becomes bold in faith when he can no longer rely on self. Up to this point, Jacob has prevailed time and again by the world’s standards through carnal methods. In losing a conflict with God, Jacob wins spiritually. He now has to rely on God for his blessings.

In a way, this struggle illustrates the power of prayer. God opposes our sinful will, and we must wholly submit ourselves to Him. Like Jacob, we prevail in God’s eyes when we completely humble ourselves. Selfishly relying on our own resources, our own resources sets us as antagonists with God. It is only when we truly empty our selves and trust in Him that we can overcome.

Back in Genesis 32:11, Jacob asks for deliverance from Esau, and he reminds God of His promises. He treats his relationship with God as a bargain, and identifies God as belonging to his forefathers Abraham and Isaac. Contrast this with Genesis 33 after his teary reunion with Esau. In verses 9-11, a the brothers debate Esau’s acceptance of Jacob’s gifts. Jacob finally demonstrates his understanding of God’s role in his blessings. He recognizes God, in verse 20, as the God of Israel. God is no longer that of his fathers, but he takes ownership of his personal relationship with God.

We cannot rely on ourselves and on God. We cannot be full of His spirit and full of ourselves. Do we view God as God of our parents or grandparents? We must humble ourselves in His sight, so He can lift us up. We must defeat ourselves, so we can prevail in Him.

lesson by Tim Smelser

A Congregational Team

Everyone on a team is important. It’s the time of year when college basketball fans are watching their favorite teams. In I Corinthians 16:9 demonstrates the relationship between great adversities and great opportunities, and, in a great basketball program, a coach has to mold a group of diverse individuals into a cohesive team. Things may be difficult, but the end result is stronger for the trials. In our congregations, it all boils down to our people and our service to God. There are four action steps we can take to be a better team of Christians.

Four Qualities of a Good Team Member

• We must have a team concept. We cannot think as individuals. We cannot all want the same role. We have different abilities and talents, and we all have something to contribute. Ephesians 4:11 speaks of different gifts and abilities that serve to build up Christ’s body and bring unity. Our working together in love edifies our body. I Corinthians 12:12 demonstrates the importance of each individual in the group through the importance of our diverse bodily organs. Even those parts that seem weak are important, and the whole body comes together in sympathy or joy with those members who are hurting or rejoicing. Matthew 25:14 records that parable of the servants who each have resources to invest. A difference in resources is no excuse for a lack of participation. We all have work to do.
• We must work all season and for the entire game. In I Corinthians 9:24, Paul encourages us to run our race with the prize in our minds. It takes self-control, dedication, and commitment to see our work through to the end. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to have endurance to reach the conclusion Christ has authored for us. In Luke 9:62, Jesus says we cannot look back after putting our mind to His work. We have to focus ahead on our next opportunity to complete God’s mission.
• We must compete legally. We have to follow God’s rules for the game. In II Timothy 2:5, Paul reinforces this point. Perhaps in secular sports, we can get away with breaking the rules, but this is impossible with God. II John 9 warns us against going beyond the teachings of God’s word. The gray areas that can exist in sports rule-books, but no shades of gray exist in God’s law. Revelation 22:18-19 warns against adding or subtracting from His prophecies. God’s word is final, and we have to abide in it.
• We have to take responsibilities. We can’t make excuses for our lack of resources or for other circumstances stacked against us. Peter and Judas both betray Christ, but their reactions to their own errors are vastly different. Paul, in II Corinthians, praises the congregations in Macedonia, for overcoming financial odds in contributing to the Lord’s work. They did not let circumstances dictate their efforts.

Trying Versus Doing
We understand that simply trying is not enough to succeed. We have to hold ourselves accountable. We have to put our best efforts forward. II Timothy 6:12 describes our work as a fight. It is not something into which we can enter casually. It may require sacrifice. It may be difficult and trying. Our relationship with the Lord is not a trial run. It is a commitment. We are told to strive, to endeavor, to run, to press on. How might David’s encounter with Goliath had turned out differently had David been less sure of God’s protection.

Our results as a congregation are directly correlated with the commitment of our members. We must believe in what we’re doing. We cannot make excuses. We must work by God’s standards, and we cannot give up before our task is completed. In II Peter 2:21 calls turning back worse that never trying. We give up, and we lose all we have worked for. We have a goal before us. Let us press forward to our goal, working together as a team of Christians, sharing a hope in the prize we have set before us.

lesson by Mike Mahoney

Titus & Corinth

Titus is only mentioned a few times in the New Testament, and he’s mentioned the most in the book of II Corinthians. He is in the salutation of chapter 1:1. He is someone Paul obviously holds in high esteem. In Titus 1:4, Paul calls Titus a son in his faith. Paul feels an affinity and kinship in their faith. In II Corinthians 8:23, Paul calls Titus his partner and fellow worker. In Galatians 2:1, Paul refers to Titus as a traveling companions, and this is possibly referring to the events of Acts 11-12 when Paul and Barnabas take issue with teachers who were trying to impose Jewish customs upon new Christians. Finally, Galatians 2:3 refers to Titus as someone who comes directly out of pagan traditions, and Paul uses him as an illustration of the gospel’s power to save. Paul and Titus have gone through much together, and Paul sees Titus as someone upon whom he can rely.

Titus’ Work With Corinth
II Corinthians 1 opens with Paul and Timothy greeting the saints of Corinth, and Titus is associated with doing work with the Corinthian Christians. In chapter 8:23, Paul calls Titus a worker for their benefit, and, back in verse 6, we Titus gathering funds for needy saints in Jerusalem. This may have preceded the events of I Corinthians (see I Corinthians 16:1), and Paul encourages him to finish this work. II Corinthians 7:6 seems to record another trip by Titus, and this is to Paul from the Corinthians. He calls Titus a comfort, and he’s grateful for the news brought by Titus of Corinth’s repentance. He relies on Titus to assess the effects of his first letter to these brethren. Verses 13-14 record Paul even boasting to Titus about Corinth’s potential.

In II Corinthians 2:13, Paul speaks of anxiety over not recently seeing Titus regarding news from Corinth. Chapter 7:6 describes Titus’ arrival as comfort from God, and Paul and his companions rejoice at his arrival. Paul had stuck his neck out for the congregation in Corinth – a congregation that had previously dealt with class discrimination, tolerance of sin, secular conflict, and sectarian leanings. This is the setting into which Paul sends Titus, telling his companion of the potential Corinth displays despite their shortcomings.

Titus’ Attitude Toward Corinth
Is the congregation at Corinth on with whom we would gladly worship? Paul would. Barnabas would. Titus would, but we will not. Many times, we give up on each other too quickly. Again, II Corinthians 7:13 speaks of the joy these brethren give to Titus. They refresh his soul. Verse 15 tells of Titus’ encouragement in their obedience, and chapter 8:22 calls Titus confident in Corinth. He demonstrates attitudes and qualities that we would do well to emulate in our work with fellow Christians.

• Titus builds on the good. We use bulldozers to clear land, but we have to build skyscrapers. We have to build on the good we find in others. We cannot dwell on tearing down. II Corinthians 8:21 records Paul saying that their focus is on the honorable. There was much negative about Corinth, but Titus builds instead of destroys.
• Titus works toward completion. The journeys involved in Titus’ work were not easy. He overcomes hardships to continue and finish the work set upon him. He could have given up, citing the difficulty of his tasks, but he doesn’t. He endures to complete his work.
• Titus is earnest as Paul. The Corinth congregations, as far as we can tell, starts in Acts 18. Paul sets up the congregation, and Titus could have seen the issues in that congregation as somebody else’s problem. He has no investment in Corinth. It’s Paul’s baby, but Titus takes up the mantle to help with these brothers and sisters as earnestly as if he had helped build the congregation.
• Titus takes initiative. Titus volunteers to help according to II Corinthians 8:17. How many needs do we fill grudgingly or resentfully? Titus shows no resentment in the things Paul asks of him.
• Titus deepens his love for the unlovable. Christian love is not reciprocal. Ours is a love that is given freely regardless of the response. We could call Corinth an unlovable group, but Titus demonstrates love toward them in the work he does with them and in the joy he takes in their efforts.

Conclusion
Can we call ourselves Titus? We can learn to look for and build upon the good in others. We can stick with our work in Christ toward its completion. We can help others deal with their problems, for they are our problems too. We can take the initiative to help others and fill responsibilities where needed. We can show the love of Christ even when others may not love us back. Titus shines as an example to us, and we should strive to be like him in how we interact with those outside the flock, other Christians, and other congregations.

lesson by Tim Smelser