Weekly Sermons
- Details
- Series: Bible Book Overview
- Date:
- Scripture: Titus; 1 Timothy; 2 Timothy
Timothy and Titus Overview
Chapter writers of the Bible in Perspective:
Moses 187 Chapters Minus Deuteronomy 34, Plus Psalm 90
Solomon 95 Chapters* Job*, 2 Psalms, Proverbs*, Eccles., Song
Ezra 88 Chapters** I, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah
Paul 87 Chapters 100 if he wrote Hebrews!
David 75 Chapters Psalms: 73 named, 2 more attributed later
Isaiah 66 Chapters
Jeremiah 57 Chapters Jeremiah, Lamentations
Luke 52 Chapters Luke, Acts
John 50 chapters John, I, II, III John, Revelation
Samuel 49 Chapters Judges, Ruth, I Samuel through chapter 24
Ezekiel 48 Chapters
*Solomon did not write Job and some of the Proverbs, but is responsible for them
**It is debated whether or not Ezra wrote the Chronicles.
The Bible has 1,189 chapters.
The Old Testament has 929 chapters.
The New Testament has 260 chapters.
So Paul wrote 33% of the New Testament’s chapters; 7% of the entire Bible.
SO Paul wrote a greater percentage of the New Testament’s chapters (33 %), than Moses did of the Old Testament (20%).
However, this would not be true of the percentage of actual words. If actual words are counted, Moses wrote the most in the Bible, and Luke wrote the most in the New Testament!
Pastoral Letters:
These 3 letters of Paul are often called the Pastoral Epistles or letters.
Timeless instructions for Churches and their leaders!
I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. –I Timothy 3:15
A key point from the Pastoral Letters:
The best training of church leaders still happens the way the first training of church leaders happened: the apprenticeship experience in the sphere of the local church. Christian colleges and Seminaries can be great tools to supplement that training, but are not acceptable replacements for that training.
I Timothy:
I Timothy is the 54th book of the Bible, the 15th of the New Testament, the 10th of Paul’s letters.
Written by Paul to Timothy about 63 A.D. from Macedonia, after imprisonment described at end of Acts.
The first of the three “pastoral” letters.
Timothy was Paul’s half-Jewish disciple from Lystra (Acts 16:1-5).
From 1:3 we learn that Timothy was helping the church in Ephesus.
Paul warns him about false teaching and legalism.
It is something he had warned the elders of Ephesus about previously in Acts 20.
Timeline:
Acts 20 57 AD, end of third missionary journey
Ephesians letter 60-62 AD, while imprisoned in Rome
I Timothy 62-66 AD, after imprisonment in Rome
Having the right leaders in place is really everything in a church, so in chapter 3 Paul tells Timothy of the qualifications necessary for Elders, Deacons, and women who serve in the church.
Titus:
Titus is the 56th book of the Bible, the 17th of the New Testament, the 12th of Paul’s letters.
Paul writes to Titus around 63 AD from Macedonia, after imprisonment described at end of Acts.
Titus was Paul’s gentile disciple from…We don’t know where!
According to the letter, why had Paul left Titus on Crete?
The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed, to appoint elders in every town. -Titus 1:5
Churches are to look to multiple leaders along with the first among equals.
In Acts we read of Paul submitting himself to James and the elders in Jerusalem.
Some of the best teaching on grace and good works is in this little letter!
2:13 is another clear reference to the deity of Jesus Christ!
II Timothy:
II Timothy is the 55th book of the Bible, the 16th of the New Testament, the 11th of Paul’s letters.
Written by Paul to Timothy in the Mid 60’s A.D., before his martyrdom, from Rome.
Paul’s final words to his beloved co-worker, the next generation of church leaders who would carry on the work.
Passing of the baton!
This is probably the last letter of Paul, and it reads with the urgency of a man that knows his time is short.
Again Paul warns Timothy about false teaching and urges Timothy to live a pure life before those he leads.
There is a connection – right living starts with right thinking!
Paul had faced much hardship for his role in spreading the gospel.
He lets Timothy and us know that we can expect it to.
In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. -2 Timothy 3:12.
Key verses:
All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom I solemnly charge you: proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. -2 Timothy 3:16-4:2
Teaching = what you should believe
Rebuking = what you should not believe
Correcting = how you should not behave
Training = how you should behave
Paul was probably in Rome facing imminent death as he wrote 2 Timothy.
A Closer Look at I Timothy:
1:2 My true child in the faith!
1:3 Remain in Ephesus
1:5 The goal of our instruction…
1:8-10 Good purpose of the law
1:12-17 Paul’s testimony!
1:18 Timothy’s purpose!
1:20 Shipwreck possible for a professing believer!
2:1 First of all: pray!
2:4 God’s desire
2:5 Christ the mediator between God and man!
2:8ff I want men to pray and lead in the church, and women to build their homes
Does not mean women can never speak in mixed company:
Phoebe in Romans 16:1
Priscilla’s role in instructing Apollos
Phillip’s four daughters who were prophetesses
2:15 Saved through THE childbearing?
3:1f Qualifications for Overseers, Deacons, and “women, or wives.
3:16 An early hymn?
4:1 Some will depart…
4:4 Everything created is good…
4:7 Stay trained and focused, Tim!
4:10 Savior of everyone, especially those who believe?
5:1ff Support of widows
5:17 Support of preaching elders!
5:22 Listen to the doctor, preacher boy!
6:6-8 Contentment
6:9-10 Warning about money!
6:11-21 Grand finale!
A Closer Look at Titus:
1:1-3 WOW!
What a start!
Faith of God’s elect!
God our Savior; Christ our Savior!
1:4 Titus my true child!
1:6 Qualifications of Elders (similar to qualifications for Overseers)
Presbuteros and Episcopos
1:12-13 Cretens are always liars! So rebuke them! WOW!
1:16 Paul is expecting good works to follow correct profession!
2:1-9 Looking for Titus men and women, even the slaves!
2:10 Again: God our Savior
2:11-15 Grace and good works, eagerly awaiting the blessed hope of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ!
Pretty clear reference to the deity of Jesus Christ!
3:1 Obey your authorities, you lawless Cretens!
3:4-7 Great summary of the gospel!
3:8 Good works expected from those who have believed!
Titus is really the Bible’s final word on any attempt to find Galatians and James contradictory!
3:10 Reject a divisive person after the first and second warning!
3:14 Good works not optional, but key to being “fruitful!”
Expect good works, call for good works, teach ‘em how to do good works!
A Closer Look at 2 Timothy:
1:3-7 Great personal words! Don’t be timid, timothy!
1:11-14 Not ashamed!
2:1-2 Among my favorite verses!
Soldier, athlete, farmer!
2:10 Paul seamlessly calls for belief while at the same time speaking of the elect.
Appreciate the mystery, people!
2:11-12 Another little song!
2:15 AWANA verse!
2:19 Great words!
2:22 Flee youthful lusts…
3:1ff Avoid lovers of self who “use” religion selfishly!
4:3-5 Understand the times you live in
4:6-8 Paul is in the home stretch.
4:9ff Paul feels alone, misses Timothy.
4:16-18 Sometimes we stand alone, but we never really stand alone, for God is with us!