Titus 3

We are in Gayaza – medical clinic and graduate meeting.

Paul goes on to say: be good citizens be ready to do every good work – speak evil of no one and avoid quarreling. My favorite: show every courtesy to everyone (3:1-2). I wonder if negative spewing and loud mouth Christians ever read this passage. We have lost our sense of courtesy. We have lost our sense of respect. As Christians we must be the first to “give all due respect” especially the ones we disagree with. I have always appreciated C.S. Lewis comment that not everything of everyone else’s religion is wrong. Some are much closer to the truth than others and there is something valuable to be learned from all of them. If we approached each and every dialogue and discussion (in the public as well as the private realm) by extending respect and courtesy – ours would be a much nicer world.
Once again Paul reminds them to not get hung up on endless quarrels and stupid controversies. How easy it is for us to fight to be right even if we are “dead” right. If the debate destroys relationships the debate was wrong – no matter how right or true we think we are – it would be better to walk away. Once again (12 – 15) Paul concludes with greetings to and from those he is traveling with to those he is writing to.

Titus 2

Titus 2


We are in Gomba today – medical clinic and resource distribution

Titus is told to teach sound doctrine and then is given examples for the various groups of people in the church: the older men – be temperate, serious, prudent and sound in faith, love and endurance; to the older women – reverent, no slanderous or slaves to drink; to the younger men – self controlled and models of integrity; etc. Paul believed that the time of Christ’s return was getting close and they should be ready – sober and sober minded and fully alert.
He uses the expression “blessed hope” in verse 13 – the blessed hope is the return of Jesus and the end of the age. In every Communion celebration we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died (we get the crucifixion); Christ is Risen (yes, we also get the resurrection); Christ will come again – this is the blessed hope of all Christians.

Titus Introduction

Today we travel to Nakasongola – medical clinic and pastors leading Nexus class – small group discussion

Titus was another trusted friend and companion of Paul. Born of Gentile parents, he accompanied Paul to the Jerusalem council (Acts 15) and played a significant role in the collection Paul was taking for the poor in Jerusalem. When Paul wrote this letter, Titus had been left on the Island of Crete to further the Christian cause. Crete was one of the first places to hear the Christian gospel. There were people from Crete in the crowd on Pentecost. This letter was probably written late in Paul’s life. The letter is concerned with pastoral matters of discipline in the church. Key learning: Titus gives behavioral standards for those seeking leadership in the Church. These standards serve as a reminder that those who are trusted with leadership in the Church will be held accountable to a higher standard than the rest of the body.

Titus 1

Today we are holding a medical clinic in Nakasongola and holding a information meeting on Nexus

Paul is writing to Titus who is on the Island of Crete. Crete’s reputation was somewhat checkered in the first century (as is evidenced by the quote in verse 12). Paul’s routine in establishing churches is to preach, baptize, and begin the process of developing disciples. This process is ongoing. Paul would then select leaders (overseers) from the new disciples and leave them in charge of the fledgling church. In chapter 1 of Titus Paul lays down some of the characteristics of an “Elder” in the church. This word “Elder” has been used to mean Pastoral Elder as well as Bishop. There are good arguments for both cases.

Notice that the overseer is known for what he is not: He is not a lover of money; he is not rebellious; not accused of debauchery; not arrogant; not addicted to wine or greedy. This “negative” list is impressive. Notice also that he is the husband of only one wife (married only once) and whose children are believers (6). These are high expectations and qualifications for someone who will lead a church. They are not unreasonable and, even from this earliest time, we have had higher expectations of those who lead us.

2 Timothy 4

Today we begin our work: Medical Team in Lusanja Pastor team working with Nexus students in Kikyusa

Do the work that you were called to do. Preach the message, when it is easy and when it is hard – be patient in teaching 4:1-2 BJ paraphrase). Paul realizes that the end of his journey and his ministry are coming. He refers to himself as a “libation” – a drink offering -- being poured out. How many of us will be able to say at the end of our faith journey: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished, the race, I have kept the faith! (4:7)”? All too often we find ourselves just muddling through, just getting by and just hanging on. Paul was on a great adventure . . .



One of the things I love about the letters is that occasionally there is a little glimpse of life (real life) in the first century. In 4:13 Paul asks that when Timothy comes to Paul at Ephesus he would bring the cloak that the left at Troas and some books and parchments. It seems like such mundane housekeeping details in this significant passage about life and death and the future. And, yet, the mundane housekeeping detail moves us and reminds us that this was not some prefabricated or re-polished human being from legendary lore – it was written by a real man in real time who occasionally left his stuff behind.



He concludes the letter by recounting another of his near death experiences and then some gracious words to his friends – Prisca, Aquila, the family Onesiphorus, Erastus, Trophimus, Eubulus as well as Pudens, Linus and Claudia . . . men and women who are co workers with Paul in ministry.

2 Timothy 3

2 Timothy 3


We arrive early this morning in Kampala and the home of my friend: Rev. Davis Matovu.

The last days were to bring deep and significant trouble. I love the list of evidence of how distressing it will be in the last days. It runs from lovers of themselves (Self) lovers of money (Greed), to disobedient to parents and on through the kicker which reads: “holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power”(5). What an amazing description of so much of modern religion. We have the religious activities, we have the religious forms, we do the things we need to do to comfort ourselves and feel good . . . but we are not living into the kingdom of the heavens. We are denying any of the power that God intends for us to live our lives.

Paul charges his young protégé with keeping and passing on what he has learned (13) after reminding him that striving to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will lead to persecution (12). Paul’s own life and his journey through hardship and difficulty for the sake of preaching the gospel is recorded elsewhere. For a modern preacher who works from the comfort of a nice building and a nice office and who is well paid and protected . . . I have no idea of the difficulties that our first generation Christians had to endure.

2 Timothy 2

Today the Uganda team is taking a quick tour of the Pyramids in Egypt

After reminding Timothy that he should “soldier on” in his ministry and recognize that difficulties are inevitable, Paul quotes (beginning in 11) what many believe to be the text of an early Christian hymn. I have often wondered what the tune sounded like.


Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved (2:15) – Salvation requires no effort on our part – it is a work of God. Discipleship requires significant effort and for we who lead in the church it is often hard work. There are things we have to give up (like “wrangling over words (14)”) or “profane chatter” (16). There comes a clear choice to “turn away from wickedness (19)” and to more faithfully follow Jesus Christ. We present ourselves as one approved by what we avoid but also by how we choose to engage – with our spiritual gifts rekindled we can preach in season or out, we can be gentle and we can choose to not engage in senseless controversies.

Remember that his letter was written while Timothy was present in Ephesus. Ephesus was a hotbed of Gnosticism and the Gnostics loved nothing more than countless wrangling over words and phrases and meanings. We are to pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace (22).

2 Timothy Introduction and 2 Timothy 1

Today the Uganda team is on the road to New York and in the air to Cairo.

INTRODUCTION

2 Timothy is more in the recognized style and language of Paul and has fewer scholars suggesting that someone other than Paul wrote it. It is a second letter to Paul’s longtime friend, son in the faith, and faithful companion, Timothy. Assigning a date to the letter encounters many of the same problems discussed in 1Timothy. Key Learning: 2 Timothy 3:16 – all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. This does not mean we should go looking for it, it means it will find those who are striving to live holy and faithful lives.



2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1: 1:6 – rekindle the gift of God that is within you. One of the things I have learned in over 30 years of pastoral ministry is that Christian leaders get tired and sometimes forget why they are doing what they are doing. It is kind of like the sign I saw in a construction office when I was in Seminary. It said: “when you are up to you backside in alligators it is hard to remember that the objective was to drain the swamp.” Sometimes we get so busy doing that we forget to attend to our being. The fire and gifts that God has given us for ministry must be periodically renewed and refreshed.



1:12 – I am not ashamed for I know that the one in whom I have put my trust and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him” As a preacher of the gospel and an apostle, Paul reminds his young protégé that even when things are tough God is good and God is faithful.