December 15 - 1 Timothy 6:11-21, Titus 1:1-3:15, 2 Timothy 1:1-18

Good morning everyone,

In this morning’s reading Paul says in 6:13, “I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” What command? Well, to flee from temptation which can plunge us into ruin and destruction and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life. 

One day everything on earth will burn, I know it has become a bit of a cliche, but nonetheless, it’s true. All of our riches, our earthly toys will be gone, it would serve us well to pursue what’s eternal. Matthew 6:20 says it this way, “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” I’m sure you remember in Matthew we read that rewards await the believer who serves the Lord faithfully in this world. Right? In 2 Timothy 4 it says A “great” reward is promised to those who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Various crowns are mentioned, in Revelation 22, Jesus says that He will bring rewards with Him when He returns. Friends, it is for these rewards, these riches we should be investing the biggest part of our time because they will far outweigh any trouble, inconvenience, or persecution we may face in going after them. 1Corinthians 15:58 says, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” Make sense?

The book of Titus — Titus was a companion of Paul, mentioned in several of the letters that Paul wrote. Titus was with Paul and Barnabas at Antioch and accompanied them to the Council of Jerusalem, although his name occurs nowhere in the book of Acts. Paul had Titus working with the churches on the island of Crete, as with all the other churches, some problems arose. The letter is to address and encourage Titus in the situations he was facing there. 

What I really love about this letter is the way it begins. It says, “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.” A servant of God to further the faith, the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. I want that to be my title. You?

In John 12:26 it says, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” To be a good servant you need to develop a servant mentality. Your mindset must be, “My purpose on this earth is to serve God,” totally eliminating “self” from you life and thinking only “Him.”

But it is not enough just to have a servant’s mentality, you must be determined to serve, determined to help. You must also be committed to following God, walking in faith and, listen up, though admirable, it doesn’t have to be off in some third world country. There is plenty to do in this country. You can, we all can begin serving right where we are, right now in our own communities and especially our own churches. There is so much need within any church. It seems the same group of people in any church, which is only about 10% are the ones who volunteer for everything. They can use help. Don’t be afraid or too proud to start at the bottom which may mean yard work, cleaning toilets or changing dirty diapers. Jesus washed the feet of the apostles displaying His humility and servanthood then told them, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you”

Jesus is just looking for servants who serve. I would encourage us all to do a lot more in storing up our treasures in heaven in the hopes of someday Jesus looking into our eyes and saying, “Well done good and faithful servant, you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.” Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..