THE JOY OF TITUS 2 Corinthians 7:2-16
“Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus” 2 Corinthians 7:6
INTRODUCTION - the Letter
• Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthian saints
• Always a reason for Paul to write
• To correct, to tell some one off
• To put right on matters of doctrine
• Whenever there was a pastoral need
• And to encourage
• At the time of this particular text Paul was in Macedonia facing tremendous difficulty
2 Corinthians 7:5 (NKVV)
“For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears”
Paul tells us that they were troubled on every side. Yet, right in the middle of this trouble/tribulation God consoled Paul through a visit of Titus, Greek believer who Paul held in high esteem!
I want to look at three qualities, which Titus brought with him to the Corinthians people:-
THERE WAS THE JOY OF TITUS.
2 Corinthians 7:13.
“Therefore we have been comforted, and we rejoice exceeding more for the Joy of Titus”, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all”
Listen to this: - “And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus!”
The church in Corinthian had been touched by the joy of Titus. Moreover, this joy was spreading. Joyful people pass on joy and I do not mean the type of laughter we have witnessed so much in some parts of our faith.
In addition, Paul said that the joy of Titus was making him joyful as well.
Paul also talked of sadness, he knew by the
same principle sadness could be passed on and he was determined this would not happen.
2 Corinthians 2:1-2
“For I determined this with myself that I would not come to you again in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me”
• Just look at this joy, and do not mix it with the term happiness!
• Joy is a spiritual condition
• Happiness is temporal
If you look at the above verse, you will see the joy of Titus was the result of refreshing spirit Paul says in 7:13:-
His spirit was refreshed by you all!
• Happiness is short
• It is uncertain
• It is limited to this life
However, joy is also fruit of the spiritall!
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the spirit is love, Joy, peace longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
2. THE SECOND QUALITY IS FOUND IN THE HEART OF TITUS
The
joy of Titus came from the
heart of Titus.
2 Corinthians 8:16.
“But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest (diligence) care into the heart of Titus”
The context of this verse teaches us two things about the calling of God:-
Firstly, in the heart of Titus you will find the epee centre of his ministry – this was the work of God.
St Paul said that God had put it there! One translation tells us that Titus had the same tender loving care for the Corinthians that Paul had.
2 Corinthians 8:16
But thanks be to God who put the heart of Titus the same earnest for you that that I have myself
The second point of note is that the heart of Titus responded to the call of God.
• You see there has to be an inward response.
• The calling of God is a sovereign act of God. We cannot call ourselves into ministry
• However, when the call comes we must respond!
• God put this diligence or to use another term, the “desire” into the heart of Titus.
• Please note his ‘eagerness’ was seen in the fact that he responded of his own accord!
2 Corinthians 8:17
“For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you”
3. THE THIRD QUALITY WAS FOUND IN THE MINISTRY OF TITUS
The joy of Titus came from the heart of Titus and the ‘heart ‘of Titus was dedicated to his ministry
2 Corinthians 8:23 KJV
“Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you; or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the GLORY OF CHRIST”
This verse tells just how Paul considered his associates:-
AS TEAM MEMBERS
• This was not a one-man band! It was a team effort and Titus was part of Paul’s ministerial team, his partner and fellow helper
• It involves every single one in the church whatever role you play,
• Whatever job you do
• Wherever you sit when you come to church, you are part of a team!
• If anyone has ever made you feel you ‘cannot be trusted’ to do a job I can tell you, specifically that was not the case with Paul and his team.
Team members have a job to do and they accept their responsibility.
(You cannot always leave it to a few willing donkeys?)
Titus 1:5
“For this cause left I there in Crete, that thou should set in order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city, as I appointed thee”
Paul saw us as church members:-
2 Corinthians 8:23
“Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are messengers of the churches, and the GLORY OF CHRIST.
• Paul sent him and Titus obeyed. Titus travelled everywhere around the Middle East
• Jesus gave Titus a passport
• As a messenger he travelled all over the Middle East
• You see the church needs those who will run errands. It needs foot soldiers; it needs holy and anointed messengers.
Then we see:-
Paul mentioned the
GLORY OF CHRIST 2 Corinthians 8:23
Oh what a beautiful title “the Glory of Christ”. This was no ordinary team. this was a godly team.
Writing to Titus, Paul addressed him as a son in the faith.
“To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our saviour.” Titus 1:4 NKJ
The term
common faith does not refer to something common in the sense of little value
Here
common faith means shared. It was the faith that united the team. They shared the same hopes and ambitions because they knew the same savour!
Can you imagine that ‘human beings’ could be referred to as the glory of Christ?
What a testimony of Titus: Question for you and I is this. what can we learn from this man of God?
