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I once knew someone who said “I don’t do church. My experience of church has involved arguments and unkindness. And ‘being right’ has felt far more important to the people than sharing the so-called good news. So I don’t do church”. I wonder what you make of that? Because, if true, that sounds like the nightmare diagnosis on church life. It sounds like a church that’s failed to do the good works Paul in his letter to Titus says that true Christian faith will result in. And it sounds like a church that’s failed to keep the gospel central to everything. So that over time other things crept in, and now they seem more important than the gospel message itself.

These issues are what Paul is concerned about in the final section of his letter to Titus. And he’s determined that the Cretan church keeps the gospel central to its life together. And that’s the main lesson for us this evening: Keep the gospel central. And we’ll see two very different but important areas where we can do that, but before we go any further, let’s pray…

1. Keep the gospel central – avoid foolish controversies (Titus 3.9-11)

Emergency! Emergency! Emergency! Do have Titus 3.9-15 open in front of you. That’s on page 999 in the church Bibles. Titus 3.9:

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Now this is not saying that we should avoid theological argument at all costs. We know there are things worth disputing. And we saw that back in Titus 1, where Paul commanded Titus to engage with and rebuke false teachers. We’re to challenge those who deny the gospel for the sake of the gospel. And often that’s what’s needed to remain faithful. But, this isn’t what Paul has in mind here in Titus 3. Paul’s concern in Titus 3.9 was that there were some in the Cretan church who had become obsessed with foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law. And Paul’s diagnosis is that these debates are unprofitable and worthless – i.e. the issues themselves were of no consequence, and endless arguments about them was a complete waste of time. The outcome (Titus 3.10) was division in the Cretan church.

So, equivalents today might be those with whacky views that just aren’t from the Bible. Those can damage faith and cause division. We need to watch out for them. But there are other parallels...So, one friend who is church minister wanted to do some work to the platform at the front of church, which involved bringing it all to one level to make it a bigger space. Many agreed this would be a good thing to do. But others said this was a terrible idea because the “word of God was being lowered”. Which, frankly, is nonsense of the category of Titus 3.9. The whole point of the work was to make the whole area more functional and accessible for Bible teaching. And there were further complaints about changing the communion table, and about how the Bible on the lectern really needed to be much bigger...(We’ve got a big chunky Bible down here at the front here in case you’re wondering). So the debate went on, and on, and on...and the emails flowed. I read this week about another church’s council that had dozens of meetings a year going on until midnight because they couldn’t decide anything and wanted to argue every point...I once heard of a big bust up in a church over who did the flower arranging...Now a church’s layout is important to get right, and it’s important to be collaborative and to work together. We’re a team after all, but it’s a question of priorities.

If he had been there, I think the apostle Paul would have questioned what’s going on in these situations. Wouldn’t he have said “What is it you’re really arguing about? Why? What’s the point of expending all this energy on these issues?” Thankfully, I don’t think we get bogged down like this too often here at JPC. But, we need to keep it that way. Let’s never think we’re somehow above the seemingly ludicrous sin. But I wonder whether there’s a more subtle way we might fall into the Titus 3.9 trap. It’s the category of what we might call the “theological debate”. Because there are lots of issues that Christians have had different views about, e.g. how old the earth is, spiritual gifts, how much water we should use to baptise people, how we structure our services, issues of church government, or what precisely will happen at the end of the world and when Jesus returns. One church in American had a sign outside it that read “we are a pre-millennial, dispensationalist, pre-tribulationist, single rapture church...And we welcome all who are one with us in Christ Jesus!” And if you don’t understand what those words mean then you understand the point I’m making!

The list of issues could go on and on. And these types of issues are important. (Though, of course, sometimes we disagree about exactly how important they are!) And there is absolutely nothing wrong in working things through – and in doing that with others. There is a time and a place for that. And often it is necessary to do so. But these types of issues are controversial and Christians have debated topics like this for centuries. Opinions will always differ. And some of us will not even have thought about things like these before. And there’s nothing more divisive that having an opinion imposed on you, is there? We need to make sure nothing like this divides us. Sometimes we tell ourselves that a bit of controversy enlivens conversation. But controversy is not a soap opera that’s there for our entertainment. In 1 Timothy 6.4 Paul writes of an unhealthy craving for controversy. It is a dangerous drug and left unchecked it can have catastrophic consequences. One Christian author writes:

Quarrelling for quarrelling’s sake can mean that...you find only controversy interesting—even if where you end up ‘on the issues’ is correct. That leads to nowhere good, only to the sort of posture from which you anxiously await opportunities to trap your ‘opponents’ in their words.[Russell Moore, Why Unhealthy People Crave Controversy, The Gospel Coalition website].

So, Paul is speaking about our priorities. If controversies and arguments are our priority concern then our priorities are wrong because a divisive person loves to fight, and argue and win. But a person who loves the truth may be forced into division, but it is not their character: they do so regrettably. They do so only when they need to. They always remain both truthful and loving when they’re forced to disagree. Pointless arguments, endless debates and age-old controversies are not what unites us. And, I don’t know if you’ve spotted it, but Paul has made deliberate contrasts between Titus 3.8 and Titus 3.9. Let me read Titus 3.8:

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. [i.e. Paul is saying insist on Titus 3.4-7, the gospel: the good news Jesus came in mercy to save us from sin…And that we’re transformed by the Holy Spirit to live good works now, and for eternity to come. Paul continues:] These things are excellent and profitable for people.

The things of Titus 3.9 should be avoided, because they’re unprofitable and we should warn people against them. But it’s the gospel that should be insisted upon, that’s profitable and that we should devote ourselves to living out. This is what matters most of all! This is what unites us. So let’s keep that central to our Sundays, our small groups, and all of our time together. Let’s keep the glorious riches of all that Jesus has done for us, and what it looks like to respond with good works, at the centre of our life together. Let’s be like those big buffers in the train station that stop controversies and quarrels in their tracks – so that our church life is not shaped by them. And, let’s be on the lookout for those who are divisive false teachers. Which leads us to what Paul says next, in Titus 3.10. (Titus 3.10-11):

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

So, this isn’t Paul describing the sinful struggler like you or me – who can sometimes be divisive. He’s describing a false teacher who consistently and persistently follows the path of Titus 3.9. And such a person is to be warned once, and if they continue - a second time. But if they fail to change, Paul says they’re no longer to be treated as a member of the church. And possibly should be asked to leave. And he says, ultimately, that’s a choice they’ve made themselves – it’s because of their failure to repent. They are self-condemned. Taking action like this is sometimes a reality in church life. In the past, it has been here among us. When it has been, it’s been what’s needed to keep the gospel central among us. So together let’s support our church leaders in their task of guarding our gospel ministry against those who stir up division. So that together we can be united in doing the work God wants us to do. And that’s Paul’s concern in the final few verses of this letter. So, lastly:

2. Keep the gospel central – by supporting Christian ministry (Titus 3.12-15)

Titus 3.12-14:

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

It’s easy to skip over verses like this towards the end of a New Testament letter, but they have lots to say to us! Have you spotted that phrase that Paul has loved to use in Titus? It’s there in Titus 3.14:

Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works.

And the good works he particularly has in mind here is actively supporting Christian ministry and mission around the world. So notice how Paul sends gospel workers out. He’d sent Titus to minister in Crete. He’s going to send either Artemas or Tychicus to Crete. I’d maybe have send Artemas – just because his name is easier to say! And Paul wants Titus to come back to join him in his planned winter ministry in Nicopolis. Paul knew the value of doing gospel ministry with others. He wasn’t a one man band. How important it is to remember that whoever we are, we need other Christians serving alongside us in gospel work. Paul’s work wasn’t easy. He faced many trials. He could have done with as many gospel workers with him as possible. But battening down the hatches and looking after yourself isn’t what’s needed to keep the gospel central. Paul was always sending gospel workers out so that more people could hear about Jesus and so must we. Even though doing so is difficult and costly. After all, we really miss those who leave, and they leave gaps in our ministry teams and unique gifts that won’t be there anymore. But for the gospel to reach new people (here and around the world) we need to continue to be a church that sends out gospel workers.

So, what about you? There is great gospel need around the world. Could God be leading you to go and help meet that need? Could God be leading us at JPC to be the church that sends you? Going will not be for all of us. But all of us must play our part in JPC being a church that sends gospel workers – so that Christians go out to where the gospel need is. So, can I encourage you if you’re a committed member of JPC do all you can to know about, pray for, and support our Christian ministry going out. And one way of doing that is to give financially to support it. It seems like Zenas and Apollos are going to make a pits stop at Crete, and in Titus 3.13 Paul essentially says “Encourage them, send them on, and ensure that they lack nothing”. Doubtless that meant providing for them during their brief stay in Crete, and providing all that they needed for the next leg of their journey. Put bluntly, it meant giving money to sustain them and their gospel work. So, the principles of giving here are:
• We should give to provide for the needs of gospel workers.
• We should give to gospel ministry even when it doesn’t directly benefit us.
• We are to give whatever is necessary for gospel workers to lack nothing that they need. Elsewhere the Bible tells us we are to give both willingly and generously to that end.

Last Wednesday at Summer Series we heard from Joe and Sarah Potter and their four boys. Joe is a Bible translator in Mozambique. And both Joe and Sarah are very involved in helping lead their local church there. And Joe was upfront in saying that as a family they are falling short of what they need financially each month, and he asked us to pray that the Lord would provide for them. The challenge for us from Titus 3 is can we help with needs like that? Can we help provide for, and sustain, ongoing gospel ministry? The same applies to those that one day will go out from among us. I won’t name any names, but some of us are leaving for gospel work further afield this summer. Some of us will in the future. Some of us are seriously weighing up doing so in the future. Will we be a church that helps provide for those that we send? Will we play our part in making sure that they lack nothing?

Paul also mentions helping in cases of urgent need in Titus 3.14. For us that could be needs right here in Newcastle, or at JPC and we need to be ready to respond to those, or it could be needs around the world. For example, we support an organisation called Anglican International Development which runs a range of sustainable projects in partnership with the local church in exceptionally needy parts of the world - like South Sudan. I read recently that May this year it was calculated that South Sudan is officially the poorest country in the world. It’s a place that’s been ravaged by poverty, corruption and war. What’s more urgent than AID’s gospel ministry there – that’s helping relieve needs in a sustainable way, and also grow and equip the church?

The encouragement is: when we give, we can play a very small role in God’s work around the world. What an exciting thought that is! After all, we can’t take our money with us. Back in Titus 3.7 Paul writes that we’re heirs to a lasting treasure – the certain hope of eternal life. And keeping the gospel central means seeing that giving to God’s work is what’s really worth investing in because it’s the treasure that’s really going to last. Paul ends this remarkable letter by saying to the Cretan church grace be with you all. And that’s a fitting conclusion to a book saturated with the good news of God’s grace. The grace that has appeared in Jesus Christ – for undeserving sinners like you and me. The grace that transforms us by the Holy Spirit. The grace that leads to good works.

So let’s avoid foolish controversies and let’s support Christian ministry so that everyone can see that it’s the grace of God, and the gospel of Jesus Christ, that really is what’s central for us. Let’s pray…