How’s your ministry?

Text: Titus 1:1-4

Exegesis

  • Theme: Paul’s Identity and Ministry
  • Topic: What Paul was called to be and do
  • Truth: Paul was a servant and apostle called to preach the true Gospel to people so that they may experience true godliness.
  • Thrust: Titus must thank God that he has received and has been entrusted with the true Gospel from a true servant and apostle of God and Jesus Christ.

Exposition

  • Theme: True Christian Ministry
  • Topic: What is the nature of true Christian ministry
  • Truth: True Christian ministry proclaims the true Gospel and brings life change to those who believe.
  • Thrust: Churches must make sure that their ministry is consistent with the truth of the Gospel and its intentions, which is life transformation.

Exhortation

  • Type: Truth oriented
  • Take Home Message: Gospel clarity should result in life integrity.
  • Trailing question: What does it take to have a true God-honoring, Christ-centered ministry?
  • Teaching outline (the sermon proper):

A. Take-off (intro)

There is a great temptation in our churches today to try to be pragmatic in order to be more successful. Well, if success is our goal, then it makes sense to try as many methods and strategies as possible until we can arrive at the best approach. However, that can be a dangerous road. It can lead to all sorts of compromises. What we need to do is ask a simple question: What does it take to have a true God-honoring, Christ-centered ministry? The answer is again simple: True Christian ministry is focused on Gospel clarity and life integrity.

B. Teaching outline (body):

Paul had a clear understanding of his calling. He was called to be a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. As a servant, he knows to whom he is ultimately accountable — God. As an apostle, he knows that he is sent with authority to do something specific: to proclaim the true Gospel, which is no other than the good news about Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. This sense of calling is further clarified in Paul’s mind. The Gospel is not meant to simply inform people about the saving grace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus results in true godliness. In other words, Gospel clarity should result in life integrity.

C. Touchdown (conclusion)

The success of any ministry does not depend on gimmicks. It depends solely on our faithfulness to our calling. We are servants of God and we are sent to the world by Jesus Christ to proclaim the true Gospel, a Gospel that ultimately results in changed lives. This is our calling and our responsibility, and our faithfulness to these defines our true success in the eyes of God.

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