Titus 3:12-15

 |  October 19, 2016

  1. Identify the Text

vv. 12-15 form the conclusion of the text

  1. Identify the Genre

Macro

Epistolary

Micro

This is the final instruction and greeting of the letter

  1. Identify the structure of the text

v. 12 The encouragement to make an effort to come to him

v. 13 Greetings

v. 14 Encouragement for devotion

v. 15 Final Greeting

  1. Exegete the Text

The final words of Titus are somewhat typical in Pauline literature.

The temptation for preacher is to throw this text away because it is difficult to apply to a contemporary audience. It is tempting to throw this away homiletically. However, it is interesting that while we know something of Titus, Apollos, and Tychius, we know nothing more about Zenus the lawyer. Why would something as peripheral as this one name be inscripturated? While that is in the mind of God, if you search all the Pauline epistles you find 85 people mentioned! Clearly this benediction is a reminder that Paul managed all the relationships in his life, some deep and some fleeting, with a resolve to move them toward Christ. This fits his model of some watering, some harvesting, but God giving the increase (I Cor. 3:6). He was engaged in so many different lives who were on different places from being sown to being reaped.

  1. Allow the structure of the text to be the structure of the sermon.

Here is a text outline from which a sermon outline could be created.

Paul expresses need: come to me (v. 12)

Paul expresses concern (vv. 13-14)

Paul extends grace (v. 15)

Category: Sermon Structure
Tags: , ,


Share This Post: