READ: Titus 3 (Focus vs.1-11)

MEMORY VERSE
“Remind them . . . to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Titus 3:1-2 esv

BACKGROUND
The statement on the wall of my bank declares that its corporate principles could be summed up in a single word: courtesy. And how refreshing it was to find courtesy in the teller who helped me with my transaction there!

In a harsh and unkind world, to be driven by courtesy is a big idea. We find this concept in the apostle Paul’s letter to his friend Titus.

He instructed Titus to remind his congregation “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2 esv). This idea of courtesy is also rendered as “peaceable and considerate” (niv) or “showing every consideration” (nasb).

How we treat others reveals whether we see them as image bearers of God or not. C. S. Lewis wrote of this in The Weight of Glory: “There are no ordinary people,” he said. “You have never talked to a mere mortal.”

Lewis anticipated eternity, where we’ll either enjoy God’s presence or be banished from Him forever. So he reminds us, “It is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”

May we allow the Spirit to enable us to treat those around as what they truly are—image bearers of God.
Bill Crowder

INSIGHT
Titus, a gentile (non-Jew) who came to faith in Jesus through Paul, became the apostle’s “partner and co-worker” in his ministry (2 Corinthians 8:23). In the apostle’s letter addressed to Titus, he calls him “my true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4).

Titus proved to be especially useful in straightening out problems in the church of Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:13-15; 12:17-18). In 2 Timothy 4:10, we learn that Titus served in Dalmatia (a Roman province on the east shore of the Adriatic Sea). He also served on the island of Crete (Titus 1:5).

It’s likely he strived to show respect to everyone—something we should do in God’s strength as well.
Alyson Kieda

APPLICATION
What effect does the absence of courtesy have on your interactions? How might you intentionally bring more courtesy into those interactions?

PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“How we treat others reveals whether we see them as image bearers of God or not.”

PR’s TAKE
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”Luke 6:31

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs 16:24

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29

PRAYER
“Dear God, it’s easy to get frustrated with people. Please give me a patient spirit and a heart of kindness that I might treat everyone with dignity and courtesy.”

TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“KIND WORDS NEVER DIE”

Kind words can never die,
Cherished and blest,
God knows how deep they lie,
Stored in the breast:
Like childhood’s simple rhymes,
Said o’er a thousand times,
Aye, in all years and climes,
Distant and near.
Kind words can never die,
Never die, never die;
Kind words can never die,
No, never die.

Sweet tho’ts can never die,
Tho’, like the flow’rs,
Their brightest hues may fly,
In wintry hours.
But when the gentle dew
Gives them their charms anew,
With many an added hue
They bloom again.
Sweet tho’ts can never die,
Never die, never die;
Sweet tho’ts can never die,
No, never die.

Our souls can never die,
Tho’ in the tomb
We all may have to lie,
Wrapped in its gloom.
What tho’ the flesh decay,
Souls pass in peace away,
Live thro’ eternal day
With Christ above.
Our souls can never die,
Never die, never die;
Our souls can never die,
No, never die.