May 14, 2009

One of my chief delights is to know that the Lord is using
my preaching to increase your knowledge of and love for His
word. So it was good to hear someone say something to this
effect the other day, “I used to just think Titus was some small
book in the New Testament that said something about elders;
but there is so much truth and practical counsel in it.” Amen!
Titus is one of my favorite books of the Bible, and I hope that
our journey through it has been profitable. We’re almost fin-
ished with it, a fact I consider with some regret, since I know
that I haven’t preached it as well as I should have; there is so
much more in it that I wasn’t able to bring out; and with the rest
of the Bible ahead of us, the likelihood is good that we won’t be
able to visit it in such detail again. I pray that God would be
pleased to write its eternal truths upon your hearts, and spur
you on to your own reflection and study of its doctrines and
commandments.
I want to share with you two quotes that I wish I had incor-
porated into my sermon this past Sunday, one from John Calvin
(the great French Reformer whose 500th birthday we celebrate
this year), and one from Stephen Charnock (a seventeenth cen-
tury English Puritan pastor). Commenting on Paul’s description
of fallen man as “enslaved to various lusts and pleasures” (Titus
3:3), Charnock has great insight into how that slavery is at the
same time an incapacitating and a willing slavery: “Since we are
overwhelmed by the rubbish of our corrupted estate, we can no more
cooperate to the removal of it than a man buried under the ruins of a
fallen house can contribute to the removal of that great weight that
lies upon him. Neither would a man in that state help such a work,
because his lusts are pleasures; he serves his lusts, which are pleas-
ures as well as lusts, and therefore served with delight.” Man dead in
sin is not able to rescue himself, nor does he want to be res-
cued. This ought to cause us to have an even greater compas-
sion in our heart toward unbelievers. Listen to Calvin: “Nothing
is better adapted to subdue our pride, and at the same time to mod-
erate our severity, than when it is shown that everything that we turn
against others may fall back on our own head; for he forgives easily
who is compelled to sue for [i.e., request] pardon in return. And indeed,
ignorance of our own faults is the only cause that renders us unwilling
to forgive our brethren. They who have a true zeal for God, are, indeed,
severe against those who sin; but, because they begin with themselves,
their severity is always attended with compassion. In order that believ-
ers, therefore, may not haughtily and cruelly mock at others, who are
still held in ignorance and blindness, Paul brings back to their remem-
brance what sort of persons they formerly were; as if he had said, ‘If
such fierce treatment is done to those on whom God has not yet be-
stowed the light of the gospel, with equally good reason might you have
been at one time harshly treated. Undoubtedly you would not have
wished that any person should be so cruel to you; exercise now, there-
fore, the same moderation toward others.’”
As I mentioned, we are almost done working our way through
Paul’s letter to Titus. We’re also near the end of our study of the
ministries of Elijah and Elisha. What is coming up? I desire to feed
you with the whole purpose of God (Acts 20:20, 27), which in
broadest terms means studying both the Old Testament/Covenant
and the New Testament/Covenant. So, starting at some point this
summer, in the mornings I’ll be seeking to open up the message of
the prophet Habakkuk, and in the evenings I’ll be preaching
through the life of Christ as recorded for us in Mark’s gospel. I’m
looking forward to both these series, and pray that the Lord’s
word would bear fruit in your lives.
For the next two Sunday evenings, Robert will be preaching
God’s word to us. I encourage you to come, and to make Sunday
evening worship attendance a habit. The word of God never re-
turns to God empty, without accomplishing what He desires, so
sit under it as much as you can. Long for the pure milk and meat
of the word!
Speaking of meat, don’t forget about our Strawberry Festival
and Crawfish Boil this Saturday afternoon and evening. It’s a
come-and-go affair, and we hope you’ll bring your friends with
you. We’ll have the party rain or shine, but Lord willing there will
be more shine than rain! If you don’t know how to peel a craw-
fish, don’t worry – we’ll help you.

Caleb