…is the theme of my message this Sunday morning at Calvary. Yes, it’s my Mother’s Day message. People are buying bazillions of flowers this weekend for mothers and wives, which is a great way to show love and honor. But I am guessing that there are problems in many of those relationships between adult children and their mothers, and between husbands and their wives, that flowers won’t fix. That’s what my message will address. Join us Sunday morning, or listen here next week.
Author: Dean Taylor
Two Pages In My Bible
I did not know that so much rich truth and practical instruction was packed into the two pages of my Bible that contain Paul’s letter to Titus. Wow. When I determined that I should preach through it on Sunday mornings at Calvary, I didn’t know what I was getting in to – in a good way!
Here’s a line-up of the paragraphs I followed and the sermon titles/themes I used:
Book Theme – Learning and Living
1:1-4 The Christian Life in Three Parts
1:5-9 Delivering Life-Changing Truth
1:10-16 Getting Ready to Learn and Live
2:1-10 Healthy Living – for senior men, senior women, young women, young men, pastors, and people in lowly positions doing menial tasks; “healthy” is based on the meaning of the word translated “sound” in Titus. Did four messages from these verses.
2:11-14 Why Should I?
3:1-2 Learning to Live in Our Community
3:3-7 Why Christians Shouldn’t Be Snobs
3:9-11 Living With Differences
3:12-15 What Really Closes the Gap (focus on “grace” in v. 15 and the other places it occurs in the book)
Observations
- I love preaching straight through a book of the Bible. One of the benefits is you address issues that you might not otherwise. When would I have preached on avoiding foolish disputes and rejecting divisive people (3:9-11)? Probably when I thought I needed to, reactively rather than proactively. Another benefit is you never have to wonder what you’re preaching on next Sunday. It’s right in front of you. Just start digging. The sermon will almost write itself sometimes.
- People appreciate understanding a section of Scripture so that when they read it later they know what it’s talking about. That’s one of my goals in preaching – delivering it like Ezra did (Nehemiah 8:8). So I explain a lot, apply a good bit.
- I’m amazed at how the Holy Spirit makes truth personal. Many times during the past three months people have told me how what I preached from Titus was exactly what they needed for a specific struggle, decision, trial, temptation, crisis, etc. I don’t know what everyone is facing, but God does, and so sweetly speaks to us in very specific ways through the ministry of the Word. I love that. Praise God.
- I love my new Bible! It was my family’s gift when I turned the big 5-0. This is the first series I’ve preached from it. Another blog post on that later…
- God’s Word is true. It is relevant to all people, everywhere, for all time. The people on the island of Crete in the first century had the same junk as people in Upstate South Carolina have in 2013. And the answers are the same. It’s all in the Word. It’s pretty much all in the book of Titus! Tightly packaged and condensed.
Titus would be a great book to study yourself this summer (see post on studying the Bible here). It would be perfect for a small group or home Bible study. For big-time memorizers, hide this powerful package in your heart! If someone were going underground because of persecution or being imprisoned for his or her faith, and could only hold on to a few pages of Scripture, Titus would be a portable and concise source of sound doctrine and spiritual nourishment.
There’s a lot in the book of Titus. I preached 15 sermons from it, and could have done more. You can listen to them here. Only two pages of Scripture, but tons of truth.
Fishin’ and Prayin’
Rain spattered the surface of the river and dripped from the brim of my hat. Dogwood petals, loosened by the raindrops, floated through the air and landed on a quiet pool just below the rapids.
Beautiful. Just beautiful. Thank You.
Was that…yes! A fish stirred the water, looking for lunch. I cast my sweet little spinner, right there. Took it!
Really?! Thank You!!!
A nice Rainbow Trout!
Hiking downstream to the next likely spot.
Lord, been studying Romans 6-8. Think I understand that “body of sin” in 6:6 means my physical body that is the vehicle, or instrument, of sin. “Done away with” means rendered powerless. So what does that mean for me? Will you help me know? I’d really like to know.
Pine needle path beneath my feet. Spring leaves, green with new growth, made even brighter by the wetness of the rain, all around me.
Perfect place. Perfect day. Fish don’t mind rain, do they?
Climbed down the bank, stood on the sand at the edge of the water, checked for branches beside and above me where I might get tangled up. A little tight, but if I get one, I’ll be ok if I pull to the left. A few casts. . . there it is! Feels strong! Let it tire, then reel in. Don’t want to lose this one. Got it close, lifted my rod high and swung it behind me, remembering to go left, landing him on top of the bank. Scrambled up to grab him – another Rainbow, bigger than the last! Wow.
Thank You!!
Working my way back up river.
Lord, how does Romans 8 relate to Romans 6? Specifically 8:11,”He will give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Help me understand?
Along the path – tall plants I don’t know with hundreds of pink blossoms; forest floor sprinkled with Violets; a patch of white-petaled, pink-trimmed calf-high Trillium on the right. Rocky rapids hallelujahing. Tree frogs praise the Lord-ing.
Beautiful, Creator. Just beautiful. Love it!!!
Few more stops. Lots more casts. Couple more fish.
So,Your Spirit in me helps me live out physically in life who I am positionally in Christ? Please keep showing me this, please do this for me. Oh God, how I need this, want this . . .
Home. Trout in the pan. Sitting down to eat with the fam.
Thank You.
Perfect day.
Dean H. Taylor 