Titus chapter three, we're gonna look at Paul's closing exhortation to Titus this morning. And as we continually see from the scripture, all good works, he mentions good works right here, all good works are God's works. All good works are God's works. If there is any good work in any man or woman, it is God working in that man or woman. It's God performing his own work in a man or a woman. And the man or the woman can't take credit for it, which is what this flesh loves to do. Take credit for it. The man or the woman cannot say, I have done a good work. I've done a good work. The man or woman still has no choice but to say, all that I have done is sin against God. That's all I've done. But thank God, in spite of me, God has overruled. He has performed a good work where without him a good work could not exist. He's done something.

Now that's the truth concerning all of us in the flesh, all of our obedience to what God calls a good work, our only hope of accomplishing Any good work is in Christ. That's it. In Christ. Is that becoming, you know, the longer you live, is that becoming more and more confirmed in you like it is in me? It's only in Christ. It's just only in Christ. Our only hope of accomplishing any good work is in Christ. Our only hope is to look to Christ and to hope that he will perform that good work in us for us.

So with that being acknowledged, let's look at these closing exhortations that Paul gives to Titus and it is an exhortation. All right, we pick up today with verse 12. Titus 3 verse 12, Paul said, when I shall send Artemis unto thee or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to winter. Bring Zenos, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey diligently that nothing be wanting unto them. And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses that they be not unfruitful.

Paul wrote this letter from Nicopolis. He wrote it to Titus who was in Crete. Titus was the pastor in Crete. And Paul wanted Titus to come meet him in Nicopolis. He said, I want you to come to me where I am. But he said, before you come, I'm going to send a man who can fill the pulpit for you. He was the pastor to this congregation in Crete. And he said, I'm going to send a man who can fill the pulpit for you. Verse 12, he said, when I shall send Artemis unto thee, or Tychicus, Be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to winter."

We have a responsibility to preach the gospel where it needs to be preached. And it needs to be preached wherever God has raised up an ear to hear it. God raises up ears to hear the gospel preached. A man made this statement one time and it was just a light bulb moment for me because whenever I, you know, it started entering my heart and my mind that, you know, maybe the Lord was leading me to preach. You know, I wondered, I think I wondered if I was ever going to preach for about eight years really before I preached. And I have to admit, it just burned a hole in me. I had a desire to, but I was afraid to. I was afraid of promoting myself. And, you know, I wondered. And even after I was called on, I didn't, you know, say, hey, hey, why don't you have me preach for you? Somebody called on me and asked me to preach. And for a while I wondered, am I called of God to preach? And a man made this statement one time and it helped me so much. He said, if God calls a man to preach, God will call men and women to want to hear that man preach. And that's true. I know of some men who all they want out of life is to preach and nobody wants to have them come fill the pulpit. And I think it'd be pretty safe to say that that man is not called of God.

And this is a great responsibility. This is a great burden. It's a great work and Mainstream religion doesn't really see it that way. Mainstream religion sees it as a cush job. I had a business before I moved here and it was successful enough. And then word kind of got out that I was selling the business and moving from Virginia to Tennessee to become a pastor. And somebody asked me, what are you going to do with your time? That's what they asked, legitimately. They said, you only work, what, about three hours a week? And another man said, boy, it must be pretty lucrative to sell all this and go do that. And I said, you literally have no idea. It's not lucrative. It's a great burden and it's one that doesn't go away. It's one that gets harder as you go.

I was just talking to a brother Obi about this. He's teaching a class in my office and we were talking about the fact that if you type, you know how you start like this, then you take a typing class and the more you type, the faster you get. Well, this is not like that. Um, Whatever it is you do, the more you do it, just the more, the better you get, the more efficient you get. This is not like that. I feel like sometimes now it takes longer than it ever has. And I feel less confident than I've ever felt. I definitely feel less worthy than I used to. But the point is, is this is a big responsibility. It's a great work. It's a great burden. You carry a great burden.

You know that in these things, the whole disposing is of the Lord. The whole disposing is of the Lord, but you cannot help it. You deeply feel like the lot is cast into the lap. And what Paul is telling Titus as an apostle, Paul was an evangelist. He traveled with the, you know, he pastored, stayed in one place for a while and he would kind of pastor there for a while. But from an apostle to a pastor, he said, I want you to tell the congregation something. And that's what we're looking at right here, and I want to repeat this to us, okay? This is an exhortation that I want us to really, really try to get a hold of here.

We have a responsibility to preach the gospel wherever God will raise up an ear to hear it. And if the Lord has opened a door for the gospel to be preached, we need to supply the gospel as the Lord enables us to supply it. And that does not just mean the man who studies and preaches, it's us. We need to supply it.

Verse 12, again, he said, When I shall send Artemis unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me, to Nicopolis, for I've determined there to winter, bring Zenos the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. He said, Titus, you help supply whatever needs Zenos and Apollos have on their journey in preaching the gospel. Make sure they have everything they need so they can focus on the task at hand. We need to supply the gospel and we need to supply and support those who supply the gospel.

Verse 14 says, and let ours, that means our people, our local congregation, Let ours also learn to maintain good works. Now, do you have a center margin in your Bible for maintain good works? Those three words. This is their translation, meaning this was the original meaning of what was written, okay? Those three words mean profess honest trades. Maintain good works means profess honest trades. He said in verse 14, let ours also learn to profess honest trades for necessary uses that they," the preachers he was just talking about. He's talking about some men, talking about some preachers, that they, you know, who need to be supported, that they be not unfruitful.

What he's saying is, Titus, we need to send a man to Crete to cover for you while you're gone. And Zenos and Apollos, they need some support for the trip they're about to take to go preach the gospel. And he said, I want you to tell the local assembly in Crete to work hard. Be hard workers because these men who are traveling and preaching, they're working hard. It's a hard work. And they need to focus on the task of studying and preaching the gospel. They don't need to be sidetracked or distracted while trying to figure out how they're going to, you know, meet all these extra expenses.

You tell them if either Artemis or Tychicus comes to them, support him for coming. And even though Zenos and Apollos are not coming to them, they're going to other saints. Tell them to support those men. for the good cause of the ministry of the gospel.

Verse 12, when I shall send Artemis unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me, to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to win her, but bring Zenos the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them, and let ours also learn to profess honest trades, Work hard, get good jobs, make good money, and give it liberally to support the ministry of the preaching of the gospel.

Now, more of you know this than some, but I do believe that pretty much most everyone here knows that we're not about money. We're just not about money here. We don't pass a plate here. That's kind of shocking to some people. We don't make anybody sign a financial membership commitment. We don't have to look at anybody's tax returns. It normally takes people about a month to even figure out how they can give money here, because we've camouflaged the box. Nobody knows where it is. This happens all the time. Somebody will say, where do I give money?

With all that being said, based on the word of our God to us, I wanna encourage every brother and sister here to give as generously and as liberally as you can, as generously and liberally as the Lord enables you to and lays on your heart to, because there is always a need for supporting the preaching of the gospel. And I'm gonna tell you what this country needs. It needs the gospel. It doesn't need a better health care system. It doesn't need a better economy. It doesn't need anything but the gospel. This country needs the gospel. We want the gospel to remain here. We want those children and potential grandchildren to have the gospel, to have the gospel.

And I want everyone to know there's a lot of things that happen that, you know, is not advertised, not that we're trying to hide anything, it's just, you know, but there's always a need for supporting the gospel. A lot of times we think if there's a need, let me know. Well, there's always a need. There's always a need. Not only does this congregation very generously support me, And the efforts that we have here, you know, we have a TV broadcast and we have this and all the efforts that the Lord has given us to spread the gospel. But we have and we do support other preachers and other ministries. Wherever, you know, we feel we can or need be, we do. It's just very needful. It's a blessing. And that's what Paul is telling Titus to notify the congregation of.

Verse 14, let ours also learn to maintain good works, profess honest trades, that they, Artemis, Tychicus, Zenos, Apollos, and whoever else preaches the gospel, that they be not unfruitful, that they be not hindered from preaching the message that brings the fruit of God's Holy Spirit to God's people.

Now, why would we do that? All right, why would we do that? What would motivate us to do that? For what reason would a desire like that be created in us? The reason of Jesus Christ. The reason of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the reason. The reason of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason of the supply of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of everything he gave. Everything he provided. Everything he supplied.

What Paul told Titus right here in these three verses. It's a beautiful picture of Christ. We see Christ in this. Paul said to Titus in verse 12, he said, I'm not going to leave the congregation there alone. They're not going to be forsaken. You're going to come to me in Nicopolis. They're not going to be forsaken or left alone. He said, because you have to leave, I'm going to send another. That is exactly what our Lord Jesus Christ said.

Turn with me over to John 14. John 14 verse 15, our Lord said, if you love me, keep my commandments and I will pray the father and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with you forever. Even the spirit of truth. Romans eight calls him the spirit of Christ. And the Lord Jesus Christ said, I am the truth. So verse 17 says, even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him, but you know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you.

Look at John 15 verse 26. He said, but when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me when he comes to you. Chapter 16, verse 5, he said, but now I go my way to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me, whither goest thou? But because I've said those things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, it's expedient for you that I go away. For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you. But if I depart, I will send him unto you. And he said in verse 14, he shall glorify me for he shall receive of mine and shall show it unto you. He said, I'll send a comforter to you with the message of the gospel of Christ. I'll never leave you alone.

Back in Titus three, go back to Titus three. Verse 13. Paul said, bring Zenos the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently that nothing be wanting unto them, nothing be lacking unto them. You make the sacrifice so they can have whatever they need. That is exactly what our Lord Jesus Christ did.

Hold your place because we're flipping back and forth. Turn over to 2 Corinthians 8. 2 Corinthians 8 verse 9, it says, For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich. What would motivate us to give and support and supply Just look at everything Christ gave, everything Christ supplied. He gave all. He made himself to be poor by giving all. Second Corinthians 9 right here, verse 15, it says, thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. It's unspeakable because it's unfathomable how much he gave. He gave all.

Galatians 1 verse 3 says, Grace be to you and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins. He gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God and our Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

He didn't just give his things. He gave himself. He supplied all. He gave all. He accomplished all.

Back in Titus 3, verse 14 says, and let ours also learn to maintain good works, profess an honest trade, be diligent and faithful in your profession. for the fruit and benefit of others. That is exactly what the Lord Jesus Christ did.

Go with me to Luke 2. Luke 2, this is speaking of Christ. Verse 41 says, Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover, and when he was 12 years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey, And they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed. And his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that you sought me?

We don't seek him. He seeks us. But he said, how is it that you sought me, know ye not that I must be about my father's business? Don't you realize that I have a profession, I have a business that I must fulfill? My father laid an honest trade, a work on me.

Turn over to John chapter nine. Verse 1, and as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth, and his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me. While it is day, The night cometh when no man can work.

What he's saying is if I don't do it, it's not going to be done. If I'm not faithful and diligent in the work that has been laid on me, no fruit will be brought to pass. I am the root. I am the vine. If the vine doesn't do the work, the branches won't bear any fruit. I must be about my father's business. I must work the works of him that sent me.

Go to John 17. John 17, verse three. And this is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God in Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. Father, I maintained the good work. I professed the honest trade and I finished it. that they also whom thou gavest me might bear the fruit of my labor.

Christ finished the work. He finished the work of the cross. If you turn over to John 19 verse 30, when Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, it is finished. And he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. And because of that, His harvest will yield his fruit.

Now, do we need any more motivation than that? Do we need any more motivation than that? Then just for Christ's sake, may God give us a heart to support the ministry. And listen, again, we're not about money. You say, I don't have any money. That's fine. Support it some other way. You got a man traveling up there to preach? Drive him. Support it some other way, I don't know. But Lord, teach us what this means, teach us what it is. Give us a heart to support the ministry of the preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ. For his sake, amen.