The Place to Be #39

 

Titus 3:12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.

In these final instructions of Paul to Titus, there is one phrase that almost blends into the background that really sets the atmosphere for the health of the church. Verse 14 begins "and let our people" - there is no sense of us-versus-them, but a comradery of faith with fellow believers across the world.  That sets the stage for the movement of different people, words, and actions involved in the instructions here.  Paul was apparently sending a substitute to Crete so Titus could join Paul nearby for fellowship and further instructions.  Paul had also sent Zenss and Apollos there to help with the ministry there, but they needed to move on to other places.  There were also words of greetings between different parties from Crete and the church were Paul presently was ministering. Believers knew each other. Finally, there was sense of giving that was to characterize the church in caring for one another which would also extend to fellow believers across the world.  This generosity would be seen by their fellow Cretans and encourage others in the body, creating a spirit of thanksgiving appropriate for God's people.