Problems of Some Cretan Believers

Titus 1:5-16

To fix problems, you must diagnose the problem correctly.  Pastor Daniel gives an example of his issue with his sore throat/neck and taking leftover antibiotics.  Our fellow healthcare professionals were not too pleased.  Or like House, M.D. where his whole job is being more right than others when it comes to diagnosing the right problem to find the right solutions/remedies.   

Sin causes all problems in life.  Unless we are aware of the issues in our lives, we cannot fix them.  We have problems everywhere.  No place where there aren’t problems.  

If you’re saying there aren’t any problems in your life, you’re probably ignorant, naive, or not ready for that confrontation yet.  

Question: What problems do you have in your life right now? Family? Church? Spiritual walk? Workplace? And what is the real issue?  

The island of Crete was known for its maritime trade, so it was a wealthy place.  The people living there were always aware of how to make more money.  Much like the people of today.  

V. 10 - “insubordinate” - someone who doesn’t obey.  This was an issue with the believers of the Cretan church.  

Question: Do you have a hard time to submit? 

Struggling in this means we cannot embody Christ’s behavior in submission and obedience to God.  Insubordination is usually seen with someone who ranks higher than us, but we also must practice this with those who may be “below us.”  

Practice obedience in our everyday lives.  If it’s not life or death, it won’t hurt to just do what people ask us to do.  You should do the things asked of you.  

V. 10 - “empty talkers”- they talk but their words don’t mean anything.  They like to talk, but they lack action.  They are good at criticizing but don’t offer solutions or alternatives.  

Instead of criticizing, ask yourself, “What can I do today?”  Most people are empty talkers and only criticize.  

V. 10 - “deceivers and deception” - again, these are our believers. 
Who’s good at deceiving?  Satan.  He twists words and makes people believe something that is not true.  So why are those of the church doing this?  Can imagine non-believers doing this, but why are the believers doing this?  

V. 11 - “want a shameful gain” - people deceive for their own personal gain.  We should be mindful of people’s motives.  

V. 12 - “liars” - they know they’re lying, but they keep lying.  Each word they speak is a lie.  How can Christian’s do this?  

V. 12 - “evil beasts” - they carry evil thoughts in their minds.  

V. 12 - “lazy gluttons”  - excessively greedy for their stomach and food.  But not only food, but for their worldly desires.  For their wealth.  But also, they were lazy.  It’s ok to want much and work hard.  But it’s the worst to want greedily and be lazy and put in no work.  

Ie.  Servant given one talent was deemed “lazy”.  

How many hours do you sleep?  Think about sacrificing your hours of sleep for God.  

V. 16 - profess to know God but deny Him by their works.  

Also written in James, very similar time.  Without works, your faith means nothing.  2:14-20

“Deny” was the same word used when Peter denied Jesus 3 times.  We probably won’t say we deny Him, but we likely can show that in our actions in our daily lives.  Without works, our faith cannot be proven.  

V. 16 - unfit for any good works - these believers were useless and only focusing on their own benefit.  So what is a Christian?  It’s not someone who looks for things that benefit themselves.  We are called to a life that is servantful and giving of and for others.  

How difficult it would be to be a pastor or shepherd for a people like this.  What would you do?  

How can people say, “Christ is my Lord and Savior,” but there is no change in their lives?  

Why are these people unchanged?  Why do they bear no fruit of transformation in their lives?  

Many reasons.  

But these people lacked discipleship for forming their new lives towards Christ.  

Question: Have you received any form of discipleship?  If so, what forms of discipleship are you receiving?

If you’re struggling in transforming old parts of your life, consider seeking more discipleship.  

We face so many different problems in our lives.  

“We are all broken - that’s how the light gets in.” - Ernest Hemingway

I’ll always have problems, but through those cracks that form, God’s light can shine through.