Titus-Philemon Great stories of call and redemption

December 16th, Titus-Philemon

       Like Timothy, Titus carries with it the same ideas of helping out a young leader, It starts of in chapter one with qualifications for Elders. There need to be leaders in any setting that are worthy of being looked up to. In your family, church, business. No matter what the setting quality leaders make a world of difference.
       Chapter two calls on some more characteristics of old and young, men and women as well as another great summary passage. 2:11-13 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, waiting for our blessed hope, and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
       I always hate it when theology profs complain about a run-on sentence in a paper. I always think to myself, don't they read the Bible!! Paul is the master of run-on sentences!
       Philemon- a short book about forgiveness, slaves/slaveowners and a new day. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon, stole items and ran away. In the course of time Onesimus ran across Paul and got saved. Paul wants to send Onesimus back to Philemon, but with a very different outlook regarding the whole issue of slavery/forgiveness/redemption. Philemon is the letter Paul wrote to the slave owner of Onesimus regarding this whole situation. Don't miss it. A great story.