In the chosen text listed above Paul is concluding his Pastoral Epistles with this final set of instructions for Titus, a young Evangelist. He also wrote two such letters to Timothy. In this letter written which instructed Titus to set things in order that were lacking in the Cretan churches, Paul addressed several important points. He instructed Titus to ordain qualified Elders in each congregation and laid out those qualifications (1:5-9). He then taught that false teachers should be rebuked and false teaching must stop (1:10-16). He then exhorted Titus to himself preach things proper for sound doctrine (healthy teaching) (2:1) and then gave specific examples throughout the remainder of that 2^nd chapter.  Our focus will be the 3^rd chapter where Paul's focus was maintaining good works and avoiding distractions. To be specific he instructed Titus that he avoid foolish disputes etc...

Our days on this earth are very few. We never truly know if this is our last day to live or not. We also don't know how long our friends, loved ones, and acquaintances will live. We truly don't know where life with take any of us (James 4:13-17). With that being said it is important to spend what little time we have together wisely. We should be able to better spend our brief time on earth doing good works rather than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. Churches, marriages, companies, and even nations suffer much from petty arguments over sometimes minor points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the argument failed to produce love or even enlightenment to either party on the given topic! In congregations questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them.

Our business is neither to neither ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether.  There are some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Savior? Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus? These are examples good questions that we must constantly give our attention to.

If we observe the apostle's precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings. In short, the old saying that says "the idle mind is the devil's workshop" holds true. People busy trying to maintain good works are typically too busy to stop and entertain certain types of arguments. This teaching has far reaching implications outside of the local congregations.

How many times have we found ourselves arguing with our spouse over some minute point or offense? How many friendships are in jeopardy or lost altogether because of angry words spoken about a minor slight? I've personally seen companies halted while inconsequential personal issues between higher ups are disputed. Why don't we decide to avoid the foolishness and concentrate on the good in our spouses, our friends, and our jobs? It'll make for better relationships and we'll all have more peace!!!

Bro Eli  (with an assist from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening)

There is an old saying that goes something like, "if you don't know where you're going, then any road will take you there." I believe that statement as it relates to the necessity of direction in our live. This saying hold true for persons and organizations in my opinion. The old proverb says that without vision the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). Is the church aware of it the vision of its Lord? The God (through Hosea) said that my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).  Clearly God's people won't be able to please God without having the knowledge of His will and adhering to His vision.

    I believe that the bible is God's completed Word to mankind and it contains everything that we need to know to please him (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Peter 1:2-3; 19-21).  With that being said then it is true that individuals and groups can simply understand what God has instructed in His word to be certain He is pleased. If a man wants to know if he is a good husband in God's eyes he simply needs to read the scriptures pertaining to husbands (like Eph 5:25-29; 1 Pet 3:7-8) and compare that to how he treats his wife. Wives need only read God's words to wives (like Eph 5:22-24; 1 Pet 3:1-6) to measure her efforts in marriage. The same can be said for parents and children (Eph 6:1-4), bosses and workers (Eph 6:5-9), and of course church leaders (Eph 4:11-12) and the church overall (Eph 4:13-16).

    In the coming weeks on this page (and to some degree from the pulpit) we will examine these areas of life for the purpose of comparing where we are now to where God wants us to be. Emphasis will be placed on the individual in the different walks of life and on the church collectively.

    Bro Eli

By the time the book of Revelation was compiled some 50 or 60 years had passed since the death of Christ and the beginning of His church (Acts 2:47). By 95 or 96 A.D. John was exiled on the island of Patmos and recorded the revelation from Jesus. 

    Jesus gave 7 churches a progress report of sorts in the 2^nd and 3^rd chapters of the book of Revelation. The churches got mixed reviews for the most part. During the course of the aforementioned 50-60 years each church had developed at its own unique pace and apparently in its own unique direction. Each church had a unique makeup and ministry context that influenced its direction so the message of Jesus was not identical in each case. Generally speaking, each church had strengths and weaknesses. Jesus praised the strengths but urged the church to improve in their areas of weakness or face having the church (candlesticks) removed from its place in the community (Rev 1:20; 2:5). The words of Jesus had forced each congregation to take an honest look at its past history and make some determinations about the future.

    As we stand here today on the 42^nd anniversary of this congregation's existence (and the beginning of my time here) it seems like a good time to take a cue from the 7 churches in Revelation. We too need to look back and then forward. There has no doubt been some good and some bad. We need to look back to honestly determine what has been done well here in Olney. We should be happy that God was able to use this congregation in some way for His purpose(s). Conversely, there is no doubt that this congregation has failed to live up to the Master's expectations in some areas. We cannot shy away from looking at those things and honestly assessing ourselves and our performance here in our surrounding community. In the text referenced above Jesus was able to give very specific direction to each congregation based on their situation. Each congregation was given the opportunity to improve and develop into the force that Jesus would have to be. We have the same opportunity here in Olney!

    As we celebrate 42 years please look back fondly and remember the work that was done and those who labored here, especially those who are no longer with us. Please eat, fellowship, sing, and be happy what has done here. Let's be happy about the relationships formed over the years here. After that is done I will ask that you take an honest look around at the situation that we face. Jesus said that "the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few" (Matt 9:37-38). We still have much to accomplish. We must, like the congregations mentioned in the book of Revelation remember (take notice of) where we have fallen and repent and do the first works etc... Will you be a part of the revival here in Olney? I look forward to working with you for the good of the kingdom of God here in Montgomery County for the duration of God's appointed time for me here. Let's look back but then let's push forward!

    Bro. Eli