GRACE THAT SAVES, TRUTH THAT TRANSFORMS
The Book of Titus #1
Keith O’Connor
Woodland Church
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Written by:
Paul (Titus 1:1)
Year:
Approx. AD 62-65 (in between 1 and 2 Timothy, after first imprisonment in Rome)
To:
Titus (Titus 1:4)
Where:
Crete
(Titus 1:12, NLT) “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons”
Reasons for writing:
- To establish godly leadership in the church
- To protect the church from false teaching
- To teach believers how to live godly lives
How do we follow God in an ungodly world?
The heart of Titus:
God’s grace saves us, and by His Spirit, trains and transforms us—producing a life of godliness and good works.
(Titus 1:1-4, NLT) “This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him. I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace”
1. Servant’s Identity
Written by Paul
(Titus 1:1, NLT) “This letter is from Paul”
(Titus 1:1, NLT) “a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ”
2. Servant’s Message
(Titus 1:1-2, NLT) “I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began”
Main themes of Titus:
- Godliness
- Good Works
(Matthew 5:16, NLT) “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father”
Paul’s goal is to help people:
- come to faith
- grow in faith
Hope in the Gospel
(Titus 1:2, NLT) “This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began”
Biblical Hope is confidence, certainty, looking forward with excitement and assurance
God cannot lie
(Numbers 23:19, NLT) “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind”
God’s plan and the cross
(Titus 1:2, NLT) “This is a promise that He gives from: before the world began”
3. Servant’s Commission
(Titus 1:3, NLT) “And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him”
(Titus 1:3, NLT) “It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him”
4. Servant’s Relationship
Personal Letter
(Titus 1:4, NLT) “I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share”
(Titus 1:4) “my true son in the faith”
Paul writes, “my true son in the faith,” and then he writes, “that we share”
- Common Faith
- Different Backgrounds, but Same Savior
- Different Pasts, but Same Future
- Eternal Life
Growthwork
- Stay rooted in God’s Word
- Share the Gospel boldly
- Trust God’s promises with confidence
(Titus 1:4, NLT) “May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace”