The Power of No

by Charles Ligon


 With dread and anxiousness, I picked up the phone and made the call…informing the person on the other end that I was saying “No” to the request that I commit to his project.  I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time saying “No”.  In fact, for me, it’s easier to be that person who says “Yes” to everything because a “No” often leads to feelings of guilt... as if by saying “No” I am betraying or letting someone down.  I’m not alone…there are many others who also struggle with saying “No”. Are you one of those people?  Before you answer that question, please understand I am mostly speaking about volunteer projects or commitments outside your vocation.  As believers, we are all required to do the legitimate work that is assigned within the scope of our employment. What I’m talking about are projects or commitments that are assigned by others.  We can easily become weary by doing too much. 

Have you committed to so many things that you feel anxious and weighed down?  Take time now and ask yourself, “Is the added weight God-appointed or man-appointed?”

In his book, Mastering Monday, John Becket said (pg 171) “the word No may be the most efficient time saver in the English language. No can save us hours of time, return responsibility to its rightful owner and help one focus on right priorities. No can also protect us from our own good heart”.

The Apostle Paul always sought to stay “within the limits of the sphere of influence which God had appointed him” (2 Cor. 10:13). God calls and gives all believers a specific area of responsibility. We can more effectively carry out that responsibility if we stay within those limits. It is when we step outside those limits that life can feel overwhelming. Even Jesus initially said No when Lazarus’s sisters sent for Him at the time Lazarus was sick (John 11). He waited for his Father’s perfect timing before he went. I expect many looked at him with surprise and even questioned his response.

Workplace Challenge: Say "No" more. Before saying yes to a new project or activity, tell the person you need time to pray about it. This will keep you from making an on-the-spot decision you might regret. Seek God’s direction and after much prayer and discernment, “let your Yes be Yes and your No be No” (Matthew 5:37).

Dear Sunday School Friends:

Drew Garrison's dad, Stan, entered into heaven today, August 13, 2013.  What a glorious time He is having right now.  He is with Jesus!!!  Nothing could be sweeter.  But what is heaven's gain is temporarily his loved ones loss.   But only temporarily if you are a child of the King.  There will be a reunion on day where Stan's family and friends will one day rejoice with him in heaven. 

Here are a few verses about heaven that I find comfort in.  Drew, Cindy and Katie, I pray that you will find comfort in the words of our Lord who knows and feels your sense of loss and hurt, but gives you His promises for the future which bring hope to each new day.

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.  Hebrews 11:16

In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  John 14:2

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."  English Standard Version, Revelation 21:1-5

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him."  1 Corinthians 2:9

Please feel free to leave a comment or word of encouragement for Drew and Cindy.  I know it would lift them up.

Stan Garrison

Dear Members of our Sunday School Class;

As most of you know Drew Garrison's father has brain cancer and His time is growing short as the Lord is preparing Him to go home to heaven.  What a blessed promise that our hope is in Christ and when we depart from earth we are immediately in the presence of the Lord as the Bible says.  Drew's dad has been a Christian godly man for many years and has been faithful in his love and service to our Lord Jesus Christ.  I have no doubt there is a big mansion waiting for him.  And I KNOW that one day his wife Betty, along with Drew, Cindy and Katie and Drew's brothers and sisters along with all their families will one day be united with Stan if their hope and trust is in Jesus Christ.  I do not know all of Drew's family, but I do know that Betty, Drew, Cindy and Katie will one day see their husband, father and grandfather again one day.

If you would like to send a word of comfort, thoughts in way of a card or letter, here his Stan and Betty's address.  Drew gave me permission to post this as he said some of you had asked for his dad's address.

Stan and Betty Garrison
640 SE 12 Ct.
Cape Coral, FL  33990

May God bless the Garrison family as they near the end of this journey with Stan.  May God's comfort, peace and truth be with them as only God can do.

God bless,
Deb Paradis

Lessons on Titus by Drew Garrison

Titus- Introduction

 

This letter was written by Paul to Titus around A.D. 64 (approximately the same time that he wrote 1 Timothy). He was most likely in Macedonia, travelling between his first and second Roman imprisonments. It is believed that Titus was converted as a result of Paul’s ministry to the gentiles. As a Greek himself, Titus had become one of Paul’s most trusted and dependable co-workers. Previously, Paul had sent Titus on special missions to Corinth to help those churches in their troubles. They had also traveled to Jerusalem together. They stopped in Crete, and when it came time for Paul to leave, he left Titus behind to help the newly formed churches there.

 

If you’ve ever experienced the “vacuum” left behind when a strong, or charismatic, leader leaves an organization or movement, it can be devastating. So much reliance is often placed on personality, style, or even skill. And once the “point man” for that success has departed, those that remain find themselves floundering or vying for control. Before long, that once thriving environment begins to die out and those that remain are wondering how this happened. This is pattern is often seen played out in churches. A great preacher or teacher develops a following and church growth explodes. The church is ALIVE, it’s effective, and meaningful. Lives are being changed and people are coming to Christ. And then, for many different reasons, the leader is no longer there. And with them goes the heart and drive of the organization.

 

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

Paul has made it his mission to multiply the successes of his ministry. He has invested his life in mentoring and discipling others who would then do the same. All in an overwhelming desire to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not the ministry of Paul. And Paul was able to do this in large part because Barnabus had made the investment in him in the early stages of his ministry. (Acts 9:27, 11:25,26) Titus was one of these “mentorees”.

 

Titus had been tasked to organize and oversee the churches on Crete. The island had a large Jewish population, and many of these churches may have been formed by Cretan Jews who had been at Pentecost more than 30 years prior to the writing of this letter. This particular location also had a strong pagan influence, in part because it may have been a training center for Roman soldiers. In this letter, Paul was advising Titus on how to carry out his responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of strong Christian leadership to be able to stand up against these worldly influences.

 

This book is not merely directed to Titus and church “leadership”, but to the entire body of the church as well. We will approach our study from the viewpoint of discipleship and see how Paul’s instruction may be applied to each and every one of us as followers of Jesus Christ. Over the next 4 weeks, we’ll look closely at 3 different aspects of Christian living:

 

1.      Character of a Christian leader

2.      Christian character within the Church

3.      Christian character within Society

 

If you notice, I have basically mapped out three lessons for 4 weeks. As a longtime member of this class, I think it’s best if we maintain some flexibility with our timingJ. I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will have no difficulty in filling up the next 4 weeks. As usual, I expect full participation and am looking forward to what I will learn from each of you as we study this together.

 

Titus: Chapter 1

Character of a Christian Leader

“If you can raise up leaders, you will always have followers, but if you can’t raise up leaders, you will only have followers.”- John Maxwell

Titus 1

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

Paul continues to call himself an apostle, even though he wasn’t one of the twelve. The word “apostle” means messenger or missionary; Paul rightly sees himself as being called by God to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. “God’s elect” refers to God’s choice of his people, the church.

·         According to verse 1, what is the purpose of Paul’s letter to Titus?

Paul makes it clear from the outset that the purpose of this letter is to strengthen the faith of the church through a growing knowledge of the truth that, as a result, should be reflected in how believers live out their lives (godliness).   

² in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, ³ and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

It is important to point out that the word “hope” in this verse carries with it no uncertainty. The Greek word conveys a sense of settled confidence and expectation. We are also reminded that the promises of God are airtight. We can bank on His Word being absolutely true and trustworthy.

·         With this in mind, what should this mean to the way we face day-to-day living?

⁴ To Titus, my true son in our common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Titus’s Task on Crete

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint^[a] elders in every town, as I directed you.

·         Why was Titus left in Crete?

As we discussed in the introduction, Paul is giving Titus the task of organizing and overseeing the churches on Crete. One of the important things to note about Paul is his ability to mentor others to successfully carry on the multiplication of Jesus’ ministry. Titus has already demonstrated leadership capabilities on previous missions to Corinth (2 Cor. 7-8), and had also accompanied Paul in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:3). In his own early ministry, Paul had been mentored by Barnabus,

·         Can you think of other early church leaders that Paul mentored? (Silas, Timothy)

·         What does this tell us about Paul’s view of his own ministry?

Characteristics of a Church Leader

⁶ An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. ⁷ Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁸ Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

·         What are some of the qualifications for church leadership described in this passage?

·         What do these qualifications reflect?

A person’s lifestyle and behavior is a solid indicator of their character.

 

⁹ He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

·         What does it mean to “hold firmly” to the trustworthy message as it has been taught? (2 Tim. 4:1-4)

¹⁰ For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. ¹¹ They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. ¹² One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”^{[c] 13} This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith ¹⁴ and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. ¹⁶ They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Remember our study in 1 Corinthians? The Corinthians had allowed influences both inside and outside the church to nearly destroy their ministry. Here, we see Paul pointing out the importance of weeding these “disrupters” out of the church if they cannot be turned toward a “sound faith”. *But it is important to point out 2 Corinthians! Paul sent Titus there and things had turned around greatly (2 Cor. 7:8-16).

 

 

Titus: Chapter 2

Christian Character Within the Church

“Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by their life, or else they pull down with one hand what they build up with the other.”- Matthew Henry

Last week we discussed Titus’s qualifications and his mission on Crete. We learned that Paul had left him behind on what was likely his final trip to Rome, between his first and second imprisonments. We also reviewed the qualifications that Titus was to look for when appointing “elders”, or leaders, within the churches spread over the island. Toward the close of Chapter 1 (vs. 9), Paul emphasizes that the appointed leaders “hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” He then explains why this quality is so important in verses 10-16.

This morning we’ll look at Paul’s emphasis on the importance of “sound doctrine” in more detail. And we’ll also dig into his instructions to Titus regarding specifics on what to focus on when teaching different groups within the church. And, if we make it through all of that, we’ll get to the expected impact of following through on these instructions.

Have you ever been deeply impacted by someone that you viewed as a “role model” or “mentor”? Would you say the impact was positive, negative, or perhaps both? I believe that Paul is trying to raise up role models and mentors within the early church by emphasizing the value and importance of each demographic within the church and the impact they can have on other believers, and on unbelievers both inside, and outside of, the church. Having people of varying generations within a church body can help to make it strong, but it can also bring potential for problems.

Titus 2

Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

¹You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

In this verse, the word “teach” (Greek word laleo) means to speak, to use words to express. Once again, we see the emphasis on “sound doctrine”. The word “doctrine” refers to “instruction” or “teaching”.  This is the content of our faith.

·         How can we recognize “sound doctrine”?

When a teaching is sound, it combines correct knowledge and understanding with consistent practice. It must be found in the Bible, keep Jesus Christ central, result in consistently good behavior and actions, and promote spiritual health in ourselves and others.

·         If we have immersed ourselves in the truth of the Bible and developed a solid foundation in Christ, how will this impact our ability to stand firm when our faith is challenged?

We will be able to recognize, and not be swayed by, the teachings that are contradictory to God’s Word regardless of how powerful the delivery might be. This will also help us to avoid the possible devastation, or the pull of emotion, when facing tragic or extreme circumstances.

² Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

·         What are the key points of focus to be taught to older men?

·         Why would these be of particular importance with this particular age group?

The older generation should teach the younger by words and example. This group may need be careful not to allow themselves to worry excessively or become easily irritated easily, especially over the little things. If they’ve been believers for a time, they should demonstrate spiritual maturity and a consistent focus on Christ. They should also recognize that they have much to offer by way of life experience. Younger people are more apt to listen to someone that demonstrates these characteristics.

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

·         What does it mean to be “reverent” in the way they live?

This basically means that we should seek holy lives. Older women who have been believers for some time should understand that younger women (or newer believers) should be able to learn how to live a Christian life by observing women of God.

·         Why would we need to urge younger women to love their husbands and children? What does this love look like?

Urge: To entreat earnestly and often repeatedly; exhort. Unfortunately, husbands and children may not always be that lovable. (Maybe even wives for that matterJ.) But to love like Christ would mean that in spite of immaturity, stupidity, cluelessness, etc… we love as an act of obedience even when our emotions don’t feel it. (see Romans 5:8 for Christ’s demonstration of this.)

⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

In ancient Greek society, the role of the husband/father was not viewed as a nurturing role, but merely a functional one. Many young men today have been raised by single mothers or in an environment where the father has abdicated his role to his wife or sometimes even the children themselves. Husbands and fathers who are good examples of Christian living are important role models for young men to see how it is done.

^·           “Self-control” is mentioned 4 times in this chapter alone. Why is this such a key point to godly living?

The “church”, or Christian community, is made up of people from very diverse backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints. This is a recipe for certain conflict. And with the whole world watching, we need wisdom and discernment to be discreet, and to make every effort for self-control to be transformed to Christ-control. This will assist in mastering our tongues, passions, and will help to ensure that Christ is not dishonored.

⁹ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, ¹⁰ and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

In Paul’s day, slavery was common. It likely wasn’t slavery as we think of it here, but perhaps more of an “indentured servant” role. In any case, he advised slaves and masters to be loving and responsible in their conduct toward each other.

·         What might be a modern equivalent to this example?

The standards set by Paul can help any employee/employer relationship. As Christians, we should always do our best work and prove ourselves trustworthy, even when our employer isn’t looking. It is important to remember that we are “ministers” of Christ wherever we are. And work is no exception. People are watching us as Christians, and if what they see in us is no different than what they experience from anyone else, we have done nothing to make Christ attractive.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Salvation comes through grace alone and has been made available to all people. As those who have experienced this grace and come to know the Savior, it is imperative that we be a consistent reflection of Christ so that others would be drawn to His grace. Our hope needs to be firmly in Christ alone; no matter what the world around us looks like. And as we stated last week, the “hope” of Christ’s return does not imply uncertainty. While we will have to wait, we do this with the assurance of His return.

·         In addition to “self-control”, Paul mentions another critical characteristic (in various forms). What is it?

Godly living and doing (or teaching) what is good. Once again, a key emphasis is placed on our actions. While these do not save us, they are a definite expression and indicator of salvation. If, in fact, we are redeemed as “His own”, then in His strength we are fully empowered to say “no” to the things of this world that contradict His way of living.

·         Paul also expresses the “why” when instructing Titus on the things he is to teach. What is the primary purpose?

That no one “malign the Word of God”. That people would have “nothing bad toi say about us” and that the teachings of Christ would “be made attractive”. Here again, we are to be a reflection that is in direct contradiction to the world’s expectations. How are you doing in this area?

¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Speak with such vigor as to command respect. But do so with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures. Do not allow yourself to feel threatened when others in the church may be older, more influential, or wealthier. Warn them with such authority that no one may think himself above (so the Greek literally) the need of admonition. Our ultimate goal for encouragement or rebuke (admonishment) is reconciliation and the strengthening of the church. If we can’t approach situations in that matter, it is best left to others within the body.