Running the Race - Part 1 [Notes]

If you have ever run a race like a 5K, you understand the satisfaction of finishing well, but also the difficulty of the race. Similarly, living out the Christian faith brings profound joy and fulfillment, yet it comes with its own set of challenges—we can get tired, discouraged, and stumble along the way.

In this series, "Running the Race," we'll dive into the New Testament book of Titus and uncover five key truths that will help us navigate our spiritual journeys with strength and endurance.

We'll also continue to thank God for Pastor Tim's 40 years of faithfully running his race as our Founding and Senior Pastor and earnestly pray for Pastor Josh and our next generation of leaders as they receive the baton to lead our church into the next season ahead.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways. This is the Lord's declaration. For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
— Isaiah 55:8-9 (HCSB)

Titus was a Gentile convert who had served and traveled with the Apostle Paul. Titus had also functioned as a faithful emissary to the troubled church in Corinth. In approximately a.d. 63-64, sometime after they left Timothy behind in Ephesus, Paul and Titus traveled on to Crete. After a brief visit Paul then left Titus behind to help provide leadership for the Cretan churches.
– A.D. Litfin

The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.
– Titus 1:5 (HCSB)

Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
– Titus 1:1-2 (HCSB)

Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
– Titus 1:1-2 (HCSB)

God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes His mind. Does He speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?
– Numbers 23:19 (HCSB)

... it is impossible for God to lie ...
–  Hebrews 6:18b (HCSB)

In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior.
– Titus 1:3 (HCSB)

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.
– Luke 19:10 (HCSB)

To Titus, my true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
– Titus 1:4 (HCSB)

But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.
– 1 Peter 1:15-16 (HCSB)

For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
– Titus 2:11-13 (HCSB)

He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works.
– Titus 2:14 (HCSB)

Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.
– Ephesians 5:25b-27 (HCSB)

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
– Titus 3:4-5 (HCSB)

The three words, 'kindness,' 'love,' and 'mercy,' (Titus 3:4-5) all represent aspects of God's grace. The dual means of grace through which He accomplished this salvation are (1) the rebirth spoken of as a washing from the filth of sin, and (2) the renewal by the Holy Spirit.
– Litfin

He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
– Titus 3:6 (HCSB)

I Believe // Firm Foundation (He Won't) // There is a King // Death Was Arrested // This I Believe

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