The North Church Women

A Word to Live By: Paul’s Greeting to Titus

As we walk through the first four verses of this letter, in one sense we are simply reading the opening phrases of a traditional ancient correspondence. We see the letter’s author, the letter’s recipient, and the letter’s formal greeting. But packed into those standard structures are some powerful shaping realities about the purpose and identity and foundation of God’s people, including us today. This is a far cry from “To Whom It May Concern.” In addition, these four brief verses also provide the bones and themes of Paul’s full message, like a topical index of the content to follow.

To kick off a new season of MOMS, Liz Stein will unpack our theme for the year: My Times are in Your Hands. We'll also enjoy a time of reconnecting and sweet fellowship.

Titus: Redeemed by Grace for Godly Living

This week we had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Brian Tabb, the President of Bethlehem College and Seminary. His overview examined the plan, the people, the places, the problems, and the priorities of Paul as he wrote to Titus. Brian highlighted “Gospel-Fueled Godliness” throughout the text of Titus, especially seen in Titus 3:4-8: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”

This week, Psalm 63 showed us that when we are in the wilderness of waiting or suffering, we thirst–and we must seek satisfaction where it may truly be found. Refresh your heart in worship, meditating on the Lord, and looking to the eternal joy of God’s presence forever.

In Psalm 56 we saw how faith in the midst of fears works for those who know and trust God. With David as our model, we walked through what it means to resolve to trust the Lord when fears arise. We saw David turning to the Lord. We saw how his overwhelming fear led to trust, which resulted in praise, which led to increased trust, and which ultimately resulted in not being as afraid.

In Psalm 51, we hear David powerfully articulating the gospel through a broken, contrite heart to a steadfastly loving, abundantly merciful God. It is our prayer that as we go through David’s penitential lament for his grievous sins, you will see how God’s Steadfast Love Creates a Broken, Contrite Heart to Worship Him.

In Psalm 34, David shares his resolve to praise God and invites his listeners to do the same. Following a personal testimony to God’s faithfulness, David welcomes God’s people to receive the blessings of provision and protection available to those who fear the LORD. In the last half of the psalm, David teaches how the fear of the LORD influences words and actions. Finally, he reveals why we should fear the LORD. He expands on God’s preserving and saving work for those who take refuge in him, both to sustain us through trials in this life and to save us from eternal condemnation.

The psalmist takes a very public occasion to tell a very personal story of his failure and God’s mercy. Layered into the story of the temple dedication is the story of the failures of God’s people and the relentless pursuit of God to be with His people and to provide a means for displaying His goodness to them. In crescendo-like manner, this Psalm depicts the failures of His people (including David, Israel, and even us) against the glorious backdrop of mercy and grace that brings about a resurrection transformation that elicits eternal praise.

In the layering of the psalmists’ experiences and stories, one central figure emerges—the Anointed One from Psalm 2 who blesses all who take refuge in him. In the Psalms, the faithful people of God sing of the hope they have in God’s promise to establish this King and his worldwide kingdom of righteousness and peace. Throughout every season of their lives, these faithful ones cling to God’s promises by meditating on God’s words, by remembering their history, by imagining the future, and by praising the Lord. Today, the faithful people of God worship Jesus as the Anointed King and continue to sing these songs until the day God will bring the whole world under the reign of Christ Jesus.

Bryan will share practical encouragements for moms as they seek to raise Christian disciples who delight in God.