From Pastor Perry

Philemon 4–7 (ESV)

Philemon’s Love and Faith

⁴ I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, ⁵ because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, ⁶ and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. ⁷ For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Paul gives thanks for his friend Philemon’s love and faith. Apparently, he has heard enough to know that this is real and not for show. We should consider what people see in our lives, and how it might affect them. God can make our life of faith into an effective witness to Christ’s glory. Through the Gospel, He already works effectively in us.

I pray: O Lord, I pray that You would use me as Your witness so that I might refresh those around me. Amen.

Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 2096.

Philemon 1–3 (ESV)

Greeting

¹ Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, 

To Philemon our beloved fellow worker ² and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: 

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul begins with a short (compared to his other Letters) and yet personal greeting. His greeting begins and ends with Jesus Christ, the focus of Paul’s life. Focus on Jesus should be present in our own friendships and greetings, both with other Christians and with those who do not yet know the Lord. We have opportunities to introduce people to our Lord and Savior. The Lord’s grace and peace will strengthen our faith and equip us for all good service.

I pray: Lord, I thank You for my friends, and I pray for an opportunity to share Christ with those who have yet to meet You. Amen.

Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 2096.

Titus 3:12–15 (ESV)

Final Instructions and Greetings

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. ¹⁴ And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. 

¹⁵ All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. 

Grace be with you all.

Paul’s closing remarks mention four co-workers who, with him, spread the Gospel and minister to churches in various locations. Paul and the others could not perform such ministries without the help of other Christians, so his closing includes instructions for their support. Whether or not we personally work in outreach ministry, we need to support others as they evangelize, teach, and minister in Christ’s name. God, who redeemed us with the precious blood of Jesus and saw to it that we received His dear message, will give us opportunities to serve and support others. What a privilege to serve with our brothers and sisters in Christ in God’s kingdom!

I pray:  Entrust me, dear Lord, with the opportunity to tell another person of Your redeeming love. Amen.

Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 2093.

Titus 3:1–11 (NIV84)

Doing What Is Good

3Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. 

³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 

⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. ¹¹ You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

God brings us out of sin and into new life in Christ, beginning with the cleansing and rebirth He provides in Baptism. This is all accomplished by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not by anything we can do on our own. Those who stray away from God’s truth and stir up division among God’s people must be disciplined by the Church. We are committed and fervent in our beliefs, but we also check ourselves, our words, and our behavior against God’s trustworthy Scripture. We pay attention to the guidance, counsel, and teaching of our pastor and elders.

I pray: O God, Your Word and Sacraments sustain, guide, and nurture me in the one true faith. Guard me against all error. Amen.

Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 2092.

Titus 2:1–15 (NIV84)

What Must Be Taught to Various Groups

2You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. ² Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 

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 train 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. 

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. 

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. 

¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 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 glorious appearing 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. 

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

Self-controlled, godly living is beneficial regardless of our age or status in life, and it is important to our family relationships as well as to our witness as a Christian. Our lifestyle, relationships, and behavior must not discredit the Gospel. This sets a very high bar, indeed, and one that we cannot reach without a lot of help. However, God trains us for the present time and gives us hope for the future. He redeems and purifies us to make us His children.

I pray: Jesus, adorn my life with works and confession worthy of the Gospel. Amen.

Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 2091.