Sharper Iron — The Word is Trustworthy: The Church Is Under God’s Order

Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, assistant professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 1:10-16.

Those who refuse to live under God’s order in the church and the world fall into vanity and deception. Though they may give the appearance of order by all that they command, they only follow the commands of man and so prove themselves insubordinate to God. This teaching showed itself in a demand for circumcision in Paul’s day; it shows itself today in a demand for obedience to any human command. Titus was stationed in Crete to silence such teaching, even though Paul reminds him not to be surprised when it pops up in multiple places. He, and all faithful pastors, must give a sharp rebuke to this false teaching, lest such deadly doctrine lead to bear fruit in an ungodly life. Though the false teachers think they know God, their works prove otherwise. Paul gives such a sharp rebuke because the stakes are high. Only the healthy doctrine of the truth in Christ brings eternal life.

“The Word is Trustworthy” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the three pastoral epistles: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. These three letters are named after their recipients, two young pastors in the Christian Church. St. Paul gives instruction to these two men concerning the doctrine and life of the congregations where they are given to serve. In these epistles, the Apostle teaches both pastors and congregations of all times and places that the sound doctrine from God’s Word is faithful to save sinners in Christ Jesus.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Titus 1:10-16

¹⁰For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.^[a] ¹¹They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. ¹²One of the Cretans,^[b] a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”^[c] ¹³This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. ¹⁵To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. ¹⁶They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Footnotes

Titus 1:10 Or especially those of the circumcision
Titus 1:12 Greek One of them
Titus 1:12 Probably from Epimenides of Crete

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).