Justin Tucker, Worship Pastor LHC
Titus 2:1-10
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
Albert Pujols is one of the greatest baseball players of this generation. In his career he has amassed 683 home runs, 2167 RBI’s, a career batting average of .296. He was named the National League and Major League Baseball’s Rookie of the Year in 2001. He is a 9-time All-Star. He has won the Silver Slugger award 6 times. He has Golden Glove awards. He has been the NLCS MVP. He has 2 World Series rings. All of these accolades could easily go to his head. He could ride off into the sunset after this year, his final season, feeling successful and accomplished. What I have found to be the greatest attribute of Albert Pujols though is his willingness to pour into the lives and success of others. He knows that he is nearing the end of his career but he also knows that he still has a lot to offer. He may not hit 30 homers this year but he has taken a young, Juan Yepez, under his wing. They sit together in the clubhouse, they eat together, they break down at-bats together. Albert even asked Juan if he wanted to move into his house when he first moved to St. Louis. Yepez has seen some real improvement in his game since coming under the tutelage of Pujols. Yepez has 11 home runs and 26 RBI’s which is extremely impressive since he splits time at first base with another player. The investment that Pujols has made in the life of Juan Yepez has changed the trajectory of this young man’s life and career.
As Christ followers, we are to invest in the lives of those around us. We are called to be catalysts for change (remember the whole “salt and light” thing) that impact the trajectory of people’s eternities. We get to be a part of people’s stories. Paul wrote this letter to Titus because he wanted to encourage him and remind him that that was the mission. To love and pour into others. Paul could do this because he was the guy that led Titus to the Lord. He was the guy that Titus learned from for 3 years in Ephesus. Even nearing the end of his life, Paul is writing these letters of encouragement, mentoring, and care to Titus. Paul knew the importance of leaving a lasting impact and passing on the life changing message of the Gospel to the generations behind him.
Let me encourage you today to be someone that passes on the Gospel to the next generation. Let me encourage you to find someone older or farther along in their faith journey and learn from them. Ask questions, spend time with them, learn from them. Take the next step though, find someone younger than you or someone new to faith and be willing to pour into their life. Each and every one of us has the ability to do life alone but if we do, will never thrive alone.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord, your Word spells it out so easily for us…Love You and love others, make disciples, share hope. Help us to be the people we are called to be. Remove any pride or arrogance or fear that we may have that may be roadblocks to investing in the lives of others. Remove any bias that we may have and only allow us to see people the way that You see them. Holy Spirit guide us and direct us to those that we need to learn from and those that we need to pour into. Fill us with You and You alone so that all we have to pour out is good. In Jesus’ name, amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK
Psalm 18:30
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.