No Small Assignments

No Small Assignments
Words of Faith 9-18-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Titus 3
[12] As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. [13] Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. [14] Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, so that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. [15] Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Paul closed this powerful but brief letter by sharing some plans for the future. Once again, this was some of the "stuff" of church life. Assignments and reassignments may seem mundane but these are the things that God works through and works out so that His Gospel may go forth and His people may be cared for.
Another worker would be sent to Crete. There is no "issue" related to this reassignment of responsibility. It was the hope of Paul that Titus would come to visit him in Nicopolis, a city on the west coast of Greece. Paul planned to spend the winter there making it a base of operation for that area. The name of this town means "victory." Paul was inviting Titus forward toward victory. This was not a defeat.
Given these directions, it is interesting that Paul gave such careful instruction to an overseer who was apparently about to be replaced. Perhaps the larger message here is to never view any assignment no matter how "temporary" as of little consequence. Paul took the role of Titus serving in Crete very seriously even though he knew there was a change of leadership ahead. To paraphrase a saying that comes from the world of acting-- there are no small assignments only small leaders. The role of Titus was big because he was assigned by the Lord to be of influence even if for a short time. He was also assigned to straighten things out and organize the church in advance of the next leaders.
Zenas and Apollos were apparently the ones who were bringing this letter to Titus in Crete. The name Zenas appears only here. His name is Greek, but he may have been a convert from Judaism. If he was of Jewish origin, the designation "lawyer" means that he had been an expert in the Mosaic Law. If he was a Gentile, it means he had been a Roman jurist before coming to Christ. Apollos was of course a well-known Alexandrian Jew who, having been fully instructed at Ephesus, effectively served in the Corinthian church. The journey of Zenas and Apollos took them through Crete, and Titus was instructed to diligently assist them by seeing that their further needs are supplied.
It was not clear yet who would be taking the reins of leadership in Crete after Titus left. Nothing more is known about Artemas but Tychicus was known to be a trusted co-worker who on several occasions appears as traveling with or for Paul.
So what do we get from this? There is SO much in this little letter that was intended to give instruction for what some might consider a little assignment. Paul was calling Titus away. But the assignment was still very important. If we think about it if only one person is saved or benefits from our efforts, then the assignment is huge in eternity. In the Kingdom, there are no small assignments.

Father God, I am ready. I am waiting for my assignment this day, big or small, simple or difficult, I will trust You to complete the task that You have for me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.