March 2004 chaplain's corner
The Chaplain's Corner is a monthly message for chaplains.
Chaplain's Corner - March 19, 2004
Rev. Rich Hines
This message is prepared especially for those in the United States that call
upon the name of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior from sin, and serve
as a chaplain in a jail, prison or a follow-up ministry such as a rescue
mission. All Scripture quotes are taken from the New King James Version (NKJV),
copyright 1979,1980,1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights
reserved.
When quoting a text, any deviation from the NKJV text is within parenthesis
signs ( ). These usually occur as direct translations from the original
languages, or as notes from the original setting, to help apply the text to
today's culture. ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are sometimes used to emphasize a text.
In the letter to Titus, the Apostle was directing his own son in the faith on
the ministry that needed to take place in ancient
The Lord has called you (if indeed you are where you're supposed to be) to be
light in a dark place. Jails, prisons and "skid row" areas are just
like ancient
Chapter 1:
12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars,
evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, (in order) that they
may be sound (literally, 'healthy') in the faith,...
Chapter 2:
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound (literally,
'healthy') doctrine: ...
7 In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works: in doctrine
showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
8 sound (literally, 'healthy') speech that cannot be condemned, (so) that one
who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
9 Exhort servants ( in the 1st century, slaves, who were those under the
authority of masters, -hence there is a strong link here to inmates) to be
obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering
back,
10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, (so) that they may adorn the
doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, (so) that He might redeem us from every lawless
deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 SPEAK THESE THINGS, EXHORT, AND REBUKE WITH ALL AUTHORITY. Let no one
despise you. (capitals added for emphasis)
I want you to focus on two things. First, on HOW TO SPEAK to those God has put
under your spiritual direction. Then secondly, on WHAT TO TEACH THEM. Before I
take up the point of how you and your staff should speak for God, I want you to
notice something in the text of Chapter 1, verse 12,13a.
12 ... a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil
beasts, lazy gluttons."
13 This testimony is true.
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle said an ancient Cretan poet was right when
he described the Cretan culture as "always liars, evil beasts, lazy
gluttons." Those terrible epitaphs mean they were known for three things;
(1) being con men, (2) being savage and physically violent and (3) for being
given to the lusts of the flesh, or put another way, people who liked to be
idle so that they might seek to satisfy their fleshly appetites.
The inmate and ex-inmate, or the soon to be re-incarcerated population, is a
mirror of ancient
That being affirmed by God as true of the ancient Cretans, you should see that
God through the Apostle was telling His minister (can I say chaplain?) to the
people from that culture to:
"Therefore REBUKE THEM SHARPLY, (in order) that they may be sound
(literally, healthy) in the faith,..."
HOW TO SPEAK -
"Rebuke them sharply." These are strong words. "Rebuke"
means to show someone their fault, to convince and correct one who does not yet
recognize or admit that he must turn away from what is wrong. But
"sharply" means to cut with force - as with an ax! That means rebuke
with penetrating force. All of this is so that they may be healthy in the faith
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Someone well said: "the surgeon of the soul only
cuts to achieve a cure."
Now look at the other end of these verses from Titus, in Chapter 2, verse 15:
"Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with ALL AUTHORITY. "
(CAPITALS added for emphasis)
Although the literal for "authority" is "command, or
commandment," the New King James Version translators as well as those who
did the work on the King James Version (KJV or AV), Revised Standard Version
(RSV), American Standard Version of 1901 (ASV), New American Standard Bible
(NASB) and the New International Version (NIV) all translate this word as
"AUTHORITY."
In all those translators understanding then, the way the words "all
command" are to be taken in their original context was: "WITH ALL
AUTHORITY." How are you and those you sponsor to teach Bible studies and
do services to speak to the inmates and residents? WITH A COMMANDING AUTHORITY!
Why? Because sin is serious, and more importantly, because you speak for God.
An 18th century preacher was quoted to have said: "Thou shalt not persuade
men to turn from their dearest sins by means of a gaudy oration, for thou shalt
seem to them as one that meaneth not what he speaketh!" He was right, and
on target with Titus 2:15.
The theme speaker at our next Chaplains Enrichment Seminar at
He kept stressing that when a preacher of God's word speaks accurately from the
word, he has the authority of the Almighty, Eternal, Sovereign God behind him.
Therefore, he said, "Speak to them using THE SECOND PERSON WITH AUTHORITY!
"
In other words, don't "relate" with a 1st person plural, "WE
ought to," but say authoritatively for God - in the 2nd person singular,
"YOU ought," or commandingly "YOU must!" Sadly, in our
generation we've lost the urgent sense of "Thus says the LORD!" Why
are we to speak so authoritatively? Because, we are to give God's word, not our
opinion.
Once you as a preacher or teacher have studied the message from the text of the
Bible and are sure of the instruction God gives in it - give it to them in the
way He gives it - authoritatively, even as a command.
Titus 2:15 says you are to exhort and rebuke with all authority. Exhort is
positive, encouraging someone who knows the right way to go and may have even
started the change of direction, to continue in it. Rebuke is the negative side
that calls people to see their sin and repent, turning the other way from it.
Applying verse 15, you are to authoritatively exhort and rebuke your Cretans
about "these things." What things? The things listed in 2:9-14 to begin
with. But before getting there note 2:1,7,8 -
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound (literally,
'healthy') doctrine: ...
7 In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works: in doctrine
showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
8 sound (literally, 'healthy') speech that cannot be condemned, (so) that one
who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
Teach the inmates and residents things that are biblically correct and will
give them a healthy spiritual life to the point of a good outward testimony to
the faith of Jesus Christ. Give them their spiritual vitamins. BUT, ONLY AFTER
YOU HAVE MODELED IT TO THEM. You and your teaching staff must live the healthy
doctrine you preach to others!
Verse 7 says "in doctrine showing integrity." Teach the correct
things and by God's grace and Spirit live these things out before the inmates.
That's integrity. Show them your reverence or seriousness when approaching the
word of God. Show them your doctrine can't be corrupted by the influence of the
world. Applying verse 8, model for them how to answer every man (even coarse
guards and corrections officers).
Verses 2-6 address different groups in local churches and certainly have
applications to different genders and ages of inmates and how to relate to
believers in those groups. But the things that will apply most directly to the
incarcerated while they are prisoners, are found in verses 9-14.
HERE IS WHAT TO TEACH THEM - with the "authority" of Verse 15
9 Exhort servants ( in the 1st century, slaves, who were those under the
authority of masters, -hence there is a strong link here to inmates) to be
obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering
back,
10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, (so) that they may adorn the
doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, (so) that He might redeem us from every lawless
deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
The key to everything in this section is "the grace of God" (Verse
11) and what it does.
SO TEACH THEM:
SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY - Verse 9 "to be obedient to their own
masters"
God's grace in Christ in their lives will cause them to be obedient to their
masters - the jail or prison authorities. Teach inmates with the authority of
God that they must change their attitudes towards the human authorities God has
placed over them. Use Romans 13:1-7 to show them God indeed has placed these
people over them. Compare Titus 2:9 with Titus 3:1,2 and Ephesians 6:5-8 to
stress an inward attitude change about human authorities rather than just
outward conformity to obeying the rules.
A DESIRE TO PLEASE THE AUTHORITIES - Verse 9 "pleasing in all things"
Here you can include the idea of even loving (with God's love) their HUMAN
AUTHORITIES, i.e. the guards and officers! You should stress that this will
only be possible with the supernatural working of God on their heart, and that
it will give them assurance that they are indeed saved and being supernaturally
transformed by God.
NOT TO BE INVOLVED IN MURMURING, COMPLAINING OR ANSWERING BACK (contradicting)
- Verse 9 "not answering back"
As you know all to well, this is huge in the jail or prison setting. Before the
inmates ever talk back there is a predisposition of heart to be bitter and
resentful, so that evil answering back in contradiction is only the external
release of the deep hatred of the heart. Jesus taught "out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (see and teach Matthew 12:34-37).
NOT TO STEAL - Verse 10 "not pilfering, but showing all good
fidelity"
The theft of county and state or federal property in correctional facilities
and institutional property in rescue missions is a huge problem. The idea of
"not pilfering" comes from the same seat of hostility as answering
back in hostile contradiction - against the man, against the system. Personal
theft from other inmates and residents is also a problem that starts many
fights and should be dealt with from other verses such as Exodus 20:15,17 and
Ephesians 4:28.
Showing "all good fidelity" means being trustworthy - in everything.
That's a real challenge for inmates towards their civil authorities. It will
take a lot of time and consistency for Christian inmates to become trusted by
some of the staff at your facility.
A DESIRE TO MAKE GOD LOOK GOOD TO UNBELIEVERS - Verse 10 "adorn the
doctrine of God in all things"
This last phrase of verse 10 explains what the consistent testimony of growing
Christian inmates can do to the watching world - the other prisoners and even
the staff in a jail or prison. It can make the true God attractive to them.
Think how many unbelievers (working in corrections) use the bad testimony of
some Christian or professing Christian inmates, as an excuse to continue in
their unbelief and personal rebellion to Christ. Give inmates, even long term
ones, the truth that they can have an exciting ministry to staff in
demonstrating the moral change and virtue Christ has given them.
Why are these things to be taught? Because they are the outworking of the grace
of God in salvation. That's the gist of verses 11,12.
SO TEACH THEM:
SANCTIFICATION - Verses 11,12 "For THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGS SALVATION
has appeared to all men, TEACHING US THAT, DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY
LUSTS, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age,"
Teach your inmates that in receiving salvation, God's grace gift of Christ,
they are DENYING all forms of ungodliness and worldly lust. In other words,
teach them THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF PRACTICAL SANCTIFICATION. There is no true
salvation that doesn't cause some sanctification here and now. In the Bible,
the doctrines of justification (which includes salvation) and sanctification
always go together, and the second grows out of the first.
Sanctification means they are to be different from the unsaved and holy to the
Lord. The word "denying" in verse 12 is a very strong and significant
word. It's akin to the word Jesus used when He taught that in receiving His
salvation a persons must "Deny himself and take up his cross and follow
Me." (Mark 8:34). It means to fully reject, to repudiate so as to have
nothing to do with. Here in Titus 2:12 it means having nothing to do with the
unbelieving societies' rejection of God in their lusts. You should also TEACH
THEM THE DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION, as in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
THE DEITY OF JESUS THE CHRIST AND ABOUT HIS RETURN IN GLORY - Verse 13
"looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ"
According to this verse Jesus is the great God and Savior. The great motive for
living godly, living a separate life than the sinners of this world practice,
is HIS GLORIOUS RETURN. Show inmates the comparison of verse 13, with 1 John
3:1-3, ..."everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He
is pure."
THE SUBSTITUTIONARY DEATH OF CHRIST TO PAY FOR THE REDEMPTION AND REAL
DELIVERANCE OF THEIR SINS - Verse 14 "who gave Himself for us ('so,' or
'in order') that He might redeem us from every lawless deed (sins) and purify
for Himself His own special people, ..."
When this verse speaks of Jesus giving Himself, it's talking about giving
Himself up to death. But stress the substitution in the words "FOR
US." He died for true believers IN THEIR PLACE. As I have said in many
former Chaplain's Corner messages, this is the heart of the true gospel of true
salvation from sin. TEACH THE SUBSTITUTIONARY DEATH OF CHRIST, THE GOD-MAN.
TEACH REDEMPTION. This wonderful Bible word means deliverance by the payment of
a price. One of the best passages (and there are SO many) on redemption is
Galatians 3:13, which states for believers :
"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse
for us..."
The last part of the quote again stresses His substitution "FOR US".
But the first part says He has "REDEEMED US FROM." In the original
language the word "redeemed" is literally "to buy out of"
and was normally used of purchasing freedom for a slave. In the Roman world a
price could be paid to buy someone out of their slavery - and remove them from
any future possibility of being sold into slavery again! That's the word
"REDEEM" in Galatians 3:13. What a picture for the true believer.
Their redemption is full and final. Praise the Lord, believers never have to be
a slave to sin again!
The last part of Titus 1:14 teaches the redemption Christ accomplished is
complete. It's not just judicial, before the bar of God's justice. It's also
practical. He purchased not only forgiveness for His people but ALSO
deliverance from their sinful practices. This deliverance is party in an
ongoing increase of righteousness here and now, and completed in sinless
perfection in the age to come.
But Titus 1:14 is centered on the here and now. Even in this present evil age
true believers will be in some measure delivered from doing their lawless
deeds, purified to represent Christ here and now by doing His works. Here
they're called "good works," and believers are zealous to do them.
TEACH THEM TO BE ZEALOUS TO DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO THROUGH THEM.
Verse 14 ends by saying Christ died to "redeem us from every lawless deed
and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
Verse 15 closes with 'Let no one despise you." That means, let no one
disregard your teaching, literally: "Let no one think around you." -
for the purpose of evading your teaching. This then is part of the authority
with which those that give the pure word of God minister.
These then are the things you and your extended ministry partners should be
teaching with all encouragement and rebuke (when necessary) and authority from
God.
May His Spirit enable you to speak these things in Titus 2 and elsewhere, with
authority as you do His ministry.
Rich Hines
Minister To Chaplains,
"For the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
P.S. - If you serve women, then you also would definitely include the teaching
in Titus 2:2-6, especially where it applies to godly femininity as in verses
3-5
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent, temperate, sound (healthy)
in faith, in love, in patience;
4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their
children,
5 to be discreet (modest), chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own
husbands, (so) that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
P.P.S. - If any correctional or rescue mission chaplain wants to attend our
three day Seminar with Dr. Jay Adams in North Carolina, June 3-5, there is
still room (as of 3/18/04), so contact us immediately at (941) 748-4100
extension *825 if you want to be included.