FROM FALLOW GROUND TO FERTILE GARDEN

Hosea 10:12 commands, “Break up your fallow ground.”  The first task of the preacher is to plow up the field. The untilled soil will not receive seed and become a fertile garden until the hard ground is broken up. The truth is that some church fields are harder than others. This is what Titus encountered at Crete, and Paul does not minimize the difficulty the young preacher was facing.

But, first the Apostle provides AFFIRMATION, “To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior,” (Titus 1:4). Paul has no reservation that Titus would be up to the task. He was no false teacher, but a true preacher. They might work in a different field, but they shared a common faith. Best of all—heaven’s provision was available to this man of God. There was grace—so that all the resources required would be given. Titus would lack nothing he needed. He also had mercy—even though he might face fierce foes, God would spare him from being overwhelmed by them. Titus could rest in peace—calm even in the eye of a storm. 

The man of God is to practice ORDINATION, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—” (Titus‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬‬). The church will be in disorder unless the preacher sets it in order. That demands leadership. Elders are given that assignment. Every church needs them. A plurality of elders is preferable to share the load and provide accountability to one another. The qualifications are listed, and without such faithful servants, there will be no fruitful soil. 

There will be the need at times for CONFRONTATION, “One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,” (Titus‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭13‬‬). Churches will ask for a resume’ from a pastoral candidate—and well they should. But, pastors had best know the bio of the church as well.  Paul is direct concerning the issues of the Cretan congregation. They are described as “liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons,” and other than that, Titus should find ministry there a piece of cake! Preaching cannot always be sweet and uplifting. There are times it demands to be stinging and humbling. The sharp spade of Scripture breaks up the fallow ground to receive the seed of the Gospel and yields a fertile garden. 

Now—stop whining and start plowing!