How will we find courage in the face of death? The Stoics say “Toughen up, keep it together, there’s no point in grieving”. The modern rationalists say “There’s nothing bad about death! It’s natural and neutral!”. Our passage exposes these approaches as deeply flawed and deceptive. We will see how Jesus offers us a tangible, plausible and incredible hope, that gives us courage to look death straight in the eye.

Ancient Crete serves as a prototype of a post-God society like our own. In Titus, Paul gives the young church plants wisdom for how to survive and thrive in such a context. The opening of the letter captures two foundational realities: The message is the engine of the church, and they need to make sure it stays the engine of the church.