SERIES: “How To’s” of the Christian Life

TITLE: “How to be a Christian woman in a pagan world”

TEXT: Titus 2:3-5

ETS: Paul commands Titus to instruct concerning Christian home life.

ESS: Women of today need the timeless teaching of scripture.

OSS: Christian women will be challenged to be what God intends for them to be.

PQ: What is the role of the Christian woman of today?

UW: Decisions

Introduction:

·         Stories about Motherhood

• Chery Webster overheard her eighteen-month-old daughter rehearsing some noises she had learned. The little girl said, "Sheep . . . baaa. Cow . . . mooo. Doggie . . . woof woof... Mama . . . no, no, no!" (* Christian Parenting Today, July/ Aug. 1992, p. 67)
• The mother of three notorious kids was asked, "If you had it to do all over again, would you have children?" "Sure," she said, "but not the same ones."

(* King's Treasury of Dynamic Humor, King Duncan, p. 56)

• "The joy of motherhood is what a woman experiences when all the children have gone to bed." (* Mule Eggs and Topknots, King Duncan, 1987, p. 155)
• A zealous little boy was pledging his devotion to his mother when he began to brag of what he would do for her when he grew up. "Mom, when I grow up I'm going to buy you an electric can opener, an electric toaster, an electric stove, and an electric chair." ( Humorous Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes, Leslie & Bernice Flynn, 1973, p. 110)

I.     MAINTAIN A LIFE THAT GLORIFIES CHRIST (VS. 3).

A.   Live in a way that a saint should.

1.    Maintaining intimacy with Christ.

2.    Filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”

3.    Busy about the Master’s business.

a)      Ministry

(1)   Like Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42)

“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.”

b)      Soul-winning (Acts 1:8)

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

c)      Prayer

(1)   Like Anna (Luke 2:36-38)

“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

B.   Avoid slander (diabolous)

1.    Avoid speaking slander and accuizations.

(1 Timothy 5:3-16) (Key: vs. 13) “Honor widows who are really widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. And these things command, that they may be blameless. But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.  Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some have already turned aside after Satan. If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.”

(Matthew 7:1-5) "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”                ‘

2.    Avoid listening to slander and accuizations.

(1 Timothy 5:19) “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.”

3.    Taking part in it only divides and destroys the body of Christ.

·         Like it did at Corinth

C.   Avoid intoxicants

(Ephesians 5:18) “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit”

1.    That which intoxicates keeps the Spirit from being in control.

2.    That which intoxicates empowers the destructive fleshly tendencies.

D.   Be a teacher of good things.

1.    In words:

a)      Speak words that build up.

(Colossians 4:6)  “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

2.    In actions:

a)      Do that which glorifies God.

(Colossians 3:17) “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

II.   HELP OTHER WOMEN TO FOLLOW CHRIST (VS. 3c-4a).

A.   Teach (kalodidaskalous) what is good and right (vs. 3c).

1.    Sound doctrine

2.    Principles for living:

a)      Note the principles have to do with home life (vs. 4-5). Why?

(1)   Families will self-destruct without these virtues.

(2)   Churches will be destroyed without strong families.

(3)   The lost will remain lost without Christian examples.

(4)   Society will disintegrate without the strong spiritual fiber built into Christian homes and churches.

B.   Disciple (swfronizwsin) the younger women in Christian living.

1.    Build relationships of trust.

2.    Pattern godly living.

3.    Encourage them to stay in the Word, prayer, and obedience to Christ.

III. FOCUS ON BUILDING STONG CHRISIAN FAMILIES (VS. 4b-5).

A.   Build a strong love relationship with your husband.

1.    Love is a commitment for life.

2.    Love is a giving relationship.

3.    Love can be romantic.

B.   Build up your children with love.

1.    Loving children means being dedicated to their well-being.

a)      Focusing on their needs instead of convenience.

2.    Loving children means disciplining them when needed.

a)      Loving discipline has two parts:

(1)   Encouragement in doing right.

(2)   Correction for doing wrong and instruction in the right way.

(Proverbs 22:6)  “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”

§  Example of Timothy’s mother (2 Timothy 1:5)  “I thank God… when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”

(3)   Discipling them to follow Jesus whole-heartedly.

(a)   Only preparation for eternity will really make a difference.

(b)   The best preparation for life is not teaching them to get along with the world, but walking with Jesus in the world.

C.   Be discreet (swfrwn) (lit. sound understanding).

1.    Behave out of a sound understanding.

a)      Has reference to being self-controlled, not governed by passions and feelings.

D.   Be pure and blameless (agnov) ( free from defilements or impurities, innocent, blameless, pure, modest, holy).

1.    Do your best to be blameless in everything.

a)      The best way: obey God.

E.   Keepers at home (oikourov)(one who looks after domestic affairs with prudence and care).

1.    Needs to focus more on home than outside interests.

a)      This is counter-cultural. The world says pursue outside interests first.

F.    Be good (agayov) (good and benevolent, profitable, useful, up-right, virtuous).

G.    Be subject to your husband (upotassomenav toiv idioiv andrasin = to be obedient, to be in subjection to your own husband).

1.    Why? “…that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”(vs. 5c).

Conclusion:

·         G. Campbell Morgan’s sons (preachers) were asked “Who was the greatest preacher of the Morgan family?”

o   Answer, “Mother”.