Home Group Lesson: Titus 3, Ephesians 1

More of pastoral/Christian conduct; Spiritual Blessings of following Christ; Grace through Faith

English Standard Version (Chapter 3)

3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Paul is exhorting Titus to remind the leaders that he puts in charge how to conduct themselves with people outside of the church. The same way we act among our congregations is the way we should conduct ourselves outside of the four walls. We must keep in mind that as Christians, we are representatives of Christ here on earth, and we must conduct ourselves as such. We have the Spirit of God to teach us and hold us accountable when we fall short, so that we can quickly repent and get ourselves back on track.

One of the things that causes divisions in the church is people who are quick to spread rumors, start arguments with no real basis (just wanting to be right, show that they have some power). We can speak out boldly without insulting, when we see someone who is genuinely hurting, we must be gentle in our correction. But, we see today, the world is blatantly pushing their sinful ideologies on us, we must speak up with a righteous fury, not by engaging in a name calling session.

Ready for every good work: We have talked about how false teachers are unfit to preach and teach, my ESV Bible says, “one of the purposes of the cross is to create a people “zeal for good works” (2:14). How do we get ready for every good work? By studying God’s Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Paul shows us why our conduct should be different by comparing it to what we were once engaged in; we were foolish, disobedient, led astray by the things of the world, maybe addicted to alcohol, drugs, pornography, sexual desires, and other sins we were once engaged in. Paul is telling Titus to exhort his leaders and congregations because we have been transformed by the Holy Spirit, by God’s grace we have a change in behavior, attitude, and approach to people and life in general. We see things from spiritual eyes, no longer blinded by sin.

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Our salvation did not come by way of anything that we did or have done. It is because God loved us, and sent His Only Begotten Son to pay the penalty for our sin. God has shown us grace and mercy, so much that He gives us His Spirit to guide, renew us (our minds and hearts are fixed on Jesus). John 3:16-17 “16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Now, being justified (or saved) by the work of Christ on the Christ, we have become joint heirs with our Savior, and have eternal life to look forward to. In that we all need to be thankful. Romans 8:17 “17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

8 The saying is trustworthy (able to be relied on as honest or truthful), and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

When as Christians rely on God’s Word for direction, put our dependence of God’s guidance, adhere to the Holy Spirit, rely on things that are reliable, honest, and true, we will recognize what is or what is not of God. When we know God’s will for our lives, with the help of the Holy Spirit (which Paul just said God poured out on us richly, meaning that He didn’t just give us some of the Spirit, He gave us all of the Spirit). When devote ourselves to acting in obedience to God’s will, we profit greatly (and I mean spiritually growth and maturity, and you are a blessing to others).

9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Do not get wrapped up with stubborn people who refuse to hear the truth. Once you have spoken, and even a second time, and they reject the truth, it is on them, not you. Paul says they are “warped and sinful,” so by his false beliefs and actions He (or she) condemns himself.

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me vat Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.Grace be with you all

We need to devote ourselves, not what Paul mentions in verses 9-11, but by doing good work that guided by the Holy Spirit, which much fruit will come as a result, whether personally, someone else, or both.

English Standard Version (Ephesians)

EPHESIANS

The apostle Paul wrote Ephesians to the churches around Ephesus (Acts 19) to display the scope of God’s eternal plan for all humanity—for Jews and Gentiles alike. This is the mystery of God, hidden for ages but now made known in Jesus Christ. The first three chapters focus on what Christians should believe, unfolding the glorious riches of God’s grace in Christ. Dead sinners are made alive and gain eternal salvation “by grace … through faith” (2:8). The last three chapters explain the implications of God’s grace for the church, for individuals, and for families. This second section comes to a climax with a command to stand with the armor of God against the devil. Paul wrote this letter while in prison, probably in Rome about A.D. 60.

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,To the saints who are in Ephesus, and care faithful 1 in Christ Jesus:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing gin the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us 2 for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

We see that the first two verses are a greeting, Paul identifies himself as the sender, and who He is sending the letter to (the saints/fellow Christians who are in Ephesus) . He identifies the divine source of his authority (He is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God). Lastly, He offers the diving source of his prayers and blessing (God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ).

We need to get out of asking why some are predestined and some are not. God knows all, and He knows who is going to receive the Gospel message or not. Sometimes we make things more difficult that what they should be. We need to take God’s Word for what it is, and quit trying to question everything. If we trust God, if we know that He is righteous and just, then we need to be at peace and be thankful that we are counted with the chosen of God. We should rejoice at the fact that we are adopted sons and daughters of the High God and joint heirs with Christ.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known 3 to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

The Greek word used for redemption is exagora, which means buying, repurchase, ransom, release from imprisonment or captivity. Paul is stating that our redemption came by way of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, through His precious blood. The redemption we as believers receive is then equated with “the forgiveness of our trespasses.” Forgiveness implies an offense requiring just punishment. My Ephesians-Philemon Bible commentary says, “And just as Israels exodus from Egypt was accompanied by the institution of the Levitical system so that Israel could atone for their sins, so also the believer’s redemption in Christ from sin is accompanied by full and final forgiveness.

Verse 9: “mystery of His will… When Paul uses the word mystery, he’s not referring to anything eerie. It means a sacred secret that was once hidden but now has been revealed. As born again Christians, by Christ’s work on the cross to save us from sin and reconcile us to the Father, we are able to share in what is a mystery to the non-believer; we have the beauty of knowing and being partakers of the glorious Gospel. It is a mystery to the non-believer because they do not have the Spirit of the Living God dwelling within them. Going back to 1 Corinthians 1:18 “18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved ( for those in which the mystery has been revealed) it is the power of God.”

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Paul says that we as Christians have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined (God knows who are His and who are not) according to the purpose of Him (God) according to the counsel of His will (God). Why? So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory.

In verse 14 Paul uses the Greek world arrabon, which means a down payment give to someone providing a service with the expectation that full payment would be made after the service was performed. God has given us the Holy Spirit with the expectation and assurance that a full inheritance will follow (eternal life in heaven). I love what this says from my Bible commentary: “Although the inheritance believers will receive certainly includes the blessing of eternal fellowship with God, because the Spirit indwells believers they can even now begin to enjoy their inheritance. Again, the result of God’s favor on His people that includes sealing with the Holy Spirit should lead to praise (end of verse 14). These verses begin and end with praise.

While meditating of God’s grace, Paul erupts with praise to his God. Paul is not merely saying that God is worthy of our praise, rather, he is actually praising God for His glorious salvation, and He invites his readers to do the same. We should not only be praising the Lord, we should constantly be exhorting other believers to do the same.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love 6 toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand yin the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Verses 15-23:

Ephesians 2-3

By Grace Through Faith

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body 1 and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; cit is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

One in Christ

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in cone Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,4 but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 kin whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into la holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.