MVBC Conference (11/12/2023) #4

Ripples of Grace part II/ Adorning the Gospel/ The Motivation for Every Member

Last week we talked about making ripples of grace each time we come into contact with our community. Each member of the church was challenged by the Word of God to play a specific role in God’s plan of redemption. Older men and women, younger men and women were each given a role to play for the furtherance of the gospel and the building up of Christ’s kingdom.

We are to make ripples of grace…. living lives of godliness based on our obedience to the Word of God… Living out sound doctrine…. through righteous living.

How did you do this week? I hope that your presence left behind a grace-filled gospel impact.

Last week we talked about the role of every member.... this week we will again open our Bible’s to Titus chapter 2 and we are going to highlight the motivation for every member to make ripples of grace in our community.

II. Power in Community

We have already seen in chapter 2 that we are to be Truth in community as we embrace, live, and teach sound doctrine. Then we heard Paul say that we are to be an illustration of Power in Community as we live out the sound doctrine that we have embraced. Paul gave instructions about how the older men and women and younger men and women are to live out the gospel.

Titus 2:1–15 ESV

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

C. Slaves/ Employees (9-10a)

In verses 9-10, Paul addresses a specific group of people that we were not able to get to last week.

This is a group that is near to Paul’s heart that all of us can identify with — the slaves. The normal, every day work force. (in our modern context these would be the employees).

Let’s keep in mind that all of these groups that Paul is instructing Titus to address are all believers.

These are all people who have joined with the local church on Crete and would profess the name of Christ.

We discussed the concept of “bondservants and slaves” in our Charting the course message.

As Paul addresses the slaves (work force) in the community he says that they are to “be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative (not contradicting or speaking against), not pilfering (stealing), but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:9-10 ESV)

It is interesting that as Paul is concluding his thoughts in this section, the group of people he identifies with, by name, are the working class people, the slaves.

Remember, Paul uses the same word to describe himself in 1:1.“Paul a servant (slave) of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ,…” (1:1a)

A slave in the Greek world included those in miserable conditions, but it also included those in apprentice or indentured relationships, domestic workers, and some who even held high government office. Additionally, as the context of this passage indicates, there were slaves that were as members of the religious community along with other free men.

Paul tells Titus to teach these believing church members who happen to be slaves that they are to be submissive. This is the same word and meaning as in the discussion of the younger women. The slaves are to arrange their gifts and abilities under their master’s purposes to help them succeed.

This submissive attitude would be illustrated by their being:

Well-pleasing

Not argumentative

Not stealing

Showing all good faith (so that they would be fully trusted by their masters)

What is the point in instructing slaves to live out this behavior?

Because right doctrine produces righteous living!

Everything these Christian slaves do (these Christian employees) is to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

What Paul is saying is that he is entrusting to these believing slaves the ministry of making the gospel appealing to their masters… representing their Savior.... offering hope to their masters and their community.

So while these slave/ employees are to submit to those in authority over them, the tables are turned and they are put into a position where an unbelieving master’s (boss) eternal welfare somewhat dependent on his slave.

The slave/ employee has an opportunity to model how the gospel can beautifully transform the human heart.

This text is teaching us that living out all that accords with sound doctrine gives us the ability to proclaim the truth in our community, be instruments of God’s power in our community, and it gives us the ability to be messengers of Hope in our community.

III. Hope in Community (10-11)

We demonstrate hope in community by highlighting the treasure we have been given.

A. Highlighting the Treasure (10b)

Look at verse 10 again. “so that in everything… adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.”

(So that---- takes everything that has been said… and points it to this truth)

ReThis is such a cool picture.

The word that is translated as “adorn” in the text (cosmeo) gives us our word, cosmetics.

The word means: to adorn or decorate.

Now, What do cosmetics do? ---- Guys, if you say that cosmetics make our wives beautiful.... that is the wrong answer.

The women in our lives are already beautiful. They don’t need make up to make them beautiful. But, when they do use make up, all it does is it adorns them… highlighting the beauty that they already possess.

That is the idea here. The gospel is already beautiful. Nothing can be added it to it to make it any more beautiful.

Every member of the local church from the older men to the slaves were to live in such a way that the beauty of the gospel was highlighted to the community in which they lived.

How many of you have ever bought a diamond engagement ring? When you did, did the jeweler lay out the diamond on some cardboard.... or just on the glass counter? No, what did they do? They got out this pitch black velvet cloth and then laid the diamond on it.

They were “cosmeo” ing the diamond. They were trying to highlight its beauty so that you would pay whatever sticker price they were getting ready to hit you with. They wanted you to be so overwhelmed by the beauty of that diamond that you would pay any cost to be able to give it to you bride.

Our lives as Believers are to serve in the same way… a grace filled cosmetic, like the setting of a ring that holds up highlights the perfect clarity of the beautiful truth about God our Savior.

Why are we to highlight the beauty of the gospel? Because God is worthy of it.... and because your boss needs a Savior. Your neighbor needs a Savior. The kid you sit next to in class… and that man or woman that you work with every day..... needs a Savior.

Everyone that you come into contact with each day are going to live somewhere forever.

And there are only two options – heaven or hell. Being in the glorious presence of God and Christ forever or being doomed to an eternity without Christ. And you can’t get into heaven or be in the presence of God without the gospel… the doctrine of God our Savior.

In everything we do..... we are to highlight the treasure of the gospel as we live out the truths of the Word of God.

Highlighting the treasure of the gospel provides truth.... demonstrates power… and brings an opportunity for hope in community. In verse 11, Paul reminds us of the reason for that hope.

B. Reason for Hope (11)

Titus 2:11 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

The word “for” could and maybe should be translated as “because” in this verse. That word always connects two clauses together. Meaning that it connects verses 10 and 11 together with verse 11 being the reason that verse 10 happens.

Basically in verses 10-11, Paul is saying… because the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.... you are able to highlight the beauty of the gospel.

Paul begins verse 11 by saying that the grace of God has appeared.

The word “appeared” was used in Greek literature as a technical term that described a hero (or a god) breaking into a situation to rescue someone from danger. ( R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2000), 338.)

In other passages Paul uses this word “appear” to explain the past or future coming of Christ to rescue his people. Using the same word here in verse 11, Paul is interweaving the truths of who Christ is with what Christ provides so that the two truths become inseparable.

Grace is not some abstract concept or theological discussion.

Grace comes as Christ comes. Grace is as personal as Christ is. Actually, Grace is Christ.

Pretty cool picture. The grace of God has appeared! Jesus Christ has broken into our situation and has come into our reality and rescued us from the destruction of sin.

We are talking a lot about grace today. What is grace?

Grace means giving someone something that they do not deserve. (forgiveness and reconciliation) — the unmerited favor of God.

The counter part to grace is mercy. Mercy is not giving someone what they do deserve. (punishment & separation)

Grace, the unmerited favor of God is what Jesus is all about.... but it is also who He is.

We should understand God’s grace as a personal action by a personal God who saved us from our helpless condition out of pure love. Intimate affection by a majestic God.

“The ancient world would have understood a god who came to rescue a person, a group, a city or even an entire nation from personal crisis.” That concept was not foreign to those on the island of Crete.

But what makes Christ so special is that His appearance is not limited to a man… or a group of people. The unique message of the gospel is that God has offered a rescue plan that is sufficient for all people.... regardless of their color, ethnic background, social standing, or check book balance.

As the grace of God appears, it does several things. One of the most important actions that the grace of God provides is salvation for all people.

When Paul says that salvation has been brought to all people, he does not mean that everyone has been saved.

The context makes it clear that he is expressing that the message of God’s grace has been made available to all kinds of people. The message of God’s grace has not been withheld from anyone on the basis of age, class, or gender. The message of God’s grace transcends time, culture, and all economic and social barriers.

The gospel does not discriminate. (So neither should we)

Paul uses the phrase “the grace of God” 15 times in his letters to describe unmerited divine favor.... made available to everyone.

No one has been saved by what they have accomplished or overcome. We are all saved, not on the basis of our goodness, ethnic background, or class… but solely on the basis of God’s sovereign action done on our behalf.

The Grace of God is a wonderful gift. But, while Grace is provided for us freely, it does have its requirements.

Grace requires that we live a certain way as a demonstration of the transformation we have received.

Let’s look at those requirements and discuss what it looks like to live out Grace in Community.

IV. Grace in Community

Tolerance is a word that is used a lot today. When talking about our world-view and belief system, according to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, Tolerance is defined as “sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own”.

So, basically tolerance is sympathizing with or allowing something (beliefs or actions) with which you disagree. But, the discussion of tolerance is related to the establishing of boundaries. Without boundaries… it is almost impossible to have a discussion about tolerance.

(Example of machining/ construction: there are some things that are allowable…. they are within tolerance…. and other things are clearly not — there are clear boundaries where tolerance is needed.... but the those clear boundaries also indicate the things that should not be tolerated)

In today’s culture the boundaries of tolerance have been blurred and there are very few clear lines by which you can tell if something is out of bounds or not.

Christians have clear boundaries given to us by the Word of God. That makes it possible to see what is within tolerance (allowable) and what is out of bounds.

The reality is that our culture has effectively removed the clear boundaries...... and is teaching that we are to be 100% tolerant of everyone no matter their beliefs, ethnicity, gender, and preferences..... unless they are biblical Christians who take a stand for the Bible. Then, that’s crossing the line.

Because we live in a fallen world, the culture of our nation and world is like a raging river flowing downstream towards an ultimate spiritual destruction. What happens to those who try to swim up stream? They usually get beat up by the current.

As a Bible believing Christian, what happens when you stand up for something that goes against the current of the culture? If you are not viewed as being tolerant… then you are labeled as being intolerant. That is a label that most people work really hard to avoid.

But, did you realize that the Bible actually calls us to be intolerant of certain things?

In verses 12-13, as we live out Grace in Community, Paul calls all believers to live a life of “Graceful intolerance”.

A. Graceful Intolerance (12-13)

Titus 2:12–13 ESV

training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Those of us who are born again believers have realized that we have been rescued from the helpless and hopeless condition we were born into. Now that we have been rescued from the evil slavery of sin by Christ, we never want to let the evil take hold of us again.

That is why there are certain requirements of grace.

Those of us who have been truly rescued realize the danger that we were in, and have a desire to be forever free from the slavery of sin.

Receiving grace does not require any work on our behalf. It is a gift from the Lord offered freely to all who respond in faith to Christ.

But, Grace does call those who embrace it to live in such a way.

In all of God’s infinite wisdom, He has engineered grace to equip, empower, and enable us to live our lives in a way that truly highlights the beauty of the gospel and points people to Him.

First, grace equips us to say no.

When Grace appeared, rescuing us from the clutches of sin, it calls us to be intolerant and say no!

Look at verse 12. “training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,...”

The word “renounce” carries with it the understanding that it is to happen on an ongoing basis.

So, as Christians we are to be taught, by the Word of God and godly leadership to “say no”continually to ungodliness and worldly passions.

The word ungodliness is pointing to external behaviors. We are to be intolerant of any kind of ungodly misconduct.... first in our own lives… and then in the lives of other believers.

Paul also uses the word “worldly passions”. This speaks to our internal impulses. Several older translations translates this word as “lusts, appetites, desires, or cravings”.

In verse 12, Paul is saying that every Believer is to be intolerant of any kind of ungodliness in their behavior as well as in their internal compulsions (to hate, sinful angry or ambition, and desire for any kind of uncontrolled speech or behavior.)

What is Paul not saying here. He is not giving us a list of "do’s and don’ts” that will make us Christians.

He is not saying that in order to be a Christian then you have to do a bunch of good things to get to God.

What he is saying is that Godly behavior is not the means to get to God. But, it is the consequence of the appearing of Grace in the believers life.

Seeing God clearly through our relationship with Christ gives us an deep awareness of our own unholiness.

So, grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions..... as we are compelled by God’s glory to be rid of anything that may stain us as we stand in the radiant glory of God’s grace.

We are to be Gracefully Intolerant, saying NO to ungodliness and worldly passions, for the purpose of glorifying God and pointing other people to Him.

Second, grace empowers us to say yes.

Look at verse 12 again… “training us to.... live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”

This is somewhat of a put off/ put on principle here in verse 12.

We are to put off ungodliness and worldly passions.... but then put on self-control, uprightness, and godly living.

The key to the put on / put off principle here as well as Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, is doing both. Whenever you put off some sinful/ ungodly characteristic or behavior you have to put on a godly characteristic or behavior.

If you put off sinful anger. Then you must put on godly patience/ understanding.

If you don’t then the void that the sinful anger leaves behind… will soon be filled again.

So, as we say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, we are to say yes to these other godly characteristics.

Self-control and upright are really the polar opposites of worldly passions and ungodliness.

Self-control: righteous constraints of one’s own impulses (opposite of worldly passions)

Upright: righteous conduct in dealing with others. (opposite of ungodliness)

The phrase “godly lives” is the key to actually doing what Paul is instructing.

If being a Christian were merely living a life of self control over our passions and upright behavior before others then we might get the idea that being a Christian was really only about living according to a set of rules or “performing” in an acceptable way.

When Paul adds the word “godly” to this list in verse 12, Paul is reminding us that the Christian life is not about following a list of rules.... it is a life of total dependance on God.

True godliness is not a consequence of having enough willpower… or doing all the right things.

It is a relationship with God that results in a life that is honoring to Him.

Grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness.... and grace teaches us to say yes to our dependance on God and empowers us to live a comprehensive life of godliness involving ourselves, our relationships with others, and our relationship with God.

Third, grace enables us to act now.

How long do you think we are to live according to these standards?

Paul says in verse 13 that grace teaches us to live in a way that honors the Lord right now, in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope..... which is the glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ (12c-13).

Basically, we are to live the lessons that Grace teaches today, tomorrow, and every day until Jesus returns.

The knowledge that our God is coming creates expectancy in believers that stimulates faithfulness in daily endeavor and grants perseverance in times of trial. Because Christ is coming, we desire to live in fidelity to him. And knowing that he will deliver us from trial will vanquish all his and our enemies, we can live in faithfulness to him. ( R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2000), 341.)

The glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ is our motivation for godly living in this present age.

Christian, what should motivate you to live according to the instructions given to you in the Word of God? ---

Jesus is alive and coming back! He has redeemed you, forgiven you, and promised you an eternal home with Him!

That is our motivation.

Grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness. Are you really willing to do that?

Grace teaches us to say yes to godliness. Once you take off ungodliness… you have to put on godliness (and a big part of that is embracing sound doctrine).

Each and every one of us needs to be willing to say no to the world and Yes to God now… today.

We need to be willing to examine specific areas of our lives where the world commonly challenges Christian faithfulness.

(Entertainment is probably one of the biggest areas.) --- So what needs to happen is that you need to determine what God requires in that specific area.... and then let godliness guide your decisions.

Grace teaches us to act now. We are called to live out godliness in every area of our lives today, tomorrow, and every day until Jesus returns.

The motivation for every member is the fact that Jesus has given us the grace needed to persevere until He returns. He has called us to a life of Grace… and that is fueled by redemption.

B. Grace fueled redemption (14-15) & (Conclusion)

Paul wraps up his thoughts in this section with this truth about our Savior in verse 14.

“our great God and Savior Jesus Christ....”

Titus 2:14 ESV

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Christ has redeemed us from sin.... and through his death, burial and resurrection has purified us.... His people. He has bought us with his blood from the slave market of sin.... and we now belong to Him.

If you have responded to faith in Christ… then you are Jesus’ possession.

That reality… that position as a member of Christ’s family… a receiver of His Grace.... motivates us to be zealous for good works.

Thats our motivation.

Jesus. All He has done… does … and will do… should motivate you to be passionate about living the godly life prescribed in God’s Word.

As we live out our roles as believers.... motivated by the beauty of the gospel… that truth will be highlighted in community… and others will be drawn to Christ!

Main Idea: The Grace of God empowers us to live according to the Word of God which equips us to highlight the beauty of the gospel to everyone we meet.

Our Response:

Titus 2:15 ESV

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Highlight the beauty of the Gospel in all you do.... Now.... today!

Say no to ungodliness and worldly passions

Say Yes to self-control and upright living

Declare the truth of the gospel with your mouth… and with your life.

Teach the truth.... rebuke the false....

Every member of the local church has a role to play.... no matter your age, gender or ethnic background

And every member has the same motivation.... Jesus Christ and the glory of God!

Don’t be ashamed.... because you have been given a role by the king of the universe and He is the One who will equip, empower and enable you to live your life for Him!