How to be ready for every good works.

Bible Reading Introduction

In this letter, Paul reminds Titus that he had left him in Crete to “ set in order the things that are wanting” (Titus 1:5).

We have watched as this has taken place..

We have learned about the things that needed addressing.

We have also seen the way the Holy Spirit, through Paul’s letter, prescribes for him to do that.

We have seen an emphasis on grace being the teacher.

We have seen how it is a work of the entire church, with the older teaching the younger.

Crete is a barbaric place.

False teachers bringing all kinds of confusion.

Toolbox for winning the church back was a loud business meeting. But it was gentleness and grace demonstrated

Gotham didn’t need a vigilante running around forcefully enforcing the laws.

They needed a grace filled teacher to show them the way to silence the critics.

The result is it is will be “profitable for all men.” v.89

Like Timothy, Titus needed to combat false teaching, install proper leadership, and ensure that the people were devoted to good works (Titus 3:8, 14).

Paul explicitly mentions the phrase “good works” six times in these three short chapters.

Let’s prepare ourselves and our Bibles for our study this morning. We will see 6 references to “good works” in these 3 passages.

Titus 1:16 “16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and (1) unto every good work reprobate.” cross reference 2:15

Titus 2:7 “7 In all things shewing thyself (2) a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,”

Titus 2:14 “14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, (3) zealous of good works.”

In this passage we see it in 1,8,14

Titus 3 (KJV)

1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to (4) every good work,

2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might (5) be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

14 And let ours also (6) learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Yesterday I was in SC. We were right beside the Continental Divide. Beautiful cross at the top. “easterly Atlantic Seaboard watershed from the westerly Gulf of Mexico watershed.”

Sermon Introduction

Do any of you use these type of post it notes?

Story of Thaddeus and his notes.

Which note do you need today?

Believe in Jesus Christ.

Remember to be about good works.

How to be ready for every good works.

Need to learn

Some may contest “ Just preach the gospel, and good works will happen on their own without any sustained focus on them. “

This passage calls us to learn to maintain and calls us to devote ourselves to good works.

It is why in Hebrews we see a need for provoking one another.

Doing of them is a learned skill. Titus 3:14 “14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.”

Part of Great Commission discipleship is teaching people to do them. Matthew 28:20 “20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Need to be defined

Titus 3 provides us with a basic definition.

“For in our opinion good works are the rarest things in the world, and we believe we might walk for many a mile before we should see a good work at all.” - Charles Spurgeon (1)

1. Commanded of God.

Pharisees posted in giving tithes of herbs in their yard. This was not commanded of God.

God is pleased with obedience.

God is pleased with acting in faith.

God is only pleased with what He produces in and through us.

2. Good works are acts of love that meet people’s needs that are done in obedience to God’s command and for His glory.

Titus 3:8 “8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”

This is contrasted with things that are unprofitable. Titus 3:9 “9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”

Good works are the overflow of love for Christ that meets the needs of others.

3. Nothing is a good work unless it is done with a good motive; and there is no motive which can be said to be good but the glory of God.

4. Good works spring from union with Christ.

Why doth that branch bring forth grapes? Simply because it has been engrafted into the vine, and therefore it partakes of the nature of the stem.

The only way we can bring forth fruit to God is by being grafted into Christ and united with him.

How are good works explained in this passage.

In this passage we are given examples.

Doing something for someone.

Expected manner: Help Zenas and Apollos on their way. 3:13

When I think of good works, I think of something like this bag of blankets.

Good works can meet needs that are big or small, material or spiritual, and the recipient can be almost anyone.

Here are a few examples:

Sharing the gospel.

Helping out a co-worker who is new on the job.

People in Chile need the Word of God. We work on helping get them Scriptures.

People are needed to serve in the nursery.

Using your entrepreneurial gifts to build a company and provide meaningful labor is a good work.

Companies need reliable workers—so staying sober, showing up on time, and following the boss’s orders is a good work.

Where do we look for our list?

The Scriptures are the only rule to direct us how we may glorify God.

Micah 6:8 “8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Positive: 2 Timothy 3:17 “17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Negatively said, this means that that we must not invent things to please God.

We must stay mindful of purpose of Good Works

The Danger of Good Works

Council of Trent: Doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone were ere rejected in favour of a “both/and” doctrine of justification by both faith and works on the basis of the authority of both Scripture and tradition.

In our list of 6 verses we could have added one more.

Titus 3:5 “5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

"Good works, as they are called, in sinners, are nothing but splendid sins."

What’s the difference between “works of righteousness” and good works?

Works righteousness is a form of self-righteousness that believes that our salvation can be earned and/or sustained by doing good works. It says we can make ourselves righteous before God by our obedience. [slide]

From 100 feet away or even 5 feet away they look the same.

The Bible has a lot of negative things to say about “works,” especially “works of the law.”

We’re justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law. Salvation is “not of works, lest anyone should boast” Eph 2:8

Illustration: When I became a homeowner there was many things I didn’t know. I didn’t know about trash services. I also couldn’t find the crawlspace under my house.

Good works belong in our homes but they cannot be the foundation.

Religion says, “I obey – therefore I’m accepted.”  The Gospel says, “I’m accepted – therefore I obey.”

True Christianity has always maintained that faith necessarily expresses itself in action.

Good works are what goes on in the house, but they’re not the foundation of the house.

Notice that the people who are told to devote themselves to good works are they which have believed in God” Titus 3:8 “8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”

Good works have a glorious purpose.

Titus 3:14 “14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.”

Good works are acts of love that meet people’s needs that are done in obedience to God’s command and for His glory.

This goes all the way back to the mandate given to use Genesis 2:15 “15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”

Life has been influenced by unhistoric acts by people whose bodies will someday reside in unvisited tombs.

Moreover, godly behavior is encouraged “the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:5) and so that opponents will have nothing evil to say (Titus 2:8).

Transitional Statement: Every had a friend you knew was going to stir up trouble when they are around? Well, I desire to stir up or provoke believers to good works today.

How do the people zealous of good works live?

We are told that Jesus died to purchase a people who will be zealous of good works. Titus 2:14 “14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Simply, we will live differently than those around us.

The redeemed are able to live differently than the unredeemed.

Titus 3:1 “1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”

You are a child of a good news God.

In Jesus, you are called to live a good news life.

You have been given a good news assignment.

God’s good news transcends all possible bad news.

- Cary Schmidt (2)

The children of a good news God live our days doing good in obedience to His command, by faith, through His enabling, and for His glory.

Humble Stance

The only message that can be trusted to produce good works is the message that tells us our works can’t save us.

Starts with realizing your inability to do good.

It is critical for Christians to remember that God saved us “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,” Titus 3:5

It is stated plainly Romans 3:20 “20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Nothing pure comes from the unregenerate because their motives are impure. Faith has not purified their hearts.

(3) WD Smith example of pirates. Follow rules but not those of the government. / Notes

Grace not only forgives us but trains us!

Titus 2:12 “12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

Grace is doing two things in the life of the believer.

Titus 2:14a “14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,

Titus 2:14b “and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

The Holy Spirit will enable the believer to do good works for God’s glory.

1 Peter 4:11 “11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Demonstrated so clearly in the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. Not enough becomes more than enough when put into the hands of Jesus.

Works are the evidence of genuine salvation. This is the message seen in the book of James.

Few chapters are as relentless in advocating good works as Titus 3.

If someone tells you Paul and James disagree about the need for good works, point him to this chapter.

The Humble are ready for good works.

Christian character will not be developed by striving but by surrendering.

The kind of people who fight their own sin are the kind who will be ready to genuinely help others.

Titus 3:1–2“1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

We need this reminder.

Titus 3:8 “8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”

Response:

Be devoted to good works.

Looks to God’s Word to lead you in the way that you should live.

Help encourage others to be involved for God’s glory.

Footnotes:

(1) Charles Haddon Spurgeon March 16, 1856 Scripture: Titus 2:14 From: New Park Street Pulpit Volume 2

(2) Steady Strength by Cary Schmidt (ch 2)

(3) In a gang of pirates we may find many things that are good in themselves. Though they are in wicked rebellion against the laws of the government, they have their own laws and regulations, which they obey strictly. We find among them courage and fidelity, with many other things that will recommend them as pirates. They may do many things, too, which the laws of the government require, but they are not done because the government has so required, but in obedience to their own regulations. For instance the government requires honesty and they may be strictly honest, one with another, In their transactions, and the division of all their spoil. Yet, as respects the government, and the general principle, their whole life is one of the most wicked dishonesty. Now, it is plain, that while they continue in their rebellion they can do nothing to recommend them to the government as citizens. Their first step must be to give up their rebellion, acknowledge their allegiance to the government, and sue for mercy. So all men, in their natural state, are rebels against God, and though they may do many things which the law of God requires, and which will recommend them as men, yet nothing is done with reference to God and His law. Instead, the regulations of society, respect for public opinion, self-interest, their own character in the sight of the world, or some other worldly or wicked motive, reigns supremely; and God, to whom they owe their heart and lives, is forgotten; or, if thought of at all, His claims are wickedly rejected, His counsels spurned, and the heart, in obstinate rebellion, refuses obedience. Now it is plain that while the heart continues in this state the man is a rebel against God, and can do nothing to recommend him to His favor. The first step is to give up his rebellion, repent of his sins, turn to God, and sue for pardon and reconciliation through the Savior. This he is unwilling to do, until he is made willing. He loves his sins, and will continue to love them, until his heart is changed.