Let ours also learn

Service Notes

Saturday night is going to be a good time. In this room we will show a wonderful, Gospel rich video.

So glad to have Graham and Olivia with us. Ask Graham to come up and pray.

Bible Reading Introduction

As the Senior Pastor this is the first book I have started and finished on my own. / Outside in the foyer you will see a list. We have abut 10 left before we start all over.

This is our preferred method. Teaching the Bible is essential. Doing it in sequential order is a choice.

We will start our next book after Easter next year. During the 10 weeks leading up to it will look at 10 Core Values of our Church

Please look at me at Titus and we will do a brief summary before reading.

Titus 3:12–15 (KJV)

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 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.

Sermon Introduction

Have you ever been to the Biltmore House in Ashville, NC? It opened on Christmas Eve in 1895. We haven’t been there but we recently went to a waterfall that was in area where they built a train line to bring in wood to build this house. It has 178,926 sq ft of living space. - Biltmore has 4 acres (1.6 ha) of floor space and 250 rooms in the house, including 35 bedrooms for family and guests, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, three kitchens and 19th-century novelties such as an electric Otis elevator,[20] forced-air heating, centrally controlled clocks, fire alarms and a call bell system. Now they have an Army of 300 roombas that clean the floor.

Cornelius Vanderbilt gave a million dollars to what is now called Vanderbilt Hospital.

Many stories of different grandchildren building homes they could not afford (The Breakers House, the Marble House, etc)

By 1973, when the Vanderbilts held a family reunion at their namesake university, not one of the 120 attendees was a millionaire.

Somewhere along the way a generation of kids learned how to enjoy houses but not the discipline to build and maintain them.

How we behave will always be determined by what we believe

Repeated throughout Titus: Sound doctrine should lead to sound living.

Be Shaped by the Gospel

Ended last week with something to constantly affirm

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.”

In the way we disciple the next generation. Ch 2

By the way avoid foolish question and contentions. ch 3

How we live together working to “adorn the doctrines of Christ.

Our unified goal as redeemed people.

Main Verse: Titus 2:10 “10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”

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

Let ours = these are all the Christians that make up the church

Also = Titus should be leading the way, he should be the type of person who is looking to meet the pressing needs of others

Transition: How we behave will always be determined by what we believe and what we believe will always be influence by who we listen to.

What we believe will always be influence by who we listen to

Reject divisive people

Titus must take measures against those who insist on going their own way. Their self-will makes them self-condemned.

Titus 3:10–11 “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.”

Labour to convince him of his error; but if he will not receive instruction, if he has shut his heart against conviction, then – burn him alive? No, even if demonstrably a heretic in any one sense of that word, and a disturber of the peace of the church, God gives no man any other authority over him but to shun him. Do him no harm in body, soul, character, or substance; hold no communion with him; but leave him to God.” (Clarke Commentary)

Our church signs say “Everyone Welcome”

To be a biblical church this must be true in one sense

But it also must not be true in another

To be a divisive person is to go against the prayer request of Jesus in John 17:21 “21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

Why has this practice been lost and churches show no resolve to stand for truth

We have lost our theological nerve. Out of fear of offending, we try to find find comfort in a false security of silence.

Recently read an old, ordaination vow that said “I am willing to die to protect the theological purity of this church.”

I did not sign that document, but should, and you should join me. Bad theology destroys families.

If you pray for me, and I hope you do, pray that I will be a man of valor. There are times I will need to have courage on behalf of other people.

We have been overcome by moral compromise. Our churches look and act so much like the world that we would hardly know where to begin if we did restore church discipline.

We are simply and sadly biblically illiterate. Lay this problem at the feet of pastors, than fathers, and all who are responsible to teach God’s Word.

Avoid Foolish Discussions

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

The world is watching and the gospel should be adorned.

They 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.”

They just keep increasing to more and more ungodliness. 2 Timothy 2:16 “16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

They confuse the hearers. 2 Timothy 2:14 “14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”

Last Sunday in Month Volunteers Meeting, which we ask all those who work with kids and youth to attend. We want to build everything upon God’s Word.

It was my charge to Jonathan and Charlotte. Build you home upon the Rock.

We should help one another to be followers together. Philippians 3:17 “17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”

Transition: How we behave will always be determined by what we believe and what we believe will always be influence by who we listen to so it is vital we include fellow beleivers in our lives.

Embracing Fellow Believers in our Lives is part of our Mission

Overview of Chapter 3

Remember to live obedient and kind lives. (1-2)

Remember who you used to be. (3)

Remember our great salvation (4-8)

Remember to keep the course. (9-11)

Remember people. (12-13)

See you next Sunday Christianity is not New Testament Christianity

We have come to believe in a Jesus-and-me form of Christianity that is foreign to the writings of the Apostles.

While the Christian life is personal, we do not believe that it is private.

The NT calls on us to know the joy of both receiving from and giving to their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Ever heard of “Beat Bob; the one man, champion volleyball player”. That is not how volleyball was designed to be played. It is entertaining to watch him try.

The 150+ “one-another” commands in Scripture remind us we are not to be a one-man ministry team.

A bunch of people and relationships listed in these last four verses.

Artemas, Tychicus, Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, and let ours, All that are with me, Greet them, Grace be with you all. Amen.

These lists at the end of the letters communicate that Paul was a real man in a real world with real friends that he had regular contact with and care for.

The last word on false teachers, shun. The last word on divisive people, reject. The last word on fellow servants is diligently help.

There are profitable friendships in our lives and ministries

1. Gospel friendships was an understood important element in ministry in the NT

Titus 3:12 “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.”

2 Timothy 4:21 “21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.”

Graham and Olivia understand this to be true. - FB post we look forward to seeing you all.

Letter from Sarah Burr, wife to Aaron Burr president of Princeton in 1750) “I esteem religious conversation one of the best helps to keep up religion in the soul, excepting secret devotion, I don’t know but the very best—Then what a lamentable thing that ‘tis so neglected by God’s own children.”

Want to be involved in ministry this week I have a list. Ask about faithfully serving God for a life time I would want to have a discussion about friendships.

2. People serve necessary roles in our lives; Artemas or Tychicus

Titus 3:12 “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.”

I think it is neat that is undecided. Not sure who but it has to be someone.

Tychicus, the letter bearer to the Ephesians (Eph. 6:21) and the Colossians (Col. 4:7) was later sent to Ephesus to relieve Timothy (2 Tim. 4:12).

Titus will then be able to join Paul in Nicopolis (collection of 9 cities, possibly Philipi)

The next step forward for Paul and Titus required a friend stepping up for fill an important role in Crete

3. Friendships grow and change through different seasons but the mission remains the same.

2 Timothy 4:11 “11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

There was a time that Paul and Barnabas disagreed about John Mark

Paul was ready to give John Mark a second chance.

You may be surprised that a book that is so much about sound doctrine and evangelism contains so much teaching about friendships. They are vital and they need to be evaluated by Scripture and Biblically defined profitability.

4. How we care for one another mattered to Paul, because it matters to God

Titus 3:13 “13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.”

They were sent on a mission

Powerful team / lawyer and eloquent teacher

Zenas is a Greek or Roman name, not sure if lawyer of the Scriptures or of law

Remember story of the couple that helped Apollos.

20 years ago this month I was given my first vocational assignment in ministry. Since that day God has met my needs and my families needs by the generosity of His people. “nothing is wanting (or lacking) unto me” Thank you!

Every day of the week I am working with and alongside other believers in this church.

BACK TO OPENING STORY: The story of the Vanderbilt wealth is a story about misplaced priorities. I do not know what a meeting of the Cornwells looks like in 100 years but I pray it looks like a group of people who love the church and are blessed with wonderful, Gospel-centered friendships

5. Our commitment to following Jesus should be evidently shown in our care for one another

John 13:35 “35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

The last word on relationships between all of you is that you learn to do good deeds to meet pressing needs.

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

a. Understanding that are one body and have responsibilities to one another. / Maria told Steve we have to go. He go up and said “okay but where are we headed.”

b. Final word is friends in love. People will engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs when they faithfully love each other. Titus 3:15 “15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”

b. Awareness of the needs of others. / This is why see you “next week” friendship will not be sufficient

c. We all carry our own burdens as we are able so we have the ability to identify when others have a necessary need.

Summary: When this happens, as is should it, is Gospel adorning.

Titus has been primarily about a church adorning the doctrines of God before this world.

Our Gospel centered, truth-pursuing, generation-to-generation discipling, day-by-day, urgent need meeting friendship says to the world that the Gospel is something to behold!!

In evangelism, the whole credibility issue is built on the character of our lives demonstrated in our good works together. Matthew 5:16 “16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Paul tells Titus that the key to evangelism is right relationships.

That involves shunning false teachers, rejecting factious people.

It involves helping fellow servants and loving faithful friends.

None of this is possible if it was not for the grace of God.

We will end with the same statement that Paul ends this letter.

Titus 3:15 “15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”

Time of Response; Let me be a friend to you today.

If you have not trusted Christ to be your Lord and Savior today is the best day and time for that to happen.

You may have seen some form of religion growing up and your were not interested.

I can assure you that if you have ever beheld the grace of God you would never be the same.

We desire in our lives to reflect the goodness of God, we (Christians) often fall short but our God remains faithful and good.

If you are believer today, can I remind you that your life, schedule, and friendships have been cultivated and shaped to help you reach what you believe to be your mission in life.

This would be a good moment for reevaluation. Titus 2:10 “10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”

God has offered you so much more than just “see you next Sunday” from this church family.

You can and should be involved in the daily lives of one another. Not just enjoying life and serving together, but also in the messy work of meeting one another’s pressing needs.

Footnote:

1. Daniel L. Akin, Living Doctrine: The Book of Titus, ed. Craig G. Bartholomew and David Beldman, Transformative Word (Bellingham, WA; Burlington, ON: Lexham Press; St. George’s Centre, 2017), 64.