Titus 2
Notes
Transcript
“What Does Sound Doctrine Look Like?”
“What Does Sound Doctrine Look Like?”
I. The Challenge
1:10-16
A. Insubordinate, empty talkers, deceivers (legalists)
B. Upset entire Family units
C. Shameful gain
D. This kind of teaching finds fertile ground in lazy, sloppy, shallow “human soil”.
In today’s cultural environment, it is found in shallow, media-driven, “sound bite” mentality that is easily manipulated. (v.14)
This is a definite commentary on not only our culture, but much of the modern church!
E. Results in moral/spiritual impurity and defilement. (v.15)
F. The terrible truth is that “believers” like this are unfit for any good work. (v.16) (James said, “faith w/o works is dead”)
II. The Charge
2:1-10
A. Teach sound doctrine.
What is “sound doctrine”?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mtt.5-7)
“God’s law, written on the heart, and lived out by, and through grace.”
It is consistent with the character of God and the whole teaching of the Word of God, meaning it is consistent within itself.
It recognizes Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of all the promises of scripture. Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
5. Scott Swain of Ligonier says sound doctrine is, “Teaching from God, about God, that directs us to the glory of God.”
6. However, sound doctrine is much more than having a Biblically correct belief statement and pulpit!
B. Paul charged Titus to teach “what accords with sound doctrine”...
Older men (2:2)
a) sober-minded (a right sense of the “sacred weight” of life in Christ)
b) dignified (a Christ-honoring posture that respects others - NOT a “stuck-up prig”!)
c) self-controlled (a holy direction in seeking to please and acknowledge Christ)
d) sound in: faith, love, steadfastness (faith proved by practice)
2. Older women (2:3)
a) reverent (humble assessment & respect of position before God and others)
b) NOT slanderers or “slaves” (excessive, loose speech, and addictive behaviors)
c) teach and train what is good (wise and becoming manner)
d) this is a culturally counter-intuitive view of older women, who often will choose easier pathways in aging.
3. Young women (2:4-5)
a) love husbands and children
b) self-controlled
c) pure
d) working at home (primary occupation)
e) kind
f) submissive to husband (deserved or not, and in keeping w/Christ’s example)
g) Reason?: All that the Word of God may not be reviled! (defamed, blasphemed, “injured”)
4. Young men (2:6)
a) self-controlled (pretty simple, straight-forward instruction for often energetic, impulsive, and self-possessed guys!)
5. Pastor (2:7-8)
a) model good works
b) teach w/integrity (true to God’s Word, and The Spirit)
c) dignity (Christ-honoring posture that respects others)
d) sound speech (weigh words- not frivolous, flippant, or faddish)
e) Reason?: Opponents of the Gospel are shamed. The minister and his message are above reproach!
6. Slaves (Employees) (2:9-10)
a) submissive to masters (employers) (again...this posture is in keeping w/the example of Christ, despite circumstances)
b) well-pleasing
c) not argumentative
d) not pilfering (robbing)
e) [instead] showing good faith (they can be trusted)
f) Reason?: Adorns the doctrine of God (makes it attractive in the sight of unsaved)
*Living out sound doctrine must take precedence over our own wishes, …over our lazy, selfish ideas and philosophies!
III. The Change (2:11-15)
A. This is the summation of all the specific teaching to each type of person listed above.
B. “For” (Because)(2:11) The grace of God has appeared to all who will receive Christ to train:
renounce ungodliness (those things not in keeping w/God’s character and commands) and worldly passions (“the love of the world and all that is in it”)
live self-controlled (this third mention of the same Greek word implies “living sensibly”. Is there any more sensible thing for us to do than live practically in the light of God’s truth?!)
upright and godly lives (being right as a result of being justified and deserved. We can then walk with our head held high in confidence with God!)
Present age, waiting for our blessed hope… (once again, not accepting lazy thinking and living but with our eyes upon the coming Kingdom of God! This is “Pilgrim”, staying on the path all the way to the Celestial City!)
Christ gave Himself to redeem and sanctify us as His own possession, so that we would be zealous for good works. (2:14)
Declare these things…(the God-called man has no other option! To do less or otherwise is to fail) exhort, rebuke with all authority. (2:15)
Let no one disregard (invalidate the authority [God!])
APPLICATION
> It is a sad fact that most so-called Christians are too often attracted to unsound (unhealthy) doctrine. This ruins families and leads to a loss of good works.
> Sound (healthy) doctrine leads to positively changed lives.
> Order and righteousness is brought to society by living out the truth of sound doctrine.
> God’s doctrine leads to confident living in Christ, with a faith-filled hope of Christ’s return.
> The unregenerate are desperately in need of this attractive Gospel!