Titus 2:9-10

Introduction:

An estimated 50 million people were living in situations of modern slavery on any given day in 2021, according to the latest Global Estimates of Modern Slavery. Of these people, approximately 27.6 million were in forced labor and 22 million were in forced marriages.

There is human trafficking, human sex trafficking, forced labor, bonded slavery (debt), child slavery, child marriage, descent based slavery (caste systems), domestic work slavery, and supply chain slavery (food/clothing).

But let me ask you this…are you a slave? In 2 Pet 2:19, Peter speaks about false teachers during the early church. He states, “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption (destruction). For whatever overcomes (conquers) a person, to that he is enslaved.”

Jesus said, “Whoever practices sin is a slave to sin.” John 8:34

Paul brackets this section with the words “in everything” for emphasis and to create a chiastic structure. “In everything” has the same meaning as “in all respects” he used in v7.

**READ/PRAY**

Plural Noun Propostition:

In Titus 2:9-10, Paul promotes five attitudes of a Christian bondservant to you, that reveal to whom they are truly a slave of.

Bondservants

Definition

Sometimes known as “bond-slaves” or in the Greek, truly doulos means slave.

Old Testament

The Old Testament is a historical account of the sovereign providence of God and the lostness and rescue of man.

Slavery is from sin. Some critics of the bible state that if there were truly a God why did he allow slavery. How can we worship a God that condones slavery? Mankind always looks up and shakes their fists at God, instead of looking down at themselves and shaking the scales off of their eyes.

We are responsible for slavery. Just as we are responsible for our own sin. Joni Eaerkson Tada said that, “God allows what he hates, in order to accomplish that which he loves.”

The Bible acknowledges the existence of slavery and God’s providence in it. Could it be that God knows what he’s doing and is teaching us about himself, with it?

The description of slavery in biblical times somewhat shadows modern day slavery. Slavery involved persons that were on the bottom of the social ladder or totem pole. Like the people you pretend not to notice as they ask you for change as you walk into the grocery store to fill your cart. They were purchased, used, and inherited (Gen. 9:25–27; Exod. 21:21; Lev. 25:45–46; 2 Sam. 6:20; Lam. 1:1).

The hardest, dirtiest, and most undesirable jobs went to slaves. And these jobs never ended. Day after day, night after night, where the only rescue in view was death. (Exod. 2:23; 3:7; Josh. 9:23; Job 3:18–21).

Rotten food and diseased water was their only relief. If you were injured, you were discarded. If you complained, you were given something to complain about. If you took a break, you would be broken.

Slaves went to sleep as slaves and woke up as slaves. Those children born into slavery never even knew they were slaves. They considered their harsh lives to be normal. It’s who they were, it’s who they were always going to be.

Now the OT Israel law prohibited abuses such as kidnapping, maiming, sexual abuse, and corporal punishment (Exod. 21:16, 20, 26–27; Lev. 19:20; Deut. 24:7; 1 Tim. 1:10).

The idea that one Israelite could permanently own another was completely ruled out; and though debt slavery was permitted, it was limited in duration to six years (Exod. 21:1–4; Lev. 25:39–55).

What is more, each slave was invited to participate in the religious life of God’s people, including Passover and the Sabbath day of rest (Exod. 12:43–44; 23:12).

Yet slaves are not taught to resist and masters are not taught to release them.

Context in Titus

Slavery in Crete and the Gentile world was different than Jewish slavery. Israel had laws from God but Gentiles did not.

One commentary said that slavery was so widespread during this time in A.D. 63, that the number of slaves outnumbered the freemen.

Since the number of slaves was so great, it only makes sense then that many of the early Christians were slaves

Slavery was so commonplace that Paul mentions bondservants in nearly every Epistle (Gal 3:28; Eph 6; Col 3; 1 Tim 6; Philemon; Peter also mentions bondservants in 1 Pet 2:18)

Now remember that the Cretans were always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. Do you think that was the slaves? No, more likely, that was their masters. Liars, beasts, and gluttons

Are you a slave?

The bible speaks of three kinds of slaves: real physical slaves, slaves of sin, and slaves of righteousness

Rom 6:16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Well you are probably not a physical slave, since you’re here. But let me ask you this, are you a slave to sin or a slave of righteousness?

You are either one or the other. You are either a slave of sin or a slave of Christ.

Eph 6:6; Col 3:24; 1 Pet 2:16

I will hopefully help you answer that question truthfully by the end of this lesson so that either you will see your need to repent and die as a slave to sin and place your faith and trust in Christ or you will see that you are indeed a slave of Christ, and discover the beauty of adorning the doctrine of God our Savior.

So now I want us to examine the five attitudes of a bondservant or slave. I want us to examine each one through three different lenses.

The first lens for each attitude will be in the context of the slaves in Crete.

We will explore and define each attitude and what it meant for slaves in Crete.

The second lens we will look through will be the attitude of an unbeliever.

We will explore how the attitudes of unbelievers reveal that they are slaves to sin.

Next, the third lens we will look through will be the attitude of the believer.

We will explore how the attitudes of believers reveal that they are truly slaves of Christ.

And the final lens we will look through will be through the eyes of Christ.

We will explore the attitude of Jesus and see how his attitude should apply to us.

But throughout tonight’s message, I want you to ask yourself, do I mirror the attitudes and behaviors of a slave to sin or a slave of Christ?

Slaves are to be submissive v. 9a (general)

This isn’t an MMA rear naked choke tap out. This Submission is defined as a humble attitude where submission in obedience is rendered within a relationship; whether it be God, authorities, or other people at work, in the church, in marriage, or in family.

Submission has the sense of being put under another or yielding to another.

**Quote** But for the “born again” slaves of Crete “It was natural for the slave who had become a Christian, to forget his place and put himself on a social level with his master. Hence the charge for each to abide in the sphere in which he was when converted (I Cor. 7:20–24).”

**Quote** “Where all around there is disrespect or indifference to those in authority, a Christian’s respectful attitude and speech, backed up by good performance, will demonstrate that God’s message of salvation produces positive, visible results. This is an opportunity for witnesses that we must not miss.”

Unbelievers that are slaves to sin, see submission like a yield sign and they are like a teenager on their cellphone while driving, they blow right through it! Putting everyone in danger.

Unbelievers only submit to three things. Do you know what those are?

The world, the flesh, and the devil

In Christian theology, these three influences are at the root of all sin and temptation.

The world

Indifference and/or opposition to God’s design

Unbelievers submit to an indifferent attitude toward God’s design for marriage, towards sin, and salvation. They are in opposition with the word of God and will resist it ferociously, like a roaring lion.

The flesh

Gluttony, pride, and/or sexual immorality

Like the Cretans, unbelievers speak lies as easily as they breath. They use the same breath that God breathed into them to corrupt his holy name. Evil and selfish, they seek to destroy the innocent, only if the innocent get in their way. They only seek to do good when it benefits themselves or if others can see their good works.

Like when people on Youtube are live streaming themselves feeding the homeless

And even that is only if minimal effort is required. Which is what lazy gluttony produces. The bible condemns self-indulgence. One commentary says, “It often reveals deeper iniquity and represents a rejection of godly moderation and modesty.”

Gluttony is a form of idolatry, it is closely related to drunkenness, like Esau giving up his birthright for soup or like Israel in Numbers 11 in the Graves of Craving, where God gave them an abundance of quail, and then killed them for their greediness.

Unbelievers submit to their flesh because the flesh is so easily pleased with sin. Just a little sin is enough to please the flesh for a moment but the cravings return, stronger and more often, and the fight becomes harder. So the unbeliever goes to extremes to please him or herself, for the temporary high that the flesh gives. But this cycle only ends in death.

The devil

A real enemy, fallen angel, liar, seeking to devour (John 8:44; 1 Pet 5:8-10)

His temptations are real, his influence in the world is real. Unbelievers submit to the devil because he gives them what they want and desire, sin. He also is a liar and places doubts in their minds to the truthfulness and goodness of God and convinces the lost that their sufferings means that God is indifferent at best and cruel at worst.

2 Cor 4:4, “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Believers, that are slaves of Christ, though, see submission as what it truly is, a yielding to the Holy Spirit.

When believers yield to the Spirit’s leading, it is the fruit of knowing that God’s way is better for you and pleasing to him. That our desires if not led by the Spirit will always lead us to ruin.

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

The empowerment to walk in wisdom comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Christians are able to “put to death the deeds of the body” only “by the Spirit” (Rom. 8:13). The only way to avoid gratifying “the desires of the flesh” is to “walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16). Because God’s Spirit fills and indwells us (similar to his Spirit’s filling of the OT tabernacle and temple), we are to walk in holiness. One way in which we can assess our success in walking a Spirit-filled life is whether we (1) sing to the Lord with heartfelt praise (while at the same time singing to others); (2) give thanks in all circumstances; and (3) submit willingly to others.

So how are you doing with submission? Do you see yourself submitting to your own desires or to the Holy Spirit?

Slaves are to be well-pleasing v. 9b (positive attitude)

The slaves in Crete were to be well-pleasing or in other words, acceptable, or simply nice. Like we said before slavery was an exhausting life. Is anyone here grumpy in the morning? Before coffee? You’re anything but well-pleasing!

Have you guys ever had to do something you really didn’t want to do? I used to hate washing dishes or mowing the yard. But what really is hard is when someone asks you to do something for them that would mean changing your own plans. That is so hard. Like when my wife says, “Hey, so I was thinking we could clean the chicken coop today.” As I get ready to work on my sermon. When she says we she really means me.

But imagine that you woke up and your only plans were made by someone else. That your desires and needs were never considered. That the only thing that mattered in your life, was fulfilling the desires and needs of someone who owned you.

This wasn’t washing dishes or cleaning a chicken coop, there lives were barbaric and involved brutal service and even today in modern slavery the heartless things that slaves must endure is unspeakable.

Paul says, bondservants, be well-pleasing.

Unbelievers that are slaves to sin, have an attitude of self-pleasing, not pleasing others. They use their tongues as weapons and not as peacemakers. The tongue is deceitful, sharp like a razor, perverse, backbiting, and smooth (Ps 120:2-3; Ps 52:4; Prov 10:31; Prov 25:23; Prov 6:24). Unbelievers, I speak from experience here, don’t care about being acceptable or nice. The book of Judges is full of self-pleasers. In Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Not caring about your attitude being well-pleasing is a sign of someone who is unregenerate. Throughout scripture, selfishness is indicative of someone who is living apart from God’s law. (Phil 2:3-4; 1 Cor 10:24; Phil 2:20-21; Prov 18:1)

Believers that are slaves to Christ, in contrast, live for the well-being of others, in all humility. Since self-pleasing or selfishness is the opposite of humility. Believers put their own interests and opinions aside if it means that they may have an opportunity to proclaim the gospel. Paul says in 1 Cor 9:22, “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”

1 Cor 10:33, “just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”

Notice Paul’s reasoning for trying to please everyone and become all things to everyone, is so that they may be won to Christ, saved. Even wives of unbelieving husbands can win them to Christ by their attitudes towards them, Peter says in 1 Peter.

James talks about the difficulty in taming the tongue in James 3, yet believers who yield to the Holy Spirit will find help to have their words to be seasoned with salt and live in humility.

So do you see yourself as someone who is well-pleasing for the good of others? To win some to Christ? Are you only nice when it benefits you? Are you nice at all? Is your tongue more of a weapon of sin or a weapon of the word?

Slaves are not to be argumentative v. 9c (negative attitude)

Speaking of the tongue, slaves are not to be argumentative or antagonizing. This carries with it the sense of a contradiction or to speak out in opposition.

The slaves in Crete that were argumentative had to be disciplined. As property slaves were expected to keep their mouths shut. Their masters fed them and housed them therefore they expected the slaves to obey without hesitation and without a word in opposition.

Now contradiction happens when someone says one thing but you say another. I sometimes see this in relationships. Not saying this has ever happened to me, but, let’s call the husband, Scholfield. So Scholfield says to another couple, “Yeah we went to Meddy’s last week!” But Scholfield’s wife, let’s call her Dashlie says, “It was actually last month!” Now was that necessary? No of course not. Now Dashlie isn’t an unbeliever.

Unbelievers who are slaves to sin, are argumentative most of the time, especially when it comes to their own thoughts or opinions. The world calls it self-defense, when really it is pride. It can also be displayed as violent mood swings, erratic behavior, and unpredictable responses.

King Saul was someone who displayed that behavior (1 Sam 16)

Acts 13:45, “But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.”

A believer’s, who are slaves of Christ, response should always be mentally and emotionally peaceful.

Prov 16:32 “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

Would you say you are more of the argumentative type like Dashlie or more like someone who is peaceful and let’s the small things go?

Slaves are not to be thieves v. 10a (negative behavior)

If you guys didn’t know I married a thief. Ashlie stole my heart.

Slaves usually received the bare minimum for their efforts in service. This caused them to either hold back things for themselves or to literally steal from their masters. Now what if you are starving and your master is not feeding you or your family, is it ok then to steal?

Unbeliever’s, who are slaves to sin, would say yes! That’s not fair! While I tend to agree with that point of view, Paul here says that slaves are not to pilfer, or steal. And so does God’s commandment 8th one. So then what is a Christian to do?

The bible speaks about this in Prov 6:30, “30 People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry.” But in the next verse it says, “ 31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.”

So the believer who is a slave of Christ, in extreme need for themselves or their family may desperately need food and therefore steal. However, though it is understandable to us, it is still not right, it is still a sin, and God does not condone it. And if the thief is caught, there are heavy consequences. Yet, for my family, I will just have to repent, and pay the consequences. God understands our weaknesses and will forgive us when we repent of this sin of need.

Jesus speaks about being anxious in Matthew 6. In v31, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Yet, I believe Paul is saying that this issue of theft from the slaves is about a desire to get what they think they deserve or simply just what they want.

Stealing is never good, even in need. But are you a thief? Do you waste time at work on the clock by scrolling through FaceGram, when you should be working? Do you take extra time during lunch break? Do you take pens home? Do you accept praise for something you didn’t do?

Slaves are to be trustworthy v. 10b (positive behavior)

That’s what good faith is. It describes someone who is sincere.

Is there anything better than having a trustworthy friend? Do you guys know of anyone in your life that you would consider trustworthy? They tell you the truth even if it might upset you by hurting your pride? We all need one of those.

Whether you are a slave in Crete in the AD 60’s or an employee in 2024, being a trustworthy servant is priceless. It’s someone who says they’re going to do something and they do it. They have integrity.

Unbeliever’s though, who are slaves to sin, are the opposite of trustworthy, untrustworthy or insincere.

Does anyone here feel awkward when they are taking pictures? When the photographer says, say cheese! My son, always gives the same smile…:) It’s like…really, that is the face of happiness. It’s insincere. fake.

And since unbeliever’s are untrustworthy, when it comes to babysitting, man we barely trust our parents to watch them, let alone someone we know who is a slave to sin.

Therefore, Paul exhorts, be of good faith, be honest, and kind and faithful.

Which is what believer’s who are slaves to Christ are.

In Matt 25, Jesus teaches the parable of the talents and in v21 the master says, “21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

So are you trustworthy? At work, with friends, with family? Can those who are in your life trust you with confession of sin? When you say that you will pray for someone, do you pray?

Slaves are to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior v. 10c (purpose)

Adorn is to set or arrange something in a way to beautify it or decorate it.

Chrysostom said, “The heathen do not judge of the Christian’s doctrines from the doctrine, but from his actions and life.” So by what they see.

God’s desires to have his gospel-doctrine to be adorned even by slaves, who are regarded by the world as no better than beasts of burden.

1 Cor 1:27-29 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

Unbelieving slaves, who are actually slaves to sin, have nothing beautiful to adorn themselves with. They are only covered with their own sins. They are covered in shame, in other words, actually not covered at all, they are naked, having nothing and no God to cover them.

Genesis 3:10 “And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.””

Believing slaves of man, who are actually slaves of Christ, are to adorn themselves with the beautiful doctrine of God our Savior. Which is the gospel. It literally means to make the doctrine of the gospel attractive.

Jean-Marie Gaudeul’s Study (1999) About why Muslims become Christians

Gaudeul published his findings of 170 publicly available conversion stories in a book named Called from Islam to Christ. He lists five main factors in conversion:

“Jesus is so attractive”

Jesus alone satisfies their “Thirst for Truth”

Christianity satisfies their longing for community as they felt like they were “without a family”

Christianity satisfies an existential need for actual forgiveness:

He explains:“In Islam, ‘Divine forgiveness can only be given when divine justice has been satisfied and sins have been expiated.’ While in Christianity ‘God offers an unmerited forgiveness which heals and transforms the sinner, pouring into his weakness the strength of the Holy Spirit’ (154)

“a thirst for God” by which he means a thirst to encounter God in a personal way

Have you ever seen someone who just seems to love the Lord? Every word they say, every word they pray, when speaking about Jesus their eyes light up and it seems that the Holy Spirit is pouring himself and his power into them? Is that you? Why not? If that is how God wants believing slaves to display his glory, could that apply to you today?

Conclusion

So we’ve examined the attitudes that Paul wanted the slaves in Crete to have. Then we looked at these attitudes through the lens of unbelievers, who are slaves to sin, and then through the lens of believers, who are slaves of Christ. And now I want to conclude with examining these attitudes through the eyes of our Savior and see how God wants us to apply this to our own lives, to be more like him.

Submission

Jesus (submission to the Father)

Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Jesus submits to the Father’s will, although he willingly emptied himself for you (Phil 2:7).

Will you submit to the Father’s will?

Well-pleasing

Jesus

In Mark 1:11 at his baptism and in Matt 17:5 at his transfiguration, God’s voice thundered as he said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus pleases the Father, and how? It pleased the Father to crush his Son (Isa 53:10) because he was pierced for our transgressions; and he was crushed for our iniquities; and upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace; and with his wounds we are healed.

God is pleased with the Son, are you?

Not argumentative

Jesus

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Jesus didn’t argue with the Father, he didn’t have to. Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit being co-equal, were in agreement. John 15:13-14 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Are you his friend?

Thief

Jesus (Thief on the Cross)

Jesus was never a thief but he saved a thief, hanging on a cross next to him (Luke 23:43). Jesus never stole anything, but he did snatch the thief from the fire, the same way he snatched you from the fire.

Ask God to reveal to you how close you were to the fire?

Trustworthiness

Jesus (Trustworthy/Holy Spirit seals guarantees)

Eph 1:13 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 acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Christ is the word of truth. Jesus says the word truly over 200 times in the New Testament. Here’s one

John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

Do you believe Christ is trustworthy?

Adornment

Jesus (what did he adorn–your sin/cross)

Paul tells Titus that slaves, by displaying these Christlike attitudes, adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. In other words make the doctrine, the gospel, of God our Savior beautiful.

What did Jesus adorn? What did Jesus make beautiful, that wondrous cross. Isaac Watts 1707

1 When I survey the wondrous cross

on which the Prince of glory died,

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast

save in the death of Christ, my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them through his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,

sorrow and love flow mingled down.

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were a present far too small.

Love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.

If you have just realized that you are still a slave to sin, friends, by submitting your life to Christ, you become a slave of Christ, but the breathtaking thing about that, slaves, is that when you come to Christ, he doesn’t give you a burden, he removes your burden of sin and you come to him and rest. If you haven’t yet, turn to him today and be saved. If you don’t know how please come see me, I will help you. And you will discover that in Christ you are no longer a slave to sin…but a son and daughter of God. Amen!