Titus 3:1-11
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Announcements- member class, Thursday night- need 2 volunteers for it! We are providing the candy and the giveaways- TRUNK OR TREAT- INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!
Reminder of Renewal and restoration (restoration is function driven- elders, renewal is spiritually driven- disciplemaking, THE GOSPEL)
My story with this (Trinidad and Tobago)
Main Point: We have been saved by GRACE and our LIVES and IDENTITY have been transformed.
Main Point: We have been saved by GRACE and our LIVES and IDENTITY have been transformed.
Body
Body
As we come to Titus 3 we are going to see that Paul’s argument that he’s been building continues.
Remember, in Titus 1, Paul lays out some aspects of RESTORATION, or literally RESTORING FUNCTION to the Cretan church- which in some cases really meant giving HEALTHY FUNCTION TO IT FOR THE FIRST TIME!
In Titus 2, Paul turned his attention to DISCIPLESHIP!
We saw three main things in Titus 2- that we are to BE disciples, that we are to BE disciplemakers, and then we were reminded of THE GOD THAT WE WORSHIP!
We were reminded of WHO Jesus IS!
Titus 2:11 told us
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
And then Titus 2:13 made this declaration about Jesus:
13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Remember that wording- JESUS IS OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR! IT IS AN INARGUABLE REALITY! THAT IS THE CASE THAT PAUL IS BUILDING!
And now in Titus 3:1 Paul is going to continue to give us instructions for HOW TITUS SHOULD ENCOURAGE THIS CHURCH IN LIGHT OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL!
1 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.
Paul starts off with an imperative verb- so it is a direct command from Paul to Titus. TITUS NEEDS TO REMIND THE BELIEVERS OF THE RIGHT WAY TO LIVE!
Paul is painting a picture for Titus- GIVE THE CRETANS JESUS- like we say in Titus 2:11, then correct them- that’s what we saw in Titus 2:12-14 and now, INSTRUCT THEM AGAIN OF HOW THEIR FAITH SHOULD MAKE THEM LIVE!
One way to think about it is that Paul gives principles in Titus 2:11-14 and now in Titus 3:1-3 he gives PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS!
Paul gives 7 instructions for things that Titus is to pass on to the Cretan believers. They are to:
Submit to rulers and authorities
Obey
Be Ready for every good work
Slander no one
Avoid fighting
Be Kind
Show Gentleness TO ALL PEOPLE!
These are the 7 characteristics that Paul instructs them to live out in response to what they believe!
We aren’t going to talk about each of these instructions individually in depth, but I would encourage you to notice some trends in this.
First, the Cretans are to be model citizens
First, the Cretans are to be model citizens
The Cretans need to be a light not only through their words, but also how they even approach their government,
Almost assuredly on this island known for its laziness, its evil and its lying problem there were issues with the government.
But notice what Paul says- he DOES NOT SAY, “Start a coup” instead, he says “submit to rulers and authorities.”
Instead of fighting back against those that God has placed in authority, they are to SUBMIT! They should PRAY FOR THEIR LEADERS!
In Daniel 2, Daniel praises God for giving him insight to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Nebuchadnezzar was far from a righteous king. But listen to what Daniel said in Daniel 2:21-22
He changes the times and seasons;
he removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those
who have understanding.
He reveals the deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and light dwells with him.
Do you hear what’s in verse 21? GOD CHANGES THE SEASONS, GOD CHANGES KINGS, GOD GIVES WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE!
Those things don’t happen because of man, they happen because of GOD!
The Cretans in turn are to SUBMIT TO THEIR LEADERS BECAUSE EVEN THE WORST ONE HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY GOD!
APPLICATION: THE SAME IS TRUE FOR US in our world!
Second, the Cretans need to be Self-Controlled
Second, the Cretans need to be Self-Controlled
Although Paul doesn’t directly use a word for self-controlled here, the concept is throughout. Avoid fighting, obey, be prepared for good works, don’t slander, showing gentleness to all- even submitting to rulers and authorities! All of these require SELF-CONTROL!
Yet again this idea of self-control comes up. And I think this is very purposeful. Not only do the Cretans struggle with self-control, we ALL DO!
Self-control is HARD! It’s TOUGH! Self-Control is DIFFICULT but it is ESSENTIAL to our following God! Self-Control guards our lives!
I find myself thinking of Proverbs 30:7-9 and many other proverbs that talk about the IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CONTROL!
Without self-control we will live in a way that DENIES THE LORD AND PROFANES HIS NAME!
It’s that simple! So let me encourage US just like the Cretans to live lives marked by self-control!
Third, the Cretans need to LOVE PEOPLE
Third, the Cretans need to LOVE PEOPLE
Look at these last 4 instructions with me- Slander no one, Avoid fighting, be kind, always show gentleness to ALL people.
These 4 commands all deal with the SAME idea. The idea? LOVE THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU! LOVE THE OTHER CRETANS!
And why? WE DON’T love people because of OUR GOODNESS, we love people BECAUSE OF JESUS!
We love people because WE HAVE EXPERIENCED GENUINE LOVE FROM GOD!
Titus 3:3
Titus 3:3
3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
Paul is going to share the Gospel with us again in Titus 3:3-8. In this passage he is going to use some IDENTITY statements to show us OUR NEED for salvation.
So look at how verse 3 starts- WE TOO WERE ONCE and then Paul lists a bunch of things.
So this USED TO BE OUR IDENTITY! But if we USED TO BE LIKE THIS, then something has changed.
That’s where I want to spend the bulk of our time- on WHAT CHANGED US!
Paul’s giving us this identity statement and he is also reminding Titus of the fact that before Jesus we were no different than the non-believers that are now trying to REACH WITH THE GOSPEL!
Rather than fixating on the TERRIBLE NATURE of sinners, Paul is saying, “REMEMBER TITUS, WE WERE JUST LIKE THEM! WE LIVED LIVES THAT WERE CONSUMED BY SIN!”
If verses 12 can be summarized by saying that the Cretans are called to be model citizens, be self-controlled and to LOVE PEOPLE, then verse 3 is the story of SINFUL SELFISHNESS THAT IS BUILT AROUND CHASING AFTER THE DESIRES OF OUR FLESH!
Fortunately, the story does not end with us as sinners who live following OUR PASSIONS AND DESIRES! It continues in verse 4!
Titus 3:4-8
Titus 3:4-8
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.
BUT WAIT! BUT WAIT, OUR STORY DOESN’T END WITH US BEING CONDEMNED AS SINNERS! OUR STORY KEEPS GOING! If the negative actions are part of our FORMER IDENTITY, THEN VERSES 4-8 are our NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST!
And why doesn’t our story end? Why are we called to LIVE DIFFERENTLY THAN WE USED TO?
BECAUSE OF THE APPEARING OUR OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS!
The Kindness and LOVE OF JESUS appeared!
JESUS HAS COME! Remember Titus 2:11
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
PAUL IS EMPHASIZING THE COMING OF JESUS! PAUL WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THE MOST IMPORTNAT THING AS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!
Paul wants to make sure that we understand the most basic, most foundational, most TRANSFORMATIONAL truth in HUMAN HISTORY!
And that truth is that THE KINDNESS OF GOD OUR SAVIOR AND HIS LOVE FOR US APPEARED AND THAT HE SAVED US!
Don’t miss that in verse 5! JESUS HAS SAVED US!
Notice- it is a COMPLETED VERB TENSE! THIS MEANS THAT THE ACTION HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE! THE PRICE FOR YOUR SALVATION HAS ALREADY BEEN PAID!
Continue looking at verse 5 with me- it might look similar to Ephesians 2:8-9 because it is similar!
We aren’t saved by OURSELVES, we aren’t saved by OUR WORKS, we are saved BY GOD’S MERCY!
And we see that through THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN WASHED IN REGENERATION AND RENEWED, or MADE NEW by the Holy Spirit!
What greater proof of mercy is there than what Jesus did on the cross for us!
The fact that Jesus was beaten, mocked, scorned, crucified, laughed at- ALL FOR US BECAUSE HE LOVES US is a HUMBLING REALITY!
And why would he do that? BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR US! HE DID THIS BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY!
Think about this- Jesus saw us in our sin, covered in our sin, doing everything that we could to IGNORE GOD- being foolish, disobedient, deceived, ENSLAVED BY SIN, living in malice and envy, full of hate, and detesting one another and EVEN THEN, JESUS LOVED US!
THIS IS THE GREATEST STORY of MERCY THERE EVER HAS BEEN OR EVER WILL BE!
It’s hard to further illustrate it because there’s never been any OTHER EXAMPLE OF MERCY LIKE THIS!
Instead of being left in our sin, we have been WASHED NEW and RENEWED- or TRANSFORMED IN OUR WALK WITH GOD!
But that’s not all! We have been justified and now we are heirs with the HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE- or literally, we have now been restored to GOD AND HAVE THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE!
And what should Titus do with these things?
HE SHOULD INSIST ON THESE THINGS!
Why? So that EVERYONE who hears this will devote themselves to GOOD WORKS!
We cannot be saved through our works, but we are CALLED to RESPOND TO GOD!
We are called to BEAR FRUIT!
Now remember, what good works should we devote ourselves to?
Not just mowing a person’s lawn, or picking up trash, we should devote ourselves to GOOD WORKS AS WE OBEY THE COMMANDS OF GOD!
And let me encourage you with one of these commands- it’s found in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8. These commands are FOUNDATIONAL TO WHAT GOOD WORKS ARE. There’s 5 given in Matthew 28…
Good works have to START WITH AND END WITH A KINGDOM MINDSET WHERE WE ARE FOCUSED ON EXPANDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD!
After all, what better way is there to love someone than to tell them HOW TO BE SAVED?
This is the good work that we are to devote ourselves to. This is the GOOD WORK THAT IS PROFITABLE FOR EVERYONE!
Literally- it is profitable for us and it is PROFITABLE FOR OTHERS BECAUSE THEY ARE CONNECTED WITH GOD!
We are to BELIEVE THE GOSPEL AND THEN WE ARE TO LIVE OUT THE GOSPEL!
From verses 9-11, Paul is going to tell us what to avoid as we respond to the GOSPEL!
Titus 3:9-11
Titus 3:9-11
9 But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. 11 For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.
And now Paul provides ONE MORE WARNING!
Paul warns us against FOOLISH DEBATES OF ALL TYPES AND FOOLISH CLAIMS AND FIGHTS!
These are unprofitable, and in fact, they are worthless!
GOOD WORKS= PROFITABLE, DEBATES AND QUARRELS= UNPROFITABLE!
Rather than wasting our time on debates, we need to keep our eyes on the KINGDOM OF GOD AND MAKING DISCIPLES OF PEOPLE!
Let me say it this way- we need to focus on the MOST IMPORTANT THING rather than these worthless debates!
Paul also provides a reminder about divisive people. It’s bold, it’s blunt, it’s direct and it’s biblical.
Warn them. Warn them again. Then, remove them from the church!
This is what JESUS HIMSELF TALKS ABOUT IN MATTHEW 18:15-20!
And notice why- it isn’t because they are annoying; it’s because they have GONE ASTRAY; or they have LEFT THE GOSPEL; they are choosing to live in a way that is not honoring to God and therefore they are SELF-CONDEMNED!
Their divisiveness is sinful!
Listen- the beauty of the Gospel is simple. We can never SAVE OURSELVES; but we DO CONDEMN OURSELVES BECAUSE WE SIN!
No one else needs to sin for us; WE SIN FOR OURSELVES! WE ALL SELF-CONDEMN!
But that REALITY just magnifies the gospel more! BECAUSE DESPITE THAT, WE HAVE GRACE!
So why does Paul say this right after he explains the gospel?
I think it’s simple really- when change occurs; as renewal and restoration in these churches takes place, some people will inevitably get sidetracked. Restoration and Renewal won’t be comfortable to some people.
And Paul is giving a clear message- THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND GOD’S DESIGN FOR THE CHURCH TRUMPS EVERY PERSONAL PREFERENCE!
Our primary focus is to be the GOSPEL AND IT MUST BE!
Everything that Paul is rebuking in chapter 3 could be summarized in one word- SELF-CENTEREDNESS!
And on the other hand, everything that Paul praises could be summarized in one word- TRANSFORMED! IT CAN ONLY HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE TRANSFORMATION THAT JESUS BRINGS!
Application
Application
Be transformed
Be transformed
The first thing that we need to do in response to Titus 3 is BE TRANSFORMED!
That’s what Titus 3:1-11 is all about! It is ALL ABOUT BEING TRANSFORMED BY THE GRACE OF GOD! So how ARE WE TRANSFORMED BY GOD’S GRACE?
It’s really simple. See, we aren’t transformed by ANYTHING THAT WE DO! In fact, it’s the opposite! See, consider verses 4-7 with me. ABSOLUTELY NONE OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH SOMETHING THAT WE DO!
We are transformed when we let GOD’S GRACE- GOD’S MERCY- GOD’S KINDNESS AND LOVE FOR US MOVE!
When we let THE HOLY SPIRIT WORK IN US WE ARE TRANSFOMRED!
So what is the STORY OF JESUS’S COMING? What is the story of JESUS’S KINDNESS AND LOVE APPEARING?
GOSPEL!
CALL TO RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL! (WHAT IS YOUR NEXT STEP? DO YOU NEED TO REPENT AND BELIEVE? WE’D LOVE TO BE WITH YOU IN THAT! DO YOU NEED TO GET BAPTIZED? WE’D LOVE TO BE WITH YOU IN THAT! THE GOSPEL CALLS FOR A RESPONSE AND FOR US TO BE TRANSFORMED- WE WANT TO WALK WITH YOU IN THAT! Even if you’ve been saved for decades, there’s a response to the gospel! It’s to GIVE PRAISE TO GOD!)
Live a Life of Grace
Live a Life of Grace
If our first response is to BE TRANSFORMED, the second response that we have needs to address the way that we live!
So how do we live and how do we need to live?
Well, let’s start with verse 3. If we don’t know Jesus, then this can describe us: Titus 3:3
3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
But on the other hand, if we know Jesus, Titus 3:1-2 should describe us.
1 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.
Remember the contrast that we pointed out. A life that is lived through the grace of GOD is a life that is marked by LOVE, self-control and FREEDOM that calls us to live more and MORE like Christ!
In the case of the Cretans, part of this NEW LIFE meant being a model citizen!
I want to be honest- if you have not responded to Jesus yet, then this application doesn’t apply in the same way. You cannot live by the HOLY SPIRIT THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE!
But if you HAVE accepted Christ, then this applies to you deeply.
I want to give us three practical challenges here that we can do THIS WEEK.
First, we need to be model citizens- this isn’t just talking about not speeding. We all have rules in our lives. We need to be faithful to SUBMIT AND OBEY those rules!
Whether it is in your dorm, or at work, or a speed limit, let me challenge you- BE A MODEL THIS WEEK! Don’t talk back, don’t question it, BE A MODEL!
And how do we do that? Not through our own strength- but through the freedom that comes because of GOD’S GRACE!
Second, let me challenge you that we need to be people of SELF-CONTROL!
Simply put, we need to control ourselves. I’ve lost count at this point, but this is ANOTHER REFERENCE TO SELF-CONTROL!
That raises our count to about 8-9 times that self-control is explicitly or implicitly mentioned.
So what do we do with that?
WE LIVE IT OUT!
And I think that a great way to live out self-control is to walk how Titus 3:1-2 calls us to!
1 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.
(Being ready for every good work requires self-control!)
Thirdly, we need to LOVE PEOPLE!
Paul talks about being kind and gentle to people. Guess what- if we are going to do that, we have to LOVE THEM!
So let me challenge you- LOVE SOMEONE AROUND YOU THIS WEEK!
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS CHALLENGE! (Listen, we don’t do this for publicity, instead, we do this because we are to be DEVOTED TO GOOD WORKS! SO JOIN ME IN DOING SOME RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS THIS WEEK! It could be a card, a text, a phone call, doing something for somebody, buying someone’s coffee, etc.)
Unity comes from a Kingdom Mindset
Unity comes from a Kingdom Mindset
Our third application today is one that can be challenging.
See, Titus 3:1-3 talks about how we live because of what Titus 3:4-8 tells us! Titus 3:9-11 then challenges us to live in unity.
But if I’m honest, there is no more over-used buzzword in Christian circles than discipleship and it is followed immediately by unity.
Here’s the truth about unity. Unity isn’t just getting along. We will never “just get along” perfectly on our own power!
Instead, we need to understand that UNITY CAN ONLY COME AND WILL ONLY EVER COME FROM GOD!
IF NOT FOR GOD, there is no hope for us to be united!
And I think that Titus 3:9-11 gives us great insight into how GOD’S GRACE SHAPES OUR UNITY- because that is what unity is built on!
Let me explain it- Unity is possible ONLY WHEN WE KEEP OUR EYES FIXED ON GOD RATHER THAN OURSELVES!
Last week we talked about having a kingdom mindset- a mindset that is evangelistic and disciple-making focused!
This is true! AND HEAR ME ON THIS, it’s not just fun to see the kingdom of God growing, The KINGDOM OF GOD IS also the ROOT OF OUR UNITY!
consider the warnings in Titus 3:9-11
9 But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. 11 For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.
ALL OF THOSE START WITH PEOPLE WANTING SOMETHING TO BE ABOUT THEM!
THEY WANT TO WIN THE DEBATE, THEY WANT THE ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THEIR GENEALOGY, THEY WANT TO WIN THE QUARREL OR THE DISPUTE, THEY WANT TO GET THEIR WAY SO THEY ARE DIVISIVE!
And what is it all called? It’s called sin!
So I want to challenge us personally- we’ve talked a lot in this series about the goal Paul had in this letter. And it is aimed at helping churches become HEALTHY AND REVITALIZED!
And just as we’ve said- this Cretan church, and EVERY CHURCH really- and I’m preaching this to us because it applies to Cornerstone- needs to go through seasons of renewal where we drop everything and FOCUS ON GOD!
So let me challenge you- we need to engage in unity that is built on a kingdom mindset and that will ONLY HAPPEN when we FALL TO OUR KNEES AND EMBRACE THE GRACE OF GOD! If we want to experience TRUE CHRISTIAN UNITY, it starts with us CALLING OUT TO GOD!
Embrace God’s Grace TODAY!
Let me pray fo rus!
