Grace That Governs: Living as Gospel Citizens

Sermon Title: Grace That Governs: Living as Gospel Citizens

Scripture: Titus 3:1-11

Occasion: The Lord’s Day | Communion

Date: May 25, 2025

Opening Prayer

Simple old Anglican prayer:

What we know not, teach us. What we are not, make us. What we have not, give us—for the glory of Christ.

Introduction: Living Like We Belong to Another Kingdom

In 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1, a spacecraft designed to journey beyond our solar system.

Along with its scientific instruments, Voyager carried a "Golden Record"—a time capsule of humanity meant for any intelligent life it might encounter.

It included music, greetings in 55 languages, and images of human life on Earth.

But what struck me most wasn’t what was recorded, but the reason why:

They wanted to show who we are and how we live.

Christian, if someone were to examine your life as a “record” of the gospel, what would they find?

What would your neighbors see in the way you respond to governing authorities, to conflict, to evil done against you?

Would they see a citizen of this world—or one governed by grace, living as if you belong to a different kingdom?

Paul reminds Titus that believers on the island of Crete were not just to believe sound doctrine but embody it in their public lives.

This section brings the letter to a climax—having taught about gospel leadership (Titus 1) and gospel living in the church (Titus 2), Paul now turns to gospel living in society (Titus 3).

Here’s the call: The grace that saved us (and fuels us. From Pastor Jeremys sermon last week) must also govern us.

Title: "Grace That Governs: Living as Gospel Citizens"

So what does it look like to live as gospel citizens—people governed by grace?

Paul gives us three clear instructions:

Outline:

Remember the Call of Grace (vv. 1–2)

Recall the Change of Grace (vv. 3–7)

Reject the Corruption of Grace (vv. 8–11)

Transition:

If grace is what governs us, then our lives must reflect its rule—especially in how we live among others.

So Paul begins here:

Before we confront corruption or celebrate our transformation, we must first remember the call of grace—a call to live distinctly as gospel citizens in a watching world.

1. Remember the Call of Grace

Read Titus 3:1–2 (ESV): Titus 3:1-2

Titus 3:1–2 ESV

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Paul begins this final chapter with a list—not of doctrinal truths to affirm, but of grace-formed behaviors to remember.

Seven imperatives.

Seven marks of a gospel citizen.

And the first word he uses is telling: “Remind them.”

That means they already know this.

But like us, they forget.

Forgetfulness isn’t just a mental issue; it’s a spiritual condition.

The Cretans needed reminders.

So do we.

Paul is saying:

Titus, don’t assume they’ll naturally live this way—train their memory.

Because the Christian life is one of remembering who we are and whose we are.

Let’s walk through this list—not to check of boxes, but to hold up a mirror to our lives and ask, “Is grace governing me?”

1. “Be submissive to rulers and authorities”

This is especially striking when you remember where Titus is ministering—Crete, a place known for political corruption and cultural chaos.

The rulers weren’t righteous.

The systems weren’t godly.

But Paul still says, submit.

Why?

Because our submission isn’t based on the worthiness of the government but the Lordship of Christ.

Romans 13:1 ESV

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

1 Peter 2:13 ESV

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…

Now, this doesn’t mean blind obedience.

It doesn’t mean we follow sinful commands.

When man’s law conflicts with God’s law, we obey God.

But here’s the point:

Our posture is one of humble submission, not hostility.

Let me ask you:

Would your neighbors describe your tone toward authority as submissive or scornful?

When the government makes a decision you dislike—how do you respond?

When your HOA makes a new rule or the school board passes a new policy—what comes out of your mouth?

Do you rage on social media? Or reflect Christ?

Brothers and sisters, when the world sees our submission—even when we disagree—it gives weight to our witness.

Because it shows we’re governed by a higher King.

2. “To be obedient”

This flows naturally from submission.

A willingness to obey—not just in theory, but in action.

This is not begrudging compliance but glad-hearted obedience that springs from grace.

Illustration

When the speed limit drops to 25 in a school zone, do you slow down only when you see the cop car?

Or do you obey because it’s right and reflects love for others—even children we don’t know?

Think about how different this is from the cultural norm.

We live in a day where autonomy is king—everyone wants to do what is right in their own eyes.

But Christians are called to live as joyful followers, not just of God, but of the laws and systems placed over us (unless they cause us to sin).

Obedience isn’t weakness—it’s worship.

3. “To be ready for every good work”

Now we move from what we shouldn’t resist to what we should pursue.

Gospel citizens aren’t just rule-followers—we are good-work-doers.

This echoes Titus 2:14, where Paul said Christ “purified for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

Are you ready for every good work?

That means we are available, attentive, and eager to serve.

Being “ready for every good work” means interruptible, available lives.

Your life must be ready to be interrupted!

When the local food pantry needs volunteers—are you ready?

When your elderly neighbor’s lawn is overgrown—do you step in?

When your co-worker is struggling emotionally—are you there?

When there is a need in the Church, are you ready to step in and help anyway you can, regardless of what the task is?

This isn’t about earning salvation—it’s about displaying salvation.

Grace makes us useful, and ready, responsive.

4. “To speak evil of no one”

This is where it gets personal.

No one includes everyone.

That means your political opponents, your critics, your ex-spouse, the rude cashier, and the driver who cut you off.

The word here means to slander, to speak destructively.

And it’s rampant in our age.

It’s on the news.

In the comment sections.

Even in the church.

But gospel citizens are not slanderers.

We are called to speak life, not curses.

To build up, not tear down.

5. “To avoid quarreling”

Some people just like to fight.

They don’t feel alive unless they’re debating.

But Paul says—don’t be that person.

In a time where every opinion becomes a battle, gospel people must be known for their peacemaking.

Matthew 5:9 ESV

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

That doesn’t mean we avoid hard conversations—but it means we don’t love the fight MORE THAN we love the people in it.

6. “To be gentle”

Gentleness isn’t weakness—it’s controlled strength.

The word here points to Christ, who said, “I am gentle and lowly in heart.” (Matt. 11:29)

Do people experience you that way?

Gentle in your parenting.

Gentle in disagreement.

Gentle in your tone when correcting someone.

Illustration

When your toddler spills the milk again, or your coworker forgets to follow through again—what comes out of you?

Grace or frustration?

7. “To show perfect courtesy toward all people”

This is the capstone.

The Greek word “prautēs” can be translated meekness, humility, or courteousness.

It means treating people—not just your friends, but all people—with dignity and grace.

Illustration

The barista messes up your order, again.

Do you thank them with a smile, or do you roll your eyes and mutter under your breath?

Imagine if this was the tone of every Christian and every christian home…

every church member meeting…

every gospel conversation.

This doesn’t come from trying harder—it comes from grace taking deeper root.

Application

Church, when the grace of God governs our hearts, it transforms how we live in the world.

It rewrites how we speak, submit, serve, and suffer.

In a culture of outrage, we are to be a people of gentleness.

In a world of division, we are to be a people of peace.

In an age of self-promotion, we are to be a people of humble courtesy.

Transition

Christian, does your life look like this?

If someone were to listen to the “record” of your life this past week, would it sound like grace?

Would it sound like you belong to another kingdom?

If not—don’t lose heart.

Grace not only calls us to live this way—it enables us to.

And Paul is about to show us how.

Let’s move to the second point.

2. Recall the Change of Grace

Read Titus 3:3–7 (ESV):

Titus 3:3–7 ESV

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Paul now turns from exhortation to explanation.

If verses 1–2 tell us how gospel citizens should live, verses 3–7 tell us why.

And the answer is simple: because grace has changed us.

v. 3 – Who We Were

“For we ourselves were once…” — Don’t miss Paul’s tone here.

He includes himself.

He’s not pointing fingers; he’s remembering his own chains.

1 Timothy 1:13 ESV

though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,

“Foolish” – Spiritually blind, morally confused.

“Disobedient” – Living in rebellion to God’s will.

“Led astray” – We didn’t just sin—we were deceived and misled.

“Slaves to passions and pleasures” – Not free agents, but addicts to self.

“Passing our days in malice and envy” – Jealous of others, bitter inside.

“Hated by others and hating one another” – Divided, destructive, and proud.

In short:

We were not good people who needed a little help.

We were dead people who needed resurrection!!

And Paul’s point is this:

You will never show grace to others if you forget the grace God showed to you.

vv. 4–5 – What God Did

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared…”

This is the turning point.

The word “appeared”should reminds us of Titus 2:11 — “The grace of God has appeared…”

And point Paul is belaboring in these pastoral epsitles is that the gospel is not a theory.

It is a historical event: Jesus Christ entered the world!

“He saved us…” Not improved us. Saved us from our sin and God’s perfect, and righteous, and Holy wrath.

“Not because of works done by us in righteousness…” – We didn’t earn it.

We didn’t deserve it.

We weren’t climbing some spiritual ladder.

This is the gospel:

God didn’t wait for us to get it together.

He came when we were running away.

He found us in the graveyard of our sin—like the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, naked, out of his mind, chained by shame and darkness.

And what did Jesus do?

He crossed a storm to rescue one man.

That is not moral improvement.

That is divine intervention.

That is sheer goodness and loving kindness breaking in.

As Samuel Medley wrote in the hymn “Awake, My Soul, in Joyful Lays”:

“He found me ruined in the fall, Yet loved me notwithstanding all; He saved me from my lost estate, His loving-kindness, oh how great!”

Beloved, we were not seeking Him.

He sought us.

The gospel is not self-reformation—it is divine rescue.

Christ didn’t improve our condition—He intervened, He appeared, and He saved.

v. 5 – How He Did It

“According to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…”

This is a glorious doctrine: regeneration.

New birth.

New heart.

As Ezekiel prophesied in Ezekiel 36:26:

Ezekiel 36:26 ESV

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Regeneration is the supernatural work of God by which He makes dead sinners alive.

God didn’t improve the old you.

He didn’t patch you up.

He made you entirely new.

Paul uses two powerful images:

Washing – We were covered in the grime and guilt of sin.

But the blood of Jesus washed it all away.

We are now clothed in His righteousness, white as snow.

As we will sing today at the Lord’s table…

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

O precious is the flow

that makes me white as snow;

no other fount I know;

nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my cleansing this my plea:

nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone:

nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace:

nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Renewal – The Holy Spirit didn’t just cleanse us.

He changed us—giving us new minds, new desires, and new affections.

And how did this happen?

Look at verse 6: “whom he [God the Father] poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

This is not a trickle of grace—it is a torrent!

Picture it:

Standing beneath the crashing power of Niagara Falls—not with a thimble, but with your entire soul laid bare.

And instead of water, it is the Holy Spirit rushing down from heaven, flooding every corner of your being with divine life, mercy, and transforming power.

That is what it means that the Spirit was “poured out richly” through Christ.

God did not withhold.

He did not ration.

He poured out the Spirit lavishly—because He poured out His Son sacrificially.

This is what Jesus meant when He said in John 3:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:3, 5–7)

And Paul echoes it in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Beloved, you were dead—but now you live.

You were filthy—but now you are clean.

You were enslaved—but now you are renewed.

And it was all mercy—poured out richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior.

v. 7 – Who We Are Now

“Justified by his grace… heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

This is the final crescendo of this section:

Justified – Declared righteous before God.

Heirs – Brought into the family with full rights and privileges.

Seated in the heavenly places. (Eph. 2)

Inherit the earth…(Matthew 5, Rom. 8)

1 Corinthians 3:21–23 ESV

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Hope of eternal life – We have a sure and steady future with Christ forever. Nothing can seperate us from His love!

You see what Paul is doing here?

He’s taking us from the gutter to glory in five verses.

And he’s saying: Don’t ever forget that!!

Application

Beloved, gospel living flows from gospel remembering.

When you're tempted to speak harshly to your spouse—recall who you were and what grace has done.

When you're slow to show mercy to that coworker—recall the mercy God showed you.

When you feel proud or self-righteous—remember: you were once… but God saved you.

And when the world sees a people who live with that kind of humility, that kind of patience, that kind of hope—they see a record of grace.

This is why we must recall the change grace has made.

Because remembering produces worship—and worship produces a faithful witness.

Let’s move to our final point.

3. Reject the Corruption of Grace

(Optional Read) Titus 3:8–11 (ESV):

Titus 3:8–11 ESV

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Paul brings it home with a final pastoral charge:

Insist on grace, but don’t let grace be distorted.

If point one was about the call of grace, and point two was about the change grace brings, then point three is a correction—grace must not be corrupted or compromised.

A. Insist on the Gospel (v. 8)

"The saying is trustworthy…" — Paul is affirming everything he just said in verses 4–7.

The glorious gospel of regeneration and justification by grace.

He says: “Insist on these things” — Why??

Because even in the church, the temptation is to move on from grace.

To start trusting works again.

To get distracted by other passions.

But Paul says: no!

Insist on this gospel so that believers may be careful to devote themselves to good works.

Notice the logic:

The right gospel leads to right living.

If the people are not devoted to good works, it’s not because grace failed—it’s because grace wasn’t preached clearly or believed truly, and deeply.

Example:

Let me give you a real and practical example that speaks to both the theologian in the pew and the doer in the field.

Imagine two men in the same church.

One is a theological junkie.

His shelves are lined with Calvin, Owen, and Bavinck.

He can explain (INFRALA-PSARIANISM) infralapsarianism and parse Greek verbs—but his heart is cold, his hands are idle, and his life is untouched by compassion.

(Infralapsarianism- Calvinist holding the view that God's election of only some to everlasting life was not originally part of the divine plan, but a consequence of the Fall of Man.)

He believes his knowledge is depth, but it’s depth without fruit.

His theology is deep, but not wide.

The other is a servant-hearted man.

Always busy, always helpful—he mows lawns, feeds the hungry, volunteers every week.

But he rarely opens his Bible, rarely speaks of Christ, and cannot articulate why he does what he does.

His gospel is wide, but not deep.

Both are missing something essential.

They are not truly “insisting” on the gospel!

Here’s the point:

If theology doesn't lead to transformation, it’s defective.

And if good works are disconnected from the gospel, they’re self-righteous.

But when grace is rightly preached and deeply believed, the result is a life devoted to good works—not to earn salvation, but because salvation has come.

So if someone claims to believe the gospel but shows no devotion to good works—no humility, no love for others, no hunger for holiness—the problem isn’t with grace.

It’s with how grace was preached… or how it was received.

You cannot truly be washed by the blood of Christ and remain indifferent.

You cannot be filled with the Spirit and remain idle.

You cannot stare into the face of divine mercy and walk away unchanged.

The gospel is not shallow—it runs deep.

And the gospel is not static—it spreads wide.

Right gospel leads to right living.

Always.

In Spurgeon and the Poor, Alex DiPrima highlights Spurgeon’s deep conviction that true gospel theology must manifest in practical mercy (good works!).

He shares two powerful quotes from Spurgeon:

“If you want to understand a man’s theology, look at his benevolence.” — Sermon: A Defense of the Revival, 1858

“To me, the soul that is nearest to Christ will be the most full of love, and the most full of deeds of benevolence to others.” — Sermon: The Poor Man’s Friend, 1861

DiPrima summarizes Spurgeon’s conviction this way:

“For Spurgeon, benevolence did not compete with gospel proclamation—it confirmed it.” (Spurgeon and the Poor, p. 44)

“Spurgeon’s theology of the gospel demanded that those who had received mercy become agents of mercy.” (p. 35)

“There was no dichotomy in Spurgeon’s mind between gospel faithfulness and social concern. The former propelled the latter.” (p. 53)

“Doctrinal fidelity and sacrificial generosity went hand in hand in Spurgeon’s conception of gospel ministry.”(p.91)

In Spurgeon's view, gospel-centered theology was not merely to be preached—it was to be practiced in acts of love and mercy, especially toward the poor.

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

“These things are excellent and profitable…” — Unlike what’s coming next.

B. Avoid Gospel-Destroying Disputes (v. 9)

"But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law…”

In Paul’s day, certain Jewish teachers were obsessed with speculative debates, minor genealogies, and legalistic arguments.

They majored in the minors—and missed the Messiah.

Today, it may not be genealogies, but the temptation is still real.

Debating every obscure theological controversy on social media.

Stirring division over tertiary issues while neglecting love, humility, and holiness.

Making church life about preferences instead of the person and work of Christ.

Paul says plainly: these things are unprofitable and worthless!

They don’t build up.

They don’t edify.

They don’t produce godliness.

Beloved, if it doesn’t help someone love Christ more or live more like Him, it doesn’t belong at the center of the church.

C. Address Division Decisively (vv. 10–11)

Titus 3:10–11 ESV

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

This is sobering.

Paul is not talking about minor disagreements, but about someone who stirs up division—someone who corrupts the grace of God by sowing disunity, pushing false teaching, or creating factions in the church.

Paul’s instruction:

Warn them—give room for repentance.

Warn again—be patient but clear.

Then separate—if they remain unrepentant, remove their influence.

Why so serious?

Because a divided church is a distorted witness.

Because truth and unity are both essential to gospel health.

And because, most importantly of all, as Paul says in verse 11, “he is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

In other words:

Unrepentant division is not just immaturity—it’s evidence of unbelief.

Application

Church family, it’s not enough to say we believe the gospel.

We must guard it and live it.

Let me ask:

Are you quick to engage in fruitless controversies, or are you careful to speak and be involved in what’s excellent and profitable?

Are you stirring up division, or stirring up devotion to Christ and His body?

Are you more passionate about winning arguments—or winning souls?

We live in an age where everyone has a platform and a hot take.

But Paul’s counsel, by the very inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is clear:

Don’t let what is worthless distract you from what is glorious.

Let the gospel govern what you say, what you love, what you invest in, and what you protect.

Conclusion: Governed by Grace, Gathered at the Table

Let me land the plane here for us.

Paul has shown us what it means to be governed by grace:

We remember the call of grace—how it shapes our posture in the world.

We recall the change of grace—how it rewrote our story with mercy.

And we reject the corruption of grace—how we guard the gospel from being twisted or diluted.

But let’s be honest—none of us have lived this out perfectly. (But if you think you have, you need the gospel of grace the most!)

We’ve forgotten our call.

We’ve wandered from our change.

We’ve allowed distractions to distort our devotion.

And that’s exactly why we need this Table.

Not because we’ve been faithful—but because Jesus has.

Not because we’ve lived perfectly as gospel citizens—but because our King has lived righteously on our behalf and He has laid down His life for rebels like us.

This Table isn’t for the proud.

It’s not for those who think they’ve earned a seat.

It’s for sinners washed by grace— for the once-foolish, once-enslaved, once-divided—who’ve now been justified, renewed, and made heirs through Christ.

So come today, not with your resume in hand, but with empty hands and hungry hearts.

Come remembering what He’s done:

His body, broken for you.

His blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

And as you eat and drink in remembrance , recall this:

The same grace that saved you… governs you.

It trains you.

It shapes you.

It sends you out as a witness in a world desperate for truth, for peace, for hope.

This meal is not the end of the sermon—it’s the seal.

It’s the “Amen” to everything we’ve just heard.

It’s where gospel citizens are fed again by the gospel we proclaim.

So as you eat the bread and drink the cup, preach this truth to your own soul:

I am not who I was.

I am not what I’ve done.

I am what Christ has done for me.

And now, I live for Him.

Invitation to the Lord’s Table:

Now come.

Eat.

Drink.

Remember.

Rejoice.

Feast.

Rest in God’s loving governing grace this morning

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You that the grace that saved us is the grace that still sustains us.

As we come to Your Table, humble us again, nourish our faith, and fill us with the joy of being called Yours.

Make us a people governed by grace—for Your glory, and the good of a watching world. Amen.