Titus 3:1-11; Remember When

Introduction

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Men know that the most important things in our lives still need a reminder. Our anniversaries and birthdays need reminders. My wife knows the birthdays of all the nieces and nephews. I can even walk into rooms now and forget why I went in there.

Need

As humans, we are so quick to forget, even the most important things in our lives. In danger of even forgetting the gospel, we need to remind ourselves of what God is doing in us and what he has done for us.

Referent

Titus 3:1-11

Organization

Remember What God is Doing (vs. 1-2 and 9-11)

Remember What God Has Done (vs. 3-8)

Application

Sermon in a sentence:

Remind ourselves what God is doing and what he has done.

Remember What God is Doing (vs. 1-2 and 9-11)

Paul begins his last section with telling Titus to remind the church how they are to behave.

It is only by the grace of God and the indwelling power of the Spirit that we can expect to see lasting changes in our lives. We should be able to remind ourselves daily, God is doing something in us! What is that something?

(vs. 1-2) Positive (7)

Submission

Not prized in Greek culture. Remember, Paul just told women and slaves to submit. This would have made sense to their culture. But Paul expects all Christians to be submissive.

I am one to defy an illegitimate government mandate! However, we shouldn’t be people that are looking for a reason to be combative or defiant.

Obedient

Paul’s words are not to a specific group or demographic (husbands, wives, children, slaves, masters, etc.). Be obedient in whatever station God has placed you.

Ready for every good work

There are some Christians that are ready for every excuse. Are you ready to follow God in your actions.

Speak evil of no one

We are not to give flattery to everyone no matter what they do. This is the slander and gossip that takes place in the church.

Holly and I saw this video yesterday. This women makes funny Appalachian videos. In some of her videos, she is gossiping with a relative about the other family members and the church. She says to her relative, “We don’t talk bad about people.” After she has gossiped about them and said all sorts of stuff. And her relative replies, “Well, we don’t talk good about them either.” That is the kind of thing Paul is telling us not to do.

Avoid Quarreling

Be Gentle

Perfect Courtesy toward all people

Negative (vs. 9-11)

Paul is going to give warnings to the believers on the things to avoid and neglect

Avoid Foolish Controversies

We all know that there some controversies that we should not be engaging in.

Candace Owens has seemed to be one of these people that have followed one foolish controversy after another.

Theologian Obi Won Qenobi once aksed, “Who is the bigger fool, the fool or the fool that follows the fool.”

Genealogies

Paul has warned Timothy and Titus about Jewish false teachers that debated on myths, genealogies, and the law. 1 Timothy 1:4

Dissensions/strife/arguments

Quarles about the Law

Warn him once and then twice

There is wisdom, prayer, and much fighting for unity.

Remember What God Has Done (vs. 3-8)

Paul always reminds his readers the indicatives that drive the imperatives.

How in the world can we treat others like this? Because we were once in the same situation. God came to us and lavished his great love upon us in our sin. (7 descriptors like the 7 infinitives in vs. 1-2)

Foolish

disobedient

led astray

slaves

passing in malce and envy

hated by others

hating others

(vs. 4-5) But God (the Trinity) showed up.

Paul is clear, our salvation is a Trinitarian act.

It is not by our doing! ((v. 5)

God made us heirs by his will!

4. Because of what God has done for us, we now do for others. Paul insists on these things (v. 8).

Conclusion

Voddie Bauchum’s

He grew up in South Central Los Angeles with his Zen Buddhist mother until the age of 12.

His uncle was his mother's oldest brother, a retired Marine Corps drill instructor.

He lived with his uncle for about a year and a half before moving to Texas for high school.

Baucham credits his uncle with providing structure and discipline that helped set him on a better path. His uncle's sayings, such as "You gotta go real slow, like a woodpecker with a headache," left a lasting impression.

He was recounting a funeral for a family member in California. He went with his wife and kids. As he saw all his cousins and uncles, he saw the pain and struggle they went through. He was also crushed. He was crushed because he remembered what God brought him out of. He said he would not let anyone take away the memories of his sin. No one could take that from him. Because no one can take away the memory of what God has brought him out of. Saints, I don’t want you to forget what God has done for you. And I don’t want us to forget what our responsibility is now.

Application

Put your faith in the Lord Jesus!

Remind yourself of what God has brought you from and calling you to.

Remind yourself of the sins and judgement he redeemed you from.

Remind yourself of the way you are to live in response to his grace.