Titus 3 Message 3

Titus 3 Message 3

The Before Picture

Titus 3:3

The Before Picture

Weight Loss Picture.

Doesn’t look the same person.

A fitness journey

Remodel a house.

Restoring a car.

The transformation can be amazing.

Why do we do this.

Because when the transformation happens, you want to remember what it looked like before.

That “before” picture makes the “after” meaningful.

That’s this passage

The before picture.

Not to shame us.

But to remind us of just how powerful God’s grace really is.

If we forget the “before”.

We won’t fully appreciate the after.

With that here’s our passage.

Titus 3:3 NIV

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

Spiritual Amnesia

It’s forgetting where we came from.

What happens when we forget?

We become proud instead of humble.

We are critical instead of compassionate.

We are harsh instead of gracious.

If you have ever been part of a church were the self-righteous dwell you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Here is a Powerful Truth

Never forget where you were before Jesus Changes your life.

This Verse is a Mirror.

This verse shows us our past so we can appreciate God’s grace in the present.

We are given a brutally honest description.

Foolish

(Word Studies)

Greek - Mindless – unintelligent – dumber than a sack hammers.

We chase things that don’t satisfy.

Live without an eternal perspective

Make decisions without God.

Greek - a person not characterized by the use of reason.

Disobedient

Greek - not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority.

We didn’t want God telling us how to live.

We want: - Things our way – in our timing – with our truth.

We are great at creating our own truth.

The word of God is the authority.

Following God’s commands is easier.

Deceived

Greek – to lead astray – to cause someone to believe an untruth.

Sin always lies

Promises freedom but gives bondage.

Promises pleasure but brings pain.

Promises happiness but delivers emptiness.

Don’t fall for the lies.

It’s the truth that will set you free.

Enslaved

Here’s a word we don’t use much.

Greek – to serve - to work for or be a servant to.

Romans 6:6 — 6 Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin’s control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin;

Romans 6:6 LBP

Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin’s control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin;

Sin is a cruel master.

Sin is Like a Cancer

Cancer wreaks havoc on the body.

It spreads throughout the body.

Sin is a cancer

It wreaks havoc on our relationships.

Malice

Greek – wickedness – evil – trouble.

Malice is wanting harm or holding bitterness.

Envy

Greek - spite and resentment toward the success or possessions of another.

Sin poisons the heart

Instead of celebrating others, we resent them.

Instead of loving others, we compete with them.

Hated and Hating One Another

It’s the world we live in

Why so much hatred?

Because hearts without Christ cannot produce lasting love.

When Christ changes a heart, hatred begins to lose its grip.

Why the Reminder?

We can become proud

We can see others as less spiritual.

You were not saved because you are better

But because of God’s mercy. His grace.

Stop looking down on other people that are struggling.

We can Become Critical.

Instead of saying what’s wrong with them or what you don’t like.

Say this: That used to me.

Grace-filled people are patient people.

We can Become Harsh.

A critical person points out a problem.

A harsh person crushes the person.

They show little mercy.

Harshness lacks gentleness.

They cut - they hurt.

Never Forget—But Don’t Go Back

Remembering where you came from does two things:

It keeps you humble

It keeps you grateful

Only by the grace of God you are lying in the gutter.