Sobriety in Devotion (Young Women) Titus 2

Intro

We’ve look at Sobriety in Discernment (aged men), Sobriety in Direction (aged women), now we look at Sobriety in Devotion (young women).

Sobriety is thinking with a spiritual mind, not being ruled by emotions, impulses, or the flesh.

The home is being attacked spiritually.

A lot of people don’t take marriage seriously now. A lot of marriages claim that divorce is an option. Homes are being torn apart left and right. Sodomite ideology has caused much confusion. It would be easy to blame lost world for the failed marriages and wild, uncontrolled children for the Christian.

It’s not the lost worlds fault. If we are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, we must live by the authority of the word of God.

Christian families have left the core principles of how God wants the family to be portrayed and performed.

Husbands are lazy and expect the wife to work.

Wives decide to work an everyday job because they want a fancy house, blouse, or better spouse.

Children are influenced by the world’s teachings and not by the teachings of the word of God because mother isn’t home keeping and guiding the house. Day care’s don’t care as much as you should!

If we want to see our families blessed, used of God, and be a light for Christ, we must obey God’s plan for the home.

A woman’s home is the primary arena of her ministry. If she is not faithful at her home, she will fail at her home.

Love in the Home

Love Their Husbands

Agape (unconditional), Eros (romantic/passionate), Philia (brotherly/friendship)

philandros

phil - affectionate friendship

andros - man/husband

affectionate - inclined to, warmly attached, kindness, enjoyment of the husband, not being cold hearted.

Though wives are to adhere to their husbands, they should also be affectionate toward their husbands.

Proverbs 21:19 “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious (emotional exhaustion, tension, unrest) and an angry woman.”

wilderness - loneliness, discomfort, survival mode

Proverbs 27:15 “A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike.”

Wives should have a personal attachment and an actual friendship with their husband, not just marriage responsibilities.

Just like the aged men cultivating wisdom, this loving of husbands is to be cultivated as well. Affection must be taught. It doesn’t always come naturally or remain strong automatically.

Any marriage relationship that is maintained only on the basis of each member adhering to the legal requirements and not the love requirements is set up for failure.

Young women should learn to love to help and assist the husband all they can (I will make an help meet for him).

Love Their Children

Romans 1:31 “Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:”

2 Timothy 3:3 “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,”

Without natural affection. Unfortunately, some need to be taught to love their children.

philoteknos

philo - affection, friendship

teknon - child

This again isn’t just duty or responsibility, someone who genuinely enjoy, cherishes, and is attached to their children. It’s more than feeding, clothing, and disciplinary action. It’s delighting in your children, being there emotionally, and expressing affection openly.

Even for a mother, affection for a child can fade under stress, fatigue, or hardship.

(going off on your child because you’re tired)

Mary is a prime example of a mother loving her child.

Luke 2:7, She had a nurturing love.

Luke 2:19, She treasured her child and was thoughtful of him. (She didn’t just raise Jesus, she revered Him!)

Luke 2:43-48, Concern for his well being and showed a protective love

“sorrowing” - genuine anguish, which showed deep attachment

John 19:25, Enduring love, not conditional or convenient

Labor in the Home

Discreet

Discreet - prudent, wise in avoiding errors or evil, selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose, cautious, DISCERNING

Without being discreet, the rest of what follows in the verses will fail or never happen at all. God’s way is the best way!

Genesis 41:33-40

Prudent (vs.33) - intelligent, frugal (economic), foreseeing by instinct (going through a plan in their mind and seeing the outcome), showing good judgment and restraint

She knows what’s good for her home! She knows what will help her home and what will hurt her home. She knows what to say and when to say it. She’s wise! Proverbs 31:11–12 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, So that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil All the days of her life.”

Plan (vs.34-36)

She’s wise enough to have a plan before something gets too bad!

Proverbs 31:16 “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.”

Prized (vs.37-40)

Pharoah and his servants are pleased with the plan Joseph came up with!

Proverbs 31:26–28 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

Chaste

Modern usage deals with sexual purity. Here, it means pure, clean, genuine, uncorrupt, free from barbaric words and phrases; and from quaint, extravagant expressions.

this carries the idea of freedom from defilement and purity in thought, motive, and conduct

It’s simply a life that is clean before God; undefiled in heart, mind, and behavior.

1 Peter 3:1-6,

the world values your appearance and image. God values your character, purity, and being led of the Holy Spirit

Great price! Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

How does a lady acquire the knowledge to become chaste?

James 3:13-18,

Earthly - of or belonging to or characteristic of the earth, limited to human perspective.

Sensual - characterized by the finite and fallen world, flesh driven.

Devilish - characteristic of spirits in rebellion to God, partaking of the qualities of the devil, diabolical, having communication with the devil. DEFINITELY NOT CHASTE OR PURE.

The wisdom that is from above is PURE!

Psalm 12:6–7 “The words of the Lord are pure words: As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”

Psalm 119:9 “BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Keepers at Home

Keeper - characterized by applying oneself diligently to caring for one’s house and household.

A keeper of the home doesn’t just stay at home, but they steward at home. They serve!

A Keeper Guides

Abel was a keeper of sheep. He was a shepherd. He tended the sheep, fed the sheep, and sheared the sheep. The home is a place of influence. The keeper gives what is needed. THE WORD OF GOD IS NEEDED IN OUR HOMES!

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

Where is your home going? What is it becoming? In what direction is it heading?

1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

1 Timothy 5:14 “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”

The woman doesn’t replace the husbands role, but compliments it. The husband is to work and provide, while the wife is to stay home and guide.

A Keeper Guards

When David was going down to the battle, he left his sheep with the keeper. He also left his carriage into the hand of the keeper (valet parking).

Keepers were at the tomb of Jesus when He resurrected Matthew 28:4 “And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.”

When Peter was arrested in Acts 12, there were keepers at the prison.

The Philippians Jailor was the keeper of the prison that Paul and Silas prayed and praised God at. (He wasn’t doing a very good job being a keeper)

John Wesley - “I learned more about Christianity from my mother that from all the theologians in England.”

A.W. Tozer - “A whole new generation is being raised with discipline and without direction.”

Good

have desirable or positive qualities, moral excellence, that which is pleasing, valuable, or useful.

Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

1 Timothy 2:8-10,

1 Timothy 5:9-10,

What is “good” for a young woman? The same that was good for the widow!

Testimony - “well reported of”

Training - “brought up children”

Taking In - “lodged strangers”

to receive and tend to guests and visitors with generosity

Tasks - “washed the saints feet”

no act of service is beneath her

shows humility, and willingness to do lowly tasks

Taking Care - “relieved the afflicted”

to help or to give aid, Ruth gleaning in the field so her and Naomi have food.

Thorough - “diligently”

she’s devoted!

Obedient to their own husbands

rank under, as in the military

a private is lower in rank than a sergeant, but their on the same team and have the same common goal

Ephesians 6:22-24,

Compare 1 Peter 3:1-2,

That the word of God be not blasphemed

This is not a list of preferences, but behaviors and counsel to protect the reputation of the word of God.

If we don’t do these things, it’s easy for the lost to see that the Christian life isn’t working, doesn’t change marriages, or doesn’t train children the correct way.

If we DO these things, lost people will see how God’s word has transformed our lives, and will continue to do so.

NO DEVOTION TO THE FAMILY DISCREDITS THE WORD OF GOD.