Titus 3:1-15 - part 2

Four more characteristics of a grace-filled life.

He remembers what Christ has done for him and leans into the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4–7 - “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.”

God’s kindness. God’s love. God’s mercy. God’s compassion. God’s redemption. God’s renewal. God’s grace. God’s generosity. God’s Son. Our sin. Our death. Our atonement. Our Savior. Our inheritance. Our hope.

If a person is drowning at the lake, they need a lifeguard to save them. If that person could save themselves, they wouldn’t need a lifeguard. Jesus is our spiritual lifeguard. Every part of salvation is from God and God alone. Salvation is provided by God, initiated by God, sustained by God, empowered by God and sealed by God for his purpose and his glory. Before we became a believer, there was nothing worthy in our life that influenced or earned our salvation. God loved us long before we began to love him.

Ephesians 1:13–14 - “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

Luke 6:35–36 - “…you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

Lamentations 3:22–23 - “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Romans 2:4 - “know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.

He poured out on us richly, so we might become heirs who live accordingly. Lean into the hope of eternal life. Lean into all that God is. Lean into all that God has graciously offered us. Lean into all that we are not and never will be outside the goodness and loving-kindness of our Lord. Lean into the transforming power of the gospel. Lean in and then contribute to the body of Christ.

One commentator wrote, “A true appreciation of the gifts of God will lead to a willing and eager ministry on behalf of others.”

He eagerly engages in his mission of service.

Titus 3:8 - “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.”

Look at verse 8. “These things” refers to everything from chapters 2 and 3. You might remember that Paul charged Titus to lead a return to biblical truth and biblical action. Keep going in verse 8. Paul says the mark of a believer is a careful devotion to good works. We’ve talked about serving those you worship with on Sunday morning. We’ve talked about serving Christians outside this fellowship. We’ve talked about loving and caring those who need Jesus. We’ve talked about running the race that is set before us. It is our duty and our mission to pay attention to the biblical life that Paul invites believers into AND engage with biblical action. We will struggle to convince people we love the Bible without proof that we are eager to do what the Bible says.

There are great movie examples that help us understand engaging the mission. I like this one. You might know the story. A pilot lost his longtime friend and co-pilot due to an accident that made him hesitant to engage and he considered quitting what he loved. He isolated himself from many important influences in his life. After some soul-searching, he decided to give flying one more attempt. At the end of this particular movie, his aircraft was shaken and the reluctant pilot disengaged in his vital mission. He said it was no good and deserted the other pilots who depended on him. They would not have survived without his help. After a few short moments of reliving past successes with his deceased co-pilot, he overcame his apprehension and reengaged in the mission. All of his training and all of his capabilities were revealed in that important moment. He saved lives and became the hero of the story. The fruit followed him for decades as he influenced many others in the Navy.

Paul told Titus, “This is trustworthy. Those who believe in God carefully devote themselves to good works.” There are people who depend on us to engage in the mission so they can discover what Christ has done for them. If we are not devoted to good works and choose not to engage in the mission that God has called us, there are people who will not spiritually survive. If retreating or disengaging from the mission is an option, you have soul-searching to do. Jesus said twice in Matthew 7:15–20 - “you will recognize them by their fruits.”

For some of us, the current fruit of our life should lead to repentance.

He prioritizes what is profitable to those around him.

Titus 3:9–11 - “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 tells us in verse 8 what is excellent and profitable and then contrasts with a list that is quite the opposite. Paul clearly writes that we are to avoid what is unprofitable and worthless. Those words describe something that is empty, useless and doesn’t help the believer experience all that verses 4-7 offers.

Avoid foolish controversies. When Paul wrote to Titus, foolish controversies were nonsense arguments that could have been philosophical or theological, but were based on human reason and imagination rather than having a biblical foundation.

Paul gives the reminder that everything from chapter 2:1 until chapter 3:8 is profitable. Believers are to prioritize those things. In contrast, discussions that are based on human reason and imagination are unprofitable and worthless. Avoid those things. Jesus said in Revelation 1, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” Discipline yourself so God’s Word is the beginning and the end in your thoughts and decisions.

Avoid the person who stirs up division. In Paul’s day, people were interpreting genealogies rather than taking them at face value. Other people were being contentious and arguing about adhering to Old Testament law as a means of salvation. Paul is clear; do not give time or influence to those people. Don’t allow yourself to get stuck in those things and become consumed by them. Prioritize what is profitable for the sake of God’s glory and salvation of mankind.

He abstains from a lifestyle that would cause him to become unfruitful.

Titus 3:14–15 - “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.”

Verses 14-15 are conclusion verses, so I will remind each of us. The harvest of our life matches the seeds that we have planted every time.

Some of us need to change our posture toward church. The perspective of sitting at a restaurant while somebody serves you, you consume, then you pay bill and go home. VERSUS the perspective of a potluck where equal, faithful contribution determines what is consumed. That’s the church! The harvest matches the seeds that have been planted.