Poured Out Abundantly

Imagine a city where the plumbing has completely failed. In 1858, London experienced "The Great Stink." The River Thames was so full of waste that the curtains in the House of Commons had to be soaked in chloride of lime just to keep the politicians from fainting. The city was physically overwhelmed by its own "former condition"—its own mess. You couldn't just spray perfume on the river; the source itself was toxic.

Now, imagine a master engineer arrives. He doesn't just give the citizens a lecture on cleanliness or hand them a bucket. Instead, he taps into a massive, hidden reservoir of pressurized, crystal-clear mountain water. He opens the valves and lets it roar through the city. It doesn't just "rinse" the streets; it scours them. It displaces the filth with such volume and force that the very atmosphere of the city changes.

This is the imagery Paul uses in Titus 3. He reminds us that we were once "stinking" with malice, envy, and hate (v. 3). But God didn't just give us a new set of rules to mask the scent. He performed the "washing of rebirth." He didn't just give us a "drop" of help; He poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly.

When you have a reservoir that large poured into your life, it’s impossible for it not to spill over the banks. Today, we’re looking at how that "abundant pouring" inside the church is supposed to wash over our neighborhoods, our politics, and our "difficult" coworkers this week.

You see, I believe the problem is that most of us who call ourselves Christians treat the Holy Spirit like a leaky faucet—just enough to get by, just enough to keep us religious. But Paul tells Titus that God didn’t just 'drip' His Spirit on us; He opened the floodgates.

If that’s true—if you have been drenched in an 'abundant pouring' of grace—why is the world around us still so thirsty?"

Titus 3 NIV

1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. 3 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. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned. 12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. 15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

I. The Context of Grace: Our Former Condition (Titus 3:3)

The Depth of Depravity: Paul describes a life of being "foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved".

Nazarene Context: This aligns with the doctrine of Original Sin, which the Nazarene Manual defines as a corruption of nature that leaves us "averse to God" and "inclined to evil".

Prevenient Grace: Even in this state, God’s "kindness and love" appeared (v. 4). We believe God’s grace is "freely bestowed upon all," enabling even the most lost person to turn toward Him. [1, 2, 3]

The Level Ground: In the Nazarene tradition, we recognize that no one is beyond the reach of grace, but also that no one can save themselves. This humility is the starting point for how we view our "difficult" neighbors.

II. The Source of Grace: The Kindness and Love of God (Titus 3:4–7)

Not by Works: Emphasize that salvation is not a reward for our "righteous things" but a result of His mercy.

The Source: Salvation is "not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy".

Justification & Regeneration:

Justification: God’s judicial act granting "full pardon of all guilt".

Regeneration (The New Birth): The "washing of rebirth". In Nazarene theology, this is a work of God where the believer is "spiritually quickened" and given a life capable of love and obedience.

The Abundant Pouring: The Holy Spirit isn't just present; He is "poured out on us generously" (v. 6).

Wesleyan Context: This generous pouring is the "initial sanctification" that empowers a believer to begin a life of holiness. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

The Generous Pouring: This is the heart of the message. The Holy Spirit is not given in "drips" but is poured out abundantly through Jesus Christ.

This abundant pouring points toward the "fullness of the blessing," empowering the believer to live a life that is truly different.

III. The Overflow of Grace: Holiness in the Public Square (Titus 3:1–2, 8)

The "So What" of Holiness: Those who trust in God must "devote themselves to doing what is good".

Civic Obedience: Remind believers to be "submissive to rulers" and "ready for every good work" (v. 1). Grace doesn't just stay in the prayer closet; it moves into how we treat authorities and the law.

Nazarene Context: The church’s mission includes "working for justice and bearing witness to the kingdom of God". Our civic engagement is a testimony that "transformed people and transformed communities are possible".

The Gentle Spirit: Being "peaceable and considerate" (v. 2) is a direct fruit of a heart being made holy. [1, 2, 4, 5]

The Logic of Gentleness: Because we have received such "generous" mercy, we can afford to be "peaceable and considerate" toward everyone—even those we disagree with.

Devotion to Good Works: In Holiness theology, "good works" are the natural fruit of a heart made right by God. They are "excellent and profitable for everyone" (v. 8).

IV. The Discipline of Grace: Avoiding What Is Unprofitable (Titus 3:9–11)

Shunning Divisiveness: In a tense world, the church must be a sanctuary of peace. We are called to avoid flee controversy - avoid "foolish controversies" that drain the Spirit’s power.

The Reconciling Community: Our mission is reconciliation, not winning arguments.

Protecting Unity: A "divisive person" is to be warned, as their actions are "unprofitable and worthless" (v. 9).

Nazarene Context: We are called to "express the compassion of Jesus" and seek "unity and fellowship in the Spirit". Divisiveness hinders our primary mission of "spreading scriptural holiness". [1, 2, 3, 5]

V. So What? (The Conclusion)

The Internal Miracle: We are saved by the "washing of rebirth" and the Holy Spirit "poured out on us generously."

The External Impact: This internal abundance is meant to spill over into the public square through humility and gentleness. Our "civic obedience" is a testimony to the King of Kings.

Often, we think "good works" require us to be experts. But Titus 3:14 tells us to "learn to devote ourselves to doing what is good."

The Grace Application: Consider the story of a pastor who saw a mother and child from his church walking along a highway because their car had broken down. He had no mechanical training, but he felt the "pour" of the Spirit's compassion. He started God’s Garage, a non-profit that recruits volunteer mechanics to repair cars for single mothers and widows for free. They’ve now repaired over 300 vehicles.

He didn’t have the skill, but he had the "abundant pouring." He chose to be an agent of reconciling grace by meeting a basic, "profitable" need in the public square.

Or what about that neighbor—the one who complains about your grass height or repositions your trash cans in the middle of the night.

The Grace Application: A modern example of holiness in the neighborhood involves a family who tried repeatedly to welcome an unfriendly new couple with flowers and invites, only to be rebuffed every time. Instead of retreating into "malice and envy" (Titus 3:3), they realized the couple was likely "trapped" by their own internal struggles or past hurts. They committed to a "logic of gentleness," deciding that their peace was not dependent on their neighbor’s politeness, but on God’s kindness.

We are called to be peaceable and considerate toward —not just those who are peaceable to us. This week, we choose a specific "profitable" word for the person who has been the most "difficult".

VI. Now What? (The Call to Action)

Be a Reconciler: In a world characterized by "malice and envy" (v. 3), the Nazarene is called to be a refreshing agent of reconciling grace.

The Call: Be a "sent people" into your community.

The Task: "Learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others" (v. 14).

This Week’s Challenge: Choose one specific way to be "excellent and profitable" to your neighbors:

Service: Identify a local need or project.

Speech: Offer a kind word to a "difficult" person in your life, reflecting the kindness God showed you when you were “difficult."

SING: Oceans

COMMUNION RITUAL

The Communion Supper, instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a sacrament, which proclaims His life, His sufferings, His sacrificial death, and resurrection, and the hope of His coming again. It shows forth the Lord’s death until His return.

The Supper is a means of grace in which Christ is present by the Spirit. It is to be received in reverent appreciation and gratefulness for the work of Christ.

All those who are truly repentant, forsaking their sins, and believing in Christ for salvation are invited to participate in the death and resurrection of Christ. We come to the table that we may be renewed in life and salvation and be made one by the Spirit.

In unity with the Church, we confess our faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. And so we pray:

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND SUPPLICATION:

Holy God,

We gather at this, your table, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who by your Spirit was anointed to preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, set at liberty those who are oppressed. Christ healed the sick, fed the hungry, ate with sinners, and established the new covenant for forgiveness of sins. We live in the hope of His coming again.

On the night in which He was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, gave it to His disciples, and said: “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, when the supper was over, He took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to His disciples, and said: “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.” Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And so, we gather as the Body of Christ to offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these your gifts. Make them by the power of your Spirit to be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the Body of Christ, redeemed by His blood.

By your Spirit make us one in Christ, one with each other, and one in the ministry of Christ to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

EXPLAIN ELEMENTS

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for you, preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life. Eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed for you, preserve you blameless unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.

CONCLUDING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND COMMITMENT

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, let us pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

BENEDICTION

Ephesians 3:17-19 - (May) Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:20-21 - (a benediction of God's glory) Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.