Titus 3:9-15

Introduction:

Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”

Be carful to maintain good works

We’re not saved by our good works

It’s only through the grace of that brings salvation

He saved us, washed away our sin, and now he desires to use us

1. (V9) But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law

The contrast is intentional: instead of investing energy in fruitless controversies, Christians should invest their energy in lives marked by grace, unity, and good works.

Focusing on the things God has called us to takes the focus off the things that are wrong

a) Avoid Foolish Disputes

The command is clear: "Avoid."

The word literally means  to turn away from or  to shun these kinds of arguments. 

The NLT translates it,  "Do not get involved in foolish discussions."

I can remember being a teenager and how much I enjoyed foolish debates, it was like entertainment to me. I wanted to argue about everything it was a smoke screen and often times a distraction from what I didn’t want to do; such as chores.

Throughout the pastoral epistles Paul warns us of this problem

2 Timothy 2:23 “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.”

The problem is these debates damage the church rather than strengthen it.

The false teachers in Crete were promoting these very issues

Titus 1:10 ,1 Timothy 1:3–7

b) Examples in Paul's day

Jewish teachers often debated trivial matters, such as:

Should a Jew eat an egg laid on a festival day?

What type of wick or oil should be used for Sabbath candles?

Speculative genealogies that supposedly contained hidden spiritual significance.

Examples today

Spend a few minutes in the comment section of YouTube, and you'll find heated debates over:

Bible translations

Baptism practices (In the name of the father, son and holy spirit or the name of Jesus

End-times views

Weather or not to celebrate Halloween

Countless other secondary issues

There is no shortage of arguments if you're looking for one.

c) Why should believers avoid these disputes?

According to verse 9, they are "unprofitable and useless."

They Produce strife instead of godliness.

Distract the church from the gospel.

Application: It doesn't take much effort to find something wrong with another Christian or another church. The challenge is to stay focused on what Christ has called us to do.

Instead, choose conversations that:

Promote spiritual growth.

Preserve the unity of the church.

Keep the focus on the gospel and good works.

Reflect humility rather than pride.

1.1 (V10-11) Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned

Main Truth: God calls the church to protect its unity by dealing biblically with those who persist in causing division.

a) Correction comes before rejection.

A divisive person is someone either by their actions or teachings lead to a split in the fellowship, causing rifts and conflicts.

There is an agenda to gain support that leads to division

Warn a person, once or twice if need be, if they don’t listen reject them, have nothing to do with them

Restoration is the goal; separation is the last resort

Always done in love

Paul building on the biblical principal Jesus taught on in the Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 18:17 “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

b) Church leaders must protect the flock and the unity of the body

Protect the flock

Keep the unity of the body

False teachers and divisive people must not be allowed to continue influencing the church.

The unity of a church is important to the Lord

Ephesians 4:2–6 (Encourage us to walk worthy)“with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

A house divided will not stand

A Shepherd Protecting Sheep

A shepherd doesn't only feed the sheep; he also watches for wolves.

If a wolf enters the pasture, the shepherd doesn't say, "Let's hear the wolf's perspective." He drives the wolf away because the sheep are vulnerable.

Likewise, pastors are not only called to teach sound doctrine but also to guard the church from influences that would divide or deceive God's people.

Communion:

“Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). Communion is an act of obedience to Christ.

Eating of the bread is acknowledging His sacrifice on the cross.

He was perfect in all His ways, yet He was mocked, beaten, and left to hang on the cross for our sin

Matthew 26:26 “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.””

The cup In the same way he took the cup, it was the life that was poured out, he gave his life for you and me

It was an act of love, that He gave himself for the remission of sin, for you and me

Matthew 26:28 “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”