Titus 3 - “Changing from the Inside-Out”
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Opening Statement/Illustration/Relevance - Do people want to be you? Do they want what you have?
I’m not talking about your car or your house. But do they want the peace that you have? The joy that you have? Or the love that you have?
Or are you the last person they would want to be? What is your reputation among family, friends, and the community?
Paul challenges us today, to be people who OTHER people would want to be.
Let’s flip the script —
What Bible character comes to mind that you want to be more like?
What people here in the congregation comes to mind who you want to be like?
There are people here that I want to be more like!
I challenge you to audit yourself today and challenge yourself to grow in your attraction to the world around you.
But the way to do it, is counterintuitive.
To get what you want on the outside, you have to change the inside.
Today, it’s all about our Christian witness to the world around us, the outside…
But in order to get there, GRACE must initially (saving grace) and CONTINUALLY (staying grace) change us on the inside.
Opening Background
The focus of Paul’s letter to Titus and the church of Crete has been inherently “inside-out” focused.
Starting with the focus on the elders.
But gradually shifting to focus (Titus 3) on the congregation as a whole.
Message
Let’s Pray
Read along (vv. 1-2) How the Christian is to ACT in the world.
(v. 1) Remind them - Titus is being told to remind the flock/the church.
To be reminded is to recall what you’ve already known.
We need regular reminders of how we are supposed to ACT.
From Titus 2 — the idea of Grace (which saves us and empowers us to live a godly life) is carried forward here.
In Titus 2 — it was to use grace in order to interact in a godly way with the church body.
In Titus 3 — it’s to use grace in order to interact in a godly way within the world around us.
Christian, extend God’s grace in the following seven ways to attract the world around you to Christ:
(1) to be subject to rulers and authorities - Rom 13:1-6 teaches us that the Government is ordained by God as legitimate authority, which we are to subject ourselves to.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
You will bring a more positive witness to Christ if you follow the law (vs. breaking the law). Let’s get practical:
Traffic Violations is maybe the most common way we break the law.
I want to get church stickers…but what kind of witness will we be to Bluffton, HHI, and Beaufort?
(2) to obey - a general term to simply obey those who are in authority.
Obey employers — we talked about that last week.
Children, you are to obey you parents, as long as you live in their household.
We should obey (take heed) those who exercise Spiritual Authority.
Understand that there are Spiritual “Checks and Balances” regarding authority.
Those in authority -will be judged on how godly they led?
Luke 12:48 “…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required…”
AUTHORITY in the HOME, at WORK, and at CHURCH will be judged.
On how well they led ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES.
Christian, OBEDIENCE to those in authority will bring a more positive witness to Christ.
(3) to be ready for every good work - Yet, it seems to me, these days, everybody is quick to say “no” to anything asked of them?!?!
Many have a poor attitude:
“That’s not my job.” “Sorry I have other plans.” “I can’t do physical labor.” “I wouldn’t know how to do that…so I can’t”
Christian, Don’t let this be you!!
Stop telling people “no.” Instead, help them get to “yes.”
A gracious attitude, resembles Christ:
Have such a giving attitude that people say, “that person will bend over backwards,”
Or we should be known as “the person who will give you the shirt off their back?”
When asked, be sacrificial in your attitude with a bias to help if you can before denying any assistance:
Our language should be more resemblance of “I have no clue…but let me help you figure it out!”
Maybe, “I know a guy” who does that.
A Christ-like attitude that seeks to help others will attract people to Christ.
(4) to speak evil of no one - that is a quick way to ruin your witness.
When we speak evil of others, we are implying that we are better than them.
When you trash others names, its as if you are above being trashed. But we know we all have sinful actions that can be called out to trash us just as easily.
“He who lives in a glass house shouldn’t throw stones.”
Trashing others for their sin, while ignoring your own is to ask for your house to come tumbling down on top of you.
Speaking evil of no one…is an attractive Christian witness for Christ.
(5) to be peaceable - find mutual interest with others instead of your differences.
Peace is attractive. It’s rare. And it will strengthen your witness to the world around you.
(6) to be gentle - yielding or courteous. Don’t fight “superiority complex” with superiority. Find a way to lighten the mood.
(7) showing humility to all men - a humble attitude is how we will impact the world around us for Christ. Let’s never think I’m better than you…and instead, let’s think your better than me.
*Grace - is the hallmark of the believer.
Grace could sum up this list in one word. Give the world the same Grace that Jesus first gave you.
May we (personally and as a church) be known by our Grace!!
“If you can’t find grace in the church, where else are you gonna find it?”
Grace is our secret weapon. “Kill them with Kindness”
Read along (vv. 3-7) Treatise on Justification
(v. 3) What we OURSELVES were (past tense). AKA What we were SAVED FROM. Which should really produce gratitude.
We ourselves - Paul is throwing himself under the bus. Be reminded that Paul epitomized these traits, because he murdered Christians.
But just because you didn’t murder doesn’t mean you are obedient to God.
Jesus says if you “lusted” you have committed adultery.
And if you “have anger in your heart” you have committed murder.
That disqualifies ALL of us.
We should be reminded that we have come a long way.
Remind yourself occasionally of who you used to be. Not to “glory” in it
But instead, to appreciate how far God has brought you.
He brought us out of
Foolishness - what were some of the foolish doctrines you used to believe?
That there are multiple ways to heaven?
That there is some type of purgatory (temporary hell where you can burn your sins off)?
That “karma” exists?
Or that “luck” exists?
Disobedient - bucking up against authority within our: government, family, or church.
Maybe you were a criminal.
Maybe you were a rebellious child to your parents.
Maybe you were full of criticisms toward to church…toward the bride of Christ.
Maybe you were all three of those things.
But thank God you’re not anymore!
Deceived - remember those “foolish” doctrines you once believed. Did they not sound good to you at that time when you believed them?
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
Constantly compare your doctrines against the Word of God to make sure they are legit.
Why do you DO what you do? Can you support what you DO with the Bible? (find the Chapter and Verse)
serving (lit. enslaved to) various lusts and pleasures - sex, pornography, and anything that brings self-gratification, living primarily for pleasure. We were ran by that, our emotions, before Christ.
We were born with a God-sized hole in our hearts. And everything that we seek to fill it with, may keep us busy for a while, but ultimately is a dead end.
Sex, drugs/alcohol, money, education, music/movies/video games, and the list goes on and on.
Only God can fill a God-sized hole. Holy Spirit, given by Jesus Christ is what belongs there.
Living in malice (evil intentions) and envy (jealousness), hateful and hating one another -
Again, I point to Paul…who was more acquainted with this list than any of us.
But yet, God loved us when we were in that state…and God opened our eyes to Him…
(v. 4-7) The CONTRAST from who we were in (v. 3) to who we were made into in (vv. 4-7) is only possible by Super-Natural intervention.
(v. 4) How kind and how much love (AKA GRACE) did God have toward us?
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
In the same way that your toddler tells you “no”…but you continue to feed them, clean them, and love them…is just a touch of the way Jesus treated us before we were saved.
God our Savior toward man APPEARED - Jesus APPEARED....left His throne in HEAVEN to come DOWN to earth
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
(v. 5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done - We were NOT saved by our works!!
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Why not of works? But God, don’t you know I helped that old lady cross the street, and I donated to that food kitchen before, and I used to go to church…
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
Your “good” works mean NOTHING to God in regards to the state of your salvation/righteousness.
So then how am I to be “saved,” to be found holy, pure, righteous, worth to stand before God? Glad you asked. See the next phrase:
but according to His mercy He saved us - what is mercy? Not getting what you did deserve.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. ALL are condemned to hell. Only by His mercy, are you not.
through the washing of regeneration - we need to be cleansed from our sins. Because sin separates us from the Father.
This happens by accepting forgiveness…and God will throw your sins away from His presence as far as the east is from the west (an idiom which means, forgotten forever).
This washing of regeneration is what baptism symbolizes - as the water washes you clean.
and the renewing of the Holy Spirit - who breathes new life into us.
Whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior - speaking of the Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) when the Spirit empowered the church to begin.
through Jesus Christ our Savior - the Holy Spirit was only possible because of what Jesus Christ came and did. Specifically, the Cross.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
(v. 7) having been justified (accepted before God as holy) by His Grace
We receive Mercy to remove the penalty we DO deserve
Then we receive Grace to be given the life that we DON’T deserve
through this grace we become heirs - He calls us “children” of God. 1 John 3:1
according to the hope of eternal life - this grace sounds like some pretty powerful stuff.
The believer can have confidence (hope) in the eternal life they expect to have.
Of all this “justification” talk…it seems like it’s all God and none of us?? Is that correct?
Yes. But we do contribute two things to our salvation…your faith and your sins.
Faith (belief/trust/acceptance that Jesus is who He says He is)
Sin, which He takes in trade for His forgiveness.
Yeah, but that sounds too good to be true.
It is too good. But it is TRUE.
What’s the catch?
That you have to give up your pride and stop trying to impress God in your own strength.
Now that Paul laid the base-foundation for HOW we got saved. He shifts next to WHAT we are to do WITH our newfound life?
Key Verse (v. 8) True salvation results in True life transformation.
This is a faithful saying - or “a trustworthy statement,” adding emphasis
and these things I want you to affirm constantly - there is that “reminder” again
These things is referring to the treatise on justification that he just gave.
And also what is coming next…
that those who have believe in God (if you say you’re a Christian) should be careful to maintain good works. will devote themselves/will engage in doing good/beneficial/deeds/works…
"Well, wait a minute, I thought you always say that we're not saved by our works" That "it's" not about works? I thought "it's" not about religion?
That's right! Salvation is NOT about works.
We are not saved BY our works. But we are saved FOR good works.
The order here is the most important thing to understand.
Salvation by Grace alone - must come first.
Then Walk by Faith (Step-by-Step) - in good works - second.
In light of what you were saved from (v. 3) and the incredible nature of God’s Saving Grace (vv. 4-7) Why wouldn’t you want to (v. 8) apply the teachings of Jesus to your life BY DOING GOOD WORKS WHICH HE HAS ASKED US TO DO?!?!
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Good works ARE a part of our faith. You just need to realize that
Works don’t save you.
They are in response to your salvation.
God richly rewards those who have done good works (this verse does not apply to unbelievers):
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Good works are a good thing for those who have accepted Christ. And we are all encouraged to maintain good works.
Feed the hungry. Give to the poor. Heal the sick. Missions is important - serving the community here locally and abroad…being the hands of feet of Jesus.
these things are good and profitable to men. It is beneficial for us to know that we should maintain good works!
Read along (vv. 9-11) A reminder directed at Church Leadership
Wherever there are people, there are people problems.
(v. 9) Avoid foolish disputes - Is a WARNING for us to avoid argumentative people.
You don't get a bigger mansion in heaven because you won an argument about Calvinism.
These vain arguments have always been there and will always be there. Posing as something good, but they are evil.
(v. 10) Addresses a more severe scenario, a DANGER (lit. a factious sectarian/heretic) within the flock, which is a divisive man (or person) -
Paul tells Titus to allow “Two strikes” but on the “Third strike you’re out.”
Read along (vv. 12-14) Final Tasking
“To quit my post only when properly relieved.” You’re job is done when you have been relieved.
Implying - work hard for the season you’re in.
Obey when its time to pass the baton — when its time to quit.
That doesn’t mean Titus quit on God or the ministry. Just starting the next chapter.
Paul tasked Titus with his next mission, which was to come and help Paul.
Read along (v. 15) Farewell
The Bond of Brotherhood is amazing.
I know personally because of relationships forged on deployments.
Hearing from a brother (or sister) in arms, invokes a deep sense of pride, loyalty, and joy within you.
And…Christians will be together for eternity. May as well start to enjoy each others company now!
Closing
Closing Application
Our transformed lives should be attractive to the world around us, who also want what we have.
The Bible says “You will know them by their fruit.” (spiritual fruit)
And also, that anyone who is connected to the True Vine WILL bear fruit.
The outside will match what is on the inside.
But just as a plant can’t control the production of it’s own fruit, the only thing we can control are the CONDITIONS in which its planted.
So to change from the INSIDE-OUT, take an inventory of your fruit (or lack thereof) and work on the soil conditions/the environment in which the plant grows.
To change from the inside-out, focus on the root, not the fruit.
Urge to Action - Grow in Grace, that you may be the most effective witness you can as you serve the world around you.
Let’s Pray
If you don’t know Jesus personally, but you are curious…please come up and let’s talk. I’d love to help you accept Him and get started on the right foot.
Benediction - May God Bless you and Keep you this week, by the Power of His Grace!
Just a reminder — we will be having prayer night tonight from 6-7.
