Titus 3

Intro

Good morning LifeSpring! For those of you I haven’t met, my name is Chandler Lasater. I’m married to Laura Lasater and we have two kids - Joseph and Millie. I am our financial director and lead our student ministry - Encounter. I’m thrilled t o be with you today. I’m going to pray for our time together and then we’ll dive into our scripture for today.

God, I ask that your Spirit would fill this room today. I have nothing to offer but You have everything to offer. Would you speak through me and lead me and guide me. Use this scripture in Titus to touch hearts and change lives. Move me out of the way and work in the way that only you can. We love you so much and immensely appreciate your finished work on the cross. Help us to show our appreciation for that in the way that we live our lives. We love you, thank you, praise you.

Amen.

Forgetful People

We will be in Titus 3, beginning in verse 1. You can begin turning there if you have your bible. If you don’t have it, it’ll be on the screen and you can follow along there. While you are turning there - I want to start with a question - how many of you would say that you are forgetful people?

I am quickly learning in my old age of 27 one very important principle - if it doesn’t get written down, it’s not getting done. So if you come up and ask me for something or ask me to do something and I don’t write it down, just assume it’s never going to happen. I forget things left and right at this point in my life - I blame my kids. It’s bad enough at this point where I’ll walk outside to get something out of the car and legitimately can’t remember what I went outside for.

This forgetfulness happens in many ways - big and small. Many of us have walked into a room and forgotten why we walked in that room. How many of you can relate to that? Many of us can’t remember where we put our keys daily. I’ve got some friends in the room - I won’t name names - but Lillie and Hayden can eat at a restaurant and tell you the next day that it’s the best place they’ve ever eaten but can’t tell you the name of the restaurant.

It happens in those little ways but also in bigger ways - like maybe some of you have left a place like the grocery store … or Disney World and straight up forgot your kid there. DON’T RAISE YOUR HAND IF THAT’S TRUE.

The reality is that every one of us is forgetful. We don't just forget little things—we forget the biggest things - including the gospel. The good news of our salvation that we’ve received through Jesus Christ. Even as Christians, we can begin to live as though we've earned what only God's mercy could give us. It causes us to act out of an entitlement and a prideful posture, rather than a place of humility and awe over what our Savior has done for us. And when we forget the gospel, it changes the way we treat the people around us. Paul knew that would happen, so he begins Titus 3 with one simple word: "Remind."

Paul’s Address to Titus

Paul wrote this letter to Titus, a young pastor overseeing the churches on the island of Crete. It's part encouragement and part instruction—helping Titus shepherd those churches well. Although the letter is addressed to Titus, it was intended to be read to the entire congregation, which is exactly how we've been studying it throughout this series Be the Church. We’ve looked at what Paul called the church in Crete to be, and how that same call lands on us. We saw through Chapters 1 and 2, with Lamar and Nathan, it takes Godly leaders and it takes loving each other, respectively. Chapter 3 turns outward — Christian living in public, in relationship with the rest of the world, namely, the unsaved.

Crete had a terrible reputation. In fact, Paul quotes one of their own prophets describing them as "liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons." It would've been easy for the church to withdraw from that culture, but Paul calls them to the opposite. He reminds them that because they've experienced God's mercy, they're to engage the world with humility, grace, and focus on good works—not retreat from it. They're saved for good works, not by good works, and that gospel is meant to shape how they treat everyone around them. Paul isn't handing Titus a checklist — he's showing believers how the gospel that saved them is meant to shape how they treat everyone around them.

Why We Must Be Reminded of These Things

Paul knew these believers already understood the gospel. The problem wasn't a lack of knowledge—it was a lack of remembering. They weren't denying God's grace; they just weren't living in light of it. We do this as well when we get caught up in our day-to-day lives, busy with other priorities and commitments.

So, Paul reminds them that they were saved for good works—not by good works. And those good works are especially seen in the way believers interact with the world around them. We can be reminded of this today too.

Main Point of the Text

So, if I can summarize Paul’s message to the church in Crete in one sentence, it would be: Paul is writing to Titus to remind the church in Crete to devote themselves to good works because of the salvation they've received while avoiding distractions that pull them away from the gospel.

Main Point of the Sermon

If we take that, and really apply it to our lives today, what we would say to summarize this chapter is this: As the church, we are called to be ready to love the world in light of the gospel, keeping our focus on what’s truly profitable.

We'll see that idea unfold all throughout the chapter.

We'll see Paul repeatedly talk about good works (3 times), what's truly profitable (3 times), and right in the middle he gives one of the clearest summaries of the gospel in the entire New Testament.

Beginning in verse 1...

Titus 3:1-15

Titus 3:1-2 - Be Ready

Explanation

Titus 3:1–2 NIV

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

There it is again: "Remind." They already knew these truths—they just needed to be reminded to live in light of them. And honestly, so do we.

Right in the middle of these verses is the command: "Be ready to do whatever is good." Everything around that command helps explain what that readiness looks like.

Toward governing authorities, believers are to be submissive and obedient. Toward everyone else, they're to refuse slander (speaking negatively) of anyone, be peaceable (avoiding argument and conflict), be considerate (thoughtful, empathetic, or caring towards others) and gentle (kindness, calmness, and humility).

The way the ESV words it is to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

That's incredibly countercultural. We live in a world that thrives on and celebrates outrage, division, and tearing people down—especially online. But Paul says the church should stand out, not blend in. We are to be known for gentleness, humility, peace, and genuine kindness. Our lives should make the gospel more believable, not harder to believe.

At the center of this command is the command to remain ready - notice one more thing: Paul says always toward everyone. That doesn't leave much room for exceptions, does it?

Our posture isn't reserved for people who agree with us, vote like us, or treat us well. It's a posture of readiness toward everyone we encounter. A readiness for interacting with non-believers in a way that displays the love of our risen savior. That’s Paul’s command - be ready.

When it comes to being ready, the great theologian and 90s rapper ‘Suga Free’ words it best when he says - “If you stay ready, you ain’t got to get ready”.

Illustration - World Cup Goalies

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the World Cup over the last month, I’m sad it’s over. But also equally sad in the US’ performance in the last game. That’s okay though, I’m a state fan so another heartbreak isn’t going to get me.

One of the things specifically that has stood out to me is the goalies. They’re incredible. They make saves off of shots that are flying at what seems like 200 MPH, take deflections and all this and it’s amazing. I also played goalie in high school (same thing basically) so I relate.

Great goalkeepers are always doing two things:

First, they're prepared. They've trained for years before the ball ever comes their way.

Second, they're alert. Even when the action is on the other side of the field, they're locked in because one moment of distraction can change the entire game.

That’s our call as well from Paul right here - be prepared and be on the lookout.

Application

First, prepare your heart. The love this world needs isn't something we can manufacture. It only comes as we continually remind ourselves of the love we've received in Christ.

That means making time to be with Him every day. It looks like opening your Bible before you open social media. It looks like talking to God throughout your day instead of only when life falls apart. It looks like worshiping Him in the car on your way to work, thanking Him for the mercy He's shown you, confessing your need for Him, asking Him to prepare your heart for the conversations ahead, and praying that when opportunities come, you'll be ready to love the people He places in front of you.

Why? Because we can't pour out what we haven't first received. If we're constantly being shaped by the news, social media, our frustrations, or the opinions around us, that's what's going to overflow from our hearts. But if we're daily being shaped by God's Word and His presence, His love, grace, and mercy begin to overflow into the way we treat the people around us. The love this world needs isn't something we can manufacture on our own. It doesn't come from simply trying harder or being nicer people. It comes from being so filled with the love of Christ that it begins to overflow into the way we treat the people around us.

Second, just like the goalies, we also have to remain on the lookout for opportunities. Every day God places people in front of us—coworkers, neighbors, cashiers, classmates, parents on the sidelines of a ballgame. How are we viewing these interactions? Are they inconveniences to us in our busy schedules, or are they opportunities to display the love of Christ and converse with someone who may not know the grace and the mercy that’s offered through Jesus Christ.

Is your life a mission field...or just a schedule to get through?

So Paul has told us to be ready to love the world and has framed the posture we should have toward those outside the church. Now, he’s going to show us where that posture comes from. He roots it in something far greater than ourselves — the gospel. Watch how he does this, continuing in verse 3.

Titus 3:3-8 - Love the World in Light of the Gospel

Titus 3:3

Titus 3:3 NIV

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.

So, Paul is telling Titus to remind the church in Crete about where we all begin. Not a single one of us starts a different way.

Notice Paul doesn't just say "we were sinners" in a general sense — he gets specific. "We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another." That's not abstract sin, that's relational sin. That's the coworker you can't stand. That's the family member you've written off. That's the grudge you're still carrying from three years ago. That's scrolling past someone's post and feeling that little spike of envy. Paul is saying: before Christ, this — this exact posture toward other people — was your default. Not because you were a uniquely bad person, but because that's what it looks like to be enslaved to sin.

And that changes the way we look at the world around us. Because before Christ, we weren't standing on one side looking down at everyone else. We were in the same place. We were the ones enslaved to sin, in need of mercy. The only reason we are different today is because God stepped in and rescued us.

Since the garden of Eden, we are all prone to sin. That’s our natural disposition. Enslaved to sinful passions and pleasures - living in these ways. Sin is when we miss the mark that God sets for us - it’s when we disobey Him and it pulls us away from His presence. Paul is reminding the Titus and the people of this truth.

Our sin separates us from a holy God. Left to ourselves, that's where the story ends—eternal separation from Him. That's the condition every one of us shares apart from Christ. This is the place we all start - broken sinners in need of a savior destined for eternal damnation in hell.

This is essential because if you don’t understand this truth, you’ll have a hard time understanding the goodness of the gospel. Paul is going to continue with some incredible news in the next verse, but if you don’t understand verse 3 then the incredible news in verse 4 won’t mean anything to you. If you don’t think you need a savior, if you just think that you’re a good person or you can check the Christian boxes good enough, then it’s going to make it that much more difficult for you to fully grasp the weight and the necessity of the death and resurrection of Jesus and what it means for you. So, truly understanding the gospel begins with understanding the sinful nature that you have.

So, that’s where Paul takes us. Into our eternal separation. That’s the state we find ourselves in and that’s the place we remain when left to our own devices. But GOD is how Paul is going to continue in verse 4.

Titus 3:4-5a

Titus 3:4–5 NIV

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

When what appears? The love and kindness of God our savior appeared HE saved us. And it had nothing to do with what we did - but ONLY because of His tremendous mercy. He is the only reason we have salvation. Not because of things we’ve done - ONLY because of His tremendous mercy. He didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up, He didn’t wait for us to get it all together, He didn’t wait for us to meet a standard - no, none of that. The kindness and love appeared to us and saved us for NOTHING we had done.

In fact, the way Romans 5:8 explains it is by saying “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” While we were still sinners. God loved us enough to die for us in our sin, our shame, our brokenness, our pride, and our rebellion. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

To be able to love the world, we have to grasp the essential truths of that statement. We did NOTHING to earn the love of God. Christ accomplished EVERYTHING for us.

We must grasp this truth.

Titus 3:5b-7

Titus 3:5–7 NIV

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Jesus dies the death that we deserve on the Cross, gets buried in a tomb and rises 3 days later. In doing so, He defeats the power of death and hell forever. He saves us from our sins. And He provides His Holy Spirit to us, which we receive generously through Him and Him alone. His Spirit equips us with what we need to be able to have this correct heart posture towards the outside world.

Being an heir means that we share in all the glories of God because of what Jesus earned for us. The bible says we are adopted into the sonship of God because of the work of Jesus, and that entitles us to all the glorious riches that God has to offer. We’ve received His grace, and one way I’ve heard it described is GRACE - G.R.A.C.E - God’s Riches at Christ’ Expense.

Romans 6:23 provides an absolutely perfect picture of the gospel - where Paul contrasts what we deserve with what God freely gives.. They’re separated by a comma. The verse is on the screen, just look at this.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The wages, paycheck that sin earns is death - eternal death where we’re separated from God. That’s what we bring to the equation. But, thank GOD that’s a comma and not a period. It doesn’t stop there. While we were still sinners CHRIST DIED FOR US. It wasn’t once we cleaned ourselves up, once we got out of our addictions, pain, depression, sin - it was WHILE we were in that. And because of that, we have a free gift given to us - eternal life through Christ Jesus. This verse so clearly separates our part from Jesus’ part. See what we bring - and see what Christ provides.

It’s almost like in this verse and in Titus 3, Paul is saying that if salvation was an equation (__ + __ = SALVATION) the only part we bring to the equation is our sin, and Jesus brings the rest.

And I'm spending this much time here for two reasons. First, because Paul does. He knows how important it is for believers to remember where they came from. Second, because we are incredibly prone to forget this truth.

We can go through the motions of the Christian life. We can read our Bibles occasionally, pray every day, give generously, and show up to church every Sunday. We can check all the right boxes. But the question is: are those things flowing from a heart that has truly been transformed by the gospel?

Because it's possible to do all the right things while forgetting the greatest thing—that we have been saved, loved, and changed by the grace of God alone. And when we forget that, it changes the way we live, the way we treat people, and the way we represent Christ to the world around us.

Here we are - all wondering - so what now?

Paul continues in verse 8

Titus 3:8

Titus 3:8 NIV

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.

Explanation

Paul's point is simple: the gospel changes people.

If you've truly experienced God's mercy, your life won't remain untouched. You become a different person as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life. Your priorities change. Your desires change. Most importantly, the way you treat other people changes. That’s the point he is driving home in this entire chapter. That we as the church are called to be ready to love the world in light of the gospel.

That's why Paul says believers should devote themselves to good works. Not to earn God's love—but because they've already received it. Because if we grasp the magnitude of what Christ has done for us, then we honor Him with our lives and more specifically with how we treat people. He’s been using the rest of this chapter to shape our perception of and posture towards the outside world, and so now he uses the gospel as the reason “why” it’s different.

Illustration - Kettle Bell Swings

I’m not sure how many of you workout, but there is one specific exercise that I despise. It’s not running, it’s not rowing, it’s not anything you’d probably expect. But, there is one exercise that I rebuke in the name of Jesus Christ today - and it is Kettle bell swings. A part of my hatred for them stems back to when I was going to a CrossFit gym and my instructor (shoutout Liz - she was great) would spend a lot of time trying to get me to do the form correctly. Anytime kettlebell swings would appear in the workout, I swear she would just teleport to my side because she knew I wasn’t going to do them correctly. I would hear so many commands about these blessed Kettle Bell swings - lower your hips, raise your hips, spread your feet out more, lean your chest forward, raise your chest, swing higher, etc. I never said this out loud, but I wanted to just tell Liz - “Look, I understand the fundamentals of this exercise. As a matter of fact, I can probably write a book or a dissertation at this point because I’ve got years of correction on the form for this.”

That’s how I felt - like I knew exactly what to do. Like I could tell you everything you need to know about the dumb exercise. But here’s the thing - I didn’t really understand the exercise truly because I wasn’t doing it. I could tell you all about it, but I wasn’t able to put it into action so that meant nothing. I knew everything about the movement, but I wasn’t actually doing it.

That’s similar to how it is with our faith and how we are with our love. A heart saturated with the gospel naturally overflows love out of that heart. This is important because we can get caught up in thinking that since we’ve gone to church for a certain amount of time, or can explain theological concepts or something like that, then we’re good - we understand it all. But a heart truly wrecked by the gospel loves the world incredibly out of an overflow of what has been received.

The way James words it in his letter is that faith without works is dead. So, Paul’s command here is that in light of the immense love you’ve been shown, you are called to love the world as a response to it.

Application

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity:

"Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbour; act as if you did.”

Paul is saying that a gospel-shaped life loves the world in light of the gospel. Realistically speaking, what does that practically look like? It’s a little broad right here, but we’ll get more specific at the end. But a gospel-shaped life towards the unbelieving world:

Forgives because they understand the depth of the forgiveness they’ve experienced

Kind to unbelievers because they understand that Jesus was kind to them when they were lost

Patient with that difficult person because they understand the patience Christ showed them

Generous because of the extraordinary generosity they’ve received

Refuses to write people off because Jesus never wrote them off.

Moves toward broken people because Jesus first moved toward them.

Welcomes outsiders because they remember they were once outsiders themselves.

Meets people where they are because Jesus met them where they were.

A person changed by the gospel is going to interact with the world differently in light of what they’ve received from Jesus. And because Jesus didn't wait for us to clean ourselves up, we shouldn't wait for the world to clean themselves up before we meet them with incredible love.

Out of this emphasis from Paul, he goes into a warning for the church and the people of the church.

Titus 3:9-11 - Focused on What is Truly Profitable

Titus 3:9–11 NIV

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Explanation

Paul has just walked us through the gospel. We were foolish, deceived, and enslaved to sin, but God, in His mercy, saved us through Jesus Christ—not because of anything we had done. Then in verse 8 he says, "Insist on these things," because they're what lead believers to devote themselves to good works.

Then notice the contrast in verse 9. Paul moves from telling us what is profitable to telling us what is unprofitable. From what was excellent to what is useless.

Paul has been talking about what's profitable. Now he warns us about what's unprofitable.

These debates centered around speculative genealogies, arguments about the Jewish law, and false teaching. Some were even claiming salvation required more than faith in Christ, for instance - circumcision. Paul repeatedly rejects that throughout his letters because the moment we add something to Jesus, we've taken our eyes off Jesus. These false teachers were trying to add something to the finished work of Christ, and in doing so, they were shifting people's focus away from the gospel.

That's why Paul tells Titus to avoid these "foolish" controversies. It's not that every theological discussion or disagreement is foolish. Christians should think deeply about God's Word. But these arguments had become divisive, speculative, and distracting. They had been elevated to a place they were never meant to occupy. Instead of pointing people to Christ, they were pulling people away from Him.

Paul's point is simple: know what deserves your attention and know what doesn't. Spend your energy insisting on the gospel and pursuing good works, not endlessly arguing over things that distract from the mission. That's why he calls these controversies "unprofitable and worthless."

Now, I don't know about you, but the circles I run in don't spend much time debating genealogies or circumcision. And if yours do, you may need to find a new group of friends.

But while those specific issues aren't common today, the heart of what Paul is saying is just as relevant.

Paul's concern isn't that Christians have convictions. His concern is when secondary issues become primary issues and distract the church from its mission.

Illustration - World War 2 Unity

Back during World War II, the United States wasn't heavily involved in the war until the attack on Pearl Harbor. Once that happened, the nation realized what was at stake, and something remarkable took place. Businesses across the country redirected everything they had toward one mission. Companies that had spent decades making completely different products suddenly focused on supporting the war effort. Toy companies manufactured compasses. Typewriter companies produced rifles. Piano factories built airplane engines. Ford stopped making cars and started producing tanks and bombers. By the end of the war, the United States had out-produced the combined military production of Germany, Italy, and Japan.

What's remarkable isn't that all of those companies suddenly became the same. They didn't. A piano company was still a piano company. An automobile manufacturer was still an automobile manufacturer. They had different expertise, different methods, and different identities. But they recognized there was something far more important than the differences that had previously occupied them. They didn't have to agree on everything to unite around what mattered most.

Paul is calling the church to that same kind of focus. Christians won't agree on every secondary issue. Churches won't all look exactly alike. We have different personalities, different gifts, different preferences, and sometimes different convictions on non-essential matters. But there is one mission that is infinitely more important than all of those differences: proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.

That's why Paul says some things are profitable and some things are not. The question isn't simply, "Can I argue this point?" The question is, "Is this helping accomplish the mission Christ has given His church?" Paul is calling us to invest our passion in what advances the gospel rather than what distracts from it. The mission of helping bring lost souls to know Christ and it’s far too important to be distracted by secondary matters. So, the last thing we see in this scripture is that Paul is telling them to be ready to love the world in light of the gospel, and the last part - remaining focused on what is truly profitable.

Application

In other words, Paul is telling us to keep primary things primary. That's what he means by pursuing what's profitable.

One of the easiest places for Christians to lose sight of this today is politics. It's okay to have political opinions. It's okay to stand firmly on those convictions.

When it comes to politics specifically, there are two things I want to say. Neither one is original to me, but both are worth repeating.

First, our enemy isn't other people, and it isn't a political figure. Scripture tells us our battle is not against flesh and blood. Our enemy is Satan, who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. Yet so often we begin treating people who vote differently than us, think differently than us, or disagree with us as if they're the enemy. They're not. They're people made in the image of God who need the same gospel that rescued us.

Second, our Savior isn't a political figure either. We aren't saved by an elephant or a donkey—we're saved by the Lamb of God who was slain for the sins of the world. Politics has its place, but it can never occupy the place that belongs to Jesus Christ alone.

If you can't discuss political issues without tearing others down, speaking hatefully, or belittling those who disagree with you, then it's worth examining your heart in light of the gospel Paul has just proclaimed. Remember where every one of us started: foolish, deceived, and lost. The only reason we're different today is because of the kindness, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ. The only One who saves is Jesus Christ, through the gospel.

Another practical application today is in what we’d call second-tier theological matters. These are discussions related to differences in opinion about things in the church that aren’t essential to salvation. Sadly, over the years the church has been very good at being divisive and disagreeing on these things. The point isn’t that we can’t have our own convictions, the point is that we must understand the place those opinions sit.

For you it may not be politics or theology. It could be resentment. It could be prejudice. It could be assumptions you've made about someone who's "too far gone." Whatever convictions or opinions you have about something or someone that keeps you from loving people or a specific person and pointing them to Jesus, it's become more important than it should be. Secondary matters must never become primary.

Gavin Ortlund words it really beautifully to me when he says “When we are standing before the throne on judgement day, what battles will we look back on and be proud we fought? I suspect most of our Twitter debates will not be among them.” I don’t know about you but that hits me. When we’re standing before the maker of the universe, what are we going to look back on and be glad that we spent time debating, arguing, or insisting on. As the church, we must not elevate anything above OR equal to the gospel.

Notice how seriously Paul takes this. He isn't trying to silence disagreement; he's protecting the unity of the church and the mission of the gospel. That’s why he says to remove a divisive person.

As we close out the rest of the chapter...

Conclusion

Titus 3:12-15

Titus 3:12–15 NIV

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. Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. (v14) Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

At first glance, these closing verses can feel like housekeeping—travel plans, names, and greetings - and they are. But they're actually also a picture of what the entire letter has been calling the church to become. And that’s important for us, specifically as we close out our series “Be the Church”.

These aren't random names. They're real people partnering together to carry the gospel to a lost culture.

While they were coming together for that cause in Crete, our call is to come together for that same cause right here in Johnston County - to love the world in light of the gospel.

Notice in verse 14, the way Paul words it. He says that the people (referring to the people of the church in Crete) must devote themselves to do good, to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. What is the most urgent need any person has? To be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

Paul has reminded us today that every one of us began as sinners—rebellious, helpless, and separated from God. But because of His mercy, not because of anything we had done, Jesus met us where we were. He saved us. He washed us. He renewed us. That's the heart of Titus 3.

Prodigal son?

Transition: That's how He loved us. He didn't wait for us to clean ourselves up. He didn't wait for our rebellion to end -He loved us in the middle of it and we experience through grace and grace alone. So church — if that's how He loved us, we can’t withhold that same love from the world around us?

Paul’s message in Titus 3 is clear - as the church, we are called to be ready to love the world in light of the gospel keeping our focus on what’s truly profitable.

Application Questions

Out of this, we can ask three questions to make this really applicable and personal:

Who is an unbeliever in your life that you are called to love?

This could be a family member, a friend, a coworker, a neighbor, parent of a kid on your kid’s t-ball team. Whoever it is, I want you to identify them and name them now.

What are you doing to preparing your heart?

The love the world needs isn’t something we are capable of providing. We must be in constant communion with our risen savior in order to love them well. So, the question here is what are you doing to prepare your heart.

What are you focusing on over the gospel?

We are all prone to elevating secondary matters to a place where they don’t belong. When we do that, we take our focus AND the focus of unbelievers off of the only thing that saves - Jesus. So, what are the places where you’re doing that?

There is NOTHING more important, profitable, productive, or useful that you can do with your life aside from helping others to find life in Jesus Christ. Jesus didn’t wait for us to meet a standard before we received His love, so we must not wait for the world either.

Altar Call

If you’re in the room and you haven’t accepted Jesus as your savior, then that’s the point of today’s scripture for you. There is no better time than now. I’ve told you all about Him today - how He meets us where we are, dies for us, and saves us out of the hell-bound eternity we were destined for. The Bible calls us to repent of our sin, place our faith in Jesus Christ, and confess Him as Lord. His invitation stands there waiting for you.

With heads bowed and eyes closed - if you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior today, you can pray a prayer sitting right there in your seat. It isn’t the prayer that saves you, but rather the posture of your heart. You can pray this right there in your seat in your heart:

“Lord Jesus, I come before you humbled. I confess that I am a sinner and I desperately need your grace. I believe that you died for my sins, I accept you as my Lord and Savior today”. Amen.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace you’ve shown each of us. I pray that we would truly reflect on that grace and live our lives out of the overflow of what you’ve done for us. Thank you for this message from Titus 3 today help it to rest on our hearts. Help us to leave here as the church, ready to love the world in light of the gospel and keeping our focus on what truly matters. We love you and praise you. Amen.