Reflecting The Savior: Part 2

Have you ever gone into a fun house? I don’t really know why they call them funhouses. They are dark. They smell. And they can be confusing. Sometimes you go in them and they have mirrors. You see your reflection, but it isn’t really you. You might see yourself with a wavy body. You might see yourself as tall and thin - i like those. Or you might see yourself as short and fat. While those are a reflection of you, they are not really you, are they? They are a distortion of who you are.

Sometimes, we can do that with God in our walk with Him. We may sometimes show a reflection of God that is not who he really is. There was a study in 2025 by Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway research on the state of belief in the United States. Among their findings, they found that 64% of evangelicals believe that “Everyone is born innocent in the eyes of God” And when it came to sin, they found that 53% affirm that “Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature.” Our world today is increasingly changing. What was once called sin is not debated. However, we are still called to a standard of reflecting what Christ has done. We are called to a standard that implores us to live Holy lives. Today we are going to look at the book of Titus. If you will, please turn to chapter 2. We are going to be divining in to verses 11 through 15. As you turn there, allow me to give you some background on this book.

The book of Titus is a letter written to Titus, an associate of Paul, who was appointed by Paul to the church on the island of Crete. Paul wrote to Titus because of the influence of Cretan culture and the beliefs that had found their way into the church. There was also a challenge of a group of false teachers who sought to add observance to the law as a requirement for salvation, known by Paul as “the circumcision party” (Titus 1:10). In chapter 1, Paul outlines the faithfulness of God and provides instructions to Titus on appointing new leaders who will confront the false teaching that had been springing up in the church. Paul gives Titus qualifications as to who these new leaders are called to be in the church. In chapter 2, where our passage is located, Paul outlines the conduct of the church, and how each group in the church is to conduct themselves. Paul concludes his letter in chapter 3 with a discussion as to how the church is to conduct themselves with the world around them, concluding with greetings to people in the church and final instructions. Titus 2:11-15 serves as the overall thrust of the book by revealing the Gospel foundation that followers of Christ are to reject ungodliness and to live lives that are a reflection of the change that God has brought through their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who gave up Himself so that they could be saved.

Paul writes about what Titus is to look for in appointing a new leader. These elders are to be men of good character whose actions and manners reflect the life of someone who is following Christ. Following through with this is Paul’s discussion of the importance of teaching sound doctrine, and how each group is to act based on their station. Older men are to be reverent and strong in the faith. Older women are to be respectful and to teach what is right. Young men are to be respectful and self-controlled, and slaves are to be submissive.

He then goes on right before our passage to talk about how the reason why we are to reflect the Savior is that Salvation is a gift given by God. We do not save ourselves. We can’t. Paul then goes on to talk about our Salvation, although free to us cost God everything. They only way you and I can be saved is because of Christ giving His life on the cross. Sacrificing His life to save ours. He then tells them that they are to live differently because of what Christ has done.

It is here where our passage picks up. In Titus 3:1-11, Paul writes three qualification that reveal the response to reflect the Savior.

Our Response To Reflect The Savior:

I. We Are Called To Holy Living

II. We Are Recipients Of Christ’s Sacrifice

III. We are Commanded To Holy Unity

I. We Are Called To Holy Living

Titus 3:1–3 ESV

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Paul is telling that Titus is to remind them that they are called to live not like their world is living, but to live different lives. Lives that reflect the Savior. This list is not all the things that we are required to do, but to respond as they live holy lives in light of the community around them.

Not to live separately, but differently. You and I are called not to live away from the world. But to live as a light in a dark world. Imagine if you were hanging with your bestie. Yall are going to go and get some food, and people are driving fast and irratic all around you. So you look to your spuse and tell them that you are not going to speed. That it is wreckless and dangerous, and you ccould get a ticket. Yet, your spouse notices that you don’t slow down, but you drive just as irratic and fast as what everyone else around you is.

So did you do what you said you would do? No. Now you could be a great driver, but in that moment, were you? No. And we would all agree that won’t end well.

What Paul is saying is not just to agree to living that glorifies Christ, but to actually do it. Following Jesus is not meant to be a lazy life, but one that is worthwhile and hard. It means that everything we do, should be a reflection of Christ sacrifice.

It is why Paul says that we are to live different than who we used to be. To not be rebellious to those in authority over us. To speak with no evil intent, to be respectful to everyone - especially those who are lost.

Why?

Because we were once that way. Paul says, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” In other words, you used to be just like the people around you are now - loss and in need of a Savior, and for someone to show them a better and different life.

We are called to Holy Living. We are also reminded that our lives as followers are only because we are the recipients of Christ’s Sacrifice.

II. We Are Recipients of Christ’s Sacrifice

Titus 3:4–8 ESV

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 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, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 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.

Paul reminds us that we live a different life ONLY because of what Christ did. You who follow Jesus, the only way that can even be possible is because Jesus gave His life for you. Your life as a follower of Christ is completely only because God, who is rich in love, did not look at you and say, “I don’t want you.” Instead He called out to you, “Come and follow me.”

Our lives are not our own. We have been bought with a price. It isn’t anything you have done to deserve salvation. It is only because of Christ sacrificing His life on the cross - shedding His blood - being “poured out on us richly.”

Paul further reminds us that because of Christ being our Savior, we have the hope of eternal life. We have the hope of forgiveness, the hope that comes from being a new creation in Christ. Scripture teaches us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” We no longer are the same person, and that is simply because of Christ.

It is why we are to do things that are good. Not to make ourselves look good. Not to be able to brag about what we have done. Doing things that are right is not about you - it is so that others can see Christ for who He really is. It is for us to show a true reflection, and not a warped one.

We are called to Holy Living, we are reminded that our lives as followers are only because we are the recipients of Christ’s Sacrifice. And finally, we are commanded to Holy Unity.

III. We Are Commanded To Holy Unity

Titus 3:9–11 ESV

9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Here are some real fights:

Argument over the appropriate length of the worship pastor’s beard

Fight over whether or not to build a children’s playground or to use the land for a cemetery

A deacon accusing another deacon of sending an anonymous letter, and deciding to settle the matter in the parking lot

A church dispute of whether or not to install restroom stall dividers in the women’s restroom

A church argument and vote to decide if a clock in the worship center should be removed

Here’s the deal, these are real fights that have happened in churches. Fellow Christians fighting each other over silly things.

Scripture calls us to avoid things that are not worth fighting about. Not to never fight. But we are to fight over things that are right.

What in the world is Paul talking about with geneologes? Paul was talking about these false teachers who taught myths about legends and fables all intended to appear as though the jewish believers were better than the non jews. It would be like the equivalent of treating others as different because they are a different social status or because they aren’t a main family of the church.

What Scripture is ultimately getting at is to live Holy lives. Lives that are living peacefully with each other. Lives that don’t single out for the sake of putting someone down. Lives that are willing to break off a relationship because the relationship is not healthy. There are times when we have to say to others that you can no longer be around them because of the wrong things they do, or make you do. And while that can be hard, we have to remember that our lives are to reflect the one who saved us, and not the one who did not.

You as a follower of Christ are called to live Holy lives together in unity. If there is someone who is a follower of Christ who is not showing Christ in thier actions, hold them accountable. If they are causing pain and hurt in your life, end that relationship.

You are called to remember that it is not your life to live, but the life that you are given because of Christ. You are called to live different. A life of Holy living. Not that you won’t make a mistake, but that your life is vastly different because of Christ.

Reflect the Savior.