"Grace"

INTRODUCTION

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Each year the month of May is marked by many graduation celebrations! Last week Dana and I enjoyed being a part of our son Brandon’s graduation – it was fabulous to give Brandon and Hannah many hugs, laugh together, and eat way too much good food with our families. It wa my kind of weekend. Graduations are major milestones on the roadway of life. One We have several high school and college graduates connected to our church family – next week we’ll bring the up and love on them a bit! It’s my prayer and desire that we would be a church committed to our disciple-making mission—that kids that get connected here might come to put their faith in Jesus – and become dedicated followers of Jesus who worship, grow, love, and share even after they leave for further study or a vocation. We all get to be a part of that process.

I’ve met students who don’t think they are ready to graduate high school – they get emotional thinking about leaving and think about all they will miss – and this reminded me of a great inspirational quote about high school that I could help with some of those fears.

· “High school is like toilet paper, you only miss it when it’s gone.”

I don’t know if that’s true or appropriate but it’s kind of funny. Graduating high school or college marks the culmination of many hours of study. We hope that these students have learned a few things over the last twelve years of education and will continue to be life long learners in the days ahead. I know they have learned a great deal, they have answered a lot of questions on quizzes and exams, and yet even after all of my years of education there are questions that linger in my mind that all of us must ponder as we strive to be life-long learners.

Things to Ponder

Great questions – deep thoughts for us to ponder on a Sunday morning. I’m not sure we have the answers to these questions, perhaps people smarter than I could fill me in, and perhaps there are good things for us to ponder today but they are certainly not the not the best things for us to ponder. There are more important and more far-reaching questions for us to ponder, questions like “Where did we come from?” (evolution or creation), “What is our purpose in life?” (glorify God), “Who is Jesus Christ?” (the eternal son of God and Savior of the world), “Where will I spend eternity when I die?” (heaven or hell). Thankfully the answers to these questions are revealed in God’s Word. Over the last month we’ve been asking an important question about our lives as a church - “What are the essential building blocks of an effective Church?”- that’s a good question to ponder!

Need

Take your Bible and turn to the book of want to thank Pastor Jake for preaching from Hebrews last week while I was away. Today we return to our series in Titus as we uncover the “essential building blocks of an effective church.” What are the essential building blocks of an effective church—what are the priorities that will enable us to effectively fulfill our disciple-making mission—we’ve been discovering those priorities (essential building blocks) that serve as the foundation for our lives as a disciple-making church.

Preview

Let’s take a minute to review. The book is a letter written from the apostle Paul to one of his ministry partners named Titus. Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete to set things in order so that the churches in each city would be strengthened and effectively impact their communities with the truth of Jesus Christ. We have uncovered the first four essential building blocks in & 2.

Building Block #1: Gospel-centered Ministry ~ The Good News changes lives

Building Block #2: Godly Leadership ~ Appoint Godly elders to lead the church

Building Block #3: Sound Doctrine ~ Protect truth by rebuking false teaching

Building Block #3: Sound Doctrine ~ Protect truth by rebuking false teaching Building Block #4: Sound Living ~ Belief impacts our Behavior

Building Block #4: Sound Living ~ Belief impacts our Behavior (adorns gospel)

Preview

Today we return to where we find the fifth essential building block of an effective church! Titus Chapter 2. (Read )

BUILDING BLOCK #5: God’s Grace

The fifth essential building block of an effective church is Grace. Grace – more specifically “The Grace of God.” In Paul followed up his call for “Sound Living” () by turning the spotlight on “The Grace of God.” The grace of God must now take center stage. God’s grace is at the forefront of this passage! We can’t miss the connection between “Sound Living” (2:1-10) and “Grace” (2:11-15). The word “For” links these two sections together – “sound living” is motivated or driven by the grace of God. We can’t separate the call for “Sound Living” from Sound doctrine or the grace of God.

Edmond Hiebert · “he could not think of Christian truth and conduct apart from God’s grace”

Brian Bell · This section is like a shot of espresso...highly compressed but incredibly rich.

And I can’t think of a better foundation for us as a church to build our lives upon. All too often God’s grace gets distorted by two contrasting poles—Legalism and License. On this end of the spectrum God’s grace is distorted by teaching that a legalistic approach to the Christian life—that one has to earn God’s favor or follow a strict set of man-made rules in order to please God. On the other side of the spectrum God’s grace is distorted by teaching a lawless approach to the Christian life—that since God is gracious and will always forgive that we are free to use His grace as a license to sin which is in complete opposition to God’s Word (). On one end the legalists resist God’s grace by trying to earn His favor and on the other end the license camp abuses God’s grace by thinking they can live however they want as Christians. Both are extreme distortions of the gospel of grace. Titus teaches us that while salvation is by grace bringing freedom, God’s grace is a vital element in our Christian living. It’s my prayer we’ll leave with a deeper understanding of God’s grace and it’s vital role in our lives as followers of Jesus. In we are confronted with “The Power of God’s Grace” and “The Proclamation of God’s Grace.” Let’s walk through this together.

I) The Power of Grace (2:11-13)

We begin with “The Power of Grace.” “The Power of Grace” God’s grace has the power to change our lives. We see it’s transforming power on full display in .

A) We are saved by the grace of God (2:11)

First, We are saved by the grace of God. We are saved by the grace of God. We see the connection between God’s grace and God’s salvation in – “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (2:11).

We must begin with a simple definition of God’s grace. God’s grace refers to His “unmerited favor” – undeserved “kindness” show to us – grace is “God’s gratuitous favor.” Grace in its expressing is the giving of a gift that is undeserved and unearned – we don’t deserve God’s favor and kindness and we can’t ever earn God’s favor and kindness, and it’s the grace of God that is the ultimate ground for our salvation. God’s grace (favor and expression of kindness) is behind His offer of salvation to sinners through Jesus. Titus highlights the “appearing” of God’s grace that brings salvation to all men – the term “appeared” is the Greek word “EPIPHANO” – this highlights the “epiphany” of God’s grace in the course of history. The literal “epiphany” (appearance) of God’s grace refers to Jesus’ first advent (arrival). The grace of God appeared like the rising of the sun when Jesus came to earth—for He is “full of grace and truth—and “His first coming was an epiphany of saving grace” (John Stott)

· Commentary Critical & Explanatory of the Whole Bible—God’s gratuitous favor in the scheme of redemption[1]

· John Stott—“His coming was an epiphany of saving grace.” ()

“The grace of God has appeared (like sunrise at dawn) in the first coming of Jesus “bringing salvation to all people” (NET). Out of the depths of His grace, the Father sent the Son to bring salvation to sinful humanity. God’s grace “appearing” the arrival of Jesus who would bring salvation—deliverance from the penalty and power of sin & death—the gracious divine rescue that is good news for everyone! God’s gracious salvation in Jesus’ is good news for every man, women, and child in every nation. God’s unmerited favor brings the gift of salvation for all sinners—deliverance from the power & penalty of sin and death available through Jesus—for everyone and anyone can be saved by faith (trusting in Jesus).

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God’s grace that brings salvation has appeared and is available through Jesus. Salvation, God’s rescuing sinners from the penalty and the power of sin and death, the restoring of all things wrecked by fall, is the sovereign work of a gracious God. Titus reveals the “appearing” of God’s grace in Jesus in whom there is salvation for sinners.

And in we get a deeper understanding of God’s salvation graciously offered to us in Jesus! Titus also highlights the Father’s salvation plan through Jesus. Have you ever wondered “what” God wanted to accomplish through His gracious plan of salvation? I suspect the most popular responses (answers) would be “to give us eternal life,” or “to offer the forgiveness of our sins” and while that’s certainly true His purpose is even greater and more beautiful. shines the spotlight on the two-fold purpose of Jesus’ work as Savior.

The mention of Jesus as our “God (deity in the flesh – C.S. Lewis) & Savior” leads to the unveiling of God’s salvation purposes through Jesus. Salvation (deliverance from sin & death) was brought to us through Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus “gave himself for us” – this refers to His offering up of Himself – He willingly laid down His own life and died in our place on the cross in order to save us from the power & penalty of sin. We see the two-fold purpose of Jesus’ selfless sacrifice for us on the cross.

1) Redemption (2:14a)

First, Jesus died on the cross for our Redemption. Jesus laid down His life to redeem us (2:14a). Jesus gave himself up for us “to redeem us from all of the wickedness.” Jesus’ willingly laid down His life (died on the cross) to “redeem” sinners from wickedness. The term “redeem” (lytroo) means “to release or set free – depicting the freeing or liberation of a slave. The image of “redemption” harkens back to the Exodus – when Yahweh freed the nation of Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt – that first Exodus foreshadowed a greater Exodus by which God offers freedom from the slavery of sin through Jesus’ death.

Remember Mark’s gospel declares that Jesus did not come to be served but to give His life as a ransom for many (). Jesus Christ “gave himself—it speaks of a voluntary act of offering all of Himself as a sacrifice on the cross—for Jesus died in behalf of us or in our place. Jesus laid down His life as a substitute for sinners, we deserve death as guilty sinner’s but He took our place instead, a sinless man paying the price for sinful people in order “redeem us from wickedness.” Jesus’ gave us HIs life to “free” us from being enslaved to a life of wickedness—we see the enslaving power of sin that causes us to live lawlessly—for a life of wickedness is a life of lawless living (sin). And yet Christ’s death sets sinners free from a life of wickedness, a life of disregarding and opposing to God’s laws, so Christ free us from both the penalty and power of sin in our lives. Grace not only teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness, we are empowered (enabled) to do so because we’ve been set from a life of wickedness.

2) Purification (2:14b)

Secondly, Jesus’ died on the cross for our Purification. Jesus gave us himself for us (died) to “purify” for himself a people who are his very own, eager to do what is good.” One again the picture of God purifying people to be His very own draws us back to the imagery of the OT. After Yahweh’s redemption of Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, the Levitical laws and animal sacrifices were instituted for the purification of HIs people, providing temporary cleansing from sin. The animal sacrifices for cleansing were central to the Old Covenant – the redemption and purification of Israel so they could be His own treasured possession () and all of this foreshadowed the coming of a New Covenant purification through Jesus. Jesus laid down His life on the cross (shedding His blood) “to purify for Himself a people that are his very own” – the term “purify” (καθαρίζω) means “to cleanse from impurity.” Jesus’ death provides cleansing for sin for He is the “lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus provides greater redemption and purification through His sacrifice.

Please note the two results of Jesus’ redemption & purification. First, Jesus cleanses people of their sin so they can become His treasured possession. Wow! Jesus frees us and purifies us so we can be truly His – we belong to Jesus – for God’s gracious salvation in Jesus marks us as His. Secondly, we have been freed from the bondage of wickedness and purified of sin to be His people who are “eager to do what is good.” Christ’s own – those who have been redeemed and purified by His death – are characterized by people who are “eager to do what is good.” Jesus purified us to be His people who are enthusiastic and zealous or doing good. Did you know that God’s salvation plan involves you becoming a Christian zealot? The term “zealot” is most often thought of in a negative attitude, “Religious zealots” or “political zealots” are not often seen in a good light. Simon (not Peter), one of the twelve apostles was called a “zealot” (, ). Paul described himself as being a religious zealot ( & ). Many members of the church in Jerusalem were called zealots for the law (). The Jewish historian Josephus wrote about the part of the Zealots—this Jewish group was zealous (enthusiastic) about defending the Law and Jewish practices—and they often led revolts against Rome to oppose the paying of taxes to a pagan emperor and fighting against leaders who tried to suppress the Jewish religion.

· George Knight – “Zealots for good deeds”

· Gordon Fee – “Living a life of good works is the proper response to God’s grace”

We’re not called to be “political zealots” but we are called to be “zealots for good deeds” (George Knight). Titus will continue to emphasize the importance of “good deeds.” We’re not saved by good works but we are saved for a life of good works. The NT highlights the importance doing good works as followers of Jesus. (; ; ; , ; ; ) [2] ; ; ; ; ). We’re not saved by good works but we are saved for a life of good works. Everyone who has been saved by Christ will demonstrate the reality of their conversion by engaging in good works. Living a life of good works is the proper response to God’s grace” (Fee).

APPLICATION

God’s grace is powerful! God’s grace brings salvation that transforms our lives. God’s gracious salvation plan provides the forgiveness of sin and the assurance of eternal life through Jesus—we can are reconciled to God, set free from the penalty & power of sin and death, and we are cleansed of our sin to become God’s treasured possession—isn’t God’s saving grace offered to us in Jesus truly amazing. God’s saving grace changes our lives.

I love the picture of God’s saving grace in Titus. Titus reminds us that salvation is not just about eternal life, it’s about our earthly life as well. Sometimes Christians are rightly criticized for being so focused on heaven that we forget about what God’s calling us to do and be on earth.

· Moody - “Christians can be so heavenly minded that we’re of no earthly good.”

God’s saving grace certainly fits us for heaven but it also transforms how we live on earth. We are saved to spend eternity in the heavenly kingdom but we are also saved to live on earth as His people. We see the power of God’s saving grace in our call to be His people who are eager to do what is good. We have been saved from sin for a life of good works (Read ). I’ve always wondered why we fail to memorize 2:10? By His grace God has provided freedom and cleansing from sin so that we could be His treasured people who are zealous for doing the good work that He has prepared for us to do! Don’t miss that wonderful truth, God already has good works planned for each of us to do! One of the greatest privileges of life is being one of God’s treasured possessions, and one of the greatest joys in life is doing the good works that He has for us.

· H.D.M Spence - Zeal for good works is the indispensable mark of God’s peculiar people, the inseparable fruit of the redemption and purification which is by the blood of Jesus Christ (comp. ).[3]

· Luther - God doesn’t need your good works...your neighbor does.

Once again, it’s truly amazing grace that God would want us to be His treasured possession and that He would want to use us in this world for His glory. Every day we have the opportunity to wake up and embrace our identity as God’s people and invest our time in doing the good things that He’s called us to do!

A hug or high five

Praying for others Caring for others - Orphans & widows

those in need (“Love in Action” May 23) Having people into your home for a meal

Helping a neighbor

Babysit for free Pay for someone’s meal behind you at the drive thru

Greeting Serving in nursery

Ask God ___________ what good work He has prepared for you (only you!)

God’s saving grace changes our live. By His grace we are saved from the power & penalty of sin—completely set free and cleansed by Jesus’ sacrificial death—and by accepting this gracious gift we become His treasured people zealous for doing good in this world. God’s grace motivates us to live a life of good works. Believers in Jesus Christ are not called to merely be good but more importantly are transformed to be filled with the burning desire to do good! Paul envisioned the purpose of God’s gracious salvation in Jesus Christ as His work of transforming sinners into His special people who are consumed with a passion to do good (good works).

I would be amiss if I didn’t ask if you have accepted God’s gracious offer of salvation in Jesus by faith? Have you put your faith in Jesus? God loves you and by His grace offers you the free gift of salvation. God offers you “freedom” from the power of sin & death and the cleansing of you sin so that you can become His treasured possession. (Gospel) Wow! Admit you’re a sinner separated from God, accept God’s gracious gift of salvation in Jesus by faith, trusting in Jesus to be your Savior & Lord.

B) We are schooled by the grace of God (2:13)

Secondly, we are schooled by the grace of God. We are schooled by the grace of God. God’s grace has appeared – bringing salvation for all who will believe – so we bask in the power of His saving grace to redeem us and purify us to be His treasured people. At the risk of sounding like a T.V. infomercial as we look into Titus it’s appropriate to say “But wait there’s more!” We often limit God’s grace to salvation alone but Titus shows us that there is more to the power of God’s grace in our lives. We are saved by God’s grace and we are schooled by God’s grace. God’s grace saves us and God’s grace schools us. God’s grace appeared in the coming of Jesus - bringing the hope of salvation to all– and to those who respond by faith God’s grace also teaches us how to live until the day of Jesus’ glorious return!

The grace of God has appeared offering salvation to all – and God’s grace “teaches us” (2:12)—let’s stop right there. The term “teach” is also translated as “trains us”—God’s grace instructs us with the goal of forming proper habits of behavior” (Louw Nida). God’s grace trains (instructs) us like a parent trains a child in how to live. Let’s get over this idea that the gospel only saves us from sin & death – it does and for that we can say “Hallelujah” - but it also schools us on how we should live. We see the saving power of God’s grace and now we consider the educating power of God’s grace. We are in a graduation season so it’s a perfect time to talk about the educating power of God’s grace in our lives. God’s unmerited favor and kindness extended to us in Jesus teaches us how to live. God’s grace is our great educator – teaching us how to live! God’s grace is our life-long educator, and we never graduate from His school of grace! We have been saved by grace and we’re begin schooled by His grace. Let’s take a look at God’s educating grace.

1) Curriculum (Course of Instruction)

Two negative instructions

God’s grace teaches us to say “no to ungodliness” (2:12). The grace of God teaches us to reject ungodliness (ἀσέβεια) – it’s a call to renounce ungodly living, to repudiate godlessness. God’s grace teaches us to reject living an undevoted life. Since we’ve been saved by God’s grace in Jesus we are taught to reject ungodliness.

God’s grace teaches us to say “no to worldly lusts” (2:12) God’s grace teaches us to reject the passions of the world. God’s grace teaches us to say “no” to the desires that come from any realm that opposes to God or promotes disobedience to God. God’s grace teaches us to reject anything that ignores, opposes, or despises God and promotes sin.

Three positive instructions

· First, God’s grace teaches us to live a life of self-control (2:12). We’ve seen “self-control” highlighted in the call to “Sound Living.” Self-control is a hallmark of the Christian life. The grace of God teaches us to behave sensibly, soberly, and moderately—to have control over our desires and appetites as a believer of Jesus Christ. God’s grace teaches us how to relate to one’s self.

Secondly, God’s grace teaches us to live an “upright” life (2:12). God’s grace instructs us to live lives that are “right” and “just.” Our conduct must be consistent with what is right in God’s eyes in our relationship with others. Upright living is connected to our relationship with others. God’s grace teaches us how to relate to others.

God’s grace teaches us to live a “godly” life (2:12) The grace of God teaches us to live our lives fully devoted to God, ever conscious of living in His presence and fulfilling our calling from Him. God’s grace teaches us to be pious; to be known as a man or women who lives according to their religious beliefs. God’s grace teaches us how to relate to God.

2) Duration (Life-long Semester)

We also see the “Duration of our Grace Education” – it’s a life-long semester, being schooled (educated) by God’s grace lasts our entire earthly life. God’s grace will keep on schooling us in the art of godly living until Jesus’ glorious return. Grace-driven godly living continues until the day Jesus returns. God’s grace trains us how to live while we “wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2:13). Jesus’ first coming was literally the “epiphany” of God’s grace. Jesus’ second coming will literally be the “epiphany” of God’s glory. Just as the grace of God appeared visibly and tangibly in Jesus who brings salvation to all, Christians have a blessed assurance of Jesus’ second appearance in glory. Jesus first coming was all about grace, Jesus’ second coming is all about glory! Christians are waiting for “the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, who is both God in the flesh and the Anointed One, and who is coming again in glory. Grace teaches us to keep living godly lives until the second coming of our Savior! highlights the expectancy of Jesus’ return shared by all believers. God’s grace teaches us to live godly lives in this present age while we await the glorious return of Jesus Christ, who is our God (deity in the Flesh as Jake preached on from Hebrews last week) and our Savior

2 Timothy 1:10

Christians are people of hope. Christians have a blessed hope—the confident assurance of Jesus’ glorious return. God’s grace teaches us to live godly lives until the hope (promise) of Jesus’ return in glory becomes reality. Grace teaches us how to live until Jesus gets here. Grace teaches us to keep living a godly life until the glory of God appears when Jesus comes again to restore all things. Part of the training includes keeping our eyes focused on Him, our God and Savior, and the author and finisher of our faith () and what He has accomplished for us through his death!

Christians are people of hope. Christians have a blessed hope—the confident assurance of Jesus’ glorious return. God’s grace teaches us to live godly lives until the hope (promise) of Jesus’ return in glory becomes reality. Grace teaches us how to live until Jesus gets here. Grace teaches us to keep living a godly life until the glory of God appears when Jesus comes again to restore all things. Part of the training includes keeping our eyes focused on Him, our God and Savior, and the author and finisher of our faith () and what He has accomplished for us through his death!

Application

God’s word reveals the “educating power” of God’s grace in our lives. God’s grace schools us. God’s unmerited favor and kindness shown to us in our salvation also teaches us how to live our lives until Jesus returns in glory. God’s grace is our great educator – again teaching us how to live a godly life in this “present age.” God’s grace saves us which prepares us for the age to come (eternal life) but God’s grace also prepares us for the present by teaching us how to live in the here and now. The Christians in Crete were being taught to by God’s grace how to live in a “depraved culture.” The same is true for us, God’s grace teaches us how to live in a fallen world. We should not be surprised, shocked, or scared about life in this present age, we live in a fallen world, and yet the grace of God is training us to live a godly life each step of the way. How are you doing in God’s school of grace?

· Are you saying “No” to ungodliness and world/y passions because of His grace? A follower of Jesus’ life shouldn’t be marked by continuous and ongoing “ungodliness” or controlled by worldly desires. We’re called to be controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit instead of passions that are opposed to God. (Illustrations – selfish vs selfless, pride vs. humility). God’s grace (unmerited favor and kindness in Jesus) teaches us reject ungodliness and worldly passions - instead of running to sin we run from sin because of God’s grace extended to us in Jesus.

· Is your life marked by the pursuit of “self-controlled, upright, and godly living? We seek to obey this call because of God’s grace extended to us in Jesus.

Paul’s emphasis on the educating power of God’s grace is connected to his previous call for sound living. I want us to make this important connection in our lives, it’s God’s grace that motivates us to live a godly life. The Christian life is a life of “grace-driven godly living.” We are motivated to live a godly life because of His grace, not by guilt, not by our own misguided desire of wanting to be a good Christian, not from a sense of religious obligation, not in an effort to please someone else, but as a result of His grace extended to you in Jesus. The motivation for godly living must come from God’s grace. Once you’ve come to grips with God’s unmerited favor and kindness extended to you in Jesus, your heart is transformed and you desire to live for Him because of what He’s done for you in Jesus. God’s unmerited favor towards you, saving you from the depths of your own depravity, wickedness, sin, and wretchedness through Jesus Christ, should motivate you to live a godly life.

It’s all about grace-driven godly living. Why should you say “No to ungodliness and worldly lusts?” God’s grace! Why should you live a life of self-control? God’s grace! Why should I live an upright life? God’s grace! Why should I live a godly life? God’s grace! God’s grace schools us, God’s grace teaches us to live for Him, God’s grace is designed to transform for your life! Living a godly life in no way earns you favor with God, it’s God’s favor towards you in Jesus Christ that motivates you to live a godly life. When you ponder His amazing grace today, you’ll get up out of your chair and live for Him! God’s grace teaches you how to live! Let’s live grace-driven godly lives!

· NAC - Even an elementary understanding of the character and nature of God and his work in history on our behalf strongly motivates us to please him by our lives.[4]

You need to come to grips with the depths of your own sin, how unworthy and wretched you are before God, and yet in the depths of your depravity God would extend you grace in Jesus! God’s grace motivates you to live a godly life.

· A story is told of a young girl who accepted Christ as her Savior and applied for membership in a local church. "Were you a sinner before you received the Lord Jesus into your life?" inquired an old deacon. "Yes, sir," she replied. "Well, are you still a sinner?" "To tell you the truth, I feel I'm a greater sinner than ever." "Then what real change have you experienced?" "I don't quite know how to explain it," she said, "except I used to be a sinner running AFTER sin, but now that I am saved I'm a sinner running FROM sin!"

God’s grace is truly amazing- saving us and schooling us to live grace-driven godly lives until Jesus returns. Let’s beg God to empower us by His spirit to a grace-driven pursuit of godly living. In light of God’s grace extended to us in Jesus, let’s live our godly lives for His glory.

II) The Proclamation of Grace (2:15)

The conclusion of we find “The Proclamation of Grace.” The Proclamation of Grace - In we find a personal charge from Paul to Titus challenging him to fulfill his teaching ministry with confidence and courage based on the authority delegated to him. Let’s take a closer look at “The Proclamation of Grace.”

A) Titus’ Teaching Ministry (2:15a)

sifts the focus to Titus’ “Teaching Ministry.” Paul called Titus stay committed to what he’s been called to do in the churches on the island of Crete. “These, then are the things you should teach”—literally “speak” about all these things that Paul had just written about in regards to sound doctrine, sound living, and God’s grace. Paul challenged Titus to be committed to his work in Crete—Paul had discharged him there with a clear duty—Titus must pass on these instructions about living a grace-driven godly living to the churches in Crete. Keep on “speaking” about grace-driven godly living to combat the false teachers who were distorting the gospel of grace through the promotion of legalism and asceticism. Paul wanted Titus to stay committed to the task given to him. Titus’ teaching of grace-driven godly living would require two distinct approaches.

1) Teach God’s grace through encouragement (2:15a)

First, teach the Christians about grace-driven godly living through encouragement. “Encourage” the believers in the cities—come alongside to comfort and counsel them—cheer the believers on in their understanding and embrace of God’s grace that motivates them to godly living.

2) Teach God’s grace through rebuke (2:15a)

There would be times when Titus would have to teach with rebuke—offering correction to those who distort the gospel or grace or abandon the gospel of grace—in those moments have the courage to correct.

Both methods of teaching will be important in the life of the church. Encourage when you need to encourage and rebuke when you need to rebuke.

B) Titus’ Delegated Authority (2:15b)

Secondly, we see “Titus’ Delegated Authority.” Paul also wanted Titus stay committed to his teaching ministry on the basis of his “Delegated Authority.” Look at Paul’s final command in this chapter—“Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.”

Paul was given the “right” to “teach” about grace-driven godly living to the Christians in Crete. The apostle Paul had commissioned him there so his teaching through encouragement and rebuke should be done with confidence because Titus was given delegated authority.

The challenge “Don’t let anyone despise you” was personal encouragement to keep teaching even in the face of opposition. Titus shouldn’t be discouraged our dismayed by people who rejected or refused to listen to his teaching. If and when any members of the church would say “Who is this guy?” and “Why is he telling us how to live?” he should press on knowing he was the delegated authority discharged to set things in order in Crete. Titus could show them this letter to show that the apostle Paul had entrusted to him “authority” or “command” of the ministry in Crete. Titus is not to let anyone get away with thinking that they can get around what Titus is teaching them. The Christians in Crete should listen to Titus’ proclamation of grace-driven godly living. Every believer on the island needed to learn and obey Titus’ teaching about grace-driven godly living.

APPLICATION

Titus’ encouragement to continue in “The Proclamation of Grace” reminds us of a profound truth for our lives. We need each other in the body of Christ. We need fellow believers to speak into our lives (2:15). Fellow believers play an important role in our own sanctification (growth in holiness). There are time we need someone encourage us to live a grace-driven godly life. We need cheerleaders who remind us of God’s grace and how God’s grace teaches us to live. We need fellow believers to come alongside to encourage us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions” and encourage us to keep pursuing a living a self-controlled, upright, and godly life by the power of the Holy Spirit. We need fellow believers to come alongside to encourage us to be zealots of good deeds. And at times, we need fellow believers to come with a loving rebuke – correcting us if we’ve strayed from grace-driven godly living—and setting us back on the right course of obeying God’s word.

Do you have at least one person who serves as your encourager in grace driven godly living? Do you have someone in your life who have the open invitation to correct you when you need it? Perhaps it’s the same person? It could be your spouse, good friend, godly mentor, or member a small group. If not, get connected to this community. Dig in, build relationships, pursue a mentor, join a small group where can be known and someone can speak into your life. We need others to remind us of God’s amazing grace and hold us accountable to a live of grace-driven godly living.

CONCLUSION

Refresh – “Ponder”

There are a lot of things to ponder in this life – much pondering is done by graduates and grandmas – and God’s Word has us pondering the amazing grace of God. Pondering the grace of God is worthy of our investment, embracing the grace of God is of life-changing value, and being changed by the power of God’s grace is priceless.

Renew

The fifth “Essential Building Block of an Effective Church” is “Grace”—the grace of God must a part of the very foundation or our lives as a church—oh if every six year old, graduating senior, middle-aged believer, senior saint, and everyone in between would build their lives upon the God’s grace.

Restate

God’s grace has come to light through Jesus Christ!

1) The Power of God’s Grace: God’s grace changes our lives—saving us from the power of sin and death through Jesus our Savior and schooling us in the art of godly living. God’s grace motivates us to live godly lives—lives marked by being zealous for doing good.

2) The Proclamation of God’s Grace: We need one another to speak the truth grace-driven godly living through encouragement and rebuke.

God’s grace transforms us to be the people He’s called us to be—and we never outgrow it, we never graduate from it, but we are always in desperate need of God’s grace.

Pray

[1] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 433.

[2] Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 315.

[3] H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Titus, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 28.

[4] Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 315–316.