The Importance of Doctrine in the Preacher Epistles: Part Four

I thought we would get to discussing the eldership this week but we are not going to because we need to discuss the things that need to be set in order first.

Titus 1:5 NKJV

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—

Notice things had to be set in order first before elders could be appointed.

One of the things that need to be set in order was the eldership but other things had to be done before that could happen.

Introduction:

1. Last week we asked...

A. What is Paul teaching Titus in and about “Sound Doctrine” that will help him and the members know how to conduct themselves in the church?

1. In order to have “Sound Doctrine” you must set in order the things that are lacking.

A. How was Titus to set in order the tings that were lacking?

1. He was to speak the things that were proper for “Sound Doctrine”?

Titus 2:1 NKJV

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

2. He was to be an example to the believers or a pattern to the believers.

Titus 2:6–8 NKJV

6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

2. Today we are going to continue talking about “Sound Doctrine” from &

Titus 2:6–8 NKJV

6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

2. Today we are going to continue taking about “Sound Doctrine from and .

Titus 1:5–9 NKJV

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Titus

Titus 2:1 NKJV

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

Titus 2:1–10 NKJV

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. 9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

A. What was lacking that need to be set in order?

We need to remember before we get into this lesson the question that we are endeavoring to answer in this series.

1. What is Paul teaching Titus in and about “Sound Doctrine” that will help him and the members know how to conduct themselves in the church?

Our goal is to understand what Paul is conveying through this letter to Titus so that we can apply Paul’s teaching to ourselves and the congregation here.

A. How does understanding what was lacking in Crete help us in understanding how to conduct ourselves in the church today?

1. There is nothing new under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 NKJV

9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.

The things that were taking place at the time Paul wrote to Titus are the same things that are taking place today.

The same problems require the same solutions.

BODY:

1. What was lacking that needed to be set in order?

A. There are many who are insubordinate.

Titus 1:10 NKJV

10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

Titus 2:10 NKJV

10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

The definition of insubordinate is—disobedient to authority.

1. Some versions say rebellious instead of insubordinate but it means the same thing.

A. Either way they were not willing to be obedient to God’s authority.

Titus 1:16 NKJV

16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

1 Peter 1:13–16 NKJV

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Pt 1:

1. They were insubordinate or rebellious and they were going to listen to no one.

Titus 1:10–11 NKJV

10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

Titus

A. Not Jesus!

Matthew 17:5 NKJV

5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

B. Not the Apostles!

Matthew 10:5–14 NKJV

5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. 11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

C. Not the Elders!

Hebrews 13:17 NKJV

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

2. These insubordinate people were idle talkers and deceivers.

A. They were teaching things which they ought not!

1. Idle talking can be false teaching!

1 Timothy 1.5-

1 Timothy 1:5–7 NKJV

5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

2 Timothy 4:3–4 NKJV

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

2. Idle talking can be gossiping!

1 Timothy 5:13 NKJV

13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

1 Tim 5.13

3. Idle talking is saying anything that ought not be said.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

B. They were deceiving for dishonest gain!

Titus 1:11 NKJV

11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

Titus

1. Paul instructed Timothy to withdraw himself from this type of person.

1 Timothy 6.3-

1 Timothy 6:3–5 NKJV

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

2. They loved money more than God!

=

1 Timothy 6:6–10 NKJV

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Tim 6.

3. Titus was to set in order these insubordinate people by stopping their mouths!

Titus 1:

Titus 1:11 NKJV

11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

A. What was Paul instructing Titus to do?

1. He was to speak those things which are proper for for “Sound Doctrine”.

A. How did this stop the insubordinate’s mouths?

1. If you teach everyone around them what they are saying is wrong, they will have no one to listen to them!

2. If you are able to teach them, they literally stop their own mouths from saying it.

CONCLUSION:

1. Paul told Titus to set in order the things that are lacking!

A. They were lacking obedience by being insubordinate or rebellious.

1. Which means they did not truly love God.

2 John 6 NKJV

6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

B. Are we lacking obedience by being insubordinate or rebellious?

1. Are we teaching things we ought not?

A. What about not showing up for services?

B. What about not studying God’s Word the way we should?

1.

2. Do we love money and does that cause us to do things that we ought not do?

3. Are these things causing us to not love God the way we should?

2. Are we setting in order the things that are lacking so that we have “Sound Doctrine”?

Next week we will continue to discuss what was lacking that needed to be set in order!