5545 100508 Titus 2 11-15

Start:

1.    Entice: (Read Text) Life is no accident. After about the Age of 12 You are pretty much making it up as you go. Things happen to you, but your life is about acting and reacting. For us it is the complete work of Christ which plays the largest role in our formation.

2.    Engage: What steps are you taking right now to live an intentional, motivated Christian life? It doesn't need to be much. Perhaps you need to be in the Word more. Or maybe there is a relationship in need of repair.

3.    Excite: Living Large. That is what He wants. He wants it because what Christ has done gives us the equipment to live that way. We don't have to be afraid or timid. Living large isn't a slogan or a program. It is the simple day to day process of understanding and applying the lessons of the cross, the message of the Master and the reality of His coming.

4.    Expand: Paul describes a dynamic relationship which for every believer leads to the commitment to Live Large.

Explore: So, Live Large!

Explain: This is not just a slogan, living large embraces three crucial attitudes.

1.    Live Expectantly. 11-13

1.    Expectant living is Grace focused.

                                  i.        It has brought us salvation.

                                ii.        It teaches us:

1.    To deny ungodliness & worldly desires.

2.    To live soberly, justly and piously in this present age.

2.    Expectant living is hopeful.

                                  i.        Our hope is based on the hope. His coming.

                                ii.        Our waiting is the active waiting of those who know the outcome (His appearing) but who have work to do.

2.    Live Passionately 14

1.    Passionate living is relational

                                  i.        Our passion is derived from His passion. Our Zeal flows from His.

                                ii.        We are His unique personal people.

2.    Passionate living is constructive. It is about living right. (Quote, from A Few Good Men. "Be careful down there those guys are kinda zealous. About what. About being Marines." Zealous, passionate Christian living is positive not negative, constructive not destructive. Because Christ has saved us we build up, not tear down. All of this flows from His redemption of us and our desire to cultivate good deeds.

3.    Live Boldly. 15

1.    We have an authoritative Message. . . Speak it and live it.

                                  i.        Exhorting and reproving.

                                ii.        With the authority of the message.

2.    Don't allow the world to diminish you or pigeon-hole you.

Shut Down:

1.    The late Rich Mullins was one of the artists in the transition phase of contemporary Christian Music. His most famous song Awesome God is Sung congregations all over the country. Many of his lyrics were far too cutting edge for worship music. One of my favorite songs from his early years sums it up like this.

Live like you'll die tomorrow

Die knowing you'll live forever, live right

Love like you'll leave tomorrow

Believing love lasts forever, live right

What a summary of what Paul is telling Titus. And us. Live Right. Live Large.