Godliness

Chapter 1 saw how important it was to protect the truth of God’s word - for it is the truth that leads us to godliness.

Titus 1:1 NIV

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

IN other words God saves of his own grace and mercy, - he elects.

our Godliness doesn’t save - but salvation does lead to godliness through the truth.

Chapter 2 made the same point,

Titus 2:11–12 NIV

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Our salvation in Jesus, teaches us Godliness in the present age.

And then the rest of chapter 2 described what godliness,

or doing good looked like primarily in relationship to other Christians.

So, older men to younger men, and older women towards younger women.

Chapter 3 continues the exact same themes,

Of our need to live lives of godliness informed by the truth and sound doctrine - because we are saved.

only the main application is to how we behave towards those outside the church - so our government and society,

and along side that we get a more in-depth theological basis for our proper behaviour.

Demonstrating our Godliness v1-2

Theological Basis for Godliness v3-8

Final comments on Godliness v9-15

1 - Demonstrating our Godliness v1-2

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.

The most natural reading of this verse gives us 2 general principles:

1 - Christians should be obedient and subject to our authorities and rulers - today that would be governments, judicial systems and those who enforce those things.

And

2 - Christians should be good, non-slanderous, peaceable and considerate and gentle towards everybody in society.

It’s not an untimely reminder for many of us,

after a year in which our government has had to make some tough and unpopular decisions..

Not only have the regulations to protect us from Covid been controversial socially and relationally,

the rules have also caused Churches to deeply consider what is right before God:

in-terms of meeting for fellowship, encouragement and sermons on Sundays or not.

Even here now, some of us will feel the government was way to restrictive of our freedoms, contradictory in it’s policies and undermining the word of God’s commands to the church to meet together.

Others here will feel the government was too relaxed, and should have been firmer, and that they, and the freedoms they have given the church over the year has actually been unbiblical from a a protecting life and loving one another view point.

Both views have traction in scripture,

both will find supports in and out the church,

both views will be able to pick holes in the governments handling of things,

both views will have made judgements on how we as a church have handled or not the whole situation.

It is right and essential to think deeply about God’s rule over and above our governments,

to discuss and think and pray hard about the matters we have faced and will continue to face..

but in one sense this reminder in Titus 3 is very freeing for us as Christians.

We are not tasked with solving COVID as a church and we are not tasked with judging each decision the government has made.

- but we are tasked with being subject to our government.

So like it or not - so long as there isn’t a direct or deliberate attack on the instructions given in the bible we are to obey our government.

- I use the word attack, becasue if we were stopped from meeting in person as an attack on our faith - as opposed to protect life for example,

- then this year would have seen a very different response from the church across the world to the governments restrictions on us..

But -so long as there isn’t a direct or deliberate attack on the instructions given in the bible we are to obey our government. - that is our godly response.

We Obey them, we choose to be subject to them.

Paul goes further in Romans

Romans 13:1–5 NIV

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Our government - whether we like them or not,

is a gracious gift from God to all people.

We do not have to work through all these impossible decisions and plans and restrictions on covid - or plan and set out a judicial system as a church!

Imagine the chaos if each was free to decide for themselves!

No - God has been gracious to us - freed us from chaos,

freed us from worry and concern and responsibility

- by giving us earthly governments to rule.

Even when they are not very good at it, or motivated by sinful gain

Our call is to be subject to them

After-all - Crete was not a political haven in which to live - it was around this time being taken over by the massive and idolatorurous Roman Empire.

I suspect they were dealing with larger politcal objections that those that we face in our very secure and free country today!

And so the command to show our godliness in this matter stands.

pause

The second past of demonstrating our godliness comes:

Tit 3:1b-2

be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

We’ll talk briefly about ‘doing whatever is good’ - but before we do,

I really wonder if we need to remind ourselves of those other 4 godly characteristics

- These need to be sieve over our mouths and actions when we speak about, and act towards others.

We are to:

slander no-one

be peaceable

be considerate

be gentle

Perhaps think and pray about those 4 godliness in your life and words this week.

The instruction to ‘be ready to do whatever is good’ is an oppertunity to shine in our communities for Jesus. We are supposed to be ready - IE - when there is a need, to do whatever is good.

It might be small things,

like helping an elderly neighbour with their shopping,

befriending someone who is lonely, or new to your street.

It might be church run initiatives to meet a felt need in the community.

It’s why we have an ‘Engage the community’ ministry.

And some are involved in CAP, and Foodbanks, and Marriage courses.

It’s why Adam after running the bereavement course is thinking with them about if we can offer something similar to the community.

It’s why, I hope many of you are involved in the community in various ways.

Volunteering at the Cricket club to offer opportunities and safe environments for our community,

School governors,

Befriending the elderly,

Volunteering.

This is godliness - and as we saw last week - will be attracting people to our Saviour Jesus.

The greatest ‘need’ for all humanity.

And as if on cue - Paul reminds US of the Lord JEsus’ work now:

2 - Theological Basis for Godliness v3-8

Jesus, God the Son - needs no bigging-up!

As if being the creator and sustainer of the universe isn’t enough!

But given that start point

it makes His interest in us all the more incredible.

For we are very different - and very needy:

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.

The culture on Crete at this time was immoral and godless, and unpleasant.

But this is not just a description of Cretans.

Paul says ‘we’ - in other words - Him, and all Christians were like this before conversion.

foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

A people who lived for their own pleasure. Why wouldn’t you if you don’t believe in God!

Foolish -for as we look back at our old lives as believers we see how sad our lives were without Jesus.

How disobedient we were before God.

We were deceived by the devil and the world - believing the lie.

As such we were haters and hated!

It’s not hard to see this characteristic across our world.

Constant disagreements,

arguments,

protests,

slandering,

Angre,

wars,

spend 5 minutes on a school parents whatsapp group,

or a twitter feed to see this kind of hatred.

Our South African friends know the sad reality of hate as their home country is being burned and looted to the ground.

We too though were like this is our reminder. Perhaps not looting and arsen

- but our minds and attitude towards God are as bad.

It’s what theologically we call total depravity, or the idea of original sin.

Every human, including you and me is like this by nature - and can do nothing about it!

It is who we were. Or are if we still don’t believe.

Which makes the next verse and the ‘enormity of God’s grace’ even more extraordinary..

but v4-5

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. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

It is God’s kindness that saves us from ourselves and God’s right judgement on us!

Not becasue fo anything we have done, righteous or otherwise!

A Christian is someone who has benefitted from the kindness of God

- who acknowledges they are fools and deceived, and haters by default - by birth!

And therefore needs that washing of rebirth!

We no longer belong to our sinful nature - we have been reborn - we have been made pure, washed clean, through Jesus.

v5 Renewed by the Holy Spirit!

This is extraordinary grace, undeserved!

The HS changes our hearts so we can accept the grace of God - who renews us into life in Christ - it is the fullest and greatest gift available to a humanity who is dead in sin.

Listen how Paul describes the wonder of the HS’s work in our lives at salvation:

Titus 3:5-6 (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 Saviour,

The idea that the Spirit is poured out - like a drink offering,

fully and completely - nothing of God’s grace held back.

If something is poured out there is nothing left to give!

And you can’t put it back in the jar either!

How generously God lavishes his love by his Spirit to us.

Our godliness may increase in time,

our knowledge and love of God may improve over time,

But the pouring out of the Spirit is full and generous at the moment of salvation!

We are new - reborn - changed - pure - righteous in Christ.

We get a perfect picture of the unity of the Trinity in these verses,

For the glory of God the Father - he saves us,

Through the indwelling heart changing work of the Holy Spirt that opens our eyes,

by the work of Jesus who died on the cross in our place

- he took our judgement -and saved us by grace.

It should be hard to doubt his love for us!

And if we are saved from judgement - what are we saved into:

Titus 3:7 NIV

so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

The glory of eternal life with God awaits us!

It is our goal, our dream our aim - certain and secure for we have the HS as a deposit guarantee!

So far -This probably all sounds very familiar and wonderful - it is the gospel,

but her Paul is taking us further -

this is a Theology not just of the gospel and salvation,

but a theology of Godliness:

This - everything he we have just considered..

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.

We are generously loved,

unconditionally saved,

through grace not works,

The spirit has changed our hearts, given us new birth and renewed out minds so we are now aware of God,

able to respond to Him,

and benefit from the righteousness of God.

So, that we can devote ourselves to Good Works:

It should be obvious but needs to be said:

There is a ‘now and not yet’ experience to our salvation.

I say obvious because our very experience, and the very fact that Paul is telling Titus to teach Christians to be godly - means that we are not yet living perfectly godly lives.

We have by the work of our triune God been made pure in Christ

- God sees us as pure through the grace of Jesus as guaranteed to us by the work of the HS in us.

but we do not yet act in all purity.

We are no longer slaves to sin, or our sinful nature - but we still sin.

We are no longer condemned by the law of God, but we still break the law of God.

If you like - our position is one of purity, and righteousness through the work of Christ.

But until he returns, appears again to rid us and the world of all evil and sin,

Our Practice is what we keep working on!

And so, with the help of the HS,

we devote ourselves to doing what is good - godliness.

3 - Final comments on Godliness v9-15

And so Paul comes full circle with Titus and takes him back again to those who are trying to disrupt this sound teaching by foolish and pointless arguments.

Titus 3:9 NIV

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

Obviously Paul is not saying we shouldn’t defend the sound doctrine he’s been so insistent that we keep in this letter.

His point is that if some try to teach, or misguide from a doctrine that is not agreed upon and protected by the elders as understood from the teachings of the Bible alone,

then endless unprofitable and useless arguments should be avoided.

In crete it was teaching that you could be saved through obedicen to the law,

or something related to genealogies.

Today it might be those who say Jesus isn’t the only way to salvation,

or

Someone denying the truth of the bible when it comes to relationships or gender.

Of course we teach on those things and engage with those who do not believe the truth of the bible,

but we do not tolerate ongoing divisiveness and quarrelling about such issues within a church context - for it will harm the faith of many.

Titus 3:10 NIV

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.

One of the hardest roles of an elder perhaps

- to both protect the truth positively through teaching,

but also through removing threats to sound doctrine.

But that is how important the Truth - the Bible is to God’s people - both for salvation, and for godliness - for the glory of God.

So there it is - a whistle stop tour through Titus -

A glorious reminder of our

position before God - Christians are elect and pure.

and our practice to be one of pursuing godliness as a result of our salvation.

and all by and for the protection of the truth of God’s word.

Do talk as HG’s, to each other, to an elder or staff member about any of the topics that have come up in Titus - as we seek to grow in the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.

Let’s pray