Titus Session 4

This evening I want to look at a word that… funny enough… will not show up in our study, but the principle does. That word is reproach.

First - what does this word mean? Reproach defined is to address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment.

So… first a person will do or say something that warrants this kind of response. Reproach is a response… and effect meaning there was a cause for reproach.

The action, behavior, or attitude was observable, it was experienced… thus the one in observance now has the reason to express disapproval or disappointment.

We see reproach everywhere in our society today. People engage in sharing their disapproval of others at the drop of a hat. It’s not hard to offend someone when culture is so… offendable.

Tonight I want to talk about a specific type of reproach… the kind of reproach that dishonors the kingdom of God.

God has not nor will He ever do anything wrong or worthy of such reproach. However… there are many who might come in His name who instead of bringing God glory, operate in a way that God disapproves of and the world recognizes as reproachable.

God does NOT want His people behaving in such a way.

We see God’s desire for His people to operate above reproach in our text this evening. Titus 2:8 bring to light this desire.

Titus 2:8 NIV

and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

This passage give the why behind what we are going to study this evening.

Remember Titus is in Crete to appoint elders in every town. Their mission is to introduce the people of Crete to the God who does not lie. Their mission is to show the people the way to the one, true, and real God.

Clearly there existed those who opposed this message. This message went against the big boasts and claims of the area. So it was critical to the mission that those who delivered the message of Christ… practiced what they preached.

What Paul is telling Titus here is this: Let’s not give the opposition any ammunition they can use against us as we work to deliver the gospel message.

If their actions did not line up with their words, the opposition would have all they needed to bring harm to the efforts of the believers.

Therefore, with this in mind, Paul encourages Titus what to teach and who to teach the truth to: Give them the Gospel and Give it to the Generations.

Give Them the Gospel

Let’s look at the passage in Titus 2:1-3

Titus 2:1–3 NIV

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

Teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine… what is to be taught MUST line up with sound doctrine. It MUST line up with the ways of Christ.

We will break the passage down in a bit… but ultimately who are the people of God to be examples of? Jesus Christ! We are the body of Christ, we are His ambassadors as Scripture indicates. We are the extension of His ministry until He returns.

Everything listed in those verses speak of who Christ was and how He operated… should not the church operate in the same way?

Those who encourage others to live like Jesus should be observed living like Jesus! It communicates to the world that we truly believe what we want them to believe!

Men and Women of God are to stand out… are to be different from men and women of the world. If the God who does not lie was to stand out among the false gods promoted in Crete, than the people of God needed to live in a way that proved His Word and promises.

So Paul encourages Titus to teach on the points we saw in chapter 2.

To the older men...

Be temperate. What does this word mean? Defined it means showing moderation or self-restraint.

Boy could we use some people who are temperate in this day and age! You’ve heard me say it this way… respond instead of react. A reaction is an emotional impulse, a move of the flesh, a justified behavior that is controlled by the situation at hand.

The instruction here: older men are to be examples of right character and conduct to the entire church congregation. Temperate relates to a self-control that allows one to avoid excessive behavior.

What does excessive behavior look like? Loss of control. Loss of emotional control. Saying things a person might regret later. Acting on bad information. The list could go on and on.

James 1:19-21 paints a picture of what it means to be temperate...

James 1:19–21 NIV

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Temperate is the humble acceptance of the Word and the rejection of all moral filth.

Second to the older men, the instruction given is to be worthy of respect or respectable.

This falls in line with what we just talked about. To be worthy of respect is to show respect toward others… to operate in a way that is respectable.

It means… you treat others the way you want to be treated. It means you love your neighbor as yourself. This doesn’t mean you will always see eye to eye with your neighbor, but you treat them with respect.

People want to know they matter… God wants people to know they matter to Him. If that door of opportunity is closed because they do not matter to a believer… it can place a wedge between that person and God.

To be worthy of respect is to show respect toward others. Jesus was always clear and honest in His teaching and instruction… and His respect and love for others never wavered.

Third - self controlled. See Temperate.

Forth - Sound in faith, love, and endurance.

Sound in faith - grounded in faith. The older men needed to know what they believed. They needed to be resolved in that belief. They needed to be sure of the Word of God.

Sound in love - express compassion and love as Christ did. Speak and operate in love or risk just making a lot of noise.

Sound in endurance - finish strong. Do not lose sight of the finish line. God has a plan and a will for your life… don’t be distracted by road side attractions along the way. Stay true to the course laid out before you and run in such a way as to get the prize.

To the older women...

Likewise… similar to what was taught to the older men. So the list we just studied applies to the older women as well.

Paul goes on to instruct for the older women to be reverent in their ways.

To be reverent is to be what? Showing deep respect. This goes right along with what was instructed to the older men regarding being worthy of respect.

Show respect, be reverent in the way they live. Allow for the respect of others and especially for God to be observable in your life.

Secondly, not to be slanderers.

Gossip can be a devastating thing… talking bad about others can lead to broken relationships and divided communities.

This charge can go out to anyone, not just the older women, that slander is something we should not take part in.

Words are powerful. Words can have a major impact on the life of another. So a choice needs to be made: will my words be used to lift up and edify or tear down and bring harm?

Choose to engage in conversation that brings life… not harm to others.

Third, not addicted to much wine.

Pretty simple here. Do not allow yourself to be under the influence of a controlling substance, but rather give the Holy Spirit full control in your heart and life.

Forth, teach what is good.

Teach what is true. Teach what brings life. Teach sound doctrine. And this teaching does not happen through words alone, but also through action.

Let the message of your life be a reflection of the gospel.

Give it to the Generations

Paul doesn’t stop with just one generation. Paul expresses something very important in the next few verses that need to be considered strongly in our study tonight. Titus 2:4-8 shows the generational need. It begins with the older women teaching the younger women.

Titus 2:4–8 NIV

Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

It is important for the older men and women to be taught… that they may impart that knowledge to the next generation.

Look at verse 7 again as I believe it reveals the core idea Paul desires to express. In everything, SET THEM AN EXAMPLE BY DOING WHAT IS GOOD.

As Christ is our example so are we to be examples of His love, mercy, truth, and grace! As we are discipled… we need to be making disciples. As we are learning, we need also to be teaching. We need to pass on the information through spoken word and action to the next generation.

This needs to happen in our homes… and it needs to happen in our church.

God’s truth remains the same throughout the generations. Although each generation might have different preferences, His presence remains the same. Although each generation might have different ministry methods, His message remains the same.

it is imperative that the older generation makes an investment in the younger generation. It is imperative they set the example. As the world changes around us… the example of Christ is to remain the same - loving, compassionate, respectful, truthful, worthy of respect, temperate, self-controlled, ALWAYS DOING GOOD.

Closing

Above reproach means living a life above accusation. It means giving no room for bad things to be said. And… if things are said… they do not stick as they inaccurate or unwarranted claims.

Verse 8 sums it up tonight… we do not want to give anyone who stand in opposition to the Word room to make negative claims against God’s Word and people.

From generation to generation, we are to pass on the truth through word and action. We are to be examples of the One who stands as the ultimate example of all. Jesus is our example, and as Christians, we are to be Christ-like.

Let’s live according to the Word, teach to others what has been taught to us, and operate in a way that brings honor and glory to the name of Jesus.