Titus Session 5
Notes
Transcript
Above reproach.. a theme we will see come back to our study this evening… and it is a theme we should take to heart.
The last two weeks were spent talking about what was to be taught to the older generation… and how that generation is to pass on the teaching to the younger generation.
The content all had to do with living a life that is pleasing to the Lord. The goal is to honor God, first, and to leave no room for accusation or disapproving statements from the world.
Now… what if the world has issue with the truth? What if the world speaks ill of your faith or is angry for your stance for Christ?
This is not necessarily reproach so much as it is rejection. They are NOT rejecting you, but they are rejecting the One you are living for.
What our hearts should be set on doing is practicing what we preach. We do not want to give the enemy an inch in our lives. If the world picks up a contradiction or detects an inconsistency, it is pretty quick on calling it out.
As we said the last two weeks, we do not want to give the opposition any ammunition to use against God’s church.
The last two weeks talked about older men and women and younger men and women. It spoke of generations reaching generations and passing on important characteristics that should accompany followers of Jesus.
Tonight we look at a different group and the name of that group might surprise you. Paul moves from generational to occupational… and the “occupation” he targets is slave. Slavery took on a different form in Paul’s day. Paul did not condone or encourage slavery… but he uses this situation to express something very important.
The point I see coming off the page here is this: no matter how old or young you are… no matter what your circumstance is… choose to be about the things of God.
Slavery is NEVER something anyone desires… but in Paul’s day, it was a way in which people worked off their debts. Like or hate the system, it was very much a thing in that time.
But looking beyond the title or position for a moment, I feel Paul is going deeper here. And that’s what I want to unpack first as we get back into Titus 2.
Slave or CEO
Slave or CEO
Titus 2:9-10 reads
Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
So let’s talk about this word slave for a moment.
The root word used here is doulos and it can be translated as bondman, servant, or slave. The idea is that this is a person who is the property of another… and because they belong to a “master” they are to do what the master tells them to do. They are their for the benefit of the master.
Doulos is the lowest term that could be used to describe a slave. In today’s culture, it would be the most politically incorrect term a person could use… the most offensive term a person could use. So… was Paul trying to be offensive here? Absolutely not.
Doulos denotes a reality where the will of the slave has given way to the will of the master. The master’s will has become the slaves will and if that fails to be the case, you can bet the relationship is going to be a bit strained.
Paul is expressing to Titus to instruct slaves to be an example of Jesus even in this particular circumstance… NOT because their earthly master said so… but because their Lord and Savior is worthy of such devotion.
This instruction has little to do with the earthly master and EVERYTHING to do with our master in heaven!
Slaves or servants found themselves in pretty tough situations. But if they followed Jesus, Paul says that relationship should shine on in and through the way they served their earthly master. And in reality, we can look at this instruction and apply it to just about any occupation out there!
Be subject to the master… the master’s word goes.
Try to please the master. Work with excellence.
Do not talk back or be disrespectful.
Do not steal from them and be trustworthy.
All of this can and should apply for every believer in any workplace. Unless the action is sin, we should work hard at what we do… not to glorify our name, but to glorify the name of Jesus.
Why is this the case? Because Jesus is our ultimate master!
Paul considered himself to be a slave to Christ… fully surrendered to His will. Several other prominent NT followers of Jesus did the same. And since this was the case, they worked to honor the name of Jesus no matter their circumstance.
Look at what was written in Colossians 3:22-24
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Work as if Jesus were the boss. Work NOT for an earthly wage but for your eternal inheritance. In everything we do… it is the Lord Jesus Christ you are serving.
Job title really has no bearing on whether or not this applies to your situation. Whether you are a slave or CEO, HONOR GOD IN WHAT YOU DO!
Work as if Jesus was your boss calling the shots.
The Universal Truth
The Universal Truth
Paul sums it all up as the chapter comes to a close. Look at Titus 2:11-15
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, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
God’s grace has “appeared” and has offered salvation to all people. Our message is that offering of salvation. Our life is to be lived as one who has been saved from this world. This should be our response to what Jesus has done for us!
Romans 6:13 says
Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
Consider this: a slave is property that belongs to the master. Jesus purchased all who would believe with His blood. It was a steep price to pay but it was the only way for sin to be defeated.
If you are in Christ, you have been bought by the blood. You belong to Him! Your will should now be aligned with His will as we await His promised return!
Jesus IS coming back soon! Jesus IS coming to redeem this world! Let’s live as one who has been redeemed while we await this glorious day!
And Then comes that last sentence… the sentence that ties it all together.
Live in the way of the Lord. Teach others to do the same. Correct people when needed with authority. DO NOT LET ANYONE DESPISE YOU.
That last phrase… was it said out of pride? Was it said out of offense? No… it is said in the same manner we have been talking about regarding reproach.
Do not give those who would oppose the truth any ammunition to use against you. As the Spirit of God is working to break the chains of deception in Crete, may the people of God be examples of truth for the people of Crete to see.
Young or old… it doesn’t matter. Slave or CEO… it doesn’t matter. What matters is who you ultimately serve. Is Jesus Christ the master of your life…have you fully aligned your will to His?
Closing
Closing
God’s grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness… and for good reason.
One, ungodliness goes directly against our being an example of Jesus. It sends a very confusing message to an already confused world.
Two, ungodliness leads us away from Jesus. It draws a person back into the life-draining ways of the world.
The key is to STOP making excuses for ungodliness.
If Only I was a bit younger… if only I was a bit older… If only I had more money… If only I had a better title or less stress or more authority.
No matter where you find yourself in life… Jesus is WORTHY of our full devotion. He is WORTHY of all honor and praise.
Choose to honor Him In all you do… no matter what.