The Message of the Kingdom

Titus 2:11–15 ESV

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

A Message of Grace (vv.12-13)

Titus 2:11–12 (ESV)

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

This text addresses the appearing of Christ in two ways. The first we find hear in v.11. It is Christ’s first appearing . Paul explains that the grace God has given is Jesus.

What is grace? The unmerited favor of God. It means to be given something we have not earned or deserve.

John 3:16 points to this grace “16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

When Paul speaks of the Grace of God in this text, he is speaking of the favor of God toward. Paul is speaking of the gift of Jesus. And through his example he taught us how to live.

training us to . . .

renounce ungodliness

renounce worldly passions

live self-controlled

live upright

live godly lives in the present age

The grace of God is not owed to us but it is available. We are undeserving of the grace of God. We have not done anything remarkable to gain it. God gave it.

John Newton describes God’s grace as “Amazing”

“Was Grace that taught my heart to fear And Grace, my fears relieved How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed”

A Message of Hope (vv.13-14)

Titus 2:13-14 “13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

V.13 indicates the second appearing of Christ. Paul now speaks of the second coming of Jesus. This is the message of hope for every believer. This blessed hope Paul speaks of is the expectation of Christ.

That is what this word hope means, “Expectation!” It is not a wish but the expecting and waiting for the return of the Savior.

Why is this important?

Jesus provides for you and I a way into the Kingdom.

Jesus has made it possible for each of us to live in eternity with him.

remember what Paul says in chapter 1? Titus 1: 2 “in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began”

Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ.

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand

Our redemption comes from this hope.

We serve and work for his glory because of this hope.

See as believers we don’t serve because of what we want. We do it because of what we already have. We already have the promise of eternity.

We are his people and God takes care of his people.

ILLUS:

A Message of Authority (v.15)

Titus 2:15 “15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

Paul again encourages Titus to teach the churches the Word of God. He reminds Titus that the responsibility is a serious one.

- Exhort = encourage them

- Rebuke = to scrutinize or examine carefully. It means to expose. Do not let people do what they want to do without truth.

- With all authority - it refers to doing what is commanded in the name of the one who commanded it. In other words Titus must stand on what God says.

This authority is not that you have been left in charge but that you have been charged to reiterate the commands given.

ILLUS: My mama would send a message for one of my siblings to to something by one of us. There was a way the message had to be delivered if we were gonna move.

we could not just say pick up the trash

we had to say, Mama said pick up the trash

The preacher must declare what thus says the Lord!

Thats why the old preachers says, “The Bible Says”