Titus 3:6-11

Titus 3:5–6 NKJV

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Meaning Jesus Christ has poured his grace onto all, not because of our works, not because of what we have done, but we because of what he has done.

Why do you think that God sent Jesus to for us even though we fail him so miserably?

Titus 3:8 NKJV

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

according to this verse God expects us to maintain a pattern of good works.

Why would He expect us to do that if our good works do not get us into heaven?

What are good works exactly? (Not good things we do, do not speak in generalities but be specific Ie. being generous in what God has blessed us with)

Paul says that these thins are good and profitable for the Christians, He even says that those who have beleived in God should maintain a pattern of good works.

Lets talk more about these good works.

Do you think that it is important that we tell others about the good works that we do?

We actually are called not to go bragging about the good things that we do.

Matthew 6:3–4 NKJV

But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

So our good works should often be done in sevret.

Not to brag

or even to tell about.

Titus 3:9 KJV 1900

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

So, context emans everythign here.

What do you think this verse means?

To understand this verse we have to understand Crete.

Which we do because we have studied it.

So in Crete, people did not understand how to live as Christians, so there became a naturally large amount of false teaching.

Paul was saying that the Christians should not allow the controversy that these people have prevent them from carrying their agenda, the gospel.

Many people take this verse out of context and say that it means that we should not debate the word.

Some would even say that this verse means that we don’t even approach conversations that may lead to debate.

This si not the truth though. You are called to stand on the truth of the word that you beleive, doing so with grace and love for your fellow Christian of course.

We cannot let the false truth that surrounds us prohibit the growth of the gospel.

Titus 3:10–11 NKJV

Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Do you think you should avoid sinful people?

Maybe

How about if their sin causes division?

What do you think the church should do if someone causes division?

Lets say someone comes into the church and their begins to be a debate in the church over painting the wall

One side wants it beige while the other wants it peach.

This one man has been going back and forth and pinning member against memeber.

Now lets say this isn’t the first time.

Everytime something comes up this man is in the middle, pinning brother and sister against brother and sister.

what should the church do?

The Bible teaches us in Titus that if the man is causing division in the church that the church should reject him

Or in other words, the church should move on from them.

Now generally this would be over false teaching or something more extreme then wall color, however, the church is given the Biblical authority to act in such a way on someone who is causing division.

Is this a truth that you ahve known about before or is this new to you?

Explain to me how this makes you feel, with all of you do you think this sounds fair?

Why or why not?

Paul actually teaches throughout the Bible that the reason the church would act in such discipline is so that these people could one day be redeeemed in the glory of Christ.

Its this theory, if you lie constantly, but you never knew that lying was wrong, would you still do it?

Probably

Part of this reasoning is so that these people ma have time to reflect on their sin, and hopefully move on from it and back to Christ.