Devoted to Good Works

Build up or Tear Down

In the various aspects of our lives we are rarely if ever a neutral influence. What are the roles that we you and I have?

Roles in Life

Family: Child, Spouse, Parent, Grandparent

Work: Employee, Manager, Boss, Owner

Church: Attendee, Giver, Worker, Disciple-maker

Each role has its place. But in each role we will either build up the whole or be a detriment to the whole.

If a child is disobedient, a spouse selfish, a parent overbearing, a grandparent indulgent, they tear down.

If an employee is lazy, a manager is unfair, a boss is negligent, an owner is greedy, they tear down.

If an attendee is complaisant, a giver is stingy, a worker is complaining, a disciple-maker is distracted, they tear down.

Each one of these has an opposite. Each one has an action that builds.

If a child is obedient, a spouse is servant-hearted, a parent is compassionate, a grandparent is wise, they build up.

If an employee is diligent, a manager is just, a boss is an example, an owner reinvests, they build up.

If an attender is seeking to grow, a giver is overjoyed to share, a worker is filled with purpose, a disciple-maker is pouring into lives, then they build up.

Our choice is always: will we tear down or will we build up?

The focus and theme of Paul’s letter to Titus is to Move the church towards godliness and good works.

These build.

What role do we play in the building up of the church? Let’s look at what Paul has to say to Titus about this.

READ

Titus 3:8–9 ESV

8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

These Things

Look again at verse 8,

Titus 3:8 ESV

8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Twice in Titus 3:8 Paul refers to these things. He says, “insist on these things” and These things are excellent and profitable for people. In other words, these things Build Up! What is he referring to?

Titus 3:1–2 ESV

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

These things, Paul says, are excellent and profitable. Here they are in list form:

Be submissive to rulers and authorities

Be obedient

Be ready for every good work

Speak evil of no one

Avoid quarreling

Be gentle

Show perfect courtesy to all people

Two weeks ago we covered these verses in a sermon title Treat People Well. This morning I want to ask the question,

why are we supposed to do these things?

Paul has already answered. Look again at verse 8

Titus 3:8 ESV

8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

So that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.

So these aren’t the good works, they are the behaviors we maintain so that we can focus on and remain devoted to the good works God has called us to.

If we refuse to submit to God and the authorities he has put in place our lives will be distracted from our primary purpose (remember that we submit in order of highest authority).

If our lives center on tearing down people and arguing with them we will be distracted from our primary purpose.

The goal of this letter to Titus resounds again: Moving the church towards godliness and good works.

It is our commitment to live godly lives that keeps us free to do the good works we are called to.

What are the works we are called to?

Evangelism: Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Encouragement: Hebrews 3:13 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Hebrews 3:13 ESV

13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Disciple-making: Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So we live godly lives so that we are ready to do these things.

Often churches get distracted doing good things without the intention to move on to the Good Works of God.

Our motivation behind all we do must be focused on the kingdom of God and His purposes.

The gospel is not only lived out but it must be proclaimed.

You and I are called to these things. They aren’t optional as a believer. We are to be devoted to them.

As an act of worship we live within God’s purpose for His church and we live it out. Ephesians 2:10 says,

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

What is your job?

You are an evangelist!

You are an encourager!

You are a disciple-maker!

The crazy thing is that God has given this to us as a task, a calling, a command. Why us?

So often we feel uncertain or unqualified for the task.

We are fearful and reluctant.

How do we overcome these obstacles? Only by faith do we overcome and by repetition we grow!

Only by knowing who we are created to be and believing what God has declared can we do the Good Works he has called us to.

This is why the early church prayed for boldness so often.

He has Chosen you on purpose:

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV

9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Philippians 4:13 ESV

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

When we live within God’s kingdom purposes, we are built up and we are joining him in building up his kingdom.

If this is what builds up, then what tears down? Let’s read Titus 3:9.

Titus 3:9 ESV

9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Avoid

Avoid what tears down.

Dodge, run from, steer clear of, have nothing to do with!

Don’t waist your time. These things are unprofitable and worthless.

God wants us to be focused on the work He has called us to. In order to do that we are to live godly lives and to remove the distractions that so easily entangle us.

The goal of these worthless conversations is to pull us away from our true purpose. But we must remain devoted to living godly lives and doing the Good Works of God.

Devotion

Our devotion is determined by our love. This has been man’s greatest struggle since sin entered the world. Instead of loving God with all that we are, we have become lovers of self. So this morning, as followers of Jesus, called by God to do the Good Works of his Kingdom, we must challenge ourselves and deny those things that tear down.

Ask yourself these questions:

What are you devoted to? Where are your blood, sweat, and tears being poured out? What do you give your time and treasure to? What do you love?

Is the Gospel the end goal of all you do or just an uncomfortable side note you carry through life?

Today I want you to throw off the shackles of fear and apprehension. I want you to tear down the lies that hold you back and I want you to build!

I want you to Build Up a new commitment to hold the Good Works of God at the highest place in your life.

I want you to ask yourself if you are living a godly life?

Are you doing the simple things of treating others well and resting in God’s mercy?

Commit today that you will be a part of building God’s church.

What change will you make?

What conversation will you have?

What act of service will you implement?

What person will you go out of your way to encourage and build up?

Who will you witness to?

Who will you train to be a disciple of Jesus?

We have a great purpose and it doesn’t end at being a nice person. We are on mission.

Now let’s go do the good works of God’s kingdom!