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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
These Things
Look again at verse 8,
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?
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
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
Encouragement: Hebrews 3:13 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Disciple-making: Matthew 28:19-20
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,
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:
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.
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.
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