Being Profitable For Kingdom
Instructions/Standards for the church - Titus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 46:45
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Instructions/Standards for the church
Instructions/Standards for the church
Ever buy something that needs to be put together? What comes with it? Instructions, right? Well the church needs instructions too and that is what this series has been about (remember 1Tim3:15). We have our instruction manual the Bible and it needs to be read and applied if you want to put together the church correctly, or to build a healthy church.
Paul instructed Timothy about conduct (1Tim3:15)
15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
Paul gave many instructions to Titus too, may we review briefly.
Set things in order (Tit1:5-9)
Reason things need to be set in order (Tit1:10-16)
Speak, instruct things for sound doctrine (Tit2:1-10)
For you are recipients of God’s abounding Grace (Tit2:11-14)
As recipients, be obedient to authority (Tit3:1-7)
(Transition) this leads us to today for final instructions to the churches in Crete from Paul to Titus, for next week are personal instructions and remembrances. Today we are looking at things that makes us profitable for the kingdom and things we should avoid that would make us unprofitable or useless for the kingdom
So, here are the points:
Things that make you profitable (Tit3:8)
Things that make you unprofitable (Tit3:9-11)
Profitable things
Profitable things
This morning we are drawing close to closing out this series instructions/standards for life as the church. We are going to look at some profitable things, but also things that can render you unfruitful too.
8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.
Any opening thought on this verse?
Now, keeping in mind let’s ask some questions of the scripture.
What is a trustworthy statement being given here?
The things that Paul wants to speak to Titus, but is addressing in the letter
How are these trustworthy things being conveyed to Titus?
By the Epistle, and being done confidently
What are the trustworthy things?
That if you believe in God you should maintain good works
Now may we expand on what is profitable?
This is something Paul wanted to affirm constantly (v.8)
8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
This is something that Paul himself did, while writing to Titus in several places (Tit2:7, 14, 3:1, 14)
Titus be an example!
7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,
Then there is the example of Jesus Himself
14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Zealous for good deeds and ready for every good deed
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,
and instructions for others regarding good works, good deeds
14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.
How can we maintain, engage in good deeds?
Roll of Good deeds/works
What they are not (Eph2:8-9; Tit3:4-7)
We are not saved by them as noted in Eph2:8-9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Or maybe the reminder from last week.
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
We are recipients of God’s grace, that cleanses us, justifies us and makes us heirs.
You were created for them (Eph2:10; Tit2:14)
EPh2:10 “10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
And we read recently in Tit2:14 (no need to read again, but it does apply for a great example for us.
They bring glory to God (Mt5:16; 1Pt2:11-12)
Mt5:16 as many may remember is about letting our light shine and bring glory to Godby doing it, now look at what Peter says.
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
We need to stop for a minute and ask some questions of 1Pt2:11-12.
What are the instructions given in (vv.11-12)?
Abstain
Keep your behavior excellent
Why are the instructions given (vv.11-12)?
Because the fleshly lusts wage war against the soul
That they only thing they can slander you on is your good deeds, and by them you bring glory to God.
They demonstrate our faith (Jm2:14-17)
Have everyone turn to James2.
Jam2:14-15 “14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,”
Jm2:16-17 “16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”
They are good and profitable to men (tit3:8)
8 You can count on this. I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone.
I know recently asked about self-examination when it comes to being recipients of God’s grace, God’s abundant grace and it’s impact. Does it move us to good works? Does good works play a part of our walk with Christ?
Good works we can do
Spiritual
Sharing the grace of God with others (1Pt2:9-10)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Sharing God’s grace, God’s mercy, why? because you are God’s own possession all so proclaim Him!
Encouraging one another (Heb3:12-13)
12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Restoring one another (Gal6:1-2; Jm5:19-20)
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
In looking at (Gal6:1-2) what are we called to do, and how are we to do it?
James say’s it like this.
Jm5:19-20 “19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
Good works that are physical in nature
Jesus did good physical works too (Lk7:22)
22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
He even told the disciples to do the same works, you can look up(Mt10:7-8)
May we turn together and see what we can learn about physical works in (Mt25:34-40)
(Below scriptures are not on the screen, be sure everyone turns there so we can glean from them together)
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
38 ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
What physical things, good works do you see in the (Mt25:34-40) passage?
Hungry, give something to eat
Thirsty, give something to drink
Stranger, invite them in
Naked, clothe them
Prison, come to visit
40 Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
Another way of doing good works, is to use your spiritual gifts for physical service (Rom12:3-8)
Good works are not exclusive to men, you can read about great women of faith who did physical good works too (i.e. Act9:36-39) with Tabitha (Dorcas).
(Transition) So, ask yourself what kind of good works am I doing? Am I doing spiritual or physical good works? For there are other works that are unprofitable whereas what we have already looked at are profitable.
What is unprofitable?
What is unprofitable?
Paul gives words, warnings about things that are not profitable, or are unfruitful to Titus. Things he refers to as “foolish.” Let’s glean together
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,
11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
What sticks out to you in this passage?
Let’s now turn and glean together
What is the instruction given (v.9, 10)?
What is the description given (v.9)
What is the reason given (v.11)?
Now that we have done that, I want to look at the harm of foolish disputes
Harm of foolish disputes
They are divisive (3:10)
Flip back to (3:9-10) screen
They are self condemning(3:11)
Flip back to (3:11) screen
They cause disputes vs. godly edification (1Tim1:3-4)
3 As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
They create envy, strife, reviling (1Tim6:3-5)
3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
In fact they can cause some to stray from the faith (1Tim6:20-21)
20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.
Note down a few more, they can ruin hearers and increase ungodliness (2Tim2:14-16); they can spread like cancer and overthrow faith of some (2Tim2:17-18)
Alternatives, solutions to foolish disputes
Godly edification that produces love (1Tim1:4-6)
5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Wholesome words and doctrine (Tit1:9, 2:1)
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Words of correction given with gentleness, patience and humility (2Tim2:24-26)
Time willing lets turn to the passage
24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
Now just for fun, did a word search in the scripture of profitable things and we want to end on a positive note.
Where all things are lawful, not all things are profitable (1Cor6:12)
Bodily discipline is good, but godliness is profitable for all things (1Tim4:8)
But of course all scripture is profitable (2Tim3:16)
Now the question is are YOU profitable for the kingdom of God? What is holding you back, keeping you from being profitable if the answer was no?
(Pray that we be profitable)