A Better Version Of You

No Longer Slaves

Titus 3:1–8 NLT

1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. 3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. 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.

The Cretan society was very similar to society of today. many were religious in that they practiced some form of spirituality. Not one of complete allegiance to their god’s of choice, but one that would reflect a better life for them personally. So when Paul writes this letter to Titus around AD 63 from Nicopolis he’s demanding Titus to go and put these newly formed churches back on track. They had an understanding of the salvation through Christ Jesus due in part because of Pauls missionary trip to that island. But they’re customs were very Greco-Roman to the 10th degree and plus they were being influenced by bad seed in the churches. Listen to what Polybius a historian from this time period says about the Crete’s and their laws.

Among the Cretans the exact reverse of all these arrangements obtains. The laws allow them to possess as much land as they can get with no limitation whatever. Money is so highly valued among them, that its possession is not only thought to be necessary but in the highest degree creditable. And in fact greed and avarice (Extreme greed for wealth or material gain) are so native to the soil in Crete, that they are the only people in the world among whom no stigma attaches to any sort of gain whatever. Yet while giving utterance to these sentiments, and though they see that, in contrast to this, the Cretans by their ingrained avarice are engaged in countless public and private seditions (Political Revolts) murders and civil wars, they yet regard these facts as not affecting their contention, but are bold enough to speak of the two constitutions as alike. Polybius point was that it was almost “impossible to find personal conduct more treacherous or public policy more unjust then in Crete”.

They were vicious, mercenary’s and soldiers of fortune for money to the highest bidders, they were pirates full of covetousness only filling their own coffers and the young woman were so sexual in nature that marriage wasn’t even a thought in their lives. Just sleeping around. A time period still even for pagans an honorable thing to do. Finally to put the icing on the cake they had a prophet (wise man) Says that all Cretes are liars. He himself being a Crete. Paul cites him in:

Titus 1:10–12 NLT

10 For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. 11 They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. 12 Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.”

Paul who is imprisoned has sent his trusted missionary companion Titus to deal with the craziness going on in Crete. Where Jews were saying that the gentiles couldn’t really be saved until they accepted circumcision and other jewish laws as their own. And they were doing it for the money. So whole Churches (House Churches) were turning away from God! Because of false witnesses to Christ.

So this is the set up for the study tonight.

Be An Example For The Sake Of Christ .

Titus 3:1–2 NLT

1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

Paul wants Titus to remind the ones who are followers of Christ to be faithful in their walk to God by being faithful to those in government rule, not to the point that they put “mans ruling over God’s ruling”, but to the point that it shows who they are as citizens in their society.

This will have tremendous impact on those who are pro ____________ when you say in love, You know I don’t agree with everything ________ says but if God appointed him or her then I will respect the office and the officer.

Romans 13:1 NLT

1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

1 Peter 2:13–14 NLT

13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

We are to remember as followers of Christ, no matter who is in office, we are to have the right attitude and take the right actions, to make society a better place.

This is important because we are not going to always see eye to eye with those in political office, or even those in the office. Our bosses. But do you respect them?

Here is a question for you. Do you respect those in authority now? If so why? If not why? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1 Peter 2:17 NLT

17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.

Dr. Tony Evans said it best; Before you are a Democrat or a Republican, you a Christian.

We are ambassador’s in a world that we no longer belong too.

When you think of what an ambassador does, they go into a foreign country and represent their government at the highest levels. We as believers represent our Lord our King here on this earth at the highest levels. How are you representing our kingdom?

Which brings us to the second point in V.2

Titus 3:2 NLT

2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

This verse which is connected to V.1 is important for so many reasons, but mainly because proof is in the doing. It’s in the action. He moves from “Remind them” to “They must” in other words V.2 is a command this is not optional, this is a mandate. It is expected if you are who you say you are..... So you Crete’s say you are Christ followers. Then good, this is what you must do to prove it!

1. Stop Slandering - Remember they were liars.

2. Stop Quarreling - Remember they loved to argue and fight.

So Paul is telling them to stop being what you use to be. You belong to a new family and your Father now is not like your father before. Well who was their father before? Who was our father before? Look at what John 8:44 says.

John 8:44 NLT

44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Then he gives them the option to choose to be different. Instead of being full of Satan. Be Full of your adopted Father. Be reborn, New!

1. Be Gentle - This is the new you. Grow up!

2. Be Truly Humble - Look like Christ to Everyone.

Colossians 3:10–14 NLT

10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Are you clothed in love like Christ our Lord, or are you quarrelsome like Satan?

Be honest with yourself on a scale of 1-10 how much are you clothed in the love of Christ. ______. What can you do to improve.

Christ Becomes The Example For Our Sakes.

Titus 3:3–8 NLT

3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. 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.

V.3 Paul gives Titus a quick reminder of what they use to be like too. So that Titus can look on them with compassion. How often do we look down on those not walking with Christ and say how we are better then them. We don’t have to open our mouths to say anything, we do it through our actions.

The world around us is dying spiritually and physically which means they’re dying again spiritually only this time eternally! He reminds Titus how this is so.

May I remind you of how we were once foolish and disobedient too. Misled and slaves too many lust, desires and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy and we hated each other, because of our color of skin, political affiliation, theological differences just to name a few. we looked nothing like our heavenly Father, but much like our father here on earth.

So much so that look at what Ephesians says:

Ephesians 2:1–6 NLT

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

Now Paul goes into what some scholars and theologians believe is a poem or creedal confession of that time, that many would’ve known. It is this beautiful display of God’s love and grace for us.

Titus 3:4–7 NLT

4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

Now I want to read it in the TPT form it’s close to the original language. To really help paint the image Paul was displaying.

Titus 3:4–7 TPT

4 When the extraordinary compassion of God our Savior and his overpowering love suddenly appeared in person, as the brightness of a dawning day, 5 he came to save us. Not because of any virtuous deed that we have done but only because of his extravagant mercy. 6 He saved us, resurrecting us through the washing of rebirth. We are made completely new by the Holy Spirit, whom he splashed over us richly by Jesus, the Messiah, our Life Giver. 7 So as a gift of his love, and since we are faultless— innocent before his face— we can now become heirs of all things, all because of an overflowing hope of eternal life.

Now as a Cretan this would’ve resinated with them. Again, being religious would have jumped out at them as this was read to them.

This would have encouraged and charged them on so many levels and Paul knew this. He was very intelligent and used all his understanding to convey this message to the Cretan Churches.

Listen to all the adjectives Paul uses to drive home one point.

Jesus saves us, this I know, for this Creed tells me so.

Remember they didn’t have the Bible like we do today. And these are gentiles who would’ve knew very little and could care less about the Hebrew text. Paul needed to reach them with what they knew.

These were people who are the creators of demigod’s, these people were olympians! They only knew over the top exuberance! Sound familiar?

When you have it all and are set on looking at things through your culture only, you can only be reached by your culture only.

Titus 2:11–12 NLT

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,

What is the grace of God? His loving kindness and favor. But more importantly what’s been revealed Christ.

We are given clear instruction from the word of God to turn from our wicked ways and live a life in this evil world with

1. Wisdom - Fearing God (Reverence, Awe)

2. Righteousness - (Living holy before a Holy God, we say we serve).

3. Devotion to God - (Prayer, Meditation and studying God’s Word to us)

Proverbs 9:10 NLT

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

All of this leads to a new You. A better version then before.

Titus 3:8 NLT

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.

Paul points out again too Titus to remind them that all he is saying is truth and not lies. This not some made up stuff to try and he insist that Titus teaches them truth, because if you say you are a new person in Christ Jesus then you must live and act like it. Not just talk like it.

And to prove that it is good, Paul says that they are good and beneficial for everyone. Including you Cretans who have been despised by so many and even the ones who have not come to know the Lord.

Listen these teachings are so good, trustworthy, encouraging and blessed of God for those of us who have been despised by so many and even those who don’t know the Lord yet. Amen.

Let us not grow weak and tired in doing what is good and right, let us not give up and get discouraged in doing what is good and right, let us continue to run this race to finish it, so that in the end of that we have hoped for, all that we have put our faith in will come to pass on that glorious day.

Let start today make better versions of ourselves. Amen!

Let’s Pray.