Untitled Sermon (22)

So, Titus is the last of Paul’s pastoral epistles. These short books that he wrote to pastors that he left in charge of some of the churches that he planted. And because of that you and I probably need to hear these verses differently today. Why? Because I read this as a pastor; the content that Paul wrote in this letter was directly addressed to a guy like me. A leader- Titus- of a particular church- the church in Crete- at a particular time, 60-70AD.

For me, I read this letter as a personal charge. It should be a governing force in my ministry.

For you, this letter should serve 2 purposes. First, it should influence your expectations of me as your pastor, and any other pastor you are connected to. The second thing it should do is inform you of what things you should be willing to learn and grow in as a follower of Jesus.

So, since today is all about back to school; teaching and learning; I want to focus on some of what the Bible says about teaching and learning in this passage. So, I want to share some things with all of us; then we will look specifically on the verses about men; then at the verses about women; and then wrap it up with some more comments for all of us.

The first word of 2:1- YOU. I can almost envision Paul pointing his finger at me and saying- YOU PASTOR JON- this is paramount. This is the number one thing for me, and it should be your number one expectation of me, or any other pastor that you listen to or interact with- they teach sound doctrine.

Too often Pastors are elevated because of their charisma, their style; or their status- but their theology or their doctrine is way off base. Friends, style, charisma, sermon delivery are worthless if the pastor is not preaching sound doctrine- myself included. Too often pastors are evaluated on if their sermons are entertaining, or if they are funny, if they are a good speaker or not- and man times people never stop to ask if they are true to the Word of God.

I once heard it put this way “"The question is not whether a doctrine is beautiful but whether it is true. When we wish to go to a place, we do not ask whether the road leads through a pretty country, but whether it is the right road."

So, men, let’s chat. There are a few facts that are undeniable in the story of the Bible and one of them is that as the men of the church go, so goes the church. You show me a church of men who are involved in the life of the church; men who are passionate about Christ, involved in discipleship, men who are spiritually healthy and I will show you a healthy church. But, if you show me a church where the men are absent, disengaged or passive and I will show you a church that is likely dysfunctional, or struggling.

So, men, if you want your family, or this church to thrive- it starts with you!

So, what should we be engaged in? What should I be teaching you as pastor and what should you be seeking as a man?

We can break the things Paul encourages into 2 triads. The first is that we should work towards being temperate, respectable, and self-controlled. I can say with certainly that this world needs more men of that kind of character. More men, less boys. Personally, I think half of the reason this country is in such sad shape is because there are too many men running around with teenager’s mentality.

We need less men cussing and fighting; threatening and acting a fool. We need less men who cannot control their sexual desires, their addictions and cravings, and their selfish passions. We need men of integrity.

Brent Towman put it this way:

When I’m at the pizza buffet and I’ve already had more than enough to eat, and I know there’s a good chance another slice will make me miserable for the next 3-4 hours and I eat it anyway .... I lack self control.

When I decide to stay up late and play video games or surf the internet, knowing full well that I have to be up early the next morning and I’ll be so tired I’ll feel sick all day .... I lack self control.

When I procrastinate doing my taxes, leaving myself in a last minute panic to get it done .... I lack self control.

When I spend, spend, spend and never save ... I lack self control.

When I watch 5 hours of TV a day, but spend only a few minutes in Bible study and prayer .... I lack self control.

When I choose the pleasures of sin, enjoying them for a short time ... forfeiting the long term and eternal blessings of living in obedience to Christ, I lack self control.

Self control is the ability to choose wise actions. If we are going to put our hope in heaven, we will need to make wise choices about what we allow into our minds. We can choose the kind of thoughts we think. We can choose the factors that influence our minds. Putting your hope in heaven is a matter of feeding on God’s word, considering God’s truth, allowing thoughts of the eternal to fill your mind. And removing those influences that dull your sensitivity to spiritual things.

I love how the NIV says we should be worthy of respect....

The second triad is sounds in faith, love, and endurance. The image that came into my head was footer posts. When building a structure we set footers on the corner in concrete and the best way that I know of to assure the rest of the project is square, level, and true is to make sure the corners are square, level, and true.

Which means, men, if we want our lives, our homes, our church to thrive and be built as strong as possible then we too need to be engaging the Bible to develop those pillers- faith, love, and endurance.

Now, let me speak to you, women.