May 18, 2008
Evening Service

Titus 3:7-15

 

Review:

 

Tit 3:1-15  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,  (2)  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.  (3)  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  (4)  But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,  (5)  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  (6)  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;

 

Let’s finish the letter, and chapter, Titus 3.

 

(5)  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  (6)  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;

• How did He save us?  By the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
• This was another scripture I should have added this morning.  1Co 6:9-11  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  (10)  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  (11)  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

(7)  That being justified by his grace,

• GRACE = KINDNESS, AND FAVOR.
• Rom 4:16  Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
• Eph. Says it very well;   Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

• We should be made heirs.  Paul said in the Roman letter:  Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
• HOPE = Rom 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  Rom 8:25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 
• WAITING FOR THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE;  The parables of waiting leap out at us;  occupy till I come;  watch, for you not what hour your Lord doth come;  be faithful to the end, and I will give you a crown of life. 

 (8)  This is a faithful saying,

• That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
• This is a faithful saying.

and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 

• Affirm constantly.  Don’t let them forget this.  Have these sayings always before them lest they forget.
• What things?  That we are saved by, Washing of regeneration;  renewing of the Holy Ghost;  justification by Grace; being heirs of God;  having the hope of eternal life;  maintaining good works.  All these things are good, and profitable for us.  Remember them.

(9)  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 

• Avoid them, don’t get caught up in these types of arguments, and discussions.  They will only lead to hurt feelings.  They are unprofitable, and vain.

(10)  A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject;  (11)  Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 

• HERETIC = 1. A person under any religion, but particularly the Christian, who holds and teaches opinions repugnant to the established faith, or that which is made the standard of orthodoxy. In strictness, among Christians, a person who holds and avows religious opinions contrary to the doctrines of Scripture, the only rule of faith and practice.

2. Any one who maintains erroneous opinions.  AND OF COURSE IN THIS CASE, THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.

• And after the second discussion, or admonition, trying to convince him of the error, REJECT HIM.
• I think Paul said it very clear in 2Th 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
• This is the purpose of excommunication.  Example: 1Co 5:5  To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
• Correction or discipline is not to totally destroy, but to lead one to repentance, and back into fellowship with God.
• AND OF COURSE THE RULE TO JUDGE WITH IS THE WORD OF GOD, OUR BIBLE.

PAUL CONCLUDES THE LETTER:

(12)  When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.  (13)  Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.  (14)  And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.  (15)  All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

 

ORDAIN QUALIFIED OLDER MEN TO LEAD THE CHURCH.

REBUKE FALSE TEACHERS.

SPEAK SOUND DOCTRINE.

MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS.

 

SOUND DOCTRINE FOR THE CHURCH IN ALL AGES.

 

MAY GOD ADD HIS BLESSINGS TO HIS WORD.