January 18, 2015
Morning Service

This book is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to Titus, whom he had left in Crete, giving instructions on how to “set in order the things that are lacking.”  Over these hundreds of years God has preserved this letter and through the Holy Spirit’s wisdom it still is relevant to His church here in Mitchell IN.  Paul has emphasized the importance of establishing the correct leadership and teaching sound doctrine.  This sound doctrine includes instructions for each of us to follow in our everyday lives.  In verse 15 of chapter 2, Paul gave this charge to Titus and to the church leadership of today:

Tit 2:15 Speak these things, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

·         It is the responsibility of the leadership of the church to teach, encourage and hold you accountable for following this sound doctrine.  He continues to expound upon this as we begin chapter 3.

 

Tit 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to every good work,

·         Good sound doctrine for Christians is to be good citizens.  We are to obey the rule (government) God has placed in over us.   Paul told the Roman church the same thing and gave a reason why.

 Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but of God; the authorities that exist are ordained by God.

·         It is God who ordains the governments of this world and we are to be subject to them as an act of obedience to Him. Obey the laws, pay your taxes, and be ready to help with any good work.  We are to be active members of our society. 

·         We may not be able to change the direction this world is going, but we are to be a light along the way influencing all the people we can.  The “Great Commission” (Matt. 28:19) instruct us to “Go and make disciples.”

 

Remind them:

Tit 3:2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

·         Our words are not to be harmful and our attitudes are to be ones of peace, gentleness, and humility.  This is a constant battle some of us fight.  Our flesh cries out to speak back sharply or put someone in their place, but we must be in control of ourselves and allow ourselves to be “led by the Spirit.”

 

Tit 3:3-7 For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, slaving for various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.  (4)  But when 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, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  (6)  whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  (7)  that being justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

·         This is an excellent summary of the gospel message.  We are all sinners living only for ourselves without hope of attaining a relationship with God or of ever being worthy of heaven.  BUT through the kindness and love of God, according to His mercy, He washed us of our sins by the Holy Spirit through Jesus.

·         The result is we became heirs of eternal life (children of God) through His grace, NOT of our works.

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast.

·         We could never “earn” our salvation.  We could never live a life that was “good enough” to deserve an eternal home in heaven.  That does not mean, however, that we can go our own way and do whatever we want.  Listen to this:

 

Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things, I want you to affirm constantly that those believing God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

·         It is not to “earn” our salvation that we are now maintaining good works, but it is “because” our salvation that we want to do them.  In the parable of the sower, the seed that fell on good soil produced fruit.  It did not just stand status quo, but grew and flourished.

·         Our journey of walking with our Savior will be one full of works that are done out of love not duty.  I “get to do this” not “I have to do this.”  When we give God our whole heart and follow Him our feelings of guilt and debt are replaced with one of love.  As we surrender to Him, these works will not take great effort, but will flow freely from our heart that belongs to Him.  It becomes like breathing, we naturally do it without even thinking.  Surrendering is the key.  Love never fails!

 

Tit 3:9-11 But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions, and strivings about the Law, for they are unprofitable and vain.  (10)  After the first and second warning, reject a man of heresy, (11) knowing that he who is such has been perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.

·         We are advised to not get caught up in trivial arguments or discussions on hypothetical situations.  It is many times these types of disagreements that steer people away from religion.  Know the foundations of your faith and state them clearly when asked, but do not get pulled into any arguments where your temper could flair and more harm will be done than good.  Follow James 1:19.  

 

Tit 3:12-15 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, hasten to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.  (13)  Diligently set forward Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, that nothing may be lacking to them.  (14)  And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, so that they may not be unfruitful.  (15)  All those with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. May grace be with you all. Amen.

·         Our lives are to be full of the fruits of the Spirit.  We are to obey anyone who is placed in authority over us and give them our best effort on all they ask us to do.  Our words and attitudes are to always to be held in check.  We should be seeking to live a life that truly reflects that we have given our hearts to Jesus. 

Lord, let Your love shine through me to this dark world.