Feb 19, 2023. Titus 2:11-15

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LIVING IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY. Titus 2:11-15. 02/19/2023. #7

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Key verse:  II Peter 3:10-18

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

1. The glorious appearance

                a. Paul tells Titus that the grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all men

                                a1. Obviously, Jesus did not appear to all

                                a2. God’s grace is evident throughout the earth

                b. God’s grace is abundantly evident

                                a1. Ps. 19, Rom. 1, Mt. 5:45 God provides the goodness of the bounty of the earth for all

                                a2. God sends sun and ran and air and seed…

                c. God’s grace (Charis; Eng. word charity) is fully on display in his creation

                d. God has also made manifest (Epiphanes; Eng. Word epiphany – a revealing by light, shining) salvation through Jesus Christ

                                a1. First revealed to Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and Magi at his birth

                                a2. Later revealed to his disciples and then many people throughout his ministry

                                a3. Revealed by testimony and miracles by the disciples of Christ

                                a4. Now made manifest through the Word of God and the testimony of his children

                e. 2 PT. 3:10-18 since the grace of God is demonstrated abundantly via the ministry of Jesus, we are obligated to submit to him and live worthy lives

2. A path less traveled

                a. Sanctification is a result of salvation

                                a1. The Lord taught not only about faith, but about faithful living

                                a2. Jm. 2 if coming to Christ produces no positive change in a life, perhaps there

                                       was not a genuine conversion to Christ

                b. Paul lists several traits of the faithful believer:

                                a1. Rejects ungodliness (impiety, irreverence) – a man can’t love God and be ungodly (1 Jn. 4)

                                a2. Rejects worldly lusts (longings of flesh that typifies a fallen world

                                a3. Live soberly (sensibly, rationally), righteously (doing what is right and just), and godly (devoutly well) – both integrity and grace

3. Living in the light of eternity

                a. We should live in the present age in preparation of the coming of the glorious age of the kingdom

                                a1. The hope of eternal life and glory should motivate godly living in the present

                                a2. The glorious anticipation of Christ’s reappearing should overshadow all other concerns of trials and challenges

                b. Jesus not only paid for sin, but redeemed us from committing lawless deeds (empowered to be holy)

                c. Jesus redeemed because God wanted a special (exclusively dedicated) for himself

                                a1. A pure (holy, cleansed) people

                                a2. Dedicated to doing good works (the works of God: witness, charity, mentoring…)

                d. Titus was to approach his witness from 3 angles:

                                a1. Teach the truths of God

                                a2. Exhort (admonish, parakaleo – to come alongside to counsel and guide) or persuade men to come to faith and live holy lives

                                a3. Rebuke (reprove, refute) those who resist and mock the faith

                e. As with Timothy, Paul instructs that Titus allow no man to hinder his authority or despise his youth

                                a1. Our authority is in the World of God

                                a2. We are commissioned by God to witness

Feb 12, 2023. Titus 2:9-10

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BLOOM WHERE YOU SPROUT. Titus 2:9-10. 02/12/2023. #6.

9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

1. Roman reality

                a. 1/3rd of the Roman Empire were slaves

                                a1. The Gospel took strong root among the slave population

                                a2. Coming to Christ did not change their status as slaves

                b. Often, a Christian slave would be owned by a

                     Christian master

                                a1. This was inconsistent with faith, but it occurred frequently

                                a2. Just as Joseph was enslaved to Potiphar, many believers were also in bondage

2. Better and not bitter

                a. Paul urges the slave not to be bitter about their bondage, but use it as a means of testimony

                                a1. 2 Kn. 5 Naaman’s Israelite slave girl pointed Naaman to Elisha for healing

                                a2. A slave pulled Jeremiah out of the cistern and one found a wife for Isaac

                b. 1 COR. 7:17-24 – Paul stated that it didn’t matter what our earthly state is (bond/free, rich/

                     poor, strong/weak, sound/infirmed…)

                                a1. These are temporary situations that will have no bearing on eternity

                                a2. To spend time fretting over our earthly situation lacks faith, fortitude, and obedience to out calling

                c. Instead fretting over earthly conditions, be a testimony where you are (God uniquely places you in path of people others do not have)

3. Principles of longsuffering

                a. There was a tendency for slaves to shirk the responsibilities given to them, steal, badmouth their masters, and undermine the master’s interests

                                a1. A bitterness of being enslaved

                                a2. Dwelling on injustice and hurt of a situation is natural to one victimized

                b. Paul called upon slaves to be obedient to masters

                                a1. This is counterintuitive to our nature

                                a2. No one in a position not of their own making is there by accident (God has a purpose)

                                a3. Paul urges the slave to be the best slave possible (honest, cheerful, faithful, helpful, obedient, responsive, and loyal)

                                a4. The Lord wants to use us where we are and he will move us if and when he chooses to

                c. Principles of circumstances:

                                a1. 1 Cor. 10:13 as with Moses, Daniel, and Nehemiah, God ordains our condition

                                a2. Rom. 8:28 an obedient believer will be used of the Lord to bring good out of bad situations

                                a3. 1 Pt. 4 many great saints have suffered abuse, infirmities, and severe trials

                                a4. Instead of seeking to escape a situation that is inescapable, seek how God can use you as a testimony in the situation

                                a5. It is the joyful saint under pressure that produces the greatest testimony of faith

                d. A bad boss, poor health, great loss, reversal of fortunes, or sore disappointments are tests of our faith and commitment

                                a1. Job was sorely tested, but not crushed

                                a2. Joseph became the best slave and then prisoner, even though he was innocent

                e. We must ask how we could be used of the Lord in a trial, rather than why we have the trial

                                a1. If we can’t solve or escape, we must cope

                                a2. Given a cross to bear, bear it well

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

Feb 5, 2023, Titus 2:6-8

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MEN OF GOD. Titus 2:6-8. 02/05/23. # 5.

6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

1. Young men in a church = key role in spiritual vitality of the church

                a. Young men are the providers of their homes and the main supporters of the church

                                a1. Unlike calling on mature women to mentor young women, Paul speaks directly to the young men

                                a2. II Timothy 2:1-10 Timothy was instructed to teach faithful so they may mentor others

                b. Whereas the older men are leaders, the younger men are the central figures in doing the work of the church (evangelism, teaching, leading, administering, finances, etc.)

2. The qualities exhibited by godly young men

                a. Paul tells Titus to exhort (parakalei, to call out) young men (urge, admonish, beseech…) to exemplify Christ in their walk

                                a1. Believers need to be models of holiness and integrity

                                a2. Must be aware always of testimony

                b. The qualities of a young man are similar to those of leaders, older men, and women:

                                a1. Sober-minded (lit., “save the mind”) – reasonable, sound in judgment, sensible, and clear-minded (the quality of clear thinking and wisdom)

                                                b1. Many young men are foolish

                                                b2. It does not take advanced age to have common sense and restraint

                                a2. To be an example or pattern of good works (pattern, tupon, means to strike an impression or make an imprint) – to set an image as to what should be done (good works = wholesome acts)

                                a3. Teaching integrity (by example, acts, and words, being undefiled of mind, spirit, intent, attitude, that others might safely learn and follow your example) – integrity literally means uncorrupted

                                a4. Reverent – lit., dignified, serious, wholesome, honest, and decent

                                a5. Incorruptible – lit., without guile, deceit, or impurity (sincere)

                                a6. Sound speech which cannot be blamed – lit., healthy talk that cannot be criticized or spoken against (no one can lay a charge against you for gossip, wrath, slander, profanity…)

3. Integrity that stands examination

                a. Our purity should be such that no legitimate accusation can be made against us

                                a1. Jezebel paid lewd men to lie about Naboth to have him killed and land stolen

                                a2. Enemies used false testimony to charge Jesus with a crime

                                a3. Festus and Agrippa could find nothing wrong to indict Paul

                b. Our words, honesty, acts, motivations, andresponses in trials should be above reproach

                c. I Peter 4:12-19 no matter what trials or circumstances, the man of God is faithful and holy

                d. Leaders, men, and women are to be righteous

Key verse: 2 Timothy 2:1-10

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Jan 29, 2023. Titus 2:1-5

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THE MEN & WOMEN OF GOD. Titus 2:1-5. 01/29/2023. #4.

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

1. The preacher’s task

                a. Just like with Timothy, Titus is told to teach sound doctrine (lit., healthy teaching)

                b. 3 levels of sound doctrine: what is true about God, what to believe, and how to act

                c. Receiving good doctrine should produce both moral and worthy behavior

                d. Without application, teaching is a hollow academic exercise of little value (James 2)

2. The older men

                a. Older men = mature (not just elderly, but beyond youth and inexperience)

                b. Mature believers are to lead the way for younger ones, as examples, guides, and mentors

                c. 3 unbiblical patterns in the modern church:

                                a1. Emphasis on youth and new ideas

                                a2. Emphasis on classes, seminars, and celebrity Christians

                                a3. De-emphasis on experience and mentors

                d. The list of qualities for the mature men is daunting:

                                a1. Sober = temperate in all things (not only by not being drunk, but by vigilance and wisdom)

                                a2. Reverent = honorable, respectable (a believer should have a reputation for decency)

                                a3. Temperate = rational, sensible, reasonable

                                a4. Sound of faith = spiritually healthy belief and trust

                                a5. Love = self-sacrificing grace and charity

                                a6. Patience = “to remain under” (not quick to take offense or be frustration)

                e. These qualities are not just leadership traits, but for all believers

3. Godly women

                a. Addresses the older women (mature)

                b. The different traits for the women speak to the different types of temptations and challenges between the genders

                c. List of traits are similar to deacons in a sense:

                                a1. Reverent behavior = a holy demeanor or character (not profane or irreverent)

                                a2. Not slanderers = from diaboulus (diabolical; the “devil” comes from this word) = to malign, gossip, impugn (the temptation to gossip and ruin other people’s reputation is a function of sinful pride and jealousy)

                                a3. Not a drunkard

                                a4. Teachers of good things (there is a mentoring obligation of mature believers to teach younger ones in the faith)

                d. Notice the mentoring requirement of mature women to teach younger ones and for it to be heeded

                                a1. Teach to love their husbands (phileo – to have affection for husbands and not be bitter)

                                a2. To have affection for their children (not allow frustration to block fondness)

                e. Teach young women to be discreet (temperate, self-controlled), chaste (pure, sexually clean)

                f. To be keepers of the home = this does not mean that women cannot work outside the home, for the Proverbs 31 woman did so, but it means her main responsibility is running the household

                g. Goodness, and obedience to husband (submitting to his authority and leadership as unto Lord – Ephesians 5)

                h. Maintain a godly testimony and teach younger women to do the same (GAL. 5:16-26)

Key verse: Galatians 5:16-26

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Jan 22, 2023. Titus 1:15-16

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MANGLED MEN. Titus 1:15-16. 01/22/2023. #3.

15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

1. The pure and the impure

                a. Paul states a great principle that leads to understanding without total comprehension

                                a1. Believers see no reason why there are those who hate for the sake of hating, kill for the thrill of killing, or wrathful without cause

                                a2. There are people who are angry as a principle, bitter as a way of life, and mean for meanness sake

                b. Hatred, abuse, and callousness are conditions of a fallen world with no reason, objective, or explanation

                c. To the pure all things are pure

                                a1. “Pure” = our word catharsis (cleansing)

                                a2. To believers, everything has a righteous purpose and will bring God glory

                d. Even the wicked are storing up judgment for themselves through which God’s holiness is manifested

                e. Only the believer can wonder at God’s vast creation, marvel at his varied imagination, rejoice at his beneficent provisions, and awe at his grace to us

                f. What the believer finds marvelous, the unbeliever finds mundane and ordinary (ex., flight)

                g. To the defiled (stained, polluted, despoiled), every this is defiled (food, relationships, creation…)

                                a1. Nothing is sacred to the haters of God

                                a2. Atheists and hedonists mock the holy, defile the sacred, and hate the righteous

2. The fabric of folly

                a. Paul states that even the minds and consciences of unbelievers are defiled

                                a1. There is no logic in the hatred of God

                                a2. Hatred of the one who creates and saves men is self-destroying and irrational

                b. God gave men minds in which to reason

                                a1. There is no scenario whereby hating God is reasonable

                                a2. They train their minds to love evil (John 3:19) and hate that which is good (Jude)

                c. 4 conditions of conscience

                                a1. THE GOOD CONSCIENCE – knows what is right and wrong (1 Peter 3:15-21)

                                a2. THE SEARED CONSCIENCE – a conscience damaged by continual sin (II Samuel 12)

                                a3. THE DULL CONSCIENCE – a cons. that is no longer responsive to the warnings and promptings of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:18)

                                a4. THE EVIL CONSCIENCE – a cons. that is at ease in doing evil, but uneasy about doing what is right (Is. 5:20)

                d. The defiled conscience is an evil cons.

                e. Ironically, these profess to know God

                                a1. Radical Jews who claim to be close to God (as Paul did as a persecutor of church)

                                a2. Many cults, radical Muslims, radical Hindus, and others murder in the name of God

                f. The most dangerous men are radical religionists

3. Disallowed

                a. Paul describes the defiled unbeliever with 3 terms:

                                a1. Denies God (rejects God) – they invent idols of their own design (Romans 1:18-25)

                                a2. Abominable (detestable, disgraceful) –  do all manner of evil works

                                a3. Disobedient (refusing to submit) – they reject godly ways and refuse to obey God

                b. These are disqualified (disallowed)

                                a1. To invent a different God than the one of the Bible is not to worship God at all

                                a2. No one can enter heaven on his own terms

                c. The world is full of dishonorable rebels

Key verse: Romans 1:18-25

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.