Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links on this message.. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.
QUELLING QUARRELS. Titus 3:9-15. 3/19/23. # 11.
Titus 3:9-15
9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second [a]admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. 12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
1. Jewish minutiae
a. The Jews loved to argue minor points of Law
a1. Strained at interpretations & implications, stretching meanings until it breaks & then teaching error
a2. They argued over genealogies & which rabbis had the purest teaching
b. As many Christians follow high profile Christian teachers, Jews followed noted rabbis
a1. 1 Cor. 3 carried into the church
a2. Mt. 23 Pharisees sought ultimate meanings while missing the point (vs.
24: strain at a gnat & swallow a camel)
c. Paul states that arguing over trivial & divisive doctrine & speculation is utterly useless
a1. Much of it is unsolvable by us
a2. Makes no difference in belief & deeds
a3. No one is convinced to change view
d. Futile arguments only engender strife (II Timothy 2:20-26)
e. Truth is not confirmed by forceful disputing
2. Shaking the dust off your shoes
a. There are many cultish bullies peddling error
a1. They lead the weak astray
a2. They heap on self, great condemnation
b. Reject a divisive (Eng. word heretical, faction, to be contrary, to oppose) man
a1. After 2 warnings, remove self from a divisive person
a2. Heretics are not to have a place within the fellowship of believers
c. Even though the heretic does much damage with subtle forays into error, they cannot be overcome by argument or force
a1. Must be dealt with by the Lord
a2. They are motivated by pride & control
d. Paul labels the heretic as “warped”
a1. Perverted, twisted, distorted
a2. Lit., “to turn inside out”
e. Paul calls heretics sinners
a1. Self-condemned – their words & works judge them according to their lies
a2. 2 Tim. 3:15-16 the Scriptures indicate that their errors are obvious to those who know & practice the truth
f. There is no purpose in arguing against those who teach error
a1. Nothing in accomplished by debate
a2. After a couple warnings, walk away
3. Final instructions
a. Paul = going to winter at Nicopolis (W. Greece)
b. After Paul sends Artemis or Tychicus to relieve Titus, he is to join Paul
c. Titus is told to take care of Zenas & Apollos
d. Again, Paul emphasizes to maintain good works to meet urgent needs
Key Verse:
II Timothy 2:20-26 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.