Author Archives: John Sanzone

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ABUNDANT GRACE. Titus 3:4-7. 3/5/2023. #9.

⁴ But when the kindness and the 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 renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1. Love appears

                a. God has always loved mankind as both his creation and as being made in his image (Gen. 1:26-28)

                b. The physical manifestation (“epiphany”) of God’s love came in the incarnation of Jesus Christ

                                a1. The sudden, though predicted, appearing of the Son of God brought God’s love and generosity into the light

                                a2. Man was the directed object and beneficiary of that love

                c. The Lord’s appearing was apart from any motive or works done by man

2. God so loved the world…

                a. The motivation of God is in his character

                                a1. God exercised mercy (to take pity or to have compassion) on our behalf

                                a2. Mercy was not based upon our worthiness, seeking God, or hidden potential

                b. God showed abundant (“plentiful” or “overflowing”) grace upon us

                                a1. The incarnation and sacrifice of Christ was of an abundance of grace that was greater than our sin (Rom. 6)

                                a2. Even though our sins are great, God’s love and mercy are far greater still

3. Washed and renewed

                a. God applied his grace via the work of the Holy Spirit

                b. Jesus paid the penalty of sin and the Spirit applied the payment to regenerate us

                c. The washing of regeneration

                                a1. 2 interpretations of “washing”

                                                b1. Literal = regenerated through the mode of water baptism (an early church misunderstanding and heresy)

                                                b2. Metaphorical = the Spirit spiritually washes us with Christ’s full payment so that we are made spiritually clean and then regenerated (made alive) eternally (from eternal death to life)

                                a2. 3 reasons why “washing” is figurative and not literal:

                                                b1. The washing is “of the Holy Spirit” and not “of water”

                                                b2. Applying water or any other act cannot save man, just like animal offerings couldn’t save man (Hebrews 10)

                                                b3. Ephesians 2, Romans 6, Romans 10 all other references of salvation refer to grace and faith apart from water baptism (even Mark 16 taken rightly)

                d. The washing of the renewing of believers

                                a1. The Spirit not only regenerates us, but he also renews (“new again”)

                                a2. Renewal is an ongoing process of spiritual growth (Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 5:18, II Peter 3:18)

                                a3. Ephesians 1:13-14 the Spirit’s work doesn’t stop in a believer at salvation

                c. James 2 spiritual growth should be the natural result of spiritual renewal

                                a1. By being justified (declared to be righteous) we need to live righteously

                                a2. The Spirit prepares us for living with God eternally (Romans 8:12-17)

                d. Those who are not renewed daily indicate that they my not be saved – as with many false saints (I John 5)

                e. Even though it is the Spirit’s job to renew us, we must yield to the Spirit to be renewed (Ephesians 5:18)

Key verse:  Romans 8:12-17¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

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A MODEL CITIZEN. Titus 3:1-3. 02/26/2023. #8

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ³ For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

1. Obedience to rulers and government officials

                a. Paul had more difficult with hostile governments than almost any man who ever lived (II Corinthians 11)

                b. Yet, Paul emphasized submission to authority

                                a1. Romans 13:1-7 government is God-ordained for the protection of its citizens

                                a2. Even when the known world was conquered by Rome, men were to submit to that authority (God used Rome to spread Gospel)

                                a3. Matthew 22:17-22 Jesus said to render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar

                                a4. Acts 23:5 Paul rebuked himself for “speaking evil of the Lord’s anointed”

                c. God has given us 4 basic authorities:

                                a1. Family (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-4)

                                a2. God (via church) – Hebrews 13:7, 17, I Timothy 3

                                a3. Government (Romans 13)

                                a4. Employer or master (Ephesians 6:5)

                d. We are to obey the government’s laws, pay taxes, and show due respect for authorities

                                a1. Even if a government is corrupt, they must be respected and obeyed as authorities

                                a2. Daniel 2:20-21 no authority holds office without the allowance of God to do so

2. The exception clause

                a. John 19 Jesus submitted to the judgment of the High Priest and Pilate, but not to their demands (disobeyed command to agree that he was not God)

                b. Acts 5, Peter and John refused to stop preaching about Christ at orders of the Sanhedrin

                c. God is the authority above all authorities and must be obeyed first when there is a conflict between them

                                a1. This is the reason for persecution and martyrdom (hatred of God)

                                a2. John 3:19 men, like Satan, hate the light

                d. There is often a high price to pay to serve God (1 Peter 4)

3. Respectful noncompliance

                a. Paul states that when we serve God through disobeying unrighteous dictates of officials, we still

                     must remain humble and respectful

                                a1. This is a difficult challenge

                                a2. Our flesh wants to strike back against our abusers and blasphemers of God

                                a3. It is the kind, gracious, loving response that provides a testimony of God’s grace and love

                b. It is hard not to speak evil of evil men (to mock, ridicule, and disparage them)

                                a1. Matthew 23 Jesus in his authority pronounced judgment on the Pharisees

                                a2. Peter and Jude warned of false evil teachers

                c. In their condemning of evil men, Jesus, Paul, Jude, and Peter did not profane the names of who they condemned (they focused on their actions and motivations)

                                a1. They were not gossips or vindictive

                                a2. Only when severe rebuke was necessary did they use terms like “you serpents”, “you whited tombs”, “that old fox”, …

                                a3. They did not respond in kind to their persecutors

                d. Paul states that we are not to fight them (a macho, Spanish word macho, machismo = an aggressive

                     viral male)

                                a1. As Christ and apostles submitted, so are we

                                a2. Can defend self from attack, but not law

                e. We are to remain meek even before tormentor

                f. Matthew 5:45 love those who hate and abuse you

Key verse: Romans 13:1-7

¹ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

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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

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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.

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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.

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