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.

Jan 15, 2023. Titus 1:10-14

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CONTENTIOUS WITNESS. Titus 1:10-14. 01/15/2023. #02.

10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

1. Battle for the Gospel

                a. What Paul says here seems to contrast with what he told Timothy about a gentle witness

                b. The gracious humble witness is the norm, but there are times that a stronger witness is necessary against evil men trying to destroy the Gospel witness

                c. 3 basic recipients of the Gospel witness:

                                a1. The SEEKER – one who is honestly open to truth and wants to know what is right

                                a2. The SKEPTIC – one who either has his own belief system and in not likely to change or is doubtful that anyone can know the truth with certainty

                                a3. The SCORNER – adamantly opposed to the Gospel (mocks, opposes, and attacks)

                d. Normally, one backs away from the scorner and moves on to others

                                a1. If the scorner seeks to destroy a witness then confrontation is often necessary

                                a2. The battle for the Gospel is often contentious against the destroyer

                e. To the SEEKER we CONVINCE; to the SKEPTIC we CALCULATE (using evidence); to the SCORNER we CONTEND

2. Battling radical Jews

                a. The main opposition were radical Jews

                                a1. Paul admonishes Titus to stand firm against the angst of these Jews

                                a2. A difficult assignment for a Gentile convert

                b. 3 typical types of antagonists:

                                a1. The RADICAL RELIGIOUSIST – promoting his religion by seeking to destroy all other viewpoints (may be a philosophy like humanism or hedonism being promoted)

                                a2. The PRIDEFUL EGOTIST – this is the know-it-all self-promoting man who thinks that is intellect and ideas are the sum of wisdom

                                a3. THE HATEFUL ATHEIST – a man full of evil, disdain, hatred, violence, and loathing of God

                c. Jesus battled the Pharisees (Matthew 23), who should have known better and Paul battled the High Priest, as well as cast out a pestering demon in Philippi

                d. Paul describes these Jews as insubordinate (refusing to submit to God, “refusing to be put under”), vain talkers (empty speakers, words without meaning), and deceivers (beguilers, liars, crafty frauds)

3. To bring to an end

                a. Paul states that these deceivers must be stopped (shut their mouths) – must be Spirit led to do this

                                a1. They subvert families, teaching lies and perversions to gain a following

                                a2. Their motivation =  gain $ from scamming

                b. Paul states that the Cretans were typically liars, evil, lazy, and gluttonous as one of their prophets said

                                a1. They were quick to believe Jewish fables and myths that leads away from the truth

                                a2. Today, the cults teach superstitions, fables and stories of fake miracles, legends, folklore, spirit world powers, and special charms

                c. All superstitious idolatry is evil and of the devil

                d. Titus is told to rebuke them sharply

                                a1. Ephesians 5:5-14 – there is a responsibility of believers to expose and oppose evil

                                a2. Battling evil is rescuing tricked victims

                e. A gentle witness is best, but contending for faith is at times necessary to save the weak (Ephesians 6)

Key Verse: Ephesians 5:5-14

5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”

Jan 8, 2023. Titus 1:1-9

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GODLY ELDERS. Titus 1:1-9. 01/08/2023. #1.

1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and [a]the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. 5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of [b]dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a [c]bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

1. Titus, faithful servant of the Lord

                a. Titus = not mentioned in Acts, but thirteen times in the New Testament

                b. Apparently, Titus worked with Paul in Ephesus

                c. A faithful worker and the example that Paul used of an uncircumcised Gentile Christian (Galatians 2)

                d. Titus was used on several missions: he went with Paul to Jerusalem for the Council (Galatians 2), to Corinth to correct error (I Corinthians 2), to Dalmatia (II Timothy 4:10) and to Crete

                e. “My son in the faith” probably refers to the fact that Paul had led Titus to faith in Antioch

                f. Paul had worked briefly with Titus in Crete and then left Titus there to organize the churches

2. Paul’s calling card

                a. Paul identifies himself with three terms:

                                a1. A bondservant (slave) of God => committed to obey God in all things

                                a2. An Apostle of Jesus Christ => one sent to share the Gospel of Christ, to draw all men to the Savior

                                a3. A preacher of the Word of God => committed to him for evangelism and discipleship

                b. Paul spends extra time to define his role

                                a1. His apostleship is according to faith in common with all the elect (chosen) of God

                                a2. For the purpose of godliness

                c. Faith has a purpose

                                a1. Hope of eternal life (reward of faith)

                                a2. Since God can’t lie, the hope is real

                                a3. Truth of election predates creation

3. Titus’s task

                a. Titus was to appoint elders to direct the churches

                                a1. Not an enviable task since the churches were knew and Cretans were often lazy

                                a2. The standard for eldership is very high

                b. An elder’s family must be in order

                                a1. Husband of one wife

                                                b1. Romans 7:1-4 married for life

                                                b2. Not “one wife at a time”

                                a2. Faithful children (believing children, following the Lord) – I Timothy 3:1-7

                c. An elder must be moral

                                a1. Blameless (lit., “not called against”) = someone unable to be accused of wrong doing or evil intent

                                a2. Not a drunkard or addicted to alcohol

                                a3. Not rebellious or insubordinate to God or legitimate authority

                                a4. A good steward (household manager) of God (doing all things for his glory and will)

                                a5. Not self-willed (prideful stubborn)

                                                b1. A prideful dominating man is not elder material

                                                b2. Not insisting on his own way

                                a6. Not quick-tempered (wrathful)

                                a7. Not a violent man (a brawler)

                                a8. Not greedy or covetousness

                                                b1. Not seeking ill-gotten gain

                                                b2. Not a lover of money

                d. An elder must be a good example: hospitable to all people, loving goodness, prudent (living wisely and properly), just (doing right), holy (set apart from sin and world unto God), holding onto Words of faith

                e. Task: to able to teach believers and defend the faith

Key Verse: 1 Timothy 3:1-71 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Jan 1, 2023. II Timothy 4:17-21

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II Timothy 4:17-22 (New King James Version)

17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. 21 Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Dec 25, 2022. Christmas 2022, John 17:1-5

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MORE THAN A BABY. John 17:1-5. 12/25/2022. CHRISTMAS.

1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

1. A peasant’s birth

                a. The Lord of the universe entered the world in incarnate form in the lowliest of fashions

                                a1. Born to a peasant girl

                                a2. Born away from home in a stable

                                a3. No family was present to aid Mary

                                a4. God had to provide a witness

                b. Jesus had no biological father

                                a1. Joseph was a carpenter from Nazareth in Galilee (a minor town on a trade route)

                                a2. Before Jesus is 30, Joseph passes away

                                a3. Jesus had 4 half-brothers and at least 2 sisters

2. A walk of obscure distinction

                a. Isaiah 53:2 Jesus had no outstanding physical features (not handsome like Absalom, strong like Samson, famous like David, or acclaimed like Solomon)

                b. John 2 he did not reveal his nature until age 30

                c. Through numerous miracles and much amazing teaching, he gained a following and powerful enemies

3. Gloria

                a. What was hidden was his eternal glory as the creator and master of the universe (kenosis – emptying out)

                b. All who saw him did not realize who he was

                                a1. All authority had been given to him (Matthew 28)

                                a2. Before his Incarnation he shared glory with his father, God

                c. No one knew that after he finished his task, he would glorify father who would glorify him

                d. No one knew that the savior was the almighty God

                                a1. Colossians 1:13-20 Jesus is the creator of all things and sustains everything

                                a2. He appeared before Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Gideon, and Manoah

                e. All that he is was hidden behind a veil of human flesh (no light, emanating power, or thunder)

                f. In 3 short years of ministry he gave hints of his ID

                                a1. He healed the lame and leper, made the blind to see, and raised the dead

                                a2. He cast out demons and silenced evil spirits

                                a3. He spoke words no man had ever said

                                a4. He turned water into wine and multiplied fish and loaves of bread

                                a5. He calmed a raging storm with the wave of his hand and by his command

                                a6. He revealed what was in the hearts of men

                                a7. He predicted the future

                g. None of what he did was done in secret

                                a1. At 12 he baffled the learned men of Israel

                                a2. His disciples saw him turn water into wine and calm the storm

                                a3. Many saw Jairus’s daughter raised

                                a4. Thousands witnessed the multiplying of fish

                                a5. Many, including the Pharisees and priests, saw Lazarus rise from the dead

                h. All that Jesus did proved that no ordinary babe had come to Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago

                                a1. Isaiah 7:14 this was Immanuel

                                a2. Isaiah 9:6-7 this was the Everlasting Father

                                a3. John 2:1-2 this was the savior that takes away the sin of the world

                i. All who honor the babe without honoring the God indwelling the babe, miss the point and eternity

                                a1. He could point to stars and say, “I made that”

                                a2. He points to us and says, “I did this for you”

                j. The babe, man on cross, and resurrected Lord = same

Key verse: Colossians 1:13-20

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.