May 18, 2008
Morning Service

Titus 3:1-6

 

Review:

1. Chapter two:  Speak sound doctrine.  He speaks of the responsibilities of older men, older women, young women, young men, and servants.    Then he concludes chapter two by saying,

Tit 2:11-15 KJVR  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;  (14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  (15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

 

Now chapter 3:

 

Tit 3:1-15 KJVR  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (2)  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. 

• Put them = meaning older men, older women, young women, young men, and servants.
• Subject to principalities = This word usually refers to magistrates and civil rulers.
• To powers = Someone who has the power to execute judgment.
• To obey magistrates = Government rulers.
• Paul said this in the Roman letter.   Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
• And;  Rom 13:4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
• Be ready to every good work.  There are so many opportunities to do good works, we should never find time to do evil works.
• Speak evil of no man.  The idea is, that we are not to slander, revile, or defame anyone. We are not to say anything to anyone, or of anyone, which will do him injury.  It is best to use James’s admonishment, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”  I think that would cover it. 
• No brawlers = Some people just like to scrap, and fight.  We are to stop it.  NOTICE.
• but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.=  This is the attitude God would have us show forth to the world.  Along with the rest of the fruits of the Spirit;  Gal 5:22-23 KJVR  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  (23)  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  You need not be afraid of the rulers, or God if you have these fruits in your life.
• But wait a minute We might say, “I still find myself falling short in some of these areas.”  All I can say is join the club!  The important thing is that you are not satisfied with having this problem, and you want to overcome in all these areas.  They are all important or God would not have shown us His will in the matters.
• Our goal is to grow up into the full stature of Christ. 
• The way we can do this is to:   Ask God for the help, and then trust Him to help you accomplish what you want to accomplish.   SIMPLE, you bet.  But it works.
• When I tell you this, then I have done what God wants me to do, as being part of the five fold ministry in Ephesians.  This ministry is to help us grow into the full stature of Christ.  Our responsibility is to point you to God.  He is the answer to every question.  He is the path to successful living, peace, joy, health, all the things that will make your life enjoyable, meaningful, and worth living.

 

 

ALL THAT IN JUST TWO VERSES?  WE MIGHT BE HERE ALL DAY!!!

LET’S GO ON:

(3)  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 

• Isn’t this a terrible picture of life?
• We were sometimes:  Shouldn’t be now.  Let me assure you, the God I serve is able to help you do anything you want to do.  So if you are not overcoming in some of these areas, it is because you don’t want too.  This too is that simple.
• For example, You enjoy talking about people.  If you enjoy doing it, it is unlikely you will quit doing it, but you can.  THE DIFFERENCE IS, WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT IT?  IF IT IS THUS SAITH THE LORD, THEN WE HAVE NOTHING TO SAY, BUT YES LORD, THY WILL BE DONE.
• The same thing is true with other sins or habits; it will be harder to quit doing them, if you enjoy doing them.  BUT YOU CAN, AND SHOULD.
• Sin, ( or to miss the mark ) is what separates us from God.  We gotta quit missing the mark if we want a good, and close relationship with God.  He wants us to be overcomers.  Each time we overcome, we get stronger, and more trustworthy, and useful in the kingdom.

 

NOW WE WERE ONCE THIS WAY,  SO WHAT HAPPENED?

Tit 3:4-6 KJVR  But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 

1. Jesus revealed Himself to us through the gospel message in kindness, and love, and we accepted it.

(5)  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,

2. Jesus said, “come to me just as you are, you don’t have to wait until you are good enough, I will accept you as you are.”  Come unto me all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

by the washing of regeneration,

3. Through the waters of Baptism.  The washing for regeneration, being born again of the water.

and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 

4. And the Spirit. 

(6)  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;

5. Whosoever will let them come and receive of the water of life freely.

 

YES, WE WERE THAT WAY ONCE, BUT WE DID NOT WANT TO CONTINUE IN THAT WAY.  WE HAVE CHOSEN TO BE BORN AGAIN, A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST, ONCE WE HAVE ACCEPTED THE KINDNESS, AND LOVE OF GOD, HIS MERCY, AND GRACE, BEING BAPTIZED, AND FILLED WITH HIS SPIRIT, TO ARISE TO WALK IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE.

 

OUR CHOICE, GREAT DECISION!  NOW LET US GROW IN THE GRACE, AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.