January 12, 2020
Morning Service

We began our study on the letter from the Apostle Paul to Titus looking at what really is truth.  We as Jesus Followers must accept the entire Bible as God’s very words therefore they are true and infallible.  We are privileged to have access to read and study it and then to try to put that knowledge into action in our lives.  Let our Lord lead you and then you just need to follow faithfully.  On Sunday night we saw Paul command Titus to establish the leadership needed in each fellowship of the Church that he set up in Crete.  The emphasis on the qualifications of these men to lead dealt mainly with their character and not necessarily with their skills or knowledge.  God looks at the heart and qualifies the called not always calling the qualified.  Accepting a position to lead in the church can be very overwhelming, but God uses that feeling to keep us relying on Him and not our own abilities.  Paul finished the chapter warning of false teachers and the importance of rebuking them and to always speak truth over tolerance.  It is one of the church’s jobs to be a guardrail for our life’s journey to keep us from detouring from the path God has chosen for us to walk.  As we begin chapter 2, Paul now shines some light on those who are in the church, but are not necessarily in an office of leadership.  We all have a work to do in the body of Christ; making us better together.

Tit 2:1-2 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;

            Paul sets the table for Titus to “speak things which are proper for sound doctrine” and then proceeds to call out all “older men” to lead by example within the church.  One of the biggest things that can divide a church is an age/generation gap.  Paul says it is vital that the older and wiser generation behave in a manner that displays self-control.  We are to act in a sober and reverent manner showing our faith and love through temperance and patience.  That does not mean we have to have this somber and sour faced where we can appear to be judgmental and condemning to the younger generation.  It is okay to laugh and have fun, but know when the limit has been reached and how to respect others in doing it.  When trials arise it is the older generation that needs to stay calm and lead by example making us better together.

 

 Tit 2:3-5 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.

            Here is God’s way (sound doctrine) of overcoming the generation gap with the church.  The older ladies who have been there and done that need to invest that knowledge into the younger generation aiding them to get through the chaos of being young and experiencing so many things for the first time.  Younger ladies you should embrace a chance to have a relationship like that with a godly woman.  This is how God has designed it to work.  One generation equipping the next to fill the rolls God has given them to fulfill.  These teachings are not popular in today’s society as today they teach young women to not only be equal with men, but to attempt to surpass them in achievements never playing second fiddle to anyone.  Listen to verse 4 and 5 and realize that teaching does not come from the Word.  (Read 4-5).  Young ladies are first and foremost called to love their husbands and their children always placing family needs before their own.  Doing their best to keep the home in order and running smoothly as a priority.  They are to remain faithful in their marriage and show their husband the respect due them as the God appointed heads of the house.  This is in no way degrading to women, but just how God has designed it to be.  This is rightly dividing the Word of God; sound doctrine.  Just as with any of God’s commands, He will reward obedience but chastise disobedience.  Ladies which role do you fit into this morning.  Are you investing in the lives of younger women teaching them the lessons you learned along the way following Christ?  Do you need an older woman to invest in you?  Ask, seek and knock until God sends you one.  Living as a Jesus Follower means becoming involved in others’ lives; especially those who you see that are struggling with something you have dealt with in your life.  Take a close look within our Fellowship and see where we need you to step in and fill a needed role.  We are better together.

                                                                                      

Tit 2:6-8 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.

Young men how are your character traits being displayed to others especially to your family?  Are you a “pattern of good works” or do you have to tell your children “do as I say not as I do?”  Are you a man of integrity even when no one is watching showing reverence to God and respect to others?  Is your speech without reproach?  If not, you have some work to do.  You are called to be the “point man” for your family leading them along a path be diligent to protect them physically, emotionally and especially spiritually.  I hope all you men realize the impact you are having on your sons and daughters’ future lives.  They need the solid foundation of having a godly father who points them to the truth of God and protects them from the lies of the enemy; allowing them to define who they are by the Bible not society.  God has placed you into position to lead your family and will equip you to do so if you ask, seek, and knock.  Men we too need to embrace the generation gap by investing in younger men and seeking our older men to invest and mentor us.  We are to hold one another accountable as “iron sharpens iron.”  Society tends to discard the value of the older generation, but within the church we need you to step up.  We are better together.

 

Tit 2:9-10 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.

            Here anyone who is employed and works for someone else can apply this to the work environment.  Is your reverence for God and integrity evident to others on the job?  Would it surprise anyone to find out that you are professing to being a follower of Christ?  To follow Christ means we will be excellent employees.  Paul put it this way to the Ephesian church:

 

 Eph. 6:5-9 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; (6) not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, (7) with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, (8) knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. (9) And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

            Our work ethic and attitude should be defined by the knowledge that we are not working for our employer, but all we do should be for the Lord.  He will then in return bless us for doing that.  The work place is a mission field in which we can be “salt and light” to others.

            We see that following Christ is not just something we do at church; it becomes who we are all the time.  This means at home, work, and even when no one is around.  All that we do must reflect our commitment that we have made to follow Jesus.  We must put our faith into action by choosing to line up our life with the truth that we find in His Word.  Whether that means being a mentor, seeking a mentor or even cleaning up those character flaws that we see lacking as we examine ourselves in the spiritual mirror of God’s Word.  This is God’s truth and sound doctrine.  We are not designed to live this life alone but together and we are better together.

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the value it brings to our lives.  Please place in our heart a diligent desire to live the life You describe to us there, so we may fulfill the purpose You have designed for us.