January 19, 2020
Morning Service

In chapter 1 Paul instructed Titus to set up the leadership structure in the church by choosing men of good character.  In chapter 2 he plainly revealed what the “standard operating procedure” would look like within the church.  Each and every person has something to contribute and each one of us need to find where we can use our own talents to make our fellowship better. We found out that the older generation is vital to us as they are to teach us the wisdom they have learned over the years so we may pass it down to the next.  The ladies are to teach the young women the what it means to be a godly wife and mother.  The older men are to be an example and lead the younger men to display integrity in this world of deceit.  God has designed it for those who choose to follow Him to do it together within the church.  We not only have the Holy Spirit within us to guide us but we have the brothers and sisters of our church family to love, support, and hold us accountable when we need it.  We are better together.  In finishing chapter 2, we discussed the “why the what?”  We asked the question “why do we do what we do?”  Why do we try to avoid sin and live righteously, is it to earn our salvation?  The answer is no.  We do our best to line up with God’s Word not to earn our salvation, but because of it.  When truly choose to follow Jesus, everything changes.  We “want” to obey and it becomes who we are more than just things do.  As we begin chapter 3, Paul continues this teaching on living a life that reflects sound doctrine.

Tit 3:1-2 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.

 

1Pe 2:13-17 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, (14) or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. (15) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— (16) as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. (17) Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

            As a Jesus Follower we are to be good citizens obeying the rules of the land, showing honor and respect to those who have authority over us, living peaceably, showing love, and humility to those around us.  That really defines what it means to follow Jesus’ command to be “salt and light.”  We should make our community a better place.  We must be very careful here as our current culture is not teaching the next generation the idea of respecting those in authority.  Many young people have had trouble and were even killed simply because they refused to listen to a police officer’s command out of disrespect.  It is God who place them in their position and He commands us to honor that.  Paul does not have us to judge whether they deserve our respect by their actions, but calls us to simply give respect to their position of authority over us.

  Here Paul teaches us to “speak evil of no one” and that can be extremely difficult in the way the media gets us all stirred up sometimes about nothing.  Being quick to hear and slow to speak is great wisdom to practice.  At the time of Paul’s writing he is asking Christians to honor the Emperor Nero who greatly persecuted them to the point of burning them for light in his courtyard.  Now Paul explains the “why” behind this command.

Tit 3:3-7 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.  (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.

            We are all “sinners saved by grace” and have no right to judge or condemn others because we were all once just like them.  As we grow in our faith we can see this much more clearly than when we are living that lifestyle.  Hopefully you can look back and realize God has led you to a closer more obedient walk; removing the things of the flesh and putting on the things of the Spirit.  It is only through the relationship we now share with Jesus Christ our Savior that we now walk along that different path.  Our righteousness has nothing to do with us but everything to do with what the Holy Spirit has done within us.  God accepted us just as we were and then only upon our choice to follow Him did He begin the work of renewal and transformation within us.  All we have really done is yield our will to His.  We are nothing without Him; but now through Him we are “heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  Having this perspective that it is all Him should remove any judgmental pride that arises and should produce a sense of unworthy gratefulness.  When we see someone caught up in web of sin, we can say “without the grace of God that could be me.”  Paul now begins his conclusion to the letter as he tries to sum up and encourage the church to be rich in good works.

 

Tit 3:8-11 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (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 admonition, (11) knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

            Here again Paul emphasizes the need for us to “maintain good works that are good and profitable to men.”  Remember we are not doing this to “earn” or “deserve” the gift of salvation, but we do these things because we have been changed through our salvation.  Our loving and devoted relationship with Jesus Christ motivates us to keep His commands simply because we love Him.  It is not out of fear of retribution, but pure love that spurns us to follow faithfully.  It is not purely what we do but it is why we do it.  We love Him so we follow Him where He leads.

  In following Jesus and sharing the life changing gospel message, we must be able to discern when someone’s questioning is leading you down a path that is “unprofitable and useless.”  People love to ask “hypothetical and speculative” questions that really lead to nowhere good only to confusion and frustration.  Here Paul encourages us to recognize that and “avoid foolish disputes;” just don’t go there with them.  Pray for discernment to be able to read if a person is truly sincere with their questions or simply are trying to trip you up or fire you up.  Jesus dealt very sharply with the Pharisees who questioned only to test Him, but was very patient with Thomas who had many questions but was seeking true understanding.  It helps to dig down to the root of where that question comes from and address that first.  Never let this keep you from sharing with others.  It is truly better to try and fail than to not try at all.  You may plant a seed that will grow in time with the watering of others to finally take root in God’s time.

 

 

In summary of this chapter, Paul commands us to be good obedient citizens respecting those in place in authority over us.  He reminds us to be careful about judging or speaking evil of someone because it is only through grace that we are who we are.  We are to continue in good works reflecting the loving, humble spirit of our Savior and avoid those “foolish” conversations that are unprofitable for all.  These are all easily understood, but sometimes difficult to apply.

 

Heavenly Father empower us with the Holy Spirit to walk the path of righteousness so that we may glorify Your Name with our life.