Book of Titus

Scripture: John 15:12-16

The Bible was not written to change society – it was written to change in the people within a society.
Example (Slavery), “No longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother,” Philemon 16 .
In chapters 1-2 – we saw the characteristics of a person who allows God to work in their life!
Today we will look at God's people collectively (i.e., the church) – and at how we all should live in this world!

•  Our Relationship to… (Chapter 3)

•  …Non-Believers, (vs. 1-3)

•  God has called for His people to be builders… but of bridges and not walls!

•  ( v. 1 ), “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed.”

•  The believer's citizenship is in heaven ( Phil. 3:20 ) – so we will be seen as “Different” (speech, actions, dress). – Differences breed suspicion – so God calls for us to build bridges.

•  Yet we mustn't hide our differences – but use them to become a bridge between a non-believing world and God, - ( Matt. 5:13-14 ), “You are the salt of the earth; but if that salt has become tasteless, it is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out…!”

•  Thus, Christians must bridge the gap – between the kings of this world & the King of kings!

•  So be different – but in a good way, - “…obedient, and ready for every good deed.”

b. ( v. 2 ), “to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”

•  Too often we see the sin in the world & withdraw into our personal monasteries (us in here and them out there! ). – But God has called for us to build a bridge to them, ( Mk. 16:15 ).

2) Thus, we too are called to go forth with the good news about Jesus – Not to win an argument
(hence the attitudes seen in this verse) – but to win a soul.
3) For at 1 time we were outside – we were the ones who needed a bridge, “For we also were
once foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures,
spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.”

4) Someone built a bridge for us to cross over to God – now God has called for us to build!!!

•  …God, (vs. 4-7)

•  God built a bridge to us, - ( vs. 4-5a ), “But when the kindness of God our Savior – and his love for mankind appeared, He saved us.”

a. Paul has gone to great lengths to remind us of our Savior: 1:3 – God our Savior, 1:4 – C.J. our
Savior, 2:10 – God our Savior, 2:13 – “our great God & Savior, Christ Jesus.”

1) We could not save ourselves – our salvation came because of God's “kindness, love, mercy.”

•  Notice that God's bridge began in heaven - and came all the way to us, Jn. 3:16 .

•  God didn't build halfway – we built the other half - and somehow we met in the middle.

•  Therefore, our salvation was only possible – because of what God did for us!!!

•  For He does not save “…on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness.”

b. While God built the bridge – it is totally up to us – if we choose to cross over to Him or not.

•  “We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.” – You can, but God won't force you!

2) The moment of salvation is at “…the washing of regeneration” (to remake, start over).

3) This occurs when God causes us to be “born again” : Jn. 3:5; the “washing” that regenerates
is the one that saves I Pt. 3:21; Acts 22:16; - Mk. 16:16; Rom. 6:3-4

4) At that same time – God's Spirit begins working in us – “renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

5) This begins at the same moment – as the “washing of regeneration” – Acts 2:38!

c. ( vs. 6-7 ), “…whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being
justified by His grace – we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

•  “Justified by His grace” = Salvation, eternal life.

2) But notice that our being “made heirs” is tied to the H.S. who is “poured out on us richly.”
– This is because, only those who have been saved God's way – receive His Spirit and are
seen by Him as His children, cf. Rom. 8:9, 15-16 , “If anyone does not have the Spirit of
Christ, he does not belong to Him … You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons – by
which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!' – The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit – that
we are children of God.”

3) Therefore, our relationship with God is founded upon His goodness in sending His Son – our
obedience in being washed clean of our sins at baptism – and His Spirit in renewing us!

•  …Each Other, (vs. 8-11)

•  Positive things we should do for each other…

•  ( v. 8a ), “This is a trustworthy statement & concerning these things I want you to speak confident

•  From the newest convert – to the most seasoned saint – we should constantly be building each other up – and encouraging each other - regarding our eternal life; I Jn. 5:13; Jude 3a .

•  We should constantly remind each other – about Jesus & our salvation, - Heb. 10:24-25 .

b. ( v. 8b ), “…those who have believed in God may be careful to engage in good deeds.”

•  He has already told us – we are NOT saved on the “… basis of deeds done in righteousness.”

•  Thus, the salvation we enjoy – must be seen in the good that we do, Eph. 2:10 !!

•  Negative things we should avoid doing…

•  ( v. 9 ), “But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and worthless.”

•  There are some people who would rather argue religion – than to practice it, ( Matt. 23:3 ), “…they say things, and do not do them” vs. “This is pure & undefiled religion…,” Jms 1:27

•  Yet a discussion where hearts are open & lives can be changed is one thing ( Lk. 2:46 ), - but a debate that will only harden hearts & positions – must be avoided!!!

b. ( vs. 10-11 ), “Reject a factious man after a 1 st & 2 nd warning, - knowing that such a man is
perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.”

•  “Factious” = to divide (i.e., for the purpose of winning followers). “Are you for him or me?”

•  Thus, those who seek to divide the church into various “camps” – are seeking to undermine the bridge God has built. – These people must be warned – and if unrepentant… rejected!

So in our relationships - we see bridges: between us & the lost, us & God & us and each other!

Today, if you need to cross a bridge…!