Book of Titus

Scripture: I John 2:12-15

The Bible was not written to change society – it was written to change in the people within a society.
Last week in Paul's letter to Titus – we saw the characteristics of a person who allows God to work in their life!
Today we will look at various groups – and see changes God will make in our lives – if we allow Him to rule.

•  Inside & Outside the Home (Chapter 2)

INTRO.: “But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.”
1. Last week we heard Paul warn of those who, “…are upsetting the faith of whole families…,” v. 11 .
a. The way to avoid “teaching things [we] should not teach” – is to teach “sound doctrine.”
b. We do this by, “Holding firmly to the word of truth which is in accordance with the teaching,
that [we] may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine , and to refute those who contradict.” c. Some may neither like nor accept what God's word says – but we have nothing better to offer!!!
2. There is a “new” thought today in church growth circles, “Targeting” (choosing a group to save). a. This is foreign to the scriptures – ( Matt. 28:19a; Mk. 16:15 ).
b. When Paul writes to Titus, he speaks of the broad range of people who should fill the church!!!

•  Older Believers, (vs. 1-4) – True only for those who allow God to rule in our lives!

•  Older Men: “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in persever.”

•  “Temperate” = Clear-headed, shows moderation; “Balanced” in the priorities of this life.

•  “Dignified” = They should not act like clowns (sense of humor is fine – but not. foolish).

•  “Sensible” = Self-controlled. – Living in a heathen culture but not like a heathen, Jn. 17:14 .

•  “Sound in faith, love, perseverance” = The typical triad I Cor. 13:13 , is altered slightly. “Perseverance” is required of the “older men” – so that they might finish their lives well.

•  Thus, older men should be models for the behavior – young men should have!

•  Older Women: “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children.”

•  “Reverent” = “As befits the temple” – God's women should live holy lives!

b. “…gossips, …wine” = While we may have more time on our hands – as we get older, we must
still use God's time for Him – ( Eph. 5:15-16 ), “Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men…”

c. “teaching what is good…love…” = those with experience should teach the less experienced! –
Paul is giving a divine directive for class/individual discussion. – Ladies this is your job!!!

•  As we get older we mustn't put our lives on a “spiritual cruise control.”

•  God is complimenting us as we get older – because He believes we can still grow.

b. So if you see an area where you can grow – ask God to help you – then get out of His way!!!

•  Younger Believers, (vs. 5-8) – True only for those who allow God to rule in our lives!

•  Younger Women: “…sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.”

•  “Sensible” = As with elders & older men/women – this means “self-controlled.” – The primary area for this is the next word, “pure.” – Young women should have their passions under control.

b. “Workers at home” = If you like arguments, this phrase is guaranteed to please!!! – This is NOT
a divine imperative for women to not have a job outside of the home.

1) ( Pro. 31:10, 16 ), “An excellent wife, who can find? – Her worth is far above jewels … she
considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.”

2) ( Acts 16:14-15 ), “?A certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of
purple… - ‘If you have judged me faithful to the Lord, come stay at my house.' She prevailed

3) Xn women may hold “outside jobs – but only if it doesn't case her to neglect her primary job!

c. “Subject to…” = The only verse which causes more arguments! – Submit does not mean enslaved
but a willingness to accept hierarchy in the relationship as God has created it – I Cor. 11:3.

d. “…that the word of God may not be dishonored” - The reason for these things – is to glorify
God. – A Christian must never give the enemy ammunition to discredit our Lord!!!

•  Younger Men: “Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

•  “Sensible” = As in each of the other demographics – sensible/self-control is essential!

b. “show yourself to be an example…” = Titus must have been a young man, so he is called to be an
example before them of all these things. – As Paul also told Timothy, ( quote I Tim. 4:12 ).

•  Christian Employees, (vs. 9-10) – True only for those who allow God to rule in our lives!

•  “Urge bond-slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing respect in all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.”

•  2/3 of the Empire was enslaved. – Most work was done by slaves (analogous to employees).

•  3 sins Paul tells them to avoid

•  Disobedience: Obey, but from the heart – ( Eph. 6:6 ), “…not by way of eye-service….”

•  Argumentative: Not complaining to the master – nor griping about him behind his back.

•  Stealing: Pilfering; robbing your employer of his possessions, time, efforts – SIN!

•  “Adorn the doctrine…” = When we live correctly we “beautify the Bible”!!!

•  Always Motivated by Grace, (vs. 10-15) – (The “cheap” grace of “believism” is repudiated by this!)

•  Five things God's grace does in the life of the believer (place entire quote before the people):

•  Grace brings Salvation: The 1 st (and sometimes only) thing people say! ( Eph. 2:8 )!

•  Grace teaches us how to live: “Cheap grace” says do as you please – but God's grace teaches us to deny “ungodliness & worldly desires, but to live sensibly, R., godly….” – ( Rom. 6:1-2 ).

c. Grace looks to Jesus return: For if we long for His return we will be the people we should
be, ( II Pt. 3:10-11 ), “The day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens….”

d. Grace is demonstrated by Jesus death: “who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from
every…” - Grace is a gift but it came at a terrible price!! – Its not painless – for Jesus/or us!

e. Grace must be proclaimed: “These things speak & exhort & reprove with all authority.” Both
believers & non-believers NEED to hear this message of grace, quote Mark 16:15-16 !