Titus | Week 12

Well, good morning. As Jasper said, my name is

Steve. I am a just a sinner saved by

grace. Who's also humbled to be one of

the Elder candidates here at your life.

I'd like to add my welcome to visitors this morning.

Thank you for being here. If this is your first time here

I ask you one other thing and that is Please Don't Judge this.

Loving gospel teaching Church by my precinct.

It's a good excuse for you to come back again and hear some of

the other Godly men. We've got here.

Preach, amen. Good.

I'm glad you did. Make me on that.

Thank you. I appreciate.

I appreciate, I really appreciate that.

Before we get started, I want to share something with you.

That I was told a couple of weeks ago about preaching.

I'll keep the source undisclosed but But I was told that you can

tell when a preacher is getting better at preaching because his

sermons are getting longer. So I think this is maybe the

third or fourth time for me to preach.

So if what I was told is true when I finish today, you can

look at the clock and rate my progress for yourself.

But on the other hand you may just want me to stick with one

of my little 15 minutes or minutes when I come back the

next time. My grandson cult told me

yesterday. I asked him how long you wanted

me to preach and he told me 100 hours.

So we're we're not going there. I promise, seriously, as I Was

preparing for this sermon this week, I had a thought about

prayer, you know, there's many times that we're asked to pray

for people that we don't know. Think about it, for example, in

homegroup. Oops, when we share prayer

requests. Someone might ask for prayer for

maybe an extended family member A co-worker, a friend, that has

maybe gotten a devastating medical diagnosis and I realized

that if I truly care about praying for that person, I

should pray for their salvation first.

And then ask God for healing. God knows we want everybody to

be healed, right? He knows.

That. But what about the Eternal

importance of their relationship with Jesus?

Shouldn't we just be just as concerned about that?

Just a thought I had this week we I promise we didn't add that

to the price of admission this morning.

So that's just just a thought I had.

I wanted to share with you this morning before we pray and so

let's do that now. Father you are the very essence

of Love, grace and mercy and we thank you for that.

We thank you for this day. Father, I pray that as we enjoy

these blessings from you that we'd never forget to pray for

those who do not know the comfort.

Your salvation. Thank you for the season this

time of year when we get together as family and friends

and enjoy each other. Father, I especially asked now

as this today is one of the busiest travel days of the year

that you be with those of us who are not here, who are, who are

traveling, maybe back home today.

I just pray that you give them safe travels so that they can be

back with us next week. I asked father for me for

clarity for Simplicity in my words.

Calm my anxious spirit. And finally, father, part of the

scripture this morning contains some difficult teaching.

I pray that your people hear and understand that destruction as

you know, as all instruction in your word is from you and is

good purposeful and trustworthy. These things we ask in your

most, holy name, they meant this morning.

We'll be looking at the last portion of Titus, man, it seems

like we've been in Titus for a really long time for such a

small, tightly packed the epistle.

Next week, we will start our Advent series that.

Right. Okay.

Next week, we'll start Advent, which will bring us up through

the Christian Christmas season up to Christmas.

So, to finish up. Titus lists, let's take a quick

review of what we've seen over these last several weeks at the

beginning of chapter 1. After Paul's greeting, he tells

tight. Us to put everything in order

and to appoint elders. We also see the need for proper

leadership in the laying out of requirements for elders.

Then we see a chapter 2 and continuing through most of

chapter 3 how the false teachers were causing problems, even

resulting in divisions within families.

Paul also provides instruction for right, living, including a

reminder of the Regeneration and renewal of the holy spirit that

Kyle laid out for us last week. Pauline cursed is readers in

chapter 3 verse 7, when he says, so that being justified by

Grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal

life. Pauline's the epistle with a

final warning to false teachers. And as always with Paul, he

includes encouragement to the church and those who are

specifically helping him, this is what would be will be looking

at today. So look with me.

Now, Titus 3 beginning in chapter 8, where it says,

beginning in chapter 8, the saying is trustworthy and I want

you to insist on these things. So that those who have believed

in God, may be careful to devote themselves to good works.

These things are excellent and profitable for people, but avoid

foolish controversies, genealogies dissensions, and

quarrels about the law for they are unprofitable and worthless.

As for the person who stirs up division after warning him once

and then twice have nothing more to do with him knowing that such

a person is Warped and sinful, he is self-condemned.

When I sinned Artemis or tychus to you, do your best to come to

me at nicopolis for I have decided to spend the winter

there. Do your best to speeds, Enos the

lawyer and a Polish on their way, see that they lack nothing

and let our people learn to devote themselves to good works.

So as to help cases of urgent need and not be unfruitful All

who are with me, send, greetings to you greet.

Those who love us in the faith Grace be with you all.

And speaking of Grace, be with you, all it is in your bulletin.

You see that the title of a message is pursuing?

What is profitable? That is my fault because I

didn't communicate. Well, this week, the actual

title. This morning is Grace be to you

all. Moving on verse, eight begins is

a carryover and a reiteration of something that has always been

mentioned. And that is the saying is

trustworthy. If you look back in chapter 1,

while Paul is laying out, the qualifications for elders in

verse 9, he says he referring to an elder must hold Fern to the

trustworthy word as taut, so that he may be able to give

instruction in sound doctrine. That is the Gospel of Jesus

Christ, and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

So, the word saying used in, 3:8 and referred to in chapter 1

verse 9, as sound Doctrine is also mentioned in 1st, Timothy

Chapter 1, beginning in verse 8 where Paul writes now we know

that the law is good. If one uses it lawfully,

understand this that the law has not laid down for the just

before the Lawless and disobedient for the ungodly and

sinners for the holy Unholy. And profane for those who strike

their fathers and mothers for murderers the sexually immoral,

sexually immoral, men, who practice, homosexuality in,

slavers liars, perjurers and whatever else is contrary to

here. It is sound Doctrine, in

accordance with the gospel of the glory of the Blessed God in

which I have been entrusted. The footnote in my ESB, Bible

says that sound Doctrine is used here in 1st.

Timothy is the participle of the Greek word high giano and is

found seven times in first and second Timothy and Titus.

Here, it's translated to the English word sound and includes

the idea of help in the sense of healthy or health-giving

doctrine and in phrases such as I am.

Well, and in good health, I am right, reasonable pure and

uncorrupted. So by definition the term, the

sound Doctrine, is the health or health, giving that flows

directly from the gospel. This continuing verse 8, the

saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these

things. So that, so though, so that

those who have believed in God, may be careful to devote

themselves to Good Works. The lifestyle, Paul and Visions

here does not occur in Von involuntarily or spontaneously,

a Christian should carefully plan to achieve spiritual goals

when it comes to Desiring, a Godly character and, and, and

Ambitions for useful Ministry and service.

The reformed expository commentary.

Says this, it's pretty long but but I think it's important for

us to hear for those who envisioned growth in Godless to

be difficult. Paul points out, the great

benefit, these things are excellent and profitable.

For people. A Christians time is not wasted

in studying the Bible, praying for Spiritual progress and

diligently. Practicing what has been taught

Our holy character and good works break blessing into the

lives of those around us, Daniel Lake and points out that these

good works are profitable for everyone saved.

And unsaved the latter seeing the beauty of our new life and

being drawn to Christ. William Hendrickson adds that

the Christians. Good works.

Bring life, joy and peace. Where before there was death,

Darkness sadness, and fear. If a pastor or a friend of

yours, ask you, what are you working on in your spiritual

life? Would you have an answer?

Couch. We as Christians should always

have an answer, right? Amen.

Verse 9. But avoid foolish controversies

genealogies dissensions and quarrels about the law for they

are unprofitable and worthless. It is not enough for Titus to

continually teach trustworthy sound Doctrine in order to

produce a good gospel result. He must also be constantly aware

of the activities of the false teachers that would have the

opposite effect. Here Paul returns to the theme

that he's been stressing. Titus was not all was not to

allow his ministry to become embroiled in pointless, debates

and divisions. You know where a worthless

controversies. Begin.

They begin with in the selfish mind of, man. when I get the

idea that I'm not going to let you appear more intelligent than

I am, I could easily find something to disagree with you

about I've got a personal secular example of this idea of

trivial insignificant controversies, and it involves

my learning experience in raising cattle. and I got to say

this first, I dearly love my wife and my family, my family,

or her family has taken me in and treated me just as one of

their own as you're about to see Sure.

Okay, here I go. I hope I really don't get in

trouble with this. Y'all.

Just keep this amongst us. Okay, now as I've mentioned, you

all, before I was born and raised just outside of Atlanta

Georgia, The closest thing I ever saw to a cow was in the

meat section in the grocery store.

So fast forward, many years solder and I are married.

Her father has gotten to the point to where he couldn't take

care of the family farm in sauna.

And I are the only ones that have the time to be able to do

all these things that need to be done. now, when I say I didn't

know anything about farming, I really mean that, I mean, that

one of the first lessons I had to learn, was that just because

a cow had horns, did mean, it was a bull.

Now I grew up deer hunting and I just couldn't understand what.

So why aren't cows like deer? Why?

I don't understand. God made him different.

I just I never got that. But that was the first lesson I

had to learn. Anyway, the point of the story

is that I quickly found out that everyone had their own opinions

as to how the form should be run.

You know, there was things to do like cut hay.

Things like do we have armyworms in the Hayfield or not?

Which calf goes with which Mama? Which feel do the cows need to

be on When do we nude need to? Move the hay rings in man in the

winter time. When do we start feeding, how

often do we feed? When do we need?

You know, it was just way too much for me to understand and

to, in to absorb But my point here is that everyone had their

own ideas as to how to raise cows.

There wasn't an instruction book.

Everybody had their opinions. And from time to time it did

cause a little bit of friction. But obviously situation such as

farming only have temporal consequences.

But in cases of biblical doctrinal issues, the results

can have eternal consequences. Let's say, I get an idea in my

head that may be completely and totally wrong.

But you know what? If I spend a little bit of time,

I can easily find somebody to agree with me.

I was curious about this this week so I went to the one place

that seems to be the cache containing all the knowledge in

the world. You know, Google that's behind

Facebook but I used Google and I typed in Christian doctrine, The

results were over 76 million. so I thought, well, let's kind of

Pare this down a little bit so I went to Amazon went just to the

books section typed in Christian doctrine, And got over six and a

half Million results. Now, please don't understand.

Miss understand what I'm saying? I'm all for a constant diet of

god-centered Articles podcasts, whatever.

We need that But what this shows is that it's easy for false

teaching to result in controversy, if we don't use

God's word as the source and only resource to which we hold

all others accountable. Paul sites genealogies as a

source of contention. Meaning that your family tree is

not worth arguing over. If it were then I should tell

you that on a Genealogy website. One time I got on there and

looked up my father started clicking on his side.

Now, I know all this was just absolutely the truth because it

was on that website. I was able to go back hundreds,

even a few thousand years. And well anyway, do have y'all

seen Braveheart? Everybody seen Braveheart.

Oh yeah, one of the greatest movies of.

All right. So according to this website,

again, let me stress that this is absolutely true because it

was on the website. I am related to Robert the Bruce

You remember him? He's the one that betrayed

William Wallace. They're close to the end and,

and by association to Robert the Bruce, I'm also a descendant of

King. Robert, the third of Scotland,

So what does that mean for me? Absolutely nothing, right?

But this is exactly what Paul was talking about here.

Judaizers were trying to use their family trees to prove

their perceived intellectual prowess over the teachings of

Titus. Dissensions refer to the to word

battles, and quarrels about the law refers to the legalistic

demands that were being added to the gospel.

The common theme is that of a jewish-christian blend in which

a burden of extra-biblical? Demands was placed on the

people. Gordon fee sums up the problem.

Apparently, some Hellenistic that is Greek Jews on Crete, who

had accepted Christ. We're also promoting continuing

connections with Judaism, especially in the form of

speculative teachings, and rigorous Devotion to rules and

regulations. John Calvin describes.

These controversies as whatever is pointless trifling and he

relevant by false teachers seek to be lauded for their subtle

speculations. Today, this might include

dogmatic positions that extend beyond the clear teaching of

scripture that are bound to produce.

Disagreements? Remember earlier, when I

mentioned the search, I did on Google and Amazon, it's no

wonder why the danger of false teaching is such a potential for

division. remember also, in the first century Christian churches

didn't have complete the complete New Testament They

didn't have a nice compact leather-bound, scroll that they

depended now, they depended greatly no solely on letters

written to them by Spirit-filled Apostles for their instruction.

Today, we have the benefit of the entire Canon of scripture.

When we seek Clarity, we have the ability to reference one

verse to another to assure correct understanding.

But even with this blessing dissension is still an issue in

churches today. Paul doesn't take the time to

elaborate on each of these controversies.

He just points out. These matters are unprofitable

and worthless. Now, he is in no way referring

to honest sincere questions. That we also often have one of

the greatest blessings of being part of a Congregation of

Believers is the ability to discuss these issues with others

who are also seeking truth. But when a spirit of dogmatic

critical argument is brought into discussion of a point of

contention. The only results is a dead end.

A popular commentary. I references.

This how much more is this true when the subject matter is

speculative theories about end times or distinctions in

Systematic Theology? So, fine that it requires an

advanced degree to even understand the terminology.

In some cases sincere disagreements over the

sacraments or church government warrant careful discussion.

Yet when sincere gospel believing friends, cannot come

to agreement. They should show mutual respect

for different practices. So long as vital gospel,

principles are not steak. Quite often prolonging of debate

yields. Increasing heat with decreasing

light so that nothing good is accomplished.

Whether the argument has been won or lost spiritual energy has

been misplaced and needless Strife has been stirred how much

more worthless are damaging and damaging our such debates when

the positions extend beyond scripture or are even contrary.

To the gospel. Okay, here we are at verses 10

and 11. Earlier, when I prayed, I

mentioned that there was a difficult part of this portion

of scripture. And this is it.

Verse 10 as for a person who stirs up division after warning

him once and then twice have nothing more to do with him.

Knowing that such a person is Warped and sinful, he is

self-condemned. The Greek word for this.

Divisive person is Hera Tico's from which we derive, the word

heretic. While the word later came to

identify a person who holds false doctrines its original

meaning, pointed to a controversial person

specializing in half-truths and misinterpretations in order to

win, others over to their personal opinion.

While creating harmful divisions.

This is the only time this word is used in Scripture.

Back in chapter 1, verse 10, right after Paul, is the koala

qualifications for elders? He says, for there are many, who

are insubordinate, empty talkers, and deceivers,

especially those of the circumcision party.

Continuing in verse 11, they must be silenced since they are

upsetting whole families by teaching.

For shameful, gain with they ought, not to teach Friends, is

I've mentioned already to cause issues within a family including

the church. Family regarding untruths is

wicked and cannot be overlooked a footnote in my Bible says it

well To love Christ, means to love his church and seek to

build it by word and deed the sin.

And apathy often seen in church May at times require strong

criticism and be a cause for grief.

But Christ shed his own blood to create the church and the church

is God's primary conduit of his grace and glory to the world.

Listen to Jesus words in Matthew, 18 beginning in verse

15. If your brother sins against you

go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.

If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

But if he does not, listen, take one or two others along with you

that every charge may be established by the evidence of

two or three Witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them,

tell it to the church and if he refuses to listen, even to the

church, let him be to you as a gentile or a tax collector.

Now, there's a vast difference between rock solid, Biblical

doctrines and matters of conscience.

Let's say that we have a church member who denies the Virgin

birth. A basic tenet of our faith.

I'm talking about someone who has supposedly turned from sin

been baptized and join the church.

Not someone who is unsaved and is just attending our church.

Our hypothetical church member has this wrong belief and begins

to boldly express it. In biblical manhood, Sunday

school homegroup. Anytime he gets a chance.

And he's attempting to recruit others into believing as he

does. Brothers and sisters, God's word

tells us that this is not to be tolerated, remember?

However, that those that are unsaved or new Believers, can

many times have wrong beliefs, just because they don't

understand in cases, such as this, it's our responsibility To

disciple them and show them the truth.

Churches should be a hospital for the sick and hurting, not a

hotel for the holy. Amen.

On the other side of this coin, we have matters of conscience.

These are issues where some Grace can be extended.

For example, if a woman feels led to follow a scriptural

teaching, concerning a certain way to dress, or let's say all

of us guys, decide that we need to follow the Old Testament

teaching of not cutting our beards, Other than Kyle having

to look at a room full of ZZ Top.

One of these every week. There's nothing wrong or

unscriptural about either of these situations.

There are all manner of things that we can feel convicted to do

or be that do not violate scripture that are totally fine.

As long as your conviction does not cause you or your brother or

sister to sin. Notice that in Jesus words and

Paul's teaching church discipline begins with an

attempt to reclaim the offending person.

So, it must always be when Church Authority is asserted

against an erring member of the community.

Not only once, but even twice, there must be a warning.

But when such warnings are ignored, the church is to have

nothing more to do with him. Now this is not the first time.

Paul's address this idea of church discipline in First

Corinthians 5 beginning in verse 1, he says it is actually

reported that there is sexual immorality among you and of a

kind that is not even tolerated. Among the pagans for a man, has

his father's wife and you are arrogant taught you not to

rather ought. You not rather to mourn.

Let him who has Done. This be removed from among you.

Church discipline and especially the sanction of excommunication

can produce tension within a church and lead to criticism of

Godly leaders. Yet properly exercise discipline

remains necessary for the help of the church.

What Paul says of the view of the divisive teacher is

similarly. True of professing, believers

who will not repent of adultery, spousal abuse slander or any

number of other sins. They have judged themselves,

mother unwillingness to respond to warnings and appeals to

repentance. Paul justifies this discipline

in verse 11 verse 11 knowing that such a person is Warped and

sinful. He Is self-condemned, We must

always remember that. The church is Christ bride, and

he died for her. The shunning of this person is

not a decision of a specific person or persons of their own

accord. No, the excommunication is a

result of his own persistent. Transgression.

What are we to do? Let this person continue in

their lives. Risking others Eternal lives.

If they should also believe the untruths, or are we to follow

the scriptural commands and by doing so, Pray for them to

recognize their sin and repent saving them from an eternity of

punishment. I know this is a difficult

portion of scripture. It seems as though it really

belongs in the Old Testament where example of Wrath of of a

wrathful god are numerous but consider it a blessing that this

assembly of Believers led by Faithful Men of God have made a

conscious decision to preach the full counsel of God and His holy

word and Not skip over controversial or difficult

passages right man. Paul closes his letter to Titus

with some Specific Instructions beginning in verse 12, When I

sin Artemis or tychus to you, do your best to come to me at

night. Accomplice for I have decided to

spend the winter there. Do your best to speeds, Enos the

lawyer and a policy on their way, see that they lack nothing

and let our people learn to devote themselves to good works.

So as to help cases of urgent need and not be unfaithful.

All who are with me, send, greetings to you greet.

Those who love us in the faith Grace be with you all.

So even in these parting words, the overarching theme of the

letters. Still addressed that is we are

to devote ourselves to, right? Living and the resulting good

works. These words depict and emphasize

the kind of worthwhile life that Paul wants Titus to cultivate

among his believers. And these instructions, Scholars

suggest that Paul is writing from Macedonia, or maybe

Philippi, but he mentions his plans to go to nicopolis, which

is on the western coast of Greece and spend the winter

there. He says he is sending either

Artemis or Titus to relieve Titus and Crete.

We find in second Timothy 4:12, which was written after the

2 Timothy 4:12

letter to Titus that tie caucus who accompanied Paul on his

third missionary journey. He's also mentioned it Ephesians

6 in Colossians 4 as a beloved brother and faithful Minister.

He was sent to Ephesus so that would lead us to presume that

Artemis was sent to Creek to You've taught us verse 13.

Tells us that the letter was carried by Zenus, the lawyer and

a Polish. There's no other mention of

zenith Zenus anywhere but Apollo's.

We know well from acts in First Corinthians where he's described

as a zealous and able teacher of God's word.

The example, set by these men provides a pattern of how every

believer should respond to the gospel, message of God's grace,

and mercy for sinners. In Jesus Christ, we should be

using our spiritual gifts. Whether they involve teaching

encouragement Administration, or even, just the most simple task

to keep laboring with fellow Believers in the work of the

ministry. All Christians are to be

productive. Active not only working to meet

their own needs and those of their immediate families but

also pulling together to build up the church and deliver the

gospel to a sinful World. Jesus, bring Salvation to God's

elect creating a people which is the church.

Who by his example show us how to love one another as

Christians. We must be willing to show.

Good Works to others by devoting ourselves The Godly things and

by showing commitment to the work of the Gospel, But the

greatest result of all comes from an acceptance of the grace

of God, that is available to everyone in Jesus Christ through

faith. Paul stressed, the place of good

works and godly character throughout this epistle.

But I'm sure that he would also insist that godliness begins in

God's grace and a fruitful Christian Life relies on the

resources of that Grace. Price t.

L can start coming up? Paul.

Finally, he closes his counsel to Titus by reminding us that in

all our endeavors, we must pray for the mercy and power that God

so graciously provides to his people.

Daniel lakid rights, only God's grace will give us balance

self-control, wisdom and endurance by God's grace, and

for God's glory, we will be equipped and enabled to stand

and serve. Even when the odds are against

us and the battle seems all for nothing.

Titus 3 4 through 7 once again taught us that God's grace saves

us through the goodness and loving kindness that appeared

with our Like you're by God's grace.

The holy spirit is poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ.

We must remember God's unending Grace, finding it in his

Sovereign. Mercy through the slave, the

Savior whom he has sent in his son. by Grace, we may leave a

legacy to the glory of God and the Eternal enrichment of those

who are brought to Jesus through our shared labors I chose the

sermon title Grace, be with you all, because even after all the

good instructions and the hard issues Paul deals with in his

letter that Heidi's he is always is encouraging the reader to

continue in the good work and also showing his love for them.

I pray today that God's word has encouraged you and that you will

leave here knowing that you are loved Grace be with you all.

Grace be with you all.