Titus - Doctrine & Devotion - Chapter 1

So before we get started, we are going to do

our doctrinal statement, but today we're actually

going to do the Nassian Creed, an amazing creed.

I love this creed. So we're going to read it

together and then I'm going to pray and then

we're going to get into the word. You guys ready?

The Nassian Creed. We believe in one God, the

Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in

one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father, God from God,

light from a light, true God from true God, begotten,

not made, of one being with the Father. Through

him all things were made. For us and for our

salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate

of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became

truly human. For our sake he was crucified under

Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance

with the scriptures. He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living

and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the

giver of life. who proceeds from the Father and

the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped

and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy Christian church. We acknowledge

one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look

for the resurrection of the dead and the life

of the world to come. Amen. What an amazing...

creed, true God from true God. Do you get that?

That Christ is God. And it's out of all of the

creeds, this is probably my favorite. The language

is so clear. So let's pray. Father, I want to

thank you so much that we can come before you,

that your word is true. That, Lord, you are working

in us and conforming us and molding us into the

image of your Son. That you use all things for

your purpose and your glory to bring about the...

transformation of our lives as you sanctify our

lives and sanctify us in your word. Lord, I thank

you that your word is living and active, sharper

than a two -edged sword, divides soul and spirit,

bone and marrow, and judges the thoughts and

intents of our heart. I pray that we learn as

men of God and women of God that we must be obedient,

willing to honor and glorify you in all things,

that we would love you, love your word, love

your ways, and love your things, that you'd be

high and lifted up because you are the God of

our lives. In Jesus' name, amen. So I'm going

to, this is about Titus. We are now on a journey

with Titus. I will tell you, the more I'm reading

and doing this book, this letter, it's, oh. So

good. So first thing I'm going to do is I'm going

to go through Titus' ministry history. Then we're

going to read 2 Corinthians, some scriptures

there to clarify Titus' character. And then we're

going to get into Titus chapter 1. And I think

Titus 1 · chapter mention

it's important so you understand why Paul or

why God has assigned to Titus the responsibility

to oversee the Cretan church or the church in

Crete. Let's go. Timothy's ministry history.

First, Paul's first missionary journey. Paul

was present at Titus' conversion, Titus 1 -4.

Titus went with Paul and Barnabas on Paul's second

visit to Jerusalem, to the church there, the

council, Acts 15, and is also mentioned in Galatians

Galatians 2:1–3

2, verses 1 -3. And what you'll see is when they

go to... when they go to the church in Jerusalem

in Acts 15, they're really dealing with the issue

of circumcision for the Gentiles. And so Paul

praises God and is so thankful that he didn't

have to rebuke the leaders at the church there

because they did not force Titus or anyone else,

any other Gentiles, to receive circumcision.

And then third missionary journey. There may

be some mention of second missionary journey,

but it's really not really clear in the scripture.

So I don't want to get into possibilities. These

are clear mentions of Titus being present in

missionary journeys. Paul's third missionary

journey. Titus is mentioned to be with Paul in

Ephesus, was charged to deliver the Corinthian

church his first letter and to assess the condition

of the church. Titus returned to Paul in Philippi.

That's in 2 Corinthians 7, 6 -7 and Acts 20,

1 -3. Titus willingly volunteers to go back to

Corinth to deliver Paul's second letter and was

given the stewardship of collecting the monies

they vowed to give to the Jerusalem church. And

that's 2 Corinthians 8, 16 through 17. So what

happens is the Corinthian church was still struggling.

Paul felt really compelled to send them a letter,

a second letter. What's interesting is Titus

willingly volunteers to take this letter to them.

He does it of his own accord. And I love what

Paul says about him. And we're going to read

that. And so he does. And he's there to collect

the money so that they can take it to the Jerusalem

church who was really suffering financially.

All right. And that's 2 Corinthians chapter 8,

2 Corinthians 8 · chapter mention

16 through 17. Fourth missionary journey. Paul's

fourth missionary journey. Paul left Titus as

the overseer of the Crete church to... Put what

remained in order and appoint elders in every

town, Titus 1 .5. So on his fourth missionary

journey, as he is with him, Paul tells Titus,

you need to go there and finish what was started.

And so he sends him. After finishing his work

in Crete, Titus... Titus meets Paul at Nicopolis.

And you'll see that in Titus 3 verse 12. And

Titus 3:12

then from there, Paul sends Titus to Dalmatia,

which is, I think it's 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse

1 Timothy 4:10

10. If it's not 1 Timothy, it's 2 Timothy. I

know it's chapter 4 verse 10. I forgot the number

there. And off the top of my head, I can't, I

didn't memorize that part. So that's, Titus'

ministry is quite busy. And there's some things

I want you to notice about Titus during his time.

So for you guys who are history buffs, I'm sure

that sounded fun, right? There's a reason why

Paul has this kind of confidence in Titus. Titus

was with Paul from the very beginning. Paul sees

him come to Christ. He then goes with Paul and

Barnabas to Jerusalem as a witness, an example

of why put a burden on the Gentiles that wasn't

theirs to take. And then he sticks with Paul

for almost most of his missionary journeys. And

he's committed to the gospel. And we're going

to see that. 2 Corinthians chapter 2. If you

2 Corinthians 2 · chapter mention

would turn there, please. 2 Corinthians chapter

2 Corinthians 2 · chapter mention

2. I'm going to read these verses and I'll give

you the verses you can follow. 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 2:12

chapter 2, verse 12 and 13. When I came to Troas

to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a

door was open for me in the Lord, my spirit was

not at rest because I did not find my brother

Titus there. So I took leave of them and went

on to Macedonia. So I want you to notice that.

So here, Paul is going to, came to Troas to preach

the gospel there. And the Lord opened a door

for him. This was an opportunity for him to do,

to go. And it doesn't happen. Paul's like, Titus

isn't here, so I just don't feel comfortable.

And so he doesn't. Isn't that interesting? So

how many times have we said, well, the Lord's

opened the door. I think I should go. Right?

Well, here's one of those moments where he wants

a confidant. He wants Titus there. And he's like,

nah, this is something I'm not comfortable with.

I need to kind of wait. This may hit home for

a couple of you guys. But then there's that moment

in chapter 7. Turn there. Verse 5 through 9.

This is when you know it's time. This is when

Paul knew. Alright, my dude. Here we go. Chapter

9. Chapter 7, verse 5. Even when we came into

Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were

afflicted at every turn, fighting without and

fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast,

comforted us by the coming of Titus. It's like

God has Titus show up exactly when it's necessary.

exactly when it's necessary. And not only by

his coming, but also by the comfort with which

he was comforted by you. So not only did Titus

come as a comfort to them, but he was comforted

by them, by the Corinthians. And he's coming

to Paul as a comfort because of what had happened

with the Corinthians. He, as he told us, of your

longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so

that I rejoice still more. In other words, Paul's

comfort not only in seeing his brother Titus,

but in the fact of the news that the Corinthian

church was doing well. For even if I made you

grieve with my letter, I do not regret it. Though

I did regret it, for I see that the letter grieved

you. And this is what he means. He didn't regret

writing the letter. He regretted the fact that

they were hurting because he rebuked them for

their sin. But the good news is, the reason why

he's rejoicing is, even though he was grieved

because of their sin and his rebuke was necessary,

he is rejoicing in their repentance. Look what

it says in verse 9. As it is, I rejoice, not

because you were grieved, but because you were

grieved into repenting. Like that's the key.

He has a lot to rejoice about. I wrote you the

letter and it was necessary, but it moved me.

I felt so terrible that I had to rebuke you.

But praise God it works because you repented

of your sin. That's what he's saying here. For

you felt a godly grief so that you suffered no

loss through us. In other words, even though

this brought you grief, you suffered no loss

on behalf of my rebuke. You didn't lose anybody.

Nobody left. They were committed to each other.

Verse 13 through 16. Therefore, we are comforted.

And beside our own comfort, we rejoice still

more at the joy of Titus. Because his spirit

has been refreshed by all of you or by you all.

For whatever boasts I made to him about you,

I was not put to shame. But just as everything

we've said to you was true, so also are boasting

before Titus has proved to be true. Look what

it says. And his affliction for you is... is

even greater, or sorry, affection. And his affection

for you is even greater as he remembers the obedience

of you all. You have received him with fear and

trembling. I rejoice because I have complete

confidence in you. What an amazing man, Titus.

That this is the kind of man that Paul can absolutely

depend on to get the job done. It's an amazing

thing. Chapter 8, verse 6 and 7. accordingly

we urge Titus that as he had started so he should

complete among you this act of grace but as you

excel in everything In faith, in speech, in knowledge,

in all eagerness, and in our love for you, see

that you excel in this act of grace also. So

what Titus is coming to give you, you excel in

that too. Because you have excelled in everything

that I have challenged you to do. When you read

these letters of Corinth, you think that this

church has no hope. But here is this church that

is predominantly Greek. predominantly idolaters,

have converted to Christ and Paul challenges

them in such a way that they repent. Wow, what

an amazing thing. Now, verse 16 through 24 of

chapter 8. But thanks be to God who put it into

the heart of Titus, the same earnest care I have

for you. Do you see the character of Titus? Titus...

loved the church of Corinth in the same way that

Paul does. They were like -minded, like -hearted.

They wanted the same things. For he not only

accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest,

he is going to you of his own accord. Now, I

want you to see that. This is what Paul says.

When we presented this appeal to him, he was

like, I will do it. Why? Because Titus is being

Titus. Can we say that about ourselves? Can someone

say to you, when a task is given to you by God

or by church leadership or any task that you're

given, and you go, yeah, I'm all about that.

I'll do it. And they go, you see that? That's

exactly why I asked them, because they're just

being themselves. They're just being as God intended

them to be. That's the kind of men and women

we should be. I want God to be able to say of

me, that's just Joe being Joe. Because that's

the way I've created him to be. That's what I'm

molding him to be. That's what I want him to

be. That really popped out at me. Now, verse

18. With him, we are sending the brother who

is famous among all the churches for his preaching

of the gospel. Now, I know. I'm like, see that?

There goes another. Got to be a Billy Graham.

Not really. I'm just joking. But. You don't ever

know this guy's name. You ever notice that Paul

never mentions this guy's name? We just know

he's famous among the churches because the dude

can preach, but he never mentions him because

good preaching doesn't produce healthy churches.

Godly shepherding produces healthy churches.

God's word produces healthy churches. Preaching

the full counsel of God's word, expository preaching

produces healthy churches. A willingness to work

amongst each other, even dealing with each other,

produces healthy churches. Titus is all about

that. Titus gets it. He never mentions this guy.

It's very interesting. And not only that, but

he has been appointed by the churches to travel

with us as we carry out this act of grace that

is being ministered by us for the glory of the

Lord himself to show our goodwill. So this guy's

been assigned by the church to go with Paul.

Like this guy could preach better than Paul can

preach, but he's never mentioned. I just find

that really interesting. We take this course

so that no one should blame us without this generous

gift that is being administered by us. For we

aim at what is honorable, not only in the Lord's

sight, but also in the sight of men. See Paul's

heart, see Titus' heart. We aim for honor, not

for fame, okay? Then he says, And with them,

we are sending our brother whom we have often

tested and found earnest in many matters, but

who is now more earnest than ever because of

his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he

is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit.

And as for our brothers, they are messengers

of the churches, the glory of Christ. So give.

Proof before the churches of your love and of

your boasting about you to these men. But he

mentions only Titus. Why? Titus is my partner

and fellow worker for your benefit. For your

benefit. Very interesting. Now, flip over to

chapter 12, verse 17 and 18. 17 and 18. So I'm

giving you some history so when we get into Titus

1, you see why Paul speaks and challenges Titus

the way he does. Chapter 12, verse 17 and 18.

Did I take advantage of you though through any

of those whom I sent to you? In other words,

Paul's saying, I sent these men to you. Did I

take advantage of you? Nope. I urged Titus to

go and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take

advantage of you? Nope. Did we act in the same

spirit? Did we not take the same steps? What

do you notice about Titus? When you see Titus,

you see Paul. And when you see Paul, you see

Jesus. And what does Titus say? Follow me as

I follow. Titus is following Paul and Paul is

following Christ. Titus is acting the way Jesus

would because Paul is acting the way Jesus would.

Very interesting. Very important. Very good stuff.

Now, Turn to Titus chapter 1. I'm going to give

Titus 1 · chapter mention

you three very important principles. Okay? Three

very important principles to understand what

it is to be a godly man. Now this is specifically

to men, but I am also going to challenge you,

even if you're a woman, that the principles of

these things are clear in the way you should

live too. Just because it's directed to men,

right, as the key example in the head, it is

also required of women to act the same way in

accordance with other women, especially daughters.

So this is important. And that's what we're going

to see here. Godly men are faithful in preaching

the gospel. Verse 1. Godly men are faithful in

preaching the gospel. 1 Corinthians 4, verse

1 Corinthians 4:1

1 and 2. This is how one should regard us as

servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries

of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards

that they be found faithful. What's the mysteries

of God? The doctrines of God and the gospel of

God. That's what he's talking about here. Titus

Titus 1:1–3

chapter 1, verse 1 through 3. Paul, a servant

of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the

sake of the faith of God's elect. Do you see

that? Paul is a slave of God and an apostle of

God for their sake, not for his own. That's Paul's

duty, is to, for the sake of God's elect. Make

the knowledge of the truth firm. That's the idea.

Let's keep reading. For the sake of the faith

of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth,

which accords with godliness in hope of eternal

life, which God, who never lies, promised before

the ages began. Do you see that? What's Paul's

purpose? Preach the gospel. Teach the truth.

He's going to tell Titus the same thing. Here's

the key. How do we know that this is important?

Because before the ages began, at the proper

time manifested in his word through the preaching

with which the command of God, our Savior, has

entrusted to me. In other words, at the exact

proper time when it was necessary, I was given

this trust as a steward, which is the word of

God and the gospel of Christ, to preach it. As

God has commanded, go and make disciples of all

nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching

them to observe all that I've commanded you.

Matthew 28, 19 and 20. That is what Paul's doing.

The fullness of ministry. The fullness of ministry.

This is a calling. This is a duty. It's a difficult

thing, okay? And so God has commanded us to preach

and to teach. godly men faithfully fulfill their

duty by completing the task assigned to them

they are required by god to fulfill what god

has given to them that's exactly what we taught

taught these young ones today John 17, 4, Jesus

said, I glorified you on earth, having accomplished

the work that you gave me to do. Christ didn't

come just because he wanted to. He had a responsibility

to fulfill, a task that was given by the Father.

If you have any questions about that, read Ephesians

Ephesians 1 · chapter mention

chapter 1. God the Father set the plan. God the

Son came and fulfilled the plan. And God the

Holy Spirit sealed the plan and guarantees our

inheritance. Very important. Now, Titus chapter

Titus 1:4–9

1, verse 4 through 9. To Titus, my true child

in common faith. So there it is. This is Paul

saying, this is the young man I brought up in

Christ. And this is the young man that God had

given as a responsibility to me to guide and

mentor and develop in faith because God saved

him. My true child in common faith. Grace and

peace from God the Father. Christ Jesus, our

savior. So he's giving him encouragement. Now,

here's where the nit and grit happens. This is

Titus's responsibility. Here's his duty, his

task. This is why I left you in Crete so that

you might put what remained into order and appoint,

cathistame, give, put in charge elders in every

town as I directed you. So Titus, here's your

responsibility. Put together, put in order everything

that's remained and assign elders for these churches,

for these gatherings in the city of Crete or

in the island of Crete. Now, do you guys know

that Crete still exists today? And it's called

Crete. Crete was established in like 65. Crete

has been Crete since they started Crete. Now.

That's important because all the other cities

that were ministered to, they don't exist anymore.

Anybody know, ever heard of Philippi in the Bible?

But how about today? How about Ephesus? Is there

a city named Ephesus? No. But Crete exists. As

a matter of fact, the church that Titus was ordained

as the overseer still exists today. And it's

called... the church of St. Titus. Isn't this

interesting? That speaks volumes of Titus's legacy,

doesn't it? Now, Titus is important. Look what

it says. This is why I left you in Crete so that

you might put what remained in order and appoint,

put in charge elders in every town as I directed

you. If anyone is above reproach, a one woman

man or a husband of one wife, And his children

are believers and not open to the discharge of

debauchery, meaning being without control or

insubordinate, disobedient. This is the men you

should be looking for. Notice the one thing he

says here, above reproach. It's the very first

thing that comes out of Paul's mouth to Titus.

If anyone is above reproach, first thing, notice

what it says in verse 7. For an overseer, as

God's steward, must be above reproach. There

you go. What's the first standard of every overseer,

of every elder, of every pastor? Be above reproach.

You got to be living in such a way where there

aren't genuine, real accusations about your life.

Very interesting. Must be above reproach. He

must not be arrogant. This word arrogant means

self -pleasing or self -willed, quick -tempered

or a drunkard or violent. or greedy for gain.

He must be hospitable. Philoxenos is the word

here. Generous to the guests. He must go out

of his way to not only touch every new person

that walks in the building, but if he has enough

time to try to touch everybody that is here.

Not only the family, but especially the guests.

A lover of good. It's very simple. How can we

be a lover of good? It's in our purpose statement.

Love God, love his word, love his ways, love

his things. If you love God, you'll love his

word. If you love his word, you'll love his ways.

If you love his ways, you'll love his things.

If you steward his things, if you love his things,

you're living his ways. That means you're loving

his ways because you're living them. If you're

living his ways, you're loving his word because

you're being obedient to his word. And if you're

obedient to his word, you're going to love God

because that's the sign of obedience. If you

love me, you'll obey me. Very interesting. I

love that. Love that. Now, He must be self -controlled.

I don't know why they put self -controlled here

because it's a totally different word than self

-controlled. This word actually means to be sober

-minded, level -headed. He's got to be able to

make decisions within a crisis that is immediate

and not be emotional in the moment, but be wise.

And he has to make those decisions according

to the word of God. That is his standard. He

must be upright. That means to be righteous in

his living. He must be holy, sanctified, different.

He must be disciplined. This word disciplined

means self -controlled. He can't let his emotions

dominate him. He must hold firm to the trustworthy,

faithful word as taught. Not as I want it to

be, but as it's taught, as it's taught by the

spirit and as it's taught in the scripture so

that he may be able to give instruction and exhort

in sound doctrine. The only way that a man of

God can direct his family and teach his family

and shepherd the church, this is not just pastors,

but any man, you must be able to teach the trustworthy

word as taught to you so that you can exhort

in sound doctrine to your family. Now, notice

he says also. That if you are able to stick with

the trustworthy faithful word as taught and able

to exhort in sound doctrine, then you also to

rebuke, to bring to light, to expose those who

contradict it. That is not fun. Now, godly men

faithfully contend for the faith. Godly men faithfully

contend for the faith. Jude 3. Jude is one chapter.

So this is Jude verse 3. It's not Jude chapter

Jude 1:3

1 verse 3. There is no chapter 1. It is just

Jude. Okay. So Jude verse 3. Beloved, although

I was very eager to write to you about our common

salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing

to you to contend for the faith that was once

for all delivered to the saints. What is the

responsibility of every godly man to fight for

the gospel? To fight for the gospel. For there

are many who are insubordinate, disobedient,

rebellious. There are. They're empty talkers.

They're babblers and they talk nonsense. That's

what that word means. And deceivers, meaning

seducers, especially those of the circumcision

party. So what is Paul saying here? Paul, you're

going to be dealing with men who are going to

come in and they're going to be disobedient.

and rebellious, and they're going to babble and

talk nonsense, and they're going to try to seduce

people, especially those who are of this group.

And this is what Paul says to Titus. Titus, they

must, it is necessary for them to be silenced,

muzzled. In other words, they need to shut their

mouth. I mean, it's pretty clear what Paul's

saying here. I want to give you something. I

heard several years ago, And I was watching Vodou

Bakum this morning, and he brought it up, and

I was like, that fits perfectly. Actually, not

only fits perfectly, it fits perfectly in our

day and time. Okay? And here it is. Hard men

make good times. Good times make weak men. Weak

men make bad times. Guess what time we're living

in? A bunch of sissified men. Weak men in this

country. Weak men in our churches. There's weak

men who won't lead. It's terrible. And we lost

one who was not weak but strong, a brother, John

MacArthur. He was the only one who would stand

up against nonsense concerning the church. Nothing

determines what the church should and shouldn't

do except for Christ, who is the king of her,

period. But what do we have? Weak men who aren't

willing to point out issue and deal with issue.

So hard men make good times, good times. Make

weak men, weak men make bad times. We live in

bad times. But God is raising up hard men out

of bad times. Now, that's why he says they must.

I love he's, Timothy is already tough. Timothy

is not only a godly man, but a hard man. So it's

okay to be a hard man. It's okay. It's all right.

And he's like, yo, these guys need to shut up.

Basically what he's saying without saying it,

be silenced is the word. Close their mouth, literally.

Since they are upsetting, they are overthrowing,

overturning, destroying, and subverting whole

families by teaching for shameful gain. Not to

be taught. Do you guard your family against bad

teaching? I was just talking to someone a little

earlier today after first service that they had

walked in, happened to do some work at the hospital,

I guess. And they walk in and they're watching

this older lady who's watching David Jeremiah.

And the first thing David says as she heard it

is, buy both my books. Really? How about the

gospel, man? How about if you don't even sell

a book? How about if you just sit in front of

the TV or the camera because you got millions

of dollars. It's not like you need your book

sold. How about if you just preach the gospel?

No, not going to happen. You know why? Because

it's the small churches that the full gospel

and the sound doctrine and the teaching is being

taught. Small churches. Big churches are full

of people that are being taught bad stuff. It's

crazy. Look what it says. Since they are upsetting,

subverting, destroying whole families by teaching

for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

They're not teachers. And Paul says this. He

says, one of the Cretans, a prophet of their

own said, Cretans are. always liars, evil beasts,

and lazy gluttons. I love Paul. He just says

it. And then he turns around and says, this testimony

is true. He doesn't go, well, that's kind of

rough. He actually says, no, they are. Can you

imagine if you as Titus have been set as overseer,

the pastor, of the churches, of the Cretan church,

all the gatherings that are happening. And he

says concerning these people, listen, they're

liars all the time. They're evil beasts and lazy

gluttons. You need to rebuke them. That's exactly

what he says. Now, can you imagine Titus is rebuking

the entire island? Like, what are you doing,

you crazy gluttons and evil beasts? therefore

rebuke them, expose them sharply, harshly, severely,

rigorously, that they may be sound, healthy in

faith. So he says, listen, these guys who are

liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons, you need

to expose them for what they are, harshly and

severely and rigorously do it with the hope that

they become healthy in faith, that they repent.

Because if they don't, That means they're actually

going to be doing this, verse 14. Not devoting

themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of

people who turn away, rebel, desert from the

truth. Because if they don't become healthy in

faith, they are going to rebel and desert from

the truth. Why? Here's why. To the pure, all

things are pure. But to the defiled and unbelieving,

nothing is pure. To those who love God, all things

concerning God are pure. But to the unbelieving,

to those who hate God, who refuse to believe,

not even the purest thing is pure to them. But

both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

They profess to know God, but they deny him.

They disown him. They repudiate him by their

works or by their deeds or by their actions.

Their very life is a contradiction to him. They

are detestable. The word detestable here means

an abomination. They are disobedient and unfit

for any good work. This is what Paul is saying

to Titus. Absolutely worthless. How do you feel

about a statement like that? In a country where,

and in churches, where we've taken the importance

of the image of God and the value of the image

of God to a level where we look at someone's

bad, sinful behavior and just ignore it. Because

everybody has a chance. God's a God of second

chances. No. God is God of the only chance. The

only chance. That's hard. They are detestable,

an abomination. They are disobedient, unfit for

any good work. They're unusable. That's what

he's saying. How I was this way. I was detestable.

I was an abomination. I was disobedient and unfit

for any good work. How can I be changed to be

usable for all of his work? By the power of the

living God who takes and converts a broken man

like me, a sinful, disgusting man like me, and

he saves me. And not only does he save me, he

makes me useful, a vessel of honorable use. If

he's done that for me, he will absolutely do

it for you. Christ died for you, was buried and

rose again on the third day for you. He will

save his people. The question is, are you part

of the family? I can't answer that. I don't know.

For those who haven't come to faith in Christ

yet. God knows if you're his. So if you are absolutely

being convicted of the truth, of the reality

that Jesus is God, the Lord of all creation,

submit to him now and repent. Now. Not when you

got to think up, you got to clean up your life.

You ain't good enough to clean up your life.

And even the best that you can do is dirty. You

just go make everything dirty. Just be real.

Come to Christ. That's chapter one. All right.

Father, I want to thank you so much for your

goodness and faithfulness. Thank you for your

word. Thank you that you are living and active

in our lives, that you are accomplishing your

purpose and will. And I pray that you are high

and lifted up and glorified. We praise you and

thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.