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"Adorning The Faith" • 10.2.16 • Calvary
Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- Paul the Apostle has been writing to his
fellow worker Titus, who had been left with the difficult task of organizing
believers into home group churches on the Island of Crete.
- Paul and Titus had begun the work but Paul
had left and not been able to return. Concern for the future of the work and
for his friend caused Paul to write with brief instructions.
- The first chapter dealt with the establishment
of leaders within the church. These men of character were needed especially as
the tide was bringing in all sorts of false teachers.
- Chapter 1
ends with a direct statement by the Apostle Paul regarding the false teachers.
• Titus 1:16 : "They profess to know God, but in works they
deny Him,
being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." :
When held up to examination, the character and behavior of the false teachers
left much to be desired.
- But what could a dose of the truth produce?
What type of people can you expect to find that have been granted prolonged
exposure to proper teaching? That will be answered here today!
- This is a very straightforward section. Paul
gives Titus instructions for every type of person that is found within the
church community. Let's begin in verse 1.
Text
•
Titus 2:1,2 : "But as for you, speak the things
which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in
faith, in love, in patience;" : Paul
begins with the leader who will stand in stark contrast to the idle talking, deceptive
teachers that sought to infiltrate the work on Crete.
-
There will be many, but as for you Titus, you must determine to continally
speak the things which are proper! This is not only the Pastor's duty, but it
is also the best defense against error!
-
There will be no end to the counterfeit or the shallow. Men like Titus are to
be committed to being the difference. "You maintain the standard of truth
that has been given to you."
-
This is an order from the Lord! He and every Pastor like him, is to communicate
that which is proper or becoming for those expecting to take on spiritual
health.
-
Incidentally, understand that vain talkers, those who emphasize subjective experience
or high-minded psuedo religious thought, can never produce people with the
characteristics we will observe.
-
Most who emphasize vacuous vanity produce all sorts of characters, but none
that authentically and enduringly resembles a genuine Christian person.
-
This is why there is a speech that befits sound doctrine. The NIV uses the
phrase "speak the things that are appropriate for sound doctrine."
-
The HCSB employs the phrase "consistent for sound teaching." The NLT
renders it like this: "Promote the
kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching."
-
Therefore, our teaching must aim at what is most healthy, that it may produce
this result in it's hearers! When sound biblical doctrine fills a church,
saints will reflect sound biblical lives!
-
A person's claim to believe will be validated by their life and it's embrace of
these qualities.
-
God changes a person incrementally, as he reveals His will through His Word. For
those that look at this list and feel some level of condemnation for not
"living up to it," take heart.
-
God has taken responsibility to impute Christ's righteousness to you in
justification. He also takes the responsibility to impute Christ's character to
you by the Holy Spirit in sanctification!
-
You and I simply cooperate as He moves upon us to embrace biblical truth, so
that being touched by God, we will take on godly character naturally, indeed
supernaturally.
-
Paul moves and gives instruction regarding older men, who are to be taught to
be sober.
-
The HCSB uses the word "level headed." These are men who are thoughtful
and not immediately reactive, but careful in their consideration.
-
Paul continues saying that they are to be reverent or venerable, known among
the congregation for their good character.
-
They are to be temperate, which speaks of having a sound mind. One definition
renders it "safe in mind." The picture that emerges is of a man who
is not given to extremes.
-
He's not flighty or quick to come to conclusions. He listens intently and moves
carefully. With every well managed situation, his presence is desired because
he is considered wise.
-
Doesn't that sound like a man that you want to have around you in a moment of
crisis? I pray that God will keep the men that have this heart around us and that
He will bless us with more!
-
But what good are these kind of men if they are only endowed have worldly
wisdom?
•
Proverbs 16:31 : "The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of
righteousness." : This is why they are to be sound
in the faith. As it is written, the meaning is necessarily that they are be
practiced in being sound in the faith.
-
Their faith is not some dated experience rooted solely in the past. They are
currently exploring and investigating the faith.
-
We need men who will model what it means to be touched by the book! We need people
like Paul, who call out for the parchments at the end of his life!
-
The same would go for their expression of love and persistence in the things of
God! There is no retirement in the Kingdom of God! There is only promotion when
this life comes to an end.
-
If the church is to be what God intends it to be, it begins with older men.
-
But it will end without older women! Paul addresses their counterparts in verse
3.
•
Titus 2:3-5 : "the older women likewise, that they
be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good
things—that they
admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers,
good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be
blasphemed." : Titus is responsible to share with
the older women that they are to behave in a way that befits holiness.
-
They are, as the NLT translates it, to "live in a way that honors
God." How does Paul describe that? He doesn't leave much room for the
imagination.
-
He begins with a prohibition against slander. The dictionary defines this as "making
false and damaging statements about another person." Paul's word in the
original is "devil!"
-
When one makes room for innuendo and false accusation against their fellow
Christians, indeed their own brothers and sisters, it's as if the Devil were
doing it himself!
-
They are not to act like the devil and are not to be given to much wine. The
phrase is literally "not being slaves" or servants "to many
drinks."
-
If you drink alcohol, this sounds as though Paul is saying, "It should not
be your Master."
-
The prohibition is against excess and the amazing thing is that this is connected
with false accusation or speaking like Satan! Isn't that an interesting
connection?
-
Men are prone to act violently when they are drunk. Could it be that women are
prone to speak more freely when they are intoxicated? I'm convinced that the
Spirit puts that here on purpose.
-
Paul leaves what a woman shouldn't be and moves onto what she should be. Isn't
it sad that we have the capacity for both!
-
In one sentence separated by a few commas, Women are told not to speak like
Satan, but to instead, be teachers of good things.
-
In our church and sincerely, in every church that I know to be healthy, there
are women who teach. Recently, two Ladies who were responsible to teach me as a
kid were in attendance.
-
Throughout my younger years at the Packinghouse, almost all of my Sunday school
teachers were women. I thank the Lord for the care and the wisdom that they
shared with me!
-
I thank the Lord for the Ladies that are teaching our children right now. They
are a blessing to all of our kids. But that shouldn't be the limit to their
teaching.
-
In a quick turn, Paul speaks of their primary duty to teach the younger women,
our third representative group, these good things.
-
Paul tells Titus that they should be responsible for speaking to the younger
women.
-
When I was at the Packinghouse, I watched this unfold many times. Younger
ladies sought the counsel of many Pastors often, but were only allowed 3 visits
per Pastor.
-
Our main secretaries made sure that ladies found their fourth appointment with
an older lady!
-
The older women are to "admonish" or restore one to their senses,
urging them love their husbands and be loyal to their children!
- What a simple, yet poignant message
today in this world when divorce and child abandonment are the rule and not the
exception!
-
The ladies are to be told to control their urges and purify themselves from
carnal pursuits.
-
Remember that these ladies have lived their whole life on the island of Crete!
Certainly, living in the United States, ladies need to guard their heart and
set their eyes upon their homes!
-
"Ladies, be the keeper, the guard over your home!" Watch over it! Be
sure that it honors God!
-
Devote yourself to what is good and order yourself under your husband's
authority. The word translated "obedient" here is "submit"
elsewhere. Why should young women do this?
-
So that the word of God may not be insulted! Ladies, your life is a sermon
which exalts or denigrates the Name of the Lord and that assessment, fair or
not, begins with your marriage!
-
When you purpose to follow the Lord's word, it brings Him honor and glory,
especially in times when women are taught quite the opposite. Paul turns his
attention to young men. Verse 6.
•
Titus 2:6 : "Likewise, exhort the young men to
be sober-minded," : Young men need to be encouraged to control themselves, to remain in
the right mind.
-
While it has been translated differently, this word has come up repeatedly in
this chapter. Every person in the church is to embrace moderation in their self-assessment
and actions.
-
You'll notice here that these young men are given this single command and one
might simply reason that that is all that they can handle! I'd be inclined to
agree!
-
However, I'd also remark that everything that has been said up until now which
can apply to them, does apply to these young men!
-
If you are a young man within the sound of my voice, learn to be thoughtful and
reasonable. Don't simply give into flights of fancy and put a guard over your
eyes and heart!
-
Paul began with Titus and now returns with instructions for him in verse 7.
•
Titus 2:7,8 : "in all things showing yourself to
be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence,
incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an
opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you." : Titus is to exhibit a form that can be replicated by others. The
word "pattern" speaks of a metal stamp. When pressed into leather,
the leather would bear a signature imprint.
-
Titus is to serve as a template of the kind of good works that one could expect
from a Christian person. Good works ooze from this type of person.
-
They aren't to be good works which earn salvation, but because of their
salvation good works should naturally flow out of an individual who has been
touched by the Lord!
-
Titus is expected to demonstrate integrity. This could apply to a purity to his
understanding of what he had been taught. His teaching should betray a faithful
adherence to the totality of the Word.
-
He won't simply tangentially remark through scattered verses. He will have an
idea of the breadth and scope of all of God's revealed Word.
-
That may be true, but it's also true that this will issue in the type of life
that he leads. He will be a man of integrity who is honest and genuine to all
that come into contact with him.
-
The Pastor's speech should be clean and unblameable so that anyone who opposes
them would have the shame that they proposed turned upon them!
-
This is an issue that constantly must be monitored. Today, in our digital age,
what we post, what we like and how we respond has to fit into the category of
reverent incorruptibility!
-
It's not that the standards have changed. It's that the coverage is that much
more comprehensive!
-
Therefore, live, speak and post in such a way that there won't be anything evil
to say about you. That is, whatever they speak against you will only reflect
the holy life that you lead!
-
This was the dilemma that Daniel's detractors had. As he grew in stature and
passed over the governors of like position, their jealousy led them to plot
against him. How would they get rid of him?
•
Daniel 6:5 : "Then these men said, 'We shall not find any charge against this
Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.'" : They had to make a law against praying to find something to
accuse him of! Let it be so for you as well!
-
May it be that any evil that is said against you will be thought as ridiculous
by the life that you lead. Paul has addressed the old and the young, the male
and female.
-
He has addressed the Pastor and now, he sets his mind on the labor force! Verse
9.
•
Titus 2:9,10 : "Exhort bondservants to be obedient
to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good
fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." : Every bondservant in the church had to learn to submit himself
to their own Master.
-
Can't you hear someone object: "Wait a minute Titus. This Christian thing
is just for Sundays!
-
May I declare to you that unless your Christianity matters in your workplace,
we might as well not concern ourselves with having a meeting place!
-
The meeting that we have should speak to and instruct us for our work week! The
person that was employed in Crete was to view every day as a new opportunity
for obedience!
-
They were to look to be well pleasing in all things. This includes your
attitude as you arrive, your actions as you are there and the blessing you
leave behind as the day ends!
-
Consider these questions: Does my boss have a better understanding about Christ
because of my life? You might ask, "Would I want me as an employee?"
-
In all things, if you are employed, learn to please your Masters. "It's
not fair. My Master doesn't treat me right." Today, you have a choice that
these Cretan Christians did not.
-
Bondservants couldn't find another job. There were no unions and may I say,
that their Roman employers were far more severe and ruthless than your boss.
-
You can find another job, lodge complaints or be reassigned to lighter duty.
You can prayerfully seek a change in venue.
-
But until you do, let your employers be fully pleased with your employment,
beginning with your mouth! Don't always stand in opposition, refusing your
employer's demands.
-
This doesn't refer to ungodly or unreasonable requests. Ungodly requests, that
which contradict scripture and force you to disobey God, must be denied.
-
Peter's words to the Jewish leaders who commanded him not to preach in the Name
of Jesus make this clear for us.
•
Acts 4:19,20 : "But Peter and John answered and
said to them, 'Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more
than to God, you judge.For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.'" : If God forbids or commands you to do something, that is always
your number one priority, consequence aside.
-
But when have your employers wishes kept you from obeying God? There probably
aren't many times. Now, this brings us to the unreasonable or matters of
inconvenience.
-
Even here, be willing to serve. If you have an employer that constantly seeks
to takes advantage of your goodwill, you will probably need to seek out another
employer.
-
But the heart is that you shouldn't just form a nasty "no" to every
request! Be willing to lend a hand whether it's convenient or not. Look at it
as an investment and an opportunity for evangelism.
-
Paul continues by calling them to be trustworthy with money. Don't divide more
toward yourself than is proper.
-
The word can also be translated "embezzle," to covertly appropriate
funds to yourself. This speaks to little "side benefits" that are
easy to walk away with.
- Why did Paul need to
tell them this? They were liars and lazy people before they knew Christ!
-
Old habits die hard and the temptation would be great to justify the behavior. As
a Christian, that is to be a part of our past permanently.
-
Instead, demonstrate the faith in God that you should. Live it out for all to
see! Let it's true beauty be seen! We get our word "cosmetic" from the word translated
"adorn."
-
Rightly applied, the doctrines that live through us, will make the Lord we love
more attractive to the watching world!
Conclusion
- Having looked
at the particulars, let's look back a gather a few lessons from our text.
You'll note first that the church is a
place for generations.
- Father God is
the Father of your Grandfather in the Faith! Jesus is the Savior of the old and
aged as well as the young and foolish! A healthy church lives with every age in
mind.
- Second, the church is a place for spiritual
connection. Women are to instruct younger women, as Men must do the same
with their younger brothers.
- We are
responsible to each other. If you are a younger man or woman, seek out an older
version of yourself and learn!
- Finally, the church is a place for evangelical
aspiration. Young women are to submit to their own husbands so that the
word of God will not be blasphemed. (v.5)
- Titus was to
live with integrity so that his opponents would be ashamed! (v.8) The bondservants were to adorn the
doctrine of the faith to reveal how attractive their Savior is. (v.10)
- All of this
spiritual health is contagious! A group with a beautiful Savior will bear a
beautiful impression in an ugly world. May it be truly said of our church!
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