TRAINING YOURSELF TOWARD GODLINESS--TITUS 2:11-14

TRAINING YOURSELF TOWARD GODLINESS

TITUS 2:11-14

Introduction:

The Apostle Paul admonishes us to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” v. 12. That requires some effort and training in order to accomplish this in our lives. It does not come naturally, but, rather, it is an exercise in discipline for God’s glory. There are several things we need to do in this effort to train ourselves in holy living.

I. EXERCISE YOURSELF UNTO GODLINESS

1 Timothy 4:7, "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness."

A. Involve yourself in that which edifies the New Man, 1 Timothy 1:4, "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do."

1. Fables – doctrines of men, 1 Timothy 6:4-5, “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

2. Endless genealogies, Titus 3:9, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”

B. Follow after righteousness, 1 Timothy 6:11, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

1. Flee these things:

a. Foolish and hurtful lusts, Mark 4:19, “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”

b. The love of money, Isaiah 56:11, “Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.”

2. Follow after righteous, 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

a. An example of Godliness, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

b. An example of Faith, Ephesians 3:17,“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.”

c. An example of Love, Romans 13:10, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

d. An example of Patience, Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

e. An example of Meekness, Ephesians 4:1-2, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness [gentleness], with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

C. Keep your commitment, 1 Timothy 6:20, "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:"

1. Keep this commandment without spot, 1 Timothy 6:14, “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

2. We should stand fast by the truth, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”

3. We should continue in the things we have learned, 2 Timothy 3:14, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;”

4. We should hold fast the faithful word, Titus 1:9, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

CONCLUSION

With the guidance of the Spirit of God every believer can live pleasing to the Lord. We can be trained in the things of God so that we can honor our Savior and glorify our Father in Heaven.

TO THE PURE ALL THINGS ARE PURE--TITUS 1:15-16

TO THE PURE ALL THINGS ARE PURE

TITUS 1:15-16

Introduction:

Sometimes we as Christians tend to see things through rose colored glasses. That is, we don’t want to see things as they really are. Paul reminds Titus of the condition of the people to whom he was sent was that of unbelief. He quotes one of the poets of Crete describing his people as “alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.” Then Paul said that the poet was telling the truth.

Titus had his work cut out for him. They were dealing with Christians who needed teaching and unbelievers who were sometimes hostile toward the truth in Christ. We are in much the same situation today. Note the contrast between the two.

I. BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS HAVE A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

A. The believer accepts the Word of God as his guide in life, Psalm 33:4, “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.”

1. The Word of God is the standard by which the true believer lives, Psalm 119:9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

2. The Word of God is that which leads him from day to day, Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

a. His steps are ordered by the Word of God, Psalm 119:133, “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”

b. The believer meditates in the Word of God, Psalm 119:148, “Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.”

B. That is what God requires of every man, Psalm 15:1-3, “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.”

1. One who is blameless by faith in Christ, Ephesians 1:4, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

2. One who has trusted in Jesus Christ, Ephesians 1:12-13, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted , after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

II. THE UNBLELIEVER HAS A NEGATIVE OUTLOOK

A. The unbeliever is defiled in mind, Mark 7:15, “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.”

1. The problem with these “false teachers” was from within themselves, Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

2. Nothing defiles man from the outside even though some think that, Mark 7:2, “And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.”

B. The Unbeliever believes that all men are like himself, Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

1. He is defiled in conscience, 1 Corinthians 8:7, “Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.”

2. He professes to know God, 1 John 2:4, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

3. His works deny that profession, James 2:18, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

a. They are abominable (detestable), Job 15:16, “How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?”

b. They are disobedient, Titus 1:10, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:”

c. They are disqualified (Reprobate), Jeremiah 6:30, “Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.”

1) They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, Romans 1:28, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;”

2) They resist the truth, 2 Timothy 3:8, “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”

CONCLUSION

Paul concludes this chapter by saying in verse 16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him , being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” These are lost people who profess to know God in whose life there is no evidence. These folks need to know Christ in salvation.

ANSWERING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS--TITUS 3:1-9

ANSWERING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Titus 3:1-9

Titus 3:9, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”

Introduction:

Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether. We should observe the apostle’s precept to be careful to maintain good works, Titus 3:8, This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”

If we do this we shall find ourselves far too occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.

Then we can concentrate on questions of great value:

I. WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH JESUS?

A. Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Acts 16:31, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

1. Have I put my faith in Him as my PERSONAL SAVIOR? John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

2. Have I followed Him in Baptism as an OBEDIENT believer? Acts 10:47, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”

B. Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Ephesians 4:22-24, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23-And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24- And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

1. Our minds are no longer darkened, Ephesians 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”

2. Our lives are no longer alienated from God, Colossians 1:21, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled”

3. Our hearts are no longer hardened and impure, Nehemiah 9:16-17, “But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, 17- And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.”

C. Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Romans 8:5, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

D. Am I growing in grace? Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

1. Other people see the grace of God in us by the way we speak, James 3:13, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

2. Our testimony proves our faith in Christ,1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”

II. AM I ANTICIPATING THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST?

A. Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, Titus 2:13, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

B. Am I watching, as a servant should do who expects his master? James 5:7-8, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

1. Look ahead to the Lord’s coming, Romans 8:24-25, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

2. Looking ahead with established hearts, Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

CONCLUSION

Ask yourself, “what more can I do for Jesus?” We are saved. We know the truth. We are members of one of the Lord’s Churches. Are we sharing it with others?

Let’s determine to rebuild by the grace of God what some have tried to destroy. Satan would love to see this church and others die.

THE GRACE OF GOD

THE GRACE OF GOD

Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”

Introduction:

In the New Testament the word “grace” comes from two Greek words: charis is used to denote ‘forgiveness,’ human as well as divine; eleos has the meaning of ‘mercy;’ this form is not used much and occurs largely in passages based in the Old Testament.

Grace involves subjects as forgiveness, salvation, regeneration, repentance and the love of God. In the Old Testament grace is looked at more in the form of mercy. The Old Testament prophetic writings had repentance as their chief point of interest while the Law was in sharp opposition to grace.

I. GRACE CAME BY JESUS CHRIST, John 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

A. The grace of God has appeared to all men, Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

B. The grace of God sent Jesus Christ to the Cross, Hebrews 2:9, But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

C. The grace of God causes man to be justified through Jesus Christ, Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” See also Romans 5:16-19.

II. GRACE WAS BEFORE THE LAW.

A. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, Genesis 6:8, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

1. Here we see grace relating to “mercy,” Genesis 39:21, “But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”

2. Here we see also the idea of “favor,” Proverbs 3:4, “So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”

B. Joseph finds “favor” in Potiphar’s sight, Genesis 39:4, “And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.”

III. GRACE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, Ephesians 2:1-10.

A. The Prodigal Son was welcomed by his father in a way he did not deserve, Luke 15:20-24.

B. Repentance is stressed as a condition of salvation, Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

C. Faith is the human response to God’s grace, Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

IV. THE BELIEVER’S POSITION IN GRACE EXPLAINED.

A. It is not by anything in himself, Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

B. It is by the will of God, Galatians 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

1. God’s call to salvation checks human independence and self-righteousness, 2 Timothy 1:9, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

2. It shows that in bestowing favor God is perfectly free, Ephesians 1:1-6.

3. It shows that every step in the process of the Christian life is due to God’s grace:

a. The call, Galatians 1:15, “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace.”

b. Repentance, 2 Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

c. Faith, Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9-Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

CONCLUSION

There is a lot more to be said about the grace of God, however, we have touched on the basis of the doctrine. God’s grace is a marvelous thing in our lives and because He chose to save us should move us to win others to His marvelous grace also.