Latest / Calvary Church with Ed Taylor Podcast / #20251029 - Ordering Your Life To The Glory Of God - Titus 2

Transcript

#20251029 - Ordering Your Life To The Glory Of God - Titus 2 · Calvary Church with Ed Taylor Podcast

0:05
Welcome to the study of God's Word recorded live at Calvary
0:08
Church in Aurora, Co. To learn more about the many
0:12
resources available through Abounding Grace Media or to tune
0:15
into our live stream services, visit us online at Calvary Co
0:20
dot Church or download our free Calvary Church app.
0:24
Now let's open our Bibles and study God's Word.
0:30
Our title tonight is called Ordering Your Life.
0:34
To the glory of God. And that's what I believe
0:38
chapter 2 is focused on. Now you know that they didn't
0:44
have chapters and verses when this was written.
0:48
The chapters came in during how much later actually and so.
0:55
This this. Letter was written at. 63 to 65.
0:59
AD And so before we get into the introduction here, let's begin
1:05
with the. Word of prayer because I just
1:08
have a. Sense that what we're going to
1:11
be reading here has great application to what's going on
1:16
in all. Of our lives today.
1:18
In the 21st century. So let's start with the word of
1:22
prayer. Father God we thank.
1:25
You for your word we. Thank you that as we open the
1:29
word and begin to read it and digest it, understand.
1:34
It that your Holy Spirit is right there.
1:37
To minister to us because you know what's going on in our
1:41
life, you know why it's going on, you know when it started,
1:45
you know the root causes and Lord, this is more than just a a
1:51
text on moral living. This is something.
1:54
That that you are. Directing us to let the.
1:58
Holy Spirit, flow through our life.
2:01
In our behaviors to your. Glory.
2:05
And so we look. For you now, Lord to minister.
2:08
To us in Jesus. Name Amen, you know here.
2:13
At the Apostle. Paul and Titus had done some
2:18
ministry here in the Isle of Crete, evangelizing, going into
2:22
synagogues. Because that was the.
2:24
Pattern of the. Apostle Paul, He.
2:26
Wanted to take. The gospel of grace to the Jew
2:29
first, because he was Jewish, had such a a burden for his.
2:34
Fellow Jewish person. And so they go into a synagogue.
2:38
First of all. And then as those times are in
2:41
the. Synagogue there there's.
2:43
An opening for people to stand up and share.
2:46
And so he uses that as a a. Pharisee of the Pharisees.
2:51
And he presents Jesus as the promised Messiah.
2:56
But the Messiah was to. Suffer first, like Isaiah 53
3:00
tells us. And out of those times, going
3:03
through the Isle. Of Crete, there were those
3:07
believers. And then?
3:08
Also those that were God. Fearing Gentiles that wanted to
3:12
connect with Judaism, they were hearing the gospel of grace and
3:17
the Holy Spirit was causing their hearts to just resonate
3:20
with it. And then Paul would begin, and
3:23
Titus would begin to meet with them separately and begin the.
3:27
Discipleship process and so eventually.
3:31
House churches formed out of that.
3:33
They met in houses and it all. Through the Isle of Crete.
3:38
And so Paul now has spent time with Titus on the Isle of Crete,
3:42
so he knows. What he's talking about.
3:44
He's not just saying. Well, Titus, you're over here.
3:47
You know, and I think. This would be good, no?
3:49
He had a heart knowledge. Of what it was like, what the.
3:52
Culture was like in Crete and it was a mess and.
3:57
So there. There's a strong exhortation
3:59
all. Through the letter to Titus.
4:01
About being strong, being being solid in your doctrine,
4:06
confronting the things that were wrong and not just bypassing.
4:10
But but for the sake of the young.
4:12
Disciples really protect them and be sound in your teaching
4:18
and. So the culture of Crete.
4:21
Had probably even affected the Jewish.
4:23
Population because we hear of Jewish fables.
4:27
Coming in and it's interesting the culture around us, because
4:33
we live in the middle of it, can sometimes get.
4:37
Diffused it seems through our. Mind and through how we relate
4:41
to things and we start using the.
4:43
Culture mores the the culture. Expectations of what's right and
4:49
wrong, and we start bringing it over suddenly, and that's where
4:54
keeping in the word is so important.
4:57
Because it establishes the truth.
5:01
And, and this is a truth that doesn't change.
5:04
I mean, we are reading it now in the 21st century and it was
5:08
written in the 1st century, but these things are still true.
5:11
Today. When we.
5:16
Consider Titus's history. We know from the.
5:21
Early Church fathers Eusebius He.
5:24
Wrote and Jerome also stated that Titus later became the 1st.
5:29
Bishop of Crete. And tradition says he served
5:32
there faithfully until old age, guiding the Cretan churches.
5:38
He is said to have. Died peacefully in Crete around
5:41
96 AD at about 94 years. Old.
5:46
His tomb was reportedly located in Gortina, the Ancient.
5:51
Capital of Crete, where there was a church.
5:53
Built later in his honor. So Titus.
5:56
Was a Gentile and yet he is. He is ministering to both Jew
6:01
and Gentile and you know God has a plan.
6:06
For each. Person, when you look at what
6:10
happens with the original apostles and their martyrdom,
6:13
except for the apostle John, and then you see.
6:17
The other disciples that were disciples by those first
6:21
apostles. And you see their history and
6:24
you read their writings and and you just find that God is using
6:29
different people in different ways in different places.
6:34
And that's still true today. But sometimes we become so
6:38
focused on what God has. Called us to do.
6:41
That we think everybody else should probably reasonably do
6:44
things like we do them. But.
6:47
You know, there's different operations, but it's the same
6:50
God. God is working.
6:52
He's the creator and he wants to get into every nook and cranny
6:57
of people groups all around the world.
7:02
My grandson is in Bible College in England and his best friend
7:06
is one of the students there. And this student was a was a
7:11
Muslim and he had a dream about Jesus that night.
7:16
And he and he came to Christ and eventually his whole family had
7:20
dreams, separate dreams, and they came to Christ and it's
7:23
like. I hear these stories, but this
7:25
is a real guy that it's it's. Happening and and they go out
7:30
witnessing on Friday nights in in the.
7:33
City that the Bible's. School is in in England and so I
7:38
mean God. Does things differently.
7:40
He does things his own way, but not outside of these boundaries.
7:45
By the way. Tonight, what I'm going to.
7:50
Do is take? Chapter 2 and divide.
7:52
It into two parts, so those of you.
7:54
Taking notes. This is just going to be real
7:57
simple. Verses 1 to 10.
8:00
I call the gospel of. Grace shown in daily.
8:03
Life, the gospel of grace. Shown in daily life and then #2
8:09
the gospel of grace summarized. And that's just a very important
8:14
section here, verses 11 to 15. So again, chapter 2 verses.
8:20
One to 10 is the. Gospel of Grace.
8:23
Shown in daily life and and that'll make sense.
8:26
As we go through. And then the second part of the.
8:29
Gospel of Grace summarized verses. 11 to 15 so let's dive
8:33
into tonight's study Follow along with me.
8:36
I want to read. The first.
8:38
Section verses one through 10. And you'll see why I titled it
8:42
like this, Paul writes. To Titus and he says.
8:46
But As for? You speak the things.
8:50
Which are proper for. Sound doctrine that the older
8:54
men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in
9:00
love, in patience. The older women likewise that
9:05
they be reverent in behavior. Not slanderers, not given to
9:09
much wine, teachers of good things that they admonish the
9:15
young women. To love their husbands, to love
9:19
their. Children.
9:20
To be discreet, chaste homemakers.
9:24
Good, obedient to their own. Husbands that the word of.
9:29
God may not be blasphemed. Verse 6 Likewise exhort the.
9:35
Young men to be sober minded in all things showing.
9:40
Yourself to be a pattern of good works.
9:43
In doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
9:49
sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an
9:54
opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you,
9:59
exhort bond servants to be obedient to their own masters,
10:04
to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not
10:08
pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn
10:13
the doctrine. Of God our Savior.
10:15
In all things. So in this first section, these
10:20
first 12. Verses we see six various.
10:25
People groups within the house churches there in Crete.
10:29
You've got the older men, you've got the younger men, you've got
10:35
the older women, you've got the younger women, you've got the
10:39
bond servants, and then you have Titus himself.
10:42
There was a. Charge here to Titus not.
10:45
Just to these people groups. And so when you're when you're
10:51
reading, notice verse 1 of chapter.
10:55
Two says. But As for you, that phrase
11:00
there connects us to the previous verses.
11:04
Because again, remember there were no chapters and verses.
11:09
The chapters. Ratted in the 13th century AD
11:14
and then the verses ratted in the 16th century.
11:18
AD so it. Was all one long.
11:20
Letter without paragraphs without chapter breaks and so.
11:25
When you look at verse 15 of chapter 1.
11:29
Here's what you read. Leading up to what he says in
11:33
chapter 2 verse one. He says to the pure.
11:37
All things are pure but to. Those who are defiled.
11:40
And unbelieving nothing is. Pure but.
11:44
Even their mind and conscience are defiled.
11:49
They profess to know God, but in works they deny him being
11:53
abominable. I never could say that word
11:56
right. Abominable.
11:58
Abominable. OK, that's fine.
12:02
Disobedient and. Disqualified for every good
12:05
work. But As for you.
12:08
So that's the culture of Creed. But Titus.
12:13
You're on a whole nother. Level here.
12:16
But As for you? Speak the things which are
12:19
proper for sound doctrine and the word speak here means
12:24
continue to speak in the Greek verb tense speak speaking
12:30
continue to. Speak.
12:32
The things which are proper for sound doctrine, the word sound
12:37
as it's. Used through this chapter.
12:39
Is is a medical term meaning healthy sound in body and mind,
12:45
you know. That you had that.
12:47
Healthy that healthiness that's associated.
12:50
With that word but it. Says here, speak the things.
12:54
Which are proper or that? Point to or that reinforce sound
13:00
healthy teaching. That builds up disciples and.
13:06
Really. What we see here is the.
13:08
Grace of God being what is. To what's to be taught?
13:13
Rather than rules, ceremonies, regulations do this.
13:18
Or or God. Is going to be mad and and yeah.
13:21
Because that that was their. World serving other gods, always
13:25
trying to keep them happy. So that they would.
13:27
Bless their crops. And it was.
13:29
All work, work, work but the grace of God.
13:34
Continue. To speak Titus about the grace
13:37
of God because that discipleship.
13:40
Is going to be so important for those young believers and those
13:43
house churches and then from here.
13:47
He goes, OK, there are people. Groups here I want you.
13:50
To be aware of. Yes, you're to appoint.
13:53
Elders but. Then he doesn't tell them.
13:56
Just to back off and. Leave Titus becomes very
14:00
involved in ministering personally to individuals and to
14:05
house churches. He starts off with the older.
14:09
Men now he doesn't define how much.
14:13
Older is, but it's just older. Let's just leave it at that.
14:17
Older for the older. Men to be sober, reverent,
14:24
temperate, sound, in faith, in love and impatience, so I know.
14:31
That the elders were probably. Chosen from among the more
14:34
mature that were there. But yet there were other older.
14:39
Men involved in these house churches and so these. 6
14:44
descriptions were to be. Taught to the older men and and
14:48
let let me just. Say these descriptions are.
14:51
Not necessarily the natural result of getting old.
14:56
I mean we we all can think of someone who didn't age.
15:01
Well. And and I'm, I know that you're
15:05
looking at me, but but I mean. To take the opposite of these.
15:11
Words flippant, irreverent, intemperate, just out of
15:19
control, Cranky, complaining, angry old man.
15:28
So, so Paul is telling Titus, listen continually speak to the
15:35
old men, these six things. Let's look at them first of all,
15:43
sober here. Means more than not being drunk
15:46
sober. Here has to do with.
15:48
Being clear minded, seeing life in its proper common sense
15:52
perspective. Reverent.
15:55
Has to do with their. Overall behavior that gains
15:59
respect from others, temperate or self controlled, not being
16:04
LED about. By impulses.
16:06
Or impetuous desires and actions.
16:10
That's supposed to be the the the way.
16:13
I'm making all your mistakes and then slowing down and doing
16:16
things right by the time you're 112.
16:19
OK, Sound in faith. The whole body of his belief.
16:24
System is solid and healthy. Sound in love.
16:28
The agape love of God permeating his life.
16:31
Sound in patience. Because of his life experience,
16:35
there should be that stability of soul.
16:38
When tribulations occur, being seasoned with wisdom and so
16:45
continually speak these things to encourage the older men.
16:49
And I just want to say, when you're looking at all these
16:51
individual life expressions, just think.
16:57
The fruit of the Holy. Spirit, because if a man or a
17:01
woman, no matter. What their age is?
17:04
Walking in the. Spirit of God.
17:07
There's going to be. The fruit of the Holy.
17:08
Spirit coming forth from their life, showing itself in everyday
17:12
life. That's true for all of us.
17:16
I mean God. Takes us as we are.
17:17
Doesn't he? And, and we're, you know, we're
17:21
a piece of work when he, when he takes us and he calls us and he
17:25
loves us and he meets us. Right where we're at.
17:28
And he's patient. To see us.
17:30
Along to change us from. Glory to glory, so the fruit of
17:35
the Spirit of. Love and joy and peace and
17:39
long-suffering and gentleness and kindness and goodness and
17:44
meekness. Faithfulness.
17:47
Self-control. All of that shows itself.
17:51
As we. Yield to the Holy Spirit, but
17:55
Paul. Here is telling Titus these six
17:58
things with the older men continue to speak encourage.
18:03
This direct. Them to that in that.
18:07
Area. Well, how about the older women?
18:12
Verse 3 The older. Women likewise let's.
18:15
Start with the word likewise. That means what I just said
18:19
before we're going to add. To it all the truths that I've.
18:23
Brought to you regarding the older men also are going to
18:27
apply to the older women but then.
18:30
He adds here he. Adds a few others.
18:34
Three more Not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of
18:40
good things. Now the word.
18:42
Slanderers is the Greek word diabolos.
18:45
Don't be a devil. Basically a slanderer, one that
18:49
takes 1/2. Truth or a supposition or what I
18:53
thought it was. And goes and spreads it out and
18:56
becomes an accuser, joining and becoming of an instrument.
19:02
Of Satan to divide because. Satan is called the accuser of
19:07
the brethren. In the Book of Revelation, so
19:12
first of all. Continue to tell them not to be
19:15
slanderers. Don't be.
19:16
Gossips. The older women and then to to
19:23
make it complicated, not given to much wine.
19:28
An older woman that's a gossip and a drunk.
19:30
But you know, that's a rough combination.
19:35
Perfect storm. Notice also Paul instructs
19:39
Timothy. To have the older women.
19:41
Give discipleship to the younger.
19:44
Women and not do it himself. This is an important piece.
19:48
Here because it was to. To remove himself from any
19:55
accusation of impropriety, have the older women teach the
19:59
younger women. And that leads us into verses 4
20:03
through 5. Because you see, the older women
20:07
were to pour into. The lives of the younger.
20:09
Women, their sound wisdom and experience.
20:11
Over the years, it doesn't. Mean that your personal
20:16
preferences are to be elevated to the same level of scripture.
20:20
I mean how? You cook the.
20:22
Ham and what degree is not biblical.
20:25
It's just your preference. Reminds me of the.
20:28
Story of the little girl that asks.
20:31
Her mom, you know how come you cut?
20:32
Off the end of the. Ham every time you cook it in
20:35
the oven and she goes, I don't know, Grandma always used to do
20:39
it. So I'm just following her
20:40
pattern. And so finally when Grandma came
20:43
over, the little one said, Grandma, how?
20:46
How come we cut? Off the end of the.
20:47
Ham before we cook it. And he says, well.
20:50
I had to cut it off because it wouldn't fit in the oven and so
20:53
you know, so it was. Just a a.
20:55
A. A habit, but don't make that.
20:59
Oh, I've got to teach. The younger women you know.
21:01
About those particulars. But he does give.
21:06
Direction in verses four and five, and I want you to look at
21:10
these seven arenas of instruction that the older women
21:14
were to address with the younger women.
21:17
That. Verse four that they admonish
21:21
the young women to love their husbands, to love their
21:25
children. Let's stop there.
21:29
It starts with the. Family.
21:32
And what's something I didn't see before?
21:35
I didn't bother to look it up, but this time.
21:39
The word love there. Means is the Greek word phileo,
21:44
not to. Filet their husbands, but to
21:47
phileo which. Means to be fondly affectionate
21:50
toward in the same. Word to love their children.
21:56
To be fondly affectionate toward their children now.
21:58
Why? Why would the older?
22:01
Women have to admonish the younger women to love their
22:08
husbands. The only reason I can think of
22:13
is offenses being offended. Because I tell you.
22:20
When offenses build up in the home between the husband and the
22:25
wife, the first thing that goes is affection, I think
22:34
forgiveness and communication. Are the two tools to help keep?
22:41
Affection alive in the home. My wife and I've been married
22:47
almost 56 years in January. And thank you, thank her, and
22:57
forgiveness and communication are the 2.
22:59
Keys that help us. Work out our differences, we.
23:03
Are as different as day. And night when we go to watch a
23:08
movie, it doesn't work. Because what I like and what she
23:15
likes. Are from east to the West and so
23:21
we have to communicate and then we end up watching Andy Griffith
23:26
on TV, you know OK, who's that the younger people are saying
23:33
who's that well. He was some rock star.
23:35
Back in the you know. 50s OK to love their.
23:39
Children. Well, why would you have to?
23:42
Encourage the younger. Women to love their.
23:44
Children to be fondly affectionate toward the children
23:48
well considering the life. Of Crete, the everyday culture.
23:54
Do your own thing. Be.
23:57
Entitled I want. To do what I want to do and my
24:00
kids are trapping me. I'm trapped.
24:02
By these kids, they. Always like that when they.
24:05
Get sick. Everybody gets sick.
24:06
And all the sudden. There are these offenses.
24:10
But they didn't, kids didn't do anything.
24:13
But you feel trapped and all of a sudden you're the affection
24:18
dies out to your kids and you and resentment starts to build
24:21
in. Listen, those children are a
24:26
gift from God to you and and you're entrusted with caring for
24:33
them because God has a plan for their life and he's put you in
24:38
charge of them to love them to, to care for them, to prepare
24:45
them for what's ahead of the future and not see them as as
24:50
something that disrupts. Your.
24:52
Freedom. It's interesting how Paul.
24:56
Writes this to Titus. And then in verse 5.
24:59
To be discreet. Now discreet.
25:03
Means self controlled. What might go along with
25:07
discreet is how a woman talks. About her?
25:10
Husband to other women Sometimes it's easy to use a husband's
25:15
fault to make oneself. Look like the wise.
25:18
One or always be the victim of every story.
25:22
It's important to understand. That letting the Holy Spirit
25:28
flow through your life is not a destructive.
25:33
Thing it is a healing thing and sometimes when when all.
25:40
The sudden there is this. Bitterness and resentment.
25:44
The flow of the Holy Spirit is cut off.
25:48
And the only thing. That starts the flow.
25:51
Again is repentance and owning your pride and owning.
25:56
The fact that. You know it's not all about you.
25:59
It's about him, not your husband.
26:02
It's about the Lord is what I'm saying.
26:04
Here, discreet Chase has to do with the.
26:09
Behavior of the younger women especially.
26:12
In public to have a flirtatious attitude.
26:15
With other men might build up your own.
26:18
Sense of self worth but it. Will tear down your relationship
26:21
with your husband. And so this is something that
26:26
Titus wasn't to tell the young women, but the older women
26:30
having been there. Are to be disciples.
26:33
Of the younger women homemakers here doesn't mean that doesn't
26:40
negate a working wife but it means that she'd not she should
26:44
not be neglectful of the home environment at the expense of
26:47
her job or. Other activities.
26:51
And good is just that, wholesomeness.
26:53
It's a general word. And then obedient to their own
26:56
husbands, honoring him as the final authority in the home.
27:01
Again, communication, forgiveness, so essential.
27:07
So that's the younger. Women and now let's.
27:09
Go to the the. Younger men likewise.
27:13
Here's that word again. Exhort the.
27:17
Young men to be sober minded and sober minded means to.
27:22
Exercise self-control. Have a humble appraisal of
27:26
oneself and curb the passions. Sometimes we think that, you
27:34
know, when I'm young, I can do anything I want, anything I
27:36
want. It's my right, my world.
27:40
Just because you have the. Strength of youth doesn't mean
27:43
you should use it any way you want, and so continually speak
27:49
to the younger men. To live a life that.
27:53
In reality, a common sense life. And then he turns to Titus in
28:00
verses 7 and 8 in all things showing yourself.
28:05
To be a pattern of good works in.
28:07
Doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
28:13
sound speech that cannot be condemned, that the one who is
28:17
an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing.
28:20
Evil to say of you. Titus had a responsibility to
28:26
live in a way. That glorifies God because of
28:30
the great sacrifice and the great privilege that that God.
28:35
And his son has provided. For us.
28:39
Then our life should be a reflection of our honor.
28:43
To Him. Our God is a holy.
28:46
God, it's clear through the Bible, but our.
28:49
God is also a moral God. Morality matters to him, but
28:54
simple morality is not what he's looking for.
28:58
He's. Looking for a life that
29:01
reflects. Honor and trust in him and I, I
29:05
want to have my life glorify Him while I'm living here on this
29:09
earth. Because you know what?
29:12
When you stand. Before the Lord.
29:14
On that last day, nothing's going to matter other than how
29:19
did my life glorify you when I was on the earth?
29:23
It's not your net worth. It's not your job.
29:26
Accomplishments. It's not you know how many.
29:28
Kids you had or how? You know what?
29:31
Anything else it? Has to do with how?
29:33
Did my life glorify you when I was on the earth?
29:37
Because everything else dissolves ordering my life.
29:42
To the glory of God. That's why we titled this study
29:45
this like. This here showing yourself.
29:50
Titus, a pattern of good works. In a doctrine showing integrity,
29:55
reverence, incorruptibility. Sound speech because the
29:59
society. Is going to come against you and
30:02
call you all kinds of names. Like they're doing today to.
30:08
Be an outspoken person on the. Truths of the Gospel creates
30:13
hatred. And Satan stirs them up, as
30:19
we've seen recently and are are seeing it every day now.
30:27
His manner of life especially important in disciple in those
30:32
believers in the. Grace of God and then.
30:37
He turns to bondservants in verses 9 through 10 exhort
30:40
bondservants to be obedient to their own masters.
30:43
To be well. Pleasing in all things, not
30:46
answering back, not pilfering, You know, stealing little
30:50
things, but showing all good fidelity that that they may
30:55
adorn the doctrine of God our Savior and all things.
30:58
So it all comes. Back to.
31:00
I want my life. To reflect to the world what God
31:04
is like. The love of God, that God cares,
31:07
that God. Meets the needs that God can be
31:10
trusted, that God's promises are.
31:12
True. He doesn't tell Bond servants.
31:17
To go. Picket their their masters.
31:20
He doesn't tell them to go and and just run for their life.
31:25
He says you're in this situation of life right now, by the way.
31:29
As we talked about. Last week, a bond servant was
31:33
stuck until. Death to that master.
31:37
And so Paul says. Now there are bond servants in
31:40
the house. Churches and so how?
31:42
How do you minister to them? How can you help?
31:46
Them in their current situation of life, they're stuck.
31:51
He says OK. Here's what I want you to do.
31:54
I want you to live. Your life to reflect how God
31:58
loves you. And what God has done.
32:01
For you, by His grace. And I want you to use the
32:04
situation right now that they may adorn the doctrine.
32:11
Of God our Savior. In all things.
32:15
So this first. Section talking about.
32:20
The Gospel of Grace. Shown in daily life.
32:22
Now let's go to the second section, very important section,
32:25
the Gospel of Grace summarized verse 11 for the.
32:32
Grace of God that. Brings salvation has appeared to
32:36
all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly.
32:42
Lusts. We should live soberly,
32:46
righteously. And godly in this present age
32:50
looking. For the blessed hope and.
32:53
Glorious appearing of our great. God and Savior Jesus Christ who
32:58
gave Himself for us. That He might redeem us from
33:01
every lawless deed, and purify for himself his own.
33:06
Special people, zealous for good works, speak these.
33:10
Things exhort and rebuke. With all.
33:13
Authority, let no one despise you.
33:18
Such an important section here because it's the Gospel
33:22
summarized. For the grace of God.
33:26
That brings salvation has appeared to all men.
33:30
Verse 11 the word appear means to rise like the sun in the
33:37
morning because this mystery of the grace of.
33:42
Salvation by the grace of. God through faith in.
33:45
Jesus Christ was revealed there. In the in the New Testament
33:50
times, it was like presented like the sun coming up.
33:54
For the grace of God. That brings salvation.
33:58
It's not our works that brings. Salvation, it's the very favor.
34:02
And mercy and grace of God that brings salvation has appeared.
34:08
And I want you to underline 2 words.
34:11
All men I know. That that there is a.
34:16
Popular teaching out that Jesus Christ only.
34:19
Died for the elect. And not for the whole.
34:21
World but right. Here is one of the.
34:23
Several scriptures that say that the gospel.
34:27
Has been presented to all men one of the.
34:32
First rules of biblical. Interpretation is the obvious
34:35
meaning. Is the obvious meaning.
34:39
And then, then #2 here in verse 12, teaching us the grace.
34:43
Of God teaches us that. Denying ungodliness and worldly
34:48
lusts. We should live soberly,
34:51
righteously. And godly in this present.
34:54
Age, that's the life. That we live now.
34:58
Salvation has been brought to us in the days past and have their
35:02
effect right now. But during our life dash from
35:07
the year you were born and the year you die, that dash, that's
35:11
your life. And and I want to glorify God in
35:14
my dash and I'm and my dash is slower than a lot of other
35:20
people. But I'm.
35:20
Still walking. It's my dash, it's my season on
35:24
earth and I'm to glorify God. I'm to I'm to deny ungodliness
35:32
and worldly lusts. To live soberly, righteously,
35:35
godly. In this present age, because God
35:38
wants to use me. To reflect to the world.
35:41
His truth and his life. And that's part of my.
35:47
Purpose. That's part of your.
35:48
Purpose. But then.
35:52
He talks about how the grace of God points us forward.
35:57
And the and the gospel includes the eminent return of the Lord.
36:01
Jesus. Looking for and the word looking
36:06
for is is intently looking for, not just like, you know,
36:11
casually thinking well, maybe the Lord will come back.
36:13
No, but looking forward to looking for the blessed hope and
36:20
glorious appearing of our great. God and Savior Jesus Christ we
36:26
believe that the Bible clearly states that Jesus is.
36:31
Going to be coming. For his church to catch his
36:34
church up. To himself in First
36:37
Thessalonians. Chapter 4 It's very clear there
36:41
are other scriptures that. Point to it as well.
36:43
We do believe in what's. Called the Rapture the.
36:46
Catching away of the church. The blessed hope.
36:51
Now you think, well, this was written in the 1st century and
36:54
he never came back, so maybe we're misinterpreting it.
36:58
No, there's this eminent return of the Lord that's an integral
37:03
part of the. Gospel of God because it keeps
37:07
our life. Focused on being ready for his
37:12
return, the blessed hope and. Glorious appearing of our great
37:19
God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for.
37:25
Us now verse 14. I want you to pay attention.
37:30
To because it's the root cause of why we should live.
37:35
Like is explained in the. Chapter Because Jesus Christ,
37:43
our great God. And Savior, notice he's calling.
37:47
Jesus, God, he. Gave Himself for us, that He
37:54
might redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify for
38:02
himself His own special people. God wants to purify our life.
38:09
The opposite of purified is. Putrefied.
38:14
It's. That defilement of soul
38:17
defilement. Of Spirit and all the.
38:21
The immorality and and the wickedness that we've given
38:25
ourselves before God wants to purify us.
38:29
And that happens from the inside out.
38:33
Jesus. Did this for us because.
38:35
He wants to purify us for himself, and I have to own my
38:42
own times of of sin and repent He considers me among his own.
38:52
Special people set apart people zealous for good works the older
39:01
I get. The most important thing for me
39:06
is getting to know him better, and sometimes I get so focused
39:11
on how I'm supposed to react, how I'm supposed to live.
39:15
All that can be sorted. Out when when your relationship
39:18
with him is close and and you don't want to.
39:22
Grieve his heart. By how you live.
39:26
And so that becomes a motive on on how we carry.
39:30
Out our everyday life. And so when we get angry and
39:34
when we sin against somebody. Because of his heart toward.
39:38
Me, he wants me to go make it right.
39:41
He wants me to to for to ask forgiveness, to own my sin.
39:46
Yes, he redeemed me from that sin, but now I've got to be
39:50
purified. And that's what he's looking to
39:54
do. And he tells Titus here, speak
39:57
these things, exhort and rebuke. With all authority because the
40:02
society. Isn't going to help you.
40:06
You're going to need to be the point of the spear.
40:11
You're going to need to take a stand for what's right and
40:16
what's. Godly.
40:17
And what God is looking for. And again, going back to the
40:22
main goal, like the Westminster. Shorter catechism, says the
40:27
chief. End of man is to glorify God and
40:31
enjoy him forever. I want to learn to enjoy God
40:35
right now and I want my life to glorify him in whatever sphere
40:40
he has me in. It doesn't mean I'm I'm
40:43
obnoxious and force it, it just means that.
40:47
I let his. Love, control my day.
40:52
Do I care about? People.
40:54
Or do I only care about myself? What's going on in the life of
40:58
that? Person over there.
41:00
How come that person is sitting on the on the park bench and
41:03
they're weeping? You care about people because he
41:07
cares for you. He cared for you when you were
41:09
in sin, and he came. To you while you were still.
41:12
Sinning and presented. That truth of the gospel to you.
41:20
This is such an. Important description here and
41:22
notice in verse 1 of chapter. Two speak the.
41:26
Things which are proper for sound doctrine.
41:29
And then verse 15 speak these things, exhort and rebuke with
41:34
all authority and both. Of those words.
41:37
Speak mean continuously speak. Let it be a regular pattern of
41:42
your life, Titus, and so as we. Close the chapter.
41:47
I mean, we've, we've touched upon quite a few things here.
41:53
Maybe you're an older woman, older woman and God is showing
41:58
here that it's time to really think about disciple in younger
42:02
women. That's biblical.
42:07
But don't. Tell them how to cook ham.
42:09
I mean, you know, just, you know, encourage them in the
42:14
grace. Of God as they go through their
42:17
trials. Rather than being the answer.
42:19
Lady, the Bible answer. Lady, just listen.
42:23
And hear what the Holy Spirit wants you to say in that
42:27
situation. Be a disciple.
42:33
And if you're in a situation of work?
42:35
Let's say where you're stuck. And you, you, you.
42:37
Don't like your job? Then pull back before the Lord.
42:42
Stop and confess saying God. I hate this job.
42:46
I just. Pray you move my supervisor.
42:50
Well. What needs to be moved first is
42:52
your heart. Because.
42:55
God is in the midst of it, trying to teach you.
42:58
About himself, because your hope.
43:02
Isn't in a better job. Your hope is in that eternal
43:07
life that He. Gives to you.
43:09
That brings purpose and meaning that takes the.
43:12
Pressure off of what you're. Doing and maybe your.
43:19
Supervisors there as a tool. That God is using for right now.
43:24
Sorry and if you're. One of those supervisors, bless
43:30
God. You know, I don't know what to
43:33
say to you of just re evaluate how you're.
43:39
Supervising. Re evaluate how you're treating
43:43
those under you and sure. There's pressure above you to
43:47
produce. And so you put the pressure on
43:51
those underneath you, but at the end of the day, you got to be
43:58
accountable to the Lord Himself. So as we close our study.
44:05
Here I think the questions we all need to ask.
44:10
Ourselves is Lord. Am I hindering?
44:14
The work of your holy. Spirit in my life, would you
44:20
search my heart? Would you see if there's?
44:25
Anything that's hindering? Is there any boulder on top of
44:29
the artesian well that quenches? The flow of the Holy.
44:33
Spirit in my life. And you know what?
44:36
That boulder is that boulders pride.
44:41
Because we want to do. It our way.
44:45
And so when the Holy Spirit. Convicts us, We go well.
44:47
That's just how I am. Good chunk.
44:51
It's a boulder on the flow, blocking the flow of the Holy.
44:55
Spirit, that life giving purpose.
45:00
Jesus has done so much for us in the.
45:03
Past and the present. And the.
45:04
Blessed hope of the future, He loves us so.
45:08
Deeply and we still don't get it at times.
45:13
So if you're here this. Evening and the Lord's been
45:17
speaking to your. Heart about what's?
45:19
Going on in your life or your marriage or with your kids.
45:24
It's time to stop and and stop demanding God.
45:27
Do this or do that. And just take, you know, take
45:32
the. Take the keys of your life that.
45:36
Represents everything about your life and lay it down at the foot
45:39
of. The cross and say Lord this.
45:41
Is my whole life, whether it's my marriage?
45:45
Whether it's my children, whether it's my job, whether
45:48
it's my. Health I I'm I'm just letting go
45:52
of it to you and I want you to take.
45:56
Care of me? And I want.
45:58
You to give me life. Starting on the inside.
46:04
And that's our call tonight. Let's pray.
46:10
Father God, there's. So much we have to learn.
46:14
As we read through your word, we see these exhortations.
46:19
And sometimes we can become so overwhelmed with be like this,
46:24
think like. This walk like this, but it all
46:30
has. To come back.
46:30
To you to simply follow you Jesus, and let you work.
46:40
Let you work in us from the inside out, please.
46:49
As we pray as a congregation, there may be some here tonight
46:54
that they haven't yet surrendered their life.
46:58
To you, Jesus, you died. For them, you really love them,
47:04
but they don't like you because. They're at war with you.
47:11
And if this is you tonight, it's time to stop the war with God,
47:18
and it's time for you. Just to.
47:20
Surrender and say I repent of my sin, and I choose to make.
47:27
Jesus Christ the Savior. Of my life.
47:30
Please redeem me God, from all the evil if this is you tonight.
47:39
This is simple prayer that you. Pray in your heart and you can
47:43
repeat it after me to God. And you just say to him, God,
47:49
I'm a mess. Please help me.
47:55
I believe that Jesus. Christ died on the cross to pay
48:00
for my sin, and I ask you to forgive me of all the sin of my
48:06
life. And I ask you to send your Holy
48:11
Spirit into my life right now and cause me to be born again.
48:20
And there's so much I don't know, but I know this.
48:26
I need you. Meet me here tonight.
48:34
Forgive me God. If you.
48:39
Prayed along with me tonight. I want you to know God has
48:44
watched you come into this building.
48:47
God has watched you. Listen to this message.
48:52
And he really wants to. Show you all of his love so as
49:02
we close. With our prayer tonight.
49:05
Those of you who prayed. I want you.
49:08
To take a step. When we close and come forward
49:12
and talk to the. Pastors that'll be up here at
49:15
the at the stage. And let them know.
49:17
That you have prayed that prayer, that's your first step.
49:25
So God, we thank you for your message tonight from Your Word.
49:31
Talk to us about it as the days. Go on now in Jesus name, Amen.
49:37
We pray that you've been encouraged by this Bible study
49:39
delivered live from the sanctuary of Calvary Church for
49:43
prayer, call us at 87730 grace that's 877-304-7223.
49:52
To listen to this message in its integrity or to join us for our
49:55
live stream services, visit us online at Calvary Co dot Church
50:01
or download our free Calvary Church app.
50:04
Be blessed as you worship Jesus this week.