Closing Greetings Series

BIG IDEA:

SOUND DOCTRINE IS PROFITABLE BECAUSE IT ALWAYS LINKS

GENUINE FAITH TO GOOD DEEDS

I. (:8) PROMOTE SOUND DOCTRINE WHICH IS PROFITABLE

A. Attitude: Promote Sound Doctrine with Confidence

"This is a trustworthy statement and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently"

Kent : "These sublime truths are to be stoutly maintained and urged (diabebaiousthai) upon believers. Orthodox preachers of the Gospel must be no less forceful in their presentation of truth than are the errorists in their falsehoods (same word is used of

false teachers in I Tim. 1:7)."

B. Goal: Promote Sound Doctrine so that Faith Remains Linked to Good Deeds

"so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds"

Wallis: "…succinct, powerful restatement of the message of the whole epistle … The grace of God, producing faith, comes first; good works should follow: the root and then the fruit."

C. Motivation: Promote Sound Doctrine Because it is Priceless

1. "good"

2. "profitable"

II. (:9-10) REJECT CONTENTIOUS SUBJECTS AND TEACHERS WHICH ARE NOT PROFITABLE

A. Reject Speculative Subjects that Stir up Strife

1. What to Shun

a. "foolish controversies"

b. "genealogies"

c. "strife and disputes about the Law"

2. Why to Shun it

a. "for they are unprofitable"

b. "and worthless"

B. Reject Contentious Teachers Who Divide the Church

1. Whom to Reject

"a factious man"

2. When to Reject Him

"after a first and second warning"

Guthrie: "The lenience advocated is striking, for it is only on the third occasion of admonition that the more serious action of avoidance is to be taken."

3. Why to Reject Him

a. "knowing that such a man is perverted"

b. "and is sinning"

c. "being self-condemned"

Hiebert: "His stubborn refusal of admonition would assure Titus that the man is ’warped,’ the perfect tense marking him as being in a state of perversion, twisted and turned out, wholly out of touch with truth. The passive voice seems to point to the

satanic agency behind his condition. ’Sinful’ represents a present-tense verb: ’he is sinning,’ deliberately missing the divine standard by his persistent refusal to receive correction. It reveals an inner moral condition of being ’self-condemned.’ He knows that in his deliberate refusal to abandon

his self-chosen views he is wrong and stands condemned by his own better judgment."

(:12-15) CLOSING GREETINGS -- THE FRUIT OF THE GOSPEL IS MANIFESTED IN GOOD DEEDS OF SERVICE TO OTHERS IN NEED

A. (:12) Mutual Ministry

1. My Ministry to You

"When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you"

2. Your Ministry to Me

"make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there."

B. (:13) Fellowship in the Gospel

"Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them."

Lenski: "Like a general, Paul moves his lieutenants into strategic positions."

C. (:14) Meeting Critical Needs

"And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful."

(:15) Closing Greetings and Benediction

"All who are with me greet you."

"Greet those who love us in the faith."

Guthrie: This description "brings a most intimate touch into the otherwise rather vague greetings."

"Grace be with you all."

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) If God assures us that it is "profitable" (to our benefit and the benefit of others -- vs. 8)and "fruitful" (vs. 14) to "engage in good deeds," why don’t we look for more opportunities to help others?

2) What are some "foolish controversies" or "disputes about the Law" that are prevalent today? What type of people do we find promoting these issues and making

them a big deal?

3) In what way does a factious man condemn himself (vs. 10-11)? Is he aware of his own error or is he self-deceived? How can we identify such a person? Have we ever seen a church exercise discipline in the sense of issuing the two warnings specified here?

4) Do we take the attitude with the missionaries we support that our goal is that nothing may be lacking for them (vs. 13)?

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