Grace and Me
Titus 2:11-14
This is our final study in the series Short and Sweet
And this morning we are looking at the book of Titus
This letter was written by Paul and the recipient was Titus
A young pastor facing the assignment of setting in order the churches on the island of Crete
It was written about AD 64 around the same time as I Timothy
Probably from Macedonia when Paul traveled between his Roman imprisonments
Paul obviously had visited Crete on his way to Ephesus
And upon his departure requested Titus to remain a strengthen the churches that were on this island
The Gospel had spread throughout the island
But there was a great need for someone to “set in order” the things that were wanting
That is where Titus came in
This letter can be basically divided into three parts
Conveniently divided into three chapters
Leadership in the church
Right living in the church
Right living in society
As we begin this letter Paul wastes no time with Titus
The people of Crete were well known as being not exactly of a good reputation
They were known as liars, evil brutes and lazy gluttons
As we read in 1:12
Paul starts the letter off by stating the fact that God cannot lie
Apparently Paul was using this fact as a springboard into how Titus had to choose from among these Cretans some godly men in order to fill the positions of elder, or overseer
Which is what we call today - pastor
This passage is very often used during ordination services
Lets look at verses 6-9
Leadership in the church is very important
As your chosen leader I must live up to a high standard
I’m kind of like Hebrew National hot dogs
I answer to a higher authority
I found this article telling of the perfect pastor
After hundreds of years, a model preacher has been found to suit everyone
He preaches exactly 20 minutes and then sits down
He condemns sin but never hurts anyone
He works from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
In every type of work from preaching to custodial service
He makes $60.00 a week
Wears good clothes, buys books regularly
Has a nice family, drives a good car and gives $100 a week to the church
He also stands ready to contribute to every good work that comes along
He Is 26 years old and has been preaching for 30 years
He is tall and short, thin and heavy set, and handsome
He has one brown eye and one blue
Hair parted in the middle, left side dark and straight, the right, brown and wavy
He has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all his time with older folk
He smiles all the time with a straight face
Because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his work
He makes 15 calls a day on the church members
Spends all his time evangelizing the un-churched
And is never out of his office.
Notice as we look closely at verse 6-9 how most of the qualifications involve character
Not knowledge or skill
A person’s lifestyle and relationships provide a window into his or her character
It is important to have leaders who can effectively preach God’s Word
But it is even more important to have leaders who can live out God’s Word and be examples for others to follow
That’s a lot of pressure on me and my family
We do answer to a higher authority
We need to live lives of example for this church
And we are lousy at it
At least I am
Being a sinner, I cannot be a perfect example
No pastor can
But part of surrendering to the ministry is opening yourself up to scrutiny
And placing your whole life on display
Not only to your church, but to the community as well
It’s a tough job
And I pray that we can live up to the task
But we are to live a life of example
Have you noticed a difference in the salute given by our military men and women as President Bush walks by?
Most folks would not notice anything, but those who have served in the military see it right away
Next time just watch for this
As President Bush leaves his helicopter or Air Force One, the honor guard will salute–first facing the President as he disembarks, turning to face him as he passes by, and then turning again to salute the President’s back as he walks away
Though it is a customary courtesy to the Commander-in-Chief, this kind of salute has not been seen for a long time.
Why? Soldiers aren’t required to turn and face the President as they salute, nor to salute his back
The only requirement is to salute
Why does our military afford such respect for our current commander in chief?
He is a soldier’s president
He sets an example
A true story
President and Mrs. Bush visited the Washington
Burn Center on Friday 14 September
Among those they visited was Lt Col. Brian Birdwell, who was badly burned in the Pentagon attack.
The President walked in, stood by Brian’s bedside, asked Brian how he was doing
Told him that he was very proud of him and his wife
And that they were his heroes
The President then saluted Brian
Now, at this point in time, Brian is bandaged up pretty well
His hands are burned very badly as well as the back of him from the head down
His movements were very restricted
Upon seeing the President saluting him, Brian began to slowly return the salute
Taking about 15-20 seconds to get his hand up to his
head
During all of this, 15-20 seconds, President Bush never moved, never dropped his salute
The President dropped his salute only when Brian was finished with his, and then gave his wife a huge hug for what also probably seemed like an eternity
As a note to those of you who might not be familiar with military protocol
The subordinate normally initiates a salute and will hold
it until the superior officer returns the salute
In the above incident, President Bush acted in the role of the
Subordinate to show his respect and high regard for the injured man
He set a great example
In order to be an example, you have to have someone who is following that example
That someone is you
Now by no means should you follow my example
Please no
But you should follow the example laid out in scripture
The Bible says
Blameless - not implying sinless perfection
But a life that is beyond legitimate accusation and public scandal
Not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain
All of these are pretty self-explanatory
Must be hospitable - a lover of strangers
Must love what is good
Be self-controlled, upright, Holy and disciplined
If those are the things I as your pastor am supposed to portray
And I am an example to you
You are expected to live a life blameless as well
For as we move into chapter 2
Paul begins to write about Right living in the church
Paul instructs Titus to instruct the older men and women in how they to can be examples within the church
Having people of all ages in the church makes it strong
But it also brings potential for problems
Paul gives Titus counsel on how to help various groups of people
The older people should teach the younger by words an by example
How in the world can these young people learn unless the older generation teaches them
You older folks now are benefiting from what you gleaned from the generations before you
That is how most things work
Who taught you how to fish? Hunt? Whittle? Skip a rock?
You didn’t learn those things as a child by yourself
Someone older taught you how
And we are to do that in the church as well
And how does Paul introduce this concept?
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
With sound doctrine
This is the content of our faith
Believers must be grounded in the truths of the Bible
How do you teach sound doctrine?
Learn the Bible, study theology, apply biblical principles and do what you learn
Find out what you believe and why you believe it
It is similar to the famous quote from the great Ronald Regan
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction
We are simply one generation away from total collapse in our churches today
If the older generations fail to teach the younger
They have no reason or desire to continue in the faith
Are you older men and women setting a good example?
Are you teaching what is required by sound doctrine?
Now you younglings are next
The young women are targeted next
They are told to be responsible
To love their husbands and children
Wait, I’m not married yet you might say
Just because you are not married yet doesn’t mean you can’t love your husband
You can pray for your husband right now
He is out there, somewhere
And God can prepare both of your hearts right now
You young ladies are also to learn to be discreet and chaste
In other words - self-controlled and pure
Simply put - save yourself for marriage
Don’t do anything you would be embarrassed to be caught doing by your father
That goes for you guys as well
It takes two to tango
Young people, save yourself for marriage
That is how God designed it, period!
Several things are mentioned here on how young women should act
Good, obedient to their own husbands
That doesn’t fit into society’s viewpoint of a woman’s role does it?
“I am woman, hear me roar”
Women’s rights groups have completely distorted the Biblical roles between husband and wife
These verses are stating that women who were new Christians were to learn how to have harmony in the home
By watching older women who had been Christians for some time
We have the same need today
Younger wives and mothers and young women in general
Should learn to live in a Christian manner
Loving their husbands and caring for their children is a huge part of that
All of this is in order “that the Word of God be not blasphemed”
This is the purpose of godly conduct
To eliminate any dishonor on Scripture
For a person to be convinced God can save from sin
One needs to see someone who lives a Holy life
When Christians claim to believe God’s Word
But do not obey it
The Word is dishonored, blasphemed
These false-Christians set an example for others
Although it is a poor example
Many have mocked God and His truth because of the sinful behavior of those who claim to be Christians
So ladies you need to be good example for the younger ladies
And young ladies, look up to the older generations for guidance
And follow the Scriptural guidelines we read here
Next it’s the guys turn
Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
That means self-controlled
I like how the NASB translates it
“urge the young men to be sensible”
Sensible in all things
This advice to young men was very important
In ancient Greek society the role of the husband/father was not viewed as a nurturing role
But merely as a functional one
The husband/father was essentially disconnected from the family
And the young men learned this behavior from their fathers
And it was a vicious cycle
Sound familiar?
Many young men today have been raised in families where fathers have neglected their responsibilities to their wives and children
Husbands and fathers who are good examples of Christian living are important role models for young men
Who need to see how it is done
So young men, be sensible - self-controlled
Control yourself, in all things
Find a good role model and follow his example
Look to the word of God
And try to live a life according to the principles and truths taught there
It is now that we get to the true crux of this book
The very core of what it is all about, our main text
Read Titus 2:11-14
This whole book revolves around these four verses
They are found nearly in the exact middle of the book
Like a pivot point
All of the discussion about leaders and their character
How the older men and women should act
Setting an example for the younger generations
How these young men and women should act
Even the relationship between you and your boss
Also chapter three discussing right living in society
In regard to rulers and authority
And also divisiveness and arguing
All of these things revolve around grace
Grace that leads to eternity
When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding
Graham admitted his quilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court
The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?"
When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied
"That’ll be ten dollars -- a dollar for every mile you went over the limit."
Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister
"You have violated the law," he said
"The fine must be paid--but I am going to pay it for you."
He took a ten dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner
"That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats repentant sinners!"
Now that is grace!
Grace opens the door to eternity
It is only by the grace of God that we can have salvation
Every person needs grace because we have sinned
Paul teaches us that everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23) and everyone acts in rebellion to God’s will
Every person needs grace because we will die
The simple fact of life is that we will all one day die
Our human nature is not eternal
The good news is that God has given us grace and offers us salvation
Through Christ, God has made His grace known to humanity
The reality of God’s grace is found in the definition of grace
“Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill deserving” – George Sweeting
Grace is complete undeserved and unmerited favor
Grace is God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense
God has given because He knows we would be completely lost without it
God has shown us all mercy beyond what we can understand and far beyond what we deserve
Grace is offered to all people
God has made His grace completely inclusive
Paul states the grace of God “appeared to all men” which means that God has extended His call of grace to every person
There is not a single person that God does not desire to see saved and redeemed
Since God is gracious, he allows every person a choice to accept this grace or decline it
God does not force us to follow Him
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
The grace of God is a gift
It cannot be earned in any way
Salvation is a gift and it is one that we do not deserve
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
God has given you a marvelous gift – now is the time to accept it
Grace also opens the door to enlightenment
The grace of God assists us to leave the old life
Paul specifically mentions two areas that have to be dealt with
Ungodliness
Essentially ungodliness can be defined as having a lack of love for God or having no regard for God at all
This accurately describes our modern culture
Worldly passions
These are the desires or wants of the world that has no regard or love for God
Literally these desires or passions flow from a godless mind set or way of thinking
So God’s grace assists us to leave the old life
The grace of God also instructs us in living the new life
God’s grace gives discipline
The grace of God helps us to live a life that brings glory and honor to Him
The grace of God gives us the fortitude to resist the ungodliness of this world and live a life that pleases God
God’s grace gives direction
The grace that God gives to us directs in how we should live
In His grace, God has supplied His Word to give us instruction and His Holy Spirit to give us personal direction
Grace brings us hope
Grace teaches hope
What is a blessed hope? Like it says in verse 13
Paul uses the Greek word makarious, which we have translated bless-ed in English
And this word conveys a sense of happiness or joy
Literally, Paul is saying that the hope of Christ’s return should make us happy and joyful
Three key reasons for this happy hope
Christ’s personal presence: There will come a day when we will be face to face with Christ and dwell in His presence
Redemption from our sinful nature: When Christ returns the battle with sin will be completely won. There will be no more sin
Restoration of creation: The promise of God is that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. This means that God will make all things new and the entire world will be redeemed
The grace of God is complete in Christ’s return
God will redeem this lost world completely when Christ returns
Nothing will be left undone
This is the final work of Christ
Notice also that Paul gives proper divinity to Jesus
“our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Paul is clearly qualifying the reality of our hope with the fact that Jesus is God
When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for his time, that is a wage
When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize
When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award
But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award--yet receives such a gift anyway
That is a good picture of God’s unmerited favor
This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God
For he richly blesses us with what we need and does not give us as we deserve
This is grace
This short and sweet book explains the good life
The good news of salvation is that we can’t be saved by living a good life
We are only saved by faith in Jesus Christ
But the Gospel transforms peoples lives
So that they eventually produce good deeds
Our service won’t save us
But we are saved to serve
A good life is a witness to the Gospel’s power
As Christians we must have commitment and discipline to serve
Are you putting your faith in action?
Are you living a life patterned after the principles presented in Titus?
Are you living a life of example for others to see and emulate?
Have you experienced God’s grace?
God’s unmerited favor?
You don’t deserve it
Mercy and grace go hand in hand
While grace is getting what you don’t deserve
Mercy is not getting what you deserve
A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son
The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death
"But I don’t ask for justice," the mother explained
"I plead for mercy."
"But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied.
"Sir," the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for."
"Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy."
And he spared the woman’s son.
God’s grace had appeared to all men and brings salvation
Aren’t you thankful for God’s grace and mercy
Come to God this morning
Allow His grace to bring you salvation
