A PECULIAR People
03/13/05 AM
Reading: Titus 2:11-14
Text: Titus 2:14
INTRODUCTION
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. KJV
Periousios: per-ee-oo’-see-os
being beyond usual, that is, special (one’s own): - peculiar, unique.
People peculiar to Christ are a type of that “stand out” from all others… that are not the same as everybody else walking the planet.
Today, let’s use the word peculiar to describe some basic attributes of a people peculiar to Christ.
P IS FOR PATIENT:
A. 1 Peter 2:19-24
B. For a people peculiar to Christ patience is not sitting down and passively bearing things, meekly accepting and allowing all troubles to wash over our bowed heads. For us, patience takes on the meaning of triumphant fortitude. We know to whom we belong, we know from where we draw our strength, we know for whom we stand and we stand with heads up and shoulders back. We know that all things work to His purpose and for His glory.
C. James 1:3-4 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
1. Trials can be faced with joy because, infused with faith, patience (perseverance, endurance) results, and if patience goes full-term it will develop a thoroughly mature Christian who lacks nothing. He will indeed be all God wants him to be.
D. Romans 5:3-5 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
1. Perseverance is only the beginning of benefits. There are more advantages to trials. Perseverance must finish its work. Just as tested and true faith works to produce perseverance, so perseverance must be allowed to continue its perfect or finished work to produce the ultimate by-product of spiritual maturity.
E IS FOR EVANGELISTIC:
A. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (NASB)
B. Romans 5:12-15
C. The Great Commission:
Matthew 28:19-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
C IS FOR COMPASSIONATE:
A. Compassion: sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it
B. Many of the miracles of Jesus were preceded by His feelings of compassion for the people around Him.
C. In His teachings He stressed the need for compassion.
D. Matthew 9:13, Matthew 12:7
1. The Pharisees always brought the proper sacrifices, but they were totally lacking in compassion toward sinners. When compassion is lacking, then religious formalities are meaningless.
2. The Pharisees were splitting hairs with their technicalities concerning sacrifices but failed to understand compassion for people’s basic needs. Jesus reminded them of the words in Hosea.
E. Jude 21-23 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference.
A people peculiar to Jesus will make a difference by being compassionate.
U IS FOR UNMOVEABLE:
A. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. KJV
B. Ephesians 4:14-15 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, (NASB)
C. Colossians 1:21-23 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
A people peculiar to Jesus will be unmoved by the world, unwavering in their faith, steadfast in their devotion to Him.
L IS FOR LOVING:
A. John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1. Christians’ love and support for one another enable us to survive in a hostile world. As Jesus was the embodiment of God’s love, so now each disciple should embody Christ’s love. This love is a sign to the world as well as to every believer.
B. 1 Peter 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
C. John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
F. Luke 10:25-37
I IS FOR INTELLIGENT:
A. Matthew 11:29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.”
B. Acts 17:2, 11
C. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV (NASB – “Be Diligent”)
D. 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action…
E. Ephesians 5:6-10 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
A IS FOR ACTIVE:
A. Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; “nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
B. 1 Peter 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
C. James 2:14-20
D. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
A people peculiar to Jesus will be active in promoting His will.
R IS FOR ROYALTY:
1. 1 Peter 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
CONCLUSION
Invitation
