The Adornments to Our Doctrine—Titus 2:1-10
Need:
Paul instructed Titus to direct the church in the proper adornment of sound Christian doctrine.
Bare Christian doctrine is adorned/embellished by its adherents/follower.
But How is Christian doctrine embellished/adorned by its followers?
5 Adornments suited to Christian doctrine.
ATTENTION:
A tree brought into the home/Chop it down—Separating it from its root, its ability to sustain life/Prop it up in your front window/Add water to the basin underneath it so it will remain green for a short few weeks/What’s the point?—Meaningless!
BUT we adorn it with Christmons & Voi la! it is a standing declaration to the beauty of Christmas & the power of Christ in the world which we ourselves adhere to.
In an ‘adorning’ sense, the seemingly dead, dry, dusty Doctrine(words only) is redeemed by our personal faith lived out in Christ! People read the Gospel which is in us! You may be the only Christ a person ever experiences!
Background:
:1—“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:”
“Speak”—lalew—Strong—To talk, i.e. utter words:-- Preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.
“Proper/Become/Fitting/In accord”(See :3)—prepw—1) To stand out, to be conspicuous, to be eminent; 2) To be becoming, seemly, fit. Strong— To tower up (be conspicuous), i.e. (by implication) To be obvious, To be suitable or proper (third person singular present indicative, often used impersonally, it is fit or right):-- become, comely.
“Sound”(See :2)—ugiainw—Strong—To have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine):-- be in health, (be safe &) sound, (be) whole(-some).
“Doctrine”—didaskalia—Teaching, instruction. Strong—Instruction (the function or the information):-- Doctrine, learning, teaching.
The technical aspects of truth are disseminated(preached, declared,written, compiled, made public, etc.) but the practical outworking of that truth is in the lives of people who hold to that truth.
Without the changed lives of people, the Gospel means nothing. You can teach all day long, but if your teaching is impractical, it is useless.
Argumentation:
Js. 2:14, 17,20-23, 26—READ—“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?”.....“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”.....“But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, & by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, & it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, & not by faith only.”.....“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
1—Adornments suited to Christian doctrine are...
GODLY OLDER MEN(:2)
Explanation:(:2)
:2—“that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;”
“Older men/Aged men”—presbuthv—n. 1) An old man, an aged man; 2) Ambassador. Used 3X. From where we get the adj.—presbuterov—A term of age OR A term of rank or office(elder).
Titus’ “speaking” is intended, in one aspect, to encourage “the older men” among the Christians toward a certain integrity resulting in behavioral changes. To draw their attentions toward certain aspects of lifestyle which are “proper” for their walk & calling in Christ.
“Sober”
“Sober”—nhfaleov—Sober, temperate. Strong—Sober, i.e. (figuratively) circumspect:-- Sober-minded. Used 3X. From a word meaning To be sober, calm & collected in spirit, temperate, dispassionate, circumspect.
Elder men are to exhibit moderation & clear-headedness.
They are to represent themselves in a dignified manner as those inspiring reverence or awe.
“Reverent”
“Reverent/Grave/Dignified/Worthy of respect”—semnov—adj.—1) August, venerable, reverend; 2) To be venerated for character, honorable. That which inspires reverence or awe. Strong—Venerable, i.e. Honorable:-- Grave, honest.
“Temperate”
“Temperate/Sensible/Self-controlled”—swfrwn—adj.—(See :4, 5, 7)—1) Of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses; 2) Curbing one’s desires & impulses, self-controlled, temperate. Strong—Safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion):-- Discreet, sober, temperate. Used 4X. From —swzw— To save, keep safe & sound, to rescue from danger or destruction &—frhn—1) The midriff or diaphragm, the parts of the heart; 2)The mind—The faculty of perceiving & judging.
The elder Christians are also to be examples of self-control(“Temperance”) or having their minds free of the influences of worldly thinking.
“Sound in faith, in love, in patience;”
“Sound”(See :1)—ugiainw—Strong—To have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine):-- be in health, (be safe &) sound, (be) whole(-some).
Elder Christians are to exhibit godly wellness in relation to their “faith” in Christ, their “agape “love,” & in their “patience.”
“Love/Charity”—agaph—Love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:-- (feast of) charity([-ably]), dear, love.
“Patience/Perseverance/Endurance”—upomonh—1) Steadfastness, constancy, endurance; 2) A patient, steadfast waiting for; 3) A patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance. The temper which does not easily succumb under suffering. Strong—Cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:-- Enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).
Argumentation:
1Tim. 5:1—“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father....”
Illustration:
Man who spoke to pastor’s group/Suburban cell church in Virginia/Entirely relationship driven/Says his church is missing what we have in our small churches—Doctrinal standards & guidance!!/Every true church needs GODLY OLDER MEN!
Application:
?You a GODLY OLDER MAN?
?You Adorning sound Christian Doctrine?
2— Adornments suited to Christian doctrine are...
GODLY OLDER WOMEN(:3-4)
Explanation:(:3-4)
:3—“the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--”
“Reverent in behavior”
“Reverent/Becomes holiness”—ieroprephv—1) Befitting men, places, actions or sacred things to God; 2) Reverent. From—ierov—of uncertain affinity; sacred:-- holy— &—prepw(See :1) Strong—To tower up (be conspicuous), i.e. (by implication) to be suitable or proper (third person singular present indicative, often used impersonally, it is fit or right):-- Become, comely. ‘Conspicuously holy’
“Behavior/The way they live”—katasthma—n.—Demeanor, deportment, bearing. Used 1X. From—kayisthmi—v.—To set, place, put.
They, as with the elder men, are to be conspicuously holy in their demeanor or the way they carry themselves.
“Not slanderers”
“Slanderers/False accusers/Malicious gossips”—diabolov—adj.—1) Prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely; 2) metaph. Applied to a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with him. From—diaballw—v.—1) To throw over or across, to send over; 2) To traduce, calumniate, slander, accuse, defame.
“Not given to much wine”
“Given to/Enslaved to/Addicted to”—doulow—1) To make a slave of, reduce to bondage; 2) metaph. Give myself wholly to one’s needs & service, make myself a bondman to him. Denotes a bondman, one who sustains a permanent servile relation to another.
“Much”—poluv—Many, much, large.
“Wine”—oinov—Wine.
Elder women are not to be enslaved to “much wine.” Enslavement to much wine would ensure that one committed to a substance & thus uncommitted to the Lord Jesus. We are instead to be enslaved to Jesus.
This is similar to the instruction given to older men about being sober, temperate or circumspect.
“Teachers of good things--
“Teachers of good things/Teaching what is good”—kalodidaskalov—Teaching that which is good, a teacher of goodness. A teacher of the right.
Elder Christian ladies are also to be diligent about instructing &/or living for others, the benefits of those things that are good. What is implied is teaching the things of God that are “good.”
:4—“that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,”
The teaching “of good things” is now fleshed out in regard to the elder women’s responsibility toward their younger counterparts.
“Admonish/Teach/Encourage/Train”—swfronizw—v.—1) Restore one to his senses; 2) To moderate, control, curb, disciple; 3) To hold one to his duty; 4) To admonish, to exhort earnestly. Used 1X. Strong—To make of sound mind, i.e. (figuratively) To discipline or correct:-- Teach to be sober. From—swfrwn—adj.—(See :2,7)— “Temperate/Sensible/Self-controlled”).
“Young women”—neov—1) Recently born, young, youthful; 2) New. Denotes the new primarily in reference to time, the young, recent.
The elder Christian women are to “admonish” the younger toward certain things which are appropriate or fitting Christian women.
There is much that younger women are tempted to ‘buy into’ which is unbecoming to Christianity.
Thus they must be trained as an apprentice is trained.
Argumentation:
Acts 9:36-39—“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha[Heb. ‘Gazelle’], which is translated Dorcas[Gk. ‘Gazelle’]. This woman was full of good works & charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick & died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, & the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose & went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics & garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.”
1Tim. 5:2—Exhort... “older women as mothers....with all purity.”
Prov. 31:1-31—“Virtuous wife...”
Illustration:
Betty C. in one of my former pastorates/Examplified GODLY OLDER WOMEN
Application:
?You a GODLY OLDER WOMAN?
?You Adorn Sound Christian Doctrine?
3— Adornments suited to Christian doctrine are...
Godly Younger Women(:4-5)
Explanation/Illustration:(:4-5)
:4—“that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,”
“Love their husbands”—filandrov—Adj.— ‘Loving her husband. Used 1X. From—filov—Dear, i.e. a friend; actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.):-- friend &—anhr—A man (properly as an individual male):-- Fellow, husband, man, sir.
Younger women must be instructed, thru a godly demeanor of restorative insistence to “love their husbands.”
This is not something which comes naturally for the newly married.
One must give up their I-ness for US-ness, self for selflessness, & indulgence for sacrifice.
One must learn the whos, whats,whens, wheres, whys & hows of accomplishing that end—appropriately—so the marriage will not merely survive but thrive.
A young married woman must learn that to become a wife requires much more than a ceremony & legally binding document.
“Love their children”—filoteknov—Loving one’s offspring.
Likewise, younger women must be taught to “love their children.”
Nurturing one’s children may seem the natural thing to do.
Having to make this a matter of instruction for young woman may seem foreign until we look at young women in our own society.
& the sad state of the murder, abuse & abandonment of children.
Worldliness pulls even a mother away from her foundational purpose as a mother. Who chase an occupation &/or pleasure rather than the sacrificial challenge of raising their children rightly by God.
Eph. 6:1-4—“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father & mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you & you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training & admonition of the Lord.”
Lk. 11:10-12—“For everyone who asks receives, & he who seeks finds, & to him who knocks it will be opened. “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? “Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?”
:5—“to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”
“Discreet”
“Discreet/sensible/Self-controlled”—swfrwn—adj.—(See :2,4,7)—1) Of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses; 2) Curbing one’s desires & impulses, self-controlled, temperate. Strong—Safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion):-- discreet, sober, temperate. Used 4X. From —swzw— To save, keep safe & sound, to rescue from danger or destruction &—frhn—1) The midriff or diaphragm, the parts of the heart; 2)The mind—The faculty of perceiving & judging.
Elder Christian women are also to teach these newly married women to exercise an overall discretion, temperance, or self-control, wrought by her trust in Christ.
“Chaste/Pure”
Newly married women are also to be unspotted/untainted by the world, chaste or pure representatives of Christ. Seeing that all saints of God are to be holy.
In our society today Christian women are tempted to buy into the ways of the world in which they live. And their world is driven by flesh which is influenced by the devil.
“Chaste/Pure”—agnov—1) Exciting reverence, venerable, sacred; 2) Pure. Strong—Properly, clean, i.e. (figuratively) Innocent, modest, perfect:-- Chaste, clean, pure. Akin to —agiov—A “saint” or “holy one.”
“Homemakers”
Newby women &/or marrieds are to be instructed in the intricacies of homemaking. This demands commitment as to any career, which can either be enjoyed or despised depending upon one’s approach to it. The fact remains that is one of the deciding factors for all women, & not just those who ‘want to’ do this.
“Homemakers”—oikourov—Caring for the house, working at home. Strong—from oikov—Home, house, & ourov (a guard; be "ware"). Domestically inclined. Used 1X.
“Good”
Truly godly goodness cannot be caught unless the ground is prepared—by the Holy Spirit— for it. It is rather a state of the heart which must be given to goodness.
We all know some people we would characterize as ‘good people.’
“Obedient”
“Obedient”(See :9)—upotassw—Strong—To subordinate; reflexively, to obey:-- Be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto. A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, & carrying a burden.”
Eph. 5:22-26—“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; & He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church & gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify & cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,”
Gen. 3:16—“To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow & your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.””
1Cor. 11:3—“But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, & the head of Christ is God.”
“That the word of God may not be blasphemed.”
“Blasphemed”—blasfhmew—1) To speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme; 2) To be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at. Strong—To vilify; specially, to speak impiously:-- (speak) Blaspheme(-er, -mously, -my), Defame, rail on, revile, speak evil.
No Christian would blaspheme purposely. But there are behaviors, habits, fleshly leanings, sins which speak blasphemous lies things to others.
Argumentation:
1Tim. 5:14-15—“Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some have already turned aside after Satan.”
1Tim. 5:2—Exhort....“younger [women] as sisters, with all purity.”
Application:
?You a GODLY YOUNG WOMAN?
?You Adorning Sound Christian Doctrine?
4— Adornments suited to Christian doctrine are...
GODLY YOUNG MEN(:6-8)
Explanation/Illustration:(:6-8)
:6—“Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded,”
Now Paul shifts to a further focus of Titus personally. ‘Probably’ because Titus himself was a young man. His particular attention is to be drawn toward the “young men” or newbys in Christ.
“Exhort”
“Exhort”—parakalew—1) To call to one’s side, call for, summon; 2) To address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc. Strong—To call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):-- Beseech, call for, (be of good) Comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.
Titus himself is to “exhort” or call them alongside for personal instruction in righteousness & truth.
“Sober-minded”
“Sober-minded”(See :2, 4, 5)—swfronew—To be of sound mind. Strong—To be of sound mind, i.e. sane, (figuratively) moderate:-- Be in right mind, be sober (minded), soberly.
Younger men are encouraged to approach things/life soberly rather than emotionally.
:7—“in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,”
Titus is to “show” himself to others—particularly the young men— as a “pattern of good works” regarding every aspect of his life in Christ.
Others should be able to look upon Titus &, as he did of Paul, & be able to pattern their lives around that example.
Titus is also to set the example in exhibiting a personal strong “soundness regarding Christian “doctrine.” Titus is likewise to exhibit “reverence” & “incorruptibility” concerning the Christian teaching.
“Showing”—parecw—1) To reach forth, offer; 2) To show, afford, supply; 3) To be the authors of, or to cause one to have—3a) To give, bring, cause one something either favorable or unfavorable, to occasion; 4) To offer, show or present one’s self; 5) To exhibit or offer on one’s own part.
“Pattern/Example”—tupov—1) The mark of a stroke or blow, print; 2) A figure formed by a blow or impression; 3) Form; 4) An example. Denotes an image, a pattern or model, & type.
“Doctrine/Teaching”—didaskalia—Strong—Instruction (the function or the information):-- Doctrine, learning, teaching.
“Integrity/Uncorruptness”—adiafyoria—incorruptibility, soundness, integrity. Negation of —diafyeirw—To rot thoroughly, i.e. (by implication) to Ruin (passively, decay utterly, figuratively, pervert):-- Corrupt, destroy, perish.
“Reverence/Gravity/Dignified/Seriousness”—semnothv—1) The characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence & respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity; 2) Honor, purity.
“Incorruptibility/Purity/Seriousness”—afyarsia—1) Incorruption, perpetuity; 2) Purity, sincerity, incorrupt.
:8—“sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”
“Sound speech” is to further characterize Titus’ exhortation & is descriptive of his Christian doctrine of :7.
“Cannot be Condemned”—akatagnwstov—That cannot be condemned, not to be censored. Unblameable. Used 1X. The negation of—kataginwskw—To note against, i.e. find fault with:-- blame, condemn.
“Opponent/Contrary part”—enantiov—1) Over against, opposite; 2) metaph.—2a) Opposed as an adversary, hostile, antagonistic in feeling or act, 2b) An opponent. Strong—Opposite; figuratively, Antagonistic:-- (over) against, Contrary.
“Ashamed”—entrepw—Strong—To invert, i.e. (figuratively & reflexively) in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, To confound:-- regard, (give) reference, shame.
“Evil”—faulov—1) Easy, slight, ordinary, mean, worthless, of no account; 2) Ethically, bad, base, wicked. The bad chiefly as the worthless, the good for nothing. Used 4X.
His doctrine is to be of such quality as to render it incapable of being faulty & thus condemnation worthy.
If Titus’ speech is rendered uncondemnable, then it will also be of such persuasive power that any & all who oppose it will be brought to shame for 1)The weakness of their own belief & 2)Their boldness in opposition.
These who are shamed will have absolutely no basis for declaring the Christian faith worthless.
1Pet. 2:11-12—“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners & pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
Argumentation:
1Tim. 6:3-5—“If anyone teaches otherwise & does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, & to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes & arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds & destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.”
1Tim. 5:1—“....exhort... younger men as brothers,”
Application:
?You a GODLY YOUNG MAN?
?You Adorning Sound Christian Doctrine?
5— Adornments suited to Christian doctrine are...
GODLY BONDSERVANTS / Employees(:9-10)
Explanation:(:9-10)
:9—“Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,”
Paul offers no justification for or judgment against slavery itself or on its morality or fairness. What he offers is the means of living rightly by God in the midst of it, while it is imposed upon an individual.
Titus is also to encourage slaves to remain “obedient to their masters.” A slave who speaks against or “answers back” their master is not fulfilling the call of Christ to live rightly in whatever circumstances one is saved. They are not being obedient when obedience is called for.
It is tempting to disdain one’s ownership by another even when willfully undertaken as so much in Scripture declares our God-given freedoms.
As a slave of man who has been saved by grace & bought by Christ’s blood, our work must be, to an even greater degree, acceptable or fully agreeable before that master.
“Obedient”(See :5)—upotassw— Strong—To subordinate; reflexively, to obey:-- Be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto. "A voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, & carrying a burden.”
“Masters”—despothv—A master, lord. Relates only to a slave & denotes absolute ownership & uncontrolled power. Where we get our English word ‘Despot’ which carries an sense of cruelty & oppression.
“Well pleasing”—euarestov—Well pleasing, acceptable. Fully agreeable.
“Answering back”—antilegw—1) ‘To speak against,’ gainsay, contradict; 2) To oppose one’s self to one, decline to obey him, declare one’s self against him, refuse to have anything to do with him. Strong— To dispute, refuse:-- answer again, contradict, deny, gainsay(-er), speak against.
:10—“not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.”
A slave should not exhibit the characteristics which many worldly slaves do. Because of their intimate knowledge of & handling of another’s life & belongings, slaves are tempted to appropriate these things for their own use, which is wrong in Christ. A slave is instead to act in “good” faith—toward his/her masters—including God. In so doing even a slave of man will honor God our Savior’s teaching in everything.
“Pilfering”—nosfizomai—1) To set apart, separate, divide; 2) To set apart or separate for one’s self; 3) To purloin, embezzle, withdraw covertly & appropriate to one’s own use. Strong—To sequestrate for oneself, i.e. embezzle:-- Keep back, purloin.
“Showing”—endeiknumi—1) To point out; 1a) To show, demonstrate, prove, whether by arguments or by acts; 2) To manifest, display, put forth.
“Fidelity/Faith/Trusted”—pistiv—The common biblical word for ‘faith.’ Strong—Persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:-- assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
*“Adorn”—kosmew—1) To put in order, arrange, make ready, prepare; 2) To ornament, adore; 3) metaph. To embellish with honor, gain honor. Where we get our English word cosmetic(s).
Argumentation:
Parallels in Eph. 6:5-9; Col. 3:22-25; 1Tim. 6:1-2; 1Pet. 2:18-24:
Eph. 6:5-9—“Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear & trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, & not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, & there is no partiality with Him.”
Col. 3:22-25—“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord & not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, & there is no partiality.”
1Tim. 6:1-2—“Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God & His doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers & beloved. Teach & exhort these things.”
1Pet. 2:18-24— “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good & gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good & suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.”
Illustration:
A job you hate/Owner &/or Manager are oppressive/Have no concept that happy employees do better work & bring in more customers/Some people are oppressive jerks/GODLY BONDSERVANTS / EMPLOYEES
Application:
?You a GODLY BONDSERVANT / EMPLOYEE?
?You Adorning Sound Christian Doctrine?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Christmons on Christmas tree—They adorn & thus give meaning.
Action:
Some Adornments suited to Christian doctrine are...
1—GODLY OLDER MEN(:2)
2— GODLY OLDER WOMEN(:3-4)
3— GODLY YOUNG WOMEN(:4-5)
4— GODLY YOUNG MEN(:6-8)
5— GODLY BONDSERVANTS/Employees(:9-10)
Presented 05/02/2010pm to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
