Scripture Introduction
Sometimes it seems the Bible is a “waxen nose” – someone always twisting it to say what he wants. That certainly troubled the church in Crete, where empty talkers and deceivers, especially of the circumcision group, devoted themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turned away from the truth.
In contrast to such misuse of Scripture, godly pastors must preach the gospel and the proper application of it, as God directs beginning in Titus 2.1. Please give your attention as I read this portion of Scripture.
[Read Titus 2.1-10. Pray.]
Introduction
A friend of ours adopted two kids from another country, rescuing them from abject poverty and the loneliness that comes from being unwanted and unloved. Because these children lived their earliest years hungry, fearful, and without positive and encouraging guidance, they behaved in some ungodly and unhelpful ways. Lying, stealing, manipulation – these were not only the outworkings of a sinful heart (as is the case in all of us), they are survival techniques for those who grow up on the streets or in orphanages.
Children from these situations often display what is called, “hoarding behavior.” Those who experience great hunger and do not know where their next meal will come from, often hide and hoard food whenever they can grab it. Even though adoptive parents are told to expect this, it still seems strange to welcome a child into your home with both open arms and an open pantry, only to find your new son or daughter secretly taking food from the dinner table and squirreling it away for later.
It took our friends months of work and many relapses to convince these children that food was always available. At the point of adoption, grace rescued them from lives of pain and misery, but the effects of their new life were slow to be felt and lived. The adopted children were in the family, and they could see that the natural born kids did not fear missing a meal and did not hide and hoard. But the doctrine of adoption had not yet gripped their hearts in a way that transformed their community life.
I think that situation well illustrates the circumstances behind our text this morning. The Cretans came to Christ from an orphan mentality. Though now adopted into the family of God, and though they would claim that new family as their own, their lives did not always match their gracious and grandiose status as children of the King. They still acted like orphans! So Paul reminds Titus to “Teach what accords with sound doctrine.”
Note well that he does not say (in Titus 2.1), “Teach sound doctrine.” Of course, that was part of Titus’ job, as Paul had earlier explained. Titus 1.9 says that all the elders must “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that they may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine.” Teaching sound doctrine is essential to the work of every elder, especially the pastor, who is “worthy of double honor for his labor in preaching and teaching” (1Timothy 5.17).
But in Titus 2.1, the command is to “teach what accords with sound doctrine.” Titus must apply the grace of the gospel to proper and practical behavior. In fact, the best explanation of Titus 2.1 may be the New English Translation: “But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching.” Here is the motive for new behavior: the doctrines of grace and the gospel change the way we relate to one another.
When the adopted children began to hide and hoard, the new parents could have laid the law to them: “We do not take food and hide it in our rooms in this family. That is against the rules. If you do it again, you will be punished.” But these kids already heard the “law on food.” They long had lived with the threat of punishment if they ate enough to satisfy their hunger. They knew about rules; the key which unlocked the heart of hoarding was the key of grace: “Take all the food you want, there is always more here. In fact, the pantry is always open, so you can hide your stash here, and come and get it anytime.” And such grace worked into the heart eventually changed their behavior from that of an orphan to that of a son. Children who know they are fully loved and part of the family do not hide and hoard; so those that do must be convinced of the length and breadth of the love of their new family.
The same was true on Crete. These folks acted like orphans. They cared for themselves; they worried about their own needs and desires; they sought to satisfy their personal pleasures. But such behavior does not accord with sound doctrine. These folks needed to have their faith community shaped correctly by faithful application of the truth.
As one of my seminary professors and Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Ligon Duncan, observes: “Paul’s goal in teaching is not simply that people will agree with the things that he has taught, but so that there will be a transformation of their lives by the truth of the word.”
Before we look at the specifics of how that happens, let me point out two general principles.
First, notice the word, “sound,” which describes the doctrine of God our Savior. The Greek word (Greek Word [hugiaino]) has two applications in the Bible. Jesus uses it (Luke 5.31; 7.10; 15.27), to refer to physical health. “Those who are well have no need of a physician…” and when the younger brother returned home, the father killed the fatted calf because he received him back safe and sound.” For Paul, however, the same word describes Biblical teaching because it make us spiritually healthy; it keeps our lives and souls safe and sound; it promotes spiritual wholeness and wellness. True doctrine is more than naked truth – it is “sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16.24).
Second, notice that this section is about community living especially the way our behavior affects others. The church gathers in all of its glorious diversity – young and old, male and female, parent and child, slave and free. Every group has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and church is a place to value each strength and help with each weakness. That creates difficulties and problems. But Biblical doctrine in seen in community. Until we live our faith together, we have not lived our faith.
With those principles guiding us, let’s look at how Titus should teach differently to different people.
1. Older Men Must Be Changed By Biblical Teaching (Titus 2.2)
Many a man works hard all his life to provide for his family, and when older age comes, he wants to live for himself. Gray hairs should mark maturity, but they can signal a new self-absorption. Older men can become so focused on themselves, their retirement, their comfort, their pleasures – that they turn away from all that is good and dignified.
But godly and mature men have much to give the church. If they remain clear-headed, honorable, and self-controlled (rather than self-serving), they will disciple and bless others. They should lead and model ministry, not retire from it.
That is how they are healthy (or sound) in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Faith refers to their personal relationship with God; love to their relationships with other people; and steadfastness means they stick to both. Problems and difficulties should no longer deter the older men; they know the trials and troubles we face are not worth comparing to the glory which will be revealed. Their faith must help the church.
2. Older Women Must Be Changed By Biblical Teaching (Titus 2.3)
Like the older men, mature ladies must see their lives as models of faith, hope, and love. Old-age is not the time for selfishness; it is when we demonstrate the power of God’s grace in our lives. The younger women are watching: they want to know if the love of Christ controls you after your children leave home. Did the years of serving husband and child make you bitter and ready to live for yourself, or does the humility of Christ still motive you now that you are free from motherhood?
And especially beware of gossip. Many older women speak much about others, and little about faith and doctrine. Such behavior is especially unbecoming because it teaches the lie that slander is more interesting than Scripture.
3. Younger Women Must Be Changed By Biblical Teaching (Titus 2.4-5)
There are few jobs more repetitive and mundane and potentially discouraging than being a mother and homemaker. So the older women must train the younger women how to labor with joy and grace and delight and faith.
The Bible claims that the work God calls us to do is never in vain. We can do all things with an eye to Christ, and find the blessing of God on our labors when our hope is in God. The young mother who changes diapers, washes dishes, cooks and cares for her husband and family is uniquely able to prove that the word of God is true, even in trying circumstances. Discipleship flows from the older women to the younger.
4. Younger Men Must Be Changed By Biblical Teaching (Titus 2.6-8)
Michael P. Ghiglieri wrote Over the Edge. The book’s topic is somewhat morbid: it documents stories of people who died hiking the Grand Canyon. But what is relevant is the conclusion: most of the deaths, whether of tourists, prospectors, or experienced adventurers, occurred when people failed to pay attention to warning signs or did not use common sense or simply were showing off. And those in the most danger are young men.
Why? Because young men are most typically lacking in self-control. And young pastors, especially, must know that the enemies of God and the church, like vultures, watch to see them stumble so they can swoop in and attack. Therefore, model good works and teach carefully, and so silence those who would oppose God’s work.
5. Slaves Must Be Changed By Biblical Teaching (Titus 2.9-10)
These verses often confuse Christians because we expect God to condemn slavery outright rather than tell a slave to obey his master! I cannot address the complex topic of slavery today. Instead, let’s note a couple of points from these words.
First, note how a direct word to slaves elevates the least important people in that society. God does not care who you are, what job you have, where you went to school, or what is the color of your skin. All people are equal because all are made in God’s image. Grace is available to all, and grace changes every relationship. There are no least in God’s church.
Second, note how the final phrase summarizes a theme which unites this whole paragraph: our behavior impacts others. To the slave God says, “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Even the most despised of their world and society, if he or she professes to know Jesus, God will allow them to influence others. None of us is insignificant in the work of the kingdom. Even if we never share the good news and call for people to make a decision for Christ, we are watched.
I am reminded of the story of an evangelist who preached a revival sermon on the text, “You shall not steal.” The next morning, he got on a bus and gave the driver a dollar bill for his fare. Counting his change, he discovered that he had received a dime too much. He could have thought, “No big deal,” and pocketed the dime. But instead, he went to the driver and said, “You gave me a dime too much.”
The driver said, “Yes. I did it on purpose. Last night I was in your audience and heard your sermon. I’ve always been suspicious of Christians. So when I recognized you this morning, I thought, ‘If he practices what he preaches, I’ll go hear him again tonight. But if he keeps the dime, I’ll know he’s a fake.’” The man did go back to the meetings and was wonderfully saved. A ten-cent testimony won him to the Lord (from Our Daily Bread, Fall, 1978).
6. Conclusion
Maybe you heard about the little boy who received his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he never hit his target. As he came back home, he saw grandmother’s duck. On an impulse he took aim and let fly. He had no intention of killing the duck, but the stone hit, and the duck fell dead.
The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day, his mom said, "Sally, let’s wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Eric told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you, Eric?" And she whispered to him, "Remember the duck! So Eric did the dishes. Later the father asked if the children wanted to go fishing. Mom said, "I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally smiled and said, "That’s all taken care of. Eric wants to do it." Again she whispered, "Remember the duck." Eric stayed while Sally went fishing. After several days of Eric doing both his chores and Sally’s, finally he couldn’t stand it. He confessed to his father that he’d killed the duck.
“I know, Eric,” he said, giving him a hug. “I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. And I forgave you at that very moment. I wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you before you trusted me enough to confess.”
The gospel makes a new community. But we don’t trust God enough to live it, yet. But when we do, we find ourselves free. You think about that.
