Text: Titus 2:1-10, Title: Supermodel, Date/Place: NRBC, 9/16/12, AM
Opening illustration: Erika’s cousin Nikki
Background to passage: in this letter to Titus, the young pastor at Crete, Paul includes a list known to commentators as a “household code.” These codes are usually lists of character traits and qualities that reflect behavior for Christians to observe. There are others in Ephesians and Colossians, the most famous of which contains the instructions to husband and wives in Ephesians 5. It is interesting that he tells Titus to teach things that are consistent with sound or healthy doctrine, then gives behaviors and marks of character. Correct teaching is that we live as believers should live, not just believe as believers should believe. There is a lot of language in this text about the reasons for these instructions on behavior other than their intrinsic righteousness before God; and most of them related to the perception of others inside the community and outside the community.
Main thought: So the next message in the Job Descriptions: Marks of Growing Disciples is that growing disciples should be models of Christian behavior—morals, ethics, finances, and relationships.This is important because of our belief that the Christian life is the fullest, best life that anyone could live. So believers must be a model for the sake of evangelism, and discipleship.
Examination of Text and Truth
Paul speaks of being “reverent” which means to be dignified or honorable in the community (inside and outside). He also makes a purpose statement at the end of v. 5 to say that these instructions are to keep the word of God (which is a substitute for the name or reputation of God) from being blasphemed. Then he says that we should display a pattern of good works (so that) opponents will have nothing evil to say of you. Then after he addresses slaves and their conduct, he says that with this behavior they (others, particularly masters or bosses) will adorn (kosmeo), beautify, or decorate the teaching of Christ.
Older men: level-headed, well-respected, self-controlled, sound in the faith (again this word relates to behavior, see Titus 1:13 contrasted with the Cretans who are liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons), accurate faith, and in patience—interesting.
Older women: act in ways displaying holiness (like the priestesses in the temple), they are not to slanders or malicious gossips (diabolos, the devil), not drinkers, and teachers (urging or encouraging good things to the younger women. This doesn’t mean they teach the young women’s class, it means they walk with them pouring into them. Women on Mission vs. Baptist Young Women. The generation gap is severe and very unhealthy to the church.
Younger women: love your husbands and children, self-controlled and moderate, pure, chaste, undefiled, and holy, workers at home, obedient (submissive) to their husbands, so that…
Young men: sound mind, reasonable, serious, again good teaching equals integrity, holiness, firm in faith and practice, healthy and helpful speech…so that nothing evil to be said of you
Rom 6:19-22, 8:29, 1 Peter 1:2, Heb 12:1
Illustration: “A heavy heart this a.m.: hurting with grieving friends, broken over spiritual condition of Christians”
These are often minimized character traits, or relegated to the super Christians or breezed over. But the life of a growing disciple should be characterized by behavior that is becoming of a believer, biblical, and winsome. We are promised to be conformed in the image of Christ. This process that happens between the inception of our faith and its culmination called sanctification, which means to make holy. It is two-fold, discarding sinful actions and attitudes as well as adding godly behaviors. It should be happening in all believers. The more mature (not referring to chronological age) should be advanced in sanctification, although no one reaches perfection. But because of this truth, don’t despair or give up.
A Good Start
Evaluation is tricky. Cultural factors influence behavior, decreasing but still influential. Certain appearances are expected in the public eye. Some of these behaviors are not simply external but internal as well. There are also dangers related to evaluation of how good you are. Self-righteousness and pride can follow from an amount of success and comparison with less sanctified believers. Inaccurate assessments of other believers (we cannot see the heart of others, can’t always accurately assess their progress). Becoming pharisees in the way that we look down on others and exalt in our own goodness, or keeping the traditions of men rather than the law of God. Sometimes we can feel as though we are doing this on our own and not through faith (willpower religion). Making our goal to be a “good Christian” rather than to glorify Christ. Feeling like we are earning favor or acceptance by God because of our good deeds.
That having been said, a good place to start in evaluation is the bible. There are many wise and biblical writers that teach about these things. The book What Jesus Demands of the World demonstrates from the teachings of Christ what is expected of us. Another good place to make assessment is the church covenant. It is very specific about the kinds of behavior you agreed to as a member of New River. Specific areas that need to be looked at are: morals, ethics, finances, relationships.
John 7:24, Phil 2:13-14, Luke 18:9, James 5:16, Matt 18:15, Psalm 19:14, 139:23-24
Illustration: read the behavior parts of the church covenant.
A good, godly Christian brother or sister who has a good relationship with you can be helpful, but it requires honesty and intimacy. Often I have sought out a brother or sister and asked them to meet with me and help me to focus on areas in my life and help me see blind spots in me that I miss. This is hard but intensely helpful. Bible studies that are seriously focused on evaluation are also good (Self-Confrontation or Heart of the Problem). One of the best things you can do is ask God to reveal areas in your life that are in need of work. Ask, but don’t forget to listen and obey. Is your life a pattern of good works? How about your relationships? Are they marked with service and love? Are your finances used in a biblical way? Are you saving, giving, investing, working? How about the ethics that you exhibit at work? Are you fully honest in your dealings with the government? Do you keep your commitments and do what you say? Do you fulfill your responsibilities to your boss, your volunteer roles here at NR? Statistically many believers in churches are involved in online pornography or other sources, gambling, spousal abuse, affairs at almost the same rate as the world. Much of our language doesn’t reflect holiness. Other uses of the tongue need to be considered, gossip in particular. Do you stretch the truth or exaggerate to help you look better? Our thought life should be considered: are you angry, hold grudges, fantasize about other people than your spouse? Our motivations should also be examined, and this is probably the hardest thing to do. Why are you attempting to live right? Tell about the teenager who went to get saved because he was the last one left. Do you act unforgiving? Story the other day of the family who asked the drunk driver who killed their daughter to sit with them at the funeral. We must also model behavior when we fail. Do you apologize? And mean it? Article in SBC Life about forced terminations, and how nobody wins, pastors or churches.
Behavior Improvement Program
Once we see areas that need work, we all know that we want to deal with them. Some of these areas are simple concerns that can be handled quickly or relatively easily, others will require some time and much effort. Don’t forget that this is an effort of faith, and not simply of works. But we must be intentional in this transformation.
Gal 3:3, Heb 10:24, Rom 8:13,
Illustration: this is Tebow’s method of maintaining a faith that adorns the gospel.
I feel like a broken record, but 1.) being consistent in your bible reading will give you a great avenue to see what God requires and hear Him speak to you, as well as giving you the means and the method to overcome. 2.) Memorizing scripture specific to the sins that you are dealing with is also very helpful. The Holy Spirit will bring those things to your mind when you are in need of them. 3.) Moment by moment obedience to the Spirit’s leading, as we are learning about on Wed night through Experiencing God, is a key. As soon as God brings a person to your mind or a conviction of a sinful action, attack. 4.) The violence of the Christian life is toward yourself. Bring your body and your mind captive. 5.) Accountability is a necessary piece of your sanctification. This is part of your responsibility as the church, you are responsible for others. When you see those brothers that have fallen into sin, loving help them out. Specific closer accountability is also needful beyond the scope of the church as a whole. Small groups, triads, and deep friendships (that are concerned about one’s spiritual health enough to ask questions, rebuke, admonish, and help) are important. Do you have someone to whom you have given permission to ask you questions like “what have you watched on TV this week?” or “how have you shown your husband that you love and respect him this week?” The truth is that we really don’t have a geninue commitment to obey all the commands of Jesus. 6.) Certain kinds of deep rooted patterns of sin and addiction need to be highly monitored and counseled for long term. But each of you are capable of counseling others. 7.) Walking with the giants (those who are spiritually mature) will rub off. Just like hanging out with bad company corrupts, good company can inspire. Playing golf with those better than me makes me shoot better.
Closing illustration: Hypocrisy the worst hindrance to the faith. A life radically committed to God in behavior is one of the greatest avenues of glorification of God.
Exhort to be examples of holiness and good works, remind of eternal rewards
Invitation to commitment
Additional Notes
Is Christ Exalted, Magnified, Honored, and Glorified?
