SERMON OUTLINE:
• Wise Words For Older Men (vs 2)
• Wise Words For Older women (vs 3-4)
• Wise Words For Young women (vs 4-5)
• Wise Words For Young Men (vs 6-8)
SERMON BODY:
Quote: Chuck Swindoll, Rise and Shine, p. 198 tells is straight:
“Ministry is a character profession. To put it bluntly, you can sleep around and still be a good brain surgeon. You can cheat on your mate and have little trouble continuing to practice law. Apparently, it is no problem to stay in politics and plagiarize. You can be a successful salesperson and cheat on your income tax. But you cannot do those things as a Christian or as a minister and continue enjoying the Lord's blessing. You must do right in order to have true integrity. If you can't come to terms with evil or break habits that continue to bring reproach to the name of Christ, please, do the Lord (and us in ministry) a favour and resign.”
• Tough words, but truthful words;
• God calls us as believers to ‘walk the talk’ to ‘practice what we preach’
• We are to be different in behaviour to the non-believers that we live among.
Ill:
• Jesus said (Matthew chapter 5 verse 14);
• “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."
• In other words;
• We are to be different, distinct to those non-believers that we live amongst.
• We are to shine in a world of darkness.
Ill:
• One Sunday as they walked home from church,
• A little girl turned to her mother and said,
• "Mommy, there’s something we learnt this morning that I don’t understand."
• The mother said, "What was it?"
• The little girl replied, "Well, he said that God is so much bigger than we,
• Our teacher said; “God is so big that He could hold the world in His hand. Is that true?"
• The mother replied, "Yes, that’s true, honey."
• But the little girl looked very confused and she said;
• "But we also learnt that when a person becomes a Christian,
• God comes to live inside of us when we believe in Jesus as our Saviour. Is that true, too?"
• Again, the mother assured the little girl that what the teacher had said was true.
• Once again with a puzzled look on her face the little girl then asked,
• "If God is bigger than us and He lives in us, wouldn’t He show through?"
• TRANSITION: People should look at us and see God shining through;
• That is the normal Christian life!
• And the theme of Titus chapter 2.
In Titus chapter 1 of this letter the apostle Paul warned Titus;
• To be aware of false teachers.
• In chapter 1 verse 16 he says the imposters:
• “Claim to know God, but by their actions (life-styles) they deny him.
• Now in chapter 2 there is a contrast made between imposters and genuine believers;
• That is why verse 1 in the N.I.V. starts with the words, “You, however…”;
• Some other translations use the words; “But as for you”
• There is a contest between the false in chapter 1 and the genuine in chapter 2.
• So the apostle tells these believers: “You claim to know God, prove it by your life-style!”
• This whole chapter deals with Christian character in action.
Notice:
• The apostle Paul starts this section in verse 1 by talking about sound doctrine,
• And please note that ‘sound doctrine’ is not just good theology;
• It is also good practice.
• What we believe should affect how we live.
• So this whole chapter deals with Christian character in action.
• Quote verse 1 (J.B. Phillips translation):
• “Now you must tell them the sort of character which should spring from sound teaching”
• Out of sound doctrine comes sound living;
• Or out of good doctrine comes good living.
• Out of healthy words should come healthy, wholesome living;
• Note: From that word ‘sound’ we get our word ‘hygiene’.
Now in these first eight verses the apostle speaks primarily to four different groups;
• He is not saying these things mentioned only apply to that particular group,
• Because the principles mentioned will apply to all Christians;
• But here the apostle gives an added emphasis to these particular groups.
• It is as if he saying these truths are for everyone;
• But then highlights and underlines them for certain age-groups.
(1). Wise Words For Older Men (vs 2).
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.”
Ill:
• Old is when you sink your teeth into a steak and they stay there!
• Old is when… an ‘all-nighter’ means not getting up to pee.
• Old is when…in a hostage situation you’re likely to be released first.
• Old is when your idea of a night out means siting on the patio.
• Old is when…
• You are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police.
• Old is when…your wife says, ‘Let’s go upstairs and make love,’
• And you answer, ‘Honey, I can’t do both!’
• TRANSITION: I guess we don’t like to admit that we are in the ‘old’ bracket;
• Commentators suggest that this age group would be anyone fifty and over.
• To this age group that the apostle called ‘older men’:
• Now remember these principles apply to all Christians;
• But these certain types of behaviour should especially be seen among older men.
(a). ‘Temperate’ or ‘Sober’.
• “Teach the older men to be temperate”,
• The Greek word translated ‘temperate’ means to "to exercise restraint."
• This person should not be extravagant and over-indulgent.
• The word is often used for being free from alcohol or any addiction.
• Whether we live in a city, on a farm,
• Or like Titus and these Christians on a small island like Crete;
• (Just a 160 miles long and 40 miles wide),
• People are watching us and forming opinions about our lifestyles;
• So let people see that you are in control of how much you drink;
• Rather than being controlled by the drink.
(b). ‘Worthy of respect’.
• “Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect.”
• An older Christian man ought to be a role model for younger men;
• Somebody that younger man looks up to and admires.
Ill:
• The need for Godly men who are genuine and not superficial;
• Is so important in our Churches today.
• In the UK in 2012 it was reported that;
• 6.7 million people were part of a household headed by a single mother.
• In my own Church we are dealing more and more with families in our community;
• Where the father has gone off with another woman and deserted his family!”
• In many homes the father is absent;
• That means that many boys today do not know what it means to be a man;
• Because they don’t have a man in their lives.
• Sadly many children will go to bed tonight without saying goodnight to their father;
• Because he just isn’t there
• These children live with a woman;
• And more than likely, they are taught by a woman at school.
• So where do they see and interact with positive male role models?
• Or, if they are a boy how do they learn what it means to be a man?
• For many it is from the television, from movies, or from the street!
• And even in homes where the father is present;
• Some research shows that the average father spends less than 10 minutes a day;
• One-on-one with his child!
• TRANSITION: We older men cannot remedy societies situation;
• But we can be and should be an example of biblical manliness;
• By being godly, friendly and committed!
• We should be a role model for younger men to look up to.
• Tough Question: What do you think the younger men think when they look at you?
• i.e. Someone godly, friendly, committed to God with a servant heart!
• If on the other-hand you are unsure or you don’t like your answer;
• Then it is up to you to change it! And change it fast!
(C). ‘Self-controlled’.
“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled,”
Be self-controlled:
• i.e. Enjoy a glass of wine, but don’t drink the whole bottle!
• i.e. Watch what you say, don’t gossip or be crude or use bad language.
• i.e. Show good judgement, be discerning and demonstrate common sense.
• So often immature Christians find themselves enslaved by their passions;
• Older mature men should have by now learnt how to control their impulses.
Notice:
• There is a difference between the first three and the second three qualities mentioned:
• The first three qualities listed for older men are qualities learnt over time;
• i.e. you learn to show restraint, you in respect over time, you learn to be self-controlled.
• The next three qualities we will briefly look at;
• Portray consistent maturity as years go by.
• Before we look at them, notice again that the word ‘sound’ crops up again;
• In the middle of verse 2 just before “Faith, love and endurance”
• Once again it is our word for ‘hygiene’;
• An older man should be characterised by health & wholesomeness in these three areas.
(D). ‘Faith’
“Teach the older men to be…sound in faith”
• Remember this term an ‘older man’ – is not just focussed on age;
• It is really it is implying a mature Christian, one older in the faith.
• I know that is not always true;
• We can have some ‘grey haired babies’ in our Churches.
• But the idea is not just growing older in years but growing UP in our faith.
• An older Christian should be sound in faith;
• We should know and be able to testify that God can and has been trusted.
• And we should have stories of God’s faithfulness in our lives;
• That we can ‘when appropriate’ share with those who are;
• Weighed down with anxiety and insecurity.
Ill:
• Missionary Hudson Taylor was a missionary to China;
• And founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM) (now OMF International).
• In his home hung a plaque with two Hebrew Words on it:
• The words were; EBENEZER & JEHOVAH JIREH.
• The first word means ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us’.
• The second, ‘The Lord will see to it or provide.’
• One looked back while the other looked forward.
• One reminded him of God’s faithfulness and the other of God’s assurances
• TRANSITION: We older men need to be sound in faith;
• Able to reassure others of God’s faithfulness and God’s assurances.
(E). ‘Love’.
“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, in love”
• The mature Christian should be sound in love.
• The Greek word ‘agape’ is used here, which means ‘unconditional love’,
Ill:
• A US study of rabbits on high-cholesterol diets;
• Was perplexed to find one group lived about 60 per cent longer than the other group;
• Even though they ate exactly the same food.
• What was the difference?
• The longer-living bunnies were fed by an assistant who also cuddled and talked to them.
• The mature Christian should love others;
• Without prejudice and without conditions;
• We are to accept and love others the way God accepts and loves us!
• Quote:
• “You never hear anyone saying, "I left the church because they loved me too much."
(F) ‘Endurance’
“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, in love and in endurance”
• The mature Christian should be sound in perseverance;
• The idea here is someone who can hold up under the load,
• The mature Christian does not give up when the going gets difficult,
• The mature Christian endures, he sticks at it until the task is done.
• I like the quotation that says:
• “It doesn't matter how big the dog is in the fight; it matters how big the fight is in the dog.”
• The mature Christian sticks at it, perseveres, stands firm, persists, see it through;
• Leaning on God for his strength and his encouragement.
Note:
• If we older men consistently put these six characteristics into practice;
• We would be living adverts on how to age with grace.
• In the world we may see grumpy, miserable ‘Victor Mildrew’ type old men;
• But in the Church it should be different.
• May people who encounter mature Christians;
• Encounter living adverts on how to age with grace.
(2). Wise Words For Older women (vs 3-4).
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”
• Once again let me remind you that the apostle Paul;
• Is not saying these things mentioned only apply to this particular group,
• The principles mentioned will apply to all Christians;
• But here the apostle gives an added emphasis to mature women.
(A). ‘Reverent’.
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live”
• Like the older men these mature women are expected to be living a holy lifestyle.
• They are to be reverent, respectful, humble in their behaviour.
• They should be signposts pointing young women to the things of God;
Ill:
• E.F. Brown was a missionary to India;
• A co-worker of Brown’s came to the UK on furlough;
• And he gave reports of the work in many Churches.
• When he was asked; ‘what was it you most want in India?’
• He surprised everyone by saying, ‘Grandmothers’.
• In the old days there were few older women in Anglo-Indian society;
• These godly grandmothers were greatly missed in the Churches.
• The Churches desperately needed mature ladies;
• Who could demonstrate to younger sisters to the ways of God.
• Tough Question: Do you model godliness to the younger women of this Church?
(B). ‘Not slanderers’.
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers”
• Mature Christian women should be known as those who have learnt to guard their lips;
• Mature Christian women should not be saying things about other people;
• That are demeaning, slanderous, or hurtful.
Ill:
• R. G. LeTourneau was an outstanding Christian businessman;
• He heading a company which manufactured large earthmoving equipment.
• He once remarked, “We used to make a scraper known as ‘Model G.’
• One day somebody asked our salesman what the ‘G’ stood for.
• The man, who was quick on the trigger, immediately replied,
• “I’ll tell you. The ‘G’ stands for gossip;
• Because like a talebearer this machine moves a lot of dirt and moves it fast”.
• Older women should use their tongues wisely;
• If you feel the need to talk about someone then talk to the Lord!
• Quote: “We never pray for folks we gossip about,
• and we never gossip about those for whom we pray”
(C). ‘Temperate’
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine”
• Like the older men we looked at in verse 2a:
• Mature Christian women should avoid addictions.
Ill:
• Reminds me of the story of the preacher;
• Who one Sunday morning asked his congregation an examining question.
• He said; “Does anybody here love sin?”
• To every bodies surprise an elderly lady called Ethel;
• Who sat at the back of the Church put her hand up.
• Hardly believing his eyes for she was such a pillar in the fellowship,
• The preacher said; “Ethel, are you saying to everyone here today that you love sin?”
• To which Ethel replied, “Sin! I thought you said gin!”
• Older ladies enjoy a glass of gin or whatever, but don’t drink the whole bottle!
• The Greek word translated ‘temperate’ means to "to exercise restraint."
• Although the word is often used for being free from any addiction.
(d). “Teachers”.
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good”
• A mature Christian lady should be a teacher of good things;
• That is one who teaches what is good and morally right.
• Not only should older women teach their own children and grandchildren,
• But they should have open hearts and open homes;
• So that they can teach younger women who come to them for help and advice.
Ill:
• Let me give you a personal example to illustrate the point:
• You would be amazed of you knew how many women come to my wife Penny for advice;
• I walked in the door Friday to find her talking with someone;
• And I know tomorrow night when I am out someone else is coming round ‘to talk’.
• Every week two or three people will visit or call on the phone for advice and prayer.
• Now my wife Penny is not in the fifty plus age-group;
• But she is a mature Christian with a big heart;
• And there is a desperate lack of Godly women around that younger folk can talk to!
(E). “Encouragers”.
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,”
• If you are an older woman please remember that you are being watched;
• Younger women in the fellowship will be taking note of your attitudes and actions.
• So don’t put on a show, instead be real, be genuine;
• Notice he tells older women to be encouragers;
• Now anyone can find fault in others;
• But it takes effort and intention to encourage someone.
Notice the apostle Paul says:
• The best people to encourage younger married women with children;
• Are older married women who have had children;
• Because with the problems they face you may well have ‘been in their shoes’;
• It is not the male Pastor’s or Elders job to mentor younger women;
• That is the role of older, wiser women in the fellowship.
• So the apostle says to these older women;
• They are to intentionally input and build into the lives of younger women.
(3). Wise Words For Young women (vs 4-5)
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”
(a). “Loving”
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children”
• We probably read those words and take them as an obvious thing to do;
• Yet I could name you to people in several Churches near to where I live;
• Where Christian wives have had affairs or left their families for another relationship!
• That is so sad; but what makes it sadder to me is that;
• These women were in what you might call good lively Churches!
• Where in many ways they had everything going for them – yet they blew it!
• So to married ladies (and husbands) keep working on those family relationships;
• Don’t let staleness or neglect creep in and cause yourself;
• Or your partner to seek affection or other things elsewhere.
(B). “Self-controlled and pure”.
• Younger women should be ‘self-controlled’;
• That is they are sensible and moderate in their behaviour.
Ill:
• A company advertising brakes for cars came up with the slogan:
• "Without control, there can be no freedom."
• Self-control is using your brakes (saying "no") in order to keep your freedom.
• And one of the best ways we show self-control is in the area of purity:
• Purity in our relationships.
• Purity in our use of language;
• Purity in our lifestyle.
• And the person who lives a pure life;
• Will automatically stand out from the crowd for god reasons!
(C). “home Makers”.
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home”
• By saying, “Busy at home”, the apostle Paul is not saying;
• That a young Christian woman must stay at home and not go out to work;
• Don’t read into the text what is not there.
• This is a principle given not one of the ten commandments.
In New Testament Eastern culture the norm was;
• That younger women stayed home with the Children and the men went out to work.
• That was the norm in this society.
• Now I believe there is no greater calling for wife (or husband) than to make a home;
• Anyone sexually active can and do have kids;
• But to make a home and make a family is different.
• Now again and again the New Testament teaches the importance of the family;
• And the importance of living out our faith ‘in the home’ as much as ‘in the Church’.
We are called to be home makers:
• i.e. There is no point me trying to evangelise other children if my own children go astray.
• i.e. There is no point me trying to teach others on marriage if my own marriage is falling apart.
• i.e. If we cannot manage our own homes,
• Then we are not going to be able to lead, or to manage in a local Church.
• i.e. the home is a great place for evangelism as non-believers;
• We may be far from perfect but they should see Christian values and lived out.
• And it is good to know that Christianity works especially in the family context!
(d). Submissive”.
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”
• N.I.V.: “subject to their husbands”
• Many non-Christians have a wrong idea;
• Of what it means for a wife to ‘submit to her husband’.
Quote: John Stott:
“’Subjection’ contains no notion of inferiority and no demand for obedience, but rather a recognition that, within the equal value of the sexes, God has established a created order which includes a masculine ‘headship’…of responsibility and loving care”.
• That quote is such a good summary of this expression; “subject to their husbands”
• We need to read it again!
(4). Wise Words For Young Men (vs 6-8).
“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Note the first word in this verse;
• N.I.V.: “Similarly” Some other versions use the word, “Likewise”.
• The apostle Paul urges Timothy to caution the young men;
• Just as he did with the other groups already mentioned.
• Now because this advice has already been covered in the other groups;
• I will just summarise it;
• The young men were to be ‘self-controlled’;
• They were to control their ‘tongues’ and their ‘tempers’.
• They are to show the same ‘self-control’ mentioned in the other groups;
• So they are to be ‘pure’ that is to control those sexual urges and impulses;
• They are to be ‘sensible’;
• Not to be dependent on drink or drugs or other habitual addictions.
Question: How was Titus to get his message across?
Answer: He was to model it!
“7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned.”
• In other words Titus was taught to tell his congregation;
• ‘Do not do as I say, but do as I do!’
• The greatest message we ever preach is our lives!
Ill:
• The Greek word is ‘Tupos’ translated as ‘Example’;
• And it means to ‘model it’.
• This word was used for stamping or making an impression into a coin or wax.
• Titus was to stamp his life upon the young men of Crete.
• Those words and images apply to all Christian men and women today;
• We are to live out the qualities mentioned so that we ‘make a mark’,
• In our homes, our churches and in our society.
