EXPECTATIONS For GODLY LIVING-IV—Titus 2:1-15
Attention:
God has ‘Expectations’ of those who commit themselves to Him thru Jesus Christ!
Need:
There is an ultimate ‘fulfillment & satisfaction’ that CAN come to your life!
BUT that ‘fulfillment & satisfaction’ can ONLY come to you thru YOUR participation in GOD’s Expectations for Godly Living!
Titus was exhorted by the apostle Paul, to expose God’s people to the expectations for godly living.
All God’s people are answerable to His expectations for godly living.
What are some expectations for godly living by God’s people?
What are some expectations for godly living?
The last time we looked at Titus 2, we found:
Some expectations for godly living are...
1—APPROPRIATE DIRECTION(:1, 15)God’s direction thru apostolic authority
2—APPROPRIATE MATURITY(:2-8)—
A.-OLDER Christian MEN(i) & WOMEN(ii)(:2, 3-4)
*Today we’ll continue to flesh-out the ‘Godly Expectation’ of APPROPRIATE MATURITY(:2-8)....
....As it relates to B(i).-YOUNG Christian WOMEN(:4-5):
**“ADMONISH”—To moderate, discipline, curb, or to ‘make of sound mind.’
(CONT...)2B(i)—An expectation for godly living is...
APPROPRIATE MATURITY—B(i).-YOUNG WOMEN(:4-5)
“the older women are to,”.... “admonish the young women”...
2:5—“To be”... “obedient to their own husbands,”
Married Christian “women” are to be instructed, not only to maintain a loving friendship(“love”) with their husbands(:4), but also to “obey” them— ‘in the Lord.’
Why should a Christian “woman” “obey” her “husband”?
Many would tell me, “Preacher, that’s too much...You’re out of line here!
It is God’s design that the “husband” is to be the ‘head’ of the household.
And he is to be the ‘head’ of the household in the same manner that Christ is head of the church(Remember—Eph. 5:22-27).
*In his home, a Christian “husband” is expected, by God, to be a tangible, physical representation of Jesus Christ. Among his family, a Christian “husband” is expected by God, to glorify Christ Jesus in all his ways!
*?What ‘godly Christian woman’ would find it difficult / hard to ‘respect’(Eph. 5:33) & “love”(:4) & to be loved(Eph. 5:25) by a truly GODLY husband!?
*?What ‘godly Christian woman’ would find it ‘difficult’ to be “obedient” to a man who CONFORMS HIMSELF TO & honors Jesus as the Lord of His life!?
*?What ‘godly Christian woman’ would find it ‘difficult’ to be “obedient” to a man who exemplifies & encompasses his home within the confines of God’s love in Christ Jesus!?
If it remains ‘difficult’ for you then YOU have a problem with Jesus!
!!YOUNG MEN, & all men: This conversation concerns & carries you along as well!!
“Obedient/Being Subject”(See :9)—upotassw—Present Passive Participle Accusative Plural Fem.—1) To arrange under, to subordinate; 2) To subject, put in subjection; 3) To subject one's self, obey; 4) To submit to one's control; 5) To yield to one's admonition or advice; 6) To obey, be subject. Upotassw is 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.” Strong—To subordinate; reflexively--To obey. Used 40X.?From—upo—Preposition—1)By, under. Strong—Under, i.e. (with the genitive case)of place--Beneath, or (with verbs)the agency or means--Through; (with the accusative case)of place--(whither--Underneath, or where--Below, or time when--At); a primary preposition.—&—tassw—To arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. Assign or dispose(to a certain position or lot); a prolonged form of a primary verb(which latter appears only in certain tenses).
“Husbands”—anhr—Noun Dative Plural Masc.—1) with reference to sex—1a) Of a male, 1b) Of a husband, 1c) Of a betrothed or future husband; 2) With reference to age, & to distinguish an adult man from a boy; 3) Any male; 4) Used generically of a group of both men & women. Strong—A man(properly as an individual male).
*?WHY should “young” Christian “women” live in the ‘oppression’ of, what our flesh-driven world calls—‘patronizing’ & ‘condescending’?....
2:5—“That the word of God may not be blasphemed.”
A heavy implication here is that Christians are to marry Christians & never the lost(2Cor. 6:14-16).
•2 Cor. 6:14-16—“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.””[Lev. 26:12]
A “young” Christian “woman” is to be taught these ways by “the older” Christian “women” & live them out practically. Because to neglect God’s way, would mean that the very word of God would be spoken of as evil, & disregarded in the eyes of the lost!...AKA—“Blasphemed”
•A DISREGARD for God’s revealed word is obviously unacceptable for any Christian woman, wife, or mother,—or any Christian for that matter— because disregarding Him COMPROMISES every aspect of the Good News of Christ!
“Blasphemed”—blasfhmew—Present Passive Subjunctive 3rd Sing.—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. Used 35X.?From—blaptw—properly--To hinder, i.e. by implication--To injure; a primary verb.—&—fhmh—A saying, i.e. Rumor(“fame”)....= ‘Blast’ ‘Fame’
*NOW...Let’s move on to God’s expectations for ‘YOUNG MEN’....
2b.—An expectation for godly living is...
APPROPRIATE MATURITY—
B(ii).-YOUNG Christian MEN(:6-8)
Explanation:(:6-8)
2:6—“Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded,”
2:7—“in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,”
2:8—“sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”
2:6—“Likewise exhort the young men”...
*The emphasis now shifts FROM older women teaching young women.
*The emphasis now falls to Titus himself as he relates to “the young men.” Titus is directed to “exhort” or ‘call “the young men” alongside’ for personal moment of instruction in righteousness & truth.
This ‘may suggest’ that Titus himself was a “young man.”
*“The young” Christian “men” of the church are ‘destined’ for the intensely personal accountability of godly ‘headship’ in their families & churches!...And they need godly direction in that preparation!
“Exhort”(See :15)—parakalew—Present Active Imperative 2nd Sing.—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.—2a) To admonish, exhort, 2b) To beg, entreat, beseech—2b1) To strive to appease by entreaty, 2c) To console, to encourage & strengthen by consolation, to comfort—2c1) To receive consolation, be comforted, 2d) To encourage, strengthen, 2e) Exhorting & comforting & encouraging, 2f) To instruct, teach. Strong—To call near, i.e. Invite, invoke(by imploration, hortation or consolation).?From—para—From, of at, by, besides, near. Strong—properly--Near, i.e. From beside; At(or in) the vicinity of; To the proximity with; Beyond or opposed to; On account of.—&—kalew—To call(properly--aloud).
2:6—“Likewise exhort the young men”...
2:6—“To be sober-minded,”
“The young” Christian “men” of the church are to be encouraged or urged, to approach the challenges of life with ‘self-control’(“sober-minded”) rather than solely by emotion.
There is a great personal accountability that goes with Christian headship! And “the young” Christian “men”, cannot afford to approach those God-ordained responsibilities frivolously or lightly or by how they might ‘feel’ at any given time!
*An Example of ‘emotional’ living:?Suppose you wake up to a beautiful, cloudless, sunny day after a solid week of being overcast & foggy. Your emotions joyfully tell you, ‘I am going down to the lake/beach & go swimming.’...?However, it is the middle of January & the temperature has been flirting with freezing for weeks!?•In that instance, an ‘Emotional Decision’ would be a ‘Deadly Decision’!
*So...“young men”...You must be “Sober-minded” /—“Sensible” & “Self-controlled.”
“Sober-minded/Sensible/Self-controlled/Discreet”(See :2—“sober”--nhfaleov, OR--nhfaliov)—swfronew—Present Active Infinitive—1) To be of sound mind—1a) To be in one's right mind, 1b) To exercise self control—1b1) To put a moderate estimate upon one's self, think of one's self soberly, 1b2) To curb one's passions. Strong—To be of sound mind, i.e. Sane, figuratively--Moderate. Used 6X.?•As with :4—“Admonish”(swfronizw); & :5—“Discreet”(swfrwn)?From the base of—swzw—To save, i.e. Deliver or protect(literally or figuratively).—& the base of—frhn—The midrif(as a partition of the body), i.e. figuratively & by implication, of sympathy--The feelings(or sensitive nature; by extension[also in the plural]--The mind or cognitive faculties); probably from an obsolete fraw(to rein in or curb; compare frassw[to fence, enclose, block up]). English = ‘Frenzy’/‘Frenetic’(wild/uncontrolled)
2:7—“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works;...”
This admonition is directed to Titus, & so, also applies to the “young men.”
(CONT...)2:7—“In all things”...—
Titus’ example of Christ extends to every facet of Jesus’ reach within Titus.
Jesus’ reach within any & every Christian, is intended to be all encompassing!
*Same thing said three ways:
1)•There is NO part of your life that CANNOT be surrendered to God’s control....
2)•EVERY part of your life CAN be surrendered to God’s control!...
3)•And so there is NO part of your life that SHOULD be UN-SURRENDERED to God’s control.
*?Are there areas of your life, that God is not allowed to touch?....
....?Areas that you protect from God’s influence?....
....?Areas where you don’t want to be told, that you ‘shouldn’t’?
(CONT...)2:7—“...Showing yourself to be a pattern of good works;...”
Others—particularly “the young men” —should be able to look upon Titus, as Titus did with Paul(1Cor. 11:1), & be able to “pattern” their lives around the teaching & learning moments presented by Titus’ “good works.”
?Are you ‘marked’ by Jesus? ?Is it obvious to others that you belong to Him?
“Pattern/Example”—tupov—Noun Accusative Sing. Masc.—1) The mark of a stroke or blow, print; 4) An example—4a) in the technical sense--The pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made, 4b) in an ethical sense--A dissuasive example, a pattern of warning—4b1) Of ruinous events which serve as admonitions or warnings to others, 4c) An example to be imitated—4c1) Of men worthy of imitation, 4d) in a doctrinal sense—4d1) Of a type i.e. A person or thing prefiguring a future(Messianic) person or thing. Strong—A die(as struck), i.e. by implication--A stamp or scar; by analogy--A shape, i.e. A statue, figuratively--Style or resemblance; specifically--A sampler(“type”), i.e. A model(for imitation) or instance(for warning). Used 16X.
2:7—“in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,”
“In doctrine”—Cf.-Js. 3:1-2.
“Doctrine/Teaching”—didaskalia—Noun Fem.—1) Teaching, instruction; 2) Teaching—2a) That which is taught, doctrine, 2b) Teachings, precepts. Strong—Instruction(the function or the information). Used 21X.?From—didaskalov—An instructor.?From—didaskw—To teach(in the same broad application); a prolonged (causative)form of a primary verb daw(to learn).
“in doctrine showing...”
2:7—“Integrity,”
Titus is to “show” or exhibit an absence of ‘corruption’(“integrity”)in his personal application of Christian “doctrine.”
There is to be nothing in Titus’ Christian teaching(“doctrine”), that would cause it to ‘cave-in’ under the pressure of the many opposing false doctrines. No Christian has to ‘jump-thru-hoops’ to prevent the collapse of Christian doctrinal integrity. It stands on it’s own.
True Christian teaching(“doctrine”) is not susceptible to sinful corruption, rot, or ruin brought on by those who oppose it! Christian “doctrine” may not DIRECTLY answer every question ever posed, BUT Christianity answers every ‘legitimate’ & ‘necessary’ question surrounding the life of every person of every time!
“Integrity/Uncorruptness”[Byz/TR only]—adiafyoria[Byz/TR]—Noun Fem.—Lit. = ‘Not Withered Throughout’—1)Incorruptibility, soundness, integrity—1a)Of mind. Strong—Incorruptibleness, i.e. figuratively--Purity(of doctrine). Used 1X--Titus 2:7.
•More Intense than “incorruptibility”(below).?From a derivative of a compound of—A(as a negative particle)—& a derivative of—diafyeirw—To rot thoroughly, i.e. by implication--To ruin(passively--Decay utterly, figuratively, pervert).?From—dia—1) Through, With, In, Throughout, During, By, By the means of; The ground or reason by which something is or is not done, By reason of, On account of, Because of for this reason, Therefore, On this account. Strong—Through(in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional).—&—fyeirw—properly--To shrivel or wither, i.e. To spoil(by any process), or generally--To ruin(especially figuratively, by moral influences--To deprave); probably strengthened from fyiw(to pine or waste).
“in doctrine showing...”
2:7—“Reverence,”
Tied to Titus’ “doctrinal” “integrity” is a proper Christian “reverence” for God & all that surrounds His Kingdom & it’s dissemination in the world.
•That is particularly so, as Titus relates the Kingdom of God thru the “doctrine” he teaches.
•Without reverence for God there is no reverence for truth!
“Reverence/Gravity/Dignified/Seriousness”—(See :2—“reverent”[semnov]; :3—“reverent”[ieroprephv])—semnothv[Byz/TR/Alex]—Noun Accusative Sing. Fem.—1) The characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence & respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity; 2) Honor, purity. Strong—Venerableness, i.e. Probity. Used 3X--1Tim. 2:2, 3:4; Titus 2:7.
“in doctrine showing...”
2:7—“Incorruptibility,”
Also tied to Titus’ “doctrinal” “integrity” & “reverence”, is his “doctrinal” “incorruptibility.”
If Christian “doctrine” is to show “incorruptibility” then Titus & all other declarers of it, have a real motivation for sharing it with others, in an unadulterated manner.
•And so we NEVER CHANGE the ‘ORIGINS’ of Christian “doctrine”, but we must be diligent to PROPERLY ‘INTERPRET’ them!
•Continuing ‘interpretation’ of Christian “doctrine” is to make God’s truth ‘relatable’ for an audience, in their particular time & place.
“Incorruptibility/Sincerity/Purity/Seriousness/Incorruption”—afyarsia[Byz/TR/Alex]—Noun Accusative Sing. Fem.—1) Incorruption, perpetuity; 2) Purity, sincerity, incorrupt. Strong—Incorruptibility; genitive case--Unending existence; figuratively--Genuineness. Used 8X.?From—afyartov—Undecaying(in essence or continuance);?From—A(as a negative particle).—& a derivative of—fyeirw—properly--To shrivel or wither, i.e. To spoil(by any process), or generally--To ruin(especially figuratively, by moral influences--To deprave); probably strengthened from fyiw(to pine or waste).
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
God has ‘Expectations’ of those who commit themselves to Him thru Jesus Christ!
Action:
Some expectations for godly living are...
2—APPROPRIATE MATURITY(:2-8)—
B(i).-YOUNG Christian WOMEN(:5)?B(ii).-YOUNG Christian MEN(:6-7)?
1—APPROPRIATE DIRECTION(:1, 15)
2—APPROPRIATE MATURITY(:2-8)—
A.-OLDER MEN(i) & WOMEN(ii)(:2, 3-4)
Installment #4—Pt# 2A-B-ii presented 02/19/2023am to:
Salem Baptist Church
1618 Salem Rd.
Bennettsville, SC 29512
