The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is studying Paul's pastoral Epistle (Letter) to his "true son", Titus. These posts are my notes for each session. Please study with us. You can participate by asking your questions or making comments in the comments below. We welcome your thoughts and prayers
In bible study Tuesday I taught that when you receive salvation God makes you a new creature that is has been and continues to be renewed (see "YOU ARE A NEW CREATION YOU HAVE BEEN RENEWED" click this LINK). One of the other things that happens is that we become Christ's brothers, that includes male and female, and as such joint hers with him. What does that mean well listen to what Charles Spurgeon said.
Romans 8:17
Joint heirs with Christ.
The boundless realms of His Father's universe are Christ's by prescriptive right. As "heir of all things," He is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and He has admitted us to claim the whole as ours, by virtue of that deed of joint-heir-ship which the Lord hath ratified with His chosen people. The golden streets of paradise, the pearly gates, the river of life, the transcendent bliss, and the unutterable glory, are, by our blessed Lord, made over to us for our everlasting possession. All that He has He shares with His people. The crown royal He has placed upon the head of His Church, appointing her a kingdom, and calling her sons a royal priesthood, a generation of priests and kings. He uncrowned Himself that we might have a coronation of glory; He would not sit upon His own throne until He had procured a place upon it for all who overcome by His blood. Crown the head and the whole body shares the honour. Behold here the reward of every Christian conqueror! Christ's throne, crown, sceptre, palace, treasure, robes, heritage, are yours. Far superior to the jealousy, selfishness, and greed, which admit of no participation of their advantages, Christ deems His happiness completed by His people sharing it. "The glory which thou gavest me have I given them." "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." The smiles of His Father are all the sweeter to Him, because His people share them. The honours of His kingdom are more pleasing, because His people appear with Him in glory. More valuable to Him are His conquests, since they have taught His people to overcome. He delights in His throne, because on it there is a place for them. He rejoices in His royal robes, since over them His skirts are spread. He delights the more in His joy, because He calls them to enter into it.
Review
Last week we started our study of Titus with Paul reminding him of why he left him on the island of Crete.
Titus 1:5 (HCSB) The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town:
Titus had to put everything in order. He had to organise the church properly. His first job was to appoint elders in all the churches. in this letter, Paul told Titus what qualities elders and leaders should have.
Titus 1:6-9 (HCSB)6 one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled,9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.
He should silence the false teachers and others who were rebelling against the doctrine that he and the other apostles taught.
Titus 1:10-13 (HCSB)10 For there are also many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from Judaism 11 It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly.12 One of their very own prophets said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.13 This testimony is true. So, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith
Titus 1:16 (HCSB)They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.
Today's Study What Must Be Taught to Various Groups (Qualities of a Sound Church)
This week we will get into what Paul says about what must be taught in order to have a sound church.
Titus 2:1 (HCSB) But you must say the things that are consistent with sound teaching.
The theme of this chapter is "Teach Sound Doctrine". The false teachers on Crete were teaching the wrong things. We talked about that last week.
Titus 1:10-13 (HCSB)10 For there are also many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from Judaism 11 It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly.12 One of their very own prophets said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.13 This testimony is true. So, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith
Titus 1:16 (HCSB) They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.
2. How can older and younger Christians help each other?
Titus 2:2 (HCSB) Older men are to be level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.
Younger people often copy older people; so older people should be good models.
3. What must older women be taught? Why?
Titus 2:3-5(HCSB)3 In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. ⌊They are⌋ to teach what is good,4 so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children,5 to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so that God’s message will not be slandered.
They must be taught that they need to be mature so that they can counsel the young women. They should be;
4. What specifically does Paul say that younger women should be taught?
Titus 2:4-5 (HCSB)4 so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children,5 to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so that God’s message will not be slandered.
You’ll notice that Paul didn't tell Titus to teach the young women how to act but he told him to tell the older women that it was their job to teach them. Why? Because the older women should have
more experience and should have wisdom. They would also be better able to connect with the younger woman than with Titus or one of the other men.
In that society, most of the young women were married. Some were widows. But Paul suggested that the widows should marry again. Remember that from our study in Timothy?
1 Timothy 5:11-15 (HCSB)11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry12 and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge.13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't say.14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan.
When Paul wrote, most of the women had no education and no jobs. They were supposed to marry, have children and keep the home. When the husband died and the children had left home, they did not have much to do. There was the danger that these women would be lazy. Worse still, they might waste their time and that of other women. They would go from house to house. They would spend their time talking to each other. They would gossip about other people. And they would talk about things that they should not talk about. They would get involved in affairs that had nothing to do with them.
The older women should teach the younger women:
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to ⌊submit⌋ to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. 27 He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.
28 In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Titus 2:1-15
1. What's the theme of this chapter?Titus 2:1 (HCSB) But you must say the things that are consistent with sound teaching.
The theme of this chapter is "Teach Sound Doctrine". The false teachers on Crete were teaching the wrong things. We talked about that last week.
Titus 1:10-13 (HCSB)10 For there are also many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from Judaism 11 It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly.12 One of their very own prophets said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.13 This testimony is true. So, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith
Titus 1:16 (HCSB) They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.
2. How can older and younger Christians help each other?
Titus 2:2 (HCSB) Older men are to be level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.
Younger people often copy older people; so older people should be good models.
- Older men should be mature. They should not behave in a foolish way. Here's how the older can be good models.
- They should not drink too much wine because then they cannot think clearly.
- They must be men who other people can respect.
- They should be serious and they should not be silly.
- They should be sensible. They should think about the results of their behavior and actiopns.
- They must trust God completely as they believe the true gospel message.
- As they trust God, they will love him more. Then they will be able to love other people more. Then they can give more sympathy to those people who need help. Some old people tend to complain about people more. But this should not happen to Christians.
- They should be patient.
- They should have courage when life is difficult.
3. What must older women be taught? Why?
Titus 2:3-5(HCSB)3 In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. ⌊They are⌋ to teach what is good,4 so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children,5 to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so that God’s message will not be slandered.
They must be taught that they need to be mature so that they can counsel the young women. They should be;
- Reverent
- Not drink to excess
- Sound in faith. So they needed to know the truth about the gospel, not the stuff the false teachers were saying
- Loving to one another
- Patient in dealing with one another
These are much like the things characteristics the model older men.
4. What specifically does Paul say that younger women should be taught?
Titus 2:4-5 (HCSB)4 so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children,5 to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so that God’s message will not be slandered.
You’ll notice that Paul didn't tell Titus to teach the young women how to act but he told him to tell the older women that it was their job to teach them. Why? Because the older women should have
In that society, most of the young women were married. Some were widows. But Paul suggested that the widows should marry again. Remember that from our study in Timothy?
1 Timothy 5:11-15 (HCSB)11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry12 and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge.13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't say.14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan.
When Paul wrote, most of the women had no education and no jobs. They were supposed to marry, have children and keep the home. When the husband died and the children had left home, they did not have much to do. There was the danger that these women would be lazy. Worse still, they might waste their time and that of other women. They would go from house to house. They would spend their time talking to each other. They would gossip about other people. And they would talk about things that they should not talk about. They would get involved in affairs that had nothing to do with them.
The older women should teach the younger women:
- To control themselves.
- They should be pure, morally good.
- In those days, a married woman worked in her home. She was responsible for everything that happened in her home. Therefore, she should be willing to work hard for her family.
- They should be kind and not selfish.
- They should respect their husband.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to ⌊submit⌋ to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. 27 He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.
28 In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Women must live in these ways so that no one can say evil things about the Christian message. For example if they had a husband that was not a Christian their husband might believe because of the life of his wife including the respect that she had for him and the way she worked for her family
1 Peter 3:1-2 (HCSB)1 In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the ⌊Christian⌋ message, they may be won over without a message by the way their wives live 2 when they observe your pure, reverent lives.
It could also mean that the relationship that Christian husbands and wives have would attract other people.
5. Why is it important for Christians to live blameless lives?
Titus 2:5 (HCSB)……. so that God’s message will not be slandered.
So that the word of God could not be slandered.
To slander is to make false statements damaging to a person's reputation.
6. What advice did Paul give to younger men?
Titus 2:6-8 (HCSB)6 In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled7 in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.8 Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
Paul used the strong word encourage or urge when telling Titus to teach and to persuade the young men. Young people, especially young men, are often tempted to do silly and sometimes wrong things. They may over confident because they do not have enough experience or wisdom. If they are not yet married, they are interested in only pleasing themselves. If they have a wife and family, they may not
realize their responsibilities. I can say all these things about young men because I was once one of them.
6. What advice did Paul give to younger men?
Titus 2:6-8 (HCSB)6 In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled7 in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.8 Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
Paul used the strong word encourage or urge when telling Titus to teach and to persuade the young men. Young people, especially young men, are often tempted to do silly and sometimes wrong things. They may over confident because they do not have enough experience or wisdom. If they are not yet married, they are interested in only pleasing themselves. If they have a wife and family, they may not
Just like with the young women it is very important that young Christian men should control themselves properly so unbelievers can't say scandalous things about Christians.
7. Who did Paul say should set an example for others? How?
Titus 2:7 (HCSB)........ Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.
Paul told Titus that he should set the example. He was the leader. We as leaders are to set the example also.
Paul told Titus to be a good role model just like he told Timothy and as we should be.
1 Timothy 4:12 (HCSB) Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
He had to teach the truth and his actions should exhibit the love that he taught. This would be the exact opposite of the way that the false teachers and unbelievers, the opponents, taught and acted.
8. What was the response Paul hope for in Titus being a good role model? This also holds true for us as we are role models for the young and the unbeliever
Titus 2:8 (HCSB) Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
Titus had to be careful about everything that he said in public or private conversation. People watched Titus and they listened to him. They were ready to accuse him. But Titus could show that they were wrong. If he lived in the right way, he would be innocent. They might still oppose him. But they would have to respect him because of his behavior People would see that he was different from the false teachers. As a result, some of them would believe the good news about Jesus.
9. How did Paul instruct slaves? Why?
Titus 2:9-10 (HCSB)9 Slaves are to be submissive to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back10 or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.
Remember Paul talked about the relationship of slaves and masters in 1 Timothy too.
1 Timothy 6:1-2 (HCSB)1 All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and His teaching will not be blasphemed.2 Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. Teach and encourage these things.
In those days, there were many slaves in society. Paul accepted it as part of normal life.
In Colossians Paul taught Christian masters and slaves how to act in the right way. Both slaves and masters serve Jesus Christ. He is their master who is in heaven. So slaves are actually working for the Lord.
Colossians 3:22-4:1 (HCSB)22 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but ⌊work⌋ wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism. 4:1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.
The purpose of the Bible is to point the way to salvation, not to reform society. The Bible often approaches issues from the inside out. If a person experiences the love, mercy, and grace of God by receiving His salvation, God will reform his soul, changing the way he thinks and acts. A person who has experienced God’s gift of salvation and freedom from the slavery of sin, as God reforms his soul, will realize that enslaving another human being is wrong. He will see, with Paul, that a slave can be “a brother in the Lord”
Today, while none of us is a slave, very few if any are totally "free" economically. We have to deal with employers, teachers, bills and our level of income. We often resist and resent these boundaries.
10 What does the grace of God bring?
Titus 2:11 (HCSB) For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people,
Salvation through Christ.
All God's promises and saving work from the time that He created man have revealed his grace; all his blessings and gifts have been designed to lead men to repentance. Grace not only saves, but also teaches and trains in godly living. God's grace teaches us to refuse the wrong things and God's grace teaches us to live in the right way:
1 John 2:15-16 (HCSB)15 Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.16 For everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world.
11. Why should all Christians, whether old or young, be taught?
Titus 2:11-14 (HCSB)11 For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,13 while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works.
When someone becomes a Christian, he or she starts a new life. In Colossians 3:5-10, Paul said that a person takes off his old character. We talked about that on Tuesday when I said that as new creatures we are renewed and being renewed every day.
Colossians 3:5-10 (HCSB)5 Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.6 Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient,7 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them.8 But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.
12. What’s our motivation to live righteous lives?
Titus 2:12-13 (HCSB)12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,13 while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Christians should always think about the future. One day, Jesus will return to this world
Acts 1:9-11 (HCSB)9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”
1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 (HCSB)14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep.16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
2 Peter 3:10-13 (HCSB)10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that ⌊day⌋ the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, ⌊it is clear⌋ what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness12 as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat.13 But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.
In the future, God's glory will appear when Jesus returns to this world. Jesus Christ, who is both God and Savior, will return in power. It will be a magnificent event. We know that it will certainly happen. Christians will then live forever with God. So, we should be happy as we look forward to it.
13. How did Paul emphasize the importance of teaching all Christians?
Titus 2:15 (HCSB) Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
The grace of God is the basis of good works, but it is essential for the minister continually to proclaim this grace, exhorting and reproving, with the authority of God's Word. Let not our ministry be such as would give men reason to despise us. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Teaching both encourages and corrects. Teachers should not let anyone dismiss you because if you carry yourself the way that Paul tells Titus to carry himself and to teach others to carry themselves you can't be dismissed. Your lifestyle and character will demand respect.
7. Who did Paul say should set an example for others? How?
Titus 2:7 (HCSB)........ Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.
Paul told Titus that he should set the example. He was the leader. We as leaders are to set the example also.
Paul told Titus to be a good role model just like he told Timothy and as we should be.
1 Timothy 4:12 (HCSB) Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
He had to teach the truth and his actions should exhibit the love that he taught. This would be the exact opposite of the way that the false teachers and unbelievers, the opponents, taught and acted.
8. What was the response Paul hope for in Titus being a good role model? This also holds true for us as we are role models for the young and the unbeliever
Titus 2:8 (HCSB) Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
Titus had to be careful about everything that he said in public or private conversation. People watched Titus and they listened to him. They were ready to accuse him. But Titus could show that they were wrong. If he lived in the right way, he would be innocent. They might still oppose him. But they would have to respect him because of his behavior People would see that he was different from the false teachers. As a result, some of them would believe the good news about Jesus.
9. How did Paul instruct slaves? Why?
Titus 2:9-10 (HCSB)9 Slaves are to be submissive to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back10 or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.
Remember Paul talked about the relationship of slaves and masters in 1 Timothy too.
1 Timothy 6:1-2 (HCSB)1 All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and His teaching will not be blasphemed.2 Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. Teach and encourage these things.
In those days, there were many slaves in society. Paul accepted it as part of normal life.
In Colossians Paul taught Christian masters and slaves how to act in the right way. Both slaves and masters serve Jesus Christ. He is their master who is in heaven. So slaves are actually working for the Lord.
Colossians 3:22-4:1 (HCSB)22 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but ⌊work⌋ wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism. 4:1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.
- A slave must obey his master. Paul did not say whether the master was a Christian. But the slave should even obey a master who is not a Christian.
- A slave must be eager to please his master. A slave must be willing to do his duties. He should work well.
- A slave should not argue with his master. He should respect his master. A slave should not insult his master. His master is the boss.
- A slave must not steal. A Christian slave must not steal even the smallest thing.
- A slave must be completely honest and loyal. A master should be able to trust his Christian slave.
The purpose of the Bible is to point the way to salvation, not to reform society. The Bible often approaches issues from the inside out. If a person experiences the love, mercy, and grace of God by receiving His salvation, God will reform his soul, changing the way he thinks and acts. A person who has experienced God’s gift of salvation and freedom from the slavery of sin, as God reforms his soul, will realize that enslaving another human being is wrong. He will see, with Paul, that a slave can be “a brother in the Lord”
Today, while none of us is a slave, very few if any are totally "free" economically. We have to deal with employers, teachers, bills and our level of income. We often resist and resent these boundaries.
10 What does the grace of God bring?
Titus 2:11 (HCSB) For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people,
Salvation through Christ.
All God's promises and saving work from the time that He created man have revealed his grace; all his blessings and gifts have been designed to lead men to repentance. Grace not only saves, but also teaches and trains in godly living. God's grace teaches us to refuse the wrong things and God's grace teaches us to live in the right way:
1 John 2:15-16 (HCSB)15 Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.16 For everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world.
11. Why should all Christians, whether old or young, be taught?
Titus 2:11-14 (HCSB)11 For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,13 while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works.
When someone becomes a Christian, he or she starts a new life. In Colossians 3:5-10, Paul said that a person takes off his old character. We talked about that on Tuesday when I said that as new creatures we are renewed and being renewed every day.
Colossians 3:5-10 (HCSB)5 Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.6 Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient,7 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them.8 But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.
12. What’s our motivation to live righteous lives?
Titus 2:12-13 (HCSB)12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,13 while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Christians should always think about the future. One day, Jesus will return to this world
Acts 1:9-11 (HCSB)9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”
1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 (HCSB)14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep.16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
2 Peter 3:10-13 (HCSB)10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that ⌊day⌋ the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, ⌊it is clear⌋ what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness12 as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat.13 But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.
In the future, God's glory will appear when Jesus returns to this world. Jesus Christ, who is both God and Savior, will return in power. It will be a magnificent event. We know that it will certainly happen. Christians will then live forever with God. So, we should be happy as we look forward to it.
13. How did Paul emphasize the importance of teaching all Christians?
Titus 2:15 (HCSB) Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
The grace of God is the basis of good works, but it is essential for the minister continually to proclaim this grace, exhorting and reproving, with the authority of God's Word. Let not our ministry be such as would give men reason to despise us. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Teaching both encourages and corrects. Teachers should not let anyone dismiss you because if you carry yourself the way that Paul tells Titus to carry himself and to teach others to carry themselves you can't be dismissed. Your lifestyle and character will demand respect.
Things to think about this week
- What responsibility do Christians have to each other?
- What role should accountability play among Christians?
- What can we learn about work from Paul’s instructions to slaves?
- How can you make the gospel of Christ attractive to unbelievers in the way you work?
- What motivates you to live a godly life?
- How can you ensure that what you teach other Christians, even by your own life’s example, is in accordance with sound doctrine?
- How can you remind yourself each day that the way you work is a testimony to others?
- What step can you take in the near future to learn from another more mature Christian?
- What step can you take in the near future to share what you have learned with a younger believer?
Next Week Chapter 3 - Doing What Is Good
Paul's Letter to Titus - Session 2
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