A call to right living for all the saved
Text: Titus 3:1-9 Time: 19/08/07 Place: Childs Hill Baptist
Here's an interesting question. I preach here Sunday by Sunday – how do I know what to preach? The question could be answered in various ways.
Here's an interesting question. I preach here Sunday by Sunday – how do I know what to preach? The question could be answered in various ways.
I certainly make it a matter of prayer.
I certainly want to be interesting and useful.
But when it comes to the narrower question of where I get my ideas from, the answer is very simple. Just as a soldier in the army takes his orders from his commanding officer or just as someone leading an expedition relies on what the map says so I endeavour to get my ideas only from God’s Word. Just as a school teacher is required to teach what is on the curriculum and just as a farmer has to feed his livestock with the things that will best keep them healthy and fit for market so it is necessary for me as a preacher to give you only what is found in the Word of God.
Now for this reason of special interest to preachers are three little letters by Paul towards the end of the New Testament often called the Pastoral Letters. All three are written to young Christian ministers - two to Timothy and one to Titus. Some men I know try and read the letters every month – perhaps that's something I should do.
Timothy carried on the work that Paul had begun in Ephesus. We know of Paul's founding of the church there from Acts. Titus carried on the work he had begun on the island of Crete, a story not related in the New Testament. Paul it seems visited the island at some point, planted churches there then left Titus to straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town.
Now this morning I want us to look at Titus 3. The whole book is designed to help Titus lead the people in holy living. Chapter 1 deals chiefly with appointing elders and opposing error. Chapter 2 is about what to teach the various groups in the church. Chapter 3 begins with what to teach the people about relationships with outsiders.
Previously Titus has been told to rebuke sharply where necessary, to teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. He's been told what he should teach and to encourage and rebuke with all authority. Now at the end of the letter he is told to Remind the people of certain things. What Titus is told to do, I must do too, if I'm going to be a minister of the new covenant. Part of my job is to remind you of certain things. So let's look first at
1. Important things God wants me to remind you of regarding your conduct towards outsiders
In 3:1, 2 we have a series of things Titus is to urge on the people. The first three are to do with our attitudes to those in authority, the others are more general and cover our attitude to all people. So I say
1. Remember to have the right attitude to people in authority
First, I must remind you to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and to be ready to do whatever is good. The gospel is a radical message. It is revolutionary and is bound to have a powerful impact on a community or on a society when it is believed by many people. There is a danger, therefore, that when a person is set free by this powerful new force that he will assume he can ignore the powers that be and do his own thing. The people of Crete were ruled like many others at this time by the Romans. Now that the gospel had come to some of them they could easily assume that as God had set them free in Christ they ought to be free politically too.
Now for this reason of special interest to preachers are three little letters by Paul towards the end of the New Testament often called the Pastoral Letters. All three are written to young Christian ministers - two to Timothy and one to Titus. Some men I know try and read the letters every month – perhaps that's something I should do.
Timothy carried on the work that Paul had begun in Ephesus. We know of Paul's founding of the church there from Acts. Titus carried on the work he had begun on the island of Crete, a story not related in the New Testament. Paul it seems visited the island at some point, planted churches there then left Titus to straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town.
Now this morning I want us to look at Titus 3. The whole book is designed to help Titus lead the people in holy living. Chapter 1 deals chiefly with appointing elders and opposing error. Chapter 2 is about what to teach the various groups in the church. Chapter 3 begins with what to teach the people about relationships with outsiders.
Previously Titus has been told to rebuke sharply where necessary, to teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. He's been told what he should teach and to encourage and rebuke with all authority. Now at the end of the letter he is told to Remind the people of certain things. What Titus is told to do, I must do too, if I'm going to be a minister of the new covenant. Part of my job is to remind you of certain things. So let's look first at
1. Important things God wants me to remind you of regarding your conduct towards outsiders
In 3:1, 2 we have a series of things Titus is to urge on the people. The first three are to do with our attitudes to those in authority, the others are more general and cover our attitude to all people. So I say
1. Remember to have the right attitude to people in authority
First, I must remind you to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and to be ready to do whatever is good. The gospel is a radical message. It is revolutionary and is bound to have a powerful impact on a community or on a society when it is believed by many people. There is a danger, therefore, that when a person is set free by this powerful new force that he will assume he can ignore the powers that be and do his own thing. The people of Crete were ruled like many others at this time by the Romans. Now that the gospel had come to some of them they could easily assume that as God had set them free in Christ they ought to be free politically too.
Someone was telling me recently of a man who'd begun to attend his church and hadn't paid his car tax – because he was under God's law not man's! The police eventually caught up with him and they didn't take that view! That is not the New Testament approach. Paul sees this sort of danger and urges Titus to remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities. He had written similarly to the Romans saying Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities. This is because The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted. Peter calls for a similar attitude. Writing to Timothy Paul urges prayer for those in authority. Perhaps the fact that he urges prayer there and obedience here suggests the need for more basic teaching in Crete. It all goes back to Jesus's principle Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.
Let's be clear about this then. We must all be submissive to those in authority – to magistrates and policemen and council officials and teachers and traffic wardens. We must obey them as far as that is in accord with God's law. So when the government wrote to us this year and said that by law we must put up a notice in the church saying that smoking is not allowed on our premises we did it. (Not that anyone has been smoking here anyway). We must all have the same attitude – pay your taxes, your TV licence, parking fines, etc, don't drop litter, obey the fire and building regulations - even when it seems unjust, perhaps.
More than that - be ready to do whatever is good. Christians should be model citizens, not only obeying the laws and bye-laws but being eager to do whatever is good. Be co-operative with the authorities, help them where you can; exercise your right to vote; do what you can to make this a better community, a better society. Is there something more we should be doing?
2. Remember to have the right attitude to people in general
In verse 2 Paul broadens things out to say that there must be a right attitude toward all men. Titus must urge people, negatively, to slander no one and to be peaceable or to be non-fighters. We must be very careful what we say about others and not dishonour them by saying things that are either untrue or merely intended to drag them down. In every situation we must be trying to do what will avoid needless quarrels and fights.
Positively, Titus is to urge them to be considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. We must always be thinking of others and what we can do for them. Gentleness and meekness not harshness and aggressiveness should characterise us. So if we feel the need to complain about something then we should do it in a courteous way. If we can deal with something quietly then we should. I have told you the story of the great Welsh preacher John Elias being on a ferry and the ferryman swearing profusely. People were surprised that the preacher said nothing to the man but at the end of the journey he had a quiet word with him about swearing especially in front of women and children. Apparently the man never swore again. One of the Proverbs (25:15) says that a gentle tongue can break a bone.
So there we are - be subject to rulers and authorities and show true humility toward all men. But that's only half a sermon. I could say those things in a synagogue or mosque and they'd probably say 'Amen'. There's more to it than that.
Let's be clear about this then. We must all be submissive to those in authority – to magistrates and policemen and council officials and teachers and traffic wardens. We must obey them as far as that is in accord with God's law. So when the government wrote to us this year and said that by law we must put up a notice in the church saying that smoking is not allowed on our premises we did it. (Not that anyone has been smoking here anyway). We must all have the same attitude – pay your taxes, your TV licence, parking fines, etc, don't drop litter, obey the fire and building regulations - even when it seems unjust, perhaps.
More than that - be ready to do whatever is good. Christians should be model citizens, not only obeying the laws and bye-laws but being eager to do whatever is good. Be co-operative with the authorities, help them where you can; exercise your right to vote; do what you can to make this a better community, a better society. Is there something more we should be doing?
2. Remember to have the right attitude to people in general
In verse 2 Paul broadens things out to say that there must be a right attitude toward all men. Titus must urge people, negatively, to slander no one and to be peaceable or to be non-fighters. We must be very careful what we say about others and not dishonour them by saying things that are either untrue or merely intended to drag them down. In every situation we must be trying to do what will avoid needless quarrels and fights.
Positively, Titus is to urge them to be considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. We must always be thinking of others and what we can do for them. Gentleness and meekness not harshness and aggressiveness should characterise us. So if we feel the need to complain about something then we should do it in a courteous way. If we can deal with something quietly then we should. I have told you the story of the great Welsh preacher John Elias being on a ferry and the ferryman swearing profusely. People were surprised that the preacher said nothing to the man but at the end of the journey he had a quiet word with him about swearing especially in front of women and children. Apparently the man never swore again. One of the Proverbs (25:15) says that a gentle tongue can break a bone.
So there we are - be subject to rulers and authorities and show true humility toward all men. But that's only half a sermon. I could say those things in a synagogue or mosque and they'd probably say 'Amen'. There's more to it than that.
2. Why unbelievers cannot simply be urged to do such things
The truth is that by nature none of us will act in this way to the extent that we should. No, by nature we are not like that. By nature we are foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. Rather than doing good to all we are always in danger of living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. This is how the people Titus is dealing with had once been and it is how we all are by nature to a greater or lesser extent. So for me to simply say 'These are God's instructions, go do them' would be like telling a blind man to open his eyes and look where he was going or like telling a paraplegic to get up out of his wheelchair and to start walking. Someone on the radio yesterday was moaning about a politician who is doing a new TV series where she just basically tells people that they shouldn't be doing what they do. She says to prostitutes or benefit cheats, so it was said, that what they're doing is wrong and they ought to change. The complaint was that she was giving the impression that it was simply matter of changing their minds. Surely there is more to it than that, it was suggested. That is certainly the case when it comes to doing good.
So Paul says (3) At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. We were once no different to the wicked people all around us. We were lacking heavenly wisdom, unwilling and unable to obey. We could not see the truth and were slaves to our passions. We lived in malice and envy. We hated others and they hated us. This is what it is like to be an unbeliever. Oh I know people don't think that and they often paint it in pretty colours to try and hide the truth but if you are here this morning and you've not been converted that is your true position. You are a fool, a deluded fool. You're a slave to sinful desire and so you cannot live in the way I am describing. You are too full of malice and envy and hatred to even begin properly to be the peaceable, considerate and humble person you ought to be. I know people vary and some may appear to come towards it to some extent but in truth it is a mirage. No-one can live in that way unless God changes them.
And so I say to you - if you are a believer, you are no longer in foolishness and delusion, in malice and envy so don't go there again. Live as you ought to live.
And if you're not a believer I urge you to see your true state and to call out to God to change you because it is only believers who can live the right way.
3. What has happened to believers that makes them capable of doing such things
We need to understand the change that comes about to enable this holy living then. Paul explains it by using the trustworthy saying we find in 4-7. This is one of a number of sayings that went round in the early church and that Paul quotes at various points in these letters (see the others in 1 Tim 1:15, 3:1, 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11). It speaks about the great change that has come about in the lives of these Cretan believers and that is absolutely necessary for us if we are ever going to be the people we ought to be. We can best get at what is said by asking four questions using out old friends when? what? why? and how?
1. When?
The truth is that by nature none of us will act in this way to the extent that we should. No, by nature we are not like that. By nature we are foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. Rather than doing good to all we are always in danger of living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. This is how the people Titus is dealing with had once been and it is how we all are by nature to a greater or lesser extent. So for me to simply say 'These are God's instructions, go do them' would be like telling a blind man to open his eyes and look where he was going or like telling a paraplegic to get up out of his wheelchair and to start walking. Someone on the radio yesterday was moaning about a politician who is doing a new TV series where she just basically tells people that they shouldn't be doing what they do. She says to prostitutes or benefit cheats, so it was said, that what they're doing is wrong and they ought to change. The complaint was that she was giving the impression that it was simply matter of changing their minds. Surely there is more to it than that, it was suggested. That is certainly the case when it comes to doing good.
So Paul says (3) At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. We were once no different to the wicked people all around us. We were lacking heavenly wisdom, unwilling and unable to obey. We could not see the truth and were slaves to our passions. We lived in malice and envy. We hated others and they hated us. This is what it is like to be an unbeliever. Oh I know people don't think that and they often paint it in pretty colours to try and hide the truth but if you are here this morning and you've not been converted that is your true position. You are a fool, a deluded fool. You're a slave to sinful desire and so you cannot live in the way I am describing. You are too full of malice and envy and hatred to even begin properly to be the peaceable, considerate and humble person you ought to be. I know people vary and some may appear to come towards it to some extent but in truth it is a mirage. No-one can live in that way unless God changes them.
And so I say to you - if you are a believer, you are no longer in foolishness and delusion, in malice and envy so don't go there again. Live as you ought to live.
And if you're not a believer I urge you to see your true state and to call out to God to change you because it is only believers who can live the right way.
3. What has happened to believers that makes them capable of doing such things
We need to understand the change that comes about to enable this holy living then. Paul explains it by using the trustworthy saying we find in 4-7. This is one of a number of sayings that went round in the early church and that Paul quotes at various points in these letters (see the others in 1 Tim 1:15, 3:1, 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11). It speaks about the great change that has come about in the lives of these Cretan believers and that is absolutely necessary for us if we are ever going to be the people we ought to be. We can best get at what is said by asking four questions using out old friends when? what? why? and how?
1. When?
Paul begins But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, .... The Cretans, like us all, were all once foolish, disobedient, deceived ... enslaved ... living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But then the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared. By this phrase Paul is referring first to the coming of Jesus Christ into this world to save sinners by his perfect life and his atoning death and then the subsequent pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and then to the way that kindness and love appeared in the lives of these individuals as they came to see God as their Saviour themselves.
It is not until we ourselves have known the kindness and love of God as our Saviour that we can ever hope to be truly loving and kind to others. Has it appeared to you? Do you understand what Jesus Christ has done ? Has the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to you? If so, then live as you ought to live in Christ.
2. What?
It was by this means then that (5) he saved us – saved us from death and hell and Satan, yes, but saved us from ourselves and from our sins too. When you become a Christian it is the end of foolishness and disobedience. It is the end of being deceived and of being a slave to all kinds of passions and pleasures. It is the end of malice and envy, of being hated and hating one another. Are you saved? Have you been delivered? Has God's helicopter rescued you? Has it winched you to safety?
3. Why?
But how are we saved or what is the reason for it? Why? This is important. Paul puts it negatively and positively.
Negatively, it is Not because of righteous things we had done. Many people think that the way to be saved is by trying to do good things – like being subject to rulers and authorities, obeying them and being ready to do whatever is good. They think it is a matter of trying to avoid slandering people and being considerate and humble. But by nature we cannot do those things as much and as well as we ought to. That is not how God saves.
No he saved us, says Paul, because of his mercy. It is not anything in us that merits salvation but only God's mercy. That is why I urge you to look to God and find mercy in him. We deserve nothing by nature but he is full love and kindness, grace and mercy - the sort of love he wants us to show to others in him.
4. How?
Here we come to the detail. The NIV translates it like this - He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. The change came about then not only because of the mercy of God the Father but by the Holy Spirit and through Jesus Christ our Saviour. All three persons of the Trinity are involved when a person is saved. In particular God saves through what Paul calls here
1. The washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit
It is not until we ourselves have known the kindness and love of God as our Saviour that we can ever hope to be truly loving and kind to others. Has it appeared to you? Do you understand what Jesus Christ has done ? Has the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to you? If so, then live as you ought to live in Christ.
2. What?
It was by this means then that (5) he saved us – saved us from death and hell and Satan, yes, but saved us from ourselves and from our sins too. When you become a Christian it is the end of foolishness and disobedience. It is the end of being deceived and of being a slave to all kinds of passions and pleasures. It is the end of malice and envy, of being hated and hating one another. Are you saved? Have you been delivered? Has God's helicopter rescued you? Has it winched you to safety?
3. Why?
But how are we saved or what is the reason for it? Why? This is important. Paul puts it negatively and positively.
Negatively, it is Not because of righteous things we had done. Many people think that the way to be saved is by trying to do good things – like being subject to rulers and authorities, obeying them and being ready to do whatever is good. They think it is a matter of trying to avoid slandering people and being considerate and humble. But by nature we cannot do those things as much and as well as we ought to. That is not how God saves.
No he saved us, says Paul, because of his mercy. It is not anything in us that merits salvation but only God's mercy. That is why I urge you to look to God and find mercy in him. We deserve nothing by nature but he is full love and kindness, grace and mercy - the sort of love he wants us to show to others in him.
4. How?
Here we come to the detail. The NIV translates it like this - He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. The change came about then not only because of the mercy of God the Father but by the Holy Spirit and through Jesus Christ our Saviour. All three persons of the Trinity are involved when a person is saved. In particular God saves through what Paul calls here
1. The washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit
We need to be cleansed and renewed and that change can only come about when the Holy Spirit is generously poured out on us. There is need for a rebirth, being born again so that everything is made new. We are dirty and we need a bath, we are old and worn out and we need renewal.
Have you been washed clean through rebirth and renewed by the Spirit? It is only when we have known that that we can begin to live as we should. Some of you, perhaps, feel you want to do right but realise that you cannot truly without this.
2. This washing and renewal is accompanied by being justified by God's grace, so that we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life
Have you been washed clean through rebirth and renewed by the Spirit? It is only when we have known that that we can begin to live as we should. Some of you, perhaps, feel you want to do right but realise that you cannot truly without this.
2. This washing and renewal is accompanied by being justified by God's grace, so that we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life
A believer is made right in God's eyes. Legally he is no longer in his sins but is declared righteous before God. He also becomes a son of God, a joint-heir with Christ himself. The hope of eternal life is his.
Again,do you know that? Have you trusted in Christ so that you are right with God, so that there is no condemnation? Are you an heir of God with the hope of eternal life? Look to Jesus Christ and it can be yours. If it is so already then live in the light of that wonderful change.
4. The importance of my stressing such things to you
After the faithful saying we read And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Paul wants Titus to stress or emphasises not just Christian duty but the grace of God too. You see the order – not 'that those who are careful to devote themselves to doing what is good may trust in God' but that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.
An article appeared in the Daily Express yesterday by TV presenter Richard Madeley. It was in response to the growing problems we have with binge drinking and similar things in this country. To his own surprise (and mine) Madeley was saying that the only answer is Christianity. He does not profess to be Christian himself and probably does not fully understand what is involved. However, he can see that raising the age for drinking alcohol or something of that sort is not going to have an impact. We need to get back to a time when Christianity was more widespread in this country and Christian values were at least appreciated and respected. At least one person then is at least beginning to see what is needed.
Do you see it too? I ask you, have you trusted in God?
Again,do you know that? Have you trusted in Christ so that you are right with God, so that there is no condemnation? Are you an heir of God with the hope of eternal life? Look to Jesus Christ and it can be yours. If it is so already then live in the light of that wonderful change.
4. The importance of my stressing such things to you
After the faithful saying we read And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Paul wants Titus to stress or emphasises not just Christian duty but the grace of God too. You see the order – not 'that those who are careful to devote themselves to doing what is good may trust in God' but that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.
An article appeared in the Daily Express yesterday by TV presenter Richard Madeley. It was in response to the growing problems we have with binge drinking and similar things in this country. To his own surprise (and mine) Madeley was saying that the only answer is Christianity. He does not profess to be Christian himself and probably does not fully understand what is involved. However, he can see that raising the age for drinking alcohol or something of that sort is not going to have an impact. We need to get back to a time when Christianity was more widespread in this country and Christian values were at least appreciated and respected. At least one person then is at least beginning to see what is needed.
Do you see it too? I ask you, have you trusted in God?
If not, then I urge you to trust in him today. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. This is something excellent and profitable for everyone.
If you have trusted in him then I urge you not to sit back and think there is nothing more to do but to live in an appropriate way – devote yourself to doing good. Leave behind foolishness and envy and hatred and live a life of doing good in gentleness and meekness before God and men.
