Titus 3:1-8 October 30, 2011
Turn with me this morning to the book of Titus, chapter 3. I trust that by now you have learned where the book of Titus in located - in the middle of the NT, right after 1 & 2 Timothy, and right before Philemon and Hebrews. This letter is written by the Apostle Paul to one of his young protegés, a young Greek man named Titus. Paul had left Titus on the Greek island of Crete, a 160 mile long island in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Greece - an island filled with pagans. But the gospel had come to this island, and in the midst of the idol worship, many churches had been established. These Christians were to be light in the darkness. Paul reminds Titus these Cretans were always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons - but the Christians were supposed to be different - they were supposed to stand out - they were supposed to shine!
Paul leaves Titus at Crete to fix a problem - the churches needed leaders. So Paul left Titus on Crete to appoint elders in every town. Why did the church need elders? Because elders are to set an example for all of us to follow. We are to follow the pattern of their lives and live our lives the same way.
Paul talks about the pattern for living in chapter 1 of what their lives should look like. In chapter 2, Paul give instructions for key focus areas for young men, older men, young women, older women, and for slaves, or in our culture today as the idea of employers and employees. And Paul reminds us here in 2:10 that when we live as we should, we make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
The sad thing is that often instead of making Christ’s teaching attractive we turn people off to following Christ by the way we live our lives. We talked about that idea last week - that we have the greatest message: a grace that redeems us, a grace that reforms us, a grace that rewards us - but often because of the way we live our lives, the unsaved do not find our gospel, our good news, attractive. They don’t want to become a Christian, because they have known some Christians who were less than attractive messengers for Jesus Christ.
We talked about how grace redeems and rewards us -- but what then? Once we are saved, what should happen in our lives? Titus addresses that question in the verses we will look at today. I’m going to start at 2:14. (read 2:14 - 3:8) PRAY
Today, I want us to think about this idea of doing good works. It says here that we were redeemed and purified with a purpose. God wanted to create a special people, a peculiar people - and I’m sure you know many Christians who are peculiar - but the idea is that God wanted a people who were in a unique relationship with Him - but even more, God wanted a people who were “EAGER to do good.”
Think about yourself - can you say that you are “eager” to do good? The reality is that most of us here today are WILLING to do good. If there was an accident in the parking lot, and I crushed my leg - most people here would drive me to the hospital or at least call 911 for me. Most people in Owosso will help when needed. Many people will help when asked. If I called any one of you up and said, “I’m in reallystruggling emotionally right now - and I need someone to talk to - could you go out for a cup of coffee and let me process with you?” Most of us here would be willing to help when we are asked. And several of us would help when available - If I said, I’m going to be working on cleaning up the library next Saturday - if you have a few hours free in the afternoon, would you consider coming out and giving me a hand? I’m sure some of you would be willing.
But NONE of these are the idea that Paul is presenting. He writes that God’s desire is to create a people who are EAGER to do good. The KJV has the term zealous - which is a close match to the Greek word - zhlwthv - zelotes - from which we get the word zealot. The idea in our modern vocabulary would probably best be described as being “fanatical” about something or being “obsessed.” The meaning is someone who is “on fire” or “burning with passion” about something. So, once again, to evaluate yourselves, Are you burning up with a desire to do good, to help others?
Now, when we talk about doing good, there is a qualifier - and some of you might be ahead of me here - you’re thinking “I know, we’re just supposed to do good to our family and friends.” But I would so NO!!!!! We are to do good to ALL MEN -- and women too! Matthew 5:46 says If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Even the godfather was kind to his kids. Jesus says even the corrupt, crooked tax collectors are nice to their family and friends. Instead, when we think about doing good, we need to think about how to be helpful to everyone. Galatians 6:10 - Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. And I know, it says we should make a special emphasis to doing good to Christians, I agree with that - but we often skip over the first part of the verse - doing good to ALL. So,
* WHAT does it look like to do good? To find the answer, look in 3:1 - Paul says we should
• Be good citizens - Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no-one. . .
Let’s consider the setting that Paul is writing this letter. Titus is on Crete - an island filled with angry, corrupt pagans. Their lifestyle is so poor that they are even put down by their own countrymen. The Romans had taken over their island, and you can be sure that the rule of these invaders bothered the Cretans. Insurrection would have been a natural tendency.
Think about how the Christians would have felt - they come to faith in Christ, and as a result, they feel like outcasts. The Romans exalted the worship of the gods. They drank toasts to the gods. The Roman society abused many of the subjects who were conquered. If you were a Roman citizen, you had great rights; but if you were a conquered subject, you were supposed to house and feed and serve any Roman soldier who demanded it.
But instead of venting all their anger and frustration at the government, Christians are reminded that they are supposed to be subject to these Roman rulers and authorities. Why? Because God teaches that obedience to these governmental authorities is a way of honoing God. Romans 13:1 teaches Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
But where is Paul writing from? PRISON! There are times when the government demands things that go against your Christian faith. And in those times we “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Mark 12:17. But as much as possible, we live in subjection and obedience to authority. But Paul is not just talking about a national government - notice he says rulers and authorities. Each one of us will have varying circles of authority. We have nation, state, city officials. At work, you have a boss. In the home, there is a “head” of the home - which God says is to be the man - not because he’s the smart one - in fact there are times he can make very foolish decisions - but God says he is to lead the home.
The term “be subject” in verse 1 is in a middle voice - which could best be translated as “subject yourselves” - it refers to a voluntary choice of subjection. We are not subject to authority because we “have to be” but because we know it is what God wants us to be.
To be a people eager to do good, we need to seek to be good citizens, and to follow authority in whatever sphere we find ourselves. My father-in-law led a denomination for a number of years, and he stated that one of his biggest frustrations in dealing with Christians and churches was the lack of respect for authority. People feel like they can do whatever they want, and they show total disregard for the authority that God has placed in the church.
Why is Titus placing elders in the churches? Yes, they are examples, but they are also leaders. They are to take authority. They are in charge! God says But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.1 Cor. 14:40. Follow authority.
The word “Remind” in verse 1 is in the tense in Greek that refers to a continual action: Be reminding . . . This is an ongoing call to us. The Christians at Crete knew what they should do, but they needed constant reminding, just like us!
Paul says in verse 2 - to slander no-one - how often have you heard Christians - or at least people professing to be Christians - making all kinds of slanderous statements, insults, innuendos, name calling -- of public officials. Whether it be the president or vide-president or candidates in an election - it is so easy when you disagree with someone to start calling them names and making snide comments about them.
I’m not saying that you can’t disagree with someone - but if you do, make sure you do it honestly and respectfully. Don’t misrepresent the person or their views. Don’t insult them by making derogatory references to them. That’s also part of being a good citizen.
Then, when we think about “doing good” - another thing it looks like is to
* Be a good neighbor - As Paul goes through this list here in chapter 3, somewhere along the way he switches from being a good citizen to being a good neighbor, because as he finishes up he says, be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men. So he starts by talking about being good citizens and then he goes on to talk about being a good neighbor, co-worker, and friend.
He uses the term “be peaceable” - which doesn’t just mean “don’t blow up in anger” - but it is much more than that. It could be translated as a “sweet reasonableness.” When it is possible, give in to others. We don’t always have to have our own way. Being a Christian doesn’t bring with it always having your own way!
Paul says we should have “true humility” - it’s not the idea of having a true humility instead of a false humility. Really the word in the Greek is showing “ALL” humility. It is the idea of having the greatest possible humility. Each of us excels at showing a little humility. We all know when to speak up and when to be silent. But Paul takes it to the extreme - show the greatest humility possible! And before we say that is beyond us, let’s remember our example, Jesus, - Matthew 20:28- the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. The God of all creation, come in the flesh - the one who the winds and waves obeyed, the one who spoke the worlds into existence - humbled himself to become a servant. How much more should we serve one another.
So, we see WHAT doing good works is all about - being a good citizen and being a good neighbor and friend, but
• WHY should we do good? What is our motivation? Paul gives Titus a reminder here. We are to do good because of
- who we were - Paul goes through a list of what our lives were like before grace reformed us. We talked about this last week. Paul says, Titus, we were just like those Cretans! In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul reminds the church,
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you WERE! But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
When we think about doing good for others, the key motivation is realizing all that God has done for us. We were just like the most ungodly people we know. But we have been transformed by the grace of God. So we should want to do good to others in hopes that they also will be transformed. Will doing good to others save them? NO! But will it lead them to want salvation, will it make the teaching of Christ attractive to them? YES, it WILL! That is
- who we are - we are uniquely prepared by God to do good to others so they will be drawn to God. Matthew 5:16 tells us, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. 1 Peter 2:12 tells us, Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Let’s understand that God has uniquely created us to do good. Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Literally, it says we are his masterpiece! God has reformed by by His grace to be a beautiful masterpiece. And our job is to do good works. It is who we are. It is what we are to be about. It is good to come to church and worship God on Sunday - but we have all of eternity to worship God. Sadly, we only have the few years we spend on this earth to do good to others in hopes of winning them to faith in Christ.
Galatians 6:9 encourages us, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Sometimes we give up far too quickly. We think “It’s no use trying to reach out to so-and-so, I’ve tried before.” Don’t give up! We WILL reap a harvest if we keep on doing good!
Let’s remember that doing good works is not just something we DO, but it is who we ARE, it is who we were created to be! In 3:8 it says, 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. The KJV says “maintain good works” - the literal meaning is this: we are to take the lead in doing good. When there is a need in the community - someone had an accident, someone needs an operation, someone has a need - Christians should rise up and take the lead in coming alongside others and doing good to help them. Sadly, many non-Christians outshine us in this area.
Why do we do good works? We remember who we were, and we remember who we are. So then,
HOW do we prepare ourselves to do good works? And these are some practical things here. If you want to be ready to help and do good, it may mean making some changes in our lives. First
• Clear your schedule - not completely, but we need MARGIN in our lives. Some of us are so busy, that we wouldn’t have time to go to our own funeral for three weeks! If we are going to be serious about helping others, we need some free time. What if you make the free time and there are no needs you know of that day? Then spend the time calling someone or visiting someone. Meet your next door neighbors and ask if there is anything you can do for them! If we have time, we can easily fill it. But if we’re already booked up, we won’t find the time to help even if we want to. Clear your schedule. Next,
• Set aside money to help others. It would be great if we could just help out by saying a prayer for others or giving them a phone call. But often the needs others have need money to be met. And if we want to be ready to help, we need to have funds available to help. But I don’t believe that means taking your tithe away from the church and giving it to others. I believe the first portion belongs to God. It is designed to be used to keep His house well kept. The gifts we give to help others come out of the other 90%. But you say, That’s MY moneyu! NO, it’s NOT! It’s ALL God’s - we are just stewards of it. And God tells us he wants us to work and make money to help others. Ephesians 4:28 - He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. God wants us to work so we have money and resources to help others. What else can we do?
• Pray and listen - Many times we look right past the needs of others because we are focused on ourselves. This week, pray for God to show you someone who has a need that you can help - and then listen. When the Holy Spirit prompts you and says, Why don’t you check in with Bob - Do it! Look and listen for open doors to help others.
And finally, one of the greatest ways we have of preparing to do good works is the interaction of other Christians. They Spur Us On - They Help Us to Grow and Move Forward -
Hebrews 10:23 - And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. This word “spur on” is really the idea of a cowboy sitting on his horse and kicking the spurs into the side. It literally is the idea of “sharpening” something and getting “movement.”
Do you remember as a kid sitting in geometry class being bored to tears when suddenly you get the idea that you’ve got a sharp pencil and the boy in front of you has his behind sticking off the seat. The sharpened point QUICKLY motivates the boy to action, often getting you in trouble as well. Now, just a quick disclaimer here, that is NOT a safe diversion nor am I recommending it for anyone here to do. Kids, don’t do that!
But stimulation gets us moving. One day in Ronda’s 2nd grade class a boy David Hunter came up and said: Ryan poked me with a pencil, and that wasn’t on my agenda for today. Many times “doing good to others” is NOWHERE on our radar for the day. But friends come along and spur us on.
We need to MOTIVATE others to act. But the focus is not on our taking time to motivate ourselves to action, but on motivating OTHERS to action. We are to spur on ONE ANOTHER! The truth is that when we do THINK, we often think about what WE as an INDIVIDUAL can DO, instead of thinking what it is that WE as the BODY, TOGETHER can do. The truth is that together we are stronger than the sum of our individual strengths. Together we can do more that we can accomplish individually. There is strength and power from Christians working together. Satan knows this, and often he seeks to get us to act individually. He gets us to think that we are the only one who wants to serve God and if anything is going to be done, then we are going to have to do it, after all, no one else can do it quite as good as we can.
So, God has uniquely created us to do good deeds. One final question: WILL YOU? Not should you, or does God want you to, or is it a good thing - no, the question is WILL YOU? And if so, when?
Let’s pray.
