Titus 3:1-8 (NKJV)
SAY IT AGAIN
October 23, 2022
Paul is writing to Titus, his son in the ministry, a young Pastor on the island of Crete. We last hear of Titus as Paul tells Timothy in the last chapter of his second letter (verse 10), that he is heading for Dalmatia, which is one of the historical regions of Croatia. For you, history buffs, about 20 years ago this region used to be called Yugoslavia.
Paul begins this letter by writing to his son about how to appoint elders and bishops in every city. In chapter two he wrote about how believers should behave in the church. In this chapter, he shares with Titus how believers should behave in society. Paul calls on Titus to “put them in mind” remind them about these things. He wants Titus to remind them who they are in Jesus; what they have in Jesus; what God has done in them through Jesus; and what God expects of them because of Jesus. He writes, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly…” so I’ve come to preach to you a sermon I call, “Say It Again.” Remind them, He says, to be subject to rulers and authorities and be ready for every good work; Remind them to speak evil of no one but to be peaceable and gentle; Remind them to show all humility to all men. Because “these things are good and profitable” for them! And when they are tired of hearing it, “Say It Again.” And when they want to debate and dispute (verse 9) things that are unprofitable and useless, “Say It Again!” Because “these things are good and profitable” for them.
I. v. 1 BE SUBJECT - Titus is to tell his church to be disciplined. They are to obey the laws of the land and submit to the people who are in authority over them. He is telling them that their walk of faith should be proof that they are different from the world around them. The way we carry ourselves day by day is a powerful witness to the world around you. As you live for the Lord and demonstrate His love and grace, you are allowing Him to live through you and God uses that to touch hearts of men. A disciplined, holy life is a power tool in the hand of the Lord, Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. You might not think that bowing your head over your lunch is a big deal, but God can use it. You might not think that reading your Bible at break time is much, but God can use that too. You might not think about it but just showing up on time work is a powerful testimony to God’s saving grace in your life. Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” People who consistently show up late to everything are not concerned about anyone else but themselves! When you set your heart to go after God, the result will be good works! You will soon discover that God did not save just to keep you out of Hell; He saved you to put you to work for Him, Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”
2 Corinthians 9:8 “…for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
James 2:18 “But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”
Jesus said in John 9:4, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”
II. v. 2 BE SPEAKING – Titus is to tell his folks to speak no evil of anyone but be peaceable and gentle. Paul tells Titus that the way his people treat others is a testimony in the hands of God. They are told to avoid rudeness and gossip and treat people with gentleness and meekness. He is merely telling them to have the testimony that they are different. Our Church Covenant says, “We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other's reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other's joys, and with tender sympathy bear one another burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation.” Why do we read this month after month and year after year? Because we need to Say It Again! Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
The way in which we conduct ourselves around others, and the way we treat others, is a more powerful witness, than anything that comes out of our mouths. Someone once said, “What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you are saying.” I preached long ago, “Let the best sermon of your life, be your life.” Of course, when we don’t treat others right, that is a powerful witness against the cause of Christ too! Don’t Allow Worldly People to Change Your Witness! Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
III. v.2 BE SHOWING - What must we show? All humility to all men. Why? Because we were not always as holy as we are now! Verse 3 paints a vivid picture of what the believer was before we placed our trust in Jesus. We are to be humble in our dealings with the worldly because we were once…
· Foolish – Ignorant of everything to do with God.
· Disobedient – Rebellious toward any authority instituted by God.
· Deceived – Continually led deeper and deeper into sin by the evil one.
· Served various lusts and pleasures – A slave to our fleshly appetites and passions.
· Living in malice – Given over to a lifestyle of evil.
· Living in envy – Never satisfied with what we have and always wanting what others have.
· Hateful – Mean-spirited and hard, if not impossible, to get along with.
· Hating one another – Walking without love for our fellow man.
It was a terrible condition to be in, yet that is what the Bible says time and time again, Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. He could have written us off and just allowed us to go to Hell, but He loved us and did something about it! What Jesus did is found in the word “but” in verse 4. God knew what we were, BUT He has Kindness and Love! He saw us with all our sins and our baggage, yet He still chose to “butt” into our lives and save us by His grace. Why do we need to be told to Show Humility over and over again? Because Paul taught us in Philippians 2:8, “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Why do always go back to the cross of Christ? Because Paul taught that it takes consistent affirmation, so Say It Again! Because “these things are good and profitable” for them.
