The Word Is Alive Titus

1. The Word Is AliveTitus Chapter Three Narrated by Tony Gillon

2. Chapter Three • Titus 2:1–3:11 - Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers (continues/concludes)

3. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Summary of Chapter Three • Gospel-shaped living produces good works.

4. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Summary of Chapter Three • Gospel-shaped living produces good works. • Before and after the coming of Christ.

5. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Summary of Chapter Three • Gospel-shaped living produces good works. • Before and after the coming of Christ. • The issue of false teaching one final time.

6. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Summary of Chapter Three • Gospel-shaped living produces good works. • Before and after the coming of Christ. • The issue of false teaching one final time. • Final instructions, greetings and benediction.

7. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Titus 3:1-11 - Maintain Good Deeds

8. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Titus 3:1-11 - Maintain Good Deeds • Paul concludes this third major section with instructions once again on the way a disciple should live and the rationale for doing so, which results from what God has done for those who believe and the changes that has brought to their lives. • Believers must live in this world, but they are not of this world.

9. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. • (John 17:14-18).

10. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Titus 3:1–2 - Proper living, particularly with respect to outsiders

11. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Titus 3:1–2 - Proper living, particularly with respect to outsiders • Paul returns to describing Gospel living, this time with reference to interaction with outsiders. • Christian conduct outside of the church is to be sensitive in two directions, to government authorities (v.1), and to all other people (v.2).

12. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • 1Remind themto be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

13. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • 1Remind themto be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, • Remind them is a reference to all the groups that make up the church structure.

14. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • To be subject to rulers and authorities: • Jesus did not come to oppose the legitimate civil governments, for he desires the world to be ordered and not chaotic for God is a God not of disorder but of peace. • (1 Corinthians 14:33a).

15. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God (Romans 13:1).

16. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. (Continued).

17. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honour everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honour the emperor. • (1 Peter 2:13-14).

18. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Essentially, this instruction calls for Christians to participate in this level of the social structure, as far as possible, according to society’s rules. • Loyalty and obedience to the state, being seen to be a law-abiding citizen and paying due taxes are an expectation for the disciple of Christ and were explicitly taught.

19. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Jesus said to them, ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him (Mark 12:17).

20. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Ready for every good work: • Whereas the false teachers are unfit for any good work (Titus 1:16b), one of the purposes of the Cross is to create a people zealous for good deeds (Titus 2:14b), and to motivate them to be prepared to undertake such tasks when the opportunity presents itself.

21. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone.

22. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Speak evil of no one: • The best advice to a disciple of Christ is that, if they cannot think of anything good to say about someone, they should say nothing • If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless (James 1:26).

23. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Avoid quarrelling because this is not only a poor witness but it damages relationships. • King Solomon wrote: One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.(Proverbs 17:9).

24. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so stop before the quarrel breaks out.(Proverbs 17:14).

25. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • To be gentle is another excellent quality to be attained in all interpersonal relationships: • Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. • (James 3:13).

26. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Being gentle in Spirit was one of the great qualities of Jesus the man: • Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29).

27. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • The list closes with a call to take the initiative to show all manner of good to all sorts of people. Perfect or every courtesy, Greek prautēta, is a good translation of an often misunderstood word, literally meaning meekness or gentleness.

28. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • The Christian lifestyle calls believers to live at peace with everyone, wherever possible, showing true humility and gentleness in speech and social interaction. However, it is not doormat Christianity, but living a life of service and love. Paul’s language portrays Christian living in relation to all people as reasoned forbearance in every aspect of life, the putting of the concerns of others ahead of one’s own.

29. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Titus 3:3–7 - Gospel basis

30. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Titus 3:3–7 - Gospel basis • Paul explains how his exhortations to godly living are based on the Gospel.

31. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • 3Forwe ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.

32. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • For: • Paul lays down a foundation for leading a life in the world that is demonstrably different from that of unbelievers and this word links to the reason that Paul gives.

33. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • We ourselves is not restricted to Paul and Titus, nor indeed the others in his team. • It is intended to encompass all disciples and describes the type of lifestyle characteristics they would have displayed prior to coming to faith.

34. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • We ourselves is not restricted to Paul and Titus, nor indeed the others in his team. • It is intended to encompass all disciples and describes the type of lifestyle characteristics they would have displayed prior to coming to faith. • Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

35. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. (Galatians 1:13-14).

36. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God (1 Corinthians 15:9).

37. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God (1 Corinthians 15:9). • The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the foremost (1 Timothy 1:15).

38. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Foolish, disobedient, led astray: • It should not be overlooked that Paul uses language to describe the person before salvation in terms that would describe the false teachers or the outcome of their own proclamations.

39. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments (Psalm 119:176).

40. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments (Psalm 119:176). • The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. (Continued).

41. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff — they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long (Psalm 23).

42. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Slaves to various passions and pleasures: • The language of enslavement has its roots in the calling of God’s people from slavery in Egypt into the freedom of the land that was flowing with milk and honey.

43. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey (Deuteronomy 26:8-9).

44. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. • (Luke 4:18). • Amen.

45. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • 4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviourappeared,

46. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • 4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviourappeared, • Goodness and loving kindness stand in stark contrast to the description of lost humanity in v.3. The difference is due to the appearanceof God our Saviour. • In the Pastoral Epistles Paul refers to both God and Christ as Saviour, which is in keeping with both OT Scripture and the very essence of the Godhead.

47. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • That God our Saviour appeared is clearly a reference to Jesus for: • No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known (John 1:18).

48. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Loving translates the Greek philanthropia, which literally means ‘love for humanity’. God’s fatherly love for humankind is thus declared to have been expressed in Jesus’ incarnation.

49. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Kindness, is the Pauline word chrestotes, which he used to great effect when writing to the Roman church: • Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realise that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4).

50. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers • Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity towards those who have fallen, but God’s kindness towards you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off (Romans 11:22).