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A Call to Authentic Relationships

Explore Paul's argument in Titus on how the Church can change the world through authentic leadership, behavior, and relationships. Discover the importance of modeling wholesome relationships and rejecting radical individualism.

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A Call to Authentic Relationships

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  1. A Call to Authentic RelationshipsTitus 3:1-7Message 5 in our series called The Epistle to Titus – “Be Faithful” Sunday, June 6, 2010 Speaker: Doug Virgint

  2. Paul’s argument in Titus How can our Church change our world? Two examples from history: • Richard Baxter • England under Wesley and Whitfield

  3. Paul’s argument in Titus How can our Church change our world? Titus’ church on Crete was newly planted. Paul’s main concern was that believers begin living an exemplary Christian life, so as to be an example of the grace of God to their pagan neighbors. The essence of Titus can be summed up thus in the twofold theme of: (1) doing good works, especially (2) for the sake of outsiders.

  4. Paul’s argument in Titus How can our Church change our world? • authentic leadership (ch. 1) • authentic behaviour (ch. 2) • authentic relationships (ch. 3)

  5. Paul’s argument in Titus How can our Church change our world? • Godly leaders (ch. 1) (Instruction without godliness will not be heeded!) • Godly relationships within the church (ch. 2) • Godly interaction with our society (ch. 3)

  6. Paul’s argument in Titus 3 How can our Church change our world? • The church is called to model wholesome, caring relationships in a culture that no longer believes that such friendships are possible. • Our calling is to reject that part of our culture that is fueled by a radical individualism that selfishly seeks one’s own “good” at the expense of one’s neighbor.

  7. Paul’s argument in Titus 3 How can our Church change our world? • We have to prove that deep and loyal friendships can exist among those who otherwise have racial, cultural, and economic differences. • In other words, we are to model the oneness for which Christ prayed. • It is at this very point that we should be the most unlike the world.

  8. Outline of Titus 3: 1-7 A call for authentic relationships: • Our behaviour towards civil authorities(1) • Our behaviour towards all people (2) • The basis of and empowerment for such behaviour (3-7)

  9. Outline of Titus 3: 1-7 A call for authentic relationships: • Our behaviour towards civil authorities(1) • Our behaviour towards all people (2) • The basis of and empowerment for such behaviour (3-7)

  10. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) We live in a culture of civil disobedience ... • The Royal Bank firebombed in Ottawa • Billon dollars for G8 summit security costs • 50,000 people in Quebec City protest cuts in government programs and tax increases • Ste-Catherine street vandalized after 6th game of playoffs

  11. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) The residents of Crete had quite a reputation: • “… the Cretans consider highway robbery to be honourable.” (Cicero, 103-43 B.C.) • “So much in fact, do love of shameful profit and greed prevail among them, that among all men, Cretans are the only ones in whose estimation no profit is ever disgraceful.” (Polybius, 203-120 B.C.)

  12. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) The residents of Crete had quite a reputation: • “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” (Epimenedes, aprox 630-500 B.C.) • “Cretism” = “lie” • “to Cretize” = to deceive, to tell lies

  13. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) The residents of Crete had quite a reputation: • It was well known throughout the Roman Empire that Cretans were fretting and fuming under the Roman yoke. (Polybius, Plutarch) • It was much more difficult to live under Roman laws and the Roman tax system than what we experience in Canada!

  14. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) Two instructions concerning our attitude towards civil authorities: A) to be subject – obedient towards rulers – authorities B) to be ready to do whatever is good

  15. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) A) to be subject – obedient towards rulers – authorities • repetition for emphasis • not necessary to find nuances in the meaning of these words

  16. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) A) to be subject – obedient In Romans 13, Paul gives 7 reasons we should obey civil authorities: Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

  17. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) 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. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.

  18. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

  19. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.(Romans 13: 1-7)

  20. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) 7 reasons we should obey civil authorities : • the authorities are established by God • resisting authority = resisting God • resisting authority = judgment from God • government is designed to restrain evil • government is designed to promote good • government has the power to punish • we must obey for our conscience’s sakes

  21. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) Our Lord’s example : • The temple tax • “Render unto Caesar” • Our Lord’s subjection to proper Jewish ceremonial law • Our Lord’s own baptism

  22. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) Some practical examples : • paying taxes - income taxes - sales taxes • traffic regulations - stop signs - speed limits

  23. 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities (1) B) to be ready to do whatever is good (towards rulers – authorities? (towards all men?) • a sincere, loving eagerness to perform good deeds toward the people around us “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people …” (Gal 6:10)

  24. Outline of Titus 3: 1-7 A call for authentic relationships: • Our behaviour towards civil authorities(1) • Our behaviour towards all people (2) • The basis of and empowerment for such behaviour (3-7)

  25. 2) Behaviour towards all people (2) Four Christian duties: A) slander no one (speak evil) B) peaceable (avoid quarrelling) C) considerate (gentle) D) true humility (show perfect courtesy)

  26. 2) Behaviour towards all people (2) A) slander no one (speak evil) (blasphemeo) - 1 Timothy exhorts us to pray for authorities - think about the lack of civility in our parliamentary institutions - think about the way some people speak about government officials - think about the way we curse at others - bless, do not curse

  27. 2) Behaviour towards all people (2) B) peaceable (avoid quarrelling) “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Rom 12: 18) “People who are always fighting are wretched neighbours and citizens.” (Lenksi) • Am I always fighting with someone? • Does conflict characterise my life?

  28. 2) Behaviour towards all people (2) C) considerate (gentle) sweet reasonableness - yielding – gentle no grudges – granting benefit of any doubt peaceable – outward manifestation gentleness – inward attitude The evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts

  29. 2) Behaviour towards all people (2) D) true humility (show perfect courtesy) - gentleness refers to yielding our rights - humility refers to that temper which does not make us assert ourselves

  30. 2) Behaviour towards all people (2) - “an inwrought grace of the soul, and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God” - “that temper of Spirit in which we accept His dealing with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting… it is only the humble heart which is also the meek, and does not therefore fight against God and more or less struggle and contend with him.” (Trench - Synonyms New Testament)

  31. 2) Behaviour towards all people (2) - “… an excellent text on Christian citizenship as far as our relationship to government, as well as fellow citizens… “It rests on the new life that makes us citizens of heaven. “Our supreme interest in this world is to grace this gospel so as to win men with its banner.” (Lenski)

  32. 2) Behaviour towards all people (2) Our Lord’s example: • The woman in Samaria • The woman caught in adultery • Peter’s restoration "Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.“ (Matthew 11:29)

  33. Outline of Titus 3: 1-7 A call for authentic relationships: • Our behaviour towards civil authorities(1) • Our behaviour towards all people (2) • The basis of and empowerment for such behaviour (3-7)

  34. 3) Basis and empowerment(3-7) Paul reminds us about two things to help us in our attitudes and actions toward our neighbours: A) Our former condition B) Our marvellous salvation

  35. 3) Basis and empowerment(3-7) A) Our former condition • foolish(think of Hitler and Nazism – and Satan) • disobedient • deceived(purposefully led astray) • enslaved(controlled by our passions) • living in malice(habitual vicious character) • living in envy(always craving for more) • hateful(despising anything standing in our way)

  36. 3) Basis and empowerment(3-7) B) Our marvellous salvation If it is hard to be nice and kind to people who are hard to get along with … just remember how the Lord God acted towards us when we were just like them!

  37. 3) Basis and empowerment(3-7) B) Our marvellous salvation • kindness and love of God • saved us • his mercy • rebirth and renewal of the Spirit • poured out generously • justified by his grace • heirs with assurance of eternal life

  38. A conclusion “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.” (Verse 8)

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