Paul's Epistles – Titus – Part 3: Rebuke False Teachings - Pastor Bruce A. Shields

Paul's Epistles – Titus – Part 3:

Rebuke False Teachings - 

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

Online Audio Files | HOF Church Facebook | Truth Digest Facebook

This Document is a Sermon Outline, you may hear the full audio of the actual sermon by following the link Online Audio Files located above for this, and other Full Sermon Audios.  For a complete list of Sermon Outlines, visit TruthDigest.org, or Truth Digest on facebook; for our Official Church website, visit PS127.org, or find us on facebook at House of Faith Church

SERMON INTRODUCTION

Unlike some of the other epistles attributed cautiously to Paul, nearly all agree that without a doubt, Titus is most definitely Paul’s workmanship.

Some thought that because of its strong emphasis on “works”, Paul did not write it. (1:16; 2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14 ), however Titus 3:5 gives the answer to that objection, “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,”

It is clear Paul is pressing the issue of works, not for salvation sake, but in an effort to promote “godliness” which comes from knowledge of the Truth, a godliness which “produces” works naturally as its fruits.

Galatians 5:22-23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

This letter was written approximately the same time, and more than likely the same place as I Timothy.

PREVIOUSLY

Introduction to Titus

Appointing Elders who love what is good

TODAY’S SERMON

Appointing Elders who love what is good

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Titus 1:10-16 (65 AD, written between I Timothy and II Timothy)

For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach – and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: ‘Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.’  13 This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

The overall message of this epistle to the church is;

God’s ideal for the Christian Church and Christian Workers

I. THERE ARE MANY REBELLIOUS PEOPLE FULL OF MEANINGLESS TALK AND DECEPTION

a. Especially those of the circumcision group

                                                        i. They must be silenced (Rebuked)

b. They are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach

                                                        i. Unqualified to teach because they are/have rejected Truth

                                                     ii. Should not teach because the things they are teaching are not only incorrect, but disrupting entire households

                                                  iii. They cause division/strife within the body of Christ

                                                   iv. They have a spirit of religion (believing they have a higher understanding)

                                                      v. Paul says most of them were doing this for personal

gain/reasons/motivation

c. Our motivation is key to our walk with the Lord

                                                     i. If our true motivation is to get closer to the Lord, then when presented with scriptural Truth, it will not be rejected

                                                  ii. Paul says these people are rejecting Truth, and therefore must be rebuked sharply

                                               iii. So after their correction they will be sound in faith and turn from their meaningless talk and deceptions

II.      PAY NO ATTENTION TO JEWISH MYTHS OR TO THE MERELY HUMAN COMMANDS OF THOSE WHO REJECT THE TRUTH

a. Some of the teachings causing disruption were myths

                                                        i. There were many myths the Jews taught and believed, such as gods that died and were raised to life each spring with the foliage

                                                     ii. Goddesses who brought about fertility and procreation

                                                  iii. Nearly all of these myths had been brought into the Jewish culture from the Jews taking wives from outside the Jewish faith

                                                   iv. Roman, Greek, many Pagan influences and false teachings brought about a slew of traditions, myths, stories and such that were sometimes taught as fact alongside the True God of Creation , Paul said put a stop to this nonsense

b. Some of the teachings causing disruption were teaching of men

                                                        i. This is the realm that is most dangerous, where false teachings from other religions are easily disputed, especially myths and stories, the teaching of men usually manipulates the Truth of God into a way that is self-serving to the teacher.

                                                     ii. This results in things such as cults, prosperity preaching, “magical” ability preaching, etc...

                                                  iii. This can also result in manipulating the Truth to control people through their fear of God, such as the case with the Roman Catholic church, and the Sanhedrin

                                                   iv. Jesus rebuked the Sanhedrin (who was working with the Roman government to control the Jewish population through a religious state, such as Islam, ISIS and many other religious cults attempt to do)

                                                      v. Jesus said to them, Mark 7:13 “Your tradition makes void the Word of God.”

c. Both were to be ignored

                                                        i. Myths, false religions, teaching of men, even other gods, belief systems and such, were to be ignored

                                                     ii. BECAUSE they have no power over God and His people!

                                                  iii. Paul has taught about this fact more than once

                                                   iv. When the members of the Corinthian church were worried because they didn’t want to accidentally buy or eat food that had been offered to false gods Paul responded to their fear in I Corinthians 8:1-8

                                                      v.  Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. ² If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. ³ But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

⁴ Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” ⁵ For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— ⁶ yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

⁷ However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ⁸ Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 

                                                   vi. Paul makes it clear

1. Knowledge (understanding) = intention / motivation

2. Idols, gods, lords other than the Father in Heaven are NOT real

3. There is only 1 God, to acknowledge another is to say He is not the one True God, the Almighty, above all

4. Although there are many so-called gods and lords in heaven and on earth, there is only 1 God the Father

5. However, some do not possess knowledge (because they listen to myths, fables, teaching of men as opposed to scripture, the Truth of God)

6. Their consciences (faith) are weak, THEY give power to myths, gods and lords, and in thinking they have power, eating anyway, they are defiles

7. But to those with pure motives, they remain undefiled BECAUSE food will NOT commend us to God, and we are no worse off if we do not eat it, no better if we do

III.   TO THE PURE, ALL THINGS ARE PURE - CHRISTIANS WITH PURE MOTIVES REMAIN PURE

a. If you are eating food sacrificed to idols because you are hungry...

                                                        i. And you acknowledge those false gods and idols are powerless against the one True God, your fine...eat

                                                     ii. Your motivations, knowledge and faith are in-tact, and all things of this earth and beyond are powerless against the one True God

b. There are MANY PAGAN things we do yearly that have NO SPIRITUAL effect on us as Christians

                                                     i. We all KNOW Jesus was NOT born on December 25^th, yet we celebrate Christmas in His honor

1. Pagan holiday...no power over us

                                                  ii. Easter, another Pagan holiday celebrating spring, fertility and procreation...we chose to honor the resurrection

                                               iii. Halloween, Babylonian ritual Akitu celebrating the victory of the sky god Marduk over the sea goddess Tiamat

                                                iv. Valentine’s day - Roman feast of Lupercalia where they sacrificed goats and dogs

                                                   v. Mardi Gras - Pagan day focussing on fertility and spring

                                                vi. Birthdays - Originally an Egyptian day celebrating the Pharaoh turning into a god

                                             vii. Ash Wednesday - Vedic Hindu Indian Agni celebration where the ashes on the forehead were a symbol of Shiva

                                          viii. Mother’s Day - Greeks and Romans worshipped mothers, the goddess Matronalia (where we get matron, maternal, matriarch, etc.) she was the goddess of fertility and nature

                                                ix. St. Patrick’s Day - Actually anti-pagan because St. Patrick drove out the pagans, however Americans turned it into a day of getting drunk and wearing green

                                                   x. All of these days are PAGAN celebrations, yet, we, as Christians, can celebrate our own way because OUR MOTIVATION IS NOT HONORING THE MYTHS AND IDOLS, therefore, these have NO EFFECT on us!!

CONCLUSION –  the 4 questions and the facts

For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced

Who are the rebellious people?

Those teaching things that are based in myth, or teachings of men that bring discord and disrupt families and the church, or cause division and strife

What is the good they are failing to do?

Stop denying Truth, and believing myths and the teaching of men over God

What does it mean to rebuke them sharply?

Correct them with the Truth of God in a clear and unapologetic way

What is the purpose of rebuking them?

So they will return to the Truth and stop believing myths and doctrines of men

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?   

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Want to hear the audio to this sermon?   

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Paul's Epistles – Titus – Part 2: Appointing Elders who love what is good

Paul's Epistles – Titus – Part 2:

Appointing Elders who love what is good

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

Online Audio Files | HOF Church Facebook | Truth Digest Facebook

This Document is a Sermon Outline, you may hear the full audio of the actual sermon by following the link Online Audio Files located above for this, and other Full Sermon Audios.  For a complete list of Sermon Outlines, visit TruthDigest.org, or Truth Digest on facebook; for our Official Church website, visit PS127.org, or find us on facebook at House of Faith Church

SERMON INTRODUCTION

Unlike some of the other epistles attributed cautiously to Paul, nearly all agree that without a doubt, Titus is most definitely Paul’s workmanship.

Some thought that because of its strong emphasis on “works”, Paul did not write it. (1:16; 2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14 ), however Titus 3:5 gives the answer to that objection, “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,”

It is clear Paul is pressing the issue of works, not for salvation sake, but in an effort to promote “godliness” which comes from knowledge of the Truth, a godliness which “produces” works naturally as its fruits.

Galatians 5:22-23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

This letter was written approximately the same time, and more than likely the same place as I Timothy.

PREVIOUSLY

Introduction to Titus

TODAY’S SERMON

Appointing Elders who love what is good

 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Titus 1:2-9 (65 AD, written between I Timothy and II Timothy)

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless – not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

The overall message of this epistle to the church is;

God’s ideal for the Christian Church and Christian Workers

I. THE REASON I LEFT YOU IN CRETE

a. Paul was in Crete with Titus preaching the gospel for a period of time

                                      i. Paul then left to attend to other matters leaving Titus to establish and build churches in Crete’

b. Paul trusted Titus to continue the mission after he departed

                                      i. Paul instructed Titus to appoint Elders in every city

                                   ii. In other words, establish a church in each town its own Pastor

c. The meaning of Elder

                                      i. Elder, Bishop, Shepherd, Overseer, Presbyter, Pastor are all interchangeable words and simply refer to the Pastor of a local church

                                   ii. Churches can have multiple Elders serving on a board, but there is usually a single Pastor in charge of leading the church with the board of Elders serving as Spiritual leadership and for guidance.

II.   THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ELDERSHIP IN A CHURCH

a. The qualifications for Elders is listed in a few different places in scripture

                                      i. Titus 1:5-9; I Timothy 3:1-7; I Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28

                    ii. Various references to different aspects of Eldership qualifications and examples as well as explanations of duties are also found in many various places in scripture as well.

III.   SO WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ELDERS

a. Their desire and calling to Eldership is from the Holy Spirit

                                   i. Acts 20:28; I Timothy 3:1; I Peter 5:2

b. Moral and Spiritual character requirements

                                   i. Desire is not enough, sometimes desire is a false desire or the result of a dominating personality, who wants to rule over people.

                                ii. So to protect the church from false desire and unfit men, the Holy Spirit gives us practical objective qualifications for testing the desires and qualifications of candidates.

c. The test

                                   i. A GOOD REPUTATION

1. Above reproach - I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6

2. Respectable - I Timothy 3:2

3. Well thought of by others - I Timothy 3:7

ILLUSTRATION

The wall of China is 1,500 miles long and 15-30 feet high, costing the government of China a lot of money, equivalent to 1,359 BILLION dollars of today’s money.

Yet, that wall was breached 3 times because guards accepted bribes.

The Chinese government invested billions in the construction of the Great Wall, but failed to test the moral character of guards, making the wall worthless.

                                ii. FAMILY LIFE: MARITAL AND SEXUAL LIFE

1. The husband of one wife - I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6

2. No polygamists, adulterers, fornicators

a. One wife only

b. No cheating on spouse with married people

c. No cheating on spouse with unmarried people

3. This is a “key” test in a sexually immoral world

4. God demands His shepherds be men above reproach in their marriage and sexual life

                             iii. FAMILY LIFE: CHILDREN

1. He must manage his own household well - I Timothy 3:4

2. His children are raised believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination

3. His children are well behaved and obedient with “all dignity” - I Timothy 3:4-5

4. Meaning, they obey him out of respect and love, not because they were beaten, belittled, or abused into submission

5. Children are a test of a man’s leadership, no father is perfect, but a Christian father who is an Elder must be above reproach as a father in the eyes of the community.

6. Despite normal family issues and problems, he should consistently show that he is a concerned and involved father.

7. No child is perfect either, but we keep them subordinate in “all dignity” and in a respectful manor.

                              iv. PERSONAL LIFE: SELF-CONTROL

1. Sober minded - I Timothy 3:2

2. Self-controlled - Titus 1:8

3. Not greedy for gain - Titus 1:7

4. Not quick tempered - Titus 1:7

5. Not quarrelsome - I Timothy 3:3

6. Not a drunk - I Timothy 3:3

7. Disciplined - Titus 1:8

8. Self-Controlled is a FRUIT of the Holy Spirit, i.e. evidence of His presence - Galatians 5:22-23

9.  Proverbs 25:28 “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”

10. The biggest wall in China will fail to protect you if you lack in moral character, and if you are a leader in church, like a guard at the great Wall, your lack or morality can put the entire city (church) at risk of attack.

11. Self-control is a good test in many ways and is needed today in many areas;

a. Alcohol

b. Abuse of Authority

c. Anger

d. Money

e. Quarrelsome

f. Balanced Judgment

                                 v. RELATIONAL SKILLS WITH PEOPLE

1. Gentle - I Timothy 3:3

2. Upright - Titus 1:8

3. Not quick tempered - Titus 1:7

4. Not quarrelsome - 1 Timothy 3:3

5. Not arrogant (prideful, conceited, self-willed, self-pleasing) Titus 1:7

6. i.e. “I think”, “I believe”, “I feel”...

                              vi. HOSPITABLE AND LOVING

1. Hospitable - I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8

2. A lover of good - Titus 1:8

3. Inviting people into your home, and being a person who does kind deeds for others, helpful, generous to needy brothers and sisters.

4. John 13:34.35 “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

                           vii. SPIRITUAL MATURITY

1. I Timothy 3:6, not a new convert or he may become conceited and fall into condemnation of the devil.

2. According to the scriptures, an elder needs to be saved for a period of time and have the opportunity to acquire a good reputation among people.

3. Be an example to the flock - I Peter 5:3

                        viii. He must hold firm to the trustworthy Word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:9

                              ix. Able to teach and define aspects of faith - I Timothy 3:3

CONCLUSION –  LET THEM BE TESTED FIRST

Then let them serve. - I Timothy 3:10

The sins of some men are obvious, going out before them for all to see, while others may not appear until later. I Timothy 5:24-25

Paul also warns of “hasty” appointments. Without the testing and qualifications the Holy Spirit tells us to look for, hastily appointing a leader puts the entire church at risk.

 Next week we will see Paul’s instruction to the Elders on rebuking those who fail to do good.

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?   

CLICK HERE!

Want to hear the audio to this sermon?   

CLICK HERE!