Paul's Epistles – Titus – Part 6:
Citizenship and Sinners
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith
Church | www.PS127.org
| www.TruthDigest.org
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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
Rebuking False Teachings
Teaching Older Men and Women
Teaching Young Men and Servants
TODAY’S SERMON
Citizenship and Sinners
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Titus 3 (65 AD, written between I Timothy and II
Timothy)
Remind the people to be subject to rulers
and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be
peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
3 At one time we too were foolish,
disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We
lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and
love of God our Savior appeared, 5 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,6 whom he poured out on us generously
through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified
by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal
life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. 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.
9 But avoid foolish controversies and
genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are
unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn
them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such
people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
12 As soon as I send Artemas or
Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have
decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the
lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they
need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves
to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live
unproductive lives.
15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet
those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
The overall message of this
epistle to the church is;
God’s ideal for the
Christian Church and Christian Workers
I. REMIND THE PEOPLE
a. To be subject to rulers and
authorities (Good Citizens)
i. To
be obedient (not a law breaker)
ii. To be ready to do “whatever is good”
1. Laws that are against good (Godly things) do not have to be obeyed, but
we must take Daniels example
2. Daniel disobeyed the “law” by praying to the true God, doing what was
good
3. However, we are to be good citizens and obey laws that are not contrary
to God
b. To slander no one
i. Slander
means the action of making a false statement about someone, damaging to
a person’s reputation
c. To be peaceable and considerate
i. And
always gentle toward everyone
II.
REMIND THEM ALSO
a. At one time we too were
foolish
i. Disobedient,
deceived
ii. and enslaved by all kinds of passions & pleasures
b. We once lived in malice and
envy
i. Being
hated by one another
c. But when the kindness and love
of God our savior appeared
i. He
saved us
ii. Not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His
mercy
iii. He saved us! Through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy
Spirit whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior
iv. So that, having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs having
the hope of eternal life
III.
AND BE SURE TO AVOID CONTROVERSIES
a. And genealogies and
arguments and quarrels about the Law
i. Because
these are unprofitable and useless
b. Warn a divisive (Heretic in KJV; Sectarian in the LIT)
person once
i. Sectarian
means a person creating or causing a sect or sects
1. In other words division, so heretic (one teaching false doctrine)
fits as well if the arguments and quarrels are about genealogies or the Law
a. Some believed in salvation by association with father Abraham
b. Some still wanted to teach adherence to the Law in addition to needing
Christ
2. So NIV use of “divisive” is
more to Paul’s point
ii. Divisive means causing disagreements, arguments or hostility between
people
iii. Warn them once, and then a second time
iv. And then, have nothing to do with them
c. You can be sure that such
people (those causing division) are warped (subverted - LIT) and sinful
i. Subverted
in the Literal translation, meaning to undermine the power and authority of an
established system
ii. In other words, by arguing a system of salvation other than Jesus
Christ (genealogy or the Law) you undermine the power and authority of Christ,
stating He is not sufficient.
iii. Paul states, “You can be sure that such people (who do this) are warped
and sinful, they are self-condemned
1. They condemn themselves
CONCLUSION
– our people (followers of christ) must devote
themselves to doing what is good
In order to provide
(love in action) for urgent needs and not live unproductive
lives.
Paul stating that if
you are a follower of Christ, then you MUST live that love! You must provide for those who are preaching
and teaching the Gospel so that the Word and Salvation may be taken into the
world.
And do not live unproductive
lives...we cannot all be missionaries, preachers, teachers, etc...but if we
cannot be doers in one way, we can be doers in another, we may not be able to
bear arms in this battle, but we can offer ammunition, and this is how we can
support ministry, either “do” the ministry of missionary, preaching, teaching,
or “do” the providing of needs.
Next week we will being
a new series.
Want to learn more about
Salvation and Getting Saved?
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