Sermon Tone Analysis

Call to Worship

Worship By Singing

We Have a Savior

Worship By Corporate Prayer

Worship Thru Tithes and Offerings

Worship By Singing

O Come, All Ye Faithful # 89

Go Tell it On the Mountain #95

Worship By Hearing the Word

What Did Jesus Bring You For Christmas?

Christmas Day Service

Titus 3:1-8

Pastor Gary Whitney

Worship By Singing

Joy to the World!

The Lord Is Come #87

Titus 3 (CSB)

Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.

For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

This saying is trustworthy.

I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works.

These are good and profitable for everyone.

But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.

Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning.

For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there.

Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing.

Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

All those who are with me send you greetings.

Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with all of you.

A Christmas Carol.

In Prose.

Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.

A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.

After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

God tells us in His Word that Christmas does bring transformation.

Well, not Christmas but what happened on the first Christmas.

Jesus Brings The New Birth, That Brings New Life, which is Rich In Love.

If you desire the gift of a transformed life, just surrender to Jesus and ask for new life, and the obedience to live that transformed life you so desire.

The Many Gifts From Jesus The Text In Its Context

We Are A New Creation In Jesus

Titus 3:1–2 (CSB)

Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.

New Life in Jesus makes us right with God, right with each other, and right with ourselves.

Being right with God results in Jesus having a room for us in His father’s mansion- heaven.

But that comes after we have lived on earth, and done the good works that God has prepared for us in advance.

These works don’t bring salvation- they flow from our having been saved.

Paul emphasizes that with new life in Christ our actions and priorities will look different then sinful world around us.

The Christians Paul gave this reminder to were living in a culture that was hostile to the gospel and corrupted by moral sin at every turn, pretty much what you and I see every day.

He calls us to live distinctively different lives.

Live where our actions are not the result of our circumstances, but flow from our relationship with our Savior.

In Christ

We submit obediently

We are “to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey.”

Jesus said in Matthew 22:21, “Therefore give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Paul adds in Romans 13:1, “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.”

Christians are radicals, but not anarchist or rebels.

We do not subvert the government or disobey the government unless it brings us into direct conflict with the commands of God.

And even then our disobedience is passive not active, and we willingly accept the consequences of our actions.

This submission is evidence of submission to and trust in God.

We serve eagerly

We are to “be ready for every good work.”

Every doesn’t leave room for not doing good, AMEN?

Galatians 6:10

Galatians 6:10 (CSB)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.

Titus 2:14 (CSB)

He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.

People following Jesus look to aid others, assist others, help others in any and every opportunity.

We speak gently

We are to “slander no one” and are to “avoid fighting.”

Always- no limit.

Doesn’t matter if the person is the meanest, orneriest, cantankerous person God ever let walk the earth.

Christians don’t talk bad about people or do bad to people.

We exercise sweet reasonableness out of a life of wisdom that refuses to hold a grudge and that also gives others the benefit of the doubt (cf. 1 Cor 13:4–8).

The regenerate person refuses to cultivate and then exercise verbal or physical abuse.

As far as it is possible, on our part, we seek to “live at peace with everyone”

Romans 12:18 (CSB)

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

We show humility

This is the exact opposite of the slandering and fighting Paul just warned against.

In fact, the call to show “gentleness” or “humility” sums up well the prior six commands.

It is a conscious placing of others ahead of ourselves.

It is in attitude and action esteeming others better than ourselves Phil 2:3

Philippians 2:3 (CSB)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.

It is the essence of the mind of Christ

Philippians 2:5 (CSB)

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

I believe this is connected to the love God showed us.

John 3:16 (CSB)

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

We show the world God love them by obediently submit, serving eagerly, speaking gently, and showing humility!

All of these behaviors and actions are the direct result of our salvation.

In Sin

Before we were in Jesus- we were foolishly in bondage to sin.

Titus 3:3 (CSB)