Titus

Alan Daws

Route 66: The Road Map of Bible • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Titus the Man

Titus was one of Paul’s most trusted co-workers.

Titus was one of Paul’s most trusted co-workers. This is evidenced by the fact that Paul sent him to the trouble spots of Corinth and Crete.

This is evidenced by the fact that Paul sent him to the trouble spots of Corinth and Crete.

He was a full Gentile (Timothy was only half-Greek), converted under Paul’s preaching. Paul refused to circumcise him (cf. ).

B. He was a full Gentile (Timothy was only half-Greek), converted under Paul’s preaching. Paul refused to circumcise him (cf. ).

He is mentioned often in Paul’s letters and it is very surprising that he is not mentioned by Luke in Acts.

C. He is mentioned often in Paul’s letters (cf. ; ; ; ; ; ) and it is very surprising that he is not mentioned by Luke in Acts. Some commentaries theorize that

Some commentaries theorize that he may have been a relative of Luke (possibly a brother) and to include his name would have been an act of cultural impropriety on Luke’s part

1. he may have been a relative of Luke (possibly a brother) and to include his name would have been an act of cultural impropriety on Luke’s part

Or Titus is Luke’s major source of information about Paul’s life and ministry and, therefore, like Luke, would not be named

2. Titus is Luke’s major source of information about Paul’s life and ministry and, therefore, like Luke, would not be named

He accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the all important Jerusalem Council, recorded in .

D. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the all important Jerusalem Council, recorded in .

This book focuses on advice Paul gives Titus about his work on Crete.

Titus is acting as Paul’s official surrogate.

E. This book focuses on advice Paul gives Titus about his work on Crete. Titus is acting as Paul’s official surrogate.

The last information in the NT about Titus is that he was sent to work in Dalmatia modern day Yugoslavia.

Statistics

Author: Paul

Date: 66 A.D.

Key Verses: 2:11-15

Key Words: good works - 6 times, sound - 5 times, good - 11 times

3 chapters, 46 verses, 921 words

The Story of the Crete Church

F. The last information in the NT about Titus is that he was sent to work in Dalmatia (cf. ).

Who knew there was a book in the Bible written for pirates?!

Route 66

Titus: Goodness and Grace

In the Mediterranean Sea, below and between Greece and Turkey, is the island of Crete.

Part 56 – May 8, 2011

2000 years before Titus, Crete was inhabited by the Minoans; famous for their art and architecture.

📷📷Who knew there was a book in the Bible written for pirates?! In the Mediterranean Sea, below and between Greece and Turkey, is the island of Crete. 2000 years before Titus, Crete was inhabited by the Minoans; famous for their art and architecture.

Something destroyed the Minoans around 1200 BC and the 160 mile island devolved into a hideout for pirates of the Mediterranean.

📷Something destroyed the Minoans around 1200BC and the 160 mile island (Olympia to Canada) devolved into a hideout for pirates of the Mediterranean. 500 years before Titus, a Cretan prophet named Epimenides [ep-ih-men-ih-dez] wrote: “The Cretans, always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies!” 130 years before Titus visited, the Romans imposed order.

500 years before Titus, a Cretan prophet named Epimenides [ep-ih-men-ih-dez] wrote: “The Cretans, always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies!”

130 years before Titus visited, the Romans imposed order.

Paul later returned to Crete, with Titus, and saw that, in spite of Roman order, the Cretans hadn’t changed a whole lot.

📷

Probably accepted Christ and returned to Crete

“Fair Havens” aka “Kaloi Limenes”

📷

Paul later returned to Crete, with Titus, and saw that, in spite of Roman order, the Cretans hadn’t changed a whole lot.

We moved along the coast [of Crete] with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens … So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous …” But the centurion … followed the advice of the pilot … Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in …

“One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true.” ”12-13

– NIV condensed

In the same way that Timothy took charge in Ephesus when Paul had to move on, Titus stayed behind and stepped up in Crete.

One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true.

Paul later returned to Crete, with Titus, and saw that, in spite of Roman order, the Cretans hadn’t changed a whole lot.

Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. – NIV

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. – NIV

I think Titus got the better deal!

They then began to spread the good news.

Like Timothy, Titus was a Greek speaking, gentile convert, who traveled with Paul to help establish and manage churches.

📷📷In the same way that Timothy took charge in Ephesus when Paul had to move on, Titus stayed behind and stepped up in Crete. I think Titus got the better deal! Like Timothy, Titus was a Greek speaking, gentile convert, who traveled with Paul to help establish and manage churches.

Now, the Apostle Paul and Titus have been to the island. Paul has been teaching them, but he has to leave. He leaves Titus, a young man, there. He gives him those two primary responsibilities of setting in order everything that remains, and appointing elders in every town on the island. So Paul is writing a letter to Titus because he is going to send some people

Titus was known for his boldness and diplomacy.

But unlike Timothy, Paul purposely left Titus uncircumcised. In fact, Paul took Titus to Jerusalem for show-and-tell proof to the Jewish-Christian leaders that uncircumcised gentiles were receiving God’s Spirit and displaying great faith.

… I went up again to Jerusalem … and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. … Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. – NIV

Paul’s most difficult ministry was the church in Corinth.

📷Titus was known for his boldness and diplomacy.

When rebellion broke out there, Paul sent Timothy.

Paul’s most difficult ministry was the church in Corinth. When rebellion broke out there, Paul sent Timothy. And when Timothy failed to set things in order, Paul sent Titus, who led the unruly Corinthians back to repentance.

And when Timothy failed to set things in order, Paul sent Titus, who led the unruly Corinthians back to repentance.

[Titus] told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, [and] your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. – NIV

Now, the Apostle Paul and Titus visited the island.

Titus told us about your deep longing, your sorrow, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.old us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, [and] your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. – NIV

📷So, who better than Titus to take charge in Crete and complete the task on Paul’s behalf?

So, who better than Titus to take charge in Crete and complete the task on Paul’s behalf?

“The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.”

Purpose of the Letter

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. – NIV

This letter to Titus (along with 1&2 Timothy), are Paul’s three surviving Pastoral Epistles.

The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.

This letter to Titus (along with 1&2 Timothy), are Paul’s three surviving Pastoral Epistles. Titus and Timothy had a firm grasp on the Gospel; so, these brief letters focus on church oversight, leadership, and living in response to God’s grace. And at the top of Titus’ to-do list was finding an elder/pastor for each church scattered around the island, and bishops/overseers of regions. After Paul’s brutal assessment, it’s kind of funny to read his list of expectations.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. – NIV

Titus and Timothy had a firm grasp on the Gospel; so, these brief letters focus on church oversight, leadership, and living in response to God’s grace.

Paul has been teaching them, but he has to leave.

And at the top of Titus’ to-do list was finding an elder/pastor for each church scattered around the island, and bishops/overseers of regions.

After Paul’s brutal assessment, it’s kind of funny to read his list of expectations.

📷[An overseer] must be blameless — not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. –8 NIV

An elder must be blameless: the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless: not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled” – NIV

“An elder must be blameless: the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless: not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled” –

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.[An overseer] must be blameless — not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. – NIV

You’re probably thinking, “Sure glad I’m not an overseer!”

He leaves Titus, a young man, there.

But, in chapter two, Paul has similar lists for every man, woman, and youth on the island!

But, in chapter two, Paul has similar lists for every man, woman, and youth on the island! “Okay, Okay, don’t capsize your dinghies …”Paul is certainly aware that no one can measure up to the list, especially not constant liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons!

He gives him those two primary responsibilities of setting in order everything that remains, and appointing elders in every town on the island.

Paul is certainly aware that no one can measure up to the list, especially not constant liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons!

So Paul is writing a letter to Titus because he is going to send some people to him, and He wants Titus to leave the island and meet him in Nicopolis because Paul is going to spend the winter there.

But, Paul also knows that when you’re surrounded by constant cultural immorality, it’s dangerously easy to start relaxing God’s standards without realizing how much you’re compromising. This is especially true if you’re living a “secluded faith”, isolated to whatever degree, from fellowship and accountability.

But, Paul also knows that when you’re surrounded by constant cultural immorality, it’s dangerously easy to start relaxing God’s standards without realizing how much you’re compromising.

This is especially true if you’re living a “secluded faith”, isolated to whatever degree, from fellowship and accountability.

The “overseers’ list” builds to and ends with the most important qualification of all in the following verse.

📷Here’s the thing: when you’re living on an island, and surrounded by “Cretans”, a slack effort seems admirable by comparison! That’s why ye be needin’ to chart a course, find a loyal crew, and keep a sharp eye … Yarr! It’s not about measuring up to the list, but learning what’s on the list, so I can chart my course and repent when I capsize.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 1

holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

10 For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. 11 It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly.

“Holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it. For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly.” Titus 1:9-11

The “overseers’ list” builds to and ends with the most important qualification of all in the following verse.

holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

The rebellious deceivers that Paul wants silenced are those who teach that we must live up to a list to receive God’s affection.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

So, what is this “trustworthy message” Paul is referring to?

The rebellious deceivers that Paul wants silenced are those who teach that we must live up to a list to receive God’s affection. So, what is this “trustworthy message” Paul is referring to? Well, it’s a special message for vile Cretans and scurvy pirates.

Well, it’s a special message for the Cretans.

Living Out Our Faith

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 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, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 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. – NIV

“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.”

You see, “devoting [ourselves] to doing what is good” is a response to God’s mercy and love and grace - not a means.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 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, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 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. – NIV

📷You see, “devoting [ourselves] to doing what is good” is a response to God’s mercy and love and grace - not a means. All goodness and self-control must be rooted in grace.

All goodness and self-control must be rooted in grace.

Five times in three chapters, Paul calls the Cretans to be “self- controlled”, and five more times, to “do what is good”.

Utley, R. J. (2000). New Testament Survey: Matthew–Revelation (p. 115). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

He’s not teaching moralism; though virtue is its own reward.

He’s not teaching moralism; though virtue is its own reward. And, he’s not teaching legalism; though obedience is expected. At their best, neither of these can change a heart, save a soul, or bring true peace and hope and joy. And at their worst, either can become a self-powered, self-defeating, substitute for grace.

And, he’s not teaching legalism; though obedience is expected.

At their best, neither of these can change a heart, save a soul, or bring true peace and hope and joy.

And at their worst, either can become a self-powered, self-defeating, substitute for grace.

Grace allows me to honestly assess and admit, first to myself, how horribly and fearfully far I fall short, by relieving my reflexive fear of the judgment I know I deserve.

Grace forgives our worst and affirms our best.

The more we embrace God’s unmerited favor, the more our love for God grows, and our gratitude turns obedience into a byproduct.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 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.”

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. – NIV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 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.

This letter to Titus, like the letters to Timothy, is considered one the Pastoral Epistles.

to him, and He wants Titus to leave the island and meet him in Nicopolis because Paul is going to spend the winter there. This letter to Titus, like the letters to Timothy, is considered one the Pastoral Epistles.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. – NIV

Did you notice how clearly Paul proclaims that Jesus is God?

He first “appeared” to reveal His “grace”; His second “appearing” will reveal his “glory”.

He first “appeared” to reveal His “grace”; His second “appearing” will reveal his “glory”. The power of grace and the hope of glory releases us to be godly; never perfectly, but substantially.

The power of grace and the hope of glory releases us to be godly; never perfectly, but substantially.

Paul says (2:10) that when we live humble, self-controlled lives, we “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive”. Just as a picture frame can enhance the beauty of a masterful work of art, your life is meant to “adorn” the Gospel and make it more attractive and appealing and relevant and relatable.

Paul says (2:10) that when we live humble, self-controlled lives, we “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive”.

Just as a picture frame can enhance the beauty of a masterful work of art, your life is meant to “adorn” the Gospel and make it more attractive and appealing and relevant and relatable.

Even as Paul writes this, he’s planning to send a replacement to Titus, so Paul can get his trusted partner back by his side.

“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.”

📷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. –2 NIV

And then Paul closes with the answer to everything, “Grace be with all of you.”

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.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. – NIV

And then Paul closes with the answer to everything!Grace be with you all. – NIV

Grace be with you all. – NIV

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.And then Paul closes with the answer to everything!Grace be with you all. – NIV

And the last we hear about Titus () is that he’s on a mission to Dalmatia (modern day Yugoslavia).

📷And the last we hear about Titus 0) is that he’s on a mission to Dalmatia (modern day Yugoslavia).

📷Church of St Titus, Heraklion

Tradition has it that he returned to minister among the Cretans for the rest of his life.

Tradition has it that he returned to minister among the Cretans for the rest of his life. This is the “Church of St. Titus” in Heraklion [ērä`klēôn], Crete.

Inside the church, encased in silver and under glass, they claim to have the skull of Titus!

And even though the claim is dubious, and the skull doesn’t have cross-bones, it’s still a fitting tribute to the man who ministered the grace of God on a former pirate island.

1. Chapter 1:1-4 - In the introduction, Paul introduces himself as a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He says the very reason he is a slave of God and an apostle for Jesus Christ is because of the faith of the elect and their knowledge of the truth, which leads to godliness. Then he talks about how in hope they have the hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began and has now manifested that to them through his preaching.

2. Chapter 2:10-14 - This is another passage that jumps out at me with a beautiful picture of the salvation we have in Jesus Christ.

3. Chapter 3:3-8 - Paul closes out the letter to Titus with another great passage, where he again he talks about the great salvation we have in Jesus Christ.

We are not going to focus on those passages because those passages are recorded for the purpose of revealing to us the basis out of which flows the life we are to live for Christ. On what basis do we live the life we live for God? That foundation is what God has done for us in Christ. I want you to see that the imperative to live a good life is based on the indicative of what God has done for us in Christ. The imperative is based on the indicative. An imperative and indicative has to do with grammar. The Bible says the command to act (what you and I are to do be doing) is based on something, and Scripture teaches that Christian behavior is based on Christian belief. If you really believe what Christ did for you is true, it will

cause you to live a life that is radically different. That’s the book: godly behavior, Christian behavior is based on godly belief, or Christian belief. Years ago, I taught a simple sermon series called, The Mind of Christ. I laid out the principle that a godly mind produces godly thoughts, godly thoughts produce godly beliefs and godly beliefs produce godly behavior.

In his letter to Titus, Paul is concerned about the church on the island of Crete. He is primarily concerned about their behavior; therefore, he wants Titus to appoint pastors in every town. He wants Titus to finish teaching the things that Paul couldn’t finish. That is what he instructs Titus about in this letter.

Church Elders

Let me say a couple of more things, and then we will get into the letter itself and the main theme, which is about good works. You have to remember the island of Crete was known for a sinful culture. Therefore, Paul knew that is was important that we have strong leaders in the church, so he tells Titus to appoint elders. There are three things Paul covers in this letter in order to be appointed by Titus as an elder in the church at Crete. You have to be a person of:

1. Biblical Character

2. Biblical Conduct

3. Biblical Conviction

The reason is because when he finishes out chapter 1, he is going to talk about what the Cretans say about themselves. There are communities of people who have their own culture. People within a culture can talk about themselves and use words about themselves that those of us who are on the outside of that culture can’t use. If they say it among themselves, they understand what they are talking about. But if we say it about them, it is a different story. That is exactly what this passage is dealing with. That is why Paul quotes that even one of the Cretans, a prophet among them, says that Cretans are liars, animals, and lazy gluttons. Imagine being raised in a culture where you are known as being liars and you can’t trust

what is said; where the people are so evil they are just like beasts, they are animalistic in nature, and they are lazy, they are gluttons! Now Paul didn’t say this about them, this is what one of their own prophets said about them. So Paul is concerned because he knows the Church should mirror the community in which it ministers, but while it is mirroring the

community, it cannot reflect the culture of the community. This is why Paul is writing to Titus. We do not colonize in the church; we evangelize. One thing I think that hurts the Church today is that many times in a community, we colonize. We have enough churches that we can go to the church that is just like us, not reflecting our spiritual side, but reflecting our social side or economic side. There are some people who are just not comfortable with people who are not like them. That should not be why you choose a church. Your church should mirror your community. While we can mirror the community, we cannot mirror or reflect the culture of the community that is sinful.

So when Paul lays out the thought of elders, the people are going to oversee the church, the people who are going to shepherd God’s people, they have to be different. They have to be men of biblical character, biblical conduct, and biblical convictions because they are going to be confronting people who are living a lifestyle of sin. This is what chapter 1 is all about.

Teach Sound doctrine

In chapter 2, Paul tells Titus to preach sound doctrine. Then he specifically tells him to address old men, old women, and young men. He leaves out young women because young women receive the brunt of what he tells the old women to be doing. He tells the older ladies in the church they ought to have a ministry toward young ladies, and then, he specifically says they are to train the young ladies to do. He gives specific admonitions to the older men, as well as young men.

Model of Good Works

Then, after addressing the old men, old ladies, and young men, Paul stops before telling him what to say to the bondservants, and tells Titus that he is to be a model of good works. Let’s look at ; “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”

This is what should be happening today in our churches with the men who are elders. They have the primary responsibility of overseeing God’s Church, which is the Greek word translated bishop. Elder refers to the man, primarily in his maturity in Christ. The Bible also calls him a pastor, which describes how the elders are to do the work of overseeing the church, which is as a shepherd overseeing his flock.

Let me pause and say that it is my belief that elder, bishop, and pastor refer to the same person, same office. Elder refers to the man, bishop refers to the office, and pastor describes the work the elder does as a bishop. Now in the infancy of the Church, especially at Crete, the Church didn’t call their own pastors, Titus appointed them. We still have churches today that follow that model and other people appoint their pastors for them. But in the Baptist church, and in the maturity of the church age, we believe that a church can and should call its own pastor. A man who leads the church must be a model of good works.

Can you imagine Paul writing to Titus to tell him what to say to the older men, the young men, and the older women, and then reminding him that he, as a young man, ought to be the model of what good works is all about? I will never forget, years ago when I was at Owen’s Chapel Baptist Church, a lady come out one Sunday and said to me, “Brother Ricky, you are a model preacher.” Wow, I got just a little puffed up to be honest with you! My number one critic is my wife, and I could not wait to tell her about what was said about me being a model preacher, because many times after a sermon, I get my critique notes from her. A few days later, she

came back and said, “You know what the definition of model is, right?” When I said no, she said, “An imitation of the real thing.”

That is not how model is being used here. J Model is being used as a pattern. When we think about the book of Titus, I want you to see the overall theme of Titus as Paul telling a young pastor that he is the model. If someone wanted to know what the Christian life looked like, he was their picture.

Adorn the Doctrine of God

So why is Paul going to lay that responsibility on Titus? It is because the next thing he tells us, in chapter 2:10, is the people in the church adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. It says, “…not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn doctrine of God our Savior.” This closes out the section where he talks about older men, older women, young men, and bondservants. To the bondservants in particular, he said he wants them to live a certain type life because as bondservants, they adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. I believe this can also be applied the older men, older women, young men, young women, and everyone in the church, no matter what class of person. We need to understand that we adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

This word, “adorn,” is where we get our English word cosmetics. It literally means ‘to order, to set in place, to systemize.’ Just about every lady I know uses cosmetics. We guys appreciate that fact, not that there was anything wrong before you started, but it is amazing what a woman can do with them. I love to watch my wife go through her system as she orders how she looks. She puts her best face on most times. A woman can bring out her best with those things she has at her disposal.

That is the picture here. The church adorns, and to switch the word, the church models the doctrine of God our Savior. The church models the teachings of God our Savior! I want you to picture a model, not an imitation of the real thing, not a model car, or a model tractor, but a live

model. Now most of us think of a live model as ladies who model for the fashion industry. Fashion designers do not put their designs on a mannequin for a fashion show; they put it on a live person. When those models take the runway, retailers in the audience are going to make a decision about what fashions they are going to buy, knowing they are a consumer. So those fashion designers will choose models who will show off and display what these fashions can really do for a man or a woman. That is you, a model of the teaching of Jesus Christ. Your runway is your home, your job, the place where you vacation, the place where you recreate, the place where you party. You and I model the teachings of Jesus Christ. You are a model for salvation by grace through faith. That is why some people don’t want to be saved. Some people don’t really believe the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith because of your life…They think, Are you kidding me! Are you telling me that you can be like him and be saved, and still live like he lives? Then why should I be saved? What they are really saying is that if the doctrine didn’t do any more for you than it did, why should I trust in it?

So how are you wearing this doctrine of justification by faith before a lost world? How are you wearing it at home before your family members?

Honestly, you are the model. This doctrine called security of the believer, this doctrine called church membership, and church life; you model it. God puts everything the world is going to see about the teaching of God on a live person, a sinner who has been transformed by grace into a saint, and He expects us to wear it, to life out what we say is true! How are you doing as a model of the teachings of God our Savior? It is so cool that God is so proud of His teachings about salvation that He puts it on people and expects them to show it off to the world!

After talking to the bondservants and telling them to adorn the doctrine of the teachings of God, Paul talks about how the grace of God has appeared to all people. He talks about what that has done for them, how they have been trained by the grace of God to renounce worldliness and evil passions. He says they have been called to a new standard of living, and

are now waiting on the appearance of Jesus Christ. Paul alludes back to what Jesus did when He came the first time when he says in chapter 2:14, (Jesus Christ) “…who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.” Not only is Titus a model of good works to the church, not only is the church a model of good works, it the very purpose to which we are saved, according to this passage. You are not saved from Hell and purified for Heaven, not in this letter. In this letter, you are redeemed from, not eternal punishments in Hell, but from a life of lawlessness, a life of sinfulness. God purified you, to be His people, to be His possession. You do not belong to you; you have been bought with a price, and you belong to God.

Paul says, Titus, tell them that. God made you His own so that you would be zealous; you would eagerly desire good works! This word, “good,”

basically means, ‘excellent, choice, works.’ You were not redeemed from sin just to live an ordinary, everyday, mundane kind of life. You were saved and purified to God to live a life of choice, excellent works!

Evidence of, not Basis for, Salvation

In chapter 3, Paul, again, talks about our salvation, and then in verse 8, it says, “The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Then in verse 14, “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” Good works are evidence of your salvation, not the basis for your salvation. Paul wants to be careful here when he tells Titus this, because he doesn’t want anybody to believe it is their good works that cause them to be saved and be in a right relationship with God. Good works cannot redeem you from sin. Once you have been redeemed from sin, the evidence of the fact that you have been redeemed from sin is a life of good works! Honestly, you really shouldn’t have to tell anyone you are a believer. Anyone who

knows who you used to be should be able to look at your life and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there has been a change in you. There is something different. Even the people you have only known for the last several years since you have been saved should still be seeing a change in you, as you move further and further away from the image of Adam, and more and more into the image of Jesus Christ. That is because good works, the life we live for the glory of God, actually is the evidence that we really are saved.

Be Ready, Be Courteous

The last point is in . Paul says, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work…” Then in the next verse, he tells Titus to tell the people on the island of Crete who are believers to be courteous to all people. Now, says that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people, and the context is that you have old men, old women, young men, young women, and bondservants in the church. You have a cross section of people. When he throws the bondservants in with the free, that is radical. That passage is teaching that the grace of God appears to all classes of people, not just your class, but all classes. Chapter 3 says we are to be courteous to all people. So reason why is because the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people. God is saving people from all walks of life!

There is a tendency for you and I to see and treat some people differently than other people based on who they are and their economic and social condition. As a matter of fact, some of us treat those who are sinful differently. Paul says if you are going to be ready for every good work, be ready for every opportunity God brings to you, you have to be courteous to all people. Sometimes, in the Church, we forget we used to be a sinner.

Sometimes we forget what God saved us from! Sometimes we forget what God redeemed us out of, so when we see people where we used to be, some of us have this tendency to not believe salvation can come to them

as it has come to us. Paul is trying to tell Titus to get the church ready for this truth: Yes, they are liars; yes, they are animals; yes, they are lazy gluttons, but so were you but for the grace of God!

How do you get ready? You get ready by making sure you are living a life that is modeling the teachings of God our Savior. Can you imagine what would happen if you were a model getting ready to go out on that runway, and all of a sudden, you realize that you don’t make this dress look the way it ought to look? In real life, that designer would jerk that dress off and put it on another model. God doesn’t do us that way. He is patient and kind. That is why Paul tells Titus to teach them to devote themselves to good works; this has to come from you! How does salvation by grace through faith fit you? Do you believe you are not wearing it right? You have all heard this doctrine that you are eternally secure. Are you reflecting what that doctrine really teaches, or are people getting some wrong ideas about that doctrine because of your life? You are a member of the Lord’s Church! What kind of a model are you?

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