Reasons for Reminder, Pt. 2
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Pastorals: Message Forty-Five
Titus 3:8-11
ETS: Paul concluded with final instructions and warnings to Titus.
ESS: We should carefully devote ourselves to good work while maintaining intentionality in relationships with pagan outsiders.
OSS: [MO: Ethical] {SO: I want the hearers to devote themselves to good works while maintaining intentionality in their relationships.}
PQ: What observations can be made of this text?
UW: Observations
Intro.: There is purpose behind everything we are called to do in this life. Specifically, regarding our conduct and the reminder to live in a certain manner, Paul provides a specific purpose and further instruction as he concludes his letter to Titus.
TS: Let us transition to study a few observations together.
There is purpose behind the reminder. (v. 8b)
The reminder to live in a certain manner is found in vv. 1-2; the purpose behind the reminder is found in this verse: so that they might carefully devote themselves to good works
Remember, our works do not produce salvation; rather, they are a result of our salvation.
APPLICATION: Once saved, we should strive to carefully devote ourselves to good works which benefit others.
There are closing instructions that pertain to the reminder. (vv. 9-11)
The two specific commands given in closing are avoid and reject.
Firstly, Paul instructed Titus to avoid certain aspects that characterized the false teaching of that time. Notice the similarities between the characteristics here and those found in 1 Tim. where Paul is also telling Timothy to avoid the false teachings (1 Tim. 1:3-4). This supports the fact that the false teachings of that time period contained a lot of similar aspects. Notice also the strong adversative conjunction to show contrast: but avoid. The contrast is between the good works that are “good and profitable for everyone” and the aspects of the false teachings that are “unprofitable and worthless.”
Secondly, Paul instructed Titus to reject a divisive person. The word used in the Greek is αἱρετικὸν which is the word where the English word “heretic” is derived from. The word at its basis refers to an individual who is divisive in nature (i.e. a false teacher causing confusion resulting in division). Notice how this is similar to the teaching already appearing in Titus 1:13-14. (See Hayne P. Griffin Jr. for difference in word usage and significance); Paul’s teaching in v. 10 echoes the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-20 regarding discipline.
Verse 11 highlights Paul’s reasoning behind the instruction to reject such a person. He provides three reasons:
Such a person has gone astray. This is a perfect tense verse that communicates a past act that still effects the person in the present (i.e. he has been warped, etc.)
Such a person is sinning. This is a present tense referring to an active, ongoing action.
Such a person is self-condemned because of his ongoing, habitual lifestyle of corrupted and warped living.
Such a person has nothing to benefit the believer, and the believer should be intentional with not falling prey to such a person and his agenda.
APPLICATION: We should remain intentional in our relationships with those who are divisive in their nature. We should not fall prey to their agendas or their lies. Such a person, and their agendas, are unprofitable and worthless.
CONCLUSION:
As we conduct our lives as believers, we must understand that there is purpose behind the standard of which we are expected to live: it benefits others, and it glorifies our Father. Secondly, as we encounter false teachers and those on the outside influenced by the enemy, we should remain alert and intentional not falling prey to their agendas and divisive messages. Let us stand firm and hold fast to the truth of God. May He be glorified in us.