Devoted to Good Works
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Intro: Final Words
Belief to Blessing - v 8
Belief to Blessing - v 8
8 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.
This has been the pattern of Titus - Incredible salvation - should lead to a life devoted to Good works
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Stress these things - The reality of the gospel, the mercy, rescue and justification Titus 3:4-7
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The Destruction of Division - v 9-11
The Destruction of Division - v 9-11
9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Stress the gospel - but Avoid, stay away from - These things distract from the gospel and the comission that we have to make disciples in light of God’s incredible Grace. Putting our energy here means we have less of it for the gospel and making disciples.
Foolish controversy - Foolish Debates - How does this help us focus on our mission and remember the gospel
Geneologies - Debating over geneaology - If my ancestors are greater than yours, then you have to listen to me.
Dissensions - To feel like you have to dissent every single time to something, brings new and harsh meaning to the term “devils advocate. It is right and good to bring up points to be considered, but to continue to beat a good idea up is just mean.
Quarrels of law - The focus we can have not that the law is fulfilled. - It takes it off of our own pitable navelgazing or our ivory tower theological pride and puts it on Christ who has fulfilled every piece of the Law.
Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus They Are Unwise
They debated theological minutiae, created fanciful allegories and mythologies based on biblical genealogies, and added works to the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Thinking of themselves as the theological elite, spiritual know-it-alls, they tore up and would continue to tear up “whole households” (1:11) if left unchecked
Unprofitable and worthless - v8 Excellent and profitableness of good works
Why don;t you pput your energy there. Strict no whining rule.
It would be a lot easier to hear your opinion if there wasn’t whining and complaining attached to it.
The voice of a contributor is a lot easier to listen to than the voice of a consistent dessenter.
This is claiming to believe the gospel but not living it out.
Eph 4:3 “3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Strong prescription - because of just how much damage they could do otherwise - Like cancer cells
Reality of Matt 18:15-17 comes up here and fits perfectly with the text here. Warn once and twice and then remove in the hopes of gaining them cack after genuine repentance.
Warped, sinful self condemned - priorities prove to not be on the gospel. Self condemned. - They prove by their addiction to controversy and division. as one author put it:
Titus for You Warn Divisive People
Their tendency to pick a quarrel reveals their sinful hearts. Their love of controversy reveals that in their hearts is either malice—their intent is to undermine and destroy the church; or pride—they assume they know best and they have appointed themselves as the guardians of truth.
People are the Provision v 12-15
People are the Provision v 12-15
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
2x devot themselves to good works. - v 14 & v8
\ Good works are divinely prescribed actions that benefit others and glorify God (see Matt 5:16). Thus, they are good and profitable for everyone. They bless those in the church, and they bless those outside it by giving them an accurate picture of the love and grace of God and his offer of the free gift of salvation Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 1305.
Notice how interconnected these ministry coleagues are. That is the idea. Artemas and Tychicus can take over for a while and you can come to NIcopolis. Get Zenas and Applos on their weay, supply them with what they need.
No ministry rivalry, not and ounce of irreplacability here, Men on the same mission and doing gospel work together as a team. This is the same Appolos that people preferred over Paul in 1 Cor 3:4 “4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?”
People are the provision