Titus 2:9-3:2 

“Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.” “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.”

Paul continues to remind us of our relationships as He moves us out of our homes and into our work world. It’s here that he reveals the kind of witness we should be at work as he encourages us to gaze on grace so that we will respond rightly to the rulers and authorities of this world.

1. Witness at Work – Vs 9-10

Paul starts with submission to our superiors, and what it looks like to walking out God’s Will at work. Again this passage may not be a very popular one, but it is a very pertinent one, considering most of our awake adult life is lived out at work. Paul starts first with the practices and then reminds us of the purpose. 

1. PRACTICES
2. Obey the boss

The vast majority of businesses in NT times were family operated and if you didn’t have your own small business or farm you worked for someone else as a servant. The word slave meant holding a position of service. So with respect to your boss, we’re called to serve with a submissive heart. The principle of submission has come up time and again in the book of Titus and is a theme throughout the New Testament. To “be subject” means to line up under someone and focuses on function, not essence. It doesn’t mean that you are inferior but rather that in order to function well in your job, you must be subject to your superiors. It’s the order that God has set up because it combats chaos. But its more than just conforming on the outside as we grumble on the inside. Obedience involves more than just a head nod it’s a heart kneeling. We’re called to obey on the inside and the outside. Christians should not only be the best citizens but also the best employees. But we will only be able to serve if we see God as our ultimate boss. The problem is that we have made work about our worth instead of God’s Will. Many of us are trying to gain self-worth from our jobs instead of from Jesus. Many of us are use money to measure up, but it’s not our cash that makes us kings it’s the cross. Are you resting in your riches or His? When we try to use work to gain our worth we stop serving because we see service as short circuiting our success. But when we see work as a way to live out His Will we not only find God’s favor but we find freedom. The freedom to not have to measure up to man, freedom to live for the Father. Are you tired of participating in this performance drive culture, tired of trying to keep up and measure up? Then make God your boss and not the almighty buck. One of the best ways to not lose focus in the workplace is to remember that we are working for the Father. You can’t have joy in your job apart from Jesus. Are you working for the money or the Master?