Moments in the life of a Pastor

Walking with God

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27. Christians who challenge the Culture – Part 4

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.”

  1. Goal of grace

In the present tense, grace not only saves, it sanctifies us by changing our attitudes and actions. The grace that redeems us also reforms us. God’s grace is a teacher that enables us to avoid worldly passions and embrace pure lives. The word “instructs” describes the training of a child and includes the whole process – teaching, encouragement, correction and discipline. Grace doesn’t just save us it also sets us on a different path, instructing us how to live godly lives. Not just to save but to sanctify and set us apart. Today many of us have a cheap grace instead of a costly grace. We have substituted assurance for fire insurance. We want salvation without sanctification. We may be saved but we are not set apart. While we have accepted the gift of grace we have missed the goal of grace. It’s not just to save us but to set us free. Now there are two appearing’s in this passage, the first is grace the second is glory. Grace appeared at Christmas, through the incarnation, while glory will come at Christ’s second coming. Grace teaches us to be godly, and His coming glory reminds us to do what is good. Are you living in grace and looking to glory? Focusing on the future return of Christ is what helps us have hope. Hope is the rope that helps us to hold on in a hostile world. Living in grace and looking to His glory is what gives us the power to live a life that is pleasing to God. Notice that verse 14 reminds us that we are God’s people, His treasured possession purchased by His own blood. Not only were we bought but we belong and because we are His we should be totally committed to doing good deeds. The word committed means “to boil, to be hot, so that we glow for God. As a child of God we should glow with good deeds, so let me ask you are you on fire for Jesus, or are you living a lukewarm life for the Lord? Grace should cause us to glow for God, where our hearts are hot for Him not halfhearted. 


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25. Christians who challenge the Culture – Part 2

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.”

  1. Please the Boss

Godly employees look for ways to please those they serve not self. One of the reasons many are miserable in their work is because they have made it about self instead of serving. Are you working to please or are you working only for a paycheck? Now this doesn’t mean that you should fake your allegiance just to score points or to get a promotion. Ephesians 6:6 is a helpful corrective: “Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.”

  1. Don’t talk back

This phrase literally means, “Not speaking against.” Ouch. It’s easy to badmouth your boss, but I will tell you it’s not easy to be a boss. Not every decision they make is going to be popular, but a good employee will resist the urge to be argumentative and gripe about their boss to others. Are you building up or badmouthing? 

  1. Don’t steal

We can cheat our employers and pilfer profit not only by taking merchandise but also when we don’t working as hard as we should. Some of you are spending work time surfing social media instead of serving the boss.

  1. Demonstrate trustworthiness

Put positively, an employee must prove themselves to be fully trustworthy. Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 4:2: “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” This passage flies in the face of our current cultures entitlement mentality where everyone owes you a living. Paul is not endorsing participation trophies for showing up, he is saying if you want to be counted as trustworthy then get to work.