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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26. Christians who challenge the Culture – Part 3

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.”

Second after talking about the practice Paul now reminds us of the purpose. 

  1. PURPOSE – Vs 10

The way you work will be a witness to the world. The way that you work will either warm people to God’s truth or cause them to be wary. The word “attractive” is kosmeo, from which we get “cosmetic.” In ancient times, kosmeo was used of arranging jewels in a necklace in a way that best displayed the beauty of the gems. When servants serve and workers work, they are God’s jewels that sparkle with His brilliance. When we live and work like we’re supposed to, the Almighty becomes attractive and the Bible will be seen as beneficial. Remember that Cretans were known to be “liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons.” Christian should be counter cultural, we should offer something that is attractive that causes the world to wake up and take notice. The problem is that most Christians today are not challenging the culture they are conforming to the culture. Do you see your job as a platform to shine Jesus? Do they see you as trustworthy? Or do you spend more time whining than working? Paul’s point is that whatever we do, and whatever we say, reflects upon God. Its not a job it’s a mission field for Jesus, so stop making it about the pay check and start making it about people. Not only are we to witness at work but second we need to:

  1. Grow in Grace – Vs 11-14

As Paul points to God’s grace he reminds us of the past the present and the future. He starts with the:

  1. Gift of grace

The word “revealed” means “to shine.” It’s the idea of grace suddenly shining forth into the moral darkness. This is the story of Easter, when God sent His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. We don’t go out and get grace, God brings it to us. God didn’t just reveal grace He made redemption readily available to everyone. But it has to be received in order to be activated in one’s life. John 1:12: “But as many as received Him to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” Grace in simple terms is God’s unmerited favor. Grace is God’s Riches At Christs Expense. Over 500 years ago a young monk named Martin Luther nailed a document to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. It was the custom for scholars to post their dissertations for everyone to read. Luther had been studying passages like Titus 2 and the Book of Romans and had come to a powerful conclusion: We are made right with God by an act of grace, not by works that we do. We don’t deserve it and can never earn it. When it comes to grace you can’t borrow, bribe or barter for it because it is a free gift. When Luther was ordered to recant what he had written he refused: “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason…my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot, and I will not, recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe” Salvation is by grace; otherwise God would not get the glory. Do you get grace, are you living in grace or are you still working and worrying about your salvation?