Wednesday, April 16, 2025 PM

Titus 2: Grace, Godliness, and the Blessed Hope

Continue our study in Titus. So if you'll turn to Titus, Titus chapter two, we'll be reading verse 11 through 15. If you join me for prayer, Lord, we thank you so much for calling us together. We thank you for the food and the fellowship that we get to be a part of.

We thank you for the people that have provided it and labored to serve us. We thank you for your word. We ask that as we come to it, that you would increase and we would decrease, that your spirit would illuminate and apply it to our lives.

We ask that we would be changed to be more in your likeness, that we would continue to walk in your ways. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. Titus chapter two, starting in verse 11. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for himself his own special people, zealous for good works, speak these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority, let no one despise you.

Sound Doctrine and Good Works for All Kinds of People

So I wasn't able to print it off this evening, so I'm stuck using technology, so bear with me one moment. So this evening we're looking at Titus. Last week we talked about a pattern for living as his special people.

This is what we are called to. We see that as Titus is told to speak, starting in verse one, that he is told to speak these things, and then we see a list of good works that we are called to do. Bear with me one moment.

Gotta love it. No, it's not gonna work for me. So what we're looking at is a pattern for living as his special people. We are called to live. So if you look at our text this evening, the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, soberly, righteously, and godly in the present evil age.

And so that's how we are supposed to live, soberly, righteously, and godly. We're also called to look, in verse 13, looking for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We are called to live. We are called to look. We also saw that in this text, we are called to love, in verse 14, because it is Jesus Christ that gave himself for us. And in this giving, we were reminded of John 3, 16, for God so loved the world that he gave.

And in doing so, he demonstrated how he loved us. In that way, he gave himself for us. So we're called to live, to look, and to love. That's a general pattern for how the Christians are supposed to live.

This is what Paul is telling Titus to teach to the Cretans, and by extension, how we're supposed to live. But then also, there is a call to listen to God's special people. So looking back at verse 1, if you'll notice in verse 1, it says, but as for you, speak these things.

And if you look down at the bottom, towards the end, verse 15, there's a bookend, speak these things. So Titus is told twice to speak these things. So we can ask, okay, if Titus is told to speak these things, who's to listen?

Who is supposed to listen to Titus preaching? What was Titus called to do? Well, in chapter 1, we know that Titus was called to establish elders in the churches in Crete, and not only to establish the elders, but to teach the elders, to give instruction.

This is what Paul is doing to Titus. So he's telling Titus, this is what I want you to speak. And then we also see in our text, and I give those brackets because it's closely tied to what Dylan was speaking on.

We'll see the transition here. If you'll look at verse 11, for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Now there's a couple of distinctions here. Does this mean only men? And then it also says all men.

So does this mean every individual? And I think that's not what it's trying to say, because if you'll look previously in what Dylan went through, we see all types of men, but it includes women. So if you'll go back up to verse 1, but as for you speak these things, which are proper for sound doctrine, that older men be sober and reverent, temperate, sound in faith and love and patience, that older women, likewise, that they may be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given too much wine, teachers of good things, that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Likewise, young men, and then he continues on and he talks about bond servants. So we see here types of men. Now, I think this is what verse 11 is getting at. It's not talking about just men. It's not talking about individuals, but all kind.

It has appeared to mankind, all men, not just the Jews, because he's addressed the Cretans, not just to men, but also to women. So we see that this is very broadly. So the people that are supposed to listen, as Titus is being commanded to speak these things, are men, women, older men, younger men, older women, younger women, bond servants.

So all kinds of people. This is for everyone. And that's who is supposed to listen. So that first point there, if you're taking notes, would be the who. Who is supposed to listen? Everybody. This isn't just for a small group of people.

This is for everyone, all mankind, all kinds of people. There's application. There are things that Titus is being commanded to teach. And so then we get to B, which is the what. All right. So who is supposed to listen?

That's everybody. But what are they supposed to listen to? So if we go back to our text, and again, using those bookends, speak these things, speak these things, we see him transition. So go back to verse one.

It says, but as for you, speak these things. All right. So what is Titus going to speak? Things which are proper for sound doctrine. I found it interesting. It doesn't just say speak sound doctrine. It says speak things that are proper for sound doctrine.

So you have sound doctrine, and then you have things that are proper for sound doctrine. And I found it interesting that the things that Titus is being commanded to speak are encouragement towards good works.

Good works. He says, speak these things, and then he starts listing good works for these different groups of people and how they're supposed to live. Now, this is interesting because it directly contrasts the way that Paul spoke about the Cretans previously.

So if you'll back up to chapter one, look at starting in verse 12. And this is Titus chapter one. One of them, a prophet of their own said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true.

Therefore, rebuke them sharply. So he's called to rebuke these unbelievers. And we'll come back to that. But there's a purpose in his rebuke. He's rebuking them that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. But even their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works, they deny him being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

So we have him talking about the Cretans in this way. And then he turns to Titus and says, but for you, this is what I want you to speak for the people. And he says, I want you to speak things which are proper for sound doctrine.

So this is contrary to the way that the Cretans are living. I want you to speak these things. And so he lists these different groups of people, these things that are in line with sound doctrine, and those things are good works.

And so we see here, and I find this interesting, in verses, I'm back in chapter 2 again, in chapter 2, speak these things. And in a large section, he's addressing groups of people and how they are to live, how they are to walk.

Then he dives right into sound doctrine as we get into verse 11. The things that are proper for sound doctrine, and here's some sound doctrine for you, starting in verse 11. The grace of God that appears to all men, there's some doctrine.

This grace of God teaches, it talks about ungodliness, living in the world righteously, looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is all doctrine. These two things, the works and the doctrines, go together.

He's pairing them together. If you think back to when he was addressing the Cretans, this is what they say, and this is what they do, and they're not in line. And in thinking through this, I thought about almost like four types of people.

Let's go over here. You've got maybe a square like this. So there's like four ways you could go. Maybe you speak good things, but you have evil deeds. Evil deeds. So that what they're speaking sounds right, but their actions are not good.

And that's what he said about the Cretans. They profess to know God, but in their works, they're disqualified. It's all evil deeds. And eventually, that'll change the way they speak. When the evil deeds come out, they won't have anything else to say.

It'll be known. But for a time, they may say things that sound right. You may have someone that speaks evil, but does good. So they're trying to do good things, but then the way they speak is just not right.

Well here, do those good deeds account for anything? No, because it's not in line with speaking good. Typically, people who don't know God when they're doing good things, there's an ulterior motive. So even that is not correct.

Their speech and their actions aren't lined up. Then you've just got people who speak evil and people who do evil. And that's pretty obvious to everyone. But what Titus is supposed to speak is sound doctrine with good works.

Those are supposed to be paired together. Those are supposed to match. Now that only happens through the Spirit regenerating us, making us to seek after that. So we're called to listen as His special people.

Everybody is called. This is not just certain types of people, but men and women, adults, and children who know the Lord. We are being called to listen as His special people. And what are we called to listen to?

We're called to listen to sound doctrine and we're called to listen to good works. We're called to encourage each other in good works. So looking back at our text, we see for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present evil age.

Again, this is how we should live. He continues on with doctrine, looking for the blessed hope of glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a special people.

Zealous for what? Zealous for good works. And then He brackets it, speak these things. It says, exhort, rebuke with all authority. I find this interesting because previously in chapter 2, Titus is also told to rebuke the Cretans to what ends, that they may be sound in the faith.

So his rebuking towards the Cretans are that they would repent and believe that they might be sound in the faith. It's a correction. This is also correction as His special people, and here we know that He's talking to special people because He says He gave Himself up for us that He might redeem us from every lawless deed to purify for Himself a special people.

What is Titus supposed to do? He's supposed to speak these things. He's supposed to exhort and rebuke with all authority. And this is important. What are we supposed to listen to? Sound doctrine. We're supposed to listen to good works, encouragement for good works, but then also in the what is the method.

Here he gives several exhortations and rebukes, admonishments. There are different ways that a pastor might address his flock or his sheep, and we're called to listen to all of those. Notice he says rebuke to the unbeliever, but he also says rebuke to the believers.

There are times where as sheep we need to be corrected by the people that are shepherding us. So we're listening to different methods of being communicated to. It's not well that's I don't want to listen to rebuke that's too harsh.

That's not the case. It says here to rebuke with all authority. To rebuke with all authority. And so that's the who and then the what. Everyone, all kinds of people, all mankind falls into this. We're supposed to listen to sound doctrine.

We're supposed to listen to things that are proper for sound doctrine. Stirring each other up to love and good works. And the pastor has various methods to do that. Admonishments, encouragements, rebuking.

The Grace of God as the Reason for Godly Living

What's this last one? This last one is the why. Why should we listen? Why should we listen? So looking at our text, this is why the sound doctrine is so important. This is why the truth, speaking truth in love is so important.

Starting in verse 11. Actually, let's go back to verse. Let's go back to verse one. So he's speaking to Titus and then applying this to us. But as for you, Titus, elders, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.

That the older men may be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience. Older women, likewise, that they may be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they may admonish younger women to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Likewise, exhort younger men to be sober-minded in all things, showing yourself to be a pattern of good works. In doctrine, showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say.

And then exhorting bond servants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well-pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Why? For the grace of God. That's the why. For the grace of God. It's grace. It comes from God. It's God who is that mover. It is God that has called us. It is God that has saved us. For the grace of God that brings salvation, the fact that He would even save us from what we deserve.

For the grace of God that has appeared to us. There was a time where we were in darkness. There was a time where these things were hidden from us. But now it has appeared to all men. And this grace of God is not stagnant.

This grace of God teaches us. It teaches us that in denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly and righteously and godly in the present age. This is a benefit to us that in living soberly and righteously in this present age, we're not going to be entangled by those sins.

It's freedom. You don't have to live that way. We're now free. And on top of that, for the grace of God, there's a glorious appearing. He's coming back. Because of the grace of God, we have hope for our future.

We know where we're going. We're going to be where He is. Because He rose from the dead, we rise from the dead for the grace of God. So why do we listen? Because, verse 14, He gave Himself up for us, right?

We are His special people. And then on top of that, as His special people, He redeems us from every lawless deed. He purifies us. And then on top of that, He makes us His own special people and makes us zealous for good works.

He calls us to this. He equips us. He gives us the desire. That's the why. For the grace of God. It's all grace. Grace upon grace upon grace. It all comes from Him. And so, because it's the grace of God, speak these things.

You can speak these things, He's telling Titus, and by extensions, the elders, for the grace of God, right? You have the authority to speak these things because of what God is doing in the hearts of the sheep, because what God is doing in your own hearts.

And He says, do this with all authority. I'll try to remember the reference and bring it up next week. In Hebrews, He's speaking to elders here and He's talking about sacrifices and working unto the Lord.

And He talks to the elders and He says, let them serve you with all joy. So when there is a rebuke, when there is admonition, when there is correction, it's done in joy, right? This is the heart of the shepherd towards His people.

And so they speak these things, exhort, rebuking with all authority because of what the Spirit is doing. They've been given the authority to do so. And then there's this tag here, which we won't get into today, but it says, let no one despise you.

That feels tagged on. You've got this bookend, speak these things, you've got good works, you've got sound doctrine, and then let no one despise you. Well, I think that's a transition into the next section, but it's also tied to what He just said.

And so in conclusion, we are made His special people. And because He's telling Titus to speak these things, we're called to listen as His special people, but not just to listen to hear, but to listen to do.

And so this is everybody. It's applicable to all of us, no matter what walk of life we're in, what stage we're in, it applies to all of us. And what are we listening to? Sound doctrine and good works, the things that go with those sound doctrines.

And why? For the grace of God. That's why, because of what He's done. Let's pray. God, we thank you for this evening. We ask that as we come to you, and as we look to your word, as we rely on you for our day to day, that you would continue to call us to these things.

Lord, so often we trip up when we start talking about works, but in keeping our hearts and our minds focused on the work that you've done, we realize that it's the Holy Spirit that makes us more like you.

And being more like you, we will live like you, and we will serve like you. We will speak like you. It's not us doing good works for merits, but it's just being near you and close to you and being changed more and more into your image.

And we thank you for that. We would be lost without you. We thank you for making us your children. We thank you for calling us. We thank you that you do not leave us orphans, but that you love us and that you discipline us and you correct us.

We thank you for stirring us up. We thank you for giving us brothers and sisters in this congregation that love us as you've loved us. We thank you for all these things. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.