Necessary Learning • 04.30.23
Jack Flaherty   -   April 30, 2023

Necessary Learning

Titus 2

Three gospel-focused lessons for setting Christian discipleship in order

  1. Teach what accords with sound doctrine and godliness
  2. Model good works for the sake of the good news
  3. Be zealous for good works because of the good news

Good morning! My name is Jack Flaherty and I serve as one of the Pastors here at Harvest. I am excited to study God’s Word with you this morning. Today we are in our third of four weeks in Paul’s letter to Titus! Looking forward to studying Titus 2 today.

 

Before we dive in, 4th-5th graders dismissed. The rest of us open your Bibles to Titus 2.  Ushers and Bibles.  As your turning let’s remember where we have been!

  • Intro to the letter sees Paul commissioning Titus who he has left in Crete to set in order what remains and appoint elders in every town. Titus is to do this by keeping the gospel the main thing, by teaching sound doctrine and refuting false teaching.
  • First, with regards to appointing elders Paul says they must meet necessary qualifications for leading, both in their good character and in their teaching of the good news.
  • Second, the setting in order starts with addressing the false teachers who are ruining the church. Their teaching has the church living more like Cretans than Christians, as Paul affirms the Cretan poet’s testimony in 1:12 that they are “liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
  • Good news should bring out good teaching and character which should bring out good works. Current leaders deny God by their works, but Titus is called to preach the gospel of God in order to train up new leaders and fix what old leaders have taught.

The gospel both positively exhorts AND negatively rebukes. To contrast what’s been taught, Paul goes in on the specifics of what Titus ought to teach. The teaching of the good news isn’t just for the leaders but for the whole church. Read Titus 2

 

Keep the main thing the main thing, have leaders who stay on course, and now bring the whole squad on board with right understanding. Remember the Titans! in Alexandrian Virginia in 1971. Coach Herman Boone had it figured out, but the team had to follow. Two captains Gary Bertier and Julius Campbell, “Attitude reflect leadership, captain.” They had to pass on what was right and have right motives. Titus had to get it right, get elders in place, but the people have to follow.

 

Titus can’t make them follow, but he can teach them and lead by example. This is the content of discipleship on display. We see the necessary things for these believers to learn, immulate, and above all the motivation they are to have in pursuing growth in godliness. And though this is the instructions from Paul for Titus to share, its actually something I think for the whole church. Pastor Tony Evans commentating on this chapter says, “This is kingdom disciple making and it is the primary task of the church. We all shape and sanctify each other in the church under healthy teaching from God’s Word. It’s as if we are to pass the faith baton around to each other as in an Olympics relays.” Not only an appropriate for Drake weekend but also for a group of people claiming to know Christ and who are gathered to grow in Christ. Church this content is lessons in discipleship for Crete and for us!

Today in Titus 2 we are looking at Three gospel focused lessons for setting Christian discipleship in order. The gospel is the main thing, it sets everything else in order, and here we see specifically what discipleship in light of the gospel ought to look like. The first gospel centered lesion is…

 

  1. Teach what accords with sound doctrine and godliness

Back in 1:1 we see truth accords with godliness. Now in 2:1 we see teach what accords with sound doctrine.” First it shows teaching is a big deal in the church. Good Bible teaching is the only competency requirement for elders. Bad Bible teaching is the reason things are currently messed. And Titus is told to teach different than what’s been happening. In fact, emphasis on “but as for YOU teach what accords with sound doctrine” in v1. Looks to be an inclusio in this whole section with v1 and v15, not to mention v7-8 instructions. As we look at v15 especially this is teaching is not an option. The apostolic commissioning is clear (no one despise=apostolic authority). Paul tells Titus teach sound doctrine through exhortation and rebuke.

 

Second, I think is shows teaching and living are inseparable!  The content of this sound doctrine is revealed in v1-10 and is directed at least five roles or life assignments. Each instruction is “accords with” or “is fitting” healthy teaching. Bad doctrine has brought bad results like disrupting families (v11). Right doctrine aligns with right living!

 

This is all stemming from the gospel. As we get into the rest of this chapter if all you hear is “DO DO DO” then I’ve misspoken, or you just missed it. In fact, teaching is 1a and listen is 1b. As we see in second half of the chapter this is not works to earn salvation but that works are evidence of your faith. Works matter because of where they come from, a brand-new heart changed by our God and savior Jesus Christ. But this doesn’t happen by osmosis. New heart needs guided in right direction, both instruction and correction.

 

That’s Titus job and he gives some specific things pertinent to each life stage.

  1. Older men (v2)

What we see in v2 directly confronts the current false teachers. These men are to model manhood as defined by the kingdom not the culture. They are to be sober minded and dignified meaning they who earn the respect due their age. They are self-controlled/sensible making wise choices, using wise language, living a life of purity. Finally, the Christian triple crown sound in faith, love, and steadfastness. They have a faith coming from a personal walk with God marked by daily pursuit of him. They stay the course even in old age and keep eyes on Christ.

 

  1. Older women (v3)

Similar to older men, in v3 older women are to be reverent. This word comes with the idea of priestly–behaving in a way fitting for the temple. Holy! And their speech also is wise, not making make false accusations or spreading gossip. They are not addicted or enslaved to wine. Again, this is what was accused of the Cretans. Then they are “teach what is good”! This is a Hapax Legomena meaning the only time this word is used in context of the Bible and actually in Greek literature as far as we know.

This is a unique and sweet emphasis on the role of women. Not only are they to be discipled but they are to be disciplers! It’s not reserved for Titus, or pastors, or men! Still there is a way of living that older women need to be instructed in if they are to instruct others. It seems the older women aren’t currently doing what they ought to do but if they would align with God’s principles they can pass along some important lessons in character and conduct. What are they to pass along?

 

  1. Younger women (4-5)

We see many things that directly confront the idea of womanhood in their day and age and ours. In v4 they are to love husbands and children. This is not emotional feeling but a desire to see their home walking with the Lord. Patient love with husbands (which we need). Patient love with kids. Not a child centered home but like Proverbs says love means proactive and reactive discipline and training in righteousness.

 

Moving to v5 we see self-control again. Then pure which refers back to 1:15 with the idea that they’ve had heart made new by Jesus and reflects Christlike character. Then workers at home. This seems to be contradicting Epimenides “lazy gluttons” testimony. Most women in that day were home already. so those at home, don’t lazy! This is not sentencing to have to be at home. For young women today this is not to say don’t get into the workforce. Nonetheless, just like with elders in ch1, the home is a priority! Don’t let outside pursuits distract. We see many biblical examples of women working yet still prioritizing the home. For example, the Proverbs 31 woman, Ruth, even Lydia in acts. Continues that they are kind/good. This could be modifying homemakers or another item in the list. Again, just reflecting Christlikeness.

 

And besides being lover of husband, they are “submissive to their own husband.” Another one that has caused controversy and misunderstanding. A couple commentaries mentioned this is more attitude than action. It’s NOT that you have to fall under your husbands thumb no matter what and no questions asked. Especially if authority is used abusively or to persuade unethical or immoral action. This is about faithfulness as the wife of one husband who partners with him and no other man to serve their family and community. This is evidently upside down to the culture because this gospel testimony results in an elevation of God’s word which we will come back.

 

  1. Younger men (v6-8)

Moving to v6 evidently low expectations for young men. Just be self-controlled. But if we think about it, what is the biggest thing young men are known for?! The Idea is sensible– that they are of sound mind, keep their head. When the culture says make it about you the gospel says get a hold of yourself for the sake of the gospel. That’s why “let no one despise you” comes up and especially in your youth is mentioned to Timothy. Youth doesn’t mean we are excused! And what an encouragement to the body when young men bend their hears to the Lord rather than to their passions! So many of these other qualities follow when self-control leads. This is not something just own strength but in submission to Christ.

 

Now in v7-8 we could say Titus gets his own category here. He evidently is a younger man too BUT separate specific instructions for him. He is to be a good example and as mentioned a good teacher. His teaching is full of integrity, dignity, and sound speech. This is this is really conduct focused not content focused. Far too often the offense of the gospel is not the message but the messenger. Let me there be no reason in your own life that causes someone to refuse Christ.

 

  1. As a servant (v9-10)

In v9-10 turning to bondservants. One in five people in the 1st century were salves by war, debt, or selling oneself/being sold for $$ support. This is not equivalent to being an employee today nor American slavery. This slavery was not racial or social or national. Nor is the Bible saying slavery was good. But because it exists the gospel speaks to it. Could spend much time into abuse of this in our history and elsewhere in the world, could look at more complete picture in the Bible, but to keep on task we simply need to understand that the Gospel should produce godliness in a believer no matter their lot in life. Again, their submissiveness is limited to things unbiblical, illegal, or immoral but otherwise it’s a chance to show Christ. Both in attitude and in action they should put Christ on display for all to see! Like with many others, speech is a big deal. Words always seem to be clearest indication of what’s in our hearts. Out of the abundance of the hear the mouth speech. All this is good faith, and it adorns the gospel!

 

Is this list exhaustive? It certainly speaks to particular things that would be helpful in Crete. But I think like with elders, these five categories and what is said about them is not exhaustive but representative of godliness. Paul wants to exhort people to the good not happening and rebuke the evil that is happening. Gives us glorious picture of what should be taught and heard that would fit godliness and sound doctrine. But if you think this is all that is required to be taught or all that you have to listen to, then you are wrong.

 

WHAT?! There is more to discipleship than that? YES, AND PRAISE GOD! He has given us a whole incredible book! 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

 

Every single verse gives us insights through positive exhortations or negative corrections of what godliness looks like. All of it is to help us be trained in living according to the good news so that we might be ready to do good work! Want to know what it looks like to be ____? Here is a sample of what fits but know the whole counsel! And teach it to others! This isn’t just Titus but as we’ve seen in these descriptions teaching continues through the elders and every person in the church! Do you know the Word well and are you using to equip yourself and others to do the good works God has prepared for you? Bible isn’t osmosis one stop. This is why we need daily pursuit personally, regular with others, and submission to loving. This is why the care and shepherding in submission to leaders in local church. Rejecting any of these or failing to teach and listen is missing the mission and purpose.

So, teach and be taught so that you might know rightly and live rightly! And as we are talking discipleship, teaching is the first step. Like we’ve already seen, teachers have to use words wisely but also an important second step in discipleship is to live wisely! Believe it or not Christians are to model Christian living! Which brings up our second lessons…

 

  1. Model good works for the sake of the good news

If we are gonna teach it, we also gotta live it! Paul tells Titus in no uncertain terms that his life and the lives of the Christians in Crete are to be models of good works for the sake of the going froth and credible witness of Christ. Old men and women are to be models. Young men and women are to be models. Specifically, in v7-8 Titus is to be a model of good works. Why? Well, there are three specific places this comes up. “So that” gives you the WHY for teaching and living according to sound doctrine ought to occur. Let’s talk about each one.

 

  • “so that the word of God may not be reviled” (v5)

Why read your book when they can read you? Right or wrong we know this is to be true! For these old men, old women, and young women yes but for the whole church. Good news is always worth listening to but if it’s not impacted you why would others want to pay attention. Does your life support God’s Word? Even before that do you know what God’s Word says to see if you align with it? All good to have personal saving relationship BUT personal is never private. Does the fruit match that you’ve heard and responded to good news? It’s worth looking in the mirror of the Word to evaluate. I just listened to Frankenstein. The creature thought he was cool until he saw a mirror and realized he wasn’t. Ugly duck thought she was a duck until a reflection showed she wasn’t. Look in the mirror. Again this is not for vain self-justification. Rather this is to affirm that credible witness. God’s Word is credible, but how you live is a testimony to the watching world. Which brings up the next so that…

 

  • “so that an opponent may be put to shame having nothing evil to say”  (v8)

Here in v7-8 Titus is clearly in view but also young men and like I would argue all believers in general. Christians ought to be models of good works who shows integrity, dignity, and soundness of speech. If you teaches godliness then live it too! So that anyone who would dare step to you has no credible argument. People were certainly say things falsely no doubt, but let is be they disagree with what you stand for not that they have actionable evil against you. Like wont cheer for Iowa or Iowa State because of fans. OR with NFL draft the Cowboys. Don’t let that be true of Christians. And if you have, thankful you’re here/listening, but another analogy. Gentleman was talking about going into Guitar Center and hearing people playing Gun n Roses poorly. We don’t reject Guns N Roses because one kid plays it badly. Likewise, people ought not reject Christ and the church because some people model Christ poorly. If you have rejected Jesus of the church because of one person, I implore you to reconsider. As we’ll talk about the grace of God is more glorious than anything! Nonetheless, Christians the reputation of Christ and the gospel does indeed hang on the line. Jesus said so in places like John 13:35 and John 17. Live in a way that opponents are put to shame not you and the gospel! The gospel is glorious and we ought to adorn it as such. Third so that…

 

  • “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our savior” v10

Model good works so that gospel isn’t just protected from negativity but so that it is put forth in all its beauty! This isn’t like hand out cookies so the gospel smells and tastes better but live right so you get your stink out of the way. The gospel is already great! WE aren’t adding good things to make it more attractive, not to be seeker mindset. Rather we are ridding of the gross things we like to throw in the way. All that we do should be to bring glory to God. To further the message of the gospel. All behavior is to support the gospel message. All of your earthly relationships reflect your relationship with God. As we consider this, ask yourself if your conduct in public and in private would lead to this? Do you model good works in a way that promotes the gospel or detracts from it? Would someone look at you and say God’s Word means nothing this guy hasn’t changed a lick OR that you are a new creation? What a privilege to make disciples! We ought to rejoice at the chance to teach and learn and live in way that reflects what Jesus Christ as done! Not perfection. But humility, repentant, forgiving, and growing!

 

And that’s really what its all about. Not how we do but what Jesus has done! That’s where Paul goes as he concludes this section. Even if you got head and hands right, it only makes sense if you heart motivation is right. We teach about and are passionate for good works is because of the good news of what Jesus has done for us. That’s our third gospel lesson…

 

  1. Be zealous for good works because of the good news

Paul here gets right to the motivation for discipleship in word and deed AND in responding to discipleship with growing in Christlikeness. The good news. We are zealous because of the redemption offered through Christ! Let’s work through these verses.

 

First, we see in v11 that grace appeared! In the person or Jesus Christ! Not myth but historical fact, it happened! He brought salvation AND instruction. Both are intertwined! v12 Training is the exhortation and rebuke here. Both positive and negative. Get rid of worldliness and get after godliness. Put off sin and but on righteousness. This is what Puritan Thomas Chalmers calls the Expulsive Power of the New Affection. Its not that we do things on our own BUT that the grace of empowers it. When we look to and behold grace in the face of Jesus with faith we are not only saved BUT we are trained to put off sin and put on righteousness. To get rid of ungodliness, selfish passions and instead have Christ as our passion! And do so right now in the present age.

 

For two reasons. First, in v13 this double epiphany is huge! He has appeared and he will appear. God’s grace and God’s glory are speaking of the same person. Jesus! Jesus paid for us, purifies us, possesses us, and promises to come back for us! In the meantime, he has prepared us for good works which point to him! He is the blessed hope that will arrive like we sang and our lives ought to reflect it. Do we think about this? Live in light of the second coming!

 

There are so many who would benefit to remember this is not all there is. Thinking of those in our church with organs failing. Relationships hurting. Wallets empty. My neighbors Dean & Betty. They await with hope the second appearing! But it’s not just to long for future but to live for now.

Second reason for why present age, is in v14. This might be one of the greatest gospel verses in the whole Bible even with 2 Cor 5:21 and John 3:16. Jesus who appeared as grace coming back in glory in the in-between gave himself for us! Redeemed us from lawlessness. That’s not just general talk but actually rebellion against our Creator God and his law. He paid the penalty with his life in order to bring us back! Redeemed means saved from somewhere. Real hell where people really are going every day! Jesus saved us from that!  AND not just to get us back put to purify us. Give us new hearts! AND that we might be his people! So much we can’t even dive into with this glorious OT antecedent theology of being God’s possession. Again, like we said with teaching this is part of reading and knowing and teaching the whole Bible.

 

And we are his people for a purpose, to be zealous for good works! Not in a self-righteous way but in a good news way. BECAUSE he has made us his people, we live that out in good works! The extremes are social justice focused only on good works or holy stiff-necks only worried of doctrine. We ought to care for both.

 

God’s grace is amazing. It showed up in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Who saved us when we were lost. Who open our eyes when we were blind. Who taught us with his tender mercy and love. Who brough and will bring, make no doubt about it, will bring us to the day where we see him face to face if we are found in him. And promises to keep us for all eternity as his own possession for 10,000 years bright shining as the sun. And while we wait, we live for him! Counting the cost and doing the hard work of discipleship for the sake of his glory because of his goodness. And we are to do this together. This is a solo thing but a thing for us as a people, together. Unified and following our loving Savior. As we close today let’s pray that together we would relish and appreciate God’s grace and live in light of it!