Necessary Living • 05.07.23
Jack Flaherty   -   May 7, 2023

Necessary Living

Titus 3

Three gospel-focused reminders for setting Christian living in order

  1. Salvation leads to devotion
  2. Division leads to discipline
  3. Faith leads to fruit

 

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. We are wrapping up our four-week series in the book of Titus this morning. Next week we will be back in Hebrews and pastor Nick will bring us home through the end of June. Check your bulletin for what to read for next Sunday.

 

Before we dive in, 4th-5th graders dismissed. The rest of us open our Bibles to Titus 3.  Ushers and Bibles.  As your turning, I will admit to you, I have not quite got the book memorized as I somewhat tongue in cheek challenged us to do by the 7th. However, I trust if you spent time reading you have this book much more down in your mind! Can remember flow of the arguments and main points. Let’s review!

 

Here is the Titus visual from Dr Rob Green. Again, maybe help to visualize the flow now that we’ve been through the letter. The intro shows Paul using apostolic authority to commission Titus, who is on the notorious island of Crete, to set in order what remains and the appoint elders in every town. He is to do this by keeping the main thing the main thing, that is keeping the gospel front and center. That’s evident in the language used to speak of Paul and Titus’ identities, it’s evident in the repeated use of Savior, and it’s evident in the repetition of good works as the result of the good news. Paul tells Titus to preach the good news, both through exhortation and rebuke, so that the Cretans look less like “liars, evil beast, lazy gluttons” and more the Christians. The gospel sets the leaders in order, sets the content of discipleship and those who are discipled in order, and today we will see that the impact of the gospel moves beyond leaders, beyond the home, beyond the church house walls, and into the public lives of these Christians as they live out their faith in the Crete. Read Titus 3

 

We all know someone who professed they were good at something and weren’t. Seems like middle school is an especially notorious age for this. I think back to skate boarding friends who actually weren’t good. Looked it but couldn’t live it and should have stuck with Tech Decks. Maybe more relevant for today is the gamer crowd. Profess proficiency only to get smoked. Maybe can handle brother or sister but leave the house and it’s not the same. Or good at one game but not another, like me. Other examples may come to mind, but we know of people who say they can/want to do something but aren’t. This is out of order and doesn’t make sense! This is where Paul turns to wrap up the letter to Titus. Yes, keep the main thing the main thing, have leaders who lead in the right direction, and assure that it’s not just leadership but the whole team who follows. But this gospel direction is not just in one particular nuanced area of life. Its total and complete! It’s not just on display for your squad but for the world to see.

 

Paul tells Titus to remind the professing Christians in Crete that they are to live consistently all the time in every relationship as those who have been transformed by the good news of Jesus life, death, and resurrection. In fact, v1 “remind them” is imperative. Which is helpful for us for two reasons. First, it’s reassuring to all us of that being reminded of stuff is not a new issue. In fact, its good and necessary! Second, it’s reassuring to every teacher that going back to old stuff is good and necessary! Whether its old or new today, what we are discussing is meant to remind us that if we are in Christ, we have been called to live a certain way. We today will see three gospel focused reminders for setting Christian living in order. If you’re not in Christ, stick with us. As you hear what Jesus followers are reminded of, let this text put on display the glorious existence offered through new life in Christ. Our first reminder is that…

 

  1. Salvation leads to Devotion

What does Paul remind the Cretans to do? In v1-2 we see a list of actions. Could meditate on them for a while but lets walk through them quickly.

  • “to be submissive/subject to rulers & authorities”—Christians do not disobey the government (Rom 13:1-7) unless obedience would mean sin (Acts 5:29). This submission to rulers is evidence of submission to and trust in God.
  • “to be obedient”—pretty straightforward here! At school, on the field, in the workplace, and in the neighborhood you follow the rules.
  • “to be ready for every good work”—The word “ready” has the idea of eagerness. Like a puppy happy to see his owner who is held back until the chain is let go! This is like “be zealous” from 2:14. Also EVERY good work meaning not selective in service.
  • “to speak evil of no one”—not necessarily don’t say negative things that are true, but instead of bringing out the worst, bring out the best. What a lesson for us especially as we head into election year. But limited to politicians. Speak evil of NO ONE is universal!
  • “to avoid quarreling”—Literally “to be peaceable”. Not a fighter. Not abusive verbally, physically, spiritually.
  • “to be gentle”—This is governed by the same “to be” verb as avoid quarrelling. Makes sense as the two often go together. It’s the positive & negative of the same idea. Instead of acting ready to fight be kind, gentle, reasonable.
  • “to show perfect courtesy toward all people”—this is actually a participle and could be better translated “showing/demonstrating.” Courtesy is the idea of meekness or humility like Jesus in Phil 2. Again, not exclusive to just your church or just your friends but ALL.

 

In the Geek this last phrase is either last in a list of seven OR is separate and meant to summarize the first six. Either way, the idea is that all of these actions work together to be consistent with the thing which spurs them on. Better be something good because this list is comprehensive and hard to do.  What is the possible motivation for living this way? Of course, we’ve already hinted at it but let’s follow the argument to see…

  1. The motivation of devotion

Paul starts his answer for why they should live this way by saying what they used to be like. He lists eight things essentially to show their total depravity. For the Cretans this is a DUH statement as we consider the testimony of Epimenedes in 1:12. But Paul includes himself and Titus here with “we ourselves.” So Paul the apostle, Titus the church setter-in-orderer, and the Christian Cretans were all once this way. Guess what, all of us were too!

 

So how is this a motivation to do good? One option is that Paul says we all should sympathize with all people who are sinners because we’ve been in their shoes. That is true and I think its good reason to live right before those who aren’t living right like Matthew 5:16 says.  BUT I don’t think that’s the emphasis. I think the emphasis is where he goes in v4-7.

 

YOU WERE THIS WAY AND NOW YOU’RE NOT! Stop living like the world because you aren’t’ like them! You ought to be different from the world because you’re not of the world. You’ve been given new birth by God so live out your new life for God! The motivation for devotion. That’s the trustworthy saying that Paul says Titus is to insist on SO THAT followers of Jesus are devoted to good works. This good news of salvation is the motivation for devotion!

 

Devotion to good works is not easy for all of us, though. Why? First off, we aren’t remembering how bad our sin is. Both in depth and width. There is evidently an appropriateness, even after salvation, to go back and recount the wickedness of our lives. Not because we want to be weighed and guilty but as Charles Spurgeon once preached that “we would flip through the pages of time so as to not listen without feeling but join with Paul in our sad confession of former pleasure in evil.” Second, we aren’t remembering just how good salvation is! Its free! Jesus saved us NOT because of anything we’ve done. He washed and made new of his own mercy. Pastor Mark taught on mercy to our 4th and 5th graders the other week and had the privilege to remind them, and me from our chat, that mercy isn’t just withholding punishment we deserve but also compassionate treatment of those who are in distress! We were in a bad spot. Jesus stepped Infront of us and took the blow we deserved even when we did not want him to! When you see something like that done on your behalf the response is to live different.

 

Not only that, secondly we forget that what saved us was the goodness and lovingkindness and mercy of our God. We don’t think about the true goodness of salvation and subsequent obedience in light of it! We think I got the weight of sin off but now I got the weight of obedience. Heard two pastors talking this week reference an illustration they heard from Sinclair Ferguson, Scottish theologian. He said pretend to be a kid in a candy store (nice candy aisle in HyVee here in Grimes by the way) walking around and the owner is like you like this? And this? And this? To get the end end and they say can’t have any! We think that’s life after salvation. All a tease or bait and switch. BUT that’s not true. There is goodness in walking with AND obeying the Lord.

 

So, Christians, let’s take a second to evaluate our lives, do we see a newness of devotion to the Lord? This isn’t to say that everyone needs to be monk and throw off all things. Not asking you to take superhero steps. I am asking us to think about “is my response appropriate to what’s been done for me? Is devotion how I would characterize myself like v8 and v14 say?” If you’re not a Christian here, do you realize the state that you are in and the need you have for a savior? Not only that, do you realize there’s not only not other options there are no options that could ever in all eternity be better than the one Jesus gave us?

Salvation is incredible. It is the motivation for devotion, but the means by which it was accomplished is worth us slowing down even more. Really zooming in on v4-7 especially here. How did his newness get accomplished?

 

  1. The means of salvation

We mentioned the goodness and lovingkindess of God that appeared, which comes with some deep OT sweetness of the character of God and his faithfulness. But notice again “God our Savior appeared” We mentioned this our first sermon in Titus but as a reminder that Savior is used only 24x in the NT, 12x by Paul 12 and 6x here in Titus. This is a big focus on salvation! And it is indeed God and God alone who saved us as v5 says. Two words in Greek, three in English, but one incredible reality.  Saved not because of what we did at all! In fact, in spite of what we did! Old Awana’s song I learned at Oak Street Baptist church in Burlington Iowa. He saved us, WE’RE SAVED, not because of anything we’ve don’t but because of his mercy! Even our most righteous deeds before salvation are fifthly rags to God says Isaiah 64:4. We bring nothing!

 

He saves us by his mercy. Saved through washing and regeneration! This is what was foretold back in the OT in Ezekiel 36:25-27. Also what Jesus spoke of in the famous interaction with Nicodemus in John 3. Salvation occurs because of God and happens by giving us a new heart. New birth. We are born again. A New beginning and new Life!

 

Let’s not forget something else amazing about the means of salvation. Do you see the Trinity’s involvement here? If you’re looking for a text to affirm the Triune nature of God, this is a good one. The Trinity is an essential doctrine to the Christian faith and party because all three persons of the Godhead are involved in salvation as we see here.

  • Salvation originates with God the Father. Flashing back to include 1:1-3, God chose us and appeared at specific time on the basis of his goodness and loving kindness and mercy.
  • Salvation was purchased by the work of God the Son on the cross. This is Jesus, fully God and fully man, who we rightly call him Christ and savior. And as we see in v6 through him the Holy Spirit poured out as he foretold in John 15 & 16.
  • Salvation is communicated and accomplished through God the Holy Spirit. It is he who regenerates and renews our hearts as v5 Spirit is not a force but a person as we see the pronoun in v6 “whom.” As said before this is new birth. Spiritually made new. The Spirit also seals us for the promised of inheritance mentioned in v7.

Each person of the Godhead is integral in the means of salvation. And the results of salvation are justification/being declared righteous, being made heir of eternal life. For those who have done what v8 says and believed in God we have a blessed present reality in being declared innocent and glorious future hope of inheriting the kingdom of God for all eternity.

 

And this is done. Saved and justified in the past tense. Not working to earn your keep. Your kept by the Triune God. So, brothers and sisters in Christ, remember this next time you want to take the easy way out of doing what you know is right or when you are wearied from this world. Remember our devotion comes from salvation. Unbelievers in the room, stop trying to do good on your own, it’s exhausting. Repent of the old ways listed in v3, and live in light of the good news of salvation.

Taken all together with the commands from v1-2, when we understand the bad news of where we were and the good news of what God has done THEN we are in the right position to obey things that seem hard for us. We need reminding of and insisting upon the gospel because even when we’ve believed we struggle to live it out. In being reminded of this good news we ought to be reinvigorated to do the good works God has called us to. We couldn’t do anything on our own to earn salvation. BUT now that we’ve been saved, we ought to serve daily as an act of worship!

 

Also as v8 says these things are excellent and profitable for people who are watching the witness of Christians. Because evidently there are also things which are unprofitable and worthless. That’s the content of v9-10. Paul just got done say teach this and now he says do NOT teach that! In fact, he goes a step farther, he says if foolish and divisive teaching comes up, it needs dealt with. This is our second reminder for setting Christian living in order…

 

  1. Divisiveness leads to discipline

Evidently, the Cretan Christians were really unique compared to the entire history of Christianity because they were into all kinds of debates, controversies, and quarrels. I say that a bit tongue in cheek. Clearly, we still debate about stuff. But what is in view here in v9? What are the foolish things?  I think after we consider the context of this letter, the things Titus is being called to avoid are those things which match the content of the false teachers from chapter 1. Things which detract from the gospel, are distractions from our own salvation, and are distractions to the mission of the church. This is stuff that exchanges glorious salvation by the mercy God alone for salvation by Jesus plus something law OR faith plus something right bloodline. These are foolish. That doesn’t mean all controversies or quarrels are worthless or unprofitable, so I want to be careful that you do NOT hear me say throw out doctrine or church function discussions. But the idea here is that Christians ought not live divide lives or be confusing to one another about what is true. We already need reminded of the right stuff so we can’t tolerate infiltration of the wrong stuff. We ought to avoid foolish things.

 

And when it is not avoided, and someone gets too caught up causing division, we are to remove the foolish person. That’s v10-11. There is only one Greek word for the six English words “a person who stirs up division.” It is a hapax legomena which means found only once in the Bible and is a bit tricky. Most commentaries agree that based upon the context that a divisive person is not just one actively teaching false teaching but also one who contradicts true teaching through of remaining unrepentant in sinful like behavior even after proclaiming faith in Christ. That’s why Paul states that such a person IS warped and sinful, like continual force of its ongoing state of action. This isn’t someone who messed up one time, but one whose sin has become public, is habitual, and lacks repentance.

 

I do think that’s interesting how Paul says “self-condemned.” It’s not that God condemns this person nor the church leaders. This person chose that path. Maybe they are blind to their blindness but that’s what sin will do. And if they don’t have their eyes open they are in bad spot. That’s why its unloving to not confront! That might be the only thing to open eyes. Church discipline might just be the thing that is significant enough to save a soul! This should be happening all the time, not the “having nothing to do with” part but the questions, confrontations, and warnings. Don’t shy away from giving or receiving this! Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together says “nothing can be more cruel than leniency which abandons others to sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than that sever reprimand which calls Christians in one’s own community back from sin.”

 

The idea of avoiding foolish things and removing foolish people from the church in not unique to Titus 3. Matthew 18 is the big text which also has this idea of personal interaction, a warning with another witness, a warning before the whole church, and then excommunicate if they are unrepentant. But we also see the idea of removing someone from the assembly of the saints who claims to be a Christian in 1 Cor 5, Romans 16, 2 Cor 2 and 13, Galatians 6, 2 Thess 3. Could argue this is the idea of 2 and 3 John as well. It doesn’t always look like removal as we are to confront for sound faith like Titus 2:13 said. God disciplines those he loves and sometimes he uses other believers to carry out his discipline. However, if one fails to listen then they are to be removed.

 

I am aware that discipline is not always done well but the Bible doesn’t give us the option to just not do it. Dr Tony Evans says “a church that doesn’t discipline is like a family that doesn’t discipline. Neither is functioning properly.” We want the church family to have a credible witness in the community and we want the brothers and sisters in Christ to be whole and holy. So why do we struggle with this? Maybe we don’t know what the Bible says. Maybe we ourselves are compromised and looking worldly. Or honestly, it’s just easier not to. Discipline is painful and hard. But consider the alternatives:

  • if someone has been gone and uncommunicative. Can the local church affirm your status as a follower of Christ?
  • If someone has left in a church, even to another good church, but did so sinfully without repentance. Can a local church affirm you faith in Christ?
  • If someone wants to stay stuck in sin, spread divisiveness, OR worse detract from Jesus’ work by adding things the Bible doesn’t teach. Does that sound like a born again believer?

Anyone living inconsistent with salvation simply should not and cannot continue to be affirmed by the local church that their profession and practice are a result of genuine faith in Jesus. Disciple is hard and hurts but it is a gospel focused action. Aside from a strong argument for church membership, discipline is a reminder that Christians are to live different from the world. Our lives are to be marked by the grace, goodness, and glory that has appear.

 

Thomas Oden says, “only those who take sin serious take forgiveness seriously.” Unfaithfulness to the Lord & divisiveness in the church necessitates discipline. Which also means those who take sin & forgiveness seriously will seriously pursue living faithfully for God.  Sincere faith is evidenced in fruitful living. That leads to our third & final reminder for setting Christian living in order…

 

  1. Faith leads to fruit

Really V12-15 are not super unusual. It’s a pretty standard parting word. But I do think there are some intentional connections to the previous part. For example, “greet those who love us in faith” is likely intentionally exclusive and a nod to “have nothing to do with unbelievers.” Also, one thing that is unique to any of Paul’s letter endings is this exhortation to good works again in v14! Be devoted! To help meet needs and to not be unfruitful. This is a result of being in the faith.

How did Paul start the letter? “To Titus my true child in the faith” Titus 1:4. Now he ends with “Great those in the faith” 3:15. Faith is a big deal. Everything in between these verses reminds Titus, the Cretans, and us that from that faith there needs to be fruit in the lives of Christians. We’ve seen the call to good works throughout the letter. The current leaders were unfit for good works. Titus is to be a model of good works. The people are to be zealous, eager, and devoted to good works. Now we see in v14 that good works are defined as fruitfulness and are apparently the learned result of faith. Fruitfulness in what ways? Two areas that stuck out to me.

 

  1. Fruitfulness in the ordinary

We see lots of normal actions at the end of this letter. Paul says in v12 & 13 “do your best.” That’s people effort not God supernaturally showing up. He says in v12 “I decided.” Not I prayed and really thought or rolled dice. Just made a decision. In v14 “Let the people learn” which again is not necessarily an extraordinary thing! Natural result of teaching. “Let them learn” is both an imperative command and an ongoing state. Learning must happen and is to happen all the time. Learning is to develop a habit of good works. Specifically good works of meeting urgent needs of others in the body. Now these are needs not just “do this for fun-zies.” Random acts of kindness are not bad BUT the idea is to meet needs! Not do something superhuman or out of the ordinary or never before seen, just care for and love on one another. That is evidence of faith in Jesus and counterintuitive to a watching and self-focused world.

 

This ending is also full of normal people. Tychicus shows up in a few other letters but got nothing else for Artemas. Then Zenas the lawyer is only referenced here. Not that lawyering is an unimportant job but he’s not a celebrity. He is a layman who apparently utilizes his skills and gifts for the gospel. Apollos is a bit more famous, in fact he causes a stir in Acts 18. But by and large these are just four normal individuals whose lives are oriented around Jesus & his mission & thus are doing the work of ministry. If we think about it, this is who does much of the work in the church today. There are well known Christians who serve the global church well and there is nothing wrong with that. But most church work is done by nobodies! People known in their context…maybe, but not celebrities. You guys have never heard of Mrs Osborn, Mrs Gurveler, Mr. Tim Ita, Pastor Jesse Gnann, Rev Joe Brummel, Pastor Dane Schaudt. These are people who taught me in pre-school, Sunday school, ministered to me in college. They are ordinary people who bore and are bearing good fruit. Who has that been in your life? Even the life of this church?!

 

And these people bear fruit in normal places at normal times. Nicopolis is a city on west side of Greece. Nothing super flashy or fancy about it, just where Paul was gonna hang for the winter. Not some center of the universe place but a place with people who need Jesus. People need Jesus in normal places like Grimes or Johnston or Granger or Perry or Des Moines or Urbandale or Waukee or Pleasant Hill or Bondurant or Ankeny and they need him in all the normal seasons.

 

How often do we overblow the ordinariness of Christian life? We think “Boring! Snooze fest! I wanna do something awesome!” Well, normal is where God usually does some pretty incredibly amazing things. Damian Lillard says in referencing never winning an NBA championship but staying with one team his whole career in a recent interview said “we can’t act like the journey don’t matter.” It’s not about superstar title winning moments, but the everyday journey of hard work and faithfulness. Ordinary life is the place for fruitful Christian living.

 

  1. Fruitfulness together

I might argue this is the most important point. Church, we need one another. I caught myself in the last few sermons do a lot of “you’s” and “I’s”. But in this letter Paul uses a lot of “us or we” especially in this chapter. In this closing Paul is saying He needs the  normal people of the church. He can’t do it on his own! And the church isn’t letting Paul or Titus do it all NOR are they OK without leadership. They all need one another! We need normal yet faithful people to work together to bear fruit for Christ. Think about all the ways togetherness has shown up:

  • We were all sinful. No one was exempt from sinfulness!
  • God is OUR savior.
  • God saved US. Not because of works done by US but his mercy.
  • The Spirit poured out on US and so that WE might be made heirs. Like 2:14 says, which I didn’t highlight well last week, God redeemed US and purified a PEOPLE (not a person) for his possession! Together! Who are to do good works together!
  • ALL of us here say “hi” to “YA’LL.” Please greet those who love US in the faith. There is a comradery and togetherness even when separated geographically. If you travel this summer and are gone on a weekend sure catch up on the livestream but take advantage of the chance to greet and be greeted by another body! Love them in the faith.
  • Grace be with you ALL. Not just grace to Titus or to anyone in particular but ALL! We all need God’s grace. We are in this together!

 

We are to work together in looking after one another within the church. We are to do good in general, especially to those in the church, and in particular to those with need. God stepped down in mercy when we were needy, thus we are to help those who are in need because fruitfulness is a team sport and provides a testimony to a watching world. People say, “they know each other’s needs AND meet them? Wow! Jesus must be there!”

 

If you’re not in this ‘togetherness’ nor responded to the goodness and lovingkindness of God, don’t wait! He offers the free gift of salvation to you. Not by your works but by his mercy. If you are on the team, let’s be reminded to live a life that reflects the gospel! Leaders, laypersons, inside or outside the walls of this church, proclaim the good news in word and works till he comes. We ought to truly be bursting to do this because of what he has done for us. Salvation is NOT dependent on works BUT are part of what it means to follow Jesus. Living and learning match up! Discipleship produces devotion to good works. Be Christians not Cretans! Be unique. Be peculiar. Be different. Be a gospel witness who is devoted, disciplined, and fruitful for the glory of God.

 

Pray

 

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