TITUS
Chapter Three: Godliness before the World
Introduction: In the previous lesson, except for the brief reference to the relation of the slave to his master, the believer in his relations to fellow believers was discussed. In this chapter, Paul widens the scope of his consideration to deal with the conduct of believers in their relation to government and society generally.
I. The Manifestation of the Old Nature and Exhortation to Overcome It. Verse 1-3.
Verse 1 - It was the Cretans nature to be unruly, cruel, lazy, rebellious, deceitful, liars. (CF. 2:12, 13 a.) Paul instructs Titus to exhort them to overcome this old nature, (old man, Ephesians 4:11) to be in subjection to their government, to obey the laws, (they are ordained of God, Romans 13:1-7) to be ready to do good works.
Verse 2 - Titus is to instruct them to speak evil of no man, to be not quick to fight physically but to be gentle and submissive. Matthew 5:39.
Verse 3 - Here is a description of the sinful nature of unsaved individuals. Some people certainly are more guilty of some of these sins than others but all our guilty of these to one degree or another.
II. The Transforming Work God's Kindness Produces Through Christ - verse 4-7.
Verse 4 - "Appeared" - This suggests, brought to light. This, the kindness and love of God, was brought to light when we were brought under conviction by the Holy Spirit upon our hearing the words of God which revealed Christ and His atoning death to us.
Verse 5 - The method by which we were saved. Not by our righteous, (Isaiah 64:6) but He saved us, "by the washing of regeneration" - that is the word of God impressed upon us by the Holy Spirit revealed our sinful condition, our just condemnation, and the atoning death of Christ for us. And when we accepted Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit indwelt us (John 14:16-18; I Corinthians 6:19,20) and made us new creatures (II Corinthians 5:17) thereby renewing us. This all occurred as a result of His mercy to us.
Verse 6 - all this we received through Christ Savior. Let us digress here and note the references to the fact of Jesus Christ our Savior as being God. Note Chapter 1:3, 4; 2:10,13; 3:4,6.
Verse 7 - As Christians we can rejoice in our justification, that is that all condemnation has been removed from all our sin. Romans 8:1a. Also, that we are heirs of God. Romans 8:17. All this we have by Grace - the undeserved kindness of God.
III. The Grace of God Is the Motive for a Godly Life.
Verse 8 - "These things" (verse 4-7) were to be constantly taught by Titus that the Christians on Crete would be sure to live Godly lives. "The goodness of God leads to repentance", Romans 2:4 and "his commandments are not grievous" (hard to live by). I John 5:3. A life of godliness lived before men is good and profitable to them.
IV. Instruction Regarding Controversy and Error-9-11.
Verse 9 - Avoid arguments that are of an unimportant nature. They are of no benefit.
Verse 10-A (heretic) here refers to a factious, quarrelsome person. One who is determined to stir up factions through erroneous opinions. He is to be reprimanded once and then twice if necessary but if after that he persists, he is to be rejected by the congregation. Romans 16:17; II Thessalonians 3:6,7; and 1 Timothy 6:3-5.
Verse 11 - Such a person who persists in his factiousness shows that his character is crooked and sinful for his refusal to listen to admonition, leaves him guilty.
V. Conclusion to the Epistle.-Verse 12-15.
Verse 12 - Soon Paul was to relieve Titus by sending either Artemas or Tychicus.
Verse 13 - Titus was to see that Zenas and Apollos (the great preacher, Acts 18: 24-28) came with him to Nicopolis and that the Saints at Crete made sure they all had enough provision for the journey. Those that labor in things of the Lord are worthy of their hire. I Timothy 5:18.
Verse 14 - Again, Paul emphasizes the importance of Christians manifesting a godly, useful life.
Verse 15 - "Grace", gods favor and blessing, be with you all.
Conclusion: The only sermon many people are ever preached is the Sermon by the lives of godly saints who have been changed by the power of God. Let us show the world with our lives, the life that can be lived. Because of Christ -a godly life. Galatians 2: 20. Heretic is one who forsakes the truth held by the church and chooses some doctrine of his own devising.
Suggested teaching objectives:
1. To show some of the characteristics of the sinful nature.
2. To teach that Christians should obey the laws of the land.
3. To teach that salvation is all of the Lord - Redemption and Regeneration.