Christian Liberty

 The Liberty of Jesus Christ

 Book of Galatians Chapter 5 verses 1 through 18

 The Book of Galatians can be called God's message of liberty, but the entire Bible can be called God's message of liberty.

 Liberty is best described as the opposite of servitude or bondage and applies to those who are set free from this oppression.

 Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 

Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 

Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 

 Some people just enjoy being in bondage to this world!

 Some people think of nothing else but sin!

 As Christians, we do not have to worry if we are good enough because we will never be good enough, no matter how badly we try to impress God.

 We simply cannot impress God; we have no righteousness in ourselves.

 Jesus Christ secured the ideal righteousness for us!

 The Lord Jesus Christ bore our judgment and our punishment for having broken the Laws of God, which is death.

 This is the message of the Gospel!

 The Churches of Galatia thought they understood this until they began to listen to the false teaching of some Judaizers from Jerusalem.

 The message today is that we must stand fast in the liberty that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ has given to us!

 *****Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 

 To stand fast is to stand our ground.

 It simply means to keep the position we have taken with the Gospel and never give ground to falseness.

 We are able to stand fast in our argument of the Gospel because it is the truth of the Scriptures and the truth of Jesus Christ!

 The truth is always the truth!

 Rom 15:12  And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. 

Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

 Spiritual liberty cannot be affected by outward circumstances unless we allow it!

 A great man of God said: our liberty has no emperor, nor a prophet, nor an angel from Heaven, but Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son has obtained it for us.

 This is the thing the Devil will try to take away from us to place us back in bondage to this world.

 It is sin that is a burden to carry, and it is not a burden to carry the liberty of Christ.

 Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 Jesus Christ has freed us from the bondage of the law, so we must stand fast in the liberty that He has provided for us.

 Anything else is turning our backs on Christ and our Heavenly Father!

 We can only approach God through the work that Jesus Christ has done for our salvation!

 It is a complete waste of time to try any other way, and we jeopardize our chance to get to Heaven.

 Gen_6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man.

 Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 

Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 

 The Law is not God's way for us to be justified!

 *****Gal 5:2  Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 

Gal 5:3  For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 

Gal 5:4  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 

 The Apostle Paul is speaking in the power of an Apostle of Christ here.

 It is not the fact of circumcision!

 Paul was circumcised and every Jew in the Church of Galatia was circumcised.

 Circumcision happens every day in some hospitals because it helps to keep certain diseases from spreading, but not everyone is circumcised for one reason or another.

 Paul had been talking to the Jews in these churches but now he is talking to the Gentiles who had it in their mind that they would have to first become Jews before they could become Christians.

 For these Gentiles to become proselytes of Judaism would imply that they were seeking salvation by the Law which is sealed by circumcision.

 There is no advantage for a man to be circumcised or not circumcised in seeking a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 A wise man said" ‘He who submits to circumcision does so because he stands in fear of the law, and he who so stands in fear of the law distrusts the power of grace, and he who distrusts "Grace" gains no advantage from that which is so distrusted’.

 When we start trusting in rituals, then we will find no profit in Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him will end!

 It is the job of the true preacher to warn us when we go against the Grace of God!

 Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

Col 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 

Col 1:29  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. 

 It is a fact if you trust in the Laws of Moses to get you to Heaven, you will not get there.

 It is a sad fact that all those who fall into the trap of legalism to impress God will fall from Grace.

It is a sad fact that all those who depend upon rituals to gain forgiveness of sin will fall from God's Grace.

It is a sad fact that all those who invest their lives in religion will fall from God's Grace.

 GRACE still means God's Riches At Christ's Expense!

 Remember Hagar and her son Ishmael were banished from God's Grace and cast out into the world.

 False teachers are just that false teachers with a false message looking to derail your relationship with Jesus Christ.

 Every so-called denomination has been infiltrated with such people who serve the Devil.

 When we deny the Lord Jesus Christ, who was sent from Heaven with a mission to provide "Justification", then we have lost any opportunity to reach the true Promised Land, the New Jerusalem.

 We cannot add to or take away from the message of the Gospel!

 To deny Jesus Christ is to deny His righteousness, His death for our sins, and His resurrection to show His power!

 We should remember our Lord Jesus took all the sins from the beginning of our world to the end for every soul and took them down to Hell for them to remain there throughout eternity, why would anyone want to live in that place?

 What will be the story of every false teacher who mixes a little bit of Grace with a whole lot of falseness when they face Jesus, the God they say they worship?

 Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 That woman who confronted our New President should think about these things before it is too late for her!

 What in the world does the world do with the teachings of the Apostles especially the Apostle Paul when they study the Word of God except to ignore them?

 The Word of God has to be rejected in many denominations today for them to do as they are doing. God have mercy on them.

 What is the truth, they will be accursed!

 In the first Book of Galatians, we read:

 Gal 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 

Gal 1:9  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 

Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 

 Who do we owe our life eternally to?

 *****Gal 5:5  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 

Gal 5:6  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 

 Over and over again we see that it is "our faith" in the work the Lord Jesus Christ has done for our salvation sharing with us "His Righteousness" that we can please God.

 There is no other way to please Him!

 Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

 If we do not have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ we will burn in Hell throughout eternity!

 Any hope for righteousness comes by the Spirit of Christ who so many in terror call the Holy Ghost.

 The Holy Spirit is our Divine source of "faith" and "spiritual life"!

 It is a fact that no false teacher has ever felt the Holy Spirit, and never will they unless they repent and claim Jesus Christ!

 Php 3:20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 

Php 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 

 We can also say that those who preach a false message have never felt the love of God or His Son!

 *****Gal 5:7  Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 

 We must understand that the truth will always be the truth!

 We live in a world where our government and our corporations think it is best to hide the truth.

 Paul tells these Galatians that they began their Christian life, but someone hindered them and we must realize that this is a favorite tactic of the Devil to immediately attack baby Christians and any Christians.

 He still does this today and he frightens some so much that they never return to their race with the Christian Life, and that race will be over.

 Jesus said:

 Mat 13:20  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 

Mat 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

 We see this happening at these churches in Galatia and it happens in every church today.

 When we stop living for Christ, we put our lives in jeopardy.

 When we run for Jesus Christ, we must run well and stand on the truth of God!

 Php 2:16  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 

 *****Gal 5:8  This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 

 We must have a clear understanding that we are called by the Holy Spirit and He will never lead us to error but He will lead us only to the Lord Jesus Christ!

 Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

 Any teacher that teaches otherwise is teaching a false doctrine.

 All those out there today who throw out the Scriptures of the Apostle Paul and teach some other doctrines are also teaching a false doctrine.

 All sinners who come to the Lord Jesus must then repent of their past life and walk like Jesus walked and taught!

 There are no exceptions, and the Holy Spirit does not make mistakes!

 Just a little false doctrine can ruin any church!

 *****Gal 5:9  A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 

 "Leaven" stands for evil and corruption, fermentation, and infection.

 It takes only a small amount of "leaven" to influence a whole lump of dough.

 So, it is with false teachers!

 They only have to twist and change a few Scriptures to change the meaning of what God intended.

 We live in a world where you have to be careful when you pick out a new Bible because so many are changed to reflect the beliefs of certain people rather than the truth of God.

 The KJV is the English Bible that most closely reflects the meaning of the Textus Receptus, the original Scriptures before they were changed by the Catholic Church after the revolt of Luther.

 Most of those Bibles that are printed for English-speaking people today, who say they just want to make them easier to read, and also change the meaning of certain Scriptures.

 I avoid all of them and stick to the KJV.

 All Scripture must focus on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer, or it is false Scripture.

 The Scriptures are not about our goodness or our own works.

The Scriptures are not about rituals, ceremonies, or good works instead of our Lord Jesus.

 The absolute necessity of the Lord's righteousness and death and being born of a Virgin and His resurrection cannot be diminished or downplayed.

 The false teacher will always downplay these things.

 *****Gal 5:10  I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

Gal 5:11  And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 

Gal 5:12  I would they were even cut off which trouble you. 

 If we stand by the written Word of God the true pastor will stand with us!

 Paul had confidence that these churches in Galatia would do the same because the Lord would remain on their side.

 Because the Holy Spirit lives within us, He will awaken us to false teaching if we listen to Him!

 Paul believed that these churches would read and understand this great letter he had sent to them.

 Paul always sent someone with the letters he wrote or caused them to be written, with someone he trusted to read those letters to the church.

All letters to the church were read in all churches.

 We can be sure that every false teacher or preacher will stand before God and God will send them to the hottest part of Hell and to even a hotter part of the Burning Lake of Fire.

 Jud 1:24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 

Jud 1:25  To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

 False teachers only tell lies!

 God will hold up His true Pastors!

 Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 

 Jas 4:12  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 

 Salvation can only come through the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Only Begotten Son. through Him only!

 Paul's sermons had never veered from these facts!

 What Paul had done before his conversion was irrelevant!

 Paul was now a "Born Again" child of God just as any other saved soul!

 We must understand that there is no punishment too good for a false teacher!

 1Pe 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 

1Pe 1:18  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 

1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 

1Pe 1:21  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 

 *****Gal 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 

 We must not forget that we are free from laws, religion, and rituals.

 We do not have to work to secure God's approval and acceptance.

 We are acceptable to God because He loves us as His own Son Jesus.

 We cannot ever become perfect, no matter how good we do!

 Many people question "Christian Liberty" but our liberty does not ever give the freedom to sin just because we are under the "Grace" of God.

 Our faith will always be the key to our relationship with God!

 We are free in Christ, free from the law, free from restraints, and free from works.

 We live in Christ, move in Christ, and our being is in Christ.

 When God looks down from Heaven, He should be able to see His Son dwelling inside us!

 If we are slaves, we are slaves to our brothers and sisters in Christ and free to call on the lost world with the truth of God.

 Joh 13:4  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 

Joh 13:5  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 

 Joh 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 

Joh 13:15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 

 *****Gal 5:14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

 Every law that has been ever written can be satisfied with love!

 Love does not take advantage of any people.

Love will not be used by people to fulfill their own purpose.

Love will not hurt someone else any more than we would hurt ourselves.

Love endures everything without weakening.

 Rom 13:8  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 

Rom 13:9  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Rom 13:10  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

 *****Gal 5:15  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 

 To bite and devour is to act like a wild beast and this is a picture of Satan.

 1Pe_5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 When we act like Satan, we are certainly not being Christian (like Christ)!

 *****Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 

Gal 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

Gal 5:18  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 

If we go against the Holy Spirit, we will only cause harm to ourselves.

The answer to conquering the lust of the flesh is the Holy Spirit!

Our flesh will always fight for dominance over our being and this is why God gave us a new Spirit, the Holy Spirit.

The flesh is very strong and difficult to control but it is not as strong as the Holy Spirit.

Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

The flesh is contrary to the Spirit!

The longer we listen to the Holy Spirit the stronger we will be, but we will be vulnerable to our flesh as long as we are in these bodies of flesh!

The Holy Spirit will always give us the power to walk away from the lust of our flesh!

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

It is our love for one another here in this church and any other church that keeps us focused on the things the Lord has given us to do after our salvation and discipleship.

Amen

The Privilege of Being in the Family of God

 The Privilege of Adoption into the God's Family

 Book of Galatians Chapter 4 Verses 1 through 20

 Our lesson does a great job of presenting the truth of Faith and the Grace of God and being adopted into the family of God.

 All our lessons have been good this quarter.

 I may go a little bit differently today as I usually do.

 We know some churches of Galatia were teaching that a person could be saved by the Law, the Law being the Laws of Moses.

 You know that title itself should tell us that the law was lacking.

 The Bible is best stated as the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

 These churches had allowed some Judaizers to come in with a false teaching and they had turned from the teaching of "faith" by the Apostle Paul.

 They now felt they could be saved by being good, doing their best, and being religious.

 Being religious means people who have given themselves to religion and are so influenced by it that they are different from the world.

 Christianity means we are a follower of the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ by faith!

 Christianity is a personal experience with our Savior!

 We should all do our best to be good according to the Word of God.

We all should be faithful in worshipping God and in a good church.

 We must not think this is the means of our salvation!

 The Bible is very clear and forceful, that doing these things does not save a person!

 When we get alone with God, “are we” speaking to Him as a maturing Christian or as a baby Christian?

 He knows what we are and none of us can be perfect until we meet Jesus when He returns, and He will return!

 If we ever want to get to Heaven, we had better know that we must be perfect, and perfection only comes with a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!

 Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

 In the Lord's Sermon on the Mount, He explained the big difference in just obeying the Law and the truth of God.

 There is a big difference between obedience and holiness!

 The big difference in being a Christian is, “we do not need a written list of laws because we have the Holy Spirit living within us” and He will put His laws in our minds and write them down in our hearts.

 Heb 10:15  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 

Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 

Heb 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 

Heb 10:18  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 

 In the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the perfect conception of love, and this is what He wants from us.

 *****Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

Gal 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

 Under Roman law, a child was an infant until they were seven years old and were a child until they reached the age of twenty-five.

 During this time a bondservant would be the one to teach that child or be responsible for taking that child to the tutors or a schoolmaster.

 During this time, these children “had no say so in the affairs of their father” even though they were heirs to whatever their father owned.

 In this, they were no different from a bondservant who would never be an heir.

 Only after maturity does this person become a true heir and then lord of that property of his father.

 Even if that father no longer lived that guardian or governor would direct that heir until he reached the proper age, and the heir had no power to make those decisions concerning his inheritance.

 The father could and would determine that period of time before that heir had the authority over his own inheritance!

 We can see that even though this son was an heir and a future lord, he was no more than a slave until that time set by his father.

 Caesar had ruled that under the Gallic tribes of Galatia, the father had sole power of life and death over his wife and children.

 *****Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

 There was a time when the entire world was under bondage to one nation, or another as described in the Book of Daniel.

 Daniel 2 Verses 37 through 44.

 To the Jews, this bondage meant the sacrifices, the rituals, and the sacrifices of the Old Testament that directed all the facets of Jewish life.

 It meant philosophy and the traditions of men, and their teachings.

 It meant the ordinances, rules, and regulations of men, including the oral law.

 It meant all the laws of the Old Testament.

 It was impossible to keep all those old laws.

 Act 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

 Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

 All things of religion will choke the life out of Christianity if we allow it!

 The elements, of the world mean the things of this world that we use to get right with God and try to secure the favor of God.

 This also includes anything we can use to justify ourselves to God, anything we can do through our own efforts, and we will never get close to God doing these things.

 But there came a time when God decided it was time to change the things that brought us under bondage to this world.

 *****Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

 The fullness of time here represents the time that our Heavenly Father decided to begin the Church Age and end the Age of the Law as the schoolmaster.

 The Age of Grace began.

 Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

 We can say the fullness of time is the time appointed by God and was foretold by the true Prophets of God.

 We should know by now that Jehovah God is in control of all the things in this world.

 This world lives every day under the providence of God!

 God's preserving and governing of all, by means of second causes.

 Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 The Lord Jesus Christ is the glue that holds His creation together!

 When the first part of our Savior's work was completed, He went back to His throne in Heaven until the Church Age reaches its fulfillment and then He will return.

 Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

 There should be no doubt that we are in these last days.

 The Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth to deliver this world from sin!

 This was His sole purpose, and He completed that work.

 Today Jesus Christ walks “in our bodies” until He returns to Redeem us.

 Jesus was not some angel!

 The first coming of Christ was not by chance!

 Jesus Christ came in the timing set aside by God the Father!

 He did not come one day early, and He did not leave one day late. He is always on time!

 Jesus Christ was born of a particular person, at a particular time, in a particular way, and under a particular system, the Law.

 Jesus was subject to the same system in which He came to save all the world from it.

The world had been specially prepared for His first coming!

 The Law had done its work.

The world was full of spiritually starved people ready for a change.

The world was at peace under Roman rule.

The world was under the Greek language making communication possible no matter where you went.

The Romans had built roads everywhere making travel easier.

 God's messenger, John the Baptist, was in place.

 Mar 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Mar 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Mar 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

 Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

 Why did Jesus come? He came to redeem God's people!

 God's people are all those who have "faith" in the work of Jesus Christ!

 Every believer becomes the adopted sons and daughters of God!

 *****Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

 When we trust in the work of Christ for our salvation we receive the Holy Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit.

 Paul asked these Galatians: Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

 These people knew they had never felt the presence of the Holy Spirit until they heard the preaching of the Apostle Paul.

 Because we have the Spirit of Jesus living within us, God looks upon us as His sons and daughters.

 What is the first thing we should do?

 2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 We cannot allow the remnants of our past to influence our new life!

 That unclean thing is what is called an idol.

 As we come out from the world we begin to meet our true family, the family of God.

 As we have learned earlier, the Holy Spirit is somewhat like a downpayment on our eternal life, until Christ returns to take us home.

 We become heirs and sons because of our faith in Jesus Christ and the Grace of our heavenly Father!

 1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 Then the last time will be the day of the Rapture of the Church, the end of the Church Age.

 Chapters 2 and 3 and the first verse in Chapter 4 of the Book of Revelation.

 The word adoption means to place us as God's sons and daughters, and He will never release us back into this wicked world.

 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 For many days now, we will be telling ourselves we just want to go home.

 Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

 We are no longer servants to this sinful world.

 *****Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

 I believe every one of us agrees with this verse.

 There is no God but Jehovah who can change one thing on this earth!

 When we look back on our old lives before our faith in Jesus, most of us do not like who or what we were.

 We may have had knowledge of God, but we did not know Him in a personal way, and this is what God wants from us, a personal relationship.

 We did not know life until we met Jesus!

 We served the false gods of this world until we met Jesus!

 Many of us worshipped that almighty dollar because the things of this world are only idols.

 Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

 We were in bondage to the things of this world.

 Now we know better so, why in the world would we ever want to go back into that lost world?

 *****Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Gal 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

Gal 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

 It is a privilege to know the truth of God, a privilege we had better not abuse.

 We should also understand that God knew us before we were even born on this earth.

 In some places in the Bible, it shows that God talks to us while we are in the womb of our mothers.

 God will not do for one that He will not do for another! Only He knows what is best for us.

 It is a humbling fact, that God cared enough to send someone to us to tell us about Jesus and the Gospel.

 There is nothing in this world that can give life.

 Heb 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, “but the bringing in of a better hope did”; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

 The Apostle Paul is not condemning the observance of these things but teaching them that God will never justify them for observing these days.

 Bondage to these things forfeits the liberty of the Gospel!

 We are not bound to observe any ritual of any church.

 The only things Jesus said for us are Baptism and the Lord's Supper, but even these things cannot justify us.

 We do these things because our Lord did these things, and He said to follow Him.

 So, we follow Him in Baptism, and we partake of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Him.

 Paul knew that these churches in Galatia were about to turn back to the Law and Paul was doing His best to tell them how foolish this was.

 Every religion in this world is a religion of works!

 People trying to please their god making these religions, religions of works.

 The only thing that pleases God is "faith" in the work of His Son for our salvation!

 Once we decide that we need to do something to make God love us, we are headed for trouble.

 Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

 We are walking a dangerous path when we turn our backs on God!

 When we speak to some in the church who seem to be losing their faith, we must remember they are still our brothers and sisters in Christ and the children of God.

 *****Gal 4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

 Paul has not been too harsh to these churches because they are still family notice the word brethren.

 This is an example for us all. Our own Pastor preaches hard, and some may not always agree with the message, but we had better remember that he is a minister of God called to preach the messages God has given him by the Holy Spirit.

 He is also a brother in Christ who is in the same family as all God's children.

 If He does not preach God's message, then he will answer to God.

 If we do not listen to that message and apply it to our lives, Jesus may remind us of that when we meet Him in the clouds.

 Every message is real when it matches what God has said in the Scriptures.

 We do not have to abide by any message that goes against the Word of God!

 Paul was being criticized for his messages of truth when it was the Judaizers who had the false message.

 Even now Paul did not treat them as his enemies.

 Paul assured them that they had not injured him, they had only injured themselves.

 God gives us this time after our salvation to earn rewards given to us when we get to Heaven.

 These rewards are far more than the promised Mansion and eternal life.

 We can even be blessed as we witness for the Lord Jesus Christ here on earth.

 God has all these things in mind when He sends a message to our Pastor for him to preach to us.

 *****Gal 4:13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

Gal 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Gal 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Gal 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

 Even on a bad day when our pastor is feeling bad, he will always give us the truth of God!

 Our Pastor is never ever our enemy!

 Paul had a physical affliction that bothered him from time to time and he asked the Lord to remove it, and the Lord said to him, "My Grace Is sufficient" for it to overcome your weakness.

 When a true man of God is preaching full of the Holy Spirit, God's power to him will overcome all his deficiencies.

 It is the message that is important, not the physical condition of that man of God!

 When Paul first came to these people he was welcomed with open arms.

 It was the legalism of the Judaizers that made things change.

 This is what a false message does. It will cause friction in that body of believers.

 Many a church has split for these same things.

 1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

 Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Tit 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Tit 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

Tit 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

 Verse 15 also hints to us that the physical problem that Paul had was with his eyes.

 The people who reject the truth of Jesus Christ are outside the church.

 We are not to hate them, but we must know this fact and witness to them if we are able.

 Notice it said if you have witnessed to them at least twice then you are not obligated to go that person a third time but someone else can go.

 It was the Judaizers who were religionists who were Paul's true enemy and the enemies of the Church!

 *****Gal 4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

Gal 4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

 Notice Paul did not mention names. Everyone present knew who Paul was referring to.

 Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

 All those who pervert the Gospel of Jesus Christ are false teachers!

 We must always be on guard and reject false preachers and teachers.

 These Judaizers were very zealous in their work, trying their best to reconvert as many of the Jews as they could and convert any Gentile to Judaism who listened to them.

 They did not care if they got saved or not.

 Their goal was to stop Christianity in its tracks.

 Most of the world is trying to do the same today but this is impossible!

 The very first thing they will try to do is to discredit that Pastor (preacher) who teaches the truth.

 False teachers try to focus people on the law, work, effort, rituals, sacrifice, and rules.

 False teachers reject the Grace of God.

 Today false teachers claim some imaginary powers that they do not have and work for the money they can get from those who trust them.

 Today God does all healing without the help of some mediator.

 The power of healing belongs to God Himself and He does this work through prayers!

 The true preacher seeks to focus people on this Almighty God who gave us a plan for salvation.

 It is His plan and there is no other plan than His that will work!

 God's plan works only through the Lord Jesus Christ. These are His conditions, and we must not question His plan!

 The Lord Jesus said: Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

 Jesus also said: Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

 Those who deny the truth of Jesus Christ are all antichrists!

 2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

 *****Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Gal 4:20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

 We as a church should welcome those Evangelist and Missionaries who preach the truth and in our church our Pastor makes this selection, and this is the way it should be in every Gospel church.

 There is only one Gospel!

 The true preacher seeks only to help believers.

 The true preacher considers all believers as his dear children.

 The true preacher will guard the church from error.

 The true preacher’s heart is tender and warm, protecting and providing for the church.

 Most people think of a growing church as one that adds many new members, but the truth is a growing church is a church growing in its relationship with Jesus Christ and His Heavenly Father who becomes our ABBA Father

 Nothing else in this world is more important than our relationship with our Savior.

 These are the same ones who are God's children!

 Amen.

Christian Behavior

Order in Christian Homes (Christian Behavior)

Book of Titus Chapter 2

Verse 16 of chapter 1 describes the hypocrite the false preacher or teacher.

Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Again, Christian behavior does not mean we are to debate those who say they know God but do not live what they preach.

It is a shame that we need someone to teach us how to behave but, in our world, today these things are not taught at all or at least it seems that way.

In fact, for many reasons there is no instruction in the homes of today and the instruction in the schools is controlled by the government both local and federal and in most cases, learning will be non-existent but the swaying of the minds of our children will be abused for political reasons.

Because of the societies we live in, it seems that no one knows how to behave.

God says we never did know how to behave and He has also said these things will get worse.

The Island of Crete, which is now called Candia is an island 140 miles long and 35 miles wide. At one time there were at least 100 cities upon this island.

In the day of Paul these Cretins were described as always liars, evil beast with slow bellies. In other words, with every breath they take the only concern they have is how to feed their own bellies.

There were no wild beasts left upon this island but those who lived there were considered to be the wild beast of this island.

Kind of sounds like the America we live in today!

The only way to overcome these things was to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and live the life of a true Christian.

This is what Paul sent Titus to this island to do. Teach these people the truth of God, so they could come to know the language of the love of God!

We know that the first chapter dealt with behavior in the church.

This chapter in the Book of Titus deals with godly behavior in the home.

*****Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

We must understand that God has set a standard for the life of each Christian!

Our behavior inside the church.

Our behavior outside the church.

Our behavior inside the family.

Our behavior must reflect the gift the "Grace" God has given to us as a gift. We must receive it as a gift which means we should be very thankful.

Our behavior must reflect the sealing of the Holy Spirit along with the fruit that the Holy Spirit brings.

Our behavior must reflect the hope of God's glory, which is a sure hope and we must maintain these things daily.

Christianity is not what we were it is what we are!

Christianity must be based upon "faith". Not just any "faith" but faith in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation!

It is only the truth of sound doctrine that will lead us to these things! We once lived as sinners, we must repent by being taught to live as Christians because none of us knew how to live as Christians!

We must clearly understand as Christians, we cannot remain silent while false teachers are allowed to continue with their lies in the house of God.

They will continue if there are people in the church who refuse to repent which is the theme behind most all false teaching.

We should also understand that sound doctrine can only come from God the Father!

Joh 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

Joh 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Joh 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

The false teacher is always seeking his own glory! We can say that as the end time of the Church Age draws nigh some false teachers are not ashamed to give Satan the glory.

God's wrath will soon be shown to those who do so! Don't be one who has fallen into this trap because you do not know the Word of God yourself. Knowing what God has already said to us, is our best defense

Titus was not to leave anyone out as He taught God's "Grace" but there is an order in the house of God and in the family that must be followed.

*****Tit 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

These were not then the elders of the church except to say they were the elderly men.

Let's face it men, we are to be the examples that our wives and our children are to follow. This cannot happen unless we are following the Lord ourselves!

1) We must first be sober. This has nothing to do with drinking alcohol. We already know that God says no to that!

Sober means we are to be cautious and watchful knowing that the younger generation will be looking to us for life's answers. We do not have all the answers, but we know who does.

We are to also to be that perfect spouse to those we say we love and we too are look to Jesus Christ for our own answers.

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

2) We must be grave. To be grave is to be honorable! As the aged men we already hold a distinguished rank in most societies and as Christians this rank should show even more.

Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

3) We are to be temperate.

We are to be sound in our minds always having self-control and disciplined in the ways of Jesus Christ.

We have no greater example than our Lord in all these things!

We must have complete control over all our lustful desires. Neither our age nor our retirement gives us an excuse to just allow our lives to just slip away into nothingness!

God expects us to work for Him until He calls us home!

Pro 21:17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

4) We must be sound in our faith.

The word "sound" used here means not only to have a sound mind but also to be sound in our faith. Not shaky or defective, not decaying, but perfect, as we can be in our faith in the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ.

A healthy faith is an enduring faith!

Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

5) We must also be sound in our charity.

We must show that agape love of our Savior to all those who are looking!

We must have and show that brotherly union with all our brothers and sister in Christ Jesus! One mind. One accord.

1Th 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

1Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

1Th 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

1Th 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

6) We must be sound in our patience.

We must endure the trials of our faith as we continue in the work of the Lord, no matter the obstacles in our path, knowing the Lord will deliver us out of them all.

2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

2Ti 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

God is no respecter of mankind, so He expects the same of the aged women. We call them Grandmothers or maybe momma number 2, or MIMI or some other name usually chosen by the grandchildren.

*****Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

The same qualities that are desired in the aged man are required in the aged women, that be in behavior as becometh holiness.

We should understand that in the highest sense, holiness can only belong to Jehovah God, because He is absolutely "good"!

Luk 18:19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

So even our holiness and goodness must come from the Lord Jesus as our example in all things in this life and then in our eternal life we will have reached His perfection!

When we are wholly consecrated to God's service having the mind of Christ and knowing the will of God for our lives and acting on God's will for us we begin to become that word "holiness".

Holiness begins with repentance and turning toward our Holy God!

Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Holiness is given of God to those that love the Lord Jesus Christ and now strive to walk in His ways!

Holiness cannot come to us, unless we have "faith" in the life-giving work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Holiness cannot come to us, unless we have surrendered our soul to the safe keeping of our Heavenly Father!

Holiness cannot come to us, unless we are sealed by God the Holy Spirit, and show the fruit of the Spirit!

In fact, when we say to God, "hallowed be thy name", it means we have already dedicated ourselves to God.

It is then that these aged women can be the teacher of good things!

They then have the God given ability to teach the younger women all these things.

We immediately notice that the Pastor is not to teach the younger women and we should be able to understand the many reason why!

These younger women are to be taught by the older women!

1) These younger women can be taught to be sober.

Sober means they are also to be cautious and watchful knowing that their children will be looking to them for life's answers. We do not have all the answers, but we know who does.

2) They will know how to love their husbands according to the Word of God, knowing the head of that husband is Christ just has He is the Head of her life and it is then that she will follow the lead of her husband, in the order God has taught us.

God is a God of order!

Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

To be discreet, is to be wise in avoiding evil and to know the answer to every question is the Lord Jesus Christ.

To be pure, is to be free from all obscenity and immorality.

To be a keeper of the home, is to recognize the order of the family and raise that family according to the truth of God.

To be good, is to have physical qualities that adapt freely to the commands of God.

In everything these women are to make application of the Word of God to their lives just as the men.

The young men are also to be sober minded.

*****Tit 2:6 Young men "likewise" exhort to be sober minded.

Here we see that the Pastor is to be involved with the teaching of the younger men in some way.

It is very important for the younger men of today to understand the Word of God. How to act in the church, how to act in the home, and how to act in the world before they become aged if possible.

Again, to be sober minded means they are to be cautious and watchful as they too look for life's answers. When they come to us they need to know that we do not have all the answers, but we know who does.

In another place Paul writes to flee from youthful lust because our lust will lead to sin.

In fact, the Apostle John said it this way.

1Jn_2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

To be a real man is to be disciplined and controlled and to focus on meaningful things the first being "what will happen to me when I die", the next being God does not promise us the next day, so we need to be prepared always.

*****Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Tit 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Titus was not an aged man at this time, but probably in his younger years, so he should be able to be a great example to all the churches on the Island of Crete.

These instructions, as commands, can also be added to the instructions to the younger men who become pastors and missionaries.

Every Pastor is to show himself an example to others, in the church!

This was Paul's advice to both Titus and Timothy as young Pastors sold out to God.

We can be sure that the Apostle Paul used these same guidelines in every Church that he planted.

We as God's children are to be examples to our families and to all those who see us from day to day!

Every Pastor must live what he preaches.

His behavior must match his preaching.

His life must not tear down what the Word of God builds up.

He must shine like the light of Jesus.

This is extremely important for the young men in the church as Titus himself was a young man.

How does the Pastor know he is preaching the right doctrine? He must preach all the Word of God because God guarantees that His words will not come back void, but this cannot be said about our own words!

The first concern of every Pastor must be that he leads by example. His instruction in the Word of God must then follow his example.

The first thing people see when we approach them, is who we are. They have already judged us.

We could say that our words will mean nothing if our behavior does not match what we say!

In fact, people have the right to expect the Pastor and the teacher to live what they preach and teach!

Many do not pray as they should, and many do not study the Scriptures as they should!

Discipling cannot happen without the preachers and teachers being an example in good works.

It is easy for me to see where I fail as I study the Scriptures!

1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Even the Centurion who stood by the cross realized that Christ Jesus was indeed the Son of God by the way that He suffered and then gave His life for no man could take the life of our Savior, He gave His life for us all!

Mar 15:39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Jesus Christ is the example for us all to follow!

The Word of God must be taught with "dignity" and "honesty" which is the meaning of "gravity".

The Word of God must be taught with "sincerity". Those who cannot have faith in what they are teaching, can never be sincere in what they are teaching!

As Christians we must always share in the responsibility of declaring the Word of God. The Pastor is to preach the truth of God, rightly divided and those sitting in the pews are study the Scriptures themselves to make sure that the Pastor always preaches the truth.

It is the truth of God that we must guard against all those who would twist and turn God's Word into lies!

Only the Word of God is "sound speech"!

Only the Word of God cannot be condemned!

Only the Word of God does not contain evil!

It is the job of each Christian to stop our adversaries from destroying the truth of God.

The Scribes and the Pharisees watched the Lord Jesus very closely to see if He obeyed the Word of God and we know that He did because He had no sin in Him!

The preacher is to preach the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ is that is the power of God unto salvation! No other gospel can cause salvation!

God takes all the blame when His Word does not do as He says! Therefore, we must never abandon God's message!

Now after instructions for the aged men and aged women and young men and young ladies the Holy Spirit turns His attention to servants. In the day of Paul. These could be slaves as there were many slaves, but also to those who served any man for an income which we can associate to our job and the source of our own income!

*****Tit 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

Tit 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

In the day of the Apostle Paul there were millions of slaves throughout the Roman Empire. Many of those would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and so would many of the Masters of those slaves.

The Word of God needed to be precisely taught, in order to not cause confusion among these two groups of people.

The Word of God makes us free from this world but as long as we are in the world, we will have to abide by the laws of man as long as they do not go against the Word of God!

We are all to please our own masters when it can be done without sin!

We must understand that slavery does not come under attack in the New Testament because God has a better plan.

God does not approve of slavery! Slavery is a creation of evil men! Salvation in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only answer to slavery!

Slavery is still wide spread today because of the love of money and the lack of love for human beings.

Just like those who offer abortions, the love of money is more important than the love of human life!

All mankind are equal in the eyes of God.

All Christians have the same Father in Heaven who loves us all the same.

We as Christians can be made free spiritually, no matter our circumstances in this world.

No matter our standing in this world, Jesus Christ is our One True Lord and every knee will one day bow to Him!

Christian workmen are to be obedient to all things in the workplace, the exception being those things that would cause him or her to sin.

We must understand the workplace, is God's opportunity to provide for that family.

We must understand that the work itself, is a chance to serve humanity by providing a needed service, in fact if the work we do does not provide a service to humanity then we may need to hunt another job.

We are to look at the work we do as serving the Lord Jesus rather than some other human being lord over us.

The Christian worker is to follow the instructions in the workplace.

The Christian worker should be the best worker in that place of employment.

There should never be back talk from that Christian worker.

The Christian worker should never steal from the work place.

The Christian worker is to always be trustworthy and loyal to his place of employment.

The Christian worker is set the example of being Christlike no matter where he or she works.

Let's remember why all these things must be true to the Word of God!

Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

We might say " this is another thing we can blame on Adam and Eve”, but this is only partially true because we were never to be a people who are not to work.

Gen 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

The truth is that no matter where God has placed us we are always to do our best. This is the answer to all the questions about our work ethic!

Ecc 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

These things should never be too hard for the Christian!

*****Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

It should be obvious that when the Lord Jesus Christ shed His blood on Mount Calvary, it was for every human being. God does not leave anyone out. We as humans do this ourselves when we reject the Word of God!

As we have gone through these passages we have seen the glory of God's "Grace".

How does the average man or woman see "grace"?

1) Grace is that quality that makes things beautiful.

2) Grace is anything that has loveliness.

3) Grace is a gift or a favor someone might do for a friend.

How does the "Grace of God compare?

The Lord Jesus Christ died for all sinners, who were His enemies, and this does not leave anyone out.

1) Grace is the absolute favor of God given as a gift. Grace then is the favor of God to man who did not deserve His favor!

2) Grace is the kindness and love that God freely gives to His enemies!

3) Grace expresses the depth and richness of the heart and mind of God.

A man may on occasion may do something for his friends and be said to be gracious.

God freely gave God the Son Jesus to die for all His enemies.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

God's "Grace" cannot be earned, it is in fact completely undeserved and unmerited!

God's "Grace" is the totally free gift of God!

Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

God's Grace is our only means for salvation!

Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

God's Grace means all the good and beneficial things that God has given to us and all the wonderful things that God has done for us and keeps on doing!

The truth is we fall so short of God's glory, but it is our faith in the Work of Jesus Christ that is the cause of God's grace which closes the gap between us.

We could say that God's Grace is in fact, Jesus Christ!

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Death then is no more an obstacle to our life which becomes eternal life with our God!

The "good news" is that God's "Grace" by Jesus Christ, has brought salvation to all who call upon His name!

Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

So, what does God's "grace" teach us?

*****Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

What do we learn by the "Grace" of God?

**God's "grace" comes by the Lord Jesus Christ. God's grace teaches us to deny all ungodliness.

We are to mortify our flesh and take on the flesh of Jesus!

We are to reject, renounce, give up, and have nothing to do with ungodliness!

It’s like saying no to drugs but here all ungodliness! Ungodliness can be described as all wickedness and disregard for God and all the things of God, including God's children.

All the children of God will miss the wrath of God, but God's wrath will be revealed from Heaven against "all" ungodliness!

**God's "grace" comes by the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to mortify our flesh, so we can avoid worldly lust! Lust is any longing or desire, or having a craving, for the things that God has forbidden us to have or to partake in.

Remember Adam and Eve!

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Worldly lust would be all the desires of this world, that are not fit to be in Heaven!

There is nothing in this world we can present to God but the dirty rotten sinner that we are!

How do we describe these things?

Lusts will stir us to look, when we should not look.

Lusts will cause us to do, when we should not do.

Lusts will cause to get, when we should give more.

Lusts will cause us to be selfish and vicious, when we should sacrifice more and be kind.

Lusts will cause us to be immoral, when we should keep our selves pure.

Lusts will cause us to seek recognition in this world, rather than seek the recognition of God.

Worldly lusts will cause us to desire the things of this world, that attach us to this world, when we are only passing through this world, our home is in Heaven and nothing of this world will be in Heaven, but all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

If what we are doing are things that we would rather that God did not see, then it is sin to do those things!

Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

What else does the Word of God teach us?

**We are to live soberly. We must have self- control! We must be disciplined to the Word of God!

We will restrain the desires of our lust, and the desires to get more and more of this world.

We will save ourselves for our marriage.

We will control our desire for the material things of this world.

The one many of us have the most trouble with, we must control our desires for food and desire good health.

The longer we live, the longer we can serve God!

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

**We will live righteously. Righteously means doing things right, according to the Word of God.

We will treat others like we should, not the way this world treats most everyone! We will treat them as good as we treat ourselves.

We are to have no respect of persons but treat everyone with the same righteousness.

Php 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Php 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

**We are called Christians if we are like Christ! We are to live our life upon this earth as Jesus Christ led His life upon this earth.

If we are not looking forward to the day of Christ like it is tomorrow or even today, then we are not thinking right.

The Blessed Hope is the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ!

The Lord Jesus Christ will one day appear in the Eastern sky without warning, in all the "Glory of His majesty.

We must always be aware that the Lord could return to redeem the church He purchased with His own blood, at any time!

The blessed hope and the appearing of our Lord are both the same thing!

What is so great about the "blessed hope"?

"Blessed" means to be filled with happiness, prosperity, not riches but richness, all the benefits of a home in the glory world.

The "blessed hope" is the same day we will meet the Lord Jesus face to face.

Those who are not ready to meet Jesus, need to get ready!

1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The "Blessed Hope" is also the day we will be reunited with our loved ones and friends forever, who also trusted in the Lord!

This is the same day our own bodies will be glorified as that body that the Lord returned to Heaven in.

1Jn_3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

There will be no more pain, no more trials, no more suffering, no more evil and no more death!

There will be a brand new perfect world, of love, of joy and of peace!

Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

This will be the same time that we will see the rewards that Jesus will present to us but also the same day we will know the rewards that we could have gotten had we been true to Him all our saved days.

This will be the day we see our new home in the house of the Lord.

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

We can have all these things because the Lord gave Himself for us that we might live with Him!

The Lord Jesus Christ died for all our sins, He was our substitute!

Jesus Christ took all the sin since the time of Adam upon Himself and He buried all that sin in Hell where it was intended to be!

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

By our "faith" in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will be saved and set free from sin and sin's penalty!

Jesus Christ has made us to be peculiar people upon this earth, so we could be shaped for our new life!

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Jesus Christ died for us so that we could live for Him!

1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

It is all these things we must share with this lost and dying world! Just Paul did, just as Timothy did, just as Titus did and just as the Lord Jesus Christ did!

*****Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

The "grace" of God is to be proclaimed loudly and boldly to this world!

The church of today is filled with a bunch of wimps, who are ashamed of the 'Gospel"!

We are to preach or teach or witness to people the wonderful, the perfect, "Grace of God"!

We are to rebuke those who do not know the Lord but in the "grace of God".

We are to exhort, or encourage, people in the "grace of God"!

Those who reject the truth of God are fools, but we are not to address them as fools but only as a loving God reaching out to His creation!

Without a doubt, people need to know the truth, because we live in a world filled with the lies of Satan!

The truth of God will always bring results because it opens the doors for Holy Ghost conviction!

Since we have this great knowledge then why do we not share it with others?

Amen!