Obtaining the Promises of God

 Joshua Israel's New Leader

Book of Joshua Chapter 1

Who is this, Joshua?

The name "Joshua" as written can mean "Jehovah is his help" but it can also mean "Jehovah the Savior".

Joshua is sometimes written Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah but in the New Testament we see it written as Jesus.

Act 7:45  Which also our fathers that came after brought in with "Jesus" into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 

Act 7:46  Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 

We should not be confused by these things and if we study the context of the Scripture we will not be.

We see the same thing happen in the Book of Hebrews:

Heb 4:8  For if "Jesus" had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 

Joshua did not have it in his power to give rest to the people of God, only the Lord Jesus Christ has this power!

Again look at the context of this Scripture.

This Joshua is the son Nun to distinguish him from any other man name Joshua and there were others.

Joshua as a child was born into the slavery of Egypt and reached the age for military as he traveled to freedom with Moses and all of Israel.

No doubt as a young man He worked in the brick fields of Egypt.

We can believe all these things because it is Joshua, led by the Holy Spirit who has written all these things for us. 

It is Joshua who also wrote the final words of the Book of Deuteronomy after the death of Moses again led by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit does not make mistakes, so there are no mistakes in the "Received Text"!

We can say the Book of Joshua was written to the Israelites to teach them their great history and the mistakes they had made.

We also know that All Scripture is written for the Church!

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

The Book of Joshua shows us how Israel conquered and divided up the land promised to these descendants of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob.

The Book of Joshua shows all readers that God is faithful to keep His promises.

The main purpose to the Book of Joshua is to teach the Doctrines of God to the Israelites and to all readers of this precious book of the Old Testament, which means the New Testament Church.

Some of those Doctrines are:

The Doctrine of Faith.

The Doctrine of the Holiness of God.

The Doctrine of Sin. God will not tolerate evil and wickedness, not forever.

The Doctrine of "Mercy and Grace". Yes, we can see the "Grace" of God in the Old Testament and His "Mercy"!

The Doctrine of the "All Powerful" God of Creation.

The Doctrine of the "All Knowing" God of knowledge.

The Doctrine of the Sovereign Ruler of all Creation.

The Doctrine that states that God places people in certain locations for His Own Purposes!

*****Jos 1:1  Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 

Jos 1:2  Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 

Moses at the age of 120 years old had now been taken out of the picture by God Himself, his purpose complete and God told Joshua to fill in the gap that Moses left behind.

It is our duty to answer the call of God!

Moses was a mighty man of God. How could anyone fill in for him?

Moses had already selected Joshua by the word of God and had already begun his training.

Deu 31:14  And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Deu 31:23  And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee. 

It was Moses that had established Israel as a nation through the guidance of Jehovah making him the father of the nation of Israel.

A band of Egyptian slaves had become the nation that had set back Egypt for many years which they have never really overcome.

It was time for Israel to leave off mourning for what was, and accept what God had planned for the destruction of the sinful nations of Canaan Land

Gen_15:16  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

On a much smaller scale than the worldwide flood, Israel was the hand of God for the destruction of the sin full people of Canaan Land.

They needed a strong leader and God gave them Joshua.

Joshua was now the Commander-in-Chief of the new nation of Israel.

We should understand Moses was a great man of God, but his death did not affect the plan of God.

God simply selects some other human to keep the plan of God moving forward at all times!

If Joshua for some reason rejected the call of God, God would simply have chosen someone else.

When God plan is in action, He will then provide all the tools and materials necessary to keep moving forward in the work God has given all the Church to accomplish.

The "providence" of God is always in His hands, and it does not depend upon any one upon this earth, or anywhere else humans are seeking to run and hide.

*****Jos 1:3  Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 

It was the death of Moses that opened the door for Joshua, so we see that it is God who is the giver of life and only He can take a life.

Satan may have had the power of death before the work of the Lord Jesus was completed, but he could not cause death at his will, he needed the permission of God, and he still does today.

Satan answers to God, Jehovah God and he is also condemned to Hell which is why the world is moving so fast toward wicked, immoral corrupted, iniquity.

Some of the promises God made to Abraham were becoming reality.

The walk of Abraham had defined the boundaries of the nation of Israel more than four hundred years prior to the day of Joshua.

Moses had led the children of Israel right up to the shores of the River Jordan, right at the most awkward time of the rainy season, but God had a reason even for this.

It would be Joshua that led the crossing of Jordan!

What were the boundaries that God set aside for the nation of Israel?

*****Jos 1:4  From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 

South: the desert of Negev.

North: Lebanon. Mount Lebanon the tallest mountain of Syria.

East: the Euphrates River.

West the Mediterranean Sea.

To this day, Israel has never possessed all this land and will not until the return of Christ Jesus.

Why? Many of them became cowards.

Many of them refused to obey the Word of God.

The closest that Israel ever came to control of all this land was in the days of King David and King Solomon.

It is at the death of King Solomon when Israel became a divided nation and disappeared from History for a time.

A divided nation cannot stand in this world of sin!

America is more divided today than it has ever been in our brief history and America could disappear from history and it is because of our corrupt, and wicked, and immoral government!

Why is this so true? Because America has booted God out!

Why did Israel begin to show dominance for many years? It was because God was with them until they demanded God to leave.

What was God's promise to Israel?

*****Jos 1:5  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 

What wonderful words given to a new leader.

God promised Joshua that no nation would be able to stand against him.

To us this means as a believer, we will have a full life, a victorious life, if we continue to serve the Lord with all our heart!

We know that as this new nation of Israel moved forward, they would face many obstacles.

We can also say the same thing about them today as much of the world hates them without a reason.

This tiny nation of Israel has met many a foe on the battlefield, all of them trying to erase them as a nation, but God has not allowed this to happen, and the Bible says He will not allow it to happen.

God promises those who love Him a full and victorious life, but we must also move forward claiming victory over the obstacles we face.

We can do this because we are never alone!

With the power of God there is no obstacle that we cannot overcome!

It begins with obedience!

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 

1Jn 5:5  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

We have the promise of our Savior that He will never forsake us.

Even on those days we may not feel our Lord God, we have the assurance that He is with us.

Our life is not about feelings, our life is about the promises of God!

This is one of the greatest promises God has given to us, that He will never forsake us!

No matter what trouble, no matter what difficulty, no matter what problem we face, God will never leave us and He will walk with us through these things!

*****Jos 1:6  Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 

Joshua had been an eyewitness, as these people had rebelled against Moses many times.

The challenge of Israel was very great to be a conqueror of the many nations of Canaan Land.

They needed a leader who was equipped to manage these times and it was Joshua.

Joshua was God's man!

What was Joshua first task? He was to trust God! He was to be strong and very courageous!

When God calls us, He knows that our task will not be easy. If it was easy, then anyone could do it without God!

The army of God must be strong and courageous. 

When we put on the armor of God we are not dressing for peace, we are dressing for war!

We are to be obedient to the Word of God.

We are to never stop sharing the Word of God.

We are to meditate on God's Word day and night!

The result of obedience to God will always be prosperity and success! This does not mean riches. 

It means all that we put our hands to, that is in the will of God, will prosper!

Again, it takes strength in the Lord and obedience to overcome discouragement!

*****Jos 1:7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 

God did not place Joshua in this position of leadership to be lord over this people!

They would follow Joshua if he continued to follow the Lord.

Until till the last days of Joshua's life, every day brought a new enemy to defeat.

Every year brought a new enemy.

Every day he had to send the young people of Israel into battle, and he would witness the blood shed of many of them.

These things are hard on any commander. Joshua would need much courage and strength.

No matter where we are on the battlefield of the Lord, we must know that we cannot do these things in our own strength so our relationship with the Lord must be steady and enduring.

We must follow the Word of God not veering to the left or to the right.

The pathway to Heaven remains a narrow path and few will ever find it.

Mat_7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

God will reveal to us the obstacles we will face by teaching us the deep things of God!

1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 

1Co 2:11  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 

1Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 

1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

The key to our prosperity in this world is obedience to all the Word of God!

Again this does not mean riches!

How are we to study the Word of God?

*****Jos 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 

In order for Joshua to succeed as the Commander-in-Chief of Israel, he was to know and obey all the Word of God. (Which is a type of Christ)

This has not changed for every national leader today! They have the same instructions, no matter who they are or where they are located!

We must never turn our backs to the Word of God as we see this world do so today.

If there is a godly leader in this world today, they are noticeably quiet and ashamed of the Word of God, because they are too silent!

God will give us purpose, a sense of achievement and a fulfillment throughout our Christian Life, but only if we obey God by meditating in His Word day and night, throughout our lifetime.

In other words, we should always be doing what God says to do!

Deu 5:29  O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! 

This is the key to our success in the plan of God!

Again, we must be strong and courageous in the things of God!

*****Jos 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 

If God says a thing one time, then it is enough, but when God says things three times then He knows how easy it will be for us to get discouraged when we see what is going on in our world.

We must never let these things keep us from serving the Lord!

We must be strong and courageous as we walk through our Christian Life.

We must know that when God gave these lands to Abraham, all Abraham had was his faith and he had enough faith that he could trust the Word of God is true.

Abraham trusted in the promises of God, and it is no different for us here today.

Now in this day of Joshua more than four hundred years later, Joshua is in position to begin fulfilling some of God's promises to Abraham.

We should know that the land promised to Abraham was indeed the land called Palestine. Palestine is an area and not the name of some country.

We should also know that the land promised to Abraham also refers to the New Heaven. 

Canaan Land is just a symbol of God's Promise.

Rom 4:13  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 

The inheritance that Abraham had so much faith in, refers to the entire world, the New Universe which God is going to recreate in the very end.

It is not this world we live in now that is so full of sin, immorality, and wicked corruptness!

This world that is wasting away, deteriorating, running down, that our world calls "Climate Change". They have seen nothing yet!

2Pe 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 

2Pe 3:5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 

2Pe 3:6  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 

2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 

2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The promise to Abraham refers to the New Heaven and the New Jerusalem, our Heavenly Home!

Rev 21:10  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

All these things Abraham knew and, on this day, Joshua would begin that journey with Israel as they would cross the River Jordan.

This is where Joshua would derive his courage and his strength!

It was the promises made to Abraham that drove Joshua to be the great man of God that he was, and we should be encouraged just as Joshua was encouraged.

Gen 12:1  Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 

Gen 12:2  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 

Gen 12:3  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 

Joshua told this new nation of Israel, "let us go an obtain the promises of God".

This is exactly what the Church is doing today!

*****Jos 1:10  Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 

Jos 1:11  Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it. 

After forty years the long-awaited command came. "prepare the people for we are going to cross the River Jordan".

We should remember that this people of Israel would have been several million people.

There is not an army on the face of the earth that can go from rest to moving forward for war in three days, which shows us how Moses had prepared this army.

This was not just the army but also all their families and livestock.

We should also think about those three days!

Three days to our Lord Jesus was the time of His death to His resurrection.

In three days, this rag tag bunch of slaves would resurrect as the nation of Israel.

We should be able to see the typology of all these things.

What do we know? We know that God had spoken to Joshua and the crossing of the Jordan was to be done at once.

As Israel had been at camp until this command came, they had certainly seen that the River Jordan was running out of its banks at this time of the year.

In our service to the Lord, we had better understand that the natural things must be exhausted before the supernatural is brought in.

At this time we believe the "manna" had ceased and the word "victuals" would mean the food that was natural to their surroundings.

Jos 5:12  And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. 

We also believe that before this command was given, that Joshua had already sent out those spies to Jericho, and they had returned.

On this side of this flooded river was Israel ready for war and on the other side stood the walled city of Jericho, which had to fall for Israel to be successful.

Jericho had already heard of the wars Israel had already fought, and won, and the city was afraid of Israel.

Between them lay a vast expanse of rushing water.

Joshua commanded this people of God "to prepare", then "passover" and then "to possess".

We must understand as a soldier in God's Army, we must always be prepared, and we have that "Heavenly Manna" with us at all times if we are carrying the Word of God.

We must feed on the Lord Jesus Christ; He is our Passover!

No doubt that many of these people had the fear of death for war brings death!

But to the child of God, death has but one meaning and that meaning is New Life.

There would be no possessing of that land until they crossed over the flood waters of the River Jordan.

As Christians we have nothing on this side of Jordan, but the New Heaven, the New Jerusalem lie on the other side.

What lies on the other side will be the treasures of God! 

A share of the inheritance of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Still that raging river seemed unsurpassable.

But the Lord will always say:

Jos 3:5  And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. 

When the flood waters of this world are raging, then this is when we need to trust the Lord the most!

Mar_6:50  For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

We must never forget that as we travel in this life, the Lord Jesus Christ will walk before us showing us the way!

We know that God would stop the flow of the River Jordan and several million Israelites would cross the River Jordan on dry land!

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!