Christians and the Government

Order Between the Church and Governments

Book of Titus Chapter 3

As we get into this lesson we must realize, this passage is not about the rulers of government and their behavior, because God has chosen them according to His continuing will.

Paul is writing to Titus and the Church, to each believer and our duty to the state.

In most cases we can do very little about the authorities and our government, or how they conduct their affairs.

The one thing we can do, is when we get the opportunity to vote, we vote for those who claim to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior even if we know it could affect our incomes. God will hold them accountable!

We should never forget that God has promised to provide our needs in every situation!

We know by now that God is very, very clear about the behavior of every believer!

We know that one of the evilest of the Caesars, Nero was ruler of the entire Roman Kingdom at the time Paul wrote these words to Titus and to the Church. Not many rulers have been as evil Nero though there have been some.

*****Tit 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

As Christians who are citizens of Heaven and preside right now in the nations of this world, we are to obey the laws of the nation where we are located.

It is our duty to obey those who are in authority in the places where we live.

This includes the local government and the national government!

We as Christians are to be subject of and obedient to them by the laws in place!

It should be obvious we should never do anything that goes against the will of God at any time!

In most all governments there is an attempt to keep the peace and to put down all chaos.

We should see this passage as the commands of God, as we do in all the Word of God!

The Holy Spirit would not have used the word "subject" if we were not to obey our rulers for the sake of public good.

Our conscience, by the Holy Spirit, upheld by the Word of God, will dictate our actions when our own government causes chaos to Christians.

It is the governments job to keep law and order, so societies can flourish rather than be as the unruly beast as described of the people of Crete.

If there were no communities, nor societies, and no life, there would only be selfishness and lawlessness.

As Christians we are to set the example for all others in this world to see, while showing the fruit of the Holy Spirit!

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.

When laws are written to outlaw the fruit of the Holy Spirit, then we must obey the Lord above all governments!

We must understand that chaos is not in the will of God.

Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Law and order in every land is in the will of God!

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

When we claim to be Christians, God expects us to act like Christians in every situation we face!

1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

1Pe 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

As Christian citizens, we are to always be ready to do "good works"!

In most all cases it is the Christian who should be the first to reach out to meet the needs of the community where we live, and all communities have needs!

Our Pastor would not be run down all the time, if he did not feel the need for what he does, and we should be no different!

In fact, we could say here at Gethsemane, our Pastor can be our example in the doing of good works in our own community!

*****Tit 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

No one, Christian or lost, should be slandered or verbally abused and torn down!

We must understand that we do certainly live in an evil world and there will be somethings that we must bear.

I read something today that said if Donald Trump had not become president, we would never have known all the corruptness of the previous administration and the abuse behind the backs of the people. I’m sure we have not heard it all yet and no one would admit the abuse of women and children that was going on by people in high places.

If people shut their eyes to corrupt governments, these things will never change!

As Christians we are not to slander anyone nor speak evil against any citizen, not even those who have proven to be evil.

This is the Word of God and not my interpretation of the Word of God. Verse 2 says speak evil of no man and this includes women.

Meekness is the surrender to all the Divine Will of God, but we are still to be bold in presenting the Word of God to all who will listen to us.

We must totally understand that we will never reach the lost when we slander them and put them down. They already know how to be lost our job is to teach them how to be saved!

Pro 11:9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

We are never to be a fighting, contentious, person.

We are never to walk around like we have a chip on our shoulder.

We should never be looking for an argument or a fight over the Scriptures.

But we must always take a stand on the truth of God under all circumstances!

Pro 3:30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

As Christians we must be gentle. Men will understand this better by saying courteous rather than gentle.

We as Christians we are to reach out to all the people of the world with the "Gospel”, so we can explain God's "grace" which is the absolute best way we can show our gentleness!

Meekness is strong self-control as we know that the Lord had to possess when He spent His time on this earth!

We have no better example than the Lord Jesus in all these things.

We must remember where we came from!

*****Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

We are still only sinners who have partaken of the "Grace" of God!

The person who continues to reject the truth of God, is certainly a foolish person!

Foolish means, having no understanding of Spiritual matters as used in this Scripture.

We are not to call them fools but their actions are indeed foolish.

Praise God, He will still save the foolish. I know because I was once a fool!

Everyone who rejects God is also disobedient, which means they refuse to obey the Word of God!

Today we have more problems with our younger generation because they do not obey their parents, which leads to disrespect of all authority and we see much more violence in our streets!

Psa 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Psa 53:2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

Psa 53:3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

We must claim the Word of God and be obedient to it!

2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

All those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ are deceived by this world, which means being misled and led astray of the truth of God.

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.

All those without the Lord Jesus Christ are enslaved by the lust of this world. How do I know? I was once amongst them!

That word "lusts" means passionate cravings, passionate desires, passionate urges, that we allow to dictate our actions by giving into them!

All those who are lost are enslaved by the works of this world in one way or another!

The Lord Jesus Christ gives us the strength to overcome these things.

Everyone in this world faces temptations, but the Lord shows us by example how to overcome them!

This Scripture, (verse 3) should not bother those who love the Lord because we know what we once were. Thank the Lord "I use to be one of these" but not anymore!

Those who live without the Lord are evil in nature and most have an evil disposition!

These are those same people who look for the worst in people and set out to ruin their testimony!

These are the very same ones who put themselves first no matter how it affects others including those they say they care about!

1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

A person without God most always lives in envy, they covet the possessions of others. In fact, they covet them so much they will seek ways to take them away from that person.

We live in a world where most everyone you meet are not satisfied with the life they lead but not many of them care to change.

Envy can also cause depression along with other physical problems which may lead to lawlessness!

Pro 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

We must also know that those who are without the Lord can be very hateful!

It is very easy to hate others if you do not know the love of God!

Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

We live in a world of hate and the one who is hated the most is, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Hatred will consume you until it destroys you. I serve a God who is called Love because He has no hate for any human being!

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

*****Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

People just do not understand that there is power in kindness!

In fact, our salvation comes from the "kindness" of our Savior!

Without God's kindness we would never know God's "Grace"!

The pattern of all kindness is set before us in the Bible, in the behavior of God toward us!

The wealth of God's "grace" is shown to us in the Lord Jesus Christ!

God is not far off having no concern for His creation!

In fact, to the "Born Again" child of God, God is very near to each one who wears the seal of the Holy Spirit because He dwells within each Christian!

All those who say they cannot get their prayers answered, maybe they first need to repent of their sin! God has promised to answer every prayer that reaches into His throne room!

God is not some Supreme Being hovering over every human being to smack them down every time they make a mistake.

God is also not some loving Grandfather type being, that allows just anything to go on.

In fact, God hates worldliness!

Salvation comes from God’s love for each of us!

God reached out to man because as the Supreme Creator, God has great affection for all His Creation!

God loves us so much that He acted to save each one of us!

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

The one thing we must realize is that we cannot work our way into Heaven. God gave us all the Scriptures, so we can understand what He has already done and just believe in the Son of God who paid the sin debt of every human being, no matter where they come from!

It is a fact we cannot earn our righteousness by good works because we have no good works.

Common sense says we are all just growing older until we die and if we would just open our eyes we would see that all God's creation is just ageing to the point that one day it will not exist!

Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Salvation comes only by God's "Mercy" which has been dipped into God's "Grace"!

God sees the need for our salvation and provides the only method by which we can be saved!

Mic 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

So just how does God save us?

By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit)!

There is no other means of salvation!!!!!

Salvation is a regeneration!

Salvation is a new birth.

Salvation is Spiritual New Birth!

Being "born again" is a definite experience!

Being "born again" is a noticeable changed life!

Being "born again" is a totally new life!

Salvation can only through the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what the Oprah and the rest of the world says. God says it and that settles it!

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who pours out the Holy Spirit upon us and within us.

We could not have the Holy Spirit except by the Lord Jesus Christ!

The power of the Christian is the Holy Spirit, so when you say you have no power to standup for the Lord, then you are saying that the Holy Spirit has no power, when the Holy Spirit is the most powerful force that exist!

Without the Holy Spirit we cannot be a child of God!

Without the Holy Spirit we will remain totally unacceptable to God!

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

All the work of the Church is powerless without the Holy Spirit.

The biggest problem with the church in this Church Age is that the Holy Spirit has been quench by false doctrine in many places of worship!

We cannot be justified without the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are without Christian power without the Holy Spirit.

We are without salvation without the "Grace" of God.

1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

If you still do what you use to do, then you are not saved, it is just that simple!

*****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.

If this is a faithful saying, then this is a warning to all to all those who call themselves Christian!

We must be careful to maintain good works after our salvation!

Salvation does not mean any sort of works have saved us and it does not mean that any sort of works will keep us saved, it only means that the works we do after salvation are just the opposite from the works we did before salvation.

If other people cannot see Jesus Christ in us and the works of Jesus that we should be doing, then we are not saved, bearing in mind the baby Christian who is still learning what God expects from them!

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.

We will now see the second warning in verse 9.

The Word of God is not to be debated. As believers we must reject foolish and controversial discussions that go against the Word of God!

We have the truth and the truth cannot be debated, it is what it is!

This includes foolish questions, God says what He means, and God means what He says.

Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

We are wasting our time on genealogies. Just as all Jews spring from Abraham and Sarah, just because Abraham trusted in the Lord did not mean that all Jews were saved.

Just because my mother and my grandmother, and many others who have gone on to meet with the Lord, had faith in the truth of God, it does not make me also to be saved.

Being restored in a fellowship with God can only be settled with our own personal relationship with Him!

There are 613 Jewish laws and those who would argue and strive over those laws are foolish because it was impossible for anyone to keep all those laws all the time.

Even as a baby we are all born into sin!

The Jews had preserved all the Old Testament, but all the Old Testament will only lead you to the coming of Jesus Christ!

Contention is strife in words or debate; quarrel; angry contest; controversy. The Word of God is the absolute truth of our world and of ourselves and no debate can change the truth of God!

If you will take time to get personal with God the Father, you will also know God the Son, who is the Lord Jesus Christ!

2Ti 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

Let's look at warning number three.

*****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.

A heretic is someone who rejects some or all the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ!

God says that we cannot pick and choose what parts of the Scriptures we will believe and what part we refuse to accept as the truth.

This is the second reason that there are so many different translations today.

The first reason is that the KJV Bible copyright has expired and with many changes to the Scriptures, some can get a new copyright and therefore they are in it for the money, they are not sincere about your salvation!

When we try to pick and choose what we believe, we have called God a liar!

1Jn 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

This is the one true Scripture that is rejected the most today and Paul wrote to Titus, by the Holy Spirit, to prepare these Churches to defend the truth of God!

Anyone, I say anyone, who rejects the truth of God and chooses what they believe while rejecting the Word of God is bound for Hell because this sin cannot be forgiven!

This is the same for those who would take the Word of God and twist it to become a different meaning from what God intended!

These who will do such things will not only answer for themselves at the White Throne Judgement, but they will also answer for everyone they have led astray from the truth of God!

2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

There may be many different opinions of what God means but those who intentionally seek to promote discord in the church will see the wrath of God and not the "Grace" of God!

All heretics need to be removed from the church!

And now Paul will begin to close out these Scriptures.

*****Tit 3:12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

Paul had some other things to discuss with Titus, so he was going to send Artemas or Tychicus to replace him until he could return.

We already know that Tychicus would travel to take the Word of God to the many places where the many churches were established but he could also step in for any other Pastor.

Not much is known about Artemas except to say he was trusted to preach the truth of the Word of God and would go where he was sent.

Tradition states that Artemas became the Pastor at the church at Lystra.

His name Artemas means given by Diana, which would mean that he had at one time been a worshiper of this pagan goddess.

And Paul continues:

*****Tit 3:13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

Just as Artemas, this is the only place we see this lawyer named Zenas.

It is very possible that Zenas and Apollos had been sent to help Titus on the Island of Crete. We can also see that Zenas was someone who could not devote all his time to the Church. Like many he had to support himself, so he could be in the ministry without the help of the church but with much help from the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is always good to have a lawyer who loves the Lord and Paul needed advice from this lawyer as he soon would be defending himself before Nero.

Some say Zenas was a Jew, but his name would seem to connect him to the pagan god Zeus, who had been converted to Christianity.

It should be clear that the Lord needs committed laymen in the Church, those who will not rob God of His tithes and offerings.

Apollos was a Jew born in Alexandria who had been well versed in the Old Testament but did not know the Lord Jesus Christ until he met Aquila and his wife Priscilla who taught him the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ.

It could be that Titus was in possession of the funds necessary to pay the expenses of this trip to join the Apostle Paul and Paul knew or Paul had given this fund to Titus when he was sent to the island of Crete.

*****Tit 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Good works are those works that grow out of a loving personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!

It should be obvious that those sitting in the pews are to support the Church and also support the missionaries and evangelist.

It is our job as Christians to support those who take the "Gospel" to all the places in this world beginning with our own communities, and our own families.

1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Those who are the richest are all those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

*****Tit 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

As life goes on and no matter where we travel, all those who claim the Lord Jesus Christ, are our brothers and sisters in Christ and we need to treat them that way!

All those with Paul were also praying for the church or churches on the Island of Crete and we must also pray for the other churches we know of!

If we cannot support those we call missionaries and evangelists and Pastors, we can certainly urgently pray for them!

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

2Th 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2Th 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

When we cannot help our brothers and sisters in Christ, who gave Himself for us, it does not speak well for us!

Thank goodness that we have our own Church here at Gethsemane that supports not only the church but also many missionaries.

There are always those who rob God of His tithes and offerings.

Amen

Let's Pray!

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!