July 14, 2014
DOING GOOD BECAUSE OF WHAT'S BEEN DONE FOR YOU
Titus 2
Matt Krauss
Central Truth
While we wait for Christ's glorious reappearance, we have a duty to continually yield our lives to God's goodness, as well as a responsibility to love others in a way that points them to the hope and salvation He offers through the death of His son Jesus Christ.
Key Verse | Titus 2:11–13
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13)
Titus 2
Teach Sound Doctrine
1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound 1 2:1 Or healthy; also verses 2, 8 doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants 2 2:9 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Dive Deeper | Titus 2
As I write these paragraphs, I am flying on a plane with the movie The Great Gatsby playing overhead. This classic is an out-of-control story of pleasure, wealth, selfishness, and power. I am convicted because even though I know how it ends (spoiler alert -- it's not pretty) I can't help but be drawn to the comfort and ease with which the characters live. Isn't that the American dream and the reason so many want to experience the opportunities and freedoms we have?
I often want to know what it takes to get something or somewhere in life and am willing to work hard for it. However, if my motivations are not pure, I am simply creating an idol and attempting to substitute it for my dependence on God. Our culture encourages this, chasing a hope or desire that leaves us empty and wanting more. As a believer in Christ Jesus, it also can be easy to just check the box on eternity and continue to blend in to a world that often compromises on truth and sells the fleeting.
Paul tells us, however, not to conform to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). In Titus 2, Paul urges us to be self-controlled, cloaked in love, pure, enduring, and full of integrity. As believers, we have the ability to win favor and a good name in the sight of both God and man if we bind love and faithfulness around our necks and write them on our hearts (Proverbs 3:3-4).
We ultimately answer to God and not man. Taking these responsibilities seriously results in a life ready for all seasons (2 Timothy 4:2), while making us look more like the One who didn't come to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). It also allows us to persevere as we wait for the ultimate and most fulfilling reward, the return of our great and glorious Savior.
Discussion Questions
1. What worldly desires distract you from living a Titus 2 life?
2. What can you do to deny those desires and live righteously?
3. What friends do you know who can help you stay sharp (Proverbs 27:17)? Call them today, confess, and encourage each other!
4. How much of your day is spent sharing or thinking about the goodness and glory of our Savior?