Titus 3:1-11

INTRODUCTION: Have you ever gone into a restaurant during the winter and notice the coat rack? It will probably have a dozen different hats and caps of all different description hanging along with coats and scarfs. That reminds me of the work of a gospel preacher He is called on to be about everything today. He baptizes, buries, marries, counsels, visits, plans, meets, and oh, yes, even finds time to preach a little on the side!

Seriously, preachers seem to have some many different "jobs" that I think sometimes we forget what our real job is all about! The book of Titus was written by the apostle Paul to the young evangelist Titus to remind him what his work as a gospel preacher was all about! In Titus 3 we can read of some things that Paul told Titus to do in his work. While not an exhaustive list, they are quite revealing in light of all the things that brethren believe is the work of gospel preachers.

BODY

I. THE EVANGELIST HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENCOURAGE RIGHT CONDUCT TOWARD THOSE OUTSIDE THE BODY. (Verses 1-2)

A. The preacher is to teach brethren to subject to the government.

1. Titus 3:1- Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,

2. Christians have a responsibility to be good citizens, obey the Law, and pray for their leaders.

3. Romans 13:1ff

4. 1 Peter 2:17- "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

5. The being "ready for every good work" seems to be those works relative to our responsibilities toward those in authority.

B. We are to be loving, gentle, and kind toward all!

1. Verse 2- "to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men."

2. 2 Timothy 2:24- "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,"

A. We should be patient toward all men because we were in sin too, before becoming Christians.

1. Titus 3:3- For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living
in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

2. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

B. We are saved by the grace of God, not by our own efforts of personal works!

1. Verses 4-7 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5- not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6- whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7- that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

2. 2 Timothy 1:9- "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,"

3. Ephesians 2:9-10

A. He must be constantly encouraging the brethren to do good works.

1. These seem to be good works for the Lord and toward others in need.

2. Verse 8- This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God
should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

3. This is the kind of works that are done by Christians for others to glory God and His church.

4. Ephesians 2:10- "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

5. Titus 2:14- "who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."

6. When brethren are laboring in the work of the Lord, they have little time to tear down the body of Christ.

B. Teach brethren to avoid endless disputes over matters not concerning salvation.

1. Verse 9- But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

2. Paul is urging Titus to train brethren to avoid arguing over matter where there is no value.

3. This "majoring in minors" is behind this passage. Titus is not to get himself tangled up with those who want to argue and fuss over useless matters.

C. Reject all those who cannot be turned about from useless and divisive matter in the church.

1. Verses 10-11 "Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11- knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned."

2. 2 Timothy 2:22-26

3. Romans 16:17- "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them."