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[0:00] Titus 2. Titus 3.

[1:00] Titus 3.

[1:30] Titus 3.

[1:59] Titus 3.

[2:29] Titus 3.

[2:59] Titus 3.

[3:29] Titus 3.

[3:59] Titus 3.

[4:29] Titus 3.

[4:59] Titus 3.

[5:29] Titus 3.

[5:59] Titus 3.

[6:29] So by now, I think we know how important the truth was to Paul, right? And we see that once again here in chapter 2. It tells us, verse 1. It tells us, verse 1, Paul instructs Titus to teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

[6:44] Brothers and sisters, let's say, you know, the times when you know you have to say something to say something to someone, but you just don't really want to, right?

[6:56] Like the scripture we pray for the truth, right?

[7:26] Paul instructs this. Paul instructs thisriver in the same thing tos 0.

[7:40] in faith, in love, and in endurance. And it's no surprise that Paul actually addresses the older men first, because in Paul's time and his culture, older men were the leaders in their households, in their positions in work and in government.

[7:57] They were addressed first, but also more was expected of them. So to the older men here, how do we measure up? Unfortunately, I think I'm starting to count in this category as well.

[8:13] And as I reflect on this passage, I think there's a tendency sometimes for us older men, as we grow older, to become cynical, to become angry, cranky.

[8:25] And what I think Paul is urging us here, as we get older, don't give in to this temptation of the world. Throughout history, manly men don't talk about their feelings, right?

[8:37] They show tough love, they man up, they take a concrete pill. But sadly, that sometimes results in men that lash out. They get angry at their wives, they become impatient with their children.

[8:50] That's exactly what this passage here is reminding us. Don't. We need to be temperate. We need to be worthy of the respect that we want. We need to be self-controlled.

[9:02] So for us older guys out there, where do we stand? Do we demand that respect from our peers, from our children, from our spouses? Or are we actually deserving of that respect, the way that we act, the way that we speak, the things we think about?

[9:20] Paul tells Titus that firstly, godly men should be temperate. They shouldn't be easily angered, in other words. They need to be self-controlled. They have to be worthy of the respect they so desperately crave.

[9:34] Are we as men sound in our faith and love, and in our endurance? Do we set examples for those who look up to us?

[9:45] Or do we give up easily sometimes, as a tendency may be, as we get older? We say things like, oh, it's always been done that way in this church. It will never get better. Or maybe, that's the way I grew up.

[9:58] So kids nowadays should do the same. Do we set a good example in our faith, in our love, in our endurance, as this Bible verse reminds us? Do we trust that God, do we trust in the God that provides, and sets, and makes a way?

[10:16] We want the younger generation to think, when they see us, I want to be passionate for Christ, like he is. And not, I hope I don't lose my fire, like that guy.

[10:30] Moving on, Paul teaches older women, to be reverent in the way they live. Not to be slanderous, or addicted to too much wine, but to teach what is good. And this means, older women should live in a way, that honors God also.

[10:45] Teaching others, what is good. Perhaps as older women, you don't, oh, I don't really gossip too much. I don't really drink. But does your lifestyle, honor God?

[10:57] Are there other addictions, in your life, that you can't, really resist? Maybe, the shows you watch on TV, drama, shopping, food.

[11:08] Is it on your mind, to set an example, for younger sisters, in Christ, younger women? Or do you just, go to the things, that make you happy, that satisfy you a little bit?

[11:23] Temporary things. Paul reminds us, us, Paul reminds older women, that they should be teaching younger women. Teaching them things like, loving their husbands, and their children.

[11:36] To live pure lives, being self-controlled, and attentive, to their households. Now we may look at this, and we may feel, ah, I don't know, does it really apply to us, as younger women, as older women, in this day and age.

[11:50] Now I don't think, Paul is here, is saying, women can't have careers, that they can't be focused, on their work. Not at all. But what I think, Paul might be saying is, if you are a wife, if you are a mother, the household, may be, your primary area, of service.

[12:08] Your identity, may have changed. You, may have once been, an engineer, an accountant, an architect, a worker, an employee. But that, may have now changed, to be a wife, a mother.

[12:24] I think, Paul's call for women, to be busy at home, means, that the temptation, that they can, fight the temptation, to be outside of it. In our culture, we may often define, a person's worth, by their job, what they do, for a living.

[12:41] We see power suits, and girl bosses, and we think, wow. But then on the other hand, we see aprons, and nappies, and messy buns, and we think, eh. But the gospel, defines things, very differently.

[12:56] Later on in the verse, we see how salvation, teaches us to say no, to ungodliness, and worldly passions. So for girls, I just want to remind you, your worth, isn't defined, by your job, your career, and how much money, you bring in.

[13:10] Although these things, aren't wrong, in themselves. They are important, and if that's what God, has given to you right now, praise him, and do your best. But here, I think Paul is urging, older women, to set an example, for younger women, to teach them, there may be more important things, and may be more important, to be content, with what they have, in front of them.

[13:34] And that may mean, serving their families, looking after the household. And moving on, Paul addresses, young men. And I think, Paul understands, young men very well, because, all he tells them, is to be self-controlled.

[13:50] He probably knows, that saying anything longer, may be too much, for their short attention span. But then, Paul switches his attention, to Titus himself. You see, he addresses Titus.

[14:02] He says, you, show them, you set an example, by doing what is good. As a young man himself, Paul was urging Titus, to show integrity, seriousness, soundness of speech, so that, they may be, shining examples, for Christ.

[14:21] And no one, will have anything, bad to say about them. Titus was being, encouraged, to show the lads, what godly living, looked like. So if you count yourself, as a young man, sitting here today, firstly, Paul encourages you, to be self-controlled.

[14:40] But also, to set an example, for your friends, whatever you call yourselves, the gang, the boys, the crew, all of your peers, around you. Paul, as a missionary, he always has this, gospel work, front of mind.

[14:55] He urges Titus, to teach all these things, for what reason? So that people, will have nothing, bad to say about you. So that you, may be an example, for our God.

[15:07] Have you noticed? The young men, are encouraged, the young women, sorry, are encouraged, so to, encouraged to act, in a certain way, so that no one, will malign, or speak bad of, the word of God.

[15:21] The young men, are encouraged, so that they, may be able, to oppose those, and, against, sorry, oppose you, oppose you, may be, those people, that oppose you, may be ashamed, because they have, nothing bad to say, about you.

[15:37] And later on, slaves and workers, are encouraged, so that they will make, teaching about God, our savior, attractive. Whether you're, a young guy, or girl, you are the next generation, and maybe it's time, to take your faith, seriously.

[15:52] This is the stuff, that matters. You will lead families, you will lead governments, you will lead workplaces, in the future. I encourage you, to keep these things, in your heart, so that you will, go through your lives, and you will glorify, God our savior.

[16:07] And finally, Paul here, addresses the slaves. And I think, it's safe to say, that we don't really, have slaves nowadays, even though in our jobs, we may, we may act like, we're working as hard, as slaves.

[16:21] But, I think our goal, as employees, should be, to make our God, our savior, attractive. And how we get there, looks like, showing we can be trusted, not stealing anything, try to please.

[16:39] And honestly, church, this was a little bit, difficult to write. Because, at face value, I think I do none of these things, right? I mean, I try to drink at least, three coffees at work, a day, but I don't think, that counts as stealing.

[16:55] I think, my workplace, trust me not to burn, the place down, as I work, after hours. But, as I spent more time in this, I got a little bit confronting. There's a couple of ideas, floating around, nowadays, right?

[17:09] Have you heard of, quiet quit, or anti-work? The idea that you do, the absolute, bare minimum, just enough, so that your boss, or your manager, won't tell you off.

[17:21] But that's not, what the word of God says. Church, we're asked to please, our employer, our masters, our earthly ones, to bless them.

[17:32] That, is how we can make, God, our saviour, attractive. So, what does that look like, for you? Maybe, you need to, need to switch off Netflix, when you're working from home.

[17:44] Maybe, you actually need to be home, while you're working from home. Or, maybe you need to sleep, an hour or two earlier, to wake up refreshed, for your job.

[17:55] I know, wild stuff. Whatever, absolutely radical changes, the spirit inspires you to make, remember, we are, called to be, counter-cultural.

[18:07] This is going to be, different, from your workmates, your colleagues. All these things, whether in our families, or in our workplaces, will make us different, to those around us.

[18:18] We need to be aware, of employers, that may be, demanding, unreasonable, even abusive sometimes. We need to be careful. But also, keep it in mind, that, like Paul is reminding us, we are called, to bless, our earthly bosses, so that it pleases, our heavenly one.

[18:39] Reading through this list, there's a lot of practical advice, that we're given by Paul. How to be a godly member, of our family. How to build, godly families. But, if all we see, is a list of commands, I think we fall into, another trap.

[18:56] It says, be good, right? I can't, so try harder. It also says, don't be bad. I'm trying. Try harder. But church, that's not the gospel.

[19:10] That's not the good news. That may be condemnation. And Paul himself tells us, that there is no condemnation, for those, who are in Christ Jesus. If all we can see, is to read these 10 verses, as commandments, and see how we measure up, and get depressed, because we can't follow them, I think we're reading this a little bit wrong.

[19:31] If all we see are these 10 verses, and we bash our young people, for not being sound in their speech, or we look down on the people older than us, for not being worthy of respect, we're reading it a little bit wrong.

[19:44] We have to read verses 1 to 10, alongside the next five. Paul says, we do all of these things, we even begin to try to do all these things, because the grace of God has appeared.

[19:57] And the grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all people. And once again, Paul keeps the gospel central in his teaching, right? The grace of God, Jesus Christ himself, appeared and offered us salvation, through his sacrifice on the cross.

[20:15] So when we miss the mark, like the first 10 verses set out for us, there is no more condemnation. There is no more judgment.

[20:27] When we fail, we aren't judged, because Jesus Christ, already bore all condemnation on the cross. He saved us. We aren't doing it, by our own strength.

[20:41] We can rely on his grace daily. Verse 12 teaches us, to say no to ungodliness, and worldly passions. The Holy Spirit himself, has been given to us, to help us say no to temptation, to transform our desires, to want the things of God.

[20:59] Isn't that the good news? But that's not all. While verse 11 tells us, that grace has appeared, verse 13 actually tells us, we are waiting for a second appearance of Jesus.

[21:12] Not grace this time, but of glory. There will come a day, when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be shown to this world.

[21:24] He will return, and this time, it won't be as a baby, born quietly in a manger. No. The second coming of Christ, will reveal him in power, in strength, and in glory.

[21:39] Philippians chapter 2, verse 10 to 11 says, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. And every tongue acknowledge, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.

[21:54] Revelations tells us, that he will be coming, with the clouds, and all the people, will see him on earth. There will be a time, where Jesus will appear again, and we will be judged.

[22:07] For those that have accepted Christ, as their personal Savior, grace, gives us assurance, for that future day. Grace, gives us assurance, that we are redeemed, from God's judgment.

[22:21] If you haven't accepted, that grace yet, I urge you to turn to him, to accept this free gift, gift of salvation. Because when you do, you will learn that, it's more than just being saved, from destruction.

[22:36] For us, that's living, in between these two appearances, of Christ, grace also gives us assurance, for this present age. It shapes our lives, and it gives us hope, and an eagerness, to do what is good.

[22:51] Grace is how we can even, begin to try, to do these good works, that Paul has laid out. earlier in the chapter. The gospel, is what changes us, to want to do, what is good.

[23:06] So yes, the gospel, is good news, for the last day. But it is also, good news, for the next day. Finishing these verses, it would be wrong, it would be wrong, to see Paul's instructions, as just a list, of do's and don'ts, to follow.

[23:24] I mean, maybe I'm not a young woman, so to be kind, doesn't apply to me, you may think. I'm an older guy, so, you know, I need to be worthy, of respect. But maybe I'm not, an older guy, so I don't need, to be respected.

[23:37] But what I think, Paul is also getting here, at here, is the importance, of community. Remember, Paul spent the first chapter, of this letter, talking about, a troubled, chaotic church, and how to put it, into order.

[23:52] He spent the last part, of that first chapter, criticizing those, who were threatening, the foundation, of that church. After rebuking, those people, telling those people off, in this chapter, he now uses the truth, to show what a godly family, living under Christ, and grace, actually looks like.

[24:11] So for us, from these verses, I think there are just, three quick things, I would like to share, that may help us, to build, a strong family, a strong community, in the truth.

[24:25] Firstly, I think we need, to recognize, that everyone, is different. Old men, young men, young men, women, workers, Paul's instructions, almost reads, like a Dr. Seuss's book.

[24:38] And just like, in a Dr. Seuss's book, we see people, displayed here, very different. All with variation, in their characters. And look up there, in the photo. We are reminded, that all of us, are created differently.

[24:52] We all have, different things, asked of us. Old men, young men, women, workers. Older men, are called to be one thing. Younger men, another. Older women, are called to be one thing.

[25:04] Younger women, another. So don't think, you need to be someone else, to fit in, to be loved. We all have, our purpose. Psalm 139, tells us, that each one of us, were fearfully, and wonderfully made.

[25:21] God's works, are wonderful indeed. We are wonderful. We need to recognize, the wonder in all of us. Look to your brother, on the left. Look to your sister, on your right.

[25:32] Paul says, Paul says, that we all have, different roles, whether male or female, old or young. Society tells us, we have to fit in, right? We have to be the same.

[25:43] Equality of outcome, equality of opportunity. Our culture, may tell us, that we have to act, a certain way, go chase a certain career. But the Bible, tells us differently.

[25:55] Grace, shows us, that we don't all, have to be the same. We are accepted, and loved as individuals, with different abilities, with different personalities. So what lens, do we use to look at each other?

[26:09] Do we judge people's worth, by their careers? Do we judge people's worth, by their appearances? Their ability? I think we need to, see each other, as a child, created by a masterful God.

[26:24] To see each other, as a masterpiece, created by a loving father. So how will that, change the way, we act, we interact, with each other here, at church, and in your families?

[26:38] Secondly, we recognize, that we are all different. We have different strengths, weaknesses, responsibilities, roles. But one thing, that matters to all of us, Paul says, is self-control.

[26:54] Older men, should be self-controlled. Older women, should be self-controlled, so that they can teach, younger women, to be self-controlled. Younger men, dudes, like the only thing, Paul asks, is for you, to be self-controlled.

[27:09] In today's culture, of you do you, boo, of instant gratification, of do what makes you happy, being self-controlled, isn't very attractive.

[27:20] We don't like, being controlled, we don't like, giving up our freedom, doing what we want, following our heart, that's what we're told, is important. And I don't know about you church, but, my heart really sometimes, doesn't know what it wants.

[27:35] Jeremiah 17, 9 says, the heart is deceitful, above all things, and beyond cure, who can understand it? And so, if there's one practical thing, I can encourage you with, today church, that's self-control.

[27:51] Ask God, to help you practice, self-control. For me, personally, that looks like, James chapter 3. My exercise, in self-control, looks like, controlling my words.

[28:05] Chapter 3, verse 5, in James says, the tongue is a small part, of the body, but it makes, great boasts. Consider what a great forest, is set on fire, by a small spark.

[28:16] The tongue, is also, a fire. By the grace of God, I'm learning, to control my tongue, to control my words. That's my exercise, in self-control.

[28:29] I'm learning, to choose, to speak life, encouragement, and love, instead of hate, negativity, or judgment. But for you, what does, self-control look like?

[28:41] Is it, starting something, you know you should be doing? Is it stopping, doing something, you know you shouldn't? Is it, the way you speak, to your parents? Or is it, the way, you speak, to your children?

[28:57] Whatever it may look like, if building, a strong foundation, in your family, at home, or here at church, is one of your goals, then self-control, must be one of the key pillars, in that project, else the whole thing, comes crumbling down.

[29:13] And lastly, to build, a strong foundation, we must make, discipleship, discipleship, and teaching, a key part, of our culture. Now growing up as a kid, like I said, I'm 30 years old, so in the 90s, we didn't have phones, or internet, or the YouTubes.

[29:33] I had TV, books, and sometimes we went, to the library, and I loved it. For me, my choice of role model, was Goku, from Dragon Ball Z, Mufasa, from The Lion King, and these guys, the Power Rangers.

[29:51] And so, I tried my best, to dress like them, right, to talk like them, to act like them. That's me on the right, in case you're wondering, if I was the sixth member, of the Power Rangers.

[30:02] And I'm not saying, I didn't have, good parents, right, I had great parents. I'm not saying, that I had, you know, bad friends. I did, I really did, have good ones. But, these tight, flashy costumes, were more attractive, to me.

[30:20] Fast forward, 20, 30 years nowadays, I'm no longer, looking up to the Power Rangers. Not as much. But somehow, somehow, I don't really know, how, I've started, to become someone, that people look up to.

[30:36] And it doesn't stop there. All of us sitting here, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, everyone, must make it a priority, to learn, from those older than us, but also, disciple and teach, those younger.

[30:52] This whole letter, that we've been reading, is instruction, from an older Paul, to a younger Titus. Teaching him, the way that he, should be teaching others.

[31:05] They should teach, what is good. Urge those younger, to set an example, for doing what is good. So what about us, here at PCBC? Do we have that culture?

[31:17] What about you, and your families, for those that are older, parents, do you have that at home? Or, is it just, ah, these people are too young. Let's wait for them, to grow up first, to mature.

[31:31] Or is it, ah, these people are so old, they're out of touch, they don't understand me. I think Paul is reminding us, in this verse, that in order to set, a good foundation, in our families, we must make this, a priority, to set good examples, with our speech, with our actions, and our lives.

[31:53] So I encourage, everyone here, the grace of God, has appeared to us, offering salvation, to all people. By that grace, talk to someone, younger than you.

[32:06] Make an effort, to understand, love, encourage them. The world out there, is constantly, vying for their attention, vying for their hearts, and their souls, influencing their looks, what they love, their lives.

[32:21] More so, now than ever, we need godly, brothers and sisters, older ones, to walk alongside, and bless those, in the next generation. And if you're, a little bit younger, take heart as well.

[32:35] Have the courage, to approach someone, older than you. Ask them for advice, for their wisdom. They've lived longer, they've experienced more, they've also made more mistakes, than you.

[32:48] Pick some godly examples, of brothers and sisters, or uncles and aunties, and follow them. Learn from them. Be discipled by them. That is the way, we can start to build, stronger foundations, in Christ.

[33:03] We're all growing up, BCBC. We can't stop, time. Life moves so fast, and as we grow, we're constantly wearing, different hats.

[33:17] For me, I grew up as a son, a brother. Now, I'm a husband, a worker. For you, your sisters, mothers, cousins, friends, we're all in this life, working towards, being a little bit better, a little bit more godly, a little bit more like Christ.

[33:40] And so, like Paul is encouraging us, take heart. The grace of God, has appeared to us, through Jesus Christ, allowing us, not to do these things, by our own effort, but through the Holy Spirit.

[33:55] He teaches us, to say no, to, to, to say no, to things of this world, worldly passions. He teaches us, to live godly lives, until one day, we meet Christ, or until the day, he returns, in glory.

[34:12] So for me, I'm going to keep learning, and to keep building, my current family, my future family, my family here, with all of you. Learning to accept one another, our differences, learning, and practicing self-control, and learning, how to disciple, and how to be discipled, by others.

[34:34] Now, what about you? Let's pray. Father God, we just thank you, for your instruction Lord.

[34:44] We thank you, how wonderfully, practical it is. We also thank you, that we aren't judged, there's no condemnation, because you have given us, your son Jesus Christ, appearing in grace once, and in the future, appearing in glory.

[35:02] So we thank you Lord, we thank you, for giving us, for giving us, so much to aspire to, giving us a way out, of this world, with all its worldly passions. So Father, we just ask that you, continue to teach us, how to build, godly families, how to build, strong foundations, in the church, until the day, we meet you again.

[35:24] In Jesus name we pray. Amen. . . .

[35:38] . . . .