CHRISTIAN TEACHING

January 5, 2021

 

  1. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6

 

  1. Praying from: Titus 3

 

CITIZEN’S DUTIES

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

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

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.

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

WORKS INSUFFICIENT

        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;

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

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

consistent living required

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.

AVOIDANCE OF UNPROFITABLE DISCUSSIONS

        9     But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

10     A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

11     Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

COMPANIONSHIP DESIRED

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.

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

GOOD WORKS

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

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

  1. THE RULES—vv. 1–4

CITIZEN’S DUTIES

  1. Honor—v. 1. Obey the government and its leaders. Work hard at your job.
  2. Humility—v. 2. No gossiping or fighting; be kind and courteous.
  3. Hating—v. 3. Before we had hate, now we have love.
  4. Help—v. 4. God has appeared unto us, helping us. Now we should be willing to help others.
  5. THE RIGHTEOUSNESS—vv. 5–7

WORKS INSUFFICIENT

  1. Salvation—v. 5. Nothing we have done could save us. According to His love and grace we have salvation.
  2. Saviour—v. 6. All the good of verse 5 will come to us only because of the death of Christ.
  3. Sharers—v. 7. Being justified by Christ. Justified means, just-as-if-I-didn’t-sin. God forgives and forgets all of man’s sins.

consistent living required

  1. Showing—v. 8. Salvation in Christ should produce good works. Good works do not produce salvation, but salvation should produce good works.

III.   THE REJECTION—vv. 9–11

AVOIDANCE OF UNPROFITABLE DISCUSSIONS

  1. Arguments—v. 9. Do not waste your time in foolish arguments. Arguments produce anger.
  2. Admonition—v. 10. Warn the troublemaker, who causes division in the church. Compare with these Scriptures: Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Ephesians 5:11.
  3. Attitudes—v. 11. Such a man has no sense of values.
  4. THE REGARDS—vv. 12–15

COMPANIONSHIP DESIRED

  1. The people—vv. 12–13. People who helped Paul.

GOOD WORKS

  1. The personality—v. 14. As Christians, we should be helpful to one another. This is real Christianity.
  2. The parting—v. 15. Paul’s farewell to Titus.
  3. THE A-MEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27

16:20         “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. A-men.”

16:24         “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. A-men.”

16:27         “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. A-men.”