WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.020 Well, thank you so much, Peter, and to the guys in the band for leading us thus far. 00:00:05.520 --> 00:00:11.620 Are we well? Yes, good. Well, can I encourage you to turn to the little book of Titus? 00:00:12.460 --> 00:00:19.600 A little trick for you if you're struggling to find it, this New Testament letter is the last of the five consecutive T's in the New Testament. 00:00:20.500 --> 00:00:27.140 One Tim, two Tim, one Thess, two Thess, one Tim, two Tim, and then our little friend Titus at the end there. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:31.820 That's for free. It's not even in my notes. But there you go. That's how I remember these little things. 00:00:32.299 --> 00:00:34.439 And Titus is where we'll be for the next little while. 00:00:35.340 --> 00:00:43.640 This little book that I hope at the end of our few weeks in this letter will become not only just a friend and an acquaintance, 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:49.079 but actually will become a good companion as we continue to travel on as a church community. 00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:56.019 So would you turn to Titus and let's pray and let's ask that God would be so gracious to us this evening as we come to his word. 00:00:56.020 --> 00:00:57.240 Let's pray together. 00:00:59.300 --> 00:01:08.820 Oh, dear Father, we're so aware, Lord, as we come here this evening that our view of you, our grasp of you is so small. 00:01:08.819 --> 00:01:12.739 Our view of your son is so small. 00:01:13.739 --> 00:01:15.919 Our view of your spirit is so small. 00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:22.879 And so, dear Father, it's simply our prayer as we come to your word this evening, as we gather as your people together, 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:27.439 that you would, by your spirit, as your word is preached this evening, 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:30.579 would you make yourself big in our sight? 00:01:30.579 --> 00:01:38.239 So, Father, would we leave this place this evening just with a greater understanding, appreciation and affection for who you are? 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:43.060 And so that is our prayer, Lord, that you be so gracious and kind to us. 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:44.480 In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:48.180 Well, I thought we'd begin just by a little bit of fun. 00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:49.079 I'm always up for fun. 00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:50.400 I thought we'd begin by a bit of fun. 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:54.920 Let's see how many different countries are represented here tonight. 00:01:56.159 --> 00:01:57.259 There is a point to this. 00:01:57.260 --> 00:01:57.940 You'll see. 00:01:58.579 --> 00:01:59.300 Just shout them out. 00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:01.400 How many different countries have we got represented here tonight? 00:02:02.900 --> 00:02:03.380 Italy? 00:02:04.600 --> 00:02:05.080 Britain? 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:08.159 Scotland? 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:08.700 Okay. 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:09.599 Anyone else? 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:11.120 Northern Ireland? 00:02:12.020 --> 00:02:12.460 Germany? 00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:13.879 Here's a question for you. 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:15.580 Simona and Luca. 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:17.759 How do people perceive Italians? 00:02:18.460 --> 00:02:19.520 What do they say about Italians? 00:02:20.580 --> 00:02:21.060 Pizza. 00:02:21.319 --> 00:02:21.560 Okay. 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:22.599 Germans? 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:26.080 Okay. 00:02:26.180 --> 00:02:27.180 I would think of hardworking. 00:02:27.259 --> 00:02:27.799 I would think of. 00:02:28.519 --> 00:02:29.379 What do you think? 00:02:29.459 --> 00:02:30.379 Put your hands up if you're Scottish. 00:02:31.579 --> 00:02:33.079 How do you think people perceive us? 00:02:36.419 --> 00:02:36.739 Okay. 00:02:36.799 --> 00:02:37.379 Hold that thought. 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:38.340 It was a rhetorical question. 00:02:38.459 --> 00:02:39.019 Should have made it clearer. 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:40.219 Hold that thought. 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:42.620 How do you think people perceive Scottish people? 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:48.599 I was reading an article this week by a team at Cambridge University who did some research 00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:54.000 about the different reputations that people, different people groups in Britain have. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:54.879 Okay. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:56.639 So I'm doing a bit of research into this. 00:02:57.379 --> 00:02:58.460 This is what the research said. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:02:59.859 Cambridge University. 00:02:59.860 --> 00:03:07.040 Our survey found that Londoners were regarded as being uncooperative, quarrelsome and irritable. 00:03:08.100 --> 00:03:13.940 People in the east of England were found to be the most conscientious but were more likely 00:03:13.940 --> 00:03:15.060 to be set in their ways. 00:03:15.060 --> 00:03:17.740 The Welsh tend to be more open. 00:03:17.740 --> 00:03:22.319 But our survey found that they were the shyest and they were the least emotionally stable. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:32.080 The Scots have long enjoyed a reputation for being grumpy, aloof and doer. 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:33.780 There's a good Scottish word for you, doer. 00:03:33.780 --> 00:03:39.000 But our new study suggests that they are actually the most friendly people in Britain. 00:03:39.699 --> 00:03:40.640 Can I get an amen? 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:42.639 Amen. 00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:46.479 This is what people, I don't know if that's true or not, but this is apparently how we're 00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:48.219 perceived by the outside world. 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:50.740 There's Scottish people on the Royal Mile. 00:03:50.840 --> 00:03:51.159 Look at them. 00:03:51.259 --> 00:03:51.539 Beautiful. 00:03:51.539 --> 00:03:51.620 Beautiful. 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:54.659 Here's what I want you to do this evening. 00:03:55.379 --> 00:03:56.400 I want us to do this evening. 00:03:56.959 --> 00:04:02.459 I want to take us from thinking about the people of our island and how they are perceived. 00:04:03.139 --> 00:04:08.579 And I want us to travel back to the first century and introduce you to a people from 00:04:08.579 --> 00:04:09.180 another island. 00:04:09.859 --> 00:04:14.379 So we're going back this evening to the island of Crete. 00:04:14.479 --> 00:04:19.920 This letter of Titus written by Paul to Titus, to a man and to a church who are living on 00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:21.060 this island of Crete. 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:23.720 This large island just off the coast of Greece. 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:30.000 And let me introduce you to some of the locals on this island. 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:31.439 Name for the locals? 00:04:32.259 --> 00:04:32.699 Cretans. 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:35.360 Reputation of the locals? 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:41.840 Well, these people are infamous for their lack of ethics, for their lying, and for their 00:04:41.840 --> 00:04:42.779 absolute greed. 00:04:44.160 --> 00:04:50.660 In fact, one of the Greek words for being a liar, the word kretizo, literally to be a 00:04:50.660 --> 00:04:51.060 cretin. 00:04:52.640 --> 00:04:57.580 Now, just to give you a flavour of the distaste for this people, let me read to you, this 00:04:57.580 --> 00:05:01.260 is what I found in my research this week, a few of the sayings about these people that 00:05:01.260 --> 00:05:03.920 outsiders looking in had about them. 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:06.520 This is Plutarch, the Greek biographer. 00:05:07.740 --> 00:05:13.920 He always joked about the fact that on Crete, there were no wild animals with four legs, but 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:17.379 that was more than made up for the fact that there were tons of wild animals with two legs 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:18.140 living on the island. 00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:24.099 Pauli Bias, the Greek historian, made the following comments about the Cretans. 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:24.860 He said, 00:05:24.860 --> 00:05:48.379 So we have that today in our culture, don't we? 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:49.519 We hate money cheats. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:51.060 We hate money cheats. 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:55.579 We think about in the world of sports, when somebody signs for another team because they 00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:56.620 got offered more money. 00:05:56.719 --> 00:05:57.939 We hate them, don't we? 00:05:58.740 --> 00:06:04.819 But in this culture, Cretans, that kind of behaviour is lauded. 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:06.300 It's praised. 00:06:06.459 --> 00:06:11.399 Everybody wants to reach the top, accumulate more stuff. 00:06:11.399 --> 00:06:15.099 This is the people who are on this island. 00:06:16.359 --> 00:06:23.000 And here's the wonderful news for us to comprehend this evening from this letter, is that the gospel 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:23.899 has reached Crete. 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:31.079 And it hasn't just reached Crete, it has taken root in Crete. 00:06:31.679 --> 00:06:37.959 And God, through his gospel, has birthed a church on this island. 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:44.500 Now, if we were ranking people in terms of who was likely and least likely to become Christians, 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:47.239 where the gospel was going to have impact and not have impact, 00:06:48.039 --> 00:06:52.839 this island would be very low on our rankings. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:56.179 Now, isn't that not a wonderful lesson for us straight off the bat? 00:06:57.819 --> 00:07:04.459 As we think about our nation, as we think about our city, as we think even just about our area, 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:06.019 what do we so often think? 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:08.199 That this is hard soil. 00:07:09.479 --> 00:07:10.639 But is this not encouraging? 00:07:10.699 --> 00:07:11.939 This is what encouraged me this week. 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:16.000 That this tells us that the gospel is unstoppable. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:19.120 That the gospel is powerful. 00:07:19.379 --> 00:07:22.000 And it can break the hardest of soils. 00:07:23.039 --> 00:07:25.839 And it can melt even the hardest of hearts. 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:28.399 And God's word, as it goes forth, 00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:32.599 it will accomplish the purposes that he intends for it. 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:35.219 That is encouraging. 00:07:36.799 --> 00:07:39.560 Now, let me just tell you that the two main parties to this letter, 00:07:39.739 --> 00:07:41.620 Paul and Titus, 00:07:41.979 --> 00:07:44.399 the apostle and his co-worker, 00:07:44.539 --> 00:07:46.439 traveling companion and protégé. 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:49.479 Now, whenever it is exactly that they were on Crete, 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:53.679 whether it was during the events recorded in the book of Acts, 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:55.800 whether it was after those events, 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:58.500 whatever conclusion you come to, 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:00.720 the gospel has taken root on Crete. 00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:03.800 And through this message being preached, 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:07.439 God has saved men and women to himself. 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:09.420 He has lifted them out of the darkness 00:08:09.420 --> 00:08:12.240 and he's put them into his glorious kingdom of light. 00:08:12.280 --> 00:08:17.920 And he's created this community of Christians on this island of Crete. 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:23.939 Now, you can imagine that these Christians are gathering in each other's homes to worship 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:27.480 and to fellowship with one another and to encourage one another. 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:31.500 These are most likely house church gatherings that are on this island. 00:08:32.700 --> 00:08:35.720 And I think we can probably assume from the letter 00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:39.060 that this is a young church. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.360 It's a really young church. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:46.399 In fact, some commentators would place this church as not even being a year old. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:49.179 These are new Christians. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:51.240 This is an inexperienced church. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:54.879 This is a church who are trying to find their feet. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:58.139 Just picture what that is like. 00:08:59.419 --> 00:09:02.279 I remember a little girl when she was learning to walk last year. 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:05.120 It was an absolute joy to watch her do it, but it was messy. 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:08.559 She would go for it and she would kind of stumble 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:11.599 and she would bang her head and she's trying to work out limbs. 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:13.939 Do you know, she's just trying to work this thing out. 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:17.740 It's kind of like that when we first become Christians. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:18.220 Isn't it? 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:21.200 We're trying to figure this thing out. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:24.360 How the gospel has flipped our lives upside down. 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:29.039 Trying to work out, I mean, what is it about our old lives 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:32.100 that Jesus calls us to leave behind in pursuit of him? 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:34.139 My old lifestyles. 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:35.899 My old habits. 00:09:36.060 --> 00:09:36.960 My old ambitions. 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:42.700 What is it that he calls me to say no to in order to follow him? 00:09:43.640 --> 00:09:47.140 We're trying to work out the contours of the Christian life. 00:09:47.780 --> 00:09:50.560 That I see the world differently now. 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:52.480 I see it through the God lens. 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:57.200 I'm trying to discern what is false and what is true in this life. 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:02.900 Trying to grapple with what it means to live as part of this new family of God, 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:05.800 the church that God has grafted me into. 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:09.899 All of a sudden, before, I've got nothing in common with these people. 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:15.339 Now, all of a sudden, I've got the most important thing in my life in common with these people. 00:10:16.859 --> 00:10:18.139 Just trying to figure it out. 00:10:18.139 --> 00:10:25.399 So the challenge is that these new Christians are probably facing on this island. 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:32.860 So we can begin to appreciate, can't we, the pressures that this church are facing. 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:34.740 Pressures that they're facing. 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:36.620 I think two main sources of pressures. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:38.679 Firstly, internal pressures. 00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:40.620 Now, imagine it. 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:41.259 Just picture it. 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:43.000 You're in that home group setting. 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:45.980 And you look at one another across the room. 00:10:46.819 --> 00:10:47.799 You think, well, what do we do now? 00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:50.059 What do we do now? 00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:52.159 What do we stand for? 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:55.039 How do we behave as a community? 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:56.399 How do we work together? 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:59.080 How do we help one another? 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:03.799 And into the mix, I think you've got false teachers in this letter. 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:06.539 We learn a lot about them who are trying to infiltrate this church. 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:08.399 Who are trying to spin lies. 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:15.100 Who are trying to cause these Christians to deviate their course from following the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:19.759 And I think particularly in this letter, if you've got it there, chapter 1 and verse 10. 00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:23.159 There's a Jewish flavor to this false teaching. 00:11:25.300 --> 00:11:26.519 What are they telling you? 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:28.659 Well, I know Paul said this. 00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:30.500 I know he said that. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:34.700 But you know, crazy Uncle Paul, it's a bit more like this. 00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:36.940 Did he tell you not to do that? 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:38.980 No, you kind of need to do that. 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:41.259 He said you can do that. 00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:43.320 No, you definitely can't do that. 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:49.480 So you begin to see, can't you, these internal pressures that are facing these new Christians. 00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:57.140 Internal pressures, and I can certainly picture external pressures as well in this island. 00:11:57.440 --> 00:12:00.580 Can't imagine that's an easy place to live for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:12:01.520 --> 00:12:02.160 Just imagine it. 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:04.640 One day you're living just like everyone else on that island. 00:12:05.800 --> 00:12:08.340 You're living for the same things. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:10.060 You're chasing the same dreams. 00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:13.559 You're acting exactly the same as everybody else. 00:12:14.659 --> 00:12:18.000 And then you hear that the gospel and that the Spirit awakens you. 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:19.579 All of a sudden that you're alive. 00:12:20.739 --> 00:12:21.179 Why? 00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:23.539 You see life differently now. 00:12:23.699 --> 00:12:26.399 God has transferred you from the kingdom of darkness, 00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:28.579 and he's placed you into his kingdom of light. 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:32.500 You were dead, and by his grace, he has made you alive. 00:12:32.839 --> 00:12:34.899 And he's called you to live differently. 00:12:36.739 --> 00:12:38.259 So don't be a cheat. 00:12:38.959 --> 00:12:39.799 Be honest. 00:12:40.859 --> 00:12:41.819 Don't lie. 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:43.539 Speak the truth. 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:45.979 Don't be lazy. 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:46.979 Work hard. 00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:51.859 And so you can imagine if you live out your transformed life, 00:12:52.339 --> 00:12:55.579 in this culture with these people, 00:12:56.179 --> 00:12:57.639 you're going to stand out a mile. 00:12:59.099 --> 00:13:00.299 You're going to stand out a mile. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:03.159 I mean, check Holy Harry over there. 00:13:04.119 --> 00:13:07.039 Can you believe that he shares his money and his stuff 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:09.459 with these new friends of his? 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:10.259 Can you believe that? 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.000 We're off. 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:13.779 We'll spend our money on ourselves. 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:14.659 Thank you very much. 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:17.639 I mean, check Jesus freak Jenny over there as well. 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:21.299 Can you believe that when the boss leaves work, 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:22.419 she still works? 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:24.339 She doesn't slack like everybody else? 00:13:25.339 --> 00:13:26.579 We're away as well. 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:32.420 Internal pressures, external pressures facing this church. 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:34.759 And you begin to see, 00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:39.519 even just at the outset of this letter, 00:13:39.599 --> 00:13:41.059 how applicable this is for us. 00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:44.519 Actually, we face pressures, don't we, 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:47.159 every day as we live our lives as Christians in this world? 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:51.179 Well, I think this letter has got so much to teach us. 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:53.379 So much to teach us. 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.959 We face the same kind of pressures. 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:58.779 And I think that takes us to the purpose of this letter. 00:13:59.939 --> 00:14:01.299 Or to put it another way, 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:03.539 addressing the why question. 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:07.839 So it was a great question to ask ourselves 00:14:07.839 --> 00:14:10.259 when we're trying to grapple with the meaning of a text, 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.419 the why question. 00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:13.240 Why? 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:14.079 And this is the thing here. 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:18.000 Why is Paul writing these things to this man 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.560 at this particular time? 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.700 Well, here is Paul. 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:24.680 We're going to get to the bottom of this question. 00:14:24.780 --> 00:14:25.480 Here is Paul. 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:27.540 And for one reason or another, 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.900 he's no longer on Crete. 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:31.120 He's no longer on Crete. 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:33.660 And he's writing this letter to Titus, 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:36.960 whom he has instructed to remain on Crete. 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:39.180 And to do what while he's remaining on Crete? 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.340 Well, if you check it out there, 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.940 chapter 1 and verse 5. 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:48.400 Paul instructs Titus to put in order 00:14:48.400 --> 00:14:50.320 what was left unfinished. 00:14:51.920 --> 00:14:52.960 Do you see that? 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:57.660 So he's saying that there's still work to be done on Crete. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:00.940 And Paul instructs Titus in this letter 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:02.540 to finish the work. 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:06.620 Finish the work by standing for the truth. 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:11.740 And by silencing those who would speak against the truth. 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:15.759 And by modelling for the people 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:17.919 what a godly life looks like. 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:24.039 And by appointing leaders who will lead this church well. 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:27.019 That's what he's got to do. 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:28.759 That's what Titus has got to do. 00:15:29.699 --> 00:15:31.419 But I think, just I've been convinced 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:34.659 the more that I've got to get under the skin of this letter, 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:37.339 that actually there's a bigger purpose 00:15:37.339 --> 00:15:38.899 that Paul has in mind. 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:41.019 More holistic purpose. 00:15:41.719 --> 00:15:44.980 What does Paul want to see happen 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:47.379 in this young church? 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:51.539 Well, he wants Titus to give himself to the task 00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:54.580 of seeing this church grow. 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:56.740 Grow. 00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:59.300 He wants it to grow well. 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:02.039 He wants it to grow up. 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:04.740 He wants it to grow deep. 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:07.019 And he wants it to grow out. 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:09.500 Paul wants this young church to grow. 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:13.559 I think there's two particular aspects to this growing. 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:16.899 And just as we look at a brief introduction to this letter, 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:19.799 let me just outline what I think are the two big aspects 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:22.639 of growing that Paul outlines in this letter. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.700 So he wants them to be growing. 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:27.399 And he wants them to be growing 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:29.340 in their knowing. 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:32.600 And he wants them to be growing in their showing. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.799 Growing in their knowing 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:36.399 and growing in their showing. 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:39.100 Knowing what it is they believe. 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:42.139 And showing how what they believe 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.799 makes a radical difference 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:45.259 to the way that they live their lives. 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:48.740 Individually and as a community. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:49.899 He wants them to be growing 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:51.700 in their knowing and their showing. 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:53.720 And I think he sums it up in that phrase 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.740 that we get right at the beginning of verse 1. 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:59.500 And I think this is the big idea of this letter 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:01.659 and Paul's beating heart for this church. 00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:02.960 What does he write? 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:06.500 Their knowledge of the truth 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.980 that leads to godliness. 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.380 Their knowledge of the truth 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.140 that leads to godliness. 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:14.240 He wants them to grow. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.799 And in terms of their knowing, 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.839 how does he want them to grow? 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.720 Well, here's three quick words for you. 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:23.859 Just as we introduce ourselves, 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:25.660 familiarize ourselves with this letter. 00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:27.099 He wants them to grow, 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.960 first of all, 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.420 in their delighting. 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:31.539 Now, I don't know if you 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:33.620 read the BBC website often. 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:35.460 I was on there on Friday morning. 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:36.920 And I don't know if you saw 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:39.019 the story about the elderly couple, 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:39.980 Joan and Ken, 00:17:40.600 --> 00:17:41.980 who were getting married down in Gloucester. 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:42.660 Did anyone see that? 00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:44.660 You saw that? 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:45.220 Brilliant. 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:47.019 So I'm not making a... 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:49.180 Amazing story about how this couple met. 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:50.580 Ken, 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.039 homeless, 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:54.279 smelly clothes, 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.660 unemployed, 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:57.839 raking his way through bins 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:59.319 to get meals for the day. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.660 Nothing attractive about him. 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.579 Joan sees him, 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.319 has compassion on him, 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:06.899 befriends him, 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.420 cares for him, 00:18:08.619 --> 00:18:09.259 tends for him, 00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:10.139 loves him. 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:11.480 20 years later, 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.420 they're due to get married. 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.779 I'm reading that thinking, 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:15.639 that's pretty cool. 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:16.960 But I'm reading it 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.400 and I'm thinking, 00:18:17.560 --> 00:18:18.759 what a beautiful example, 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:21.220 picture of the Gospel. 00:18:22.280 --> 00:18:23.660 What a beautiful picture 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:25.100 of the Gospel. 00:18:25.340 --> 00:18:26.860 And this is what Paul outlines 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:27.660 for Titus 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:30.280 at Titus chapter 3. 00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:31.720 We've got it there, 00:18:31.800 --> 00:18:32.320 look at it there. 00:18:32.580 --> 00:18:33.240 What does he write? 00:18:33.300 --> 00:18:35.340 He wants to look at Titus' head 00:18:35.340 --> 00:18:36.520 around the beauty 00:18:36.520 --> 00:18:37.700 of the Gospel. 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:40.660 That God saved us, Titus. 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.380 He saved us. 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:44.660 Not because of the righteous things 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:45.380 that we did, 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:47.680 not because we looked good 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.500 in his sight, 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.060 not because we were living 00:18:50.060 --> 00:18:51.080 good lives. 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.180 On the contrary, 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.280 we were ugly. 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:56.840 But he saved us, 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.340 not because of the things 00:18:58.340 --> 00:18:59.160 done by us, 00:18:59.320 --> 00:19:00.140 but he saved us 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:01.160 because of his mercy 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:03.400 and his love 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:06.100 and his incredible grace. 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:10.080 And he put his spirit in us. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.660 And he adopted us 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:14.880 as his sons and his daughters. 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:17.759 So that we are no longer orphans. 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:19.120 We are adopted 00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:20.759 and we are co-heirs 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.980 with Christ. 00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:24.060 And we have the hope 00:19:24.060 --> 00:19:25.640 of eternal life 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.460 where one day 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:26.860 we, 00:19:27.020 --> 00:19:28.280 as part of the church, 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.860 will meet our husband, 00:19:30.800 --> 00:19:31.620 Jesus Christ. 00:19:33.100 --> 00:19:34.140 That's what he says. 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:35.060 Titus, 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:36.000 you've got to delight 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.880 in that message. 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:39.060 The Gospel really is 00:19:39.060 --> 00:19:39.960 the ultimate 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:42.380 rags-to-riches story. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:42.980 Now, 00:19:43.040 --> 00:19:43.720 Martin Lloyd-Jones, 00:19:43.840 --> 00:19:44.840 famous Welsh preacher, 00:19:45.780 --> 00:19:46.380 he used to say 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.440 that the only thing 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.900 that humiliated him 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.620 to the dust 00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:51.100 and caused him 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:52.240 to fall on his knees 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:52.920 in worship 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:54.900 was when he contemplated 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:56.240 the cross of Jesus Christ. 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.460 Nothing else 00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:59.420 will humble us 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:00.180 apart from that, 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.480 that we were not worthy. 00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:03.100 But nothing else 00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:04.040 will cause our spirits 00:20:04.040 --> 00:20:04.700 to delight 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.800 in the fact that God 00:20:05.800 --> 00:20:07.180 outrageously loved us 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.760 in Christ 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:09.259 and he forgave us, 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.240 not cheaply, 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.039 costly. 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:12.579 And that we are adopted 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.400 as his children. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.379 And that we have 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.619 a glorious future 00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:17.900 ahead of us. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.079 And Paul writes 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.819 to this community 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.119 and says, 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.980 you have to be a community 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.599 who delight in that message. 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:23.879 That you don't just 00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:24.900 know that message, 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:26.700 but you know that message 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:28.859 and you love that message. 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.559 It's a great point 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:33.099 to stop 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:34.420 and to ask ourselves 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.059 individually 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.980 and corporately, 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:36.980 friends, 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.559 do we delight 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.299 in that message? 00:20:40.180 --> 00:20:41.120 Do we delight 00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:42.519 in the gospel? 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:44.019 Would people 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.860 looking into 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.880 this church community, 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:46.460 would people 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.860 looking into our lives, 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.599 would they say 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.240 that we delight 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:49.819 in the gospel? 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.039 And what are we 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:53.759 going to do, 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.279 really practically, 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:56.480 what are we going 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.180 to do this week 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:57.980 to cultivate 00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:58.759 that delight 00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:00.059 in the gospel? 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:02.120 Paul wants them 00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:02.779 to grow 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:04.180 in their delighting 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:04.880 and Paul wants them 00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:05.779 to grow secondly 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.740 in their discerning. 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:09.099 as you grow 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:10.579 in your understanding 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.380 of the gospel, 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.360 this is what he's saying 00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:13.240 to this community, 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.599 you've got to see 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.400 that it's too good 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.519 to be tampered with. 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.480 Too good to be tampered with. 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.759 You've got to know it well 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.960 so that you can discern 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:22.700 when others are seeking 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.860 to distort it 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:25.299 and twist it 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.339 and rob it 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.099 of both its beauty 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.839 and its power. 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.839 And you've got to be able 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.339 to discern 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:31.559 what a life of godliness 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.420 looks like. 00:21:33.360 --> 00:21:34.900 Look at verse 11 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.720 of chapter 2 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.519 if you've got it there. 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.540 What will the grace 00:21:39.540 --> 00:21:40.280 of God do 00:21:40.280 --> 00:21:41.280 in their lives 00:21:41.280 --> 00:21:43.300 as God transforms 00:21:43.300 --> 00:21:44.420 them by his spirit? 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.200 What will it do? 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.120 It will teach them 00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:48.780 to say 00:21:48.780 --> 00:21:49.580 no. 00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:52.600 Now not in our little girl 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:52.920 at the minute 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.880 she loves the word no, 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:55.480 she's two terrible twos, 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.940 no, no, no, no, no 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.460 to everything. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.480 It's not that kind of no. 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.539 It's a no 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.680 that is choosing 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.820 to say no 00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:03.840 to self 00:22:03.840 --> 00:22:04.560 and to sin 00:22:04.560 --> 00:22:05.680 and to say yes 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.220 to the things 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.220 of Jesus Christ. 00:22:08.600 --> 00:22:09.480 They've got to discern 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.700 what a life 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.320 of worship 00:22:11.320 --> 00:22:11.779 to him 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.600 looks like. 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:15.220 What will they say no to? 00:22:15.300 --> 00:22:15.940 Look what it says, 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:17.420 to ungodliness 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:18.580 and worldly passions. 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:20.060 So the things 00:22:20.060 --> 00:22:20.900 of their former 00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.720 way of life, 00:22:21.820 --> 00:22:22.840 the things not pleasing 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:23.300 to God, 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.420 not honouring to him, 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.440 not worthy of him 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.440 and not fitting 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.480 for their new life 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.420 and their status. 00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:30.820 And how are they 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:31.259 going to grow 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.000 in their discerning? 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.200 Well they'll grow 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.019 in their discerning 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.080 by learning. 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:38.519 Grow in their discerning 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.580 by learning. 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.160 Learning what? 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.040 Learning the truth. 00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:44.380 In my university summers 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:45.280 I worked a couple 00:22:45.280 --> 00:22:45.620 of summers 00:22:45.620 --> 00:22:46.700 at one of the banks, 00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:48.280 one in the city centre 00:22:48.280 --> 00:22:48.680 in Glasgow, 00:22:48.820 --> 00:22:49.519 one in the city centre 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.100 in Aberdeen. 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:52.000 And he used to train you 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.100 as to how to spot 00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:53.860 a fake note. 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.480 The only way 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.400 to spot a fake note, 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:56.960 the best way 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.860 to spot a fake note 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.960 is to be so in touch 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.660 with the real note. 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.360 Just get the feel 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:02.000 of the real note, 00:23:02.040 --> 00:23:02.480 you'll be able 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:04.000 to feel a fake note. 00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:06.759 It's kind of the same 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.380 here, isn't it? 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:09.180 How are we to grow 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.860 in discerning? 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:12.019 How are we to grow 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:13.900 in separating 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.680 the false 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.280 from the true 00:23:15.280 --> 00:23:17.240 by being so in touch 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:17.900 with the truth? 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.500 So in touch 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.140 with the truth 00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:21.320 that we know 00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:22.240 our Bibles, 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.480 that we come 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.560 before God 00:23:24.560 --> 00:23:24.820 and say, 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:25.020 God, 00:23:25.060 --> 00:23:26.100 would you teach us 00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:27.180 the truth? 00:23:28.560 --> 00:23:29.320 Get familiar 00:23:29.320 --> 00:23:30.000 with the touch 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.560 of the truth. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.600 Theologian 00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:32.300 J.I. Packer 00:23:32.300 --> 00:23:33.220 puts it like this, 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.020 if I were the devil, 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.120 one of my first aims 00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:37.860 would be 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:39.140 to stop Christians 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:39.640 from digging 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.460 into their Bibles. 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:44.240 Paul wants 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.640 this church 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.080 to grow 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:46.800 in their discerning. 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:48.579 And lastly, 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.240 in terms of their 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.519 knowing, 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.079 he wants them 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.460 to grow 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:50.980 in terms 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.259 of their 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.960 discipling. 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.659 That yes, 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.460 they are individual 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:54.960 sheep, 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:55.940 but they are not 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.819 to live as individual 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.279 sheep. 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.079 They are to live 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.159 as part of a flock. 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.539 And not just 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.279 a flock, 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.200 but live as part 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:02.759 of a family. 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:05.839 And they are to 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.539 help each other 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.200 to grow 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:08.579 in godliness. 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.139 And you'll see 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:10.200 a beautiful picture 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.819 of this 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:12.259 chapter 2. 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:14.039 A beautiful picture 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.960 of what he wants 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:16.539 the community 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:17.480 life of this church 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.439 to look like. 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.859 And it's brilliant. 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.139 Look at it here. 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.579 What does he say? 00:24:22.679 --> 00:24:23.299 Older women 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:25.159 seasoned saints 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:26.460 teach the younger 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:26.819 women. 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.279 Older men, 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.579 you seasoned saints, 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.839 you teach the younger 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.179 men. 00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:34.359 And this isn't 00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.139 sit around 00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:36.159 the family 00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:36.819 dinner table 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.599 and play a monopoly 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.279 and play in happy 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.919 families. 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:40.500 What this is, 00:24:40.820 --> 00:24:41.800 is Paul desiring 00:24:41.800 --> 00:24:42.480 a compelling 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:43.100 community. 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:44.720 A community 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.460 that cares 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.180 for one another. 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.279 A community 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.940 that loves 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.480 one another. 00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:49.240 A community 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.220 that takes seriously 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.880 looking out 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.560 for one another. 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.080 And a community 00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:54.380 that passes 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:55.180 stuff on. 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.340 Passes stuff on. 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.920 Speaks the word 00:24:58.920 --> 00:25:00.160 to one another. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.500 Experiences, 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:03.940 knowledge, 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.220 understanding, 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:05.920 awareness, 00:25:06.560 --> 00:25:07.060 advice, 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.360 helping one another 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:09.099 to grow in the 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:09.579 faith. 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.240 Isn't that a 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.899 wonderful picture 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.939 of what meaningful 00:25:13.939 --> 00:25:15.179 and intentional 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:16.159 discipleship looks 00:25:16.159 --> 00:25:16.539 like? 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.179 Corporately. 00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.539 It's brilliant, 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:19.939 isn't it? 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.159 It's brilliant. 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.679 And just as we're 00:25:23.679 --> 00:25:24.079 passing, 00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:24.839 let me ask you, 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.439 as we're at this 00:25:25.439 --> 00:25:25.779 point, 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.639 just think about 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.139 your own life 00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:28.479 for a minute. 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.839 Who's speaking 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:31.659 into your life? 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.319 In the church 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.819 context, 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.339 who's speaking 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.099 into your life? 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:39.059 Maybe you want 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.740 to pray this 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.419 week that God 00:25:40.419 --> 00:25:40.699 would put 00:25:40.699 --> 00:25:41.099 somebody in 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:41.559 your heart 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:41.839 that you 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.339 could speak 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:42.740 into their 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.139 life. 00:25:47.679 --> 00:25:48.359 Whose life 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:48.579 are you 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.240 speaking into? 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:50.099 Is there 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.559 someone in 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:50.919 this church 00:25:50.919 --> 00:25:51.459 family who 00:25:51.459 --> 00:25:52.219 could play 00:25:52.219 --> 00:25:52.719 that role 00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:53.139 in your 00:25:53.139 --> 00:25:53.559 life? 00:25:55.419 --> 00:25:55.939 Paul wants 00:25:55.939 --> 00:25:56.439 this Christian 00:25:56.439 --> 00:25:57.240 community to 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.719 grow in their 00:25:58.719 --> 00:25:59.139 knowing, 00:25:59.679 --> 00:26:00.459 in their 00:26:00.459 --> 00:26:01.039 delighting, 00:26:01.139 --> 00:26:01.319 in their 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:01.819 discerning, 00:26:01.959 --> 00:26:02.159 in their 00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:02.719 discipling, 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.240 and he 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:03.799 wants them 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.500 to grow 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.860 as well 00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:05.180 in their 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.559 showing. 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.440 So firstly, 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:08.839 look at this, 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:09.240 he wants them 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.579 to grow 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.019 in their 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.539 witnessing. 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:11.920 You've got it 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.440 there again, 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.180 chapter 2, 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.940 verse 9, 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.220 Paul addressing 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:16.779 those in the 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.180 church who 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:17.460 would be 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.000 slaves, 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:18.360 that is, 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:18.759 servants 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.420 underneath a 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:19.839 master. 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.279 And what 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:21.539 does he 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:21.880 say? 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:23.779 He says 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:23.940 that he 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.299 wants them 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:24.700 to live 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.140 their lives 00:26:25.140 --> 00:26:25.600 in such 00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:25.860 a way 00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:26.180 that you 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:26.759 make the 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.240 gospel 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:28.079 attractive. 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:30.599 So you 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:30.980 live your 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.319 lives in 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:31.779 such a way 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.039 that you 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.539 make it 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.359 look good. 00:26:34.379 --> 00:26:34.879 You've got 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.460 an ESV 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:35.679 there, 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.139 it says 00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:37.019 he wants 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.379 them to 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.220 adorn the 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:38.539 gospel. 00:26:38.639 --> 00:26:38.919 That's a 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:39.419 great word, 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.059 adorn. 00:26:41.179 --> 00:26:41.740 And he's 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.439 talking much 00:26:42.439 --> 00:26:43.379 less about 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:44.779 wearing clothes. 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.240 This is not 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.919 about Christian 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:46.419 Dior. 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.359 This is about 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:48.359 displaying Christian 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:48.899 character. 00:26:50.179 --> 00:26:50.659 This is what 00:26:50.659 --> 00:26:51.099 he's saying, 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.759 you've got to 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.179 make the 00:26:52.179 --> 00:26:52.720 gospel look 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.079 good. 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.899 In fact, 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.599 character is 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.319 what Paul tells 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:58.039 Titus in this 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.480 letter to 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:58.980 look for 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.680 when appointing 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.259 leaders for 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.799 this church, 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.279 appointing 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.659 elders. 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:02.960 That they 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.460 are men 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.619 of good 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.240 and of 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.899 growing and 00:27:05.899 --> 00:27:06.480 of genuine 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:06.940 and of 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.379 godly 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:07.920 character. 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.299 That their 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:09.940 insides are 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.379 the same as 00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:11.319 their outsides. 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.139 That they're 00:27:12.139 --> 00:27:12.659 the same in 00:27:12.659 --> 00:27:13.299 private as 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.720 they are in 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.079 public. 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.539 That's what 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:14.879 he wants 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.279 for the 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.779 elders of 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.319 the church. 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:16.859 But he 00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:17.220 also wants 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.420 it for 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:17.859 the whole 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.379 church. 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.159 That people 00:27:21.159 --> 00:27:21.559 would look 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.099 at them 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:23.659 and as 00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:24.619 they adorn 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.319 the gospel, 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:25.799 as people 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.359 look at 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:26.659 them from 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.299 the outside, 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:27.759 they would 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.640 question and 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:28.879 think, 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:29.539 why is it 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:29.759 that they 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.180 look so 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.519 good? 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.180 Why is it 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.420 that they 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:33.779 look so 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:33.900 good? 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.319 Why do 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:34.680 they act 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:35.119 differently? 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.279 And not 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:36.900 with a big 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:37.640 question mark 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:38.160 above them, 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:39.079 asking it 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:39.839 because I 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.160 want that 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.480 for my 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:40.920 life as 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.279 well. 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:42.779 What is 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.119 it about 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:44.180 their life 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.740 that I 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.539 don't have? 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.579 Paul wants 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:48.980 them to grow 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.220 in their 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:49.660 witnessing. 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.259 Secondly, 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.180 he wants 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:52.599 them to grow 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:52.839 in their 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.279 working. 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:55.639 big emphasis 00:27:55.639 --> 00:27:56.059 in this 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:56.519 letter on 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:56.799 God's 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.299 people living 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.960 productive 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.420 and living 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:58.940 fruitful 00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.519 lives for 00:27:59.519 --> 00:27:59.940 the glory 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.559 of God. 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.099 Maybe note 00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:03.480 them down 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:03.779 and check 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.019 them out 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:04.299 later. 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:04.680 Chapter 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.059 2, 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:05.920 verse 14. 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:08.940 Chapter 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.420 3, 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.139 verse 8. 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:10.940 Chapter 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.399 3, 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.420 verse 14. 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:13.579 Work 00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:14.099 hard. 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:14.759 People, 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:15.220 commit 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.619 yourselves. 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.279 Be zealous 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.779 for good 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.339 works. 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:19.720 And in 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.179 this letter 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:21.000 he criticizes 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.799 the false 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.319 teachers. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:22.699 Chapter 00:28:22.699 --> 00:28:23.019 1, 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.879 verse 16. 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.099 For not 00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:26.419 living 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:26.919 productive 00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:27.500 and fruitful 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.179 lives. 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.259 In fact, 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:29.939 their lives 00:28:29.939 --> 00:28:30.919 are inconsistent. 00:28:31.659 --> 00:28:32.179 They are 00:28:32.179 --> 00:28:33.099 claiming one 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:33.500 thing with 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.039 their mouths 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.419 and they're 00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:35.480 displaying another 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:35.859 with their 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.519 actions and 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:36.980 character. 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:37.740 There's an 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.939 inconsistency to 00:28:38.939 --> 00:28:39.339 the false 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:39.879 teachers and 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:40.240 that's how 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.419 you'll be 00:28:40.419 --> 00:28:40.699 able to 00:28:40.699 --> 00:28:41.240 spot them. 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:44.819 Grow in 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.699 your working. 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:47.279 And thirdly, 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.579 and lastly, 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.419 and very 00:28:49.419 --> 00:28:49.919 much linked 00:28:49.919 --> 00:28:50.199 to the 00:28:50.199 --> 00:28:50.759 first two, 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.000 Paul wants 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.299 them to 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:52.699 grow in 00:28:52.699 --> 00:28:52.859 their 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.319 waiting. 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.339 Waiting 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:56.359 for the 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.240 return of 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:57.399 their 00:28:57.399 --> 00:28:57.859 glorious 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.359 Lord and 00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:58.679 Saviour 00:28:58.679 --> 00:28:58.980 Jesus 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.539 Christ. 00:28:59.939 --> 00:29:00.199 Chapter 00:29:00.199 --> 00:29:00.599 2, 00:29:00.699 --> 00:29:01.459 verse 30. 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:03.639 He wants 00:29:03.639 --> 00:29:03.959 them to 00:29:03.959 --> 00:29:04.500 live in 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.439 eager 00:29:05.439 --> 00:29:06.259 anticipation 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.039 of the 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.539 day when 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:07.720 their 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.500 master will 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.319 come back. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.439 And this 00:29:10.439 --> 00:29:11.039 isn't a 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.500 passive 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:11.939 waiting. 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.319 This is 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:12.720 very much 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.359 an active 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:13.779 thing. 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.079 He wants 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.399 them to 00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:16.220 wait well. 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.279 And his 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.000 servants in 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.579 the present 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.160 age, what 00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:19.519 are they to 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:19.839 do? 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.119 Well, they're 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:20.819 to work for 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.599 him, they're 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.299 to live for 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:22.980 him, they're 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.539 to pursue 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.319 more of 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.480 him, and 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:25.779 they're just 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.299 to love 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.399 him outrageously. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.139 Now, I must 00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:30.700 say this week 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.099 in my own 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:31.819 life, my own 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.680 heart, I think 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.680 this is where 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:35.460 I was most 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:35.940 massively 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.500 convicted. 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.799 That how 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.420 often the 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:40.259 return of my 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.940 Lord and 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.500 that glorious 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.019 day when he 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.559 will return, 00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:42.980 like we were 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.500 singing in that 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.099 first song, 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.079 how often does 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:45.879 that just never 00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:46.379 cross my 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:46.740 radar? 00:29:48.300 --> 00:29:49.160 It never 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:49.860 comes into my 00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:50.420 thought life, 00:29:50.540 --> 00:29:51.260 and oh 00:29:51.260 --> 00:29:51.660 Father, would 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.340 you forgive me 00:29:52.340 --> 00:29:52.820 that that is 00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:53.140 true? 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:54.380 And would 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:54.880 you help me 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.620 live an eager 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:56.880 expectation of 00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:57.640 the day that 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:57.920 you will 00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:59.280 return to 00:29:59.280 --> 00:29:59.700 make all 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.400 things new? 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.060 How often I 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:02.720 just get bogged 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.180 down with the 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.700 stuff down 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.040 here? 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.840 Did I plan my 00:30:05.840 --> 00:30:06.860 diary two years 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:07.400 in advance? 00:30:07.520 --> 00:30:08.080 What a vanity 00:30:08.080 --> 00:30:09.660 that the Lord 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:10.160 could take me 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.740 home to glory 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.240 tomorrow. 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:14.319 D.A. 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:16.579 Carson, he 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.039 put it like 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.420 this. 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:18.880 He said, 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.680 a billion years 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.359 or so into 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:22.120 eternity, the 00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:22.940 number of toys 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.700 we accumulated 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.460 for ourselves 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.059 during this 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:26.220 life will not 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:26.799 seem too 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.740 terribly important. 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.519 And do you 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.180 see, just as we 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.759 pull a few of 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.160 these threads 00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:33.799 together this 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.319 evening, do you 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.980 see how radically 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:37.700 different this 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.799 community is going 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.500 to be from its 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.380 surrounding community? 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:44.220 on Crete, an 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:45.380 island full of 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:45.940 people renowned 00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:47.039 for lying and 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.779 for being lazy, 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.319 what does Paul 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:49.000 tell them to do? 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:49.759 Devote themselves 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:51.039 to the truth and 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:51.819 devote themselves to 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.500 working hard. 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.440 Radically different 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.539 from the surrounding 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:55.940 world. 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.420 This is why Paul 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:58.460 left Titus on 00:30:58.460 --> 00:31:00.359 Crete, to help 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.700 this church grow. 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:04.180 That is what he's 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.019 got to work hard 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.500 to do. 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.079 Now listen, we 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:10.140 started by joking 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:10.819 about what 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:12.240 reputations 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:12.799 different people 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:13.139 have. 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.019 And I wonder 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.919 just as I was 00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:18.220 finishing this this 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.819 week, I wonder 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:19.480 what reputation 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.139 we have. 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.179 I wonder what 00:31:22.179 --> 00:31:23.539 reputation the 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:23.939 church in 00:31:23.939 --> 00:31:24.740 Edinburgh has. 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.240 The church in 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:27.000 St. Andrews, the 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.659 church in Glasgow, 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.159 the church in 00:31:28.159 --> 00:31:28.759 Aberdeen, the 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.319 church in Britain, 00:31:29.439 --> 00:31:30.000 the church in 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.419 Europe, the 00:31:30.419 --> 00:31:30.740 church in the 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:30.980 world. 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:32.159 What reputation 00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:33.240 do we have? 00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:35.159 As outsiders, 00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:36.200 they look in and 00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:37.460 do they see this 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:37.939 community? 00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:40.820 Well, here's 00:31:40.820 --> 00:31:41.400 something that 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:42.400 encouraged me this 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:42.680 week. 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:44.100 It was an 00:31:44.100 --> 00:31:45.620 article I read 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.039 that was taken 00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:46.480 from the St. 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:47.279 Andrews University 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:48.220 student newspaper 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:49.120 which is called 00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.640 The Stand. 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:52.080 And one of the 00:31:52.080 --> 00:31:52.860 new students to 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:53.440 St. Andrews 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.140 University, he 00:31:54.140 --> 00:31:54.860 wrote into The 00:31:54.860 --> 00:31:56.000 Stand and he 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.799 gave his thoughts 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:58.059 on how he 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.779 perceived the 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.660 Christian community 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.900 as he lived his 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:01.900 life on campus. 00:32:02.340 --> 00:32:02.820 Now there's a bit 00:32:02.820 --> 00:32:03.420 more to it on the 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:03.960 screen but that's 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.519 the kind of gist 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:04.840 of it. 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:05.720 But let me read 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.200 this to you. 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.920 It's fantastic. 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:09.299 So this is great. 00:32:09.400 --> 00:32:09.940 This is what he's 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.900 perceiving right in 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:11.420 front of him. 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:12.740 He says this, 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.420 Growing up I 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.240 thought Christianity 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.019 was always 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.620 something for 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.339 older people. 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:17.880 It was for 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:18.460 teachers in 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:19.140 primary school, 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.759 for distant 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.680 aunts halfway 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.700 across the globe 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.319 or your 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:22.680 friends' 00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:23.279 parents who 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:23.819 always brought 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.299 the largest 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:24.940 pumpkin to 00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:25.539 harvest day. 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.259 People my 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.819 age meanwhile 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.500 weren't going 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.059 to listen to 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.940 any old type 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.519 of authority 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.559 especially the 00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:32.420 authority of a 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.360 dusty old book. 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.559 We were too 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.380 young, we were 00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:35.960 too forward 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:36.380 thinking. 00:32:36.780 --> 00:32:37.240 In short 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.480 Christianity just 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.100 wasn't cool 00:32:39.100 --> 00:32:39.800 enough for us. 00:32:41.580 --> 00:32:42.060 In St. 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.840 Andrews however 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:44.800 young Christians 00:32:44.800 --> 00:32:45.160 abide. 00:32:46.600 --> 00:32:47.220 Maybe it's the 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:48.140 traditional aspect 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:49.040 of the university, 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:49.680 maybe it's the 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:51.020 town's illustrious 00:32:51.020 --> 00:32:51.780 history as the 00:32:51.780 --> 00:32:52.500 religious capital 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:52.980 of Scotland. 00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.560 Whatever the 00:32:54.560 --> 00:32:55.320 reason, and get 00:32:55.320 --> 00:32:56.900 this, it is 00:32:56.900 --> 00:32:57.900 impossible not to 00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:59.080 notice that 00:32:59.080 --> 00:33:00.420 Christianity is 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.280 thriving in this 00:33:01.280 --> 00:33:01.840 town. 00:33:03.320 --> 00:33:04.040 It is often 00:33:04.040 --> 00:33:04.620 said that you 00:33:04.619 --> 00:33:05.359 can never find 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:05.859 a Christian 00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.479 here who you 00:33:06.479 --> 00:33:07.219 cannot like. 00:33:08.419 --> 00:33:08.819 And despite 00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:09.479 having had 00:33:09.479 --> 00:33:10.219 several bad 00:33:10.219 --> 00:33:11.319 experiences from 00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:11.839 a Church of 00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:12.399 England school, 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:13.099 I have to 00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:14.599 agree that 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.359 every single 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:15.979 Christian I 00:33:15.979 --> 00:33:16.659 have met here 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.159 has been 00:33:17.159 --> 00:33:17.519 lovely. 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.259 Isn't that a 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:19.939 great thing? 00:33:21.939 --> 00:33:22.379 As people 00:33:22.379 --> 00:33:23.679 perceive this 00:33:23.679 --> 00:33:24.739 Christian community 00:33:24.739 --> 00:33:25.399 in action, 00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:26.559 it might have 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:26.799 been the 00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:27.419 student community 00:33:27.419 --> 00:33:28.299 there, but as 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:29.099 people perceive 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:29.719 this Christian 00:33:29.719 --> 00:33:31.339 community, it's 00:33:31.339 --> 00:33:32.980 our heart for 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.599 our community 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.159 that something 00:33:34.159 --> 00:33:34.639 like that would 00:33:34.639 --> 00:33:35.079 be said of 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.379 us. 00:33:36.819 --> 00:33:37.359 That people in 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:37.839 this community 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:38.519 would be glad 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:38.959 that we were 00:33:38.959 --> 00:33:40.319 here, and if 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:41.059 we ever left, 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:41.419 they would be 00:33:41.419 --> 00:33:41.799 gutted. 00:33:44.179 --> 00:33:44.699 And I guess 00:33:44.699 --> 00:33:45.240 that's, and just 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:45.879 to finish off, 00:33:45.959 --> 00:33:46.639 that's my prayer 00:33:46.639 --> 00:33:47.379 for us as we 00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:47.959 journey through 00:33:47.959 --> 00:33:48.539 this letter 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.019 together. 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.299 And let me 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:52.240 finish by just 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:52.819 asking you to 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.319 embrace the 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:53.599 prayer. 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:55.679 You know, I 00:33:55.679 --> 00:33:57.079 wonder if you 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:58.299 pray for our 00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:58.859 church here at 00:33:58.859 --> 00:33:59.279 Brunsfield. 00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:01.079 I wonder if 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:01.859 you pray for 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:03.579 individuals here 00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.119 at Brunsfield, 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.160 and I wonder if 00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:05.819 you do, I wonder 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.399 what you pray 00:34:06.399 --> 00:34:06.759 for them. 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.340 Well, it's my 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:12.039 prayer as we 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.619 journey through 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.300 this little letter 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:14.320 of Titus that 00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:15.719 what we encounter 00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:16.579 here in God's 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.059 word is he 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.880 teaches us by 00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:19.019 his spirit that 00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:19.900 these things would 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.840 become our prayer 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:21.719 for our community. 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:23.559 And that we 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.380 would go further 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.239 than just praying 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:26.340 for our own 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:27.500 superficial needs, 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.739 but actually we 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:29.259 would pray for 00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:30.080 one another that 00:34:30.080 --> 00:34:30.980 we would grow. 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.960 Grow individually 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.660 and grow corporately 00:34:34.660 --> 00:34:35.880 in terms of our 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.480 knowing and our 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:36.820 showing. 00:34:37.580 --> 00:34:38.060 That we would be 00:34:38.060 --> 00:34:38.940 a community that 00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:40.160 by God's grace 00:34:40.160 --> 00:34:40.700 and by his 00:34:40.700 --> 00:34:41.800 spirit, it 00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:42.440 grows. 00:34:44.620 --> 00:34:45.020 And I thought 00:34:45.020 --> 00:34:45.300 it would just be 00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:45.900 a great way to 00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:46.380 end as we 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.320 respond just to 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:47.900 this little 00:34:47.900 --> 00:34:48.600 introduction to 00:34:48.600 --> 00:34:49.020 this letter 00:34:49.020 --> 00:34:49.540 this evening, 00:34:49.640 --> 00:34:50.380 to pray together. 00:34:51.600 --> 00:34:52.540 So what I 00:34:52.540 --> 00:34:53.360 thought would be 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:54.000 great for us to 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.560 do is just 00:34:54.560 --> 00:34:55.040 maybe can I 00:34:55.040 --> 00:34:55.720 ask three people 00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:56.160 to pray? 00:34:57.240 --> 00:34:57.940 Just open time 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.240 of prayer 00:34:58.240 --> 00:34:58.599 together. 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.300 Pray for three 00:35:00.300 --> 00:35:01.200 things for our 00:35:01.200 --> 00:35:02.200 church family here 00:35:02.200 --> 00:35:03.440 as we journey 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:03.860 through this 00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:04.119 letter. 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:04.920 Firstly, if 00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:05.320 somebody wants 00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:05.800 to pray for 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:06.320 our growing, 00:35:08.280 --> 00:35:08.860 and then secondly, 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.460 if somebody wants 00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:10.119 to pray for our 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:10.440 knowing, 00:35:11.900 --> 00:35:12.420 and then lastly, 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:12.960 if somebody wants 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.659 to pray for our 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:14.019 showing, 00:35:15.159 --> 00:35:15.820 and then I'll 00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:17.559 close our prayer 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.079 time together. 00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:18.420 But remember, 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:18.960 just big loud 00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:19.579 voices, let's 00:35:19.579 --> 00:35:20.139 encourage one 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:20.900 another with this, 00:35:21.320 --> 00:35:21.940 and let's just 00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:22.700 respond to what 00:35:22.700 --> 00:35:23.240 we've heard this 00:35:23.240 --> 00:35:23.599 evening, and 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:24.340 let's just commit 00:35:24.340 --> 00:35:25.539 ourselves over 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.180 this next little 00:35:26.180 --> 00:35:26.740 while, and over 00:35:26.740 --> 00:35:28.280 this, or our 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:28.880 lifetime as a 00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:29.400 church together. 00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:30.400 Let's just commit 00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:31.019 it to the Lord. 00:35:31.160 --> 00:35:31.840 So why don't we 00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:32.480 do that now, and 00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:33.180 let's pray together. 00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:38.899 Father, I ask the 00:35:38.899 --> 00:35:40.419 Lord that I might 00:35:40.419 --> 00:35:43.980 grow in faith and 00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.839 love and every 00:35:44.839 --> 00:35:47.519 grace, might more 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.659 of his salvation 00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:50.960 know, and seek 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:53.039 more earnestly his 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.539 face. 00:35:55.199 --> 00:35:56.059 Our dear Father, 00:35:56.139 --> 00:35:57.059 we would thank you 00:35:57.059 --> 00:35:59.500 for those lyrics 00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:00.480 that we have of 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:01.159 John Newton. 00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:03.000 Lord, just a 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:04.059 passion to see 00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:04.980 himself and to 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:05.659 see your church 00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:06.079 grow. 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.799 And so, Father, we 00:36:07.799 --> 00:36:08.460 ask that you would 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:09.339 help us to do that 00:36:09.339 --> 00:36:09.899 this week. 00:36:10.719 --> 00:36:11.619 Lord, help us to 00:36:11.619 --> 00:36:12.199 grow in our 00:36:12.199 --> 00:36:13.159 showing and in our 00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:14.619 knowing, and Lord, 00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:15.299 that we might just 00:36:15.299 --> 00:36:16.199 live fruitful and 00:36:16.199 --> 00:36:17.139 productive lives for 00:36:17.139 --> 00:36:17.619 your glory. 00:36:18.259 --> 00:36:18.899 And so it's through 00:36:18.899 --> 00:36:20.039 your Son's precious 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.859 and worthy name that 00:36:20.859 --> 00:36:21.339 we pray. 00:36:21.759 --> 00:36:22.099 Amen.