WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.740 The second chapter here of Paul's letter to Titus is bookended by two distinct commands. 00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:14.980 In the very first verse, he tells Titus, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:00:15.740 --> 00:00:19.400 And if you move your eye all the way down to the last verse, in verse 15, 00:00:19.760 --> 00:00:26.839 he closes with another command, declare these things with all authority, he says. 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:32.539 And if that's not enough, right in the middle of the passage, right in the middle of this particular chapter, 00:00:32.659 --> 00:00:36.740 he gives him another helpful command in verse 7, 00:00:37.159 --> 00:00:43.000 show yourself in all respects to be a model of good work. 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:50.799 So, Titus is to teach, he is to declare, he is to model. 00:00:50.799 --> 00:01:01.619 And the synopsis of what it is to teach and model and declare involves counter-cultural living, 00:01:02.239 --> 00:01:09.959 counter-cultural conduct that emerges from faith in the gospel of Jesus, 00:01:09.959 --> 00:01:15.500 as well as an anticipation that Jesus will soon return. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:17.280 I know that was a mouthful. 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:23.159 What is it that in chapter 2, Paul is telling Titus to teach and to model and to declare? 00:01:24.180 --> 00:01:32.480 Godliness, that comes as a result of knowing Christ and looking, anticipating his return. 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:35.480 And it's all rooted in verses 11 through 14. 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:37.420 Just draw your eye there for just a moment. 00:01:38.099 --> 00:01:43.180 He says, I want you to live in this way because the grace of God has appeared, 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:49.820 bringing salvation, training us to renounce ungodliness, verse 13, 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:57.860 and that we are waiting for our blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:01:57.860 --> 00:02:02.840 In other words, Titus, teach these things, teach them how to live in godliness, 00:02:03.160 --> 00:02:08.860 because godliness will be the natural fruit that comes from faith in the gospel of Jesus. 00:02:08.860 --> 00:02:15.680 And as long as they're keeping their eyes in anticipation on the soon coming return of Jesus Christ, 00:02:15.780 --> 00:02:17.800 this also will motivate them this way. 00:02:18.100 --> 00:02:19.760 Teach these things, Titus. 00:02:20.140 --> 00:02:22.940 Model these things for them. 00:02:22.980 --> 00:02:25.480 And that's the essence of what this chapter is really about. 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:31.760 In other words, our behavior should match our profession as followers of Jesus. 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:38.179 If we say we know Christ, that should be displayed in the way that we live. 00:02:39.179 --> 00:02:48.139 Our lives should conform to the teaching of the Bible rather than to the whims of our ever-changing culture. 00:02:49.139 --> 00:02:53.399 Our conduct should befit the gospel. 00:02:53.400 --> 00:03:06.180 And it should befit the gospel so that we may bring honor to God as well as display His glory, His salvation to the world. 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:09.719 Now, why would God be so concerned for us to do this? 00:03:10.580 --> 00:03:17.960 Well, one, because it is the very sinfulness that we are prone to that Jesus came to redeem us from. 00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:24.400 So it would follow that those of us who have been redeemed will pursue righteousness in our lives. 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:26.140 But there's a second layer to that. 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:30.439 Why is He concerned for us to live this way, to live in godliness? 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:39.340 Because in living in godliness, we demonstrate to the world the transformative power of Christ in the gospel. 00:03:39.340 --> 00:03:50.000 That Christ can offer the world around us what no other religion, no other philosophy, no other manner of life can actually provide. 00:03:50.840 --> 00:03:52.120 True freedom. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:55.099 Freedom from the bondage of sin. 00:03:55.980 --> 00:03:59.780 Freedom from the bondage of death. 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:29.759 Freedom from the bondage of death. 00:04:29.779 --> 00:04:38.159 elders, pastors who would care for the churches by teaching God's truth and refuting anything that contradicted the gospel. 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:45.919 But then as we come to chapter 2, we find a second structure beginning to take shape. 00:04:45.919 --> 00:04:53.059 A second structure that Titus is not only to model as an apostolic delegate from Paul, 00:04:53.239 --> 00:04:57.119 but something he is to emphasize to these elders to do. 00:04:57.120 --> 00:05:05.060 And the second structure is intentional gospel-based discipling. 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:09.480 Intentional gospel-based discipling. 00:05:10.040 --> 00:05:15.220 Of course, you know, to be a disciple simply means to be a follower of Jesus. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:25.120 Discipling, the verb form, is the commitment to help other people follow Jesus. 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:35.620 And the way that we help other people follow Jesus is by personally teaching truth and modeling Christian behavior. 00:05:35.620 --> 00:05:41.280 And Paul's point to Titus in this little letter, this little practical helpful letter, 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:45.240 is you need faithful elders who will care for the church, 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:50.439 and you need a culture of discipling where the church will care for itself 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:55.720 and emphasize these things that are true to the gospel, true to sound doctrine. 00:05:55.720 --> 00:06:02.940 And both of these things are essential for maintaining spiritual fitness in the church. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:06.660 And of course, the first thing we learn here as we get into verse 1 00:06:06.660 --> 00:06:12.380 is that fruitful discipleship begins with faithful eldership. 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:14.640 Begins with faithful eldership. 00:06:14.700 --> 00:06:15.660 Look again at verse 1. 00:06:15.660 --> 00:06:27.320 The springboard here for this discussion of godly living and discipling, 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:30.260 intergenerational discipling that's unfolding here, 00:06:30.380 --> 00:06:34.879 the springboard for it is faithful elders who will begin the work 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:36.820 and who will continue the work 00:06:36.820 --> 00:06:40.200 and who will guide the work of discipling in the church. 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:46.800 The opening but connects this instruction to what Paul had just written 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:49.479 regarding the false teachers at the end of chapter 1. 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:54.699 Whereas the false teachers were denying God by their works, 00:06:55.599 --> 00:06:59.879 teaching doctrines that made them unfit for any good work, 00:07:01.159 --> 00:07:04.699 Titus and the Cretan elders, in contrast to that, 00:07:04.699 --> 00:07:10.639 were to model and teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:17.920 And what models and teaches sound doctrine will produce spiritual fitness. 00:07:18.219 --> 00:07:21.259 We've talked about several times already this sound doctrine, 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:24.000 we can translate this as healthy doctrine. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:25.199 It is a medical term. 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:28.699 It's meant to emphasize health, fitness. 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:32.539 So Titus and the elders are to teach and to model things 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:37.420 that produce spiritual fitness in the lives of the people 00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:40.000 that they've been called to care for. 00:07:41.020 --> 00:07:48.939 Now accords here means something that is in harmony with the truth of the gospel. 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:56.259 And what accords with sound doctrine is not merely the doctrine itself, 00:07:56.259 --> 00:08:02.560 but it is the behaviors that should accompany the trustworthy word. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:05.120 Do you see this taking shape now? 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:07.879 If you kind of step back and the best that you can, 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:09.699 think of the big picture of the book now. 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:12.300 What is it that Paul's emphasizing? 00:08:13.039 --> 00:08:16.480 Faithfulness to the word, faithfulness to the gospel, 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:20.439 so that that will produce godliness in our lives. 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:25.100 Because we cannot separate doctrine from conduct. 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:30.180 We cannot ultimately separate belief from behavior. 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:33.279 So Paul tells Titus and the elders, 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:37.779 teach what is right and teach what is good and right 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:41.399 in the way that we behave and conduct our lives. 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:49.340 The point is that true faith in Christ brings practical change. 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:52.899 It brings practical change in our lives. 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:56.699 Indeed, one of the glories of the gospel 00:08:56.699 --> 00:09:00.819 is the transformative power of God at work 00:09:00.819 --> 00:09:05.620 in the life of a sinner who comes to Jesus for salvation. 00:09:06.179 --> 00:09:07.579 And we talked about this last week. 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:12.120 Jesus doesn't demand that we clean ourselves up 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:14.920 so that we can then be accepted by him. 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:16.740 No, he says, come. 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:21.259 And as we trust in him, he cleans us up. 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:23.060 He gives us a new heart. 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:25.200 He transforms our lives. 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:28.120 And then we need to be encouraged by faithful elders 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:30.139 and by other Christians in our lives 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:33.440 to continue to pursue the righteousness 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:36.940 that Christ begins to work in our hearts through salvation. 00:09:36.940 --> 00:09:38.900 That's one of the glories of the gospel. 00:09:39.540 --> 00:09:40.960 That when we come to Christ, 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:45.260 he does this amazing work in us. 00:09:46.040 --> 00:09:47.920 And this work of the gospel, 00:09:48.500 --> 00:09:50.380 this genuine faith in Christ 00:09:50.380 --> 00:09:54.320 produces practical change that cannot be denied. 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:56.780 It cannot be denied by the Christian community 00:09:56.780 --> 00:10:00.420 and it cannot be denied by the secular community either. 00:10:01.420 --> 00:10:03.640 And yet there seems to be so many churches, 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:06.500 so many Christians who make a profession 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:10.000 that does not match the life that they live. 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:12.559 They say the right things. 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:15.720 They confess the right doctrines. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:18.740 But then they don't actually live a life 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:20.639 that practically matches the things 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:21.819 that they say that they believe. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:24.799 Paul is concerned that Titus 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:26.299 teach the people differently than that. 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.100 And that there is a pattern 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:30.039 and a structure set up in the church 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:33.000 so that that continues on. 00:10:34.939 --> 00:10:37.679 Faithful pastors will continually 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:40.639 teach Christians to pursue behaviors 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:42.240 that accord with God's word. 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:44.719 And it creates a ripple effect 00:10:44.719 --> 00:10:45.759 through the congregation 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:49.480 so that as these faithful elders are appointed 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:51.000 and they're leading the church, 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:52.639 there's a ripple effect 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:54.959 to where as they are discipling people, 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:57.059 the people that they are discipling 00:10:57.059 --> 00:10:59.159 begin to disciple others. 00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:00.459 Do you see the effect here? 00:11:01.339 --> 00:11:02.500 It's the plan of God. 00:11:03.339 --> 00:11:05.359 It's the plan of God in the local church. 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:08.159 It's the plan of God for building up His people. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:11.359 And it's one that we need not neglect. 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.619 Paul knew that the Cretans 00:11:14.619 --> 00:11:16.319 needed a culture of discipling. 00:11:17.199 --> 00:11:20.139 Something emphasized throughout his writings 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:21.000 in the New Testament. 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:24.979 He told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2, 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:26.779 What you have heard from me 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:28.639 in the presence of many witnesses 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:30.820 entrust to faithful men 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:34.080 who will be able to teach others also. 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:35.480 It's a simple pattern. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:38.019 Timothy, teach faithful men 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:39.200 so that the faithful men 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:40.300 can teach other men 00:11:40.300 --> 00:11:41.720 to produce more faithful men 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:43.100 that will teach other men. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:44.379 And so on and so forth 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:45.300 as the church is built. 00:11:46.420 --> 00:11:48.519 We quote Ephesians 4 often 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:50.820 in regard to this topic. 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:53.220 Christ gave the apostles 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:55.060 and the prophets and the evangelists, 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.639 the shepherds and teachers, 00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:57.960 that's the pastors and elders, 00:11:58.139 --> 00:12:00.759 so that they might equip the saints, 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:01.480 the Christians, 00:12:01.940 --> 00:12:03.820 for the work of ministry. 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:05.440 And what is the work of ministry? 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:08.519 The building up of the body of Christ. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:12.440 And we see it coming to the surface again 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:14.300 very clearly here in Titus chapter 2. 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:16.379 Now as Paul gets into this discussion, 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:18.100 we find here 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:20.100 that he distinguished people 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:22.920 in the church by age or life stage. 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:24.879 He doesn't always do that. 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:26.200 He does it here for some reason. 00:12:26.540 --> 00:12:28.440 He doesn't cover every life stage 00:12:28.440 --> 00:12:31.200 that probably was present in Crete, 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:33.000 but he at least limits himself 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:36.120 to the four most common demographics. 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:39.560 He has a word to older men 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:40.379 in the congregation, 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:42.040 a word to older women 00:12:42.040 --> 00:12:42.940 in the congregation, 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.600 a word to younger women, 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:46.820 and then a word to younger men. 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:48.259 Eventually, in a couple of weeks, 00:12:48.300 --> 00:12:49.940 we'll get to where he covers everyone 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:52.019 in the nature of their work. 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:54.759 And I think this division here, 00:12:54.920 --> 00:12:57.180 the distinguishing of these age groups, 00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:58.899 alerts us to three things 00:12:58.899 --> 00:12:59.899 that we need to consider 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.620 as we work through this text. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:03.060 The first one is this, 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:06.659 that the scope of influence for elders 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:09.980 is extended to every demographic 00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:10.740 of the church. 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:13.600 The scope of influence for pastors 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:16.620 is not limited to one demographic 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:18.440 or just to the people 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:20.720 to whom they best relate. 00:13:21.680 --> 00:13:24.139 The actual responsibility of pastors 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:26.240 that we would call to serve our church 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:28.799 is a responsibility that includes 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:30.139 the entire congregation, 00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:32.299 the entire flock of God. 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:35.620 No matter their age or their experience, 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:37.759 elders are to faithfully disciple 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:39.440 the entire church, 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:42.900 especially and primarily 00:13:42.900 --> 00:13:45.960 as it relates to the regular preaching 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:48.340 and teaching of the Bible. 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:51.560 Now, Paul tells Timothy 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:54.260 how these pastors are to relate 00:13:54.260 --> 00:13:55.340 to the people in the church. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:57.200 In fact, just flip over a couple of pages 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:58.820 to 1 Timothy chapter 5. 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:02.380 1 Timothy chapter 5. 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:06.300 And in the first two verses here, 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.620 Paul makes it clear 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:09.399 how Timothy is to relate to the people. 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:12.240 He says in verse 1, 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:13.899 Do not rebuke an older man, 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:17.159 but encourage him as you would a father, 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.200 younger men as brothers, 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:22.840 older women as mothers, 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.980 younger women as sisters, 00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:26.240 in all purity. 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:27.899 I think that's a pattern 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:31.399 Paul intends to see perpetuated 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.159 in every church 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:33.139 and among all the elders. 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:35.399 that they have a responsibility 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.519 for the whole congregation, 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:39.220 but there's also a helpful way 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:40.539 that they need to see themselves 00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:42.240 relating to the whole congregation. 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:46.019 That with the ones that are older than them, 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.240 mature in years, 00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:48.559 they need to treat them 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:49.659 as fathers and mothers. 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:52.039 You talk and rebuke 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:53.879 and encourage your father 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:56.100 in a very different way 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:57.980 than you do your brother. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.500 Right? 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:01.799 And these pastors 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:02.980 were to remember that. 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.720 Timothy wasn't supposed 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.779 to come into Ephesus 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:06.700 guns ablaze 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.860 and firing at anybody 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:09.000 and everybody that he could. 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:10.519 No, he used to be wise 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.320 and discerning 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:12.379 in the way that he related, 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:13.940 but he still had a responsibility 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:15.179 for everyone 00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:16.960 to care for their souls 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:17.980 and so do the elders. 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:20.279 Second thing 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:22.320 is that each life stage 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:25.159 has unique temptations 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:26.740 and responsibilities 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:29.120 that we really need to acknowledge. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:31.360 Again, we're talking about 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.940 why Paul has distinguished 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:33.919 these age groups. 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:35.399 It's because at each season 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.080 of your life, 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.799 the weaknesses 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.879 that you may sense 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.779 and the temptations 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.659 that you may feel 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.820 are going to shift 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:43.340 and they're going to change 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:45.039 as you mature 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.259 and as you age. 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:48.440 That's exactly what happens. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:50.080 And of course, 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:51.259 the items included here, 00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.680 this is a very short passage, 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:53.680 the items included here, 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.659 they don't cover everything, 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:56.159 but they are representative, 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:56.799 I think, 00:15:56.839 --> 00:15:58.240 of what is generally true 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.879 of these life stages. 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.740 We need to keep that in mind. 00:16:02.459 --> 00:16:03.559 The third thing is this, 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:06.620 intergenerational, 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:11.259 gender-specific discipling 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:13.759 should be the normative 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.419 in local churches. 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:18.000 It should be normal 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.439 that churches 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:20.759 are multi-generational. 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:23.259 It should be normal 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:24.620 that the discipling 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:25.580 that takes place 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.559 in a local church 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:29.379 happens between generations. 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.139 We don't just group up 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:32.439 all the young adults here 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:34.960 and all of the senior adults here 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:36.439 and all the teenagers here 00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:37.860 and all the children here 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:39.039 and we let them kind of 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:40.100 figure it out on their own. 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.340 It doesn't make sense. 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:42.659 No. 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:44.819 Intergenerational, 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:47.000 gender-specific, 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.319 matters. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:50.039 It matters in this text 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:51.340 and it matters practically 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:52.200 as we just think about 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:53.220 how we're going to help one another. 00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:55.060 I can't help you focus 00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:55.940 and think through 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:56.960 postpartum depression 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.800 if you have a baby. 00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:59.300 I have never had a baby 00:16:59.300 --> 00:17:00.740 and I've never had 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.660 postpartum depression 00:17:01.660 --> 00:17:02.340 from a baby. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:04.120 I can't help you with that. 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.140 You know what you need 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:05.759 if you're going through 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.579 something like that? 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.700 You need another woman. 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.039 You see what I mean? 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:10.640 Intergenerational, 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.620 gender-specific, 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.259 Paul gets into 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.160 all of those things here. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:16.039 So, eventually, 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:16.579 we're going to look 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:17.240 at all four groups. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.440 Today, we're just going to look 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.240 at two of them. 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:21.519 And our goal is to understand 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:24.039 what it means to obey 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.160 the Lord 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:27.320 out of the fruitfulness 00:17:27.320 --> 00:17:28.019 of the gospel 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.799 and then what it means 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:31.220 to disciple others 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.519 in what accords 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.279 with sound doctrine. 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:33.860 Okay? 00:17:34.580 --> 00:17:35.259 Older men, 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:36.360 you're up first. 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.460 Look at verse two. 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.980 Older men are to be 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.860 sober-minded, 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:42.840 dignified, 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.720 self-controlled, 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:46.940 sound in faith, 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.160 in love, 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:50.440 and in steadfastness. 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.019 Now, I'm going to let 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:53.360 everybody decide for themselves 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:54.559 which group you belong to. 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.180 I'm not going to choose 00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:56.880 that for you. 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.839 But he begins with 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:01.140 older men in the congregation 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:01.720 here, 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.700 and it's no coincidence 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:03.539 that he does. 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.100 Because the older men 00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:07.960 in the congregation, 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.660 those mature in years, 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:11.960 are the natural leaders 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:13.480 of any community. 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.960 Whether they want to be 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.400 or not, 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:17.660 the ones who have gone 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.539 before us 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:20.220 in terms of life 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.019 and experience 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:22.980 will always be the ones 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:24.519 that the most people 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:26.700 instinctively look to 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:28.279 for personal counsel 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:30.019 and a helpful pattern 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:30.600 of life. 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.019 And it makes sense 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.120 that Paul begins here 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:34.180 and he addresses 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:36.039 those who will most naturally 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:36.940 in the community 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:38.160 of these congregations 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.920 assume some type 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:40.480 of leadership, 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.900 whether it's formalized 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:42.779 in the church 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.899 or whether it's just 00:18:43.899 --> 00:18:44.819 by the fact 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:46.079 that they've been around 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:46.960 a few times 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.160 and they've experienced 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:49.019 a few things 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:50.460 and they can be helpful 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.099 to others 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:52.200 who are trying to figure out 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:53.259 how to go about life. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.740 Makes sense that he would 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.740 start there, doesn't it? 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.480 It's because of this instinct 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:00.379 that it is crucial 00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:02.559 that the older men 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.259 of a church 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.420 set the standard 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:05.259 for godliness, 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:08.539 that they passionately 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:11.119 pursue the things of God. 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:12.399 Why? 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:15.000 Because generally speaking, 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:17.019 as goes the men, 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.639 so goes the church. 00:19:21.719 --> 00:19:23.379 If a church is filled 00:19:23.379 --> 00:19:24.079 with men 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:27.459 who clearly love the Lord, 00:19:28.459 --> 00:19:29.939 who are passionate 00:19:29.939 --> 00:19:30.799 about pursuing 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:32.059 the things of the Lord, 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:34.159 who are not perfect, 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.779 but desire to be righteous 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:38.000 and upright 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.099 in the things that they do, 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:41.299 it will inevitably 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:43.099 produce the fruitfulness 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:45.199 of a church congregation 00:19:45.199 --> 00:19:47.559 that does the same things. 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.799 But if a church 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:51.099 is filled with men 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.419 who are casual 00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:53.439 in their faith, 00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:56.259 lazy in their study, 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.980 lack control 00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.799 in the way 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:00.939 that they live their life, 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.740 it will produce a church 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.519 that mimics it. 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:05.659 It's just the way it works. 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:07.900 Paul knows that, 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.340 so he starts here. 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.840 It's this dynamic 00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:12.940 of natural leadership. 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:15.140 It's not to be rebuffed. 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:17.120 We're not to resent that. 00:20:17.820 --> 00:20:18.860 It's the way God 00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:20.240 created life to work. 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.640 And we need to recognize it, 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.480 and older men 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.340 need to own it. 00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:26.320 Own it for the good 00:20:26.320 --> 00:20:27.060 of God's people. 00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:30.060 When it comes to the issues 00:20:30.060 --> 00:20:30.640 Paul addressed, 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.380 I think it's helpful 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:32.340 to look here at 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:34.200 actions and attitudes. 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.680 actions and attitudes. 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.580 Let's look first 00:20:36.580 --> 00:20:37.480 at the actions here 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.259 for older men. 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:40.500 Three necessary characteristics 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.059 are given. 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:42.580 Sober-minded, 00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:44.319 dignified, 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.720 and self-controlled. 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.000 Sober-minded, 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:47.799 dignified, 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.480 self-controlled. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.900 Sober-minded 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:51.759 means temperate 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.480 in thought. 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.519 It's clear-headed. 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.759 It's the ability 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.840 to keep your head 00:20:57.840 --> 00:20:58.680 rather than 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:00.039 lose your mind. 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:03.200 relates to our 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.220 anger, 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.700 our control 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:08.240 over our spirit 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.139 and our attitudes. 00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:10.720 It's to think clearly 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.379 rather than 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:12.259 to be controlled 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.480 by our emotions. 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.639 And older men 00:21:14.639 --> 00:21:15.539 are to set the tone 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.200 for this. 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.859 It's the discipline 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:19.259 of drawing on 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.500 your years of experience 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:22.440 to act with wisdom 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:25.019 in any given situation. 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.680 And we need 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.200 older men 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.019 who will display 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:29.500 sober-mindedness 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.559 because typically 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.579 younger men 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.359 are not going 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:32.900 to display 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:34.220 sober-mindedness. 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.500 He says dignified, 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:40.319 which is a word 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:40.960 I tried to spend 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.539 a lot of time 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.000 on this week. 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.960 I wanted to really 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.839 try to grasp 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:45.220 what this means. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:45.900 Dignified 00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:48.019 means to carry yourself 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.619 in a way 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:50.059 that elicits 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:51.180 respect 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.680 and honor 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.379 from others. 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:55.900 It's not to be 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:57.180 confused with 00:21:57.180 --> 00:22:00.100 humorless. 00:22:00.840 --> 00:22:01.920 It's not to be 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:02.800 confused with 00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:03.940 pretension. 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.820 It simply means 00:22:06.820 --> 00:22:08.380 that you carry 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.260 yourself in such 00:22:09.260 --> 00:22:09.780 a way that 00:22:09.780 --> 00:22:10.620 is respectable 00:22:10.620 --> 00:22:12.440 and it's easily 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.160 respectable. 00:22:14.800 --> 00:22:15.680 It's not that 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.380 you take yourself 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:17.160 too seriously. 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.860 It's that you 00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:19.700 take your worship 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.920 and your godliness 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:22.020 with such 00:22:22.020 --> 00:22:23.000 earnestness 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.880 that others 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.619 consider you 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.259 worthy of 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.599 respect. 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:27.740 You know what 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.079 it's like. 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:28.619 We have men 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:29.059 like this 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.660 in our lives, 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:29.940 right? 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.819 Where maybe 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.660 it's a 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:33.279 patriarch of 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:33.720 your family, 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.200 if I'm allowed 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:34.680 to use that 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:34.940 word, 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.039 that when your 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.599 family gets 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.160 together and 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:37.720 they come in, 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.259 what you and 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.700 your brother 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.359 and your sister 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:39.920 may be cutting 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.299 up doing, 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.099 you kind of 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:41.579 stop that 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.079 because there 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.799 is a certain 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.599 dignity that 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.200 comes along 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.099 when dad 00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.660 walks in the 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:45.900 room. 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.380 You know what 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:47.900 that's like. 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.640 It's almost 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:49.539 intangible in 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.119 some ways. 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.359 Paul says, 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:51.940 these older men, 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:52.360 you need to 00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:52.840 carry yourselves 00:22:52.840 --> 00:22:53.380 with dignity. 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.860 Carry yourself 00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:55.420 in a way that 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.279 elicits respect 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:56.960 because you're 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.220 going to need 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:57.680 the respect 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.360 of the people 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:59.000 in the congregation 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.860 to lead them 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.900 and to counsel 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.340 them and to 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:01.860 help them. 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.900 Self-control is 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.620 the third thing. 00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:06.740 It stands in 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.759 stark contrast 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.279 to both 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.360 Cretan and 00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:10.460 American cultures 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:12.240 where satisfying 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.420 self seems to 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.120 be a cardinal 00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:14.600 virtue. 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.279 Self-control 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.080 instead is the 00:23:18.080 --> 00:23:19.320 ability to curb 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.079 your impulses. 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:20.859 It's to 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.939 surrender them 00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:22.539 to the 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.159 lordship of 00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:23.819 Jesus Christ. 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.579 And all 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.379 three of these 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:26.079 actions are 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.960 displayed in 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.079 spiritual disciplines. 00:23:29.139 --> 00:23:29.839 It's in the 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.439 discipline of 00:23:30.439 --> 00:23:31.059 prayer and the 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.659 discipline of 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.439 study. 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:32.879 It's in the 00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:33.460 discipline of 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.319 discipleship and 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:35.039 the discipline of 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.839 worship and the 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.939 discipline of 00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:37.899 song. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.519 Of all the 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.079 things that we 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:40.359 would say mark 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.259 someone who 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.419 loves the Lord 00:23:42.419 --> 00:23:43.299 and has been 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:45.039 gripped by the 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.879 love of Christ. 00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:46.939 It needs to be 00:23:46.939 --> 00:23:47.579 evident in the 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.059 older men. 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.659 Well that's the 00:23:48.659 --> 00:23:49.000 actions. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.099 Let's look now at 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.740 the attitudes. 00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:52.960 Paul said the 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.519 spiritual attitudes 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.460 of older men 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.879 should be marked 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:57.919 by soundness in 00:23:57.919 --> 00:23:59.579 faith, love, 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.480 steadfastness. 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:03.519 Faith, love, 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.779 steadfastness. 00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:07.019 Attributes that 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:08.779 are not routinely 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.859 associated with 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:10.819 masculinity in our 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.059 world. 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.579 These things 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.399 actually seem, 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.339 except for 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:16.139 perhaps maybe 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:16.899 steadfastness, 00:24:16.899 --> 00:24:17.539 seem to be 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:19.879 weakness from a 00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:20.759 cultural standard. 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.980 But in God's 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.859 economy this is 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:24.480 not weakness at 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:24.639 all. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.339 This is the 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.420 pinnacle of 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:26.980 strength. 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.379 Sound in faith 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:30.180 means that 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:31.700 these men need 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.379 to be students 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:33.099 of the word. 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.920 Setting a 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:35.559 pattern of 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.139 faith and 00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:37.359 faithfulness 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.839 for the rest 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.500 of the church. 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:41.659 Sound in love 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:43.220 reflects not 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.839 only a love for 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.500 the Lord but 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.299 for other people. 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:45.379 people. 00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:47.339 This is the 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.159 opposite of the 00:24:48.159 --> 00:24:48.940 guy standing on 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.839 his porch yelling 00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.940 to get off my 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.299 lawn. 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:52.539 It's the 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.319 opposite of that. 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.180 It's a love. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.960 It's a concern. 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.940 It's a generosity 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.879 and a charity 00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:58.059 toward others, 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:00.319 even others who 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.579 really get on your 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:03.299 nerves, which I'm 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:03.879 learning from my 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:04.619 dad as you get 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:04.980 older. 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:07.079 More people get on 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.799 your nerves than 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.480 what did when you 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:08.960 were younger. 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:11.440 So maybe it's 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:15.039 right on target 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.400 that Paul would 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:16.940 say, remember 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:18.740 guys, you need 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.400 to be sound in 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:19.819 love. 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:21.840 Remember to be 00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:22.860 charitable toward 00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:24.720 these other guys 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.640 coming behind you. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.360 Sound in 00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:28.140 steadfastness 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.279 reflects perseverance 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.980 and hardship. 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.140 Because the 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:33.700 younger ones in 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.299 the church that 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:35.420 have yet to face 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.220 severe hardship 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.799 are going to be 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.559 looking to see the 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:37.960 way that you 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.500 handle it. 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.620 And when you go 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.819 through hardship 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.480 in your life, 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:43.259 trials and 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.980 suffering in your 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:45.460 life, do you do 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.940 so full of faith? 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.840 Not that you 00:25:48.840 --> 00:25:49.900 ignore the reality 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:51.039 of the difficulty, 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:52.720 but you trust 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.160 the Lord. 00:25:54.779 --> 00:25:55.480 Does the 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.160 hardships that 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.980 you face cause 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.960 you to be less 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.420 faithful to the 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:00.900 Lord and His 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.279 church? 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.240 Or can other 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:03.799 people look at 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.460 your life and 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.079 see, okay, 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.759 I know what's 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.299 going on in that 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:07.840 guy's life. 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.940 I know things 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.600 are hard for 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.340 him right now, 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.140 but he's still 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.620 there, and I 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.059 know it's got to 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:12.559 be hard for him, 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.000 but he's there, 00:26:13.080 --> 00:26:13.660 and he's faithful, 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.340 and he's praying, 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:14.840 and he's doing 00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:15.440 the things. 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.299 All of these 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:18.160 attitudes flow 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:19.100 from one who 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:19.460 has been 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.299 transformed by 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.820 the gospel. 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.320 This is the 00:26:23.320 --> 00:26:23.860 result of a 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.580 life that is 00:26:24.580 --> 00:26:25.940 faithfully walking 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:26.519 in fellowship 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.080 with God. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.420 Listen, the 00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:29.500 world around us 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.240 cannot live this 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.480 way. 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.940 They can't. 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:33.059 It's not 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.539 possible. 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:33.599 people. 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.799 These are 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.339 fruits of the 00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:35.619 Spirit. 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:38.139 Love, joy, 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:40.079 temperance, all 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:40.740 of these things 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.500 are produced by 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.099 the Spirit of 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:43.460 God as we 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.920 walk faithfully 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.519 with God. 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.379 And if you fit 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.119 this distinguished 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:50.500 category, I 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.099 really think that 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.960 you'll probably be 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.839 tempted in one of 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:54.960 two ways as you 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.799 mature. 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:55.899 more. 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.200 You'll be tempted 00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:00.099 to either retire 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:02.180 from passionate 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.000 engagement with 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.559 the church. 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.919 See this happen 00:27:05.919 --> 00:27:06.519 all the time. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.619 There's people, 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.579 they finally hit 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.500 the retirement 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.399 from their career 00:27:11.399 --> 00:27:12.019 and they retire 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.480 from everything 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.240 else as well. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.680 That will be one 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.919 temptation to kind 00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.440 of say, I've paid 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.200 my dues and take 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.879 a step back. 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.799 That's the time 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.460 of life that we 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:21.139 need you probably 00:27:21.139 --> 00:27:21.859 the most. 00:27:23.919 --> 00:27:24.559 The other 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.619 temptation will be 00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:27.259 to become the 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.839 proverbial curmudgeon 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:30.939 that bemoans 00:27:30.939 --> 00:27:31.579 what you don't 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:33.699 like rather than 00:27:33.699 --> 00:27:34.579 investing in the 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.419 next generation 00:27:35.419 --> 00:27:35.919 that's coming 00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:36.619 behind you. 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.519 Men, the rest of 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:38.979 us are looking 00:27:38.979 --> 00:27:39.479 to you. 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.199 Whether you 00:27:42.199 --> 00:27:42.659 realize it or 00:27:42.659 --> 00:27:43.939 not, our eyes 00:27:43.939 --> 00:27:44.500 are on you. 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:46.219 We need you to 00:27:46.219 --> 00:27:46.819 set a pattern 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.479 for us. 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:50.019 We can't afford 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.419 for you to 00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:50.979 punch out. 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.619 We can't afford 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:55.199 for you to spend 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:55.759 the rest of your 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.420 life on a 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.319 spiritual vacation 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.660 or an ecclesiastical 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.220 vacation. 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.880 The church won't 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.819 survive that way. 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:04.340 Neither can we 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:04.920 bear you 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:06.299 becoming like 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.799 Waldorf and 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.480 Statler from 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.160 the Muppets 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:10.860 sitting in the 00:28:10.860 --> 00:28:11.299 balcony 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:13.160 chirping at 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:14.080 everything Kermit 00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:14.759 and Fozzie Bear 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.200 does. 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.620 We need you to 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.160 display the 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:21.180 gospel and teach 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.799 us how to do 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.059 it. 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.779 That's older 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.000 men. 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:24.899 Next is 00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:25.500 older women. 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:26.819 We find that 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.639 in verses 3 00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:28.180 and the beginning 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.599 of verse 4. 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.220 Older women 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.160 likewise are to 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:32.940 be reverent in 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:34.599 behavior, not 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.559 slanderers or 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.339 slaves to much 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:38.639 wine, or to 00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.160 teach what is 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.519 good and so 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.859 train the young 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.160 women. 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.660 Likewise here 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:45.200 shows a 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.039 closeness of 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.339 comparison to 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:47.899 what has just 00:28:47.899 --> 00:28:48.680 been said about 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.379 the older men. 00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:51.700 older women are 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.820 to be reverent in 00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:54.300 behavior in the 00:28:54.300 --> 00:28:55.540 same way and 00:28:55.540 --> 00:28:56.060 in the same 00:28:56.060 --> 00:28:57.200 sense that 00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.940 older men are 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:59.100 to be dignified, 00:28:59.600 --> 00:29:00.860 living their 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:02.680 lives worthy of 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:04.400 respect, of 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:04.760 honor. 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.700 It simply 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:08.260 means to take 00:29:08.260 --> 00:29:09.240 seriously the 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.740 fact that you 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.740 belong to God 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:12.600 and you want 00:29:12.600 --> 00:29:13.280 your profession 00:29:13.280 --> 00:29:14.300 of faith to be 00:29:14.300 --> 00:29:16.000 revealed in the 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.360 way that you 00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:16.600 live. 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:18.740 two things 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.579 Titus was to 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:20.619 teach the older 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.339 women not to 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:21.559 do. 00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:22.139 They were not 00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:23.719 to be enslaved 00:29:23.719 --> 00:29:25.480 to the impulses 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.259 common to their 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.799 culture, typified 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.659 here with 00:29:28.659 --> 00:29:29.480 drunkenness. 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:31.019 It's not 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:32.139 limited to 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:32.659 drunkenness 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.339 here, it's just 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:34.939 typified by it. 00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:37.119 Instead, they're 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:37.919 to display a 00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:38.599 spirit-filled 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.819 life that rises 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:41.579 above temptation. 00:29:43.199 --> 00:29:43.980 He was also to 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:44.559 teach them to 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.980 avoid malicious 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:47.079 gossip. 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:48.339 That's what's 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:48.720 meant by 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.240 slander. 00:29:50.620 --> 00:29:51.360 Speech that 00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:52.620 destroys rather 00:29:52.620 --> 00:29:54.440 than edifies. 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:56.079 And given the 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.920 context here as 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.279 we look at the 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:59.519 nature and the 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.360 godliness of an 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:01.200 older woman's 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:01.880 life with her 00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:03.120 responsibility to 00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:03.740 train the younger 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.980 women, Paul seems 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.860 to rebuke the 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.860 kind of woman who 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:07.660 kind of stands 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.420 back at the 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.440 wine bar and is 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:11.339 just criticizing the 00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:12.220 young wives and 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:14.299 mothers rather than 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.480 coming alongside of 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:17.039 them to teach and 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:18.019 to train them in 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:19.539 what is natural to 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.240 their station of 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:20.620 life. 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:23.620 But that's a 00:30:23.620 --> 00:30:24.480 temptation for all 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.140 of us, isn't it? 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.920 It's the temptation 00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:29.620 to judge the 00:30:29.620 --> 00:30:30.319 failures and 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.059 weaknesses of 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:32.099 another instead of 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.380 making a personal 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:35.059 investment to help 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:36.519 them grow and 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.839 mature in 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:38.339 godliness. 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.680 That's not limited 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:40.420 to just older 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:40.660 women. 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:42.000 That's a temptation 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.400 temptation for 00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:43.079 every single one 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:43.500 of us. 00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.660 Maybe you've seen 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:48.079 the Geico 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:49.119 commercial that 00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:50.259 keeps airing here 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.740 recently. 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.359 It's got the young 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.119 couple sitting in 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:53.799 their living room 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:55.299 and they've just 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.019 recently bought their 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.480 house and they're 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:56.880 talking about how 00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:57.480 much they love their 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.099 house but then they 00:30:58.099 --> 00:30:59.180 say the only problem 00:30:59.180 --> 00:31:00.279 is we have ants. 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.180 Have you seen that 00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:01.539 commercial? 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:03.599 They don't mean ants 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.880 A-N-T-S. 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:08.519 They mean ants A-U-N-T-S. 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.980 And then it shows 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:11.299 several clips of 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.879 older women in 00:31:12.879 --> 00:31:13.460 their home and what 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.039 they're doing is 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.619 these different 00:31:14.619 --> 00:31:15.660 scenarios just pointing 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.759 out every possible 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:18.279 thing that is wrong 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:19.139 with this home that 00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:19.839 this young couple. 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:20.660 Have you ever been 00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:21.460 around somebody like 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:21.680 that? 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.500 Like you just can't 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.299 do anything right? 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.139 Like they just point 00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:25.059 everything out that 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:26.119 you're doing wrong and 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:27.539 they're relentless in 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:27.779 it. 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:31.920 Constantly criticizing but 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:33.039 never actually helping. 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.940 So if the older men 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:37.039 have a tendency to be 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:37.940 like Waldorf and 00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:40.019 Statler it may be 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:41.019 that the older women 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:42.180 might contend to be 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:43.360 like the ants from 00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:44.140 Geico. 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.640 It's not always that 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.500 their criticisms are 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.080 false. 00:31:49.580 --> 00:31:50.580 It's just that they're 00:31:50.580 --> 00:31:51.519 relentless and 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.880 unhelpful. 00:31:54.380 --> 00:31:55.360 Paul shows a better 00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:55.920 way here. 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:58.039 The biblical alternative 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.900 here in these verses 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:01.519 is that older women 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:03.240 teach what is good. 00:32:03.340 --> 00:32:03.860 That's the end of 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:04.380 verse 3. 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:06.140 And so train the 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.700 young women. 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.400 That's the beginning 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:08.120 of verse 4. 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.140 So not only are they 00:32:10.140 --> 00:32:11.600 to live in a way that 00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:12.620 matches their Christian 00:32:12.620 --> 00:32:14.279 profession but they are 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.580 to help other women do 00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:16.420 the same thing. 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.940 So what is good here 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:20.840 refers to righteousness 00:32:20.840 --> 00:32:22.779 that is based on God's 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.160 worth. 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.420 The truth of the 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:24.920 gospel. 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:27.380 Older women are to take 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:28.700 responsibility for 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:30.539 teaching young women the 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:30.980 gospel. 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.140 people to constantly 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:33.259 bring their eyes 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:35.200 back to the love 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:35.819 of Christ. 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:37.019 To the forgiveness 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.680 of Christ. 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:39.240 And the grace of 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:39.839 Christ. 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.980 Training refers to 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:44.039 practical discipling 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:44.980 that's rooted in 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:47.079 personal experience. 00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:50.179 So option number one 00:32:50.179 --> 00:32:51.279 here as far as what 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:51.939 Paul is writing. 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.779 Option number one 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:54.059 is to say something 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.899 to the effect of 00:32:54.899 --> 00:32:56.019 your kids are a 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:57.480 holy terror and you 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.139 need to do something 00:32:58.139 --> 00:32:58.779 about it. 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:01.199 Option number two 00:33:01.199 --> 00:33:02.899 is you're going to 00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:03.579 make it. 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:06.099 I've been there. 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:09.220 Let me tell you some 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:10.240 things that helped me. 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:13.220 Or maybe here's some 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:14.599 things you could try. 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.220 Do you see the 00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:15.799 difference? 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.980 See the difference? 00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:18.039 This is the picture 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.639 Paul's painting. 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.700 This is what should be 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:21.139 the dynamic of the 00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:21.480 church. 00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:23.419 Rather than judging 00:33:23.419 --> 00:33:24.559 younger ones for all 00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.399 they're doing wrong, 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.579 the older women should 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:29.059 lovingly teach them 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:31.039 how to honor and 00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:33.180 glorify God as a 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:33.779 wife and mother. 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.240 That's the specific 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:35.960 emphasis here. 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.680 Donald Guthrie said 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.879 Christian matrons are 00:33:39.879 --> 00:33:41.379 to assist the younger 00:33:41.379 --> 00:33:42.579 women in the discipline 00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:44.079 of family love. 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.139 love. 00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:46.179 Not of course as 00:33:46.179 --> 00:33:47.839 interfering busy 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.359 bodies, 00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:50.539 but as humble 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:52.059 advisors on problems 00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:53.899 of married life. 00:33:56.899 --> 00:33:57.839 Who's going to be the 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:59.339 most beneficial to a 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:01.199 young mother that 00:34:01.199 --> 00:34:02.179 comes in on a Sunday 00:34:02.179 --> 00:34:04.319 morning looking like 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:05.619 she's one tantrum away 00:34:05.619 --> 00:34:06.639 from throwing in the 00:34:06.639 --> 00:34:07.379 towel altogether? 00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:07.520 mother. 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:12.900 Sure, I can offer 00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:14.340 biblical counsel that 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:15.900 is intellectually 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:17.180 credible and 00:34:17.180 --> 00:34:19.559 theologically sound, 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:21.099 and it's my 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:22.200 responsibility to do 00:34:22.200 --> 00:34:22.519 that. 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:26.340 Still, it's the 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:27.480 mature mother who's 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:29.559 walked that road who 00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:30.280 will be able to give 00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:31.340 counsel that is 00:34:31.340 --> 00:34:33.460 existentially satisfying. 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:36.159 I can't relate to 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:38.380 motherhood, but you 00:34:38.380 --> 00:34:38.740 can. 00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:41.539 Come alongside and 00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:41.980 help. 00:34:43.860 --> 00:34:45.159 Who will be there to 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:46.500 help that young 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:48.920 wife whose head's in 00:34:48.920 --> 00:34:49.960 the clouds right now, 00:34:50.240 --> 00:34:52.619 but you know that 00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:53.400 it's not going to be 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.559 very long before 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:56.340 things come crashing 00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:57.500 back down to earth 00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:59.400 when she realizes that 00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:00.380 her husband isn't as 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:01.340 dreamy as she thought 00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:01.820 he was. 00:35:01.820 --> 00:35:03.320 It's going to happen 00:35:03.320 --> 00:35:03.900 soon. 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:05.559 Who's going to be 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.140 there to help? 00:35:06.340 --> 00:35:07.160 Well, I can sit down 00:35:07.160 --> 00:35:07.800 with them and I can 00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:08.680 talk about all the 00:35:08.680 --> 00:35:09.400 things that the Bible 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.200 says about marriage, 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.539 and I must do that. 00:35:11.580 --> 00:35:12.500 That's my responsibility 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:13.280 to do that. 00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:16.700 But God can use a 00:35:16.700 --> 00:35:18.580 caring, mature wife 00:35:18.580 --> 00:35:20.440 to offer biblical 00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:21.160 truth from a 00:35:21.160 --> 00:35:21.860 perspective of 00:35:21.860 --> 00:35:23.000 personal experience. 00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:25.420 For the glory of 00:35:25.420 --> 00:35:26.480 God, older women 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.800 must care to help. 00:35:29.300 --> 00:35:30.580 And for the glory of 00:35:30.580 --> 00:35:31.740 God, younger 00:35:31.739 --> 00:35:32.959 women must be 00:35:32.959 --> 00:35:33.819 humble enough to 00:35:33.819 --> 00:35:34.719 receive the help 00:35:34.719 --> 00:35:35.239 that God has 00:35:35.239 --> 00:35:35.639 provided. 00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.899 You see, sometimes 00:35:37.899 --> 00:35:38.579 we're looking for 00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:39.759 help, but we want 00:35:39.759 --> 00:35:40.619 to tell God who 00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.299 we're willing to 00:35:41.299 --> 00:35:41.799 help us. 00:35:43.559 --> 00:35:44.339 And we say, I 00:35:44.339 --> 00:35:45.359 want somebody to 00:35:45.359 --> 00:35:46.119 mentor me, I want 00:35:46.119 --> 00:35:46.959 somebody to disciple 00:35:46.959 --> 00:35:47.439 me, and I want 00:35:47.439 --> 00:35:48.479 somebody to help 00:35:48.479 --> 00:35:50.039 me, but Lord, I 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:50.759 don't want any of 00:35:50.759 --> 00:35:51.219 the people that 00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:51.859 you've actually put 00:35:51.859 --> 00:35:52.879 in my life to do 00:35:52.879 --> 00:35:53.099 it. 00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:54.779 So if you'll 00:35:54.779 --> 00:35:55.399 actually just bring 00:35:55.399 --> 00:35:56.099 somebody else, that 00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:56.879 would be fantastic. 00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:58.359 Well, no, it 00:35:58.359 --> 00:35:59.079 doesn't work like 00:35:59.079 --> 00:35:59.719 that, does it? 00:35:59.719 --> 00:36:01.219 No. 00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:04.299 Covenantal 00:36:04.299 --> 00:36:05.219 discipleship is 00:36:05.219 --> 00:36:05.799 neither merely 00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:06.739 academic, says 00:36:06.739 --> 00:36:09.439 Susan Hunt, nor is 00:36:09.439 --> 00:36:10.419 it merely relational. 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:12.739 It's a beautiful 00:36:12.739 --> 00:36:13.919 blend of sharing 00:36:13.919 --> 00:36:14.939 the gospel and 00:36:14.939 --> 00:36:16.500 our lives with 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.239 one another, and 00:36:17.239 --> 00:36:19.500 that takes humility 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:21.139 on the part of the 00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:21.919 younger men and 00:36:21.919 --> 00:36:23.799 younger women, and 00:36:23.799 --> 00:36:25.019 concern on the part 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:26.639 of older men and 00:36:26.639 --> 00:36:27.139 older women. 00:36:27.139 --> 00:36:29.659 In the case of 00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:30.239 older men and 00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:30.920 women, they must 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:32.199 set a pattern of 00:36:32.199 --> 00:36:33.079 godliness out of 00:36:33.079 --> 00:36:34.139 their love for the 00:36:34.139 --> 00:36:35.739 Lord and train 00:36:35.739 --> 00:36:36.420 others out of 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.900 their love for 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.339 His church. 00:36:38.759 --> 00:36:39.379 That's the point 00:36:39.379 --> 00:36:39.619 here. 00:36:40.839 --> 00:36:41.599 Live like a 00:36:41.599 --> 00:36:42.119 Christian and then 00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:42.779 help other people 00:36:42.779 --> 00:36:43.719 do the same thing. 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:45.879 Let me close it 00:36:45.879 --> 00:36:46.279 this way. 00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:49.460 This kind of 00:36:49.460 --> 00:36:50.759 discipling, which 00:36:50.759 --> 00:36:52.039 indeed applies to 00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:53.000 every demographic in 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.719 the church, this is 00:36:53.719 --> 00:36:54.980 not just about those 00:36:54.980 --> 00:36:55.719 who are mature in 00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:56.199 their years. 00:36:58.219 --> 00:36:59.019 All of us are 00:36:59.019 --> 00:36:59.939 responsible for this. 00:36:59.939 --> 00:37:01.000 It requires 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:01.879 intentionality. 00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:03.919 It will never 00:37:03.919 --> 00:37:04.879 happen by accident. 00:37:05.419 --> 00:37:06.619 Nobody accidentally 00:37:06.619 --> 00:37:08.019 disciples someone 00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:08.419 else. 00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:11.859 We must deliberately 00:37:11.859 --> 00:37:13.519 set this pattern of 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:13.899 godliness. 00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:15.319 We must deliberately 00:37:15.319 --> 00:37:17.039 go out of our way to 00:37:17.039 --> 00:37:18.559 sacrifice our time and 00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:19.699 energy for the good 00:37:19.699 --> 00:37:20.059 of others. 00:37:20.179 --> 00:37:21.379 We must deliberately 00:37:21.379 --> 00:37:23.759 necessarily break 00:37:23.759 --> 00:37:24.500 through the potential 00:37:24.500 --> 00:37:25.619 awkwardness that 00:37:25.619 --> 00:37:27.219 typically comes at the 00:37:27.219 --> 00:37:27.880 beginning of those 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:28.760 kinds of relationships. 00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:30.679 And we must do it for 00:37:30.679 --> 00:37:31.559 the glory of God and 00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:32.360 the good of His church. 00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:34.579 A couple of times a 00:37:34.579 --> 00:37:36.559 year, Terry is brave 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:38.079 enough to invite me to 00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:40.360 his home club in 00:37:40.360 --> 00:37:41.400 Denver to play golf. 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:44.199 Terry has played the 00:37:44.199 --> 00:37:45.400 course many, many times 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:47.320 and I've only played it 00:37:47.320 --> 00:37:48.079 a couple of times. 00:37:48.199 --> 00:37:49.239 And the benefit of that 00:37:49.239 --> 00:37:49.940 is that when we're 00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:50.800 playing together, 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:53.119 Terry can pick up on 00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:54.480 what my tendencies are 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.679 which is to swing 00:37:55.679 --> 00:37:56.299 really hard. 00:37:56.579 --> 00:37:57.279 I can't hit the ball 00:37:57.279 --> 00:37:58.440 straight, but every now 00:37:58.440 --> 00:37:59.059 and then I can hit it 00:37:59.059 --> 00:38:00.039 hard and it makes me 00:38:00.039 --> 00:38:00.599 feel better. 00:38:01.279 --> 00:38:02.199 He can be in the middle 00:38:02.199 --> 00:38:03.239 of the fairway, but if 00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:04.239 I'm a little further, 00:38:04.900 --> 00:38:05.799 even if it's in the 00:38:05.799 --> 00:38:07.480 weeds, I feel better 00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:08.159 about myself. 00:38:08.739 --> 00:38:09.719 Well, Terry can pick out 00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:10.579 that that's a tendency 00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:12.739 that I have to do that 00:38:12.739 --> 00:38:15.119 and he recognizes that 00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:15.980 he knows the course 00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:16.319 well. 00:38:16.679 --> 00:38:17.599 He's been all over the 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.500 course and his times 00:38:18.500 --> 00:38:19.940 playing there and I 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:20.659 don't know the danger 00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:21.759 spots like he does. 00:38:23.099 --> 00:38:24.219 We can start a hole 00:38:24.219 --> 00:38:25.460 and Terry can say, 00:38:25.559 --> 00:38:27.480 Jared, I know you're 00:38:27.480 --> 00:38:27.859 going to want to try 00:38:27.859 --> 00:38:29.739 to hit it hard, but if 00:38:29.739 --> 00:38:30.539 you hit it too hard 00:38:30.539 --> 00:38:31.359 here, you're going to 00:38:31.359 --> 00:38:32.639 go over the green and 00:38:32.639 --> 00:38:33.259 you don't want to be 00:38:33.259 --> 00:38:33.440 there. 00:38:33.500 --> 00:38:34.259 You're going to be in a 00:38:34.259 --> 00:38:34.719 mess. 00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:35.879 You're going to be in a 00:38:35.879 --> 00:38:36.819 real mess if you do 00:38:36.819 --> 00:38:37.099 that. 00:38:37.980 --> 00:38:38.839 Don't do it, Jared. 00:38:40.519 --> 00:38:41.440 And then inevitably, 00:38:42.779 --> 00:38:43.399 Jared's going to get 00:38:43.399 --> 00:38:44.199 out his club and he's 00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:44.899 going to swing it too 00:38:44.899 --> 00:38:45.819 hard because he just 00:38:45.819 --> 00:38:46.579 has to hit it further 00:38:46.579 --> 00:38:47.679 than everybody else 00:38:47.679 --> 00:38:48.899 and he's going to go 00:38:48.900 --> 00:38:49.440 over the green. 00:38:51.320 --> 00:38:52.200 Now, Terry can do two 00:38:52.200 --> 00:38:53.260 things in that situation. 00:38:53.680 --> 00:38:54.660 Terry can come alongside 00:38:54.660 --> 00:38:55.460 of me and he can say, 00:38:55.500 --> 00:38:56.160 Jared, I told you not 00:38:56.160 --> 00:38:56.960 to do that, you idiot. 00:38:58.059 --> 00:38:59.280 If you'd just listen, 00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:02.039 you'd save yourself a lot 00:39:02.039 --> 00:39:02.440 of trouble. 00:39:04.180 --> 00:39:05.119 Terry could also come 00:39:05.119 --> 00:39:05.960 alongside of me and he 00:39:05.960 --> 00:39:07.119 could say, Jared, I've 00:39:07.119 --> 00:39:07.500 been there. 00:39:08.619 --> 00:39:09.660 You're in a tough spot. 00:39:11.340 --> 00:39:12.260 This is why you're in 00:39:12.260 --> 00:39:12.920 that tough spot. 00:39:13.240 --> 00:39:14.880 Now, let me help you 00:39:14.880 --> 00:39:15.900 try to figure out how to 00:39:15.900 --> 00:39:16.480 get through it. 00:39:16.480 --> 00:39:18.240 Do you see the 00:39:18.240 --> 00:39:18.659 difference? 00:39:20.360 --> 00:39:21.579 I need somebody like 00:39:21.579 --> 00:39:22.360 Terry to help me get 00:39:22.360 --> 00:39:23.199 around the course well. 00:39:23.639 --> 00:39:24.900 If I don't have Terry to 00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:25.740 get me around the course, 00:39:25.800 --> 00:39:26.480 I'm not going to know 00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:27.360 what's dangerous and 00:39:27.360 --> 00:39:28.820 what's not and what's 00:39:28.820 --> 00:39:29.099 good. 00:39:29.860 --> 00:39:31.079 I'm not going to easily 00:39:31.079 --> 00:39:32.219 spot my own tendencies 00:39:32.219 --> 00:39:33.880 in my golf game. 00:39:33.940 --> 00:39:34.719 It's going to be harder 00:39:34.719 --> 00:39:36.179 for me to evaluate the 00:39:36.179 --> 00:39:37.380 things because I can't 00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:39.000 see myself the way that 00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:40.159 everybody outside of me 00:39:40.159 --> 00:39:41.059 can see me. 00:39:41.280 --> 00:39:42.360 I need somebody like 00:39:42.360 --> 00:39:43.219 Terry helping me through 00:39:43.219 --> 00:39:43.760 that course. 00:39:43.760 --> 00:39:45.780 I need somebody like 00:39:45.780 --> 00:39:47.040 Terry being patient with 00:39:47.040 --> 00:39:49.440 me when I blow it and I 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:50.380 need to just try to figure 00:39:50.380 --> 00:39:51.140 out how to get through 00:39:51.140 --> 00:39:51.600 this hole. 00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:52.900 Now, let's put it in the 00:39:52.900 --> 00:39:54.000 context of our lives. 00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:55.680 There are danger spots 00:39:55.680 --> 00:39:58.520 everywhere and we're all 00:39:58.520 --> 00:39:59.340 going to find them from 00:39:59.340 --> 00:40:00.000 time to time. 00:40:01.580 --> 00:40:03.820 And what we need is 00:40:03.820 --> 00:40:04.760 someone who's been there 00:40:04.760 --> 00:40:06.860 before to come alongside 00:40:06.860 --> 00:40:09.260 of us and say, that's a 00:40:09.260 --> 00:40:10.100 tough place to be. 00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:12.719 I've been there myself. 00:40:14.460 --> 00:40:15.860 This is probably what got 00:40:15.860 --> 00:40:16.299 you here. 00:40:17.559 --> 00:40:18.779 Now, let's go to God's 00:40:18.779 --> 00:40:20.440 word and see what it says 00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:21.739 to help you get through it. 00:40:24.219 --> 00:40:25.259 That's what the church 00:40:25.259 --> 00:40:26.460 needs Christians doing. 00:40:28.299 --> 00:40:29.059 Christians that aren't 00:40:29.059 --> 00:40:30.019 concerned to sit in the 00:40:30.019 --> 00:40:31.219 balcony and just point out 00:40:31.219 --> 00:40:32.199 all of our flaws. 00:40:32.779 --> 00:40:33.980 We all have enough. 00:40:34.440 --> 00:40:36.619 We can say we're failures 00:40:36.619 --> 00:40:37.460 in a lot of ways. 00:40:37.980 --> 00:40:39.059 We need people who are 00:40:39.059 --> 00:40:40.059 going to get dirty with 00:40:40.059 --> 00:40:40.440 us. 00:40:41.039 --> 00:40:44.159 Come alongside of us and 00:40:44.159 --> 00:40:45.579 say, let me help you. 00:40:48.599 --> 00:40:49.639 And of course, we'll talk 00:40:49.639 --> 00:40:50.500 about it next week. 00:40:50.619 --> 00:40:51.699 There is a pride that 00:40:51.699 --> 00:40:53.299 exists in younger men and 00:40:53.299 --> 00:40:54.779 women that will resist that 00:40:54.779 --> 00:40:55.219 at first. 00:40:55.380 --> 00:40:56.739 But we need the older men 00:40:56.739 --> 00:40:57.779 and women in our lives to 00:40:57.779 --> 00:40:59.759 keep trying and keep 00:40:59.759 --> 00:41:01.659 loving and keep 00:41:01.659 --> 00:41:03.420 encouraging and keep 00:41:03.420 --> 00:41:03.960 modeling. 00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:07.199 And we need to remember 00:41:07.199 --> 00:41:08.179 that the goal of this 00:41:08.179 --> 00:41:09.619 text is to live a life 00:41:09.619 --> 00:41:12.820 that is fitting for one 00:41:12.820 --> 00:41:13.639 who knows Jesus. 00:41:14.980 --> 00:41:16.300 And what is it that Jesus 00:41:16.300 --> 00:41:16.720 did? 00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:18.800 Well, he modeled 00:41:18.800 --> 00:41:21.179 righteousness and then 00:41:21.179 --> 00:41:22.300 he taught other people how 00:41:22.300 --> 00:41:22.720 to do it. 00:41:23.280 --> 00:41:24.639 And he was patient with 00:41:24.639 --> 00:41:24.820 them. 00:41:25.340 --> 00:41:26.860 And he was kind and loving 00:41:26.860 --> 00:41:27.519 towards them. 00:41:27.519 --> 00:41:30.699 We need to remember that 00:41:30.699 --> 00:41:31.980 Christ has redeemed us 00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:33.639 from lawlessness in order 00:41:33.639 --> 00:41:35.219 that we might be pure and 00:41:35.219 --> 00:41:36.739 zealous for good works. 00:41:37.380 --> 00:41:38.739 And we need constant 00:41:38.739 --> 00:41:40.780 reminders of what it means 00:41:40.780 --> 00:41:42.539 to live in accordance with 00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:44.639 sound doctrine so that our 00:41:44.639 --> 00:41:45.739 lives will display the 00:41:45.739 --> 00:41:47.539 glories of the gospel to the 00:41:47.539 --> 00:41:48.179 watching world. 00:41:49.400 --> 00:41:51.000 We need to have conduct that 00:41:51.000 --> 00:41:51.860 befits the gospel. 00:41:51.860 --> 00:41:53.680 And we need to have people 00:41:53.680 --> 00:41:54.740 who will help us do that.