WEBVTT 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:08.640 My name is Sean. For those of you who are visiting, I'm here. I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church, and I'm preaching God's Word on most Sundays. 00:00:09.019 --> 00:00:12.460 And today we're in Titus 2. We're going through this short series for a few weeks. 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:27.440 And it's possible, right, for Christians who profess Jesus Christ with their words only to then deny Him with their deeds, turning around and living in hypocrisy. 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:34.200 And that kind of hypocrisy destroys the credibility of the church and diminishes the plausibility of the gospel. 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:39.340 And so with that concern in mind, Paul writes this passage that we just read. 00:00:39.820 --> 00:00:46.460 And his main point is that we should produce good works in keeping with the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:00:46.520 --> 00:00:49.939 That's his main point. And I will talk about that in two parts. 00:00:50.079 --> 00:00:55.659 First, good works in verses 1 to 10, and secondly, good news in verses 11 to 15. 00:00:55.659 --> 00:01:06.340 And in chapter 1, just to remind you, Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders who would give instruction to sound doctrine in the church in Crete. 00:01:06.859 --> 00:01:15.519 And then he told him, instructed Titus to confront the false teachers in Crete who were not sound in the faith 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:18.879 and were teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 00:01:18.879 --> 00:01:21.259 So now, remember that content. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:26.699 And now in chapter 2, verse 1, Paul exhorts Titus to distinguish himself from these false teachers 00:01:26.699 --> 00:01:32.079 who were not sound in faith by teaching something that is according to sound doctrine. 00:01:32.119 --> 00:01:32.979 He says in verse 1, 00:01:33.340 --> 00:01:37.739 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:41.919 That's really Paul's main exhortation, and he repeats it at the end of this chapter in verse 15. 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:45.760 And the word sound, as I mentioned last week, is a medical term. 00:01:45.980 --> 00:01:49.740 It's a metaphor that is prominent in Titus. 00:01:50.420 --> 00:02:00.379 And it means that there's a kind of teaching that is appropriate to sound doctrine, healthful doctrine, wholesome doctrine. 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:03.099 And there's a kind of teaching that is harmful. 00:02:03.500 --> 00:02:06.480 Harmful doctrine, diseased doctrine, sickly doctrine. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:11.700 So this expression clearly teaches us that our theology is not inconsequential. 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:15.080 What we believe affects how we behave. 00:02:15.580 --> 00:02:21.099 And for that reason, it is important that we have sound doctrine, have behavior that accords with that sound doctrine. 00:02:21.819 --> 00:02:30.400 And so starting in verse 2, Paul goes on to describe how Titus should teach various demographic segments of the church to live. 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:33.060 And he says in verse 2, read with me. 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:38.740 By the way, if you don't have a Bible that you're following along with, I encourage you to get up and grab one because I refer back to it quite a bit. 00:02:39.659 --> 00:02:40.539 It says in verse 2, 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:49.460 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:54.180 Paul is not referring here to elders, the office of elders. 00:02:54.400 --> 00:02:55.840 He's referring to elder men. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:03:03.159 The two Greek words are slightly different and distinguish the office of elder from the elderly in the church. 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:09.020 In the Roman world, males of 16 and younger were considered boys. 00:03:09.980 --> 00:03:15.819 Those between 17 and 46 were considered young men who were eligible for military conscription. 00:03:16.500 --> 00:03:20.500 And those 47 and older were considered elders or seniors. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:23.879 It would be nice if you got senior benefits at 47 now. 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:32.120 But first, these older men are to be sober-minded, meaning they should not be given to too much wine. 00:03:33.079 --> 00:03:36.379 And that they should be sober in their judgments and clear-minded. 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:40.280 Second, they should be dignified, meaning they should be worthy of respect. 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:48.180 That means they should give themselves to, they should not be concerned with cheap, showy, crass, ignoble tendencies and things, 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:52.680 but they should be given to noble, good, and worthy things and tendencies. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:54.480 That's what it means to be dignified. 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:57.580 Third, they should be self-controlled. 00:03:58.340 --> 00:04:00.240 This is a key word throughout this passage. 00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:03.439 It was one of the character requirements for elders in chapter 1, verse 8. 00:04:03.780 --> 00:04:07.600 And it should characterize men and women, young and old. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:11.480 So it's repeated throughout this passage three more times in verses 5, 6, and 12. 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:19.620 It conveys a nuance of sexual chastity, but also has a general meaning of being disciplined and in control of oneself. 00:04:20.459 --> 00:04:24.300 Fourth, they should be sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 00:04:25.219 --> 00:04:30.779 Soundness of doctrine produces soundness in faith, love, and steadfastness. 00:04:30.779 --> 00:04:37.779 So this is a variation of the famous Paulian triad of faith, hope, and love, which we saw in 1 Corinthians 13. 00:04:38.439 --> 00:04:42.979 If you look at what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 1, 2-3, he says this, 00:04:43.559 --> 00:04:48.319 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 00:04:48.759 --> 00:04:54.199 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love 00:04:54.199 --> 00:04:58.399 and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:02.079 So by steadfastness, he's referring to steadfastness of hope. 00:05:02.219 --> 00:05:04.939 It's again the Paulian triad, faith, hope, and love. 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:10.019 So it means to persevere in hope in spite of appearances. 00:05:10.599 --> 00:05:13.899 To the contrary, to hope against all odds. 00:05:14.579 --> 00:05:18.159 And so Christians then are to live by faith in Christ who saved them, 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:22.939 with love for God and neighbor, and with hope in their future inheritance, 00:05:23.159 --> 00:05:26.199 which is guaranteed to them by the Holy Spirit who is their deposit. 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:33.920 And so as men age, of course, they can grow increasingly skeptical rather than faithful. 00:05:34.459 --> 00:05:39.060 They can grow grouchy and grumpy rather than loving. 00:05:39.659 --> 00:05:43.959 They could grow cynical rather than hopeful. 00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:47.219 So this is a particular command that Paul gives to older men. 00:05:47.220 --> 00:05:57.060 And Paul urges Titus to teach them to be sound, healthy, and vigorous in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 00:05:57.520 --> 00:06:00.580 And then Paul addresses the older woman in verse 3. 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:06.640 Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:14.740 So essentially, a Jewish philosopher named Philo uses the term older woman to refer to women over 60 years of age. 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:23.740 And parallels what Paul, the requirement for age for widows who receive financial support from the church, 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:26.159 which is 60 according to 1 Timothy 5, 9 as well. 00:06:26.979 --> 00:06:31.039 But Paul doesn't specify the age, so we don't have to be legalistic in our application of it. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:36.939 So if you think this applies to you, then take it to heart and take it as God's word for you today. 00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:40.480 First, these older women are to be reverent in behavior. 00:06:41.520 --> 00:06:46.320 The Greek word behind this translation literally means behavior that is fitting for the temple. 00:06:46.960 --> 00:06:49.180 So they should comport themselves reverently. 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:52.080 It's similar to the qualifications for older men to be dignified. 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:55.740 And then second, the older women must not be slanderers. 00:06:56.460 --> 00:06:58.740 While men are also liable to slander, 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:03.560 this seems to be an issue that particularly pertains to women, 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:06.620 because since here and in 1 Timothy 3, 11, 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:09.180 it's a quality that's specifically enjoined upon women. 00:07:10.220 --> 00:07:14.379 And Janet Hyde from University of Wisconsin-Madison 00:07:14.379 --> 00:07:16.400 and Nita McKinley from the University of Washington 00:07:16.400 --> 00:07:18.400 are professors, psychology professors, 00:07:18.579 --> 00:07:22.560 who do meta-research on all researches on sex differences. 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:24.079 So they research all the research. 00:07:24.220 --> 00:07:27.079 As they do this research, they account for biases. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:30.359 They find that there are irreducible sex differences. 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:35.500 And one such difference is that women are better at verbal fluency than men. 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:41.219 And that reading and speech disorders are far less common among young girls than boys. 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:46.139 And recent research has also confirmed that women are generally more sensitive 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:50.759 to social effective signals in people's faces. 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:54.060 So that enables them to read between the lines. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:55.319 Some of you women are probably wondering, 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:57.159 so they needed to do research to figure this out. 00:07:57.159 --> 00:08:01.279 So the point of all that, all the research, why is it important, 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:04.060 is that the woman's verbal fluency, right, 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:08.439 combined with the rich interpersonal relations that they tend to form among themselves, 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:12.300 cultivate among themselves because of their rich interpersonal abilities, 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:17.199 they are particularly vulnerable to the temptations of ungodly speech, 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:19.920 whether it's slander or gossip, right? 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:24.500 So spreading a bad report about someone is slanderous, whether it's true or not. 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:27.879 And so older women should take particular care to avoid it. 00:08:27.920 --> 00:08:28.639 That's Paul's point. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:32.039 Third, like the older men who are to be sober-minded, 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:35.060 the older women are not to be slaves to much wine. 00:08:35.059 --> 00:08:38.199 And so alcoholism is a problem among men and women, 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:42.879 and it seems to have been a problem in the ancient world as it is in ours. 00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:47.059 While drinking itself is not condemned throughout Scripture, 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:53.599 generally speaking, the drunkenness is invariably condemned throughout Scripture. 00:08:54.239 --> 00:08:57.319 And when we get drunk, we leave our wits behind and lose self-control, 00:08:57.459 --> 00:08:58.979 so older women must avoid this. 00:08:59.719 --> 00:09:02.679 Fourth, the older women are to teach what is good. 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:07.059 The root word for good here is used two more times in this passage, 00:09:07.199 --> 00:09:09.879 in verses 7 and 14, to refer to good works, 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:12.219 which is a major theme in this letter. 00:09:12.719 --> 00:09:17.179 And the word teach is the same word that is used in verse 1 to refer to sound doctrine. 00:09:17.359 --> 00:09:21.899 So the idea of teaching what is good then goes all the way back to verse 1 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:24.659 of teaching what accords with sound doctrine, 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:26.879 namely the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:09:27.859 --> 00:09:29.699 Then in verses 4 to 5, 00:09:29.700 --> 00:09:33.120 Paul tells us whom the older women are to teach what is good to, 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:34.240 and that's this. 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:35.860 They are to teach what is good, 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:39.940 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 00:09:40.160 --> 00:09:42.920 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, 00:09:43.280 --> 00:09:45.560 kind, and submissive to their own husbands, 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:48.220 that the word of God may not be reviled. 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:53.820 It's incumbent upon the older women to teach and train the young women. 00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:55.340 This is an important point. 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:57.940 Look at the passage again. 00:09:58.060 --> 00:10:02.340 Note that all the other demographic groups are addressed directly, right? 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:04.420 Older men in verse 2, 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:06.639 older women in verse 3, 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:09.019 younger men in verse 6, 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:11.080 and bond servants in verse 9, right? 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:16.100 All of these groups fall under the main imperative directed to Titus in verse 1, 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:18.300 teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:19.139 But interestingly, 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:23.299 only the young women are not addressed directly in this way. 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:24.139 Rather, 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:27.600 the older women are exhorted to teach what is good, 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:29.439 and so train the young women. 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:34.620 That's not to say that Titus and the elders of the church are not responsible 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:36.480 for teaching the younger women. 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:38.819 They are entrusted with oversight over the whole church, 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:39.580 and as such, 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:41.259 they will have to give an account to God 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:44.460 regarding how faithfully they kept watch over the church members' souls, 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:46.679 and that includes the younger women. 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:49.879 So they do need to have some kind of involvement in that. 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:50.779 But there is, 00:10:50.819 --> 00:10:51.199 it seems, 00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:51.620 nonetheless, 00:10:51.839 --> 00:10:56.839 a particular responsibility for older women to train the young woman. 00:10:57.799 --> 00:10:59.199 And Jen Wilkin, 00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:02.399 who heads up the women's ministry at the Village Church in Texas, 00:11:02.699 --> 00:11:03.759 writes this in her book, 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:04.819 Woman of the Word, 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:08.439 that women's ministry is necessary because of, 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:08.699 one, 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:09.479 the example, 00:11:10.079 --> 00:11:10.299 two, 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:11.299 the perspective, 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:12.359 and three, 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:14.500 the authority of women teachers. 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:19.559 A woman can set an example for other women that a man cannot set, 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:19.899 right? 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:24.600 And a woman can bring a perspective that is particularly pertinent and helpful to women 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:26.759 due to their shared experience. 00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:31.620 And a woman can speak with more empathetic authority as well 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:35.600 and credibility to other women than a man can for that same reason. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:36.519 As an elder, 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:36.799 right, 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:37.299 for example, 00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:43.740 I can't meet with a young woman as freely as I can with men, 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:46.559 and definitely not in private quarters, 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:50.939 lest it multiply temptation and sole suspicion to others who look on. 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:54.839 And even though I can still proclaim scriptural truths to young women, 00:11:55.159 --> 00:12:01.259 I cannot speak with the same level of specificity or empathy that another Christian woman can, 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:01.620 right? 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:02.820 And so that's why this, 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:03.200 I think, 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:06.659 command and this older woman here are singled out for this task. 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:11.519 This is why we're excited to formally launch our women's ministry, 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:14.919 which we'll do in a couple of weeks when we appoint the deacon of women's ministry. 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:18.879 And that's been something we've been prioritizing over the men's ministry 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:23.139 because of this particular need that we have as a church. 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:25.360 And so younger women, 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:28.159 then I encourage you to seek out the older women in church. 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:28.960 Go to their houses, 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:30.560 spend time with them, 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:32.739 offer to help them with their chores, 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:35.519 learn from their life and doctrine, 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:36.639 right? 00:12:36.819 --> 00:12:39.539 And older women pursue the younger woman, 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:42.219 offer to meet with them, 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:43.779 minister God's word to them, 00:12:43.959 --> 00:12:46.059 and pray for them and set an example for them. 00:12:46.079 --> 00:12:46.719 That's the command. 00:12:47.479 --> 00:12:48.639 In verses four to five, 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:53.579 Paul specifies what kind of teaching and training that older women are to do with the young woman. 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:53.959 He says, 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:57.480 So train the young woman to love their husbands and children, 00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:58.800 to be self-controlled, 00:12:59.240 --> 00:12:59.600 pure, 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.600 working at home, 00:13:00.920 --> 00:13:01.320 kind, 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:03.060 and submissive to their own husbands, 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:05.500 that the word of God may not be reviled. 00:13:06.180 --> 00:13:08.740 This does not apply only to married young woman, 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:13.519 but Paul makes a fair assumption for his time that most young women in the church would be married. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:14.560 So he says, 00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:17.480 Train the young woman to love their husbands and children. 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:21.840 And the word train comes from the same word as the self-control, 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:24.019 which I already mentioned is a key word. 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:26.799 And training involves discipline, 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:30.200 imparting self-control to someone. 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:34.100 And it first pertains to the young woman's love for their husbands and children. 00:13:34.660 --> 00:13:41.320 And you'll see in this whole list that there is a general homeward orientation in Paul's instructions to women. 00:13:41.900 --> 00:13:44.940 And that's because of God's design in creation for men and women. 00:13:45.060 --> 00:13:46.720 The first man was named Adam, 00:13:47.160 --> 00:13:49.660 which is a wordplay on the Hebrew word Adama, 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.440 which means ground or earth. 00:13:51.800 --> 00:13:54.860 His task given by God was to work the earth, 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:55.620 work the ground. 00:13:56.020 --> 00:13:56.700 And so fittingly, 00:13:56.780 --> 00:13:58.360 when he sinned against God, 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:01.240 the punishment was that the ground was cursed. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:03.200 So that when he worked the ground, 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:05.340 it would yield thistles and thorns, 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:08.080 and it would make the toil difficult. 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:10.080 It would make his work painful for him. 00:14:10.560 --> 00:14:12.759 And the first woman was named Eve, 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:15.060 which means mother of all living. 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:16.539 So fittingly, 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.680 when she sinned against God, 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:20.980 her punishment was that she would have pain in childbearing. 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:23.480 So this shows, 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:25.560 that creation narrative shows God's purpose, 00:14:25.800 --> 00:14:27.519 his intention for men and women. 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:29.159 And they have distinct, 00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:31.699 though certainly in ways overlapping, 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.480 areas of specialization. 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:37.740 This doesn't mean that women are not allowed to work outside the home. 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:38.759 For example, 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:41.279 the wife of noble character in Proverbs 31, 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:43.659 he seemed to be working outside the home, 00:14:43.699 --> 00:14:44.860 as well as inside the home. 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:46.899 And she's praised for her industriousness. 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:47.879 Nevertheless, 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:51.600 scripture does teach us that home is the woman's area of specialization, 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:55.100 which can be seen in the very basic biological reality 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:57.480 that only women can bear and nurture children. 00:14:58.200 --> 00:15:01.460 So that's why verses 4 to 5 have a homeward orientation. 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:03.879 They are to love their husbands and children. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:07.320 They are also to be self-controlled and pure. 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:08.120 As I mentioned, 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:10.480 self-controlled has a nuance of chastity, 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:13.899 but has a general meaning of being disciplined and in control of oneself. 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:15.940 And the word pure is related to that. 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:17.060 It conveys modesty, 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:17.600 holiness, 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:18.639 reverential behavior. 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:21.539 And then young women also are to be working at home, 00:15:22.199 --> 00:15:24.319 kind and submissive to their own husbands. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:27.120 In 1 Timothy 5, 00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:27.980 13 to 14, 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:30.059 same letter written by Paul around the same time, 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:34.360 he mentions that some of the young widows in the church were idlers. 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.199 This is a quote. 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:37.720 Idlers going about from house to house, 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:39.519 gossips and busybodies. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:40.539 And instead, 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:44.840 so Paul is contrasting that description with his exhortation here. 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:48.580 He charges them to instead be working at home. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:51.080 He wants them not to be busybodies, 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.340 but to be busy workers. 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:57.080 And this shows also that the Bible accords great dignity to homemaking, 00:15:57.180 --> 00:16:00.300 that most of our world still refuses to acknowledge, 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:02.580 that homemaking is work, 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:05.080 that mothering is work. 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:09.240 Hannah and I recently had a friend over, 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:14.639 who was here visiting from California for her 10-year reunion at Harvard. 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:17.019 And she had a child recently, 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:17.580 and she, 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:19.620 after completing her maternity leave, 00:16:19.800 --> 00:16:23.220 went back to her consulting job in California. 00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:24.480 And when, 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:29.340 but when she told us that going back to work for her was like vacation, 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:35.840 because of how taxing mentally and physically her work at home was. 00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:39.639 That's real work, 00:16:39.780 --> 00:16:40.660 and it's difficult work. 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.940 It's work that God honors. 00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:45.880 And then, 00:16:46.040 --> 00:16:46.900 he says, 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:48.440 they should be submissive to their own husbands. 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.180 They should be kind, 00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:49.460 right? 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:53.340 Kind probably refers to her benevolent and gracious posture toward those in her home, 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.760 as well as to outsiders. 00:16:55.020 --> 00:16:55.720 And lastly, 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:57.280 they are to be submissive to their own husbands, 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:00.180 which is a frequent Pauline instruction to married women. 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:02.639 And for some reason, 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.079 for some, 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.299 for people in our day, 00:17:04.419 --> 00:17:06.440 the word submit doesn't, 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.500 you know, 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.879 sit well with most of us, 00:17:08.919 --> 00:17:09.079 right? 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:11.799 It conjures up an image of forced subject, 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.899 subjugation of people. 00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:14.079 But submission, 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.379 the word submission, 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.279 like the word humility, 00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:19.879 even though they were vilified in Paul's own culture, 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:21.679 they were embraced by Christians, 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:25.859 because even though they despised submission and humility as forms of weakness, 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:28.779 as Christians embraced them as Christian virtues, 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:33.419 because our Lord Jesus Christ exemplified for us in his submission to his Lord, 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.639 to his Father, 00:17:35.199 --> 00:17:36.379 and in dying for our sins. 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.000 And so, 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:41.199 submission and humility are hailed as models, 00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:43.740 as virtues that every Christian should follow, 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:45.279 and to seek to embody. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.519 And so, 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:46.980 for that reason, 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:49.180 being submissive here is not a sign of weakness, 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.500 but it's a sign of strength. 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.440 And notice that it says, 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:54.660 the command is addressed to the woman. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:58.579 The married women are called to submit to their respective husbands. 00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:00.740 It's not addressed to the husbands. 00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:04.059 The husbands are not called to make their wives submit, 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:04.700 right? 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:07.279 It's a voluntary submission by the wives. 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.720 And in this context, 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.039 also, 00:18:09.139 --> 00:18:12.359 it says the command is to be submissive to their own husbands, 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:12.720 right? 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:16.980 The command is given not from one gender to another, 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:18.279 but to one wife, 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.819 to her husband. 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:23.200 The concern is to govern the household relationships, 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:26.860 not to govern a gender relationship in general. 00:18:27.600 --> 00:18:28.360 And that means, 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:30.860 that's a calling for the wife to be submissive, 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:35.559 means to affirm and to support the leadership of her husband, 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:41.000 and to support him instead of usurping his prerogative to lead, 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.559 his calling to lead. 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:49.160 And the purpose of all of these good works is that the word of God may not be reviled. 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:54.299 By being obedient to God and doing good works in keeping with the good news of Jesus Christ, 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:57.440 we ensure that the word of God would not be reviled. 00:18:58.059 --> 00:19:01.339 And that concern is not to bring, 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:04.880 that concern that Paul has not to bring reproach to the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:07.759 through our own disorderly and disobedient conduct. 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:09.259 And then, 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:10.200 in verse 6, 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.720 Paul turns to the younger men. 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:16.539 And it's so funny how, 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:18.859 I don't know if this is Paul's intention, 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:21.579 but it seems funny to me that when it comes to the younger men, 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:23.740 he radically simplifies the instruction. 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:26.259 He gives them one thing to focus on, 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:26.779 and that is, 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.980 be self-controlled. 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.059 Likewise, 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:32.279 urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:34.339 This is now the fourth time Paul's used the word. 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.319 And sometimes, 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:35.740 I guess, 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:38.879 the way to be most comprehensive is not to give a long list, 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.799 but to be general, 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.119 right? 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:42.000 And he gives a general command, 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:44.079 be self-controlled in everything. 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.099 And, 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.399 of course, 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:48.160 I think that's particularly geared toward younger men here as well, 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:50.660 because that's often something that young men struggle with, 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:53.060 self-control in various aspects of their lives. 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.040 And then, 00:19:54.100 --> 00:19:55.320 Paul's exhortation to young men, 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:55.580 I think, 00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:59.220 is also cut short by the fact that as he's addressing young men in particular, 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:02.480 his mind turns to one specific young man 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:04.460 who has greater responsibility over this church 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:06.160 than any other young man in the church, 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.480 and that's Titus, 00:20:07.560 --> 00:20:07.740 right? 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.220 And so, 00:20:09.280 --> 00:20:11.880 he begins to address Titus directly in verses 7 to 8. 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:32.200 The good works that Titus is instructed to 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:34.700 to enjoin upon all the members of the church, 00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:37.500 Titus himself is supposed to be a model of it. 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:40.680 He's supposed to set the pattern that others are to follow, 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:43.880 and that's in stark contrast to the false teachers in Crete 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:45.960 who were described in chapter 1, 00:20:46.080 --> 00:20:46.600 verse 16, 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:48.279 as unfit for any good work. 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.140 Instead, 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:51.440 Titus is to show good works, 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:53.680 to be a model of good works in all respect. 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:56.460 And since he is a teacher in the church, 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:58.680 his teaching also must show integrity, 00:20:59.560 --> 00:20:59.880 dignity, 00:21:00.060 --> 00:21:01.960 and sound speech that cannot be condemned. 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:06.259 Integrity is speaking of his sincerity, 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:09.039 that he does not have ulterior motives, 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:10.940 impure motives in his teaching. 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:13.119 And there must be an earnestness 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:14.720 that characterizes his teaching. 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:16.200 It must be characterized by integrity. 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.059 Similarly, 00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:19.379 his teaching must showcase dignity. 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.720 It should show, 00:21:22.859 --> 00:21:23.559 it should command, 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:25.559 the character of his teaching should be such 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:28.159 that it commands respect for God and his word. 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:30.680 There should be a sense of weight, 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:32.460 a worthiness to his preaching. 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.500 And finally, 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:35.619 his teaching must show sound speech, 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:37.559 which again harkens back to the theme 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.720 of sound doctrine. 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:41.679 The Titus' teaching must be healthful. 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:44.099 Its content must be theologically sound. 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:47.839 The word speech in Greek literally means word. 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:49.960 It's the sound word, 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:53.000 which is often in the writings, 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:55.759 New Testaments refer to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:58.000 He's saying that his teaching must be characterized 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.220 by sound word, 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:01.019 the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.639 the doctrine. 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:05.900 And even if he does this, 00:22:06.020 --> 00:22:08.160 he will preach something that cannot be condemned. 00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:08.680 And of course, 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:11.040 that doesn't mean that no one will reject the gospel. 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:13.380 There will always be people who condemn the gospel, 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:15.440 but at least the gospel will not be condemnable. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.360 He will preach a true gospel, 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:19.620 and the fault will lie with those who condemn it, 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.740 not with Titus himself. 00:22:21.620 --> 00:22:23.020 And what's the purpose, again, 00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:25.160 of Titus guarding his life and doctrine in this way? 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:27.600 The answer is given in verse 8, 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:30.740 so that an opponent may be put to shame, 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:33.259 having nothing evil to say about us. 00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:36.579 By being in all respects a model of good works, 00:22:36.919 --> 00:22:38.419 and by teaching with integrity, 00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:41.379 dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:45.519 Titus can expose the folly and falsity of his opponents 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.459 and put them to shame. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:49.619 By providing no material fodder for evil, 00:22:50.199 --> 00:22:51.919 Titus can silence the enemies of the church. 00:22:52.719 --> 00:22:54.579 And then lastly, in verses 9 to 10, 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:56.399 Paul addresses the bondservants 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:59.000 who are to be submissive to their own masters in everything. 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.700 They are to be well-pleasing, 00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:02.660 not argumentative, not pilfering, 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.900 but showing all good faith, 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:06.340 so that in everything they may adorn 00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:08.180 the doctrine of God our Savior. 00:23:09.060 --> 00:23:11.480 Just as young women were encouraged 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.660 to be submissive to their own husbands, 00:23:13.040 --> 00:23:14.540 here the bondservants are encouraged 00:23:14.540 --> 00:23:16.460 to be submissive to their own masters. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:18.300 It's the exact same phrasing. 00:23:19.060 --> 00:23:22.060 And just as not all women are called to submit to all men, 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:24.280 but the wife is called to submit to her husband, 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:29.200 not all bondservants are called to submit to all masters or freed people, 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:31.339 but only to their own masters. 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:35.180 And this shows that slavery in the Greco-Roman world 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:39.019 was not a race-based one like the one we're familiar with. 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:43.579 It was not a kidnap-sourced slavery like the ones we're familiar with, 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:47.019 but rather it was an economic contractual agreement 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:50.480 that is more akin to employer-employee relationships today 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:52.399 than to the slavery that we're familiar with. 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:55.660 And in what sense are bondservants to be submissive 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:57.180 to their own masters and everything? 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:59.540 Paul explains in the following list of qualifications. 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:03.140 He says they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative. 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.620 The word well-pleasing, 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:08.840 it refers to those who responsibly perform their civic duty. 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:11.340 So here bondservants are to be responsible 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:12.840 in their duties toward their masters. 00:24:13.040 --> 00:24:14.740 They should please them in their work. 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.360 And related to this, 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.800 they are not to be argumentative. 00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:20.240 Instead of talking back to their masters 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.799 or talking behind their backs, 00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:23.640 they should be agreeable and compliant. 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:26.359 In addition, they are not to be pilfering, 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:28.120 but showing all good faith. 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:30.500 It was proverbial in the ancient world 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:34.599 that slaves engaged in petty theft from their masters. 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:37.440 But Paul tells them, the Christian slaves, 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:39.099 rather than pilfering, 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:41.079 they should show all good faith. 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:43.180 They are to prove themselves to be trustworthy 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.740 in every aspect to their masters. 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:48.960 And then once again, Paul gives the purpose of all this. 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.799 Why should Christian bondservants 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:52.680 show all good faith in this manner? 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.980 He says in verse 10, 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:56.160 so that in everything, 00:24:56.559 --> 00:25:00.339 they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:03.180 And the phrase, in everything, 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:06.120 is repeated in parallel fashion to make this point. 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:08.980 They are to be submissive in everything, 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:12.299 so that they might adorn the gospel in everything. 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:14.559 Paul's saying the reason why you behave this way 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:17.079 is not because of the inherent worthiness 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:18.659 or dignity of your master, 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:20.180 but because of your concern 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.899 to adorn the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.619 And note that three times in this passage, 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:27.099 Paul uses purpose clauses to explain 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:28.399 why Christians ought to behave 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:30.099 in a manner that accords with sound doctrine. 00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:33.240 And they're all essentially the same. 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:36.500 Why should young women love their husbands and children? 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.139 Paul writes, 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:40.940 so that the word of God may not be reviled. 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:41.500 Verse five. 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:44.259 Why should Titus show himself in all respects 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.559 to be a model of good works? 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:48.319 So that an opponent may be put to shame, 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:49.920 having nothing evil to say about us. 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.440 Verse eight. 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:52.680 Why should bondservants be submissive 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:54.579 to their own masters in everything? 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.579 So that in everything, 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:58.099 they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior. 00:25:58.220 --> 00:26:00.079 So all throughout, every time, 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:01.180 when he gives this purpose, 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:03.799 Paul's concerned about the reputation of the church, 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:06.140 not for their own sake, 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:09.519 but so that the word of God may not be reviled. 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:12.839 So that the doctrine of God may be adorned. 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:19.759 This is so much more than just the public relations management. 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:25.839 I've been seeing a lot of PR moves by companies lately. 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:31.019 Wells Fargo has been embroiled in account fraud scandal. 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:35.099 And they had created millions of fraudulent savings 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:40.119 and checking accounts on behalf of clients without their consent. 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:44.779 So they launched a publicity campaign entitled 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:46.339 Earning Back Your Trust, 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.839 vying to, quote, 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.980 we commit to their clients, 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.200 fixing what went wrong, 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.579 and making things right. 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.160 Similarly, 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:57.000 Facebook was recently embroiled in a data breach scandal, 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.859 or privacy scandal, 00:26:57.859 --> 00:27:01.059 where they exposed personally identifiable information 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:02.659 of up to 87 million people 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:04.119 to a political consulting firm. 00:27:05.179 --> 00:27:05.939 And so in response, 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:08.139 they launched a publicity campaign entitled 00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:08.859 Here Together, 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:11.059 acknowledging their data misuse 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.539 and vowing to do more 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:14.979 to keep you safe and protect your privacy. 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:18.779 All these companies are concerned for their reputation, 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.599 ultimately because 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:22.959 they need to protect their bottom line. 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:26.660 They're for-profit companies. 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:32.180 But Paul's intention in protecting the reputation of church 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:34.880 was not to protect his job. 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.980 He didn't even get paid for his ministry. 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:41.039 It's not to make sure that the church is esteemed 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.779 and respected by society. 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:47.720 His overriding concern is to protect the witness of the gospel 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:49.440 because we, the church, 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:52.059 are the stewards of the transcendent truth 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:53.700 that is supremely important 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:56.880 because the gospel is the power of God for salvation 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:59.220 to everyone who believes. 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.960 We have to be concerned 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:05.019 with publishing this good news everywhere and to everyone. 00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:08.400 And if people reproach us, 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.960 they despise us, 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.319 who cares? 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:14.220 As long as they believe the gospel and follow Christ. 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:17.120 But because the reproach of the church 00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:19.100 brings reproach to Christ, 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:21.920 because the integrity of the church 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:24.180 affects the credibility of the gospel, 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:26.640 that's why it's imperative 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:28.240 that we live in a manner 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:31.000 that accords with sound doctrine. 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:35.440 Thomas Watson, 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:37.920 who was a 17th century English pastor, 00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:39.240 he writes this in his book, 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.299 All Things for Good. 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:44.419 So many being drunk with the wine of prosperity 00:28:44.419 --> 00:28:46.940 when the honor of God is wounded 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:49.319 and his truths lie a bleeding, 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:51.220 are not affected by it. 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:53.740 Did men love God? 00:28:54.639 --> 00:28:57.059 They would grieve to see his glory suffer 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:59.680 and religion itself become a martyr. 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:03.419 Do you grieve your sins? 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:08.580 Not because it brings shame on you, 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:12.700 but because it brings shame on Christ. 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:19.380 Let the whole world despise and leave me, 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:22.240 but I will not stand to bring reproach 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:23.720 to my Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:26.220 That should be our heart's desire. 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.220 That should be the heart of those 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.480 who love Christ and his gospel. 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:33.160 And so that's the good works. 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:34.320 That's why it's necessary. 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:38.300 And if adorning the doctrine of God our Savior 00:29:38.300 --> 00:29:40.140 is the purpose of our good works, 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:42.080 the doctrine of God our Savior 00:29:42.080 --> 00:29:44.940 is the reason why we do the good works. 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.680 It's the cause. 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:48.640 The good works that Paul's enjoining on all of us 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:52.259 is the natural byproduct of the good news 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.240 that Paul preached. 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:56.220 And that's Paul's point in the rest of the passage. 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:58.940 Good news is the basis for our good works. 00:29:59.360 --> 00:30:00.660 Good works is the result. 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:02.940 And good news is the cause. 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.620 And here's how we know about that. 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.640 Paul says in verse 11, 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:07.120 for, that's the reason, 00:30:07.580 --> 00:30:09.440 for the grace of God has appeared, 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.840 bringing salvation for all people. 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:14.400 Grace is such a sweet word for the Christian 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:17.180 because it represents the sum of all divine blessings 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:18.680 that we experience. 00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:21.180 And grace means unmerited favor. 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:25.340 It's a favor that is bestowed upon us by God 00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:27.799 even though we do not deserve it. 00:30:27.840 --> 00:30:29.580 It's not given to us as a payment. 00:30:29.820 --> 00:30:31.600 It's not given to us as a reward. 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:34.299 It's not given to us as a remuneration, 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.460 but as a gift. 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:39.960 It stems from the sheer bounty and generosity of the giver 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:41.660 and it is given to us freely. 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:44.140 And that's the grace of God he's talking about. 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:45.440 I'll mention more about this, 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:48.059 but Paul is talking about the grace of God appearing. 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:50.700 What he means by that is the first coming of Jesus Christ. 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:52.580 The first time Jesus has appeared, 00:30:52.820 --> 00:30:54.440 he entered the world to save us. 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:57.120 That's the appearance that he's talking about. 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:59.220 That's the grace of God appearing. 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:01.140 And he continues in verse 12 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:02.700 that this grace of God that has appeared 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:05.960 is training us to renounce ungodliness 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:06.980 and worldly passions 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:09.559 and to live self-controlled, upright, 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:12.180 and godly lives in the present age. 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:15.600 The grace of God trains us. 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:19.539 Isn't that a wonderful expression? 00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:22.539 The word train is a very apt translation. 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:24.819 It combines the meaning of both instruction 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:26.660 and discipline. 00:31:28.340 --> 00:31:30.120 Man-made religions teach us 00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:31.380 that we must do good works 00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:33.480 in order to earn God's will. 00:31:34.760 --> 00:31:36.540 But the gospel teaches us 00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:39.300 that we are saved not by our good works, 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:40.600 but by God's grace. 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:42.980 That we are saved not by good works, 00:31:43.080 --> 00:31:45.220 but for good works. 00:31:45.760 --> 00:31:47.860 And sometimes people fear that this gospel, 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:50.240 that this doctrine makes people lazy, passive, 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:52.540 not interested in doing any good works. 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:55.540 But the exact opposite is true. 00:31:56.300 --> 00:31:57.280 Paul teaches us here 00:31:57.280 --> 00:31:59.280 that it is the free grace of God 00:31:59.280 --> 00:32:01.340 that trains us. 00:32:02.280 --> 00:32:05.120 It instructs us and disciplines us. 00:32:05.760 --> 00:32:07.280 It's not the law of God, 00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:08.660 but the grace of God 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:10.140 that energizes us, 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.500 enables us, 00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:13.520 and empowers us on the one hand 00:32:13.520 --> 00:32:14.880 to renounce godliness 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:16.220 and on the other hand 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:18.480 to live godly lives. 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:20.440 We put off the evil 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.720 and put on the good. 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.740 And notice the repetition 00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:24.620 of the key word self-control again. 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.039 Repeatedly, 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:27.339 Paul exhorted believers in Crete 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:28.420 to be self-controlled, 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:29.940 and now he tells them 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:31.460 how they can be self-controlled. 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:33.940 We do it by the grace of God. 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.279 The grace of God 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:37.279 trains us to live self-controlled, 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.140 upright, 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.519 and godly lives. 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.420 And those three words, 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.220 self-control, 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.059 upright, 00:32:42.379 --> 00:32:43.220 and godly lives 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:45.079 may respectively govern 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:47.339 how we relate to ourselves 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:48.920 and to others 00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:50.019 and to God. 00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:50.559 Right? 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:52.460 The inward orientation 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.180 of self-control, 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.420 the outward orientation 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.420 of uprightness, 00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:58.579 and the upward orientation 00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.759 of imitating God, 00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.619 of having godliness 00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:01.400 in the Christian life. 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.720 And not only does 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.599 the grace of God 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:05.259 train us to live godly lives 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:06.140 in the present age, 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.700 it also gives us hope 00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.599 for the age to come. 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:10.460 Paul continues in verse 13, 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:12.859 waiting for our blessed hope, 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:14.920 the appearing of the glory 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:15.960 of our great God 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:17.119 and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.980 This is not the second time 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:20.259 Paul's used the word appearing. 00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:21.759 In the first use, 00:33:21.879 --> 00:33:22.759 Paul's referring to 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:24.319 Christ's first coming 00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:25.759 when he came to save us. 00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:27.879 Now, in the second use, 00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:28.619 Paul's referring to 00:33:28.619 --> 00:33:29.879 Christ's second coming 00:33:29.879 --> 00:33:32.379 when he comes to judge 00:33:32.379 --> 00:33:33.539 and to establish his rule 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.420 over all creation. 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.359 At his first coming 00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:37.359 2,000 years ago, 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:39.240 Christ revealed the grace of God, 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.819 as it says in verse 11. 00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:42.240 And at his second coming, 00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:43.359 Christ will reveal 00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:44.960 the glory of God. 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:48.539 God's grace is 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:50.099 the river's source, 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:52.299 the headwaters from which 00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:53.759 all our spiritual blessings flow, 00:33:54.379 --> 00:33:55.519 and God's glory 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.559 is the river mouth. 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:57.339 Right? 00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.940 The ocean of God's glory 00:33:58.940 --> 00:34:00.420 to which our spiritual blessings 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.200 are flowing. 00:34:01.819 --> 00:34:02.879 Grace is the origin 00:34:02.879 --> 00:34:03.879 of God's saving work, 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:05.240 and glory is the destiny 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:07.000 of God's saving work. 00:34:07.099 --> 00:34:08.480 So a true Christian, then, 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:09.960 is someone who lives 00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:11.920 from grace to glory 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:13.320 between the two 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.400 appearings of Christ. 00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:16.840 And that's how we produce 00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:18.340 good works in keeping 00:34:18.340 --> 00:34:19.199 with the good news 00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:19.940 of Jesus Christ. 00:34:20.780 --> 00:34:21.860 So Christians, then, 00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:23.059 are those who are trained 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.880 by the grace of God 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:24.719 in the present age 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.920 and those who are waiting 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:26.920 for the glory of God 00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:27.980 in the age to come. 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:29.360 We're like flowers, right, 00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:31.260 that are planted firmly 00:34:31.260 --> 00:34:32.820 and rooted deeply 00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:34.160 in the grace of God, 00:34:35.160 --> 00:34:36.480 revealed at Christ's first coming, 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:37.740 and we are growing 00:34:37.740 --> 00:34:39.059 and stretching forth 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:40.059 toward the son 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:41.320 of the glory of God 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:41.920 to be revealed 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:43.620 at Christ's second coming. 00:34:44.220 --> 00:34:45.620 And that's a blessed hope 00:34:45.620 --> 00:34:46.160 that we have, 00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:46.760 Paul writes. 00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:48.039 He calls it a blessed hope, 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.300 a happy hope. 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:51.400 Why is it such a happy hope? 00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:53.140 Jonathan Edwards, 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:56.440 a 17th century pastor, 00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:57.220 American pastor, 00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:58.400 writes this. 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:02.019 God is the highest good 00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:03.360 of the reasonable creature. 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:05.220 The enjoyment of him 00:35:05.220 --> 00:35:06.039 is our proper 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:07.840 and is the only happiness 00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:09.220 with which our souls 00:35:09.220 --> 00:35:10.420 can be satisfied. 00:35:11.240 --> 00:35:12.340 To go to heaven 00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:14.220 fully to enjoy God 00:35:14.220 --> 00:35:16.320 is infinitely better 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:17.500 than the most pleasant 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:18.539 accommodations here, 00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:20.599 better than fathers and mothers, 00:35:21.179 --> 00:35:22.700 husbands, wives, or children, 00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:24.179 or the company of any 00:35:24.179 --> 00:35:26.159 or all earthly friends. 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:28.380 These are but shadows, 00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:30.099 but the enjoyment of God 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.360 is the substance. 00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:33.960 These are but scattered beams, 00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:36.059 but God is the sun. 00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:38.220 These are but streams, 00:35:38.780 --> 00:35:41.240 but God is the fountain. 00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:43.360 These are but drops, 00:35:43.880 --> 00:35:46.059 but God is the ocean. 00:35:46.760 --> 00:35:48.980 That hope that we have 00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:50.200 for the glory of God, 00:35:50.280 --> 00:35:52.240 that's what sustains us, 00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:54.220 helps us to persevere 00:35:54.219 --> 00:35:55.299 and to be trained 00:35:55.299 --> 00:35:56.179 by the grace of God 00:35:56.179 --> 00:35:57.239 to live godly lives. 00:35:58.319 --> 00:35:59.639 And this hope that we have 00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:00.339 is sure. 00:36:01.759 --> 00:36:03.079 It's not an illusion. 00:36:03.939 --> 00:36:06.279 It's founded on our great God 00:36:06.279 --> 00:36:07.500 and Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:07.779 Right? 00:36:07.939 --> 00:36:08.079 Paul, 00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:10.579 throughout the verses 11 to 15, 00:36:10.759 --> 00:36:12.279 Paul's used a lot of words 00:36:12.279 --> 00:36:12.980 and concepts 00:36:12.980 --> 00:36:13.679 that are prominent 00:36:13.679 --> 00:36:16.239 among the pagan religions 00:36:16.239 --> 00:36:17.039 that were contemporary 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:17.899 to Christianity. 00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:19.920 And so words like 00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:20.460 appearing, 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.400 train, 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:22.440 godliness, 00:36:22.740 --> 00:36:23.260 upright, 00:36:23.440 --> 00:36:24.079 self-control, 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:25.380 as well as the phrase 00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:26.599 great God and Savior 00:36:26.599 --> 00:36:29.119 all had their usages 00:36:29.119 --> 00:36:30.360 in pagan religions. 00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.579 So for example, 00:36:31.760 --> 00:36:33.480 the Greek king Antiochus 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:35.280 was called by people 00:36:35.280 --> 00:36:36.700 as God appearing. 00:36:37.740 --> 00:36:39.119 Pagan goddess Artemis 00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:40.639 and the Roman emperor Claudius 00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:41.360 were described 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.840 as the great God. 00:36:42.840 --> 00:36:45.220 And the Macedonian general, 00:36:45.420 --> 00:36:46.579 Ptolemy I, 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:48.400 as well as Julius Caesar, 00:36:48.780 --> 00:36:50.019 were all at various points 00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:51.860 called God and Savior. 00:36:52.640 --> 00:36:54.059 So by using these words, 00:36:54.180 --> 00:36:55.000 Paul is setting up 00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.840 a deliberate contrast 00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:58.200 between the gospel 00:36:58.200 --> 00:36:58.960 of Jesus Christ 00:36:58.960 --> 00:37:00.120 and the false man-made 00:37:00.120 --> 00:37:01.120 religions of the world. 00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:03.260 Antiochus is not 00:37:03.260 --> 00:37:04.059 God appearing. 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.539 He's a mere man 00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:06.800 even though he styles himself 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:07.620 as God. 00:37:07.760 --> 00:37:08.579 But Christ, 00:37:08.920 --> 00:37:10.620 he is God incarnate. 00:37:10.620 --> 00:37:12.579 He is the word made flesh. 00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:14.299 He is God appearing. 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:15.539 That's what Paul is telling us. 00:37:16.119 --> 00:37:17.619 Ptolemy I was a man 00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:19.380 and general, yes. 00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:20.579 Julius Caesar 00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:22.259 was a man and dictator, 00:37:22.699 --> 00:37:24.380 but neither were God 00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:25.360 and Savior, 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.860 but Christ. 00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:28.920 He really is the true 00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:30.000 God and Savior. 00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.199 In the Greek, 00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:32.279 the words God and Savior 00:37:32.279 --> 00:37:32.980 are governed by 00:37:32.980 --> 00:37:33.940 the same article. 00:37:34.159 --> 00:37:34.900 So it shows that 00:37:34.900 --> 00:37:35.480 it's referring to 00:37:35.480 --> 00:37:36.860 one person, Jesus Christ, 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.920 and not to two persons. 00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.480 So it's not talking about 00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:40.279 our great God, 00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:40.840 the Father, 00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:41.960 and then Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:37:42.039 --> 00:37:42.519 No, he's talking 00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:43.960 about Jesus as our 00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:45.639 great God and Savior. 00:37:45.800 --> 00:37:46.759 And that's an amazing 00:37:46.759 --> 00:37:48.079 statement for a Jew 00:37:48.079 --> 00:37:48.619 to make. 00:37:49.259 --> 00:37:50.219 It's no easy thing 00:37:50.219 --> 00:37:51.340 for a faithful Jew 00:37:51.340 --> 00:37:52.960 who has for generations, 00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:54.280 Jews who for generations 00:37:54.280 --> 00:37:54.980 after generations, 00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:55.940 thousands of years, 00:37:56.199 --> 00:37:56.880 have worshipped 00:37:56.880 --> 00:37:58.119 the one God 00:37:58.119 --> 00:37:59.960 to acknowledge 00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:01.039 that Jesus, 00:38:01.239 --> 00:38:01.719 the Son of God, 00:38:01.780 --> 00:38:02.500 he is God 00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:04.219 and Savior. 00:38:05.139 --> 00:38:06.360 And Paul repeats 00:38:06.360 --> 00:38:07.460 that audacious claim 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:08.259 in this early letter 00:38:08.259 --> 00:38:09.699 of his three times 00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:10.599 throughout the letter 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:11.360 to Titus. 00:38:11.920 --> 00:38:13.599 Once in each chapter, 00:38:13.719 --> 00:38:15.059 he calls God the Father, 00:38:15.259 --> 00:38:15.679 Savior, 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:17.339 and then just one or two 00:38:17.339 --> 00:38:18.460 verses after that, 00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:20.159 he calls Jesus Christ 00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:21.159 our Savior. 00:38:21.279 --> 00:38:22.139 He's intentionally 00:38:22.139 --> 00:38:23.500 making the connection 00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:24.940 that these two persons 00:38:24.940 --> 00:38:25.460 of the Trinity 00:38:25.460 --> 00:38:27.480 are one and the same God. 00:38:29.159 --> 00:38:30.239 So who are you 00:38:30.239 --> 00:38:31.199 putting your faith in 00:38:31.199 --> 00:38:32.779 as your Savior 00:38:32.779 --> 00:38:33.360 in your life? 00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:36.900 What are you putting 00:38:36.900 --> 00:38:37.500 your faith in? 00:38:38.780 --> 00:38:39.900 You might not think 00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:41.019 that you need saving, 00:38:41.380 --> 00:38:42.300 but God sent us 00:38:42.300 --> 00:38:42.780 as a Savior 00:38:42.780 --> 00:38:43.800 because you do. 00:38:45.480 --> 00:38:46.860 And no mere man 00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:47.620 can save you. 00:38:47.900 --> 00:38:49.140 Money cannot save you. 00:38:49.220 --> 00:38:50.320 Your hard work 00:38:50.320 --> 00:38:51.039 and success 00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:52.019 cannot save you. 00:38:52.180 --> 00:38:52.780 Politics 00:38:52.780 --> 00:38:54.300 cannot save you. 00:38:54.660 --> 00:38:55.140 Marriage 00:38:55.140 --> 00:38:56.039 cannot save you. 00:38:56.260 --> 00:38:57.000 If you put 00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:57.840 your ultimate hope 00:38:57.840 --> 00:38:59.539 in any of these things, 00:38:59.740 --> 00:39:01.099 they will disappoint you 00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:02.340 and leave you emptier 00:39:02.340 --> 00:39:03.720 than you started 00:39:03.720 --> 00:39:06.120 because you were created 00:39:06.120 --> 00:39:06.920 for a relationship 00:39:06.920 --> 00:39:07.579 with God, 00:39:08.340 --> 00:39:10.019 to have eternal fellowship 00:39:10.019 --> 00:39:10.519 with Him. 00:39:11.100 --> 00:39:12.559 And the only person 00:39:12.559 --> 00:39:14.160 who makes that possible 00:39:14.160 --> 00:39:16.900 is our great God 00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:17.760 and Savior, 00:39:18.300 --> 00:39:19.680 Jesus Christ. 00:39:20.320 --> 00:39:22.340 And how does Jesus save us? 00:39:22.440 --> 00:39:23.519 Verse 14 tells us, 00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:25.519 He gave Himself for us 00:39:25.519 --> 00:39:26.660 to redeem us 00:39:26.660 --> 00:39:27.800 from all lawlessness 00:39:27.800 --> 00:39:29.720 and to purify for Himself 00:39:29.720 --> 00:39:31.740 a people for His own possession 00:39:31.739 --> 00:39:33.019 who are zealous 00:39:33.019 --> 00:39:34.439 for good works. 00:39:35.079 --> 00:39:35.979 Christ saves us 00:39:35.979 --> 00:39:37.719 by redeeming us 00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:39.679 and purifying us. 00:39:40.139 --> 00:39:41.459 Redemption refers to 00:39:41.459 --> 00:39:42.559 purchasing the freedom 00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:43.299 of a slave. 00:39:43.979 --> 00:39:45.299 We were all once 00:39:45.299 --> 00:39:46.419 slaves to sin 00:39:46.419 --> 00:39:47.159 and lawlessness, 00:39:47.739 --> 00:39:49.619 but Christ gave Himself 00:39:49.619 --> 00:39:50.259 for us 00:39:50.259 --> 00:39:51.579 to redeem us. 00:39:51.899 --> 00:39:53.019 Christ gave Himself 00:39:53.019 --> 00:39:54.000 for us 00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:55.599 as the ransom price 00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:56.619 for our freedom. 00:39:56.619 --> 00:39:58.599 we were all 00:39:58.599 --> 00:40:00.000 in debtors' prison 00:40:00.000 --> 00:40:00.940 enslaved 00:40:00.940 --> 00:40:01.819 by lawlessness, 00:40:02.019 --> 00:40:02.839 but Christ paid 00:40:02.839 --> 00:40:03.719 the price of our freedom 00:40:03.719 --> 00:40:05.219 by dying on the cross 00:40:05.219 --> 00:40:06.139 for our sins. 00:40:07.219 --> 00:40:08.099 If you're not yet 00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:08.839 a follower of Christ, 00:40:08.920 --> 00:40:09.579 then you are still 00:40:09.579 --> 00:40:10.799 enslaved to lawlessness. 00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:13.000 And you must turn 00:40:13.000 --> 00:40:13.480 to Christ 00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:14.279 as your Redeemer. 00:40:17.079 --> 00:40:18.139 Lawlessness creates 00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:19.199 an illusion of freedom 00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:21.039 because it makes you feel 00:40:21.039 --> 00:40:21.400 like you're 00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:23.380 your own Lord. 00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:24.960 But the exact opposite 00:40:24.960 --> 00:40:25.559 is true. 00:40:26.360 --> 00:40:27.079 Rule of law 00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:27.980 is the foundation 00:40:27.980 --> 00:40:30.079 of every free society. 00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:31.220 In the absence 00:40:31.220 --> 00:40:32.280 of the rule of law, 00:40:32.559 --> 00:40:33.500 might makes right 00:40:33.500 --> 00:40:35.240 and your inalienable rights 00:40:35.240 --> 00:40:36.420 get denied 00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:37.320 for the sake 00:40:37.320 --> 00:40:38.200 of indulging 00:40:38.200 --> 00:40:38.980 others who are 00:40:38.980 --> 00:40:40.000 more powerful than you. 00:40:41.740 --> 00:40:43.780 Sin enslaves us. 00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:44.599 Lawlessness, 00:40:45.420 --> 00:40:46.780 though we might feel free, 00:40:47.180 --> 00:40:49.320 it enslaves us. 00:40:49.320 --> 00:40:51.840 And Christ 00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:53.120 redeems us 00:40:53.120 --> 00:40:54.300 from all lawlessness 00:40:54.300 --> 00:40:55.539 and restores us 00:40:55.539 --> 00:40:56.320 to right relationship 00:40:56.320 --> 00:40:56.820 with God. 00:40:57.840 --> 00:40:58.360 Likewise, 00:40:58.580 --> 00:41:00.080 Christ also purifies us. 00:41:00.200 --> 00:41:00.800 Purification 00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:01.960 refers to Christ 00:41:01.960 --> 00:41:02.860 washing us 00:41:02.860 --> 00:41:03.539 from our sins. 00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:05.460 Sin was on all of us 00:41:05.460 --> 00:41:06.740 like filthy rags. 00:41:07.100 --> 00:41:08.240 We had the grime of sin 00:41:08.240 --> 00:41:09.500 smeared all over 00:41:09.500 --> 00:41:10.280 our souls. 00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:11.080 But Christ 00:41:11.080 --> 00:41:12.340 washed us clean 00:41:12.340 --> 00:41:13.220 with his blood 00:41:13.220 --> 00:41:14.720 and clothed us 00:41:14.720 --> 00:41:15.780 with the righteousness, 00:41:15.940 --> 00:41:16.860 the clean robes 00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:17.700 of his righteousness. 00:41:18.380 --> 00:41:19.240 And if you are not yet 00:41:19.239 --> 00:41:20.079 a follower of Christ, 00:41:20.279 --> 00:41:21.759 you must repent 00:41:21.759 --> 00:41:22.719 of your sins 00:41:22.719 --> 00:41:24.159 and receive this purification 00:41:24.159 --> 00:41:24.779 through faith. 00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:27.139 No one can enter 00:41:27.139 --> 00:41:27.799 into the presence 00:41:27.799 --> 00:41:29.019 of the holy king 00:41:29.019 --> 00:41:30.059 in filthy rags. 00:41:30.319 --> 00:41:31.519 We must be washed 00:41:31.519 --> 00:41:32.639 and clothed 00:41:32.639 --> 00:41:33.899 with appropriate attire. 00:41:34.439 --> 00:41:35.039 And Christ 00:41:35.039 --> 00:41:35.939 freely offers 00:41:35.939 --> 00:41:36.559 this to you 00:41:36.559 --> 00:41:37.459 only if you would 00:41:37.459 --> 00:41:38.839 entrust yourself to him. 00:41:40.619 --> 00:41:42.299 And once you do this, 00:41:43.000 --> 00:41:43.579 Christ 00:41:43.579 --> 00:41:44.979 takes you 00:41:44.979 --> 00:41:46.699 as his special possession. 00:41:46.839 --> 00:41:47.899 It says in verse 14, 00:41:47.900 --> 00:41:49.079 Christ gave himself 00:41:49.079 --> 00:41:49.539 for us 00:41:49.539 --> 00:41:50.180 to redeem us 00:41:50.180 --> 00:41:50.920 from all lawlessness 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:52.180 and to purify 00:41:52.180 --> 00:41:53.119 for himself 00:41:53.119 --> 00:41:55.480 a people 00:41:55.480 --> 00:41:56.920 for his own possession 00:41:56.920 --> 00:41:58.220 who are zealous 00:41:58.220 --> 00:41:59.559 for good works. 00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:00.840 Christ redeems us 00:42:00.840 --> 00:42:01.639 and purifies us 00:42:01.639 --> 00:42:02.440 so that we might 00:42:02.440 --> 00:42:03.440 belong to him 00:42:03.440 --> 00:42:04.380 as his own. 00:42:04.740 --> 00:42:05.360 And the word 00:42:05.360 --> 00:42:06.079 own here 00:42:06.079 --> 00:42:07.380 is an emphatic word 00:42:07.380 --> 00:42:07.960 that means 00:42:07.960 --> 00:42:09.260 one's very own. 00:42:09.500 --> 00:42:10.780 Something that designates 00:42:10.780 --> 00:42:12.260 a special possession. 00:42:12.500 --> 00:42:13.599 Not any ordinary 00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:14.539 common possession, 00:42:14.539 --> 00:42:16.340 but a special possession, 00:42:16.659 --> 00:42:17.960 a cherished possession, 00:42:18.300 --> 00:42:18.820 a people 00:42:18.820 --> 00:42:20.279 whom God delights 00:42:20.279 --> 00:42:21.139 to call 00:42:21.139 --> 00:42:22.480 his own, 00:42:22.880 --> 00:42:24.119 my very own. 00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:26.719 That's the expression 00:42:26.719 --> 00:42:27.440 that was frequently 00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:28.380 used in the Old Testament 00:42:28.380 --> 00:42:29.599 to describe Israel, 00:42:29.719 --> 00:42:30.279 God's people. 00:42:30.719 --> 00:42:31.940 And now Paul tells us 00:42:31.940 --> 00:42:32.699 that the church, 00:42:33.139 --> 00:42:34.259 those that believe 00:42:34.259 --> 00:42:35.380 in Jesus Christ, 00:42:35.960 --> 00:42:37.139 are the new people 00:42:37.139 --> 00:42:37.619 of God. 00:42:38.400 --> 00:42:39.880 And as such, 00:42:40.219 --> 00:42:40.759 people, 00:42:41.139 --> 00:42:42.179 we are to be zealous 00:42:42.179 --> 00:42:43.480 for good works. 00:42:43.899 --> 00:42:44.639 This directly 00:42:44.639 --> 00:42:46.599 contrasts the description 00:42:46.599 --> 00:42:47.599 again of the Cretans 00:42:47.599 --> 00:42:48.419 who are described 00:42:48.419 --> 00:42:49.099 as unfit 00:42:49.099 --> 00:42:49.879 for any good work. 00:42:50.619 --> 00:42:51.239 We are instead 00:42:51.239 --> 00:42:52.119 to be zealous 00:42:52.119 --> 00:42:53.000 for good works. 00:42:53.940 --> 00:42:54.319 Yes, 00:42:54.719 --> 00:42:55.019 moderation 00:42:55.019 --> 00:42:56.239 is good 00:42:56.239 --> 00:42:58.579 in most things. 00:43:00.960 --> 00:43:02.119 But when it comes 00:43:02.119 --> 00:43:02.759 to matters 00:43:02.759 --> 00:43:04.639 of ultimate importance, 00:43:05.719 --> 00:43:06.940 when it comes 00:43:06.940 --> 00:43:08.139 to knowing God, 00:43:08.659 --> 00:43:09.460 when it comes 00:43:09.460 --> 00:43:10.779 to loving God, 00:43:10.780 --> 00:43:11.600 when it comes 00:43:11.600 --> 00:43:13.240 to serving God, 00:43:13.460 --> 00:43:13.960 when it comes 00:43:13.960 --> 00:43:14.940 to good works 00:43:14.940 --> 00:43:16.100 for God's glory, 00:43:16.420 --> 00:43:16.900 moderation 00:43:16.900 --> 00:43:17.880 will not do. 00:43:19.700 --> 00:43:20.300 Restraint 00:43:20.300 --> 00:43:21.420 will not do. 00:43:23.180 --> 00:43:23.760 Lukewarmness 00:43:23.760 --> 00:43:24.500 will not do. 00:43:25.620 --> 00:43:26.700 Be a zealot 00:43:26.700 --> 00:43:28.100 for good works. 00:43:29.620 --> 00:43:30.680 Give yourselves 00:43:30.680 --> 00:43:31.620 wholly to it. 00:43:32.180 --> 00:43:32.920 Be passionate 00:43:32.920 --> 00:43:33.500 about it. 00:43:33.800 --> 00:43:34.560 Be earnestly 00:43:34.560 --> 00:43:35.320 committed to it. 00:43:35.500 --> 00:43:36.160 Give your life 00:43:36.160 --> 00:43:36.700 for it. 00:43:36.700 --> 00:43:36.760 Give it. 00:43:36.760 --> 00:43:41.540 And if you're 00:43:41.540 --> 00:43:42.140 already a follower 00:43:42.140 --> 00:43:42.500 of Christ, 00:43:42.600 --> 00:43:43.420 let me remind you 00:43:43.420 --> 00:43:44.600 that we don't do 00:43:44.600 --> 00:43:45.480 these good works 00:43:45.480 --> 00:43:46.820 in order to win 00:43:46.820 --> 00:43:48.060 God's favor 00:43:48.060 --> 00:43:49.460 or earn our salvation. 00:43:49.800 --> 00:43:50.080 Rather, 00:43:50.160 --> 00:43:51.340 we pursue purity 00:43:51.340 --> 00:43:51.660 because, 00:43:51.780 --> 00:43:52.480 as it says here, 00:43:52.820 --> 00:43:53.960 because we have 00:43:53.960 --> 00:43:54.920 been purified 00:43:54.920 --> 00:43:55.580 by Christ. 00:43:56.460 --> 00:43:57.840 We behave 00:43:57.840 --> 00:43:58.920 in a godly way 00:43:58.920 --> 00:44:00.420 because we already 00:44:00.420 --> 00:44:02.020 belong to God 00:44:02.020 --> 00:44:02.880 as his special 00:44:02.880 --> 00:44:03.340 possession. 00:44:03.340 --> 00:44:05.760 our good works 00:44:05.760 --> 00:44:06.620 stem from the 00:44:06.620 --> 00:44:07.180 good news 00:44:07.180 --> 00:44:07.860 of Jesus Christ, 00:44:07.920 --> 00:44:08.980 not the other 00:44:08.980 --> 00:44:09.539 way around. 00:44:10.539 --> 00:44:11.680 We are not 00:44:11.680 --> 00:44:13.380 sycophantic 00:44:13.380 --> 00:44:14.380 employees 00:44:14.380 --> 00:44:16.440 currying favor 00:44:16.440 --> 00:44:17.120 with our heavenly 00:44:17.120 --> 00:44:17.620 boss. 00:44:18.380 --> 00:44:19.620 We're adopted 00:44:19.620 --> 00:44:20.820 children of God 00:44:20.820 --> 00:44:22.380 secure in our 00:44:22.380 --> 00:44:23.500 place in the family, 00:44:24.340 --> 00:44:25.700 desiring to please 00:44:25.700 --> 00:44:26.600 our heavenly father 00:44:26.600 --> 00:44:28.480 because we love 00:44:28.480 --> 00:44:28.780 him. 00:44:28.780 --> 00:44:33.340 So let's be a church 00:44:33.340 --> 00:44:33.980 that produces 00:44:33.980 --> 00:44:35.100 good works 00:44:35.100 --> 00:44:36.000 in keeping 00:44:36.000 --> 00:44:36.840 with the good news 00:44:36.840 --> 00:44:37.540 of Jesus Christ. 00:44:38.280 --> 00:44:39.380 Please close your eyes 00:44:39.380 --> 00:44:40.460 and take a moment 00:44:40.460 --> 00:44:41.920 to silently reflect 00:44:41.920 --> 00:44:42.700 on this word, 00:44:43.700 --> 00:44:44.280 to think about 00:44:44.280 --> 00:44:45.300 how God is calling 00:44:45.300 --> 00:44:47.460 you to produce 00:44:47.460 --> 00:44:48.100 good works 00:44:48.100 --> 00:44:48.540 in keeping 00:44:48.540 --> 00:44:49.340 with the good news 00:44:49.340 --> 00:44:50.080 he has given us. 00:44:50.080 --> 00:44:50.140 Amen. 00:44:50.140 --> 00:44:50.240 Amen.