WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:01.840 Good morning. 00:00:04.919 --> 00:00:05.679 Thank you. 00:00:05.780 --> 00:00:07.540 I was going to try again. 00:00:10.419 --> 00:00:10.900 Excellent. 00:00:11.740 --> 00:00:14.660 Well, let me greet you from a few groups of people. 00:00:14.820 --> 00:00:18.160 First, let me greet you on behalf of the pastors of Covenant Fellowship Church. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:20.960 That's the church where I get to serve. 00:00:21.400 --> 00:00:23.260 I've been there since 2006. 00:00:23.260 --> 00:00:30.679 And we have a number of guys who regularly ask me there how Trinity Cambridge is doing. 00:00:31.580 --> 00:00:35.219 And so they've asked me to extend their love to you. 00:00:35.660 --> 00:00:38.640 I also have the privilege, as Sean said, to represent the Northeast. 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:43.500 So let me greet you on behalf of the pastors and the members in the Northeast region. 00:00:44.100 --> 00:00:45.200 I will tell you this. 00:00:45.700 --> 00:00:48.680 Our region is all but this church. 00:00:48.700 --> 00:00:50.920 It's very, very geographically close. 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:55.700 And so whenever I'm meeting with the other guys, they're always asking, how's Sean doing? 00:00:56.020 --> 00:00:57.020 How's Trinity doing? 00:00:57.340 --> 00:00:59.079 We carry you on our hearts. 00:00:59.660 --> 00:01:03.359 I would love for you to get to meet a good number of the guys from our region. 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:07.579 Hopefully you have and will over the course of the years. 00:01:08.180 --> 00:01:12.020 We are going to be spending this morning in Titus 3. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:14.400 So if you brought your Bible, you can turn there. 00:01:14.480 --> 00:01:16.060 We will get there eventually. 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:18.320 There's some business we have to do up front, though. 00:01:18.320 --> 00:01:20.599 Let me share just a couple things. 00:01:20.920 --> 00:01:35.960 This message was birthed out of a burden that in an increasingly divisive culture, where compromise and compassion seems to have evaporated, 00:01:35.959 --> 00:01:54.899 and opinions and positions are further and further polarized, that the church would fight that trend, that the church would seek not to represent one pole or the other, but to represent Christ in all we say and do and how we do it. 00:01:54.900 --> 00:01:59.000 And thankfully, I didn't have to make Titus 3 say any of that. 00:01:59.260 --> 00:02:00.800 Titus 3 does that for us. 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:12.879 It organically is holding out for you how to live a gospel-driven life, what it should look like, at least in the elements that it hits. 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:15.599 Okay, so let me give you some background. 00:02:15.780 --> 00:02:17.819 Titus was a young pastor. 00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:21.199 He was trained up by the apostle Paul. 00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:28.180 And this letter is written to him as he takes over the church in Crete. 00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:39.099 He's providing instructions and encouragement to Titus on how to lead the church, how to teach the church, and even areas he needs to correct the church. 00:02:39.099 --> 00:02:51.599 And we could jump into any one of those areas and really benefit from studying what he says about church leadership and what he says about correcting quarrels, 00:02:52.459 --> 00:03:00.979 roles of men and women, both young and old, and the area of Christian conduct, which we'll spend a little bit more time focusing on today. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:11.359 But throughout all of those topics, there's one overarching message, burden, that Paul is holding out for Titus to hold out to the church. 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:12.099 And it's this. 00:03:12.679 --> 00:03:18.280 We should live godly lives because of the gospel. 00:03:19.539 --> 00:03:22.579 So the gospel, of course, it's the gospel that saves us. 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:24.659 But it doesn't just save us. 00:03:24.819 --> 00:03:25.979 It transforms us. 00:03:25.979 --> 00:03:32.679 It transforms how we think, how we feel, how we speak, and how we act. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:38.560 You're going to see throughout this message, I was, I don't know if this was intentional or not, Sean, 00:03:38.699 --> 00:03:46.359 but throughout the service, there are various scriptures that we read out loud or were read to us that overlap with this very theme. 00:03:46.839 --> 00:03:52.479 So anytime you come to a service and you see, okay, the preacher seems to be saying what we just said in worship, 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:54.299 that's not redundant. 00:03:54.300 --> 00:04:02.260 That is God-ordained repetition so that we hear it more than once and we learn and are changed by it. 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:04.460 And I come here to the first one of those. 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:12.160 Right here, this call to be governed by the gospel in our life is reflected in Ephesians 2. 00:04:12.160 --> 00:04:15.140 For by grace you've been saved through faith. 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:42.939 Our salvation, friends, is not a result of works. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:45.360 That's very clear in this passage. 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:50.480 We are not saved by good works, by what we do. 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:56.160 However, we are saved for good works. 00:04:57.139 --> 00:04:59.339 So they don't make us Christians. 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:01.420 They reflect that we are. 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:11.480 We are created to live out the gospel in all we say and do. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:16.720 These good works we're called to are found in how we obey God's word. 00:05:17.580 --> 00:05:19.560 How we treat one another. 00:05:20.420 --> 00:05:22.860 How we cherish what God cherishes. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:28.920 How we manifest the gospel through good deeds like service, giving, evangelism. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:33.199 And it's very important in the Christian life and particularly for the rest of this message. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:42.139 It's very important that we strike the fine but important theological balance for the relationship between faith and good works. 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:47.199 Because various Christians can fall a bit too far on either side of that. 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:53.759 Some may believe that your standing before God is based on the type of day you've had. 00:05:53.919 --> 00:05:55.360 Or how you've done this week. 00:05:55.939 --> 00:06:00.159 Where good works actually influence our standing before God. 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:02.279 And that's simply not true. 00:06:02.419 --> 00:06:06.759 It is the completed work of Jesus Christ that determines our standing before God. 00:06:06.759 --> 00:06:12.039 Okay, so we don't want to go so far as to say good works determine our relationship with God. 00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:16.620 But we don't want to react to that and jump all the way to the other side and say, 00:06:16.779 --> 00:06:20.099 Okay, in reform doctrine, good works don't matter. 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:21.659 God saves. 00:06:22.139 --> 00:06:23.740 We're secured by the gospel. 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:26.019 Therefore, good works don't matter. 00:06:26.019 --> 00:06:34.060 We need to come to this theological fine line where we realize that good works don't save us. 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:38.220 But they are a trademark of the saved. 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:47.199 They are an imprint on our lives to demonstrate, not to make us children of God, but to demonstrate that we are. 00:06:48.699 --> 00:06:54.759 And just so you're aware, I'm not trying to shoehorn this idea into this letter to Titus. 00:06:54.759 --> 00:07:00.500 He says, Paul says to Titus in chapter 1 verse 16 about the people in Crete, 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:08.019 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. 00:07:09.779 --> 00:07:11.319 So let's break that down. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:14.000 They're saying the right things. 00:07:15.959 --> 00:07:18.279 Maybe they're singing the right things. 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:24.079 They're participating in the public reading of Confession in Scripture here on Sunday morning. 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:31.000 But when you look at their lives, their lives deny their profession. 00:07:32.539 --> 00:07:37.959 And the vast majority of this letter is written to adjust and correct that problem. 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:41.879 So that our lives would be consistent with our profession. 00:07:41.979 --> 00:07:47.259 And let me ask you, do you have room in your reformed theology for this? 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:52.740 The reformers had room for this. 00:07:53.099 --> 00:07:57.759 The call to obedience was rampant throughout their preaching and their writing. 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:03.579 So I hope you do, particularly since that's how we're going to spend the next 30 minutes or so. 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:08.680 To sum it up, God alone saves. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:19.000 The evidence of God's salvation is seen in our lives, is seen in how we act and speak, in our good works. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:24.800 We can say the right things, but it's the good works that reveal what we believe. 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:30.780 And I want to come to Titus 3 now and break it just into two points. 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:33.600 The first one is the power for godly living. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:37.639 Before we read God's word at this point, would you pray with me? 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:44.319 Father, as we come now to Titus 3, we thank you for the ministry of the Apostle Paul. 00:08:44.439 --> 00:08:45.699 We thank you for Titus. 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:53.319 And we thank you for all of the hands that preserved your word from its initial writing to now. 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:59.580 Lord, ultimately, we thank you for preserving your word for our reading and our benefit. 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:07.299 Holy Spirit, now would you act through the preaching of your word to apply it to our lives, 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:11.079 to give us the sweet conviction that comes through illumination, 00:09:11.579 --> 00:09:16.419 and to help us rest in and trust you more. 00:09:17.219 --> 00:09:18.819 We ask in Jesus' name. 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:19.899 Amen. 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:21.979 Amen. 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:23.799 Let's jump into verse 4. 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:26.979 We will come back later and pick up verses 1 through 3. 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:29.139 So Titus 3, verse 4. 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:34.620 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:40.759 He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:43.519 but according to His own mercy, 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:48.480 by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:53.300 whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:57.120 so that being justified by His grace, 00:09:57.519 --> 00:10:01.179 we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 00:10:01.959 --> 00:10:03.439 The saying is trustworthy. 00:10:04.439 --> 00:10:07.679 And I want you to insist on these things 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:10.639 so that those who have believed in God 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:14.859 may be careful to devote themselves to good works. 00:10:15.479 --> 00:10:19.799 These things are excellent and profitable for people. 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:24.939 So Paul lays out this gospel foundation. 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:30.039 In the midst of all of this call to gospel living and to good works, 00:10:30.199 --> 00:10:32.039 he lays out this gospel foundation 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:36.039 because he doesn't want Timothy or the Cretans to be confused 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:37.859 on the role between the two. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:42.000 Look at the verbs in what I just read. 00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:44.959 If you've been out of school a while, those are the action words. 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:46.379 Look at the verbs. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:50.299 God is the one doing all the action. 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:53.480 We are the one being acted upon. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:55.379 God appeared to us. 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:56.539 We didn't discover Him. 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:57.919 He appeared to us. 00:10:58.340 --> 00:10:59.779 He saved us. 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:02.519 We didn't somehow crack the code on salvation. 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:05.100 He actively saved us. 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:08.159 It wasn't because of good we had done. 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:10.960 It's not like, oh, that person's doing great. 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:12.200 Let me save them. 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:15.679 It was because of His mercy. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:19.079 He washed us with regeneration. 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:22.359 He renewed us with the Holy Spirit, 00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:26.479 pouring richly on us through Jesus Christ. 00:11:27.339 --> 00:11:34.939 Justification is not due to our own merit or our own works. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:37.279 It is simply by His grace. 00:11:37.579 --> 00:11:40.500 And because His grace is poured richly on us, 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:43.859 we become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:48.100 We are recipients of salvation, 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:50.100 objects of salvation, 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:52.879 not participants in salvation. 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:58.720 And this is demonstrated throughout the Bible 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:01.940 as salvation belonging to God. 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:03.820 It's captured beautifully in Revelation 7. 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:08.100 Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:10.000 and to the Lamb. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:12.059 It doesn't belong to us. 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.679 God owns it, 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:18.500 and He gives us the gift of salvation, 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:20.799 does the work of regeneration, 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:24.100 and we are just humble, unworthy recipients, 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:28.320 which is why our response to our salvation internally 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:30.980 ought to be gratitude through and through. 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:35.639 We don't somehow say finally or congratulate ourselves. 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:38.360 We just bow our heads, 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:39.779 raise our hands, 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:41.000 and worship. 00:12:42.279 --> 00:12:45.820 This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:48.639 Jesus bore our sins, 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:51.779 saving us and washing us with regeneration 00:12:51.779 --> 00:12:53.659 so that we are born again. 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:56.000 As a result, 00:12:56.699 --> 00:12:58.620 we become children of God, 00:12:59.059 --> 00:13:00.480 indwelt with the Holy Spirit, 00:13:00.819 --> 00:13:02.240 heirs of eternal life. 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:06.319 Jesus Christ and nothing else, 00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:09.679 Jesus Christ and no one else, 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:11.360 saves us. 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:14.480 The classic hymn captures this, 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:17.100 nothing can for sin atone. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:20.299 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:13:20.299 --> 00:13:20.500 Jesus, 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:24.740 not of good that I have done, 00:13:25.479 --> 00:13:27.120 putting our works in their place. 00:13:27.719 --> 00:13:29.919 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:13:30.359 --> 00:13:31.199 And then that chorus, 00:13:31.339 --> 00:13:36.079 oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. 00:13:36.479 --> 00:13:39.379 No other fount I know, 00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:42.759 nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:13:43.219 --> 00:13:44.639 I'm underscoring this. 00:13:44.719 --> 00:13:47.159 This is probably review for many of you. 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:49.799 We don't ever want to tire of hearing this. 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:55.479 But we don't ever want to tire of anchoring ourselves in this 00:13:55.479 --> 00:13:59.740 when we're going to talk about implications of this. 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:03.719 Let me just underscore the importance of this for the believer. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:07.159 If we're going to talk about obedience, 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:10.079 or we're going to talk about self-discipline, 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.899 or we're going to talk about sexual purity, 00:14:12.099 --> 00:14:14.299 or we're going to talk about marriage or parenting, 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:16.659 or whatever it is, evangelism, 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:21.699 if we don't ground the conversation first in this truth, 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.919 this gospel truth, 00:14:23.459 --> 00:14:26.360 the Christian life ends up becoming a list of to-dos, 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:30.779 not a list of outflows from the gospel. 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:34.919 And so Paul grounds Timothy in this, 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:36.839 sorry, not Timothy, Titus, in this. 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:38.779 He then calls Timothy, 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.980 nope, not Timothy, Titus. 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:45.259 He then calls Titus to ground the church in this. 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:47.460 And you may be here as a guest. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:50.399 You may be here for the second or third week, 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:53.420 and maybe this is the first time that you've heard this. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:58.320 That Jesus alone can save. 00:14:58.420 --> 00:15:01.000 That it's not half Jesus and half you, 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:05.100 but Jesus alone can save. 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:08.600 And so if you're hearing this for the first time today, 00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:10.200 let me tell you, 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:12.259 this is not something I've innovated. 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.779 This has been the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:17.480 for 2,000 years. 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:21.940 And each time it's declared, 00:15:22.700 --> 00:15:24.159 each time it's preached, 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:28.500 is an invitation from God to respond to it today, 00:15:29.060 --> 00:15:31.540 to entrust yourself to it today, 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:35.459 to place your faith in the only one who saves today. 00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:37.959 Today is the day of salvation. 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:40.579 If you've come with somebody, 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:43.439 talk to them after the service about this. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:45.059 If you've not, or you'd prefer, 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:46.500 you could talk to me or to Sean 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:48.519 about this after the service. 00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:50.459 Don't leave this place today 00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:53.000 without taking action toward God 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:54.839 and entrusting yourself, 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:57.039 your soul, and your eternity 00:15:57.039 --> 00:16:00.299 to the capable and perfect hands of Jesus. 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:04.519 Now to the rest of the church 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:07.120 for whom this has been reviewed, 00:16:07.339 --> 00:16:08.179 let me ask you, 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:11.620 does the gospel still shock you? 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:15.379 Are you still overwhelmed 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:18.480 at the immeasurable grace that comes to you 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:21.000 through the gospel of Jesus Christ? 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:23.019 Does it still elicit gratitude 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:25.579 and worship and joy? 00:16:26.819 --> 00:16:28.120 It's not difficult, 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:29.059 though it is glorious, 00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:30.319 to come together and sing 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:32.060 when we're led by wonderful musicians, 00:16:32.300 --> 00:16:34.980 but it's not difficult to sing praises then. 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:37.320 With your life in your heart, 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:39.120 in the privacy of your own home, 00:16:39.400 --> 00:16:41.400 do you worship God 00:16:41.400 --> 00:16:44.000 just out of blown away gratitude 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:47.140 that you are saved, 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.400 that you are born again, 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:50.840 that you have a security in heaven 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:53.120 because of the work of Jesus Christ? 00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:55.580 I hope your answer to all of those questions 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:57.280 is yes, yes, and yes. 00:16:57.280 --> 00:16:58.560 But if not, 00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:01.860 if you find yourself not stirred regularly in gratitude, 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:05.380 or you're not regularly just worshiping God 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.500 for the goodness of the gospel, 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:08.960 or you've assumed the gospel 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:11.660 because it's just so familiar to you 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:13.299 that you don't reflect on it 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:15.460 when you're taking action in your Christian life. 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:18.019 If any of those places are found wanting, 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:19.700 let me just encourage you 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:21.279 in that very place today, 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:23.500 before you lay your head down tonight, 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:25.139 do business with God, 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.339 ask for his help, 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.599 read the scriptures, 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.379 confess any sin 00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:30.740 that's getting in the way 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:32.680 of that type of response, 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:34.000 glorious, grateful, 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:37.099 awe-inspired response to the gospel 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:39.000 so that our Christian lives 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:41.899 are fueled by a grounding in 00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:44.740 and appreciation for the gospel. 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.180 In Titus 3, 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:49.139 this is of particular importance 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:50.880 because it's this gospel 00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:52.820 that Paul holds out 00:17:52.820 --> 00:17:55.780 that empowers godly living. 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:59.560 He's not just reminding them 00:17:59.560 --> 00:18:00.360 that they're saved, 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:00.820 you know, 00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:02.080 put a period at the end of that, 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:02.800 turn the page, 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:05.680 now let's talk about how you behave. 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:08.080 No, it is the very reason 00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:11.020 and the very power for their change. 00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:13.720 It's the power for godly living. 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:16.220 One verse before what we read, 00:18:16.280 --> 00:18:16.880 in verse three, 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:17.340 it says, 00:18:17.760 --> 00:18:20.360 for we ourselves were once foolish, 00:18:20.800 --> 00:18:21.460 dishonest, 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.460 led astray, 00:18:22.820 --> 00:18:25.040 slaves to various passions and pleasures, 00:18:25.520 --> 00:18:29.460 passing our days in malice and envy, 00:18:30.020 --> 00:18:31.020 hated by others, 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:33.500 and hating one another. 00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:36.740 Wow, what a list. 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:38.680 What happened? 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.840 That they were once that way 00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:42.000 but are that way no longer. 00:18:42.120 --> 00:18:42.980 What happened? 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:45.400 Well, what happened is the gospel. 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:48.620 What happened is the gospel changed them. 00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:51.259 The gospel changed how they view other people, 00:18:51.540 --> 00:18:52.540 how they view wisdom, 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:54.000 how they view the word of God, 00:18:54.060 --> 00:18:56.320 how they view the purpose of their lives. 00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:59.900 We reflected this in the reading 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:03.300 that we don't belong to ourselves any longer. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.580 First Corinthians six says, 00:19:04.780 --> 00:19:06.580 you are not your own 00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:09.440 for you were bought with a price. 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:13.720 So glorify God in your body. 00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:16.400 Now that passage is taken, 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:18.740 that verse is taken from a passage 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:20.180 talking about purity, 00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:21.580 talking about sexual purity. 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:23.960 That's only one application of this gospel. 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.580 We are bought at a price. 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.779 We don't belong to ourselves. 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:29.220 So treat your body 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.900 as though it belongs to God 00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:32.200 and not to you. 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:37.140 Salvation by grace has rescued you. 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:41.380 Now we're called to live like we're rescued. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.640 That's where the power comes from. 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:45.640 That's where the liberty comes from. 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:49.799 And God doesn't just save us 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.700 and then say, hey, listen, 00:19:50.840 --> 00:19:52.259 here's how you're supposed to behave. 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.860 Good luck. 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:58.199 He gives us his Holy Spirit. 00:19:58.959 --> 00:20:00.399 Right there in the verse. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:03.159 It's poured out on us richly. 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:05.740 He is poured out on us richly. 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:08.759 So if your reflections on the gospel 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:12.000 are merely quick and passing thoughts, 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:14.679 friend, you are going to be powerless 00:20:14.679 --> 00:20:17.539 to change in the area of greatest temptation 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.259 in your life. 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:22.240 Let me just spare you 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.759 a lot of heartache and failure. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:26.779 Don't go to war with your sin 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:30.279 apart from the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:33.119 You will change for a time. 00:20:33.679 --> 00:20:35.519 You will see spurts of victory 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.959 followed by seasons of failure, 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:40.579 followed by great discouragement 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:42.419 and then conviction 00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:44.019 and then spurts of victory 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:47.339 and then seasons of failure. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.539 And this cycle will go on and on 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:51.019 in areas where you're seeking 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.519 to change the most. 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:55.099 ground yourself here. 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.519 Ground yourself in the power 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.259 of the gospel, 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.779 walking in the power 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.799 of the Holy Spirit 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:03.220 who fills us 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:05.039 and empowers us. 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:07.299 First John promises us 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:09.940 that he who is in you 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:11.680 is greater than he 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.599 who is in the world. 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.940 So don't go after your worldliness 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.440 without him. 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:20.279 Go after it in the power of Christ. 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:24.500 Our success in godly living 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:26.160 is going to be proportionate 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:28.140 with our appreciation of 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:31.039 and gratitude for this gospel. 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.279 Milton Vincent says, 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:35.220 the more I embrace 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:37.639 and experience the gospel, 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.579 the more I delight 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:41.240 in the worship of God, 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.700 the more I express, 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:44.099 the more expressive 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:46.180 my joy in him becomes 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:48.180 and the more I yearn 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:49.319 to glorify him 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:51.680 in all I say and do. 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.759 Where does the power 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.639 for all that come from? 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.460 Back at the beginning, 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:56.339 the more I embrace 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:58.859 and experience the gospel. 00:21:58.859 --> 00:22:02.279 gospel-driven living 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:05.959 leads to God-honoring living. 00:22:06.979 --> 00:22:08.079 The Christian life 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.799 is not marked 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:11.079 by guilt-driven living. 00:22:11.199 --> 00:22:12.279 There's no power in that. 00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:14.019 It's not marked 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:16.339 by status-driven living. 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.740 Let me just make sure 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.539 I'm holier 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.959 than the person next to me. 00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:23.979 If my sins just aren't as bad 00:22:23.979 --> 00:22:25.119 as those others are sharing 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:25.839 in small group, 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:27.159 I'm doing okay. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.740 Well, that's status-driven living 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:30.339 and there's no power in that. 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.460 The Christian life 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:35.160 is not compliance-driven living. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:37.740 It is gospel-driven living. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.220 It's not obedience 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:41.559 as some albatross on us. 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:43.740 It is freedom to obey 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:45.440 because we've been liberated 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.519 and empowered 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:48.180 to live differently. 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:51.039 So that's power 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:52.559 for gospel living 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:54.660 and that's Titus 3, 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:56.160 that center section 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.960 of Titus 3. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.779 Now let's go 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.599 to the next section 00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:59.459 where we'll go before 00:22:59.459 --> 00:23:00.279 and after that 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.319 and we will look at 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:03.480 pursuing godly living. 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.919 What does it look like 00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:06.539 to pursue this? 00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:07.519 Now that you know 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.139 it's supposed to be 00:23:08.139 --> 00:23:08.980 grounded here, 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:10.839 what does it actually look like? 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:12.779 What should you be aiming for? 00:23:13.459 --> 00:23:14.339 Now before we read 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:15.519 the beginning of Titus 3, 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.599 I want to underscore 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.539 this is not just 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:19.779 a Titus issue. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.119 Throughout the scripture, 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.980 I'm going to hit 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.199 four citations 00:23:23.199 --> 00:23:24.579 just to make the case, 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:26.000 but throughout the scripture, 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.940 there is a regular claim 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.660 from the gospel 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:30.559 on how we live. 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.640 It is relevant 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.880 and it matters. 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:34.619 Ephesians 4 starts, 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.599 I therefore, 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.920 a prisoner of the Lord, 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:38.900 urge you to walk 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:39.900 in a manner 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:41.299 worthy of the calling 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:42.519 to which you have been called. 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:45.539 Colossians 1 says, 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.819 walk in a manner 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.960 worthy of the Lord, 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.839 fully pleasing to him, 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.299 bearing fruit 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.740 in every good work 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.680 and increasing 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.799 in the knowledge 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.579 of God. 00:23:57.120 --> 00:23:58.440 Psalm 1 says, 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.700 blessed is the man 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.539 who walks not 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.160 in the counsel 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:01.700 of the wicked 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.880 nor stands in the way 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.339 of sinners 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:04.799 nor sits in the seat 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.440 of scoffers, 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.759 but his delight 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.559 is in the law 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.140 of the Lord 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:09.279 and on his law 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.480 he meditates day 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.339 and night. 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.120 And then back 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:12.880 to the New Testament, 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:14.380 Romans 6 says, 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.339 do not present 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:16.079 your members 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:16.980 to sin 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:18.339 as instruments 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:19.759 for unrighteousness, 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.440 but present yourselves 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.100 to God 00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:23.140 as those 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.980 who have been brought 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:25.080 from death to life 00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:26.140 and your members 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:27.039 to God 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.240 as instruments 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.660 for righteousness. 00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:32.640 The implication 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.860 of being freed 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:34.620 from our sin, 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.500 having our sins 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.080 paid for, 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.980 does not mean 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.920 we've been freed 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:39.019 from a master 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.840 and now we are free 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:41.740 to do as we wish. 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.779 The gospel 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.960 does not set us, 00:24:45.320 --> 00:24:46.259 in setting us free, 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:47.080 it doesn't make us 00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:47.720 independent. 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.900 It transfers us 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.860 from one kingdom 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.680 to another, 00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:52.640 from the kingdom 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.280 of darkness 00:24:53.280 --> 00:24:54.000 to the kingdom 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.580 of light. 00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:55.680 We are no longer 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.600 slaves to sin, 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.180 praise God, 00:24:57.300 --> 00:24:58.640 but we are slaves 00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.720 to righteousness. 00:25:02.280 --> 00:25:03.160 So much 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:03.860 of the 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:05.320 Western mind 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:07.340 is looking 00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:08.740 to move 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.980 towards self-expression 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.700 and self-determination 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:13.540 and those things 00:25:13.540 --> 00:25:14.519 are just antithetical 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:15.440 to the word of God. 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:17.220 We have been 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.539 slaves to righteousness, 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:20.460 purchased by Christ. 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.740 We are not our own, 00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:22.420 we've been bought 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:22.960 at a price. 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:24.220 That's what's held out 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.680 for us 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:26.360 as we now pursue 00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:27.640 godly living. 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.500 And so we as Christians 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.440 need to choose 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.080 every day 00:25:31.080 --> 00:25:31.860 to believe 00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:33.000 that the gospel 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.120 is true. 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.559 That belief 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.700 is a pursuit 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:39.039 of godly living. 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:40.000 That's the first step. 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.779 We've got to ground 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.559 ourselves there. 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.680 But in our text, 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:44.320 Paul gets specific. 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:46.079 And he holds out 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:47.059 two categories. 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:48.299 There's not only two 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:49.039 in the Christian life. 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.879 These happen to be 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:50.299 the two 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.919 that Paul is calling us to. 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.659 The first is the 00:25:53.659 --> 00:25:55.599 category of humility. 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.759 Take a look 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.960 at verses 1 through 3. 00:25:58.939 --> 00:25:59.579 Remind them 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.700 to be submissive 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.299 to rulers 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.099 and authorities, 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.759 to be obedient, 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.259 to be ready 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.399 for every good work, 00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:08.079 to speak evil 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.960 of no one, 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.839 to avoid quarreling, 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:12.119 to be gentle, 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.279 and to show 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.500 perfect courtesy 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.839 toward all people. 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.399 For we ourselves 00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:18.700 were once foolish, 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.839 disobedient, 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.500 led astray, 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.579 slaves to various 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:22.720 passions and pleasures, 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.220 passing our days 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.240 in malice and envy, 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:26.839 hated by others, 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.059 and hating 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.420 one another. 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:32.539 All of those commands 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.139 I'm capturing 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:33.899 under this heading 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:35.000 of humility. 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.200 And that's something 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:36.879 we cherish, 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.279 something we pursue, 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.960 simply because 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.660 the scriptures 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:42.160 call us to it, 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.740 specifically here 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:45.340 in verses 1 through 3. 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.340 And our humility 00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:47.299 is something 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.079 that we express 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:49.019 to all people, 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.220 to our neighbors, 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:51.539 to our coworkers, 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.620 to our social media 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:55.240 friends and followers, 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.980 those in authority, 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:58.380 those under authority, 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:01.160 members of our family. 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:04.340 Christ was humble 00:27:04.340 --> 00:27:05.840 in all directions, 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:05.980 Christians, 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.720 and we're called 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.539 to be the same. 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:10.079 So let me break this down 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:11.059 to the very things 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.259 that Paul addresses here 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.819 in verses 1 through 3. 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:14.480 First, 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.179 our humility 00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:16.039 should result 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.000 in submission 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.819 to authority. 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:20.159 And that means 00:27:20.159 --> 00:27:21.980 authority we agree with 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:23.220 and authority 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.559 we disagree with. 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:28.000 As a broad marker, 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.879 Christians are called 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:32.159 to be a submissive, 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.899 peaceable people. 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:36.960 This should be the case 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.840 in church, 00:27:38.560 --> 00:27:39.620 to the authority 00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.380 that God has placed 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.360 over the church here, 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.360 in relationships, 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.900 at work. 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:45.660 This should be the case 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:47.040 in how we talk 00:27:47.040 --> 00:27:47.740 about authority 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.940 on social media 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.420 or in our engagement 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:52.360 with and our engagement 00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:53.400 about government 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.640 and politics. 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:56.160 This should simply 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:57.340 mark the Christian's 00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:58.340 attitude. 00:27:59.300 --> 00:28:00.320 Now that doesn't mean 00:28:00.320 --> 00:28:02.100 that we're to follow 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:03.140 authority when it's 00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.759 calling us to 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:05.220 oppose the word 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:05.740 of God. 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.940 But it does mean 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:09.140 in disputable matters, 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:09.720 though you may 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.779 vehemently disagree, 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.640 the call here 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.660 is submission 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.779 to authority. 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:15.460 And we can do this 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:17.279 for one primary reason. 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:19.480 Because we know 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:21.000 who holds 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:22.339 ultimate authority. 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.859 We know that 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.799 in the end, 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.859 even wrongs 00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:27.700 being done now, 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.779 that all things 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:30.079 will be made right. 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.660 That no wrong 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:33.300 will go unaccounted for. 00:28:33.300 --> 00:28:34.800 No injustice 00:28:34.800 --> 00:28:36.500 will go unpunished. 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.840 For the Christian, 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.820 the injustices 00:28:38.820 --> 00:28:39.960 have been punished 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.860 in Christ. 00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:43.120 For the unbelieving 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:43.660 world, 00:28:43.820 --> 00:28:44.820 they will be judged 00:28:44.820 --> 00:28:45.779 on the last day. 00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:46.680 And there is ultimate 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.120 justice 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.360 and ultimate righteousness. 00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:49.720 We know who holds 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.840 ultimate authority, 00:28:50.840 --> 00:28:51.759 which gives us 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:53.420 faith in the temporal 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.980 to submit to the authority 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.380 that God has placed 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:57.160 over us. 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:59.100 next, 00:28:59.220 --> 00:28:59.820 our humility 00:28:59.820 --> 00:29:00.519 should result 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.900 in obedience. 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.540 The very word 00:29:04.540 --> 00:29:05.560 implies that 00:29:05.560 --> 00:29:06.380 there are rules 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:07.160 or guidelines 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:07.860 or instructions 00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:08.980 that we are supposed 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:10.180 to come under. 00:29:11.040 --> 00:29:11.600 And again, 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.820 this individualism, 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:14.019 self-determination, 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:16.120 it rubs right 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:17.200 against that idol 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.460 in our culture. 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.720 So often, 00:29:20.860 --> 00:29:21.600 we determine 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.800 right and wrong 00:29:22.800 --> 00:29:24.920 by whether it agrees 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:26.740 with what we already think. 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:30.940 Do you listen 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:32.080 to sermons that way? 00:29:33.620 --> 00:29:34.480 Are you tempted 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.259 at all to listen 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.840 to a sermon 00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:36.540 like, oh, okay, 00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.740 that preacher was wrong 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:39.080 and the only rubric 00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:39.920 you've measured it by 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:41.080 is what you already think 00:29:41.080 --> 00:29:42.480 instead of by 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.200 the word of God? 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.800 If we measure 00:29:45.800 --> 00:29:46.500 right and wrong 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.920 by what we already think, 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.080 we will forever 00:29:49.080 --> 00:29:50.960 stay wrong 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:52.200 in areas 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:53.080 that we have wrong. 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.740 We won't be changed. 00:29:54.860 --> 00:29:55.960 We won't be challenged 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:57.759 because we'll never 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:59.160 receive the information, 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.460 the truth 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.000 that God 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.720 is looking 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.920 to give us. 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.180 It's as though 00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:04.700 at times 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.440 our perspective 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:06.819 is never permitted 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:07.620 to be examined 00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:08.759 or questioned. 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:11.200 And so we need 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.759 to adopt 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.940 this pursuit 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.940 of obedience 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:15.539 in our humility 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.420 that Paul 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:17.279 is calling us to. 00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:18.039 And then lastly, 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.000 our humility 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.819 should result 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:21.160 in kindness. 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:21.400 kindness. 00:30:22.580 --> 00:30:23.360 This passage 00:30:23.360 --> 00:30:24.080 focuses on 00:30:24.080 --> 00:30:24.640 our treatment 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.259 of others. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.259 It uses words 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.940 like courtesy, 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.019 gentleness, 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.500 avoiding quarreling, 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.880 and speaking evil 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.759 of others. 00:30:32.800 --> 00:30:34.100 How you treat 00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:34.940 other people 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:36.140 reflects what you 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:37.240 believe about 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.840 the gospel. 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.580 Harsh treatment 00:30:40.580 --> 00:30:41.180 of others 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:42.800 reflects a spirit 00:30:42.800 --> 00:30:43.420 of judgment 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:45.140 and arrogance, 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:47.040 neither of which 00:30:47.040 --> 00:30:48.000 can exist long 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.460 at the foot 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.040 of the cross. 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:51.339 And so the Christian 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:52.960 is called 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:53.960 to treat others 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:55.359 with gospel-driven 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.599 humility. 00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:58.000 It's a mark 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:59.859 of mature Christianity. 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.200 All right, 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.839 I promised you 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.399 two things 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:04.200 that Paul addresses 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.460 here. 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.059 First was in 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.960 verses 1 through 3. 00:31:06.159 --> 00:31:07.099 Let's jump over 00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:07.599 the section 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.379 we already read 00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:09.359 and pick up 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.700 down in verse 9. 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:12.000 This category 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.920 is the category 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.859 of unity. 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.639 Now the unity 00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:17.519 that's described 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.099 here 00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:19.579 is aimed 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.639 at the household 00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:21.439 of God. 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.299 It's another theme 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:24.679 that Paul repeats 00:31:24.679 --> 00:31:25.639 in many of his letters 00:31:25.639 --> 00:31:26.980 because disunity 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:28.119 is so easy 00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:29.579 and so prevalent. 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.219 But when God's people 00:31:31.219 --> 00:31:32.559 live in unity, 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.959 loving one another 00:31:33.959 --> 00:31:34.859 sacrificially, 00:31:35.219 --> 00:31:36.519 it speaks loudly 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.679 of the gospel 00:31:37.679 --> 00:31:38.480 that they profess. 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.559 We are told 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:42.539 that they will know 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.480 we are Christians 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:44.419 by our love 00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:45.379 for one another. 00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:46.700 So Paul comes back 00:31:46.700 --> 00:31:47.360 to that over 00:31:47.360 --> 00:31:48.380 and over 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:49.700 and over again. 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.420 Now I want to be clear. 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:52.760 We're not talking 00:31:52.760 --> 00:31:54.200 about uniformity 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:56.180 where we all think 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:56.720 the same 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.780 and act the same 00:31:57.780 --> 00:31:58.620 and we watch 00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.740 all the same shows 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.620 and we listen 00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.720 to all the same music 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:03.660 and uniformity, 00:32:03.760 --> 00:32:04.320 if you've ever been 00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:04.760 in a place 00:32:04.760 --> 00:32:05.640 that's totally uniform, 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:07.140 it's weird. 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.620 Like it's unnatural. 00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:10.860 You can feel 00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.540 like something's 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:12.119 not right 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:13.339 in that place. 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.339 That's not 00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:15.440 what unity is. 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:17.200 Unity actually 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:18.779 is a gospel-driven 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.379 commitment 00:32:19.379 --> 00:32:20.619 to not allow 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:21.240 diversity 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.500 to divide you. 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:24.500 Unity, 00:32:24.659 --> 00:32:25.879 a pursuit of unity 00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:27.180 protects 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.500 the existence 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.299 of diversity 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.460 and allows 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.500 our many different 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.119 interests 00:32:32.119 --> 00:32:33.299 and gifts 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:34.559 and backgrounds 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.759 and experiences, 00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:36.720 allows them 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.559 to coexist 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.740 in a diverse 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.859 body of Christ 00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:41.099 who is all pursuing 00:32:41.099 --> 00:32:41.899 this unity 00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:43.199 in Christ. 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:45.019 So it doesn't 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:46.299 eliminate diversity, 00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:46.839 unity, 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:48.619 but it protects it. 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.859 We may think 00:32:52.859 --> 00:32:53.339 differently 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.839 about public policy 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:57.319 or about foreign affairs, 00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:58.479 but we have Christ 00:32:58.479 --> 00:32:59.059 in common. 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:02.279 We may think 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:02.819 differently 00:33:02.819 --> 00:33:03.899 about 00:33:03.899 --> 00:33:05.599 what type of 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:06.359 application 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.359 of the gospel 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:09.039 should apply 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:09.759 to this 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.779 or to that, 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.599 this area 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.079 of life. 00:33:12.159 --> 00:33:12.799 We may think 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:13.279 differently 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.460 on how 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:16.079 this doctrine 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.680 gets applied 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.480 in our homes 00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.440 or this doctrine 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:19.019 gets applied 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.960 with our kids 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.740 or this doctrine 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.460 gets applied 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.480 in our friendships, 00:33:22.639 --> 00:33:23.599 but we have 00:33:23.599 --> 00:33:24.299 Christ 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:25.519 in common. 00:33:26.680 --> 00:33:27.700 And what we 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.740 have in common 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.500 as Christians 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.879 is far more 00:33:30.879 --> 00:33:31.339 important 00:33:31.339 --> 00:33:32.519 and far greater 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.339 than that 00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:34.079 which threatens 00:33:34.079 --> 00:33:35.559 to divide us. 00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:38.159 if you believe 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:38.740 that, 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.599 then you are 00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:42.259 securing unity 00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:43.079 in the body 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.679 of Christ. 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:46.059 This is why 00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:47.019 Paul exhorts 00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.679 Titus, 00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:48.579 not Timothy, 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.519 but Titus, 00:33:50.419 --> 00:33:51.679 in verse 9. 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.259 He says, 00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:54.379 avoid foolish 00:33:54.379 --> 00:33:55.399 controversies, 00:33:56.399 --> 00:33:57.359 genealogies, 00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:58.720 dissensions, 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.839 and quarrels 00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.599 about the law, 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:02.019 for they are 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:03.259 unprofitable 00:34:03.259 --> 00:34:04.259 and worthless. 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:06.579 As for a person 00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:07.339 who stirs up 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:07.859 division, 00:34:08.799 --> 00:34:10.139 after warning him 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.960 once and then 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.500 twice, 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.980 have nothing 00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:14.019 more to do 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.460 with him. 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:15.980 Knowing 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:17.480 that such a person 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.279 is warped 00:34:18.279 --> 00:34:19.559 and sinful, 00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:21.819 he is self-condemned. 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.659 Listen, 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:27.579 out in the world 00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:28.339 there are 00:34:28.339 --> 00:34:29.480 countless voices 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.260 that are happy 00:34:30.260 --> 00:34:30.900 to give you 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.320 something 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:33.139 that is fruitless 00:34:33.139 --> 00:34:33.900 to fight 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.659 and quarrel over. 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.420 They are happy 00:34:36.420 --> 00:34:36.900 to give you 00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.420 something that 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:38.599 will distract you 00:34:38.599 --> 00:34:39.800 from the gospel 00:34:39.800 --> 00:34:40.860 of Jesus Christ. 00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.659 Whether it's 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.400 news outlets, 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.179 social media 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.940 influencers, 00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:44.699 I know I've 00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:45.240 mentioned social 00:34:45.240 --> 00:34:45.659 media like 00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:46.199 four or five 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:46.659 times. 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.320 You'd have to 00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:48.740 talk to me 00:34:48.740 --> 00:34:49.260 offline. 00:34:49.740 --> 00:34:50.880 I do think, 00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:51.740 I keep 00:34:51.740 --> 00:34:52.559 mentioning it 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:54.179 because I do 00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:54.659 think it is 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:56.500 particularly divisive 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.000 in the body 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:57.539 of Christ. 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:59.320 we can get 00:34:59.320 --> 00:34:59.599 into that 00:34:59.599 --> 00:34:59.820 later. 00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:00.279 This message 00:35:00.279 --> 00:35:00.719 is not about 00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:01.239 social media, 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:01.840 but I at least 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:02.500 want to acknowledge 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:02.779 yes, 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:03.480 I know I keep 00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:04.059 mentioning it. 00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:06.079 It's not all 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:06.420 bad. 00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:06.900 I'm not like 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.679 anti-social 00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:08.099 media, 00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:10.639 but we need 00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:11.000 wisdom, 00:35:11.139 --> 00:35:11.500 don't we? 00:35:13.059 --> 00:35:13.739 Each of us 00:35:13.739 --> 00:35:14.639 has a responsibility 00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:16.159 to build unity 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:17.039 in what we say 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.500 and do, 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.300 no matter where 00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:19.259 we say 00:35:19.259 --> 00:35:20.199 and do it. 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:21.400 In personal 00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:22.039 relationships, 00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:23.400 that means living 00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:24.079 at peace 00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:25.219 with one another, 00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:26.380 refusing to gossip 00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.400 about people. 00:35:27.660 --> 00:35:28.820 Even if you 00:35:28.820 --> 00:35:29.440 think what you're 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:30.300 saying is just 00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:31.119 in fun, 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:32.420 is just well 00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:33.039 intended, 00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:34.400 it's harmless, 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:36.380 be careful of any 00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:37.200 area of your life 00:35:37.200 --> 00:35:38.000 where you say 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:38.920 this is just 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:40.079 harmless sin. 00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:42.480 That's a 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.280 frightening phrase 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:43.960 to come across 00:35:43.960 --> 00:35:44.420 the lips 00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:45.500 of a believer 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:46.579 in Jesus Christ. 00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:48.539 We must guard 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:50.079 against that. 00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:51.360 We must also 00:35:51.360 --> 00:35:52.180 stand ready 00:35:52.180 --> 00:35:52.800 to forgive, 00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:53.980 not allowing 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:54.599 grudges, 00:35:54.820 --> 00:35:55.099 judgments, 00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:55.960 or bitterness 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:56.739 to grow. 00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:58.000 With many of you, 00:35:58.079 --> 00:35:58.699 I spent a lot 00:35:58.699 --> 00:35:59.400 of time yesterday 00:35:59.400 --> 00:36:00.299 focusing on this 00:36:00.299 --> 00:36:01.119 very thing. 00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:03.039 But we also 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:04.199 bear the responsibility 00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:05.420 to build unity 00:36:05.420 --> 00:36:06.639 in how we use 00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:08.000 words in public, 00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:08.699 not just in 00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:09.920 private discourse. 00:36:11.019 --> 00:36:12.360 Everything you say 00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:13.199 online 00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:15.400 is public speech. 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:19.680 do you approach 00:36:19.680 --> 00:36:21.019 your use of that 00:36:21.019 --> 00:36:22.340 platform in a way 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:23.780 that underscores 00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:24.800 and builds the 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:26.360 unity of the 00:36:26.360 --> 00:36:27.220 Christian church? 00:36:29.220 --> 00:36:30.340 When tensions 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:31.039 arise, 00:36:32.240 --> 00:36:33.300 disputes arise, 00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:34.519 are you eager to 00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:35.480 get face to face 00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:36.160 with someone 00:36:36.160 --> 00:36:38.420 so that the unity 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:39.240 doesn't fracture? 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:39.780 You can be, 00:36:40.180 --> 00:36:40.900 you can have full 00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:41.840 conversation when 00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:42.420 you're in person 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:43.220 face to face. 00:36:43.219 --> 00:36:44.159 Are you eager 00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:44.980 to do that? 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.159 When there's 00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:46.939 tensions between 00:36:46.939 --> 00:36:47.639 you and another 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.079 believer, 00:36:48.239 --> 00:36:49.459 is that unsettling 00:36:49.459 --> 00:36:50.339 in your soul? 00:36:50.899 --> 00:36:51.839 Are you driven 00:36:51.839 --> 00:36:53.559 to go and resolve 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:55.159 that to ensure 00:36:55.159 --> 00:36:56.019 the relationship 00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:58.339 is solid? 00:36:59.459 --> 00:37:00.559 Paul is very 00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:01.439 clear here. 00:37:02.279 --> 00:37:02.779 You see how 00:37:02.779 --> 00:37:03.819 harshly he talks 00:37:03.819 --> 00:37:04.500 about those who 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:05.399 stir up division. 00:37:06.000 --> 00:37:06.839 He calls them 00:37:06.839 --> 00:37:08.419 warped and 00:37:08.419 --> 00:37:09.579 self-condemned. 00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:11.539 that's harsh. 00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:12.239 That's kind of, 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:13.880 it harkens back 00:37:13.880 --> 00:37:14.960 to Matthew 23 00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:16.259 with the brood 00:37:16.259 --> 00:37:16.900 of vipers. 00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:17.219 You know, 00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:19.480 it's this really 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:21.219 categoric type 00:37:21.219 --> 00:37:22.519 of terminology. 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.159 Why? 00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:24.860 Because those 00:37:24.860 --> 00:37:26.099 who are actively 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:27.619 stirring up division 00:37:27.619 --> 00:37:29.619 are a threat 00:37:29.619 --> 00:37:30.799 to the unity 00:37:30.799 --> 00:37:31.539 of the body 00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:32.159 of Christ. 00:37:33.239 --> 00:37:34.259 And it's how 00:37:34.259 --> 00:37:35.039 we treat one 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:35.960 another and how 00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:36.699 we do life 00:37:36.699 --> 00:37:37.779 together that gives 00:37:37.780 --> 00:37:39.100 the loudest visual 00:37:39.100 --> 00:37:40.840 example of the 00:37:40.840 --> 00:37:41.580 goodness of the 00:37:41.580 --> 00:37:41.920 gospel. 00:37:42.260 --> 00:37:42.960 So those who are 00:37:42.960 --> 00:37:43.880 stirring division 00:37:43.880 --> 00:37:44.820 within the body 00:37:44.820 --> 00:37:45.720 of Christ are 00:37:45.720 --> 00:37:46.600 working at 00:37:46.600 --> 00:37:47.940 absolute counter 00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:49.200 purposes with 00:37:49.200 --> 00:37:50.080 the Lord Jesus 00:37:50.080 --> 00:37:50.600 Christ. 00:37:51.700 --> 00:37:52.240 Paul says, 00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:53.140 have warned them 00:37:53.140 --> 00:37:53.700 in case they're 00:37:53.700 --> 00:37:54.320 just doing it out 00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:54.880 of ignorance. 00:37:56.180 --> 00:37:56.880 Warn them again 00:37:56.880 --> 00:37:57.580 in case the first 00:37:57.580 --> 00:37:58.180 time was just 00:37:58.180 --> 00:37:59.220 proud they didn't 00:37:59.220 --> 00:37:59.600 receive. 00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:00.960 Then have nothing 00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:02.540 to do with them. 00:38:03.640 --> 00:38:04.480 So the caution 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.700 here is what to 00:38:05.700 --> 00:38:06.400 do about that 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:07.040 person who's 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:07.860 stirring up division. 00:38:08.199 --> 00:38:09.219 Let me just 00:38:09.219 --> 00:38:10.099 bring it back 00:38:10.099 --> 00:38:10.679 home a little 00:38:10.679 --> 00:38:11.139 bit more and 00:38:11.139 --> 00:38:11.779 encourage you 00:38:11.779 --> 00:38:13.079 don't be that 00:38:13.079 --> 00:38:13.460 person. 00:38:14.579 --> 00:38:15.460 Don't be that 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:16.860 person who is 00:38:16.860 --> 00:38:17.800 going to stir up 00:38:17.800 --> 00:38:18.500 division in the 00:38:18.500 --> 00:38:19.239 body of Christ. 00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:20.039 How do we avoid 00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:20.300 that? 00:38:20.559 --> 00:38:20.900 Well we don't 00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:21.639 just swallow 00:38:21.639 --> 00:38:22.579 our pride. 00:38:22.679 --> 00:38:23.039 We don't just 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:23.779 forget the 00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:24.699 concerns we have. 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:26.179 We visit the 00:38:26.179 --> 00:38:27.139 gospel of Jesus 00:38:27.139 --> 00:38:28.779 and then we 00:38:28.779 --> 00:38:29.800 move forward in 00:38:29.800 --> 00:38:30.940 gospel driven 00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:33.019 power to deal 00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:33.880 with our concerns 00:38:33.880 --> 00:38:35.139 and then to 00:38:35.139 --> 00:38:36.460 release to the 00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:37.260 Lord and trust to 00:38:37.260 --> 00:38:38.119 the Lord what 00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:38.679 we're not able 00:38:38.679 --> 00:38:39.440 to resolve. 00:38:40.579 --> 00:38:41.420 Let me come to 00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:42.099 the end here 00:38:42.099 --> 00:38:44.220 because there are 00:38:44.220 --> 00:38:45.099 remaining verses 00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:46.119 in Titus 3. 00:38:49.900 --> 00:38:50.860 We're called to 00:38:50.860 --> 00:38:52.199 pursue good works 00:38:52.199 --> 00:38:53.639 throughout this book 00:38:53.639 --> 00:38:55.500 particularly here in 00:38:55.500 --> 00:38:56.820 chapter 3 and 00:38:56.820 --> 00:38:57.920 then in verses 12 00:38:57.920 --> 00:38:59.619 to 15 it seems 00:38:59.619 --> 00:39:00.500 like Paul's just 00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:01.220 getting to that 00:39:01.220 --> 00:39:02.280 perfunctory part of 00:39:02.280 --> 00:39:03.119 each of his letters 00:39:03.119 --> 00:39:04.119 verse 2. 00:39:04.119 --> 00:39:04.159 Where he's just 00:39:04.159 --> 00:39:05.319 saying okay I'm 00:39:05.319 --> 00:39:06.500 signing off say 00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:07.500 hi to this person 00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.319 tell this person 00:39:08.319 --> 00:39:08.779 I'll call them 00:39:08.779 --> 00:39:09.380 tomorrow you know 00:39:09.380 --> 00:39:10.940 it's those sections 00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:11.719 at the end. 00:39:12.079 --> 00:39:13.099 Don't skip over 00:39:13.099 --> 00:39:15.000 them in your 00:39:15.000 --> 00:39:15.699 Bible reading 00:39:15.699 --> 00:39:17.039 because there are 00:39:17.039 --> 00:39:17.960 going to be not 00:39:17.960 --> 00:39:18.639 just names that 00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:19.559 you don't recognize 00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:20.579 but real nuggets 00:39:20.579 --> 00:39:21.460 of truth and 00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:22.239 there is one here 00:39:22.239 --> 00:39:22.980 take a look at 00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:24.199 verses 12 to the 00:39:24.199 --> 00:39:24.500 end. 00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:26.000 When I send 00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.659 Artemis and 00:39:26.659 --> 00:39:27.739 Tychicus to you 00:39:27.739 --> 00:39:29.440 do your best to 00:39:29.440 --> 00:39:30.239 come to me at 00:39:30.239 --> 00:39:31.559 Nicopolis for 00:39:31.559 --> 00:39:32.359 I've decided to 00:39:32.359 --> 00:39:33.279 spend the winter 00:39:33.279 --> 00:39:33.679 there. 00:39:34.579 --> 00:39:35.419 Do your best to 00:39:35.419 --> 00:39:36.339 speed Zenos the 00:39:36.339 --> 00:39:36.839 lawyer and 00:39:36.839 --> 00:39:37.759 Apollos on their 00:39:37.759 --> 00:39:38.119 way. 00:39:38.519 --> 00:39:39.279 See that they lack 00:39:39.279 --> 00:39:39.639 nothing. 00:39:39.739 --> 00:39:40.139 This is just 00:39:40.139 --> 00:39:40.959 personal business 00:39:40.959 --> 00:39:41.259 right? 00:39:41.500 --> 00:39:41.979 But look at this 00:39:41.979 --> 00:39:42.919 he comes right 00:39:42.919 --> 00:39:43.799 back to it in his 00:39:43.799 --> 00:39:45.039 signing off and 00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:46.239 let our people 00:39:46.239 --> 00:39:47.119 learn to devote 00:39:47.119 --> 00:39:47.799 themselves to 00:39:47.799 --> 00:39:49.119 good works so 00:39:49.119 --> 00:39:50.279 as to help cases 00:39:50.279 --> 00:39:51.519 of urgent need 00:39:51.519 --> 00:39:52.699 and not be 00:39:52.699 --> 00:39:53.099 fruitful. 00:39:54.259 --> 00:39:55.159 All who are with 00:39:55.159 --> 00:39:55.959 me send greetings 00:39:55.959 --> 00:39:56.459 to you. 00:39:56.859 --> 00:39:57.519 Greet those who 00:39:57.519 --> 00:39:58.019 love us in the 00:39:58.019 --> 00:39:58.259 faith. 00:39:58.459 --> 00:39:59.259 Grace be to you 00:39:59.260 --> 00:39:59.440 wall. 00:39:59.720 --> 00:40:00.400 So he actually 00:40:00.400 --> 00:40:01.400 interrupts his 00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:02.660 signing off to 00:40:02.660 --> 00:40:03.320 say okay I 00:40:03.320 --> 00:40:03.680 don't know if 00:40:03.680 --> 00:40:04.160 I've said it 00:40:04.160 --> 00:40:04.640 enough. 00:40:04.900 --> 00:40:05.440 Let me just say 00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:06.100 it one more 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.560 time. 00:40:07.040 --> 00:40:07.720 Call the people 00:40:07.720 --> 00:40:08.400 to devote 00:40:08.400 --> 00:40:09.320 themselves to 00:40:09.320 --> 00:40:09.880 good works. 00:40:10.760 --> 00:40:11.680 Call the people 00:40:11.680 --> 00:40:12.280 to devote 00:40:12.280 --> 00:40:13.200 themselves to 00:40:13.200 --> 00:40:13.840 good works. 00:40:15.120 --> 00:40:16.160 So let me ask 00:40:16.160 --> 00:40:17.940 you in closing 00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:19.880 are there areas 00:40:19.880 --> 00:40:20.760 of your life 00:40:20.760 --> 00:40:22.920 that are largely 00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:24.160 untouched by 00:40:24.160 --> 00:40:25.100 gospel power? 00:40:25.099 --> 00:40:29.199 are there 00:40:29.199 --> 00:40:30.199 patterns of sin 00:40:30.199 --> 00:40:30.619 that you've 00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:31.039 just gotten 00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:32.059 comfortable with? 00:40:32.179 --> 00:40:32.940 I'll thrive in 00:40:32.940 --> 00:40:33.679 other areas 00:40:33.679 --> 00:40:34.699 God will deal 00:40:34.699 --> 00:40:35.299 with this one 00:40:35.299 --> 00:40:35.920 in heaven. 00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:38.380 Do those 00:40:38.380 --> 00:40:38.940 around you 00:40:38.940 --> 00:40:39.639 ever express 00:40:39.639 --> 00:40:40.619 concerns for 00:40:40.619 --> 00:40:42.039 areas that you 00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:42.839 don't think are 00:40:42.839 --> 00:40:43.639 really a problem? 00:40:45.880 --> 00:40:46.819 Did you once 00:40:46.819 --> 00:40:47.360 have a greater 00:40:47.360 --> 00:40:48.619 passion for 00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:49.420 godly living 00:40:49.420 --> 00:40:50.000 than you do 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:50.339 now? 00:40:50.340 --> 00:40:54.220 If you said 00:40:54.220 --> 00:40:54.880 yes to any 00:40:54.880 --> 00:40:55.400 of those let 00:40:55.400 --> 00:40:55.700 me just 00:40:55.700 --> 00:40:56.579 encourage you 00:40:56.579 --> 00:40:57.740 we're called 00:40:57.740 --> 00:40:58.420 to live 00:40:58.420 --> 00:40:59.660 godly lives 00:40:59.660 --> 00:41:01.260 because of 00:41:01.260 --> 00:41:01.960 the gospel. 00:41:02.420 --> 00:41:03.100 So in that 00:41:03.100 --> 00:41:04.300 particular area 00:41:04.300 --> 00:41:05.860 let today be 00:41:05.860 --> 00:41:06.740 the first day 00:41:06.740 --> 00:41:07.539 that the gospel 00:41:07.539 --> 00:41:08.460 shines light 00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:09.519 there that the 00:41:09.519 --> 00:41:10.460 gospel sheds 00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:11.940 power there. 00:41:12.760 --> 00:41:13.559 Pursue humility 00:41:13.559 --> 00:41:15.220 pursue unity 00:41:15.220 --> 00:41:16.860 pursue a life 00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:18.640 worthy of the 00:41:18.640 --> 00:41:19.620 calling that you've 00:41:19.620 --> 00:41:20.100 received. 00:41:21.120 --> 00:41:21.820 And be sure 00:41:21.820 --> 00:41:22.700 not to detach 00:41:22.700 --> 00:41:23.460 that pursuit 00:41:23.460 --> 00:41:24.860 from the gospel 00:41:24.860 --> 00:41:25.720 of Jesus Christ 00:41:25.720 --> 00:41:26.380 but do it 00:41:26.380 --> 00:41:27.480 in the power 00:41:27.480 --> 00:41:28.100 of Christ. 00:41:28.640 --> 00:41:29.240 Let me pray. 00:41:33.079 --> 00:41:34.059 Father thank you 00:41:34.059 --> 00:41:34.740 for your word 00:41:34.740 --> 00:41:35.420 and thank you 00:41:35.420 --> 00:41:36.400 Lord that there 00:41:36.400 --> 00:41:37.019 are portions 00:41:37.019 --> 00:41:38.000 of this word 00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:38.780 that are just 00:41:38.780 --> 00:41:39.780 exalting 00:41:39.780 --> 00:41:40.960 that we can 00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:41.760 just relish 00:41:41.760 --> 00:41:42.500 in the portions 00:41:42.500 --> 00:41:43.260 that talk about 00:41:43.260 --> 00:41:43.840 your nature 00:41:43.840 --> 00:41:44.720 and your goodness. 00:41:45.559 --> 00:41:46.200 And Lord let us 00:41:46.200 --> 00:41:47.340 remember all of 00:41:47.340 --> 00:41:48.019 those let us 00:41:48.019 --> 00:41:48.800 ground ourselves 00:41:48.800 --> 00:41:49.579 in all of those 00:41:49.579 --> 00:41:50.480 as we come 00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:51.279 to a passage 00:41:51.279 --> 00:41:52.099 like this 00:41:52.099 --> 00:41:53.500 that calls us 00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:55.239 now to something. 00:41:56.599 --> 00:41:57.400 Lord give us 00:41:57.400 --> 00:41:58.900 your spirit 00:41:58.900 --> 00:41:59.779 that we would 00:41:59.779 --> 00:42:00.679 never disconnect 00:42:00.679 --> 00:42:01.460 the two 00:42:01.460 --> 00:42:03.219 but that we 00:42:03.219 --> 00:42:05.319 can relish 00:42:05.319 --> 00:42:07.159 serving you 00:42:07.159 --> 00:42:08.579 with each word 00:42:08.579 --> 00:42:09.360 we speak 00:42:09.360 --> 00:42:10.719 and each action 00:42:10.719 --> 00:42:11.420 we take 00:42:11.420 --> 00:42:13.739 because of what 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:14.299 you've done 00:42:14.299 --> 00:42:16.099 in and for us. 00:42:16.099 --> 00:42:17.239 we ask in 00:42:17.239 --> 00:42:17.940 Jesus name 00:42:17.940 --> 00:42:19.079 Amen.