WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.620 Today, I'm going to talk about being fit for good works, or fitness for good works was the original thing I was thinking about. 00:00:11.359 --> 00:00:18.679 ! And our main text is going to be Titus 2, but before we jump in, you guys can turn there if you have a Bible or on your phone. 00:00:20.379 --> 00:00:22.640 Before we jump into the text, I'm going to pray. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:35.520 All right, Lord, we thank you, God, for your word. Thank you, Lord, that it is God-breathed and profitable, Lord, for our teaching and instruction. 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:45.060 Pray, Lord, that you would fill me with your spirit now, and let me speak your words with power. In Jesus' name, amen. 00:00:45.060 --> 00:00:56.359 Okay, so, fit for good works. So, I was thinking about just our church and the different focuses that we have right now, 00:00:56.540 --> 00:01:08.120 even the three words that we got for this year, family, character, order, these things, these are kind of all things that help us mature to focus on. 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:17.580 And I believe that here in Titus, there's some things that will benefit us and help equip us in those three words, 00:01:17.740 --> 00:01:21.200 but also just to help us do the work of ministry. 00:01:22.100 --> 00:01:31.120 And when I say doing the work of ministry, that comes from Ephesians 4, that Jesus gave to the church all the different giftings. 00:01:31.980 --> 00:01:34.939 It says to equip the saints for the work of ministry. 00:01:34.939 --> 00:01:46.340 So, this is kind of going to be a teaching for the goal of getting us equipped, not only to go outward, that is the main thing, 00:01:46.519 --> 00:01:53.280 because we're very much aware that we want to fill more of these chairs with people and evangelize the lost world, 00:01:53.359 --> 00:02:00.400 but also ministry to one another, that we can be equipped to be ministers to each part of the body, 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:04.100 to our own children and family members, even from spouse to spouse. 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:07.680 Okay, so that's what my goal is today. 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:10.520 A little bit of a backdrop. 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:17.180 We're going to be looking at Titus 2, but right before the beginning of the chapter, 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:21.960 Paul gives the qualifications for overseers or elders, 00:02:21.960 --> 00:02:27.200 and then he talks about these specific people called the Cretans. 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:37.700 And he talks about a prophet that was a Cretan saying that they're always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. 00:02:37.900 --> 00:02:41.000 Okay, like really strong, like, whoa, that's kind of crazy. 00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:43.159 Okay, and he says that this is true. 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:44.240 This testimony is true. 00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:45.360 He says in verse 13, 00:02:46.120 --> 00:02:48.900 Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in faith, 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:54.320 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 00:02:55.040 --> 00:02:58.200 And then at the very end, right before chapter 2, he says, 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:03.160 They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. 00:03:04.379 --> 00:03:06.580 Have you guys ever said that about a group of people before? 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:08.640 That's pretty strong. 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:18.139 So Paul's saying something, and he's warning against kind of a manner of life, way of living, way of thinking. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:18.639 Okay? 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:29.219 And he says that whatever way that they're living, it makes them unfit for any good work, he says. 00:03:29.779 --> 00:03:35.839 So in Christ, if we've been born again, if you've been born again, you have the Holy Spirit, 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:40.599 which by default makes you fit to do ministry. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:48.259 But God has gifted the body with different giftings so that we might be more fit or more equipped, 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:51.599 going back to Ephesians 4, to do ministry. 00:03:52.140 --> 00:03:54.180 And so that's the goal today, to hone in. 00:03:54.319 --> 00:04:01.920 Maybe we can walk away more mature, more equipped for the things that we're about to do in this church plan 00:04:01.920 --> 00:04:03.780 or thus far we've already done looking back. 00:04:03.780 --> 00:04:10.939 And so at the end of the chapter, he says they're detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. 00:04:11.420 --> 00:04:17.819 And then if you look down right as chapter 2 begins, Paul says to Titus, he's writing to Titus, 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:20.819 but as for you, Titus, okay? 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:23.379 So he's like, the Cretans are this. 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:27.060 And then he's speaking to Titus, who is also an apostle. 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:31.519 He says, but as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:32.120 Okay? 00:04:33.579 --> 00:04:35.039 What might that be? 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:38.560 What is the sound doctrine that he wants Titus to teach? 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:41.000 Well, he goes directly into it, okay? 00:04:41.379 --> 00:04:48.919 He says, older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:55.339 Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. 00:04:55.339 --> 00:05:00.259 They're to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 00:05:00.739 --> 00:05:05.560 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, 00:05:05.739 --> 00:05:08.399 that the word of God may not be reviled. 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:15.279 Okay, so I'm going to keep going. 00:05:15.419 --> 00:05:17.539 We're actually going to finish out the whole chapter, 00:05:17.779 --> 00:05:25.439 but I want you guys to think specifically about why Paul hones in on different groups. 00:05:25.539 --> 00:05:31.839 He says, older men, older women, then he says younger women, and then younger men. 00:05:32.159 --> 00:05:36.659 Then we have the last little deal, bond servants, which isn't completely relevant to us today. 00:05:36.660 --> 00:05:40.439 Okay, there's some parallels, but that's the last category. 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:44.500 But he doesn't just say, to all Christians, say these things, right? 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:45.480 At least not here. 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:53.020 He says, if you're in this category of older men or older women, younger women, younger men, 00:05:53.640 --> 00:05:55.140 focus on these things. 00:05:55.700 --> 00:05:56.740 Prioritize these things. 00:05:56.920 --> 00:06:03.379 Think about how these qualities either exist in your life or don't exist, okay? 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:09.339 Okay, so I want us to think about these qualities depending on where you fit, 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:15.000 but also realize that if you're not in one or the other category, 00:06:15.139 --> 00:06:20.639 it's still profitable for you to understand this because we're doing ministry to one another. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:22.639 You encounter a young man. 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:23.819 You encounter a young woman. 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:26.560 You encounter older men and women all the time. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:30.120 So it is relevant to you, even more so if you're one of those people. 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:37.160 But listen closely to what Paul highlights for Titus to teach. 00:06:38.300 --> 00:06:41.199 He says, teach what accords the sound doctrine, okay? 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:45.879 So he starts off with older men. 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:52.300 And these are kind of a list of qualifiers for testing your fitness, right? 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:56.780 How fit are you to engage or maybe how unfit, right? 00:06:57.000 --> 00:07:01.680 If you've been out of the gym for a while and you need to look in the mirror, okay? 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:04.400 This is kind of what that might be or whatever. 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:06.759 So he starts with older men. 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:11.840 He says, older men, number one, are to be sober-minded, okay? 00:07:13.019 --> 00:07:16.660 A lot of these attributes can like, they kind of mesh and mix, 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:20.700 but I'm going to try and break down most of them. 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:24.580 And so the first one is sober-mindedness. 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:33.180 Obviously, there is a sober-mindedness that does not exist with, like, substance abuse, 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:35.400 alcohol, drugs, those type of things. 00:07:37.260 --> 00:07:40.420 And I don't really have much to say about that. 00:07:40.420 --> 00:07:49.640 But if you find yourself lacking sober-mindedness through one of those things, you must repent, okay? 00:07:51.960 --> 00:07:59.520 Drunkenness, being under the influence of drugs is not tolerated in the house of God, okay? 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:03.639 We're supposed to be sober, sensible, clear thinking, okay? 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:11.639 So if you're going to those things, I think the word is simple, that you must repent and come to a sober place, 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:14.060 even to think rightly about God, okay? 00:08:14.860 --> 00:08:17.120 But there's another aspect, so there's that. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:19.300 There's another aspect of sober-mindedness. 00:08:19.979 --> 00:08:24.240 When I was reading just the definition that I think is also applicable to all of us, 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:26.479 whether we struggle in that way or not, 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:33.240 and the definition of being sober-minded means things like having a clear mind, 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:36.200 having a rational mind or sensible mind, 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:40.340 free from the influence of, you know, intoxication, these things, 00:08:40.340 --> 00:08:45.680 or strong emotions that could cloud judgment, okay? 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:51.720 You don't have to be under the influence to not be sober-minded, okay? 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:54.779 There are many things in this life, your own emotions, 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:57.240 how you feel on the daily, 00:08:57.899 --> 00:09:06.100 your own judgments that could be clouded simply because your mind is not sober. 00:09:06.199 --> 00:09:07.779 You're not thinking rightly, okay? 00:09:08.220 --> 00:09:11.379 This kind of harkens back to when he says in the beginning, 00:09:11.459 --> 00:09:12.879 he says, teach sound doctrine. 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:18.399 Teach sound doctrine isn't just like doctrine, period, but it's sound. 00:09:18.519 --> 00:09:19.240 It's sensible. 00:09:19.459 --> 00:09:20.019 It's rational. 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:21.519 It's sober, okay? 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:26.240 Okay, so older men are supposed to be this, right? 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:27.819 They're supposed to have this mind. 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:32.100 Men, are you clear in your mind most of the time? 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:38.559 Maybe you're not a slave to alcohol, but are you a slave to your feelings, emotions, you know? 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:40.439 Are you clear on what God says? 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:43.659 This is important to be sober about that. 00:09:43.659 --> 00:09:50.539 You might say, yeah, I'm sober-minded most of the time. 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:56.620 What about like when you're arguing with your spouse or something, you know? 00:09:56.740 --> 00:10:01.639 And you say something that's kind of like, wow, that's irrational and not sensible, right? 00:10:01.939 --> 00:10:05.600 You kind of just have these knee-jerk, non-sober statements, right? 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:11.500 You got to be sober-minded not only in the obvious ways, but also in the ways that creep in. 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:12.539 You know what I'm saying? 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:19.539 Do you have unhinged, unbridled thoughts or statements? 00:10:20.299 --> 00:10:21.759 Maybe not even with your spouse. 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:22.639 Maybe it's with your spouse. 00:10:22.740 --> 00:10:28.419 Maybe it's with other men that can make them feel uneasy, right? 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:32.759 Too quick to cast judgment and give ultimatums, right? 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:40.299 A mind that's ruled by the Spirit in Romans, it says it's life and peace, okay? 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:48.000 So when we think sensibly and clear, we're actually guided by the Spirit, right? 00:10:48.099 --> 00:10:51.399 That's part of what getting a mind from the Spirit is like. 00:10:51.859 --> 00:10:57.319 You're not like extreme on one side, extreme always kind of, but there's a plumb line, right? 00:11:00.199 --> 00:11:01.759 Be sober-minded, okay? 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:03.939 And then next one is dignify. 00:11:03.940 --> 00:11:07.020 This is kind of the same, in the same vein. 00:11:07.940 --> 00:11:10.780 He says, older men are to be dignified, worthy of respect. 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:18.100 Or being dignified means worthy of honor or respect. 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:24.520 And this seems to be lost in today's world, you know? 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:30.680 It's hard to, like, point out a guy, not necessarily like an older man, although that's also true. 00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:35.239 But any man that's worthy of honor and respect, okay? 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:39.659 You don't have to wear a suit to be dignified. 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:45.139 There's plenty of men that wear suits who are very undignified, a lot of them, unfortunately, leading our country. 00:11:47.479 --> 00:11:54.120 Dignity is the constitution of a man, a man's character, right? 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:58.840 And where are the men who are worthy of that? 00:11:59.340 --> 00:12:04.220 You know, Paul says to the men in the church, older men be dignified, okay? 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:06.139 Worthy of that, okay? 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:12.039 Do you get, you know, older men or just men in general, do you guys think about being dignified? 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:13.259 You know? 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:15.179 Is that a goal of yours? 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:18.120 You know, he says to Titus, teach that. 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:18.779 Teach that. 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:30.379 You know, I think about so many older men and men in general that are caught in the sin of homosexuality 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:33.620 or just sexual immorality in general. 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:42.720 Pastors caught in adulterous affairs, addicted to pornography, you know? 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:45.480 And all of a sudden it comes to light, which it always does. 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:47.040 Your sin finds you out. 00:12:48.420 --> 00:12:54.180 But there's this kind of shame associated with that because that person, if they're a leader, 00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:57.779 was in a place that should be esteemed or dignified. 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:04.920 That person is given dignity with their position, pastoring, shepherding, their platform. 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:10.719 And then it seems to prove fraudulent in those things, right? 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:16.860 Especially with sexual immorality, there's a shame that removes dignity, okay? 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:23.899 We need, like, men out there that are dignified that say no to sin, 00:13:24.459 --> 00:13:33.959 that don't fall underneath the shame and undignifying sins of our culture, okay? 00:13:34.900 --> 00:13:36.560 We need older men to look up to. 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:40.240 I think of, like, you know, there's, like, a handful of pastors I'm thinking of. 00:13:40.300 --> 00:13:41.560 Maybe John MacArthur's in there. 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:46.879 Just faithful guys that you can't really talk bad about, you know? 00:13:47.040 --> 00:13:51.100 It's like he's been going for 30 years or however long it is, and it's like he's not, 00:13:51.300 --> 00:13:53.820 you can't cast much reproach on him, right? 00:13:53.940 --> 00:13:55.280 That's an incredible thing. 00:13:55.280 --> 00:13:57.320 And a work of God, you know? 00:13:57.540 --> 00:14:00.519 A sanctifying work of the Spirit that keeps somebody dignified. 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:09.539 Think about John Piper and other guys, but we're the guys that are going to be like those figures. 00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:14.379 Much more like Jesus Christ, who was a carpenter, right? 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:19.720 There's some dignity there, getting low and working hard, you know, for years. 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:24.159 Pretty much most of all of his early life was just working. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:26.740 We don't know much about it, just that he was working, right? 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:31.719 And yet he was the Son of Man, you know? 00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:37.860 Dignified and clothed with the approval of his Father in Heaven, approval and sonship, 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:40.639 who has also become the Father of us all. 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:45.819 If you're in Christ, that's the dignity that's been bestowed on you through Christ, right? 00:14:46.079 --> 00:14:48.039 The dignity that comes from sonship. 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:54.259 Meaning you actually have what it takes to be dignified, to strive for dignity through the Holy Spirit. 00:14:57.839 --> 00:15:03.039 Another one is just like our culture, phones, TV, all these things. 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:10.039 The subtle lure of meme culture and the comedic show that politics have become. 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:11.039 Okay? 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:17.719 The trivializing of the family and the head of the family, the father. 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.779 It's kind of everywhere. 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:22.199 The breakdown of the family. 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:27.500 Basically showing us that things like purpose and meaning, having children, getting married, 00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:32.559 respecting authority, loving one another. 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:36.659 All these things are trivialized to a point where all the dignity is gone. 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.019 Okay? 00:15:38.079 --> 00:15:39.159 It's just all a joke. 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:41.419 How much do you joke, you know? 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:47.639 How much do you embrace the foolish banner of undignified speech? 00:15:49.459 --> 00:15:51.000 It's easy to do. 00:15:51.459 --> 00:15:54.480 It's even more easy, especially if we're insecure about being dignified. 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:55.559 You know? 00:15:56.659 --> 00:16:04.980 A couple of, you know, gay jokes, racial comments, racial jokes, making fun of people in charge. 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:08.019 All these things are easy to do because everyone else does them. 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:16.259 But what it is sometimes is we're actually insecure about being the thing we should, being dignified. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:19.559 And so we just do what everyone else does. 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:23.019 We just embrace the empty talk. 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:23.819 Right? 00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:25.039 Don't do that. 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:30.259 Like I said, this is older men, but all of us, all of us can relate to some of these things. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:30.899 Right? 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.199 Be dignified. 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:36.200 Next, he says, self-controlled. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:37.580 Okay? 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.940 Kind of flows along with each other. 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:45.100 Obviously, being self-controlled is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. 00:16:45.800 --> 00:16:48.540 I think it even says it for the women as well. 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:54.720 This is just like, if you're a Christian, you must bridle your mind, your body, right? 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.780 And be self-controlled. 00:16:55.779 --> 00:17:03.319 He says, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:05.099 Okay? 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:08.559 So we know that without faith, it's impossible to please God. 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:12.299 But it's not just a faith that's like random. 00:17:12.659 --> 00:17:14.559 You know, plenty of people in this world have faiths. 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:16.079 Right? 00:17:16.679 --> 00:17:20.579 There's many world religions, but our faith is sound in Christ. 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:22.500 We got to be sure of what we believe. 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:26.240 And it's got to be sound or firm. 00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:27.019 Right? 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.919 We have to know it. 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:35.600 So he says, in faith, in love, you know, sound or firm in love, and then steadfastness. 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:42.080 Which I was reading in 1 Corinthians 13. 00:17:43.080 --> 00:17:48.860 You guys remember how at the end it talks about three things that abide, faith, hope, and love. 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:51.700 It's almost the same thing here. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:54.480 We have faith, we have love, and then steadfastness. 00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:56.680 Which steadfastness, if you think about it, 00:17:56.680 --> 00:18:03.680 steadfastness really just means to kind of hold firm under circumstances that would want you to move. 00:18:03.860 --> 00:18:03.980 Right? 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:04.880 Keep going. 00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:08.560 And when you are pressed to remain steadfast, 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:12.460 one of the driving factors to overcome is hope. 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:13.560 Right? 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:19.160 Like to remain steadfast, to have your eyes set, hopeful on the other end. 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:23.960 That if I endure this thing, I will reap a reward. 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:24.680 Right? 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:25.220 That's hope. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:28.339 And Paul says, these three things abide. 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:31.380 In 1 Corinthians 13, 13, he says, 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:34.860 faith, hope, and love abide, and the greatest of these is love. 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:42.380 Older men are supposed to be sound in all those things. 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:43.360 Right? 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:45.720 Or mature in those things. 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:52.720 So moving on, we have... 00:18:52.720 --> 00:19:02.259 Older women, likewise are to be reverend in behavior, not slanderers, or slaves to much wine. 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.519 They are to teach what is good. 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.559 Reverend in behavior. 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:12.799 I think this is one of the words for bellicose, isn't it? 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:13.519 Reverence. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:19.419 Nowadays, well, what does reverence mean? 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:24.220 Reverence is basically similar to dignity. 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:27.539 It's like showing solemn or deep respect. 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:28.519 Right? 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:38.160 So he says older women are supposed to have reverence, but not just reverence as an idea, but in their behavior, how they live. 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:38.700 Right? 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:43.220 Showing deep and solemn respect in what direction? 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:44.880 Obviously, towards God. 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:46.319 There's always a Godward element. 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:46.660 Right? 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:57.500 But Paul kind of highlights the practicals or the normal life functions of older women, women in general. 00:19:57.960 --> 00:20:04.079 And it has a lot to do with your husband, your spouse, if you're married, your children, if you're dealing with your children. 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.319 Okay? 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:14.480 It says they're supposed to be reverent in behavior, do self-controlled, or, sorry, not slanders or slaves to much wine. 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:16.119 They're to teach what is good. 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.779 Teach to who? 00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:19.220 And so train the young women, okay? 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:22.399 Teaching the young women to love their husbands and children. 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:23.899 Okay? 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:26.359 So they're supposed to teach that. 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:32.939 If you're older, Paul's assuming that you've been around the block with these things. 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:36.519 Either you're married and you understand what it means to love your own husband. 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:42.380 Or have children, what it means to raise children. 00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:43.960 And you're supposed to teach that. 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:44.880 Teach what is good. 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:54.380 But reverence in behavior specifically, I was thinking about this and like, you know, 00:20:54.380 --> 00:21:07.160 there is something jarring to me about, you know, a woman who's very loud and maybe obnoxiously so, 00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:11.720 putting assertive and dominating, right? 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:15.920 And irreverent. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.520 There's something irreverent about that. 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:25.819 Now, obviously I'm not saying that, you know, a woman is not strong or things like these. 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:34.579 But there is a type of spirit in a woman that needs to have reverence, not just in thought, 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:37.900 but in actual behavior, how you actually function. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.039 You know what I'm saying? 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:43.740 So if you're a soldier in the military, you have to have this to whoever's above you, 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:45.299 your commanding officer, right? 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:50.519 So if you're a woman and you're married, then you have a head and that's your husband. 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:53.339 An ultimate head, which is God. 00:21:54.200 --> 00:22:00.779 Do you have a quiet spirit about you that says, I respect my husband 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:07.940 and I treat him with a deep and solemn respect in my behavior? 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:15.200 Now, I'll leave it to you guys to get into the weeds about the specific, you know, examples of your life 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:20.220 that you might run into those not deep, not solemn moments. 00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:26.259 But one thing I was thinking about, and this is later on when you speak to the young women, 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:29.600 is teach them to be submissive. 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:41.359 It is really easy to submit to somebody that you agree with, to follow somebody that's easy to follow, 00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:46.779 but the rubber really meets the road when you don't want to follow them, 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:49.500 or they're not easy to follow, or you disagree with them. 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:55.759 But hear me out and say that there is something so potent and filled with the spirit 00:22:55.759 --> 00:23:03.599 when you actually, in those moments, submit out of reverence for God 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:07.160 and the person that God has given you, your husband. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.039 Okay? 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:10.380 This kind of attitude shines. 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:15.520 Now, obviously, if your husband or someone else would lead you into sin, 00:23:16.060 --> 00:23:17.660 then you should not follow them into sin. 00:23:18.540 --> 00:23:23.860 But most of the time, some of these arguments that go on between husband and wife 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:30.820 are not overt sin, but things like, I don't like that, and I do like that, 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:36.700 or their preference, their opinion, their, you know, a method or a way of doing things, 00:23:36.760 --> 00:23:37.800 like, I don't like your way. 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:37.839 Okay? 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:40.859 And so the question is, what do you do there? 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:41.639 You know? 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:44.980 What do you do, wife, when you don't agree with your husband? 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:49.559 Well, if it's not sin, I think the answer from the text is clear. 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:54.819 You're supposed to submit with a quiet spirit, reverent spirit, 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:58.579 with deep and solemn respect, even if you don't agree. 00:23:59.599 --> 00:23:59.879 Okay? 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:04.480 As much as that sounds terrible at different times, 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:08.680 the spirit of God really shines through those moments 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:13.779 and actually can change your husband in different parts of scripture, it says, 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:15.480 like through your own conduct. 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.200 Okay? 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:18.000 This is really crucial. 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:21.980 I'm going to get to why in a little bit here. 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:25.240 But reverend in behavior, okay? 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:33.079 Not slanders, not slaves to much wine. 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:33.680 Okay? 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:37.940 No gossiping, no backbiting, no slandering, right? 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:43.700 They have all those thoughts reserved to themselves, not loud about that. 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:49.019 Obviously, there's a difference between maybe you're not that way in this setting, 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:51.859 you know, to one another, but how are you at home? 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:53.119 You know? 00:24:53.719 --> 00:24:56.879 Are you just kind of like, oh, so-and-so, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:58.039 you know, to your husband? 00:24:58.639 --> 00:25:01.199 Or so-and-so, blah, blah, blah, to one of your good friends? 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:02.939 Don't be that way. 00:25:03.919 --> 00:25:04.159 You know? 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:07.379 Put to death those evil suspicions. 00:25:07.939 --> 00:25:10.039 Let's pray on the last sermon. 00:25:13.439 --> 00:25:13.799 Okay? 00:25:14.979 --> 00:25:17.619 So older women are to teach what is good to the younger women. 00:25:19.399 --> 00:25:20.359 That's the next one. 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:20.859 Okay? 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:26.279 To love their husbands and children. 00:25:27.159 --> 00:25:33.819 To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands. 00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:36.819 So there's two things for younger women about their husbands. 00:25:36.979 --> 00:25:37.919 Number one, they should love them. 00:25:38.979 --> 00:25:41.579 And last one, to submit to them. 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:46.719 We just kind of talked about that, like the dynamic of like how it's easy to do it when 00:25:46.719 --> 00:25:48.539 everything's fine and you're all agreeable. 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:57.420 But really, I think submission of the godly sort shines the most when you don't agree or when 00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:58.379 it's not easy to follow. 00:25:58.380 --> 00:26:09.480 Self-controlled, pure, working at home. 00:26:10.340 --> 00:26:21.040 Especially nowadays, mothers training young girls can be like a dynamic with the pressure 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:25.500 of wanting to become a career woman or work outside the home. 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:31.500 Obviously, I'm not saying that careers per se are bad for women or even that like education, 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:33.339 these things are not bad. 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:41.299 But there's something to training up your daughters to keep and love to work at home. 00:26:41.419 --> 00:26:44.679 Because ultimately, if you get married, that's going to be most of your life. 00:26:45.179 --> 00:26:48.059 Is making your home a hospitable place? 00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:51.879 A place for the kingdom of God, you know, to come? 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:57.740 A place that is a home to your husband, largely providing, right? 00:26:58.080 --> 00:27:05.020 All these things are aims for the older women to teach to the younger women, right? 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:09.540 To be pure, to be self-controlled, right? 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.480 Pure in the way that we speak. 00:27:12.020 --> 00:27:15.860 That means that there's differences to how you train your daughters. 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:20.260 Like, they're not going to speak like the boys, right? 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.440 They're going to speak differently. 00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:24.020 They're going to dress differently, obviously. 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:29.480 But they're going to do so in a way that's both self-controlled and pure, okay? 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:34.440 And then their actual work ethic, they're going to be directionally towards the home. 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:43.040 Teach the younger women to love their husbands and children. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:49.620 And submissive to their own husbands. 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:50.980 Okay. 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:56.840 Okay. 00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:00.740 Going down to the younger men here. 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:05.920 I realize there's only one attribute for the younger men, it seems like. 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:09.800 It says, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:12.099 I think that's pretty clear. 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:19.980 Because most of the time, every issue comes back to being not self-controlled. 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:21.339 They're lacking self-control. 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:23.859 I mean, if you think about young boys. 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.879 Max, Charlie, you can get this. 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:29.679 Young boys, especially even like really early on. 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:31.059 Sometimes, like I see it with Leon. 00:28:31.179 --> 00:28:32.059 Leon's only three. 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:37.379 But there's just like knee-jerk obedience to their passions. 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:38.959 You know? 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:47.119 Like, boys will obey their passions kind of on a whim unless they're bridled by their parents and taught by another to say no. 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:47.559 Okay? 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:52.659 Just on a parenting level, this is really good and still really young. 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:54.720 We're trying to do this with Leon right now. 00:28:54.720 --> 00:29:00.220 Saying a lot of no's to him when he just wants to just do what he wants. 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:02.180 And here's the reason why. 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:11.000 Sometimes it's easy to look at a kid and think he's cute just because he, you know, gets into crazy stuff or makes crazy jokes or whatever. 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:11.480 Right? 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:13.559 It's easy to kind of let that stuff fly. 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:21.120 But the reason we need to crack down on it is because one day that kid is going to be a teenager. 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:28.239 And as soon as testosterone floods through his body, if he obeys his passion, it's going to be very bad. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.239 Okay? 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:31.179 He needs to learn how to bridle himself. 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:36.079 And a lot of that is the duty of parents now to step in and implement that. 00:29:37.239 --> 00:29:39.279 To implement being self-controlled. 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:39.899 Okay? 00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:48.279 There is a lot of discipleship among younger men now because none of that existed when they were growing up. 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.279 Okay? 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:57.920 You're having to teach men who are in their 20s, late 20s, sometimes even 30s, how to just bridle their own body and their speech. 00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:03.379 Or even with all the deconstruction that's happening, how to bridle your own mind. 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:10.160 Every day, it seems like you can wake up with an irrational, not sensible mind. 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:10.920 Right? 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:14.080 All these things, parents, you want to teach your children. 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:17.960 Trust in God, you know, that he'll ultimately do the work. 00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:25.500 But it's extremely valuable because you're looking forward in steadfastness to reaping those things later. 00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:26.820 Okay? 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:32.379 So Paul says to be self-controlled. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.019 Period. 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:39.439 Pretty straightforward one right there. 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:40.859 And he says, 00:30:40.859 --> 00:31:00.339 Like I said, 00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:08.879 He's talking to Titus here as apostle and teacher, but all of these attributes kind of illuminate that idea. 00:31:09.439 --> 00:31:12.559 Is our life guilty of reproach? 00:31:13.159 --> 00:31:15.079 Is our speech, could it be condemned? 00:31:15.699 --> 00:31:16.159 You know what I'm saying? 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:20.019 If an opponent were to come in and examine you and say, 00:31:20.120 --> 00:31:20.620 You know what? 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:26.080 I'm not really sure if this dude lives for God because every time he just gets talking, 00:31:27.300 --> 00:31:29.720 it looks like the rest of us. 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.340 Right? 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:36.680 God has saved us in Christ for good works. 00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:39.600 And like I said in the beginning, 00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:43.640 we should train ourselves looking at this passage, 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:45.680 whatever category you fall into, 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:51.220 we should train ourselves to be fit for these good works. 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.140 Okay? 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:55.400 All these things, whichever ones you fall into, 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.220 saying that, 00:31:56.320 --> 00:31:58.060 Lord, you've saved me by your grace, 00:31:58.100 --> 00:31:59.519 not by any of my works. 00:31:59.840 --> 00:32:00.100 Right? 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:04.080 We believe that we're saved by faith alone, 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:05.840 apart from any works that we've done. 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:11.460 But we also believe that Scripture teaches that we're not saved by a faith that remains alone. 00:32:12.300 --> 00:32:12.460 Okay? 00:32:13.060 --> 00:32:16.100 In Ephesians it says we're actually created for his workmanship. 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:17.920 Now it's important, 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:20.680 and I think Chris is going to hit this next week, 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:22.340 to not get those backwards. 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:23.279 You know, 00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:24.860 you don't prove your faith, 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:28.160 you don't start working really hard to prove that you have faith. 00:32:28.540 --> 00:32:28.720 Right? 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.100 When you're born again, 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:32.040 you have that faith. 00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:32.980 Your faith is proven. 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:33.720 Right? 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:35.900 And that's why we work. 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.380 God has called us to that. 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:45.940 And these are a list of things that I believe would be great for us to focus on so that we're equipped for the work of ministry. 00:32:46.780 --> 00:32:46.980 You know, 00:32:47.280 --> 00:32:48.800 we're inviting people into our home. 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:51.120 What kind of home are we inviting them into? 00:32:51.540 --> 00:32:52.600 Wives and husbands, 00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:53.680 you know, 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.920 younger men, 00:32:55.040 --> 00:32:55.360 children, 00:32:55.580 --> 00:32:55.800 right? 00:32:55.799 --> 00:32:59.059 Are we being pure and self-controlled? 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:04.799 Or have we let some aspects of that slide? 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:08.039 I know that's easy to do in my own life. 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:09.299 And, 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:09.680 um, 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:15.039 there's an important reason for all this. 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.819 And we kind of see it, 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:19.119 or we definitely see it when, 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:19.980 uh, 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:23.740 at the end of verse, 00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.180 what is it? 00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:25.759 Five, 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.279 I think. 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.139 The young women, 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:29.220 it says to be self-controlled, 00:33:29.339 --> 00:33:29.500 pure, 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:30.220 working at home, 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.519 kind of submissive. 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.799 So that what? 00:33:33.139 --> 00:33:35.700 That the word of God may not be reviled. 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:40.140 Or I think the NIV says maligned. 00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:41.920 So the word of God may not be maligned. 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:47.059 And if all those things are like conduct things, 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:48.779 like how we're in our life, 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:49.740 are we self-controlled? 00:33:49.880 --> 00:33:50.279 Are we pure? 00:33:50.340 --> 00:33:51.240 Are we working at home? 00:33:51.340 --> 00:33:51.980 All these qualities. 00:33:52.360 --> 00:33:55.920 If all those things say something about the word of God, 00:33:56.500 --> 00:34:01.340 and that whatever they say determines whether or not the word of God is reviled, 00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:03.700 then this is extremely important for us as believers. 00:34:04.580 --> 00:34:04.819 Amen. 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:08.400 The word of God dwells in us. 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:09.300 You know, 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:09.579 that's, 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.440 that's a prayer of Paul. 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:10.720 He says, 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:12.240 let the word of God dwell in us. 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:16.260 Either our life speaks the truth about Christ, 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:19.099 or it lies about Christ. 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:23.240 And I would urge us to look at these qualities and say, 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:23.659 Lord, 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:26.880 help us not malign your word by the way we live. 00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:30.400 Help me have a healthy fear that says, 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:31.119 God, 00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:32.179 your word dwells in me. 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:36.759 Make me a worker fit for the works that you have prepared for me. 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:37.739 Okay. 00:34:37.739 --> 00:34:38.739 Okay. 00:34:43.399 --> 00:34:43.799 Okay. 00:34:43.959 --> 00:34:44.359 Lastly, 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:46.859 stretching it out. 00:34:46.959 --> 00:34:49.159 I was trying to figure out how to talk about this, 00:34:49.279 --> 00:34:52.859 but the last category is bond servants. 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:55.619 And our modern example, 00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:56.579 maybe in different countries, 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:58.699 we don't really have bond servants in America. 00:34:59.419 --> 00:35:01.159 It's essentially like slaves, 00:35:01.819 --> 00:35:02.479 no rights, 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.179 no freedoms. 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:05.219 But in Paul's day, 00:35:05.279 --> 00:35:07.179 he urged them with specific things. 00:35:07.419 --> 00:35:09.539 But I think there's a lot of parallels, 00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:11.799 even with our workplace, 00:35:12.619 --> 00:35:12.799 you know, 00:35:12.819 --> 00:35:13.099 as an, 00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:14.539 as an employee to employer. 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.739 Paul says to bond servants, 00:35:17.839 --> 00:35:19.019 be submissive in everything. 00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:19.379 Well, 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:19.759 pleasing, 00:35:19.919 --> 00:35:20.839 not argumentative, 00:35:21.219 --> 00:35:23.059 not pilfering or stealing, 00:35:24.139 --> 00:35:25.319 showing good faith. 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:28.100 So that in everything, 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:31.000 they may adorn the doctrine of God, 00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:31.500 our savior. 00:35:32.780 --> 00:35:33.780 Or the NIV says, 00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:37.480 so that the doctrine or the teaching about God is attractive. 00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:39.860 I love, 00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:40.780 I love that phrase. 00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:43.860 Does the way that you work in your workplace, 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:45.640 make God look attractive? 00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:50.340 Not that God necessarily needs us to make him look attractive, 00:35:50.640 --> 00:35:54.320 but he does call us to live like he is that, 00:35:54.500 --> 00:35:54.740 right? 00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:55.139 Does, 00:35:56.139 --> 00:35:57.219 does the way that you work, 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:59.000 do you, 00:35:59.099 --> 00:36:00.199 are you submissive in everything? 00:36:00.899 --> 00:36:01.419 You know, 00:36:01.479 --> 00:36:01.679 again, 00:36:01.719 --> 00:36:02.619 this is the bond servants. 00:36:02.799 --> 00:36:07.500 So there might be areas where in everything can be tweaked, 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:08.659 but well-pleasing, 00:36:08.819 --> 00:36:09.819 not argumentative, 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:11.179 showing good faith, 00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:11.979 right? 00:36:12.759 --> 00:36:13.799 This is a, 00:36:13.799 --> 00:36:14.859 uh, 00:36:14.859 --> 00:36:17.019 attribute that we take not only into our homes, 00:36:17.079 --> 00:36:19.500 but also into our workplace and beyond. 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:24.159 And then, 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:24.780 um, 00:36:25.219 --> 00:36:27.420 probably the most, 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:28.219 uh, 00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:34.739 or probably the reason why everything above is, 00:36:34.820 --> 00:36:35.139 uh, 00:36:36.260 --> 00:36:40.599 relevant to us and why we do it begins in verse 11. 00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:46.420 This is kind of all's gospel exhortation about why all these things are relevant. 00:36:47.480 --> 00:36:48.380 It says in verse 11, 00:36:48.380 --> 00:36:50.780 for the grace of God has appeared, 00:36:50.780 --> 00:36:54.019 bringing salvation for all people, 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:58.220 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. 00:36:58.340 --> 00:37:04.320 The NIV says training us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:06.240 and to live self-controlled, 00:37:07.080 --> 00:37:07.500 upright, 00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:10.640 and godly lives in the present age, 00:37:10.900 --> 00:37:16.800 waiting for a blessed hope in the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:17.720 Jesus Christ, 00:37:18.280 --> 00:37:26.539 who gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, 00:37:26.840 --> 00:37:28.280 for zealous for good works. 00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:32.420 It's not just the Pharisees that are zealous for good works, 00:37:32.600 --> 00:37:32.920 everybody. 00:37:32.920 --> 00:37:33.240 We, 00:37:33.240 --> 00:37:34.440 we, 00:37:34.500 --> 00:37:35.880 we as believers should also be, 00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:36.320 uh, 00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:39.800 the NIV says to be eager for good works, 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:40.599 right? 00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:42.039 Um, 00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:45.420 if the grace of God has appeared and saved us, 00:37:45.420 --> 00:37:47.619 not because of our works, 00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:49.340 but because of the finished, 00:37:49.340 --> 00:37:51.139 completed work of Jesus, 00:37:51.139 --> 00:37:56.300 then that means that from our hearts will, 00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:59.800 will grow more and more eagerness for good work, 00:37:59.860 --> 00:38:00.780 for these qualities, 00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:01.579 right? 00:38:01.579 --> 00:38:05.920 This is kind of a test also to see if we're in the faith. 00:38:06.019 --> 00:38:07.579 Do we desire any of those things? 00:38:08.279 --> 00:38:08.440 Right? 00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:12.119 And I admit some days are harder than others. 00:38:12.219 --> 00:38:13.159 Some days you wake up, 00:38:13.340 --> 00:38:14.420 you don't have much desire. 00:38:14.420 --> 00:38:15.920 But the truth is, 00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:16.940 God, 00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:18.200 through the Holy Spirit, 00:38:18.280 --> 00:38:19.440 will sanctify us. 00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:21.680 He'll grow greater desire in us, 00:38:21.680 --> 00:38:22.320 right? 00:38:23.220 --> 00:38:24.360 And that ultimately, 00:38:24.740 --> 00:38:27.300 he wants us to be zealous for these things. 00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:29.220 Um, 00:38:29.219 --> 00:38:32.199 if you guys are wondering if any of these things are actually important, 00:38:32.699 --> 00:38:33.579 I mean, 00:38:33.659 --> 00:38:35.419 it's the word of God, 00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:35.759 right? 00:38:36.399 --> 00:38:40.000 But he ties all this up by saying to Titus, 00:38:40.439 --> 00:38:41.459 declare these things, 00:38:42.039 --> 00:38:44.099 exhort and rebuke with all authority. 00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:46.779 Let no one disregard you. 00:38:47.359 --> 00:38:47.619 Okay? 00:38:47.619 --> 00:38:48.539 So, 00:38:48.739 --> 00:38:55.699 there's an element of the gender specific exhortations in here that we should lay to heart. 00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:56.339 Okay? 00:38:57.239 --> 00:38:57.639 Um, 00:38:57.639 --> 00:38:58.279 like I said, 00:38:58.420 --> 00:38:59.759 these can be interchangeable, 00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:03.079 but I think this text outlines, 00:39:03.839 --> 00:39:04.019 uh, 00:39:04.019 --> 00:39:06.619 especially with Titus speaking to a specific group of people, 00:39:06.619 --> 00:39:08.639 if you're a man or woman, 00:39:08.799 --> 00:39:09.900 how you ought to behave, 00:39:10.219 --> 00:39:11.440 how you ought to think, 00:39:12.039 --> 00:39:13.019 how you ought to live. 00:39:13.579 --> 00:39:14.719 And we should lay them to heart. 00:39:16.339 --> 00:39:18.039 The grace of God has appeared, 00:39:18.179 --> 00:39:19.940 bringing salvation for all people, 00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:22.559 to teach us to say no. 00:39:24.699 --> 00:39:25.239 You know, 00:39:25.259 --> 00:39:25.880 it's not just, 00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.679 not just, 00:39:26.719 --> 00:39:27.000 uh, 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:27.799 saying no, 00:39:27.799 --> 00:39:27.799 00:39:29.799 --> 00:39:32.139 or a life of refrain per se, 00:39:32.279 --> 00:39:32.480 right? 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:34.799 God wants some active, 00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:36.500 not just negation, 00:39:36.619 --> 00:39:37.019 in our life. 00:39:37.099 --> 00:39:39.619 He wants active obedience, 00:39:39.880 --> 00:39:40.819 zealous for good works, 00:39:40.839 --> 00:39:41.019 right? 00:39:41.039 --> 00:39:45.000 He wants to replace our lawless evil deeds, 00:39:45.839 --> 00:39:46.699 ways of thinking, 00:39:46.699 --> 00:39:52.279 with a frame of mind that is actively Godward. 00:39:52.719 --> 00:39:53.839 That's toward God. 00:39:59.839 --> 00:40:00.079 Um, 00:40:00.400 --> 00:40:01.139 okay. 00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:02.659 Last couple points, 00:40:03.219 --> 00:40:04.159 uh, 00:40:04.339 --> 00:40:05.940 specifically for Christchurch. 00:40:06.780 --> 00:40:07.159 Um, 00:40:07.240 --> 00:40:10.639 obviously there's many ways in our home that we can, 00:40:10.720 --> 00:40:11.619 uh, 00:40:11.880 --> 00:40:12.579 make it better. 00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:13.880 Um, 00:40:14.179 --> 00:40:17.400 different practical things that we can do to bring more order, 00:40:18.159 --> 00:40:18.639 uh, 00:40:18.960 --> 00:40:21.280 different things that we can show honor and respect. 00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:22.700 But I think, 00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:23.280 uh, 00:40:23.280 --> 00:40:25.820 with this group of people, 00:40:25.820 --> 00:40:27.659 I was praying and thinking, 00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:27.940 Lord, 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:28.860 how do we, 00:40:28.860 --> 00:40:31.980 what does it look like to be fit for good works? 00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:33.740 And a couple of things came to mind. 00:40:33.740 --> 00:40:36.420 One is that how we speak, 00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:36.740 uh, 00:40:37.740 --> 00:40:38.099 period, 00:40:38.740 --> 00:40:40.039 whatever station that we're in, 00:40:40.099 --> 00:40:41.079 either to one another, 00:40:41.640 --> 00:40:42.300 to our bosses, 00:40:42.500 --> 00:40:42.980 at work, 00:40:43.099 --> 00:40:43.700 online, 00:40:44.120 --> 00:40:44.500 you know, 00:40:45.160 --> 00:40:45.559 uh, 00:40:45.559 --> 00:40:49.079 should be keep in keeping and without reproach. 00:40:49.079 --> 00:40:50.940 Um, 00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:53.480 in James chapter three, 00:40:53.980 --> 00:40:54.719 uh, 00:40:55.119 --> 00:40:57.179 James talks about bridling the tongue. 00:40:57.299 --> 00:40:59.420 I'm just going to read a short passage. 00:41:00.420 --> 00:41:01.299 He says, 00:41:01.300 --> 00:41:05.620 we put bits into the mouth of horses so that they obey us. 00:41:06.340 --> 00:41:06.860 We, 00:41:07.000 --> 00:41:09.300 we guide their whole body as well. 00:41:09.640 --> 00:41:10.900 Look at the ships also, 00:41:10.900 --> 00:41:14.900 though they're so large and driven by strong winds, 00:41:14.900 --> 00:41:17.180 they're guided by a very small rudder, 00:41:17.560 --> 00:41:19.740 wherever the will of the pilot directs. 00:41:20.240 --> 00:41:22.180 So also is the tongue. 00:41:22.860 --> 00:41:25.440 So also the tongue is a small member, 00:41:25.780 --> 00:41:27.440 yet it boasts of great things. 00:41:28.360 --> 00:41:31.280 How great is the forest set ablaze by such small fire? 00:41:31.300 --> 00:41:33.039 The tongue is a fire, 00:41:33.400 --> 00:41:34.300 a world of unrighteousness. 00:41:35.300 --> 00:41:37.280 The tongue is set among our members, 00:41:37.560 --> 00:41:38.600 staying the whole body, 00:41:38.980 --> 00:41:44.440 setting on fire the entire course of life and set on fire by hell for every 00:41:44.440 --> 00:41:50.980 kind of beast and bird of reptile and sea creature can be tamed and has 00:41:50.980 --> 00:41:51.960 been tamed by mankind, 00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:54.860 but no human being can tame the tongue. 00:41:55.240 --> 00:41:55.900 It is a restless, 00:41:55.900 --> 00:41:56.500 restless, 00:41:56.700 --> 00:41:57.000 evil, 00:41:57.400 --> 00:41:58.519 full of deadly poison. 00:41:59.460 --> 00:42:00.440 And with it, 00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:01.679 with it, 00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:01.679 00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:03.179 we bless our Lord and father. 00:42:03.179 --> 00:42:04.019 And with it, 00:42:04.019 --> 00:42:07.159 we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:11.240 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. 00:42:11.599 --> 00:42:12.039 My brothers, 00:42:12.159 --> 00:42:14.139 these things ought not to be. 00:42:14.220 --> 00:42:20.500 So does the spring pour forth the same from the same opening, 00:42:20.579 --> 00:42:21.980 both fresh water and salt water. 00:42:21.980 --> 00:42:23.400 Can a fig tree, 00:42:23.519 --> 00:42:26.880 my brothers bear olives or grapevine produce figs? 00:42:27.260 --> 00:42:30.360 Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. 00:42:30.980 --> 00:42:32.119 I'm going to stop there and say, 00:42:32.340 --> 00:42:34.219 there's many analogies in here, 00:42:34.320 --> 00:42:37.559 but how we speak out of the abundance of the heart, 00:42:37.719 --> 00:42:38.539 the mouth speaks. 00:42:39.059 --> 00:42:39.240 Okay. 00:42:39.239 --> 00:42:41.419 When we think about one another, 00:42:41.559 --> 00:42:43.219 when we reason all these things, 00:42:43.339 --> 00:42:44.239 all that we think about, 00:42:44.359 --> 00:42:45.919 however it makes its way into our heart, 00:42:46.039 --> 00:42:46.859 we will say, 00:42:47.279 --> 00:42:47.519 okay, 00:42:47.959 --> 00:42:50.679 I believe this body needs to be built up and encouraged. 00:42:51.019 --> 00:42:51.219 Right. 00:42:51.519 --> 00:42:52.699 Do you use your mouth? 00:42:52.699 --> 00:42:54.979 Do you use your tongue to build somebody up, 00:42:55.459 --> 00:42:56.319 to encourage them? 00:42:57.019 --> 00:42:57.179 Right. 00:42:57.799 --> 00:42:59.599 We have many trials. 00:43:00.219 --> 00:43:01.399 We have enough trials, 00:43:01.479 --> 00:43:01.719 right, 00:43:02.119 --> 00:43:03.000 in our own lives. 00:43:03.000 --> 00:43:08.920 And God would have us to tame our tongue and use it for the good. 00:43:09.900 --> 00:43:10.639 That's one thing. 00:43:11.280 --> 00:43:12.440 How we speak to one another, 00:43:13.260 --> 00:43:14.860 how we speak in general. 00:43:16.800 --> 00:43:21.340 And the other thing is really simple. 00:43:21.739 --> 00:43:24.019 What we do in our spare time when no one's looking, 00:43:24.900 --> 00:43:25.119 you know, 00:43:25.900 --> 00:43:27.619 like being, 00:43:27.679 --> 00:43:29.360 being diligent to be disciplined, 00:43:29.980 --> 00:43:31.699 working on the things that we need to work on, 00:43:31.699 --> 00:43:33.139 not making excuses, 00:43:33.500 --> 00:43:38.679 shying away from the things in our lives that the Lord wants us to grow out of. 00:43:38.980 --> 00:43:39.139 Right. 00:43:39.279 --> 00:43:40.619 Leaving sins behind, 00:43:41.199 --> 00:43:43.899 not putting it up on the shelf to grab later, 00:43:44.619 --> 00:43:47.279 but actually putting to death the deeds of the flesh. 00:43:51.219 --> 00:43:51.980 And sorry. 00:43:52.119 --> 00:43:54.319 And starting to aim at things that actually build up. 00:43:55.079 --> 00:43:55.219 Right. 00:43:55.779 --> 00:43:56.439 If we, 00:43:56.439 --> 00:43:57.159 if we do this, 00:43:57.219 --> 00:44:01.399 I believe that God will produce by the spirit more and more sanctification. 00:44:01.699 --> 00:44:04.679 Making us more and more fit for good works. 00:44:05.299 --> 00:44:08.599 And that when lost people come into our midst, 00:44:09.179 --> 00:44:12.480 they will come into workers ready to receive them. 00:44:13.000 --> 00:44:13.480 Right. 00:44:13.719 --> 00:44:17.980 Ready to experience the kingdom of God. 00:44:18.399 --> 00:44:18.739 Ultimately, 00:44:18.859 --> 00:44:22.819 Jesus said that the church is like city on the hill meant to shine. 00:44:22.820 --> 00:44:28.140 And so I want to exhort us this morning to look at these qualities, 00:44:28.420 --> 00:44:29.100 ask ourselves, 00:44:29.660 --> 00:44:32.600 whichever area we fall into, 00:44:33.519 --> 00:44:34.600 older women, 00:44:34.700 --> 00:44:35.240 young women, 00:44:35.460 --> 00:44:35.900 young men, 00:44:35.980 --> 00:44:36.580 these things, 00:44:37.059 --> 00:44:37.280 Lord, 00:44:37.500 --> 00:44:37.860 what, 00:44:37.980 --> 00:44:40.380 what would you have us to focus on? 00:44:41.260 --> 00:44:43.700 Obviously these things should be focused on, 00:44:44.160 --> 00:44:44.880 but Lord, 00:44:45.019 --> 00:44:47.120 what in my life needs to change? 00:44:47.119 --> 00:44:54.119 I'm just going to read this end part one more time. 00:44:55.259 --> 00:44:56.359 Titus 2 11 says, 00:44:56.440 --> 00:44:58.880 for the grace of God has appeared. 00:45:00.099 --> 00:45:02.119 It offers salvation to all people. 00:45:02.799 --> 00:45:06.460 It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions. 00:45:06.460 --> 00:45:06.860 Okay. 00:45:12.199 --> 00:45:12.599 This, 00:45:12.800 --> 00:45:15.039 these are a lot of things in here, 00:45:15.139 --> 00:45:17.199 a lot of things to focus on. 00:45:18.240 --> 00:45:23.099 More than likely the Lord isn't going to have you focus on all of these at 00:45:23.099 --> 00:45:23.500 once. 00:45:24.019 --> 00:45:27.300 It's probably going to be one thing right now that the Lord would have you to 00:45:27.300 --> 00:45:28.480 learn from. 00:45:28.920 --> 00:45:30.519 I would say pray into that. 00:45:30.519 --> 00:45:33.159 But also after I just said a bunch of stuff, 00:45:34.639 --> 00:45:38.800 there's a temptation that will come in. 00:45:38.800 --> 00:45:42.239 I believe shortly after of anxiety to say, 00:45:42.480 --> 00:45:42.739 Oh Lord, 00:45:42.880 --> 00:45:45.119 like how do we need this elephant here? 00:45:45.880 --> 00:45:46.039 You know, 00:45:46.099 --> 00:45:46.360 how do, 00:45:46.440 --> 00:45:46.940 how do we, 00:45:47.079 --> 00:45:48.579 how do we attack all these things? 00:45:48.639 --> 00:45:50.079 How do I get better in all these areas? 00:45:50.840 --> 00:45:52.619 And two things I would leave with us. 00:45:52.759 --> 00:45:53.259 Number one, 00:45:54.619 --> 00:45:56.619 focus on the thing that God is highlighting. 00:45:57.099 --> 00:46:00.500 Don't even worry about all those other things. 00:46:01.300 --> 00:46:02.659 And in regards to anxiety, 00:46:04.759 --> 00:46:08.759 God in Christ, 00:46:08.940 --> 00:46:11.460 when Jesus was in that boat in the midst of a storm, 00:46:12.320 --> 00:46:16.159 he is able to make the winds and the sea obey him. 00:46:16.719 --> 00:46:16.860 Okay. 00:46:17.699 --> 00:46:20.099 Believe that God in your life, 00:46:20.159 --> 00:46:21.139 with all your anxieties, 00:46:21.300 --> 00:46:23.659 with all you're trying to figure things out, 00:46:23.659 --> 00:46:24.059 um, 00:46:24.579 --> 00:46:25.639 can say, 00:46:26.179 --> 00:46:26.739 be still, 00:46:27.739 --> 00:46:28.460 you know, 00:46:28.460 --> 00:46:31.220 your soul and the wave of your heart. 00:46:31.420 --> 00:46:31.860 He says, 00:46:31.940 --> 00:46:32.579 be still. 00:46:32.740 --> 00:46:33.079 Okay. 00:46:33.579 --> 00:46:35.880 God wants to lead you to himself. 00:46:35.880 --> 00:46:39.220 He's gentle and lowly and to work on these specific things, 00:46:39.220 --> 00:46:42.500 but he's not standing behind you with a whip, 00:46:42.619 --> 00:46:44.019 ready to crack you and, 00:46:44.019 --> 00:46:46.360 and get you into shape all at once. 00:46:46.360 --> 00:46:46.760 Right. 00:46:46.760 --> 00:46:49.260 He slowly sanctifies us. 00:46:49.300 --> 00:46:49.820 Sometimes, 00:46:49.920 --> 00:46:52.660 sometimes we move right out of sin immediately. 00:46:53.080 --> 00:46:53.340 Right. 00:46:53.980 --> 00:46:58.420 But it's no good to be anxious about God growing you. 00:46:59.180 --> 00:47:03.780 God wants you to enjoy him and, 00:47:03.840 --> 00:47:04.140 uh, 00:47:04.340 --> 00:47:05.600 be zealous for good works. 00:47:06.540 --> 00:47:07.060 Amen. 00:47:07.060 --> 00:47:07.180 Amen. 00:47:07.180 --> 00:47:07.280 Amen. 00:47:07.280 --> 00:47:07.280 00:47:07.280 --> 00:47:07.280 00:47:07.280 --> 00:47:07.280 00:47:07.280 --> 00:47:07.280 00:47:07.280 --> 00:47:07.280 00:47:07.280 --> 00:47:07.280 00:47:07.280 --> 00:47:07.280