WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.700 Great God in heaven, you are all that we need because you are a God who just pours out your grace again and again and again. 00:00:14.220 --> 00:00:24.940 God in heaven, I would ask that you would instruct us now that this introduction to Titus, God would reintroduce grace into our minds and hearts. 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:43.960 God, I do pray, Father, for brothers and sisters who are in our midst that are straying, that feel like they've lost sight of Jesus, that have a sense that their life and their profession, there is a great gap between them. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:52.600 God, would you use Titus and this book, God, to comfort and to compel. 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:58.579 God, we ask that now by your spirit, you would teach us and instruct us. 00:00:59.480 --> 00:01:06.640 Help us, God, to make the connection between the gospel of grace and the grind of our everyday life. 00:01:07.180 --> 00:01:09.740 We ask this in Jesus' name, amen. 00:01:10.939 --> 00:01:11.219 Amen. 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:13.799 Children, you can scoot. 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:28.339 Well, we're starting a study of the book of Titus this morning. 00:01:29.059 --> 00:01:34.280 And so as you can see in your bulletin, today's sermon is an introduction to the book of Titus. 00:01:38.119 --> 00:01:41.439 I experienced a major disconnect this week. 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:46.840 I drive around in an older pickup truck. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:52.259 I call it my mobile tabernacle of praise. 00:01:53.739 --> 00:01:56.920 And I can go anywhere because it's got four-wheel drive. 00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:01.280 Well, I'm cruising around and all of a sudden I realize I've got a disconnect. 00:02:01.280 --> 00:02:09.219 Because this phone of mine, basically, it's got all the music I listen to on it. 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:13.039 And so what happens, I put it in my truck and this little holder thing. 00:02:13.139 --> 00:02:17.979 And then there's this wire that runs from my phone into my truck kind of radio. 00:02:18.439 --> 00:02:23.300 And what happens is this source of goodness in all the music I listen to, 00:02:23.300 --> 00:02:25.880 it is connected to my truck speakers. 00:02:26.040 --> 00:02:30.260 And it goes from the source of goodness to my experience of the goodness. 00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:33.340 And there's a disconnect. 00:02:34.540 --> 00:02:39.180 So I'm cruising around this week kind of cruising around in silence 00:02:39.180 --> 00:02:43.660 because it turns out the wire that connects the phone to the truck radio, 00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:46.240 it got cinched and frayed. 00:02:46.320 --> 00:02:48.700 And then there was this gap that could not be overcome. 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:54.139 And so I just borrowed my son's wire and fixed that thing up. 00:02:57.719 --> 00:02:59.719 But we all experience a disconnect. 00:03:01.539 --> 00:03:06.439 The goodness of God's grace made known in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:03:07.339 --> 00:03:12.439 God intends to connect to everything in your life as a Christian. 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:16.639 And we as Christians will experience this disconnect 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:20.659 from the gospel of grace and the grind of our life. 00:03:22.299 --> 00:03:27.659 And so the book of Titus is God through the Apostle Paul 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:33.699 equipping us as Christians to make the connection between this gospel, 00:03:35.060 --> 00:03:37.299 God's grace manifest in Christ, 00:03:38.299 --> 00:03:43.439 with our lives in the grind and in the grit. 00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:45.439 God's grace manifest in Christ. 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:48.939 So maybe you've come into the building this morning 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:53.520 and if you were to take the spiritual pulse of your faith, 00:03:54.340 --> 00:03:57.199 it would be a little weak. 00:03:58.300 --> 00:04:04.340 Or in terms of your knowledge of the truth of what's been revealed through the gospel, 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:07.599 you've gotten a little amnesia. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:09.680 You've forgotten the gospel. 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:16.439 Or maybe when it comes to your practice of the faith, 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:17.319 your godliness, 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:20.199 you've become a little anemic. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:23.639 Or maybe you're hopeless. 00:04:26.280 --> 00:04:29.100 You're just more aware of your present circumstances 00:04:29.100 --> 00:04:34.899 than the eternity in which God has secured our hope. 00:04:34.899 --> 00:04:41.079 So this morning what I want to do is introduce you to the book of Titus 00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:44.819 because Titus is for you if any of those were true. 00:04:45.219 --> 00:04:49.139 And all of us experience all of that on some kind of measure. 00:04:50.979 --> 00:04:54.159 God has grace for you through the book of Titus, my brother and sister. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:57.960 So here's how we're going to proceed this morning. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:05.060 I want to introduce you to some people that we meet in the book of Titus. 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:09.920 And then I want to show you the purpose of the book of Titus. 00:05:10.480 --> 00:05:15.760 And then depending on how much time I'm going to give you a preview of the book of Titus. 00:05:16.340 --> 00:05:21.080 So let's look at these people from the book of Titus. 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:26.000 The book of Titus, I'm going to focus in on the first four verses this morning. 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:26.779 Let me read those. 00:05:27.859 --> 00:05:30.579 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, 00:05:30.719 --> 00:05:34.219 for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, 00:05:34.419 --> 00:05:35.599 which accords with godliness, 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:37.500 in hope of eternal life, 00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:40.539 which God who never lies promised before the ages began, 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:43.659 and at the proper time manifested in his word 00:05:43.659 --> 00:05:47.500 through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior, 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:50.180 to Titus, my true child and a common faith, 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:54.740 grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:58.899 There's some people that I want to introduce you to. 00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:01.819 The first one, of course, is the God of all grace. 00:06:02.600 --> 00:06:05.180 Paul, a servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, 00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:05.920 verse one. 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:10.420 Verse four, grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:12.379 You might be thinking, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:14.040 I got two of the three right there. 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:16.199 Father, Son, where's the Holy Spirit? 00:06:17.500 --> 00:06:20.139 In chapter three, we're introduced to the Holy Spirit. 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:24.019 He does a great work of regenerating grace in us. 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:30.920 And so what we have in the book of Titus is the triune God of grace. 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:33.720 He's the first person I want you to see. 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:36.920 The second person you can't miss is Paul, 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:38.319 the guy that's writing this letter. 00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:39.480 It was a letter. 00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:44.220 It was a letter from the apostle Paul to a guy named Titus, 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:49.640 writing about a group of Christians on the island of Crete. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:52.360 Now, Crete is an island of the middle Mediterranean, 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:53.800 just south of Greece. 00:06:55.540 --> 00:06:58.879 And Paul is writing to Titus for a particular reason. 00:06:58.960 --> 00:07:00.660 But here's what I want you to see about Paul. 00:07:01.319 --> 00:07:03.360 Verse one, servant of God. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:07.280 And if you had a Jewish bent in Crete at the time, 00:07:07.340 --> 00:07:10.040 and there were those with Jewish backgrounds, 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:12.500 when they heard that phrase, servant of God, 00:07:12.660 --> 00:07:17.780 they would have heard Paul lining himself up with Moses and David and Haggai and Amos, 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:20.040 all servants of God. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:24.580 And so Paul's lining himself up with a rather select group of people, 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:27.460 prophets from the Old Testament. 00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:32.620 And they couldn't miss the servant part, servant of God. 00:07:32.859 --> 00:07:36.399 For a Greco-Roman mind in the first century who would have received this, 00:07:36.799 --> 00:07:38.879 they would have thought like this, servant of God, 00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:41.519 man, this guy doesn't do anything for himself. 00:07:42.039 --> 00:07:45.219 He serves God, a bondservant. 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:50.279 He lays down all of his rights for his master. 00:07:51.779 --> 00:07:54.279 So just that first fray, it's packed. 00:07:54.979 --> 00:07:56.159 Paul, servant of God. 00:07:56.160 --> 00:07:59.680 And then he goes on to say, an apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:04.460 In the New Testament, that word apostle shows up a couple different ways. 00:08:04.880 --> 00:08:07.880 There is the lowercase a apostles. 00:08:08.820 --> 00:08:12.640 And those are men and women that are sent out very generally. 00:08:13.260 --> 00:08:16.240 And then there are the capital A apostles. 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:24.120 Those select group of men who the risen Christ himself commissioned and sent out. 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:30.220 And the apostle Paul is a capital A apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:32.220 And the story is phenomenal. 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:38.279 Acts chapter 9, Paul is going from Jerusalem to Damascus. 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:42.019 And he's not going to get Krispy Kreme donuts in Damascus. 00:08:42.580 --> 00:08:44.779 He's not going to the Walmart in Damascus. 00:08:44.779 --> 00:08:49.879 He's going to round up any Christians in Damascus. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:53.939 Bring them back to Jerusalem so that they would be persecuted. 00:08:55.559 --> 00:08:59.399 Paul is going to Damascus as a non-Christian. 00:08:59.899 --> 00:09:01.019 Persecuting the church. 00:09:01.579 --> 00:09:06.159 And on the road to Damascus, he encounters the risen Jesus. 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:08.699 And it changes everything. 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:12.100 He's converted dramatically. 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:22.120 And he's not only converted, he is commissioned and sent out by the risen Christ on that road to the Gentiles to proclaim Jesus to them. 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:25.659 Paul never got over that. 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:31.740 If you look at 1 Timothy chapter 1 verses 12 through 18, Paul never got over that. 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:35.600 And so, you know what Paul was most aware of? 00:09:36.940 --> 00:09:38.659 Not his being a servant of God. 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:40.740 Not his being an apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:48.700 He was most aware of the grace that God had poured out on him, a sinner and persecutor of the church. 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:52.940 And radically altered him personally and his eternity. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:58.919 This guy writing this letter had a profound sense of God's grace. 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:09.599 And when I say God's grace, what I mean is all of God's favor and kindness and goodness toward a sinner that they don't deserve in and of themselves. 00:10:10.579 --> 00:10:14.059 It's Christ's, God's riches at Christ's expense. 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:16.000 A very helpful acronym. 00:10:17.099 --> 00:10:19.279 All of God's kindness to you through Jesus. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.479 And Paul knew that firsthand. 00:10:22.559 --> 00:10:23.620 So this is the guy writing. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:26.639 And he's been given the authority of an apostle. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:29.159 And he's writing to another guy named Titus. 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:30.340 And we see that in verse 4. 00:10:30.419 --> 00:10:32.960 To Titus, my true child and a common faith. 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:36.460 Now, Titus is a little bit of a man of mystery in the New Testament. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:40.019 We really don't know how he was converted. 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:41.419 How he became a Christian. 00:10:41.899 --> 00:10:42.939 But we've got some hints. 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:47.460 Just by the fact that Paul says, to Titus, my true child and a common faith. 00:10:47.460 --> 00:11:02.100 Chances are, whether before Paul's visit to Jerusalem in Acts 11 or before his visit to Jerusalem in Acts 15, that Paul had an encounter with Titus and led him to the Lord. 00:11:03.560 --> 00:11:05.000 It's a term of affection. 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:10.540 But it's also a term that's recognizing a little bit of a difference. 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:13.480 Titus, Paul is his spiritual father. 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:16.799 It's couched in terms of family. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:23.599 Titus was an apostolic delegate. 00:11:25.079 --> 00:11:27.500 Paul's apostolic representative. 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:37.779 And lest you think that Titus was some greenhorn, some recent graduate from Bible school, or some just walked out of seminary. 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:40.179 Here's what you need to know about Titus. 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:44.419 Paul's writing Titus in the mid-60s A.D. 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:53.360 And what we see from Galatians 2, verse 4, Titus was with Paul when Paul made a trip to Jerusalem. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:56.839 And that would have happened mid-40s or so. 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:59.100 So here's what you need to know about Titus. 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:03.980 He has been around the block of gospel ministry for at least 20 years. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:16.399 He's been traveling with Paul, part of his gospel entourage, going from town to town among Greek-speaking Gentiles and Jews, sharing the gospel with them. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:23.080 In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Titus plays a very important role in the life of Corinth. 00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:33.040 And then it's Titus who's selected to bring this huge collection of money from the Corinthian church to the two Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:36.700 That means Titus must have been proven and trustworthy. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:40.040 This guy's been around the block. 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:47.480 2 Timothy 4, Paul's last words penned. 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:54.539 Titus is in Dalmatia, which is around Macedonia, if you're familiar with the region around the Adriatic. 00:12:58.219 --> 00:13:03.519 Titus would have experienced God's grace in a profound way. 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:09.059 Titus was a Gentile, a Greek. 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:13.279 And somewhere along the way, he heard the gospel. 00:13:14.679 --> 00:13:23.480 He heard that God in Christ offered full forgiveness, eternal life for him now. 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:27.720 And so here is Titus. 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:30.120 Paul is writing to him. 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:33.340 Titus is in Crete, chapter 1, verse 5. 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:38.919 It must have been Paul and Titus were in Crete at some point together, sharing the gospel. 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:51.519 Paul leaves them in Crete so that Titus can put things in order, set up elders in the churches in the towns of Crete. 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:53.879 So they had been ministering the gospel there. 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:59.159 So we're kind of getting an insight into first century church planting ministry. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.299 Paul has to go. 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:04.039 He sends this letter to Titus. 00:14:04.179 --> 00:14:07.799 In order to help Titus know how to care for these new believers in Crete. 00:14:09.199 --> 00:14:11.240 Which brings us to the new believers in Crete. 00:14:13.419 --> 00:14:16.000 Paul has a very interesting way of talking about them. 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:21.879 Paul is servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God's elect. 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:25.659 For the sake of the faith of God's elect. 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:28.839 He's talking about these Christians in Crete. 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:31.699 And they're not just in one place. 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:37.819 What's implied from verse 5 is that these Christians were spread out around Crete. 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:39.679 And from town to town. 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:44.000 They need help. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:56.059 And Paul is writing Titus so that Titus helps them make the connection between the gospel that has saved them and how to live their lives now in light of the gospel. 00:14:56.059 --> 00:15:02.059 So these Cretans. 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:02.779 Cretans. 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.059 Being Gentiles. 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:06.379 Being Greeks. 00:15:06.599 --> 00:15:08.299 There were some Jews around them. 00:15:08.359 --> 00:15:12.359 That's going to be part of some false teaching that we see referenced in verse 10. 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:17.480 But these are people that were worshiping false gods. 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:21.940 These were people who were living for their flesh. 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:24.659 These were people who were happy in their sin. 00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:28.060 And then God interrupted them with his grace. 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:36.519 In fact, we've got 20 centuries separating us. 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:39.420 But they're a lot like us. 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:43.439 These Christians in Crete. 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:45.539 This elect of God. 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:48.059 God chose them from before the foundation of the world. 00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:49.939 And then they heard the gospel. 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:51.620 And they responded in faith. 00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:55.899 They've experienced God's grace. 00:15:57.479 --> 00:15:59.559 God's riches at Christ's expense. 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:01.219 They've been forgiven of all their sins. 00:16:01.339 --> 00:16:02.919 They have the promise of eternal life. 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:07.059 And they needed help. 00:16:07.059 --> 00:16:13.459 They needed help to know how to live in light of the gospel. 00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:16.559 The gospel that saved them. 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.959 Needed to be the same gospel. 00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:19.939 The same grace. 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.879 That shaped them. 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:24.879 And that's where we live today. 00:16:26.239 --> 00:16:29.219 The gospel is not just a message that we believe. 00:16:29.339 --> 00:16:30.759 And then put on the shelf and say. 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:32.039 Done with the gospel. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:36.899 The gospel is a message that we build our lives on. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.879 We never outgrow the gospel. 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:43.120 We're in constant need of the grace. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:46.000 Which flows from the gospel. 00:16:47.099 --> 00:16:50.219 The book of Titus is a book about grace. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:53.399 Notice in verse 4 at the end. 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:59.159 Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:02.980 And then if you flip to the end of chapter 3. 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.639 The last five words. 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:07.019 Grace be with you all. 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:10.200 This is a book about grace. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:15.119 God's riches at Christ's expense. 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:15.199 Grace. 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:18.879 These are the people I wanted to introduce you to. 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:22.279 Now let me help you see the purpose. 00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:23.759 We've already been talking about it. 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:28.659 We see the purpose start coming out. 00:17:29.159 --> 00:17:30.939 In chapter 1 verse 1. 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:33.839 Paul a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:35.219 For the sake. 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:40.179 For the sake of the faith of God's elect. 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.779 And their knowledge of the truth. 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.779 Which accords with godliness. 00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:45.059 In hope of eternal life. 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.739 For the sake. 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:49.259 Gets at this idea of purpose. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:52.459 Paul is writing this letter. 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:54.479 Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:55.619 To Titus. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:58.159 For the sake of these young Christians. 00:17:58.479 --> 00:18:00.459 In these towns throughout Crete. 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:02.219 He wants to help them. 00:18:02.699 --> 00:18:03.639 Walk with Jesus. 00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:07.059 And so there are four words. 00:18:07.179 --> 00:18:08.199 I want you to key on. 00:18:09.159 --> 00:18:10.819 And it's going to help us understand. 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.699 Why Paul is writing. 00:18:12.659 --> 00:18:13.559 First one is this. 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:15.539 For the sake of the faith. 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.639 Of God's elect. 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.079 Faith. 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.659 Trusting in God. 00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:25.720 Actively believing in him. 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.179 Paul. 00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:27.220 Paul. 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.740 Is very interested. 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:29.779 And concerned about. 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.399 The faith. 00:18:30.399 --> 00:18:31.000 The faith. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:33.519 Of these young Christians. 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.359 In Crete. 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:37.440 He's not talking about. 00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:39.180 The objective truths. 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.379 Of the Christian faith. 00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:42.559 He's actually talking about. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:44.399 Their experience. 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:45.879 In trusting. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.039 God. 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:49.559 They're believing in him. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:51.099 Have you ever had someone come up to you. 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.420 And say. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:51.899 Hey. 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:52.660 How's your faith doing? 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:54.300 And what they're asking you is. 00:18:54.360 --> 00:18:54.460 Hey. 00:18:54.580 --> 00:18:56.180 Is your faith little faith? 00:18:56.320 --> 00:18:57.320 Like Jesus talks about. 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.340 Or do you have big faith? 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:59.800 Or you're somewhere in between faith? 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.820 There are different kind of degrees of faith. 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:06.180 And Paul is wanting to. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:08.800 Help these young Christians in Crete. 00:19:09.320 --> 00:19:10.980 Move from an initial faith. 00:19:11.320 --> 00:19:12.660 Into a full. 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.500 Vibrant faith. 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.960 Trusting in God. 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.019 With all of they are. 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.080 More and more. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:23.879 If you went into a doctor's office. 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:26.659 And you went in with some symptoms. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.579 You're just kind of dizzy. 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:30.759 You're. 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:33.319 Seemingly moving in slow motion. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:35.099 Your heart's kind of fluttery. 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:35.720 And. 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:38.619 And your doctor does some blood tests on you. 00:19:38.699 --> 00:19:39.659 And it comes out. 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:42.699 That your red blood cell count is really low. 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:43.859 You're anemic. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:47.539 And it results in kind of. 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:49.179 Lifelessness. 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.519 Slowness. 00:19:54.439 --> 00:19:55.799 Paul doesn't want. 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.879 These young Christians. 00:19:57.419 --> 00:19:58.639 To be anemic. 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.179 In their faith. 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:03.599 He wants them to be vibrant. 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.059 In their trusting. 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:06.759 Of the risen Christ. 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:09.399 So let me ask you a couple questions. 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:09.560 Friends. 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:13.519 How's your spiritual health this morning? 00:20:14.560 --> 00:20:15.420 How's your faith? 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.860 When you pray. 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:19.780 Are you confident God hears you. 00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:21.160 And is working on your behalf? 00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:24.100 When you read your Bible. 00:20:24.320 --> 00:20:24.500 Do you. 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:26.960 Is it your sense that God is actually addressing you. 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.619 Through his word? 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.599 When you sing to God. 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.039 Are you. 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:33.180 Mindful that it's actually God. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.920 You're singing to. 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.700 And not just a friendly sing along. 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.599 With your good friends. 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:39.420 You're worshiping the one true God. 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:42.359 When you have opportunities to witness. 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:42.819 Are you. 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:44.440 Are you taking them with joy? 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:46.140 How's the awe meter. 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:47.279 In your heart. 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.680 Towards God. 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:50.759 Is it anemic. 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:53.180 Or is it. 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.220 Awesome. 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.960 That you have. 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:59.160 A wonderfully. 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.180 Amazing. 00:21:01.060 --> 00:21:01.500 Great. 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.480 And grand. 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.180 God. 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:04.299 Who is worthy. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.500 Of your life. 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.620 How's your faith? 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.440 The first word. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.320 I want you to key on. 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.140 Is that word faith. 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:15.140 The second word. 00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:16.460 That I want you to key on. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.640 Is the word. 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:18.380 Knowledge. 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:20.380 For the sake. 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.340 Of the faith. 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.240 Of God's elect. 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.980 And their knowledge. 00:21:24.100 --> 00:21:24.920 Of the truth. 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:25.940 The kind of knowledge. 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:27.180 That we're talking about here. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.660 Is not just a. 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:29.680 Intellectual. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.320 Ascent. 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.279 Knowledge. 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.080 It is. 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:34.480 A conviction. 00:21:35.100 --> 00:21:36.360 Kind of knowledge. 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.080 Being convinced. 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:39.080 Of something. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.759 To be true. 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.600 Passionate. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.700 Committed. 00:21:43.340 --> 00:21:43.880 Yes. 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.380 The truth. 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:44.880 The truth. 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:46.380 The truth. 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:48.860 That Paul. 00:21:48.860 --> 00:21:49.720 Is talking about. 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.740 Is the truth. 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.600 That he's talking about. 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.120 Throughout. 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:55.180 The book of Titus. 00:21:55.540 --> 00:21:57.040 It's the sound doctrine. 00:21:57.040 --> 00:21:57.940 That he refers to. 00:21:58.040 --> 00:21:58.640 Again and again. 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:00.560 And what that has to do. 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:00.800 Is. 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.680 Is the truth. 00:22:01.760 --> 00:22:02.680 Of God's grace. 00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:03.400 Made known. 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.100 In the gospel. 00:22:05.100 --> 00:22:05.780 The truth. 00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:06.500 Of the gospel. 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.580 Of Jesus Christ. 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:09.759 That God. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.099 Through Christ. 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.359 Pours out. 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.279 His grace. 00:22:13.439 --> 00:22:14.199 On sinners. 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.759 Not just. 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.419 When they get saved. 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:19.740 But all the way through. 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.639 God pouring out. 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.359 His grace. 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.799 In order for these. 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.259 Christians in Crete. 00:22:30.439 --> 00:22:31.759 To have a healthy faith. 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:34.099 They will need. 00:22:34.179 --> 00:22:35.139 To be convinced. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:37.079 Of the truth. 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:38.720 Of the grace. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.980 That is found. 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:41.319 In no one else. 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.159 But Jesus. 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.679 Their health. 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.460 Depends on it. 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.619 Another way to say it. 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.099 Is this. 00:22:49.939 --> 00:22:51.199 If you as a Christian. 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.899 Forget the truth. 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:53.899 Of the gospel. 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.659 Let's call that. 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:56.460 Gospel amnesia. 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.139 It's just. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:59.339 A matter of time. 00:22:59.699 --> 00:23:00.379 Before. 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.559 Your faith. 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:02.819 Gets anemic. 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.879 Gospel amnesia. 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:07.640 Results. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.180 In an anemic. 00:23:09.780 --> 00:23:10.220 Faith. 00:23:11.100 --> 00:23:11.720 A loss. 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:13.460 Of vitality. 00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:16.800 But being convinced. 00:23:16.800 --> 00:23:17.360 Of the truth. 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:17.980 Of the gospel. 00:23:18.080 --> 00:23:18.580 Of grace. 00:23:18.800 --> 00:23:19.360 Results. 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:21.140 In spiritual. 00:23:22.520 --> 00:23:23.200 Vitality. 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.260 What the apostle. 00:23:25.520 --> 00:23:26.100 Then calls. 00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.620 Godliness. 00:23:28.760 --> 00:23:29.900 But before we talk. 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.780 About godliness. 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:32.859 Let me. 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:33.700 Put something. 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.359 In front of you. 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.240 Have you ever heard. 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:37.019 There's this. 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:37.879 There's this. 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:38.759 Radio station. 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.700 That I grew up. 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.399 Listening to. 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:42.579 It played classic rock. 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.339 At the time. 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.960 It's called WCKG. 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.619 Out of Chicago. 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:49.859 And they would have this tag. 00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:51.539 Playing the soundtrack. 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.379 Of your life. 00:23:55.459 --> 00:23:56.959 And so you go about your life. 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.599 With the soundtrack. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.599 Playing in the background. 00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:02.099 What's the soundtrack. 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:02.599 You're playing. 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.379 What's on your playlist. 00:24:07.979 --> 00:24:08.879 Maybe your playlist. 00:24:09.219 --> 00:24:10.399 Goes like something like this. 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.599 You've got a playlist. 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.799 Called future fear. 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:14.159 And it goes something like this. 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.079 The unknowns. 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.539 The possibilities. 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.960 The what ifs. 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.639 Unknowns. 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:27.419 Possibilities. 00:24:27.659 --> 00:24:28.399 And what ifs. 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.119 Unknowns. 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.740 Possibilities. 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.639 And what ifs. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.859 It's the soundtrack. 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.480 Playing in the back of your mind. 00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:39.919 And it's bathing your mind. 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:42.820 You're meditating on it. 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:44.960 You have these. 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:46.080 Future fears. 00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:46.940 Of the unknowns. 00:24:48.320 --> 00:24:49.180 Do you know what that does. 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.820 To your faith. 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:53.440 It weakens it. 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:57.539 It has a way of. 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:59.019 Helping you forget. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.740 The gospel of grace. 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.840 And results. 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.360 In spiritual anemia. 00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:07.740 Maybe you're not a future fear. 00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.600 Kind of person. 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:10.119 Maybe you are a. 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:11.159 Past regret. 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:12.339 Kind of person. 00:25:13.419 --> 00:25:14.099 The coulda. 00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:14.379 Shoulda. 00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:14.819 Wouldas. 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.759 You live in regret. 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.359 From the past. 00:25:21.679 --> 00:25:22.959 Oh I could have done that. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.679 Oh I should have done that. 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:28.319 I would have done that. 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.899 And it's the soundtrack. 00:25:31.199 --> 00:25:32.019 Of your life. 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:34.139 It just plays in the background. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:36.139 It's like a dull headache. 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:38.540 You just get used to it. 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.680 Woulda coulda shoulda. 00:25:42.100 --> 00:25:43.500 Woulda coulda shoulda. 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:47.380 Do you know what that does to you? 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:50.720 It helps you forget the gospel of grace. 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:53.700 Leads to spiritual anemia. 00:25:56.020 --> 00:25:57.620 Do you know what the antidote is? 00:25:57.619 --> 00:26:01.019 A new soundtrack of your life. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.839 It's called gospel grace. 00:26:04.979 --> 00:26:06.539 And you have to personally. 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:08.179 Press play. 00:26:08.439 --> 00:26:09.059 Every day. 00:26:10.139 --> 00:26:12.559 And you've got to preach this gospel. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.459 To yourself. 00:26:13.679 --> 00:26:14.500 That God. 00:26:14.979 --> 00:26:15.819 The great. 00:26:16.179 --> 00:26:17.139 I am. 00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:18.279 Became a man. 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:19.519 To die for me. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:22.559 To pour out his grace on me. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.799 To forgive me. 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:25.599 Of all my sin. 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.879 To give me a promise. 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:29.059 That is secured. 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:30.680 By his word. 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.660 And his blood. 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:33.240 That I have an eternal hope. 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:34.039 Waiting for me. 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.740 An inheritance. 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:36.859 Grace. 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.839 That God has. 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:40.079 Indwelt me with his spirit. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.680 To overcome sin. 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:46.279 And when you start playing that. 00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:49.320 It's the knowledge of the truth. 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.940 Of the gospel of grace. 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:54.560 And the effect of that over time. 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:57.380 Godliness. 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.500 Look back in the Bible. 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.259 In the text. 00:27:02.340 --> 00:27:04.240 For the sake of the faith of God's elect. 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:05.360 And their knowledge of the truth. 00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:07.400 Which accords with godliness. 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.380 We've looked at faith. 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:10.840 We've looked at knowledge. 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:12.659 Now let's look at this word. 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:13.759 Godliness. 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:16.259 Godliness is a word that just means like. 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:16.839 God centeredness. 00:27:17.959 --> 00:27:18.220 That I'm. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.720 That I'm living my life. 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.339 With. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.379 God at the middle of everything. 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.259 Or. 00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:24.859 Or God likeness. 00:27:25.179 --> 00:27:25.379 Like. 00:27:25.679 --> 00:27:28.099 I am seeking to be like my holy God. 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:34.079 What we see happening here. 00:27:34.199 --> 00:27:36.299 Is a very important connection. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.519 Paul. 00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:40.799 Wants us to see something. 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.199 That. 00:27:42.199 --> 00:27:43.720 The knowledge. 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.539 Of the truth. 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.419 Of the gospel. 00:27:45.419 --> 00:27:46.399 Of grace. 00:27:47.959 --> 00:27:49.000 Accords. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.279 With godliness. 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:52.079 Better translated. 00:27:53.439 --> 00:27:54.399 The gospel. 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.319 Truth. 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:57.359 Results. 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:58.740 In godliness. 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.819 It produces. 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.240 Godliness. 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:04.019 When you. 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:05.619 Dwell upon the gospel. 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:07.019 Of God's grace. 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.460 Godliness. 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:07.960 It has. 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.559 It has. 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:08.579 It has. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.639 An effect. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:12.500 It compels you. 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.839 It burdens you. 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:15.240 It motivates you. 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.200 It stirs. 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:16.839 Wants. 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.440 In you. 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.720 To be like. 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.480 Christ. 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:19.620 Christ. 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.140 And so. 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:23.099 This godliness. 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.539 It's dependent. 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.579 On the knowledge. 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.299 Of the truth. 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:29.440 And you can't have one. 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.240 Without the other. 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:33.120 So if you want to be spiritually healthy. 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:36.159 Not only do you have to dwell upon the gospel. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:39.959 It's got to find its way into your life. 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:43.819 And we see that played out throughout the book of Titus. 00:28:44.979 --> 00:28:46.399 In Titus chapter 1. 00:28:46.959 --> 00:28:50.039 The apostle Paul talks about godly leadership in the church. 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.519 Chapter 2. 00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:55.099 He talks about godly members of a household. 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:59.119 And that they live out their godliness because of the gospel. 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:02.019 And we see the similar thing played out in chapter 3. 00:29:02.719 --> 00:29:07.199 That we as Christians are to live in a community with unbelievers. 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:08.259 Non-Christians. 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:12.679 And we're to live a unique way because of the gospel. 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:15.639 What the gospel has done for us. 00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:20.259 We'll develop this more over the next couple weeks. 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:28.859 God wants his grace to be having a transformation. 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:30.759 A personal effect in you. 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.979 And the way to it. 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:36.679 Is to begin by remembering what he's done for you in Jesus. 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:42.500 The last word I want you to key on is the word hope. 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:47.699 We see it in chapter in verse 2. 00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:50.759 In hope of eternal life. 00:29:50.759 --> 00:30:02.460 What's interesting about this section here is that Paul thinks about gospel ministry as the crossroads of eternity. 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:09.960 On one end is eternal life. 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:09.980 Eternal life. 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.819 Future. 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.420 Eternity. 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:18.779 And on the other end we see he talks about promise before the ages began. 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:21.100 Eternity past. 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:34.679 And so what Paul sets up in verses 2 and 3 is our hope now in the present in the crossroads of eternity is established of what's to come. 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:39.860 The promised hope of eternal life. 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:46.019 We live in an intersection. 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:52.080 We live in an intersection between eternity past and eternity future. 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:55.839 And it's called this present age. 00:30:58.519 --> 00:31:01.480 And hope is vital to the Christian in this. 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:05.759 If you find yourself here this morning and you're hopeless. 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:09.140 You've lost sight of eternity. 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:17.400 The solution is the gospel of remembering of what God has done for you in Jesus. 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:22.799 And that the promise of eternal life has been secured to the blood of Jesus. 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:28.160 And that eternal life is yours. 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:32.079 What's key here is this. 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:38.240 Hope is essential to vital spiritual faith. 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:40.139 It's necessary. 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:52.759 So the Apostle Paul frames this whole conversation about connecting the gospel with the grind of life within the context of eternity. 00:31:53.639 --> 00:31:56.259 Eternity past and eternity future. 00:31:56.259 --> 00:32:02.339 The crossroads of eternity is now. 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:05.759 You're living in the crossroads. 00:32:17.099 --> 00:32:18.940 Let me wrap up by saying this. 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:24.700 The people that we have been introduced for to this morning. 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:26.840 God. 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.740 The God of grace. 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:29.120 Paul. 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:31.900 An apostle of Jesus by God's grace. 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:32.940 Titus. 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:35.440 Apostolic delegate by God's grace. 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:37.779 Those Christians in Crete. 00:32:38.340 --> 00:32:39.500 All by God's grace. 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:42.039 The people of grace. 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:44.920 God's radically changed them. 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:46.620 He's changed their eternities. 00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:52.479 And Paul is writing them for the express purpose of their faith. 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:55.719 That it would be grounded in the gospel. 00:32:56.179 --> 00:33:00.639 So that the godliness they're seeking to produce flows from the gospel. 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:03.000 And there's hope. 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.839 Hope in what's to come. 00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:08.619 When we're living in the crossroads. 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:15.239 The book of Titus is God's instruction to us of how to live for him. 00:33:18.239 --> 00:33:19.500 It starts with grace. 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.500 It ends with grace. 00:33:21.659 --> 00:33:22.979 It focuses on the gospel. 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:30.500 Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior is where he starts. 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:33.599 And he closes with grace to you all. 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:37.399 This is a book that starts and ends with grace. 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:40.619 And over the next few weeks. 00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:46.339 My prayer is that you will grow in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 00:33:47.459 --> 00:33:54.740 And that you'll find yourself more and more experiencing a vitality of faith. 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:58.680 That comes from being grounded in the gospel. 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:00.920 Let's pray. 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:05.920 God in heaven we thank you so much for the book of Titus. 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:14.340 Lord I pray over the next few weeks that you would press this book into our hearts. 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.340 The truth of it. 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:20.019 That we would be a people that find ourselves rejoicing more and more. 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:22.099 And the grace that you poured out on us. 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:23.340 And are pouring out on us. 00:34:23.340 --> 00:34:30.260 We ask that God one of the wonders that comes from studying this book. 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:32.760 Is that we would become more and more like you. 00:34:34.200 --> 00:34:39.079 That there would be greater, greater godliness and good works in our midst. 00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:42.340 Because the gospel is central. 00:34:43.800 --> 00:34:46.240 God we ask this all in the name of Jesus. 00:34:47.120 --> 00:34:47.420 Amen.