1 a call to authentic relationships titus 3:1-7 message 5 in our series called the epistle to titus...

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A Call to Authentic A Call to Authentic RelationshipsRelationships

Titus 3:1-7Titus 3:1-7

Message 5 in our series called Message 5 in our series called The Epistle to Titus – “Be Faithful”The Epistle to Titus – “Be Faithful”

Sunday, June 6, 2010Sunday, June 6, 2010

Speaker: Doug VirgintSpeaker: Doug Virgint

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Paul’s argument in TitusPaul’s argument in Titus

How can our Church change our How can our Church change our world?world?

Two examples from history:Two examples from history:

• Richard BaxterRichard Baxter

• England under Wesley and WhitfieldEngland under Wesley and Whitfield

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How can our Church change our world?How can our Church change our world?

Titus’ church on Crete was newly planted. Titus’ church on Crete was newly planted. Paul’s main concern was that believers Paul’s main concern was that believers begin living an exemplary Christian life, so begin living an exemplary Christian life, so as to be an example of the grace of God to as to be an example of the grace of God to their pagan neighbors. The essence of Titus their pagan neighbors. The essence of Titus can be summed up thus in the twofold can be summed up thus in the twofold theme of:theme of:

(1) doing good works, especially (1) doing good works, especially

(2) for the sake of outsiders.(2) for the sake of outsiders.

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• authentic leadership authentic leadership (ch. 1)(ch. 1)

• authentic behaviour authentic behaviour (ch. 2)(ch. 2)

• authentic relationships authentic relationships (ch. 3)(ch. 3)

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• Godly leaders Godly leaders (ch. 1)(ch. 1)

(Instruction without godliness will (Instruction without godliness will not not be heeded!)be heeded!)

• Godly relationships within the church Godly relationships within the church (ch. (ch. 2)2)

• Godly interaction with our society Godly interaction with our society (ch. 3)(ch. 3)

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Paul’s argument in Titus Paul’s argument in Titus 33

How can our Church change our world?How can our Church change our world?

• The church is called to model wholesome, The church is called to model wholesome, caring relationships in a culture that no caring relationships in a culture that no longer believes that such friendships are longer believes that such friendships are possible. possible.

• Our calling is to reject that part of our Our calling is to reject that part of our culture that is fueled by a radical culture that is fueled by a radical individualism that selfishly seeks one’s individualism that selfishly seeks one’s own “good” at the expense of one’s own “good” at the expense of one’s neighbor. neighbor.

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Paul’s argument in Titus Paul’s argument in Titus 33


• We have to prove that deep and loyal We have to prove that deep and loyal friendships can exist among those who friendships can exist among those who otherwise have racial, cultural, and otherwise have racial, cultural, and economic differences. economic differences.

• In other words, we are to model the In other words, we are to model the oneness for which Christ prayed. oneness for which Christ prayed.

• It is at this very point that we should be It is at this very point that we should be the most unlike the world.the most unlike the world.

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Outline of Titus 3: 1-7Outline of Titus 3: 1-7

A call for authentic relationships:A call for authentic relationships:

1.1. Our behaviour towards civil Our behaviour towards civil authoritiesauthorities (1)(1)

2.2. Our behaviour towards all people Our behaviour towards all people (2)(2)

3.3. The basis of and empowerment for The basis of and empowerment for such behaviour such behaviour (3-7)(3-7)

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1) Behaviour towards civil 1) Behaviour towards civil authorities authorities (1)(1)

We live in a culture of civil disobedience ...We live in a culture of civil disobedience ...

• The Royal Bank firebombed in OttawaThe Royal Bank firebombed in Ottawa

• Billon dollars for G8 summit security Billon dollars for G8 summit security costscosts

• 50,000 people in Quebec City protest cuts 50,000 people in Quebec City protest cuts in government programs and tax in government programs and tax increasesincreases

• Ste-Catherine street vandalized after 6th Ste-Catherine street vandalized after 6th game of playoffs game of playoffs

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The residents of Crete had quite a The residents of Crete had quite a reputation:reputation:

• “… “… the Cretans consider highway robbery the Cretans consider highway robbery to be honourable.” to be honourable.” (Cicero, 103-43 B.C.)(Cicero, 103-43 B.C.)

• ““So much in fact, do love of shameful So much in fact, do love of shameful profit and greed prevail among them, profit and greed prevail among them, that among all men, Cretans are the only that among all men, Cretans are the only ones in whose estimation no profit is ones in whose estimation no profit is ever disgraceful.” ever disgraceful.” (Polybius, 203-120 B.C.)(Polybius, 203-120 B.C.)

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• ““Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” lazy gluttons.” (Epimenedes, aprox 630-(Epimenedes, aprox 630-500 B.C.)500 B.C.)

• ““Cretism” = “lie”Cretism” = “lie”

• ““to Cretize” = to deceive, to tell liesto Cretize” = to deceive, to tell lies

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• It was well known throughout the It was well known throughout the Roman Empire that Cretans were Roman Empire that Cretans were fretting and fuming under the Roman fretting and fuming under the Roman yoke. yoke. (Polybius, Plutarch)(Polybius, Plutarch)

• It was much more difficult to live under It was much more difficult to live under Roman laws and the Roman tax system Roman laws and the Roman tax system than what we experience in Canada! than what we experience in Canada!

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Two instructions concerning our Two instructions concerning our attitude towards civil authorities:attitude towards civil authorities:

A) A) to be subject – obedientto be subject – obedient

towards rulers – authoritiestowards rulers – authorities

B) B) to be ready to do whatever is to be ready to do whatever is goodgood

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A) A) to be subject – obedientto be subject – obedient

towards rulers – authoritiestowards rulers – authorities

• repetition for emphasisrepetition for emphasis

• not necessary to find nuances in not necessary to find nuances in the the meaning of these wordsmeaning of these words

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A) to be subject – obedientA) to be subject – obedient

In Romans 13, Paul gives 7 reasons In Romans 13, Paul gives 7 reasons we should obey civil authorities:we should obey civil authorities:

Everyone must submit himself to the Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has authority except that which God has established. established.

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The authorities that exist have been The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. bring judgment on themselves.

For rulers hold no terror for those who For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.and he will commend you.

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For he is God's servant to do you For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. wrongdoer.

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because possible punishment but also because of conscience. of conscience.

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This is also why you pay taxes, for the This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.honor, then honor. (Romans 13: 1-7)(Romans 13: 1-7)

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7 reasons we should obey civil authorities :7 reasons we should obey civil authorities :

1.1. the authorities are established by Godthe authorities are established by God

2.2. resisting authority = resisting Godresisting authority = resisting God

3.3. resisting authority = judgment from Godresisting authority = judgment from God

4.4. government is designed to restrain evilgovernment is designed to restrain evil

5.5. government is designed to promote government is designed to promote goodgood

6.6. government has the power to punishgovernment has the power to punish

7.7. we must obey for our conscience’s sakeswe must obey for our conscience’s sakes

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Our Lord’s example :Our Lord’s example :

1.1. The temple taxThe temple tax

2.2. ““Render unto Caesar”Render unto Caesar”

3.3. Our Lord’s subjection to proper Our Lord’s subjection to proper Jewish ceremonial lawJewish ceremonial law

4.4. Our Lord’s own baptismOur Lord’s own baptism

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Some practical examples :Some practical examples :

• paying taxespaying taxes

- income taxes- income taxes

- sales taxes- sales taxes

• traffic regulationstraffic regulations

- stop signs- stop signs

- speed limits- speed limits

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B) to be ready to do whatever is good B) to be ready to do whatever is good (towards rulers – authorities?(towards rulers – authorities?

(towards all men?)(towards all men?)

• a sincere, loving eagerness to a sincere, loving eagerness to perform good deeds toward the perform good deeds toward the people around uspeople around us

““Therefore, as we have opportunity, let Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people …” us do good to all people …” (Gal 6:10)(Gal 6:10)

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2) Behaviour towards all people 2) Behaviour towards all people (2)(2)

Four Christian duties:Four Christian duties:

A) slander no one (speak evil)A) slander no one (speak evil)

B) peaceable (avoid quarrelling)B) peaceable (avoid quarrelling)

C) considerate (gentle)C) considerate (gentle)

D) true humility (show perfect D) true humility (show perfect courtesy)courtesy)

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A) slander no one (speak evil) A) slander no one (speak evil) ((blasphemeoblasphemeo) )

- - 1 Timothy exhorts us to pray for 1 Timothy exhorts us to pray for authoritiesauthorities

-- think about the lack of civility in our think about the lack of civility in our parliamentary institutionsparliamentary institutions

-- think about the way some people think about the way some people speak speak about government officialsabout government officials

-- think about the way we curse at think about the way we curse at othersothers

-- bless, do not cursebless, do not curse

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B) peaceable (avoid quarrelling)B) peaceable (avoid quarrelling)

““If it is possible, as far as it depends on If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”you, live at peace with everyone.”

(Rom 12: 18)(Rom 12: 18)

““People who are always fighting are People who are always fighting are wretched neighbours and citizens.”wretched neighbours and citizens.” (Lenksi)(Lenksi)

• Am I always fighting with someone?Am I always fighting with someone?• Does conflict characterise my life?Does conflict characterise my life?

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C) considerate (gentle)C) considerate (gentle)

sweet reasonableness - yielding – gentlesweet reasonableness - yielding – gentle

no grudges – granting benefit of any no grudges – granting benefit of any doubtdoubt

peaceablepeaceable – outward manifestation– outward manifestation

gentlenessgentleness – inward attitude– inward attitude

The evidence of the Holy Spirit’s workThe evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts in our hearts

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D) true humility (show perfect D) true humility (show perfect courtesy)courtesy)

- - gentlenessgentleness refers to yielding our refers to yielding our rightsrights

- - humilityhumility refers to that temper refers to that temper which which does not make us assert does not make us assert ourselvesourselves

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- “an inwrought grace of the soul, and - “an inwrought grace of the soul, and the exercises of it are first and chiefly the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God”towards God”

-- “that temper of Spirit in which we “that temper of Spirit in which we accept His dealing with us as good, accept His dealing with us as good, and and therefore without disputing or therefore without disputing or resisting… it is only the humble heart resisting… it is only the humble heart which is also the meek, and does not which is also the meek, and does not therefore fight against God and more therefore fight against God and more or less struggle and contend with or less struggle and contend with him.” him.” (Trench(Trench - Synonyms New Testament - Synonyms New Testament))

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- “… an excellent text on Christian - “… an excellent text on Christian citizenship as far as our relationship citizenship as far as our relationship to government, as well as fellow to government, as well as fellow citizens…citizens…

““It rests on the new life that makes It rests on the new life that makes us citizens of heaven.us citizens of heaven.

““Our supreme interest in this world is Our supreme interest in this world is to grace this gospel so as to win men to grace this gospel so as to win men with its banner.” with its banner.” (Lenski)(Lenski)

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Our Lord’s example:Our Lord’s example:

• The woman in SamariaThe woman in Samaria

• The woman caught in adulteryThe woman caught in adultery

• Peter’s restorationPeter’s restoration

"Learn from Me, "Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.“ for I am gentle and humble in heart.“

(Matthew 11:29)(Matthew 11:29)

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3) Basis and empowerment3) Basis and empowerment (3-7)(3-7)

Paul reminds us about two things to Paul reminds us about two things to help us in our attitudes and actions help us in our attitudes and actions toward our neighbours:toward our neighbours:

A) Our former conditionA) Our former condition

B) Our marvellous salvationB) Our marvellous salvation

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A) Our former conditionA) Our former condition

• foolishfoolish (think of Hitler and Nazism – and (think of Hitler and Nazism – and Satan)Satan)

• disobedientdisobedient• deceiveddeceived (purposefully led astray)(purposefully led astray)

• enslavedenslaved (controlled by our passions)(controlled by our passions)

• living in maliceliving in malice (habitual vicious character)(habitual vicious character)

• living in envyliving in envy (always craving for more)(always craving for more)

• hatefulhateful (despising anything standing in our (despising anything standing in our way)way)

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If it is hard to be nice and kind to If it is hard to be nice and kind to people who are hard to get along with people who are hard to get along with ……

just remember how the Lord God acted just remember how the Lord God acted towards us when we were just like towards us when we were just like them!them!

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• kindness and love of Godkindness and love of God• saved ussaved us• his mercyhis mercy• rebirth and renewal of the Spiritrebirth and renewal of the Spirit• poured out generouslypoured out generously• justified by his gracejustified by his grace• heirs with assurance of eternal lifeheirs with assurance of eternal life

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A conclusionA conclusion

““And I want you to stress these things, And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God so that those who have trusted in God may be careful may be careful to devote themselves to to devote themselves to doing what is good.doing what is good.

““These things are excellent and These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” profitable for everyone.” (Verse 8)(Verse 8)

1 a call to authentic relationships titus 3:1-7 message 5 in our series called the epistle to titus...

Documents

titus church

authentic relationships

authentic behaviour

godly relationships

outline of titus

pauls argument

essence of titus

authentic leadership