Well, good morning, church. If you brought a
Bible, and I hope you did, go ahead and grab
it. We're going to jump right in, turn over to
Titus chapter 2, and find the very last verse
of that chapter, verse 15. This is the verse
I left out of last Sunday's message. And I got
a bunch of questions like, why would you do that,
Jeff? It's because I ran out of time. But also,
it really fits well with what we're talking about
this morning. So I promise to touch on it. Let's
look at it. Titus 2, verse 15. So this morning
what we're going to see is Paul making an interesting
transition in subject matter from chapter 2 to
chapter 3. And for scholars who love the text
of Scripture, these are always exciting things.
We can break up what we call pericopes or units
of thought between Paul doing this and then doing
that. Now, having said that... It might be important
for me to remind you, if you didn't know this,
the chapter divisions in our modern -day Bibles
were first proposed 800 years ago, in the early
13th century. It wasn't until Wycliffe's English
translation in the year 1382 that the chapter
divisions that we have today were standardized.
So obviously they weren't part of the original
text. So when we look at changes in biblical
subject matter between one chapter to the next
in our modern Bibles, we have to be careful that
we don't bifurcate what the author of scripture
was trying to do. Because when Paul wrote this
letter to Titus, it was exactly that. It was
a letter, meaning there was a flow of thought
taking place here. And what he finished up with
in chapter two, is only one stroke of the pen
away from what he wrote at the beginning of chapter
three. So we need to make sure that we recognize
that. So here in verse 15, what Paul's about
to do is sort of finish his thoughts about these
five categories of believers in the churches
of Crete. Remember, he talked about older, men,
good, younger, men, younger, good, older women,
and then, slaves and household servants. Very
good. And the focus there in chapter two was
on the development of their character and how
they relate to one another within the body of
Christ. But also there was sort of a subtle focus
on with an eye to their witness to the world,
that the way that they function within the body
of Christ, and this is important for us today,
how we function in the body of Christ. Does it
dishonor God's word? Or does it adorn the beauty
of the gospel? Does it show how the gospel actually
transforms lives? So that's what Paul's been
doing here in chapter two. So you might look
at this as here in verse 15, he's wrapping up
an internal discussion, a inter -family discussion
between fellow believers. Then when we get to
chapter three, Paul's gonna start looking outside
the walls of the church and he is going to address
a very interesting question. How should the believers
on that island in Crete How should they function
in the midst of the pagan society that they live
in? So we're going from an internal discussion
to an external discussion. But before we jump
into chapter three, let's briefly look at this
verse 15. Everybody there? He says, these things,
Titus, meaning all the things that I've just
written about in this chapter, these things speak
and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let
no one disregard you. Now, this kind of instruction
is common in the pastoral epistles that are written
to both Timothy and Titus. And you see there
three actions commanded. Speak, exhort, and reprove.
Speak, exhort, and reprove. So both Timothy and
Titus were commanded by their mentor, Paul, to
do all three of those things in every place that
they were sent. Number one, speak the truth.
Declare it. Proclaim it. Preach it. Number two,
exhort the people, meaning make sure that they're
paying close attention to your teaching and make
sure they're not just hearers of the word, but
doers of the word. And number three, when necessary,
when the folks aren't responding, when they're
not listening, then reprove them or rebuke them.
And what's interesting in the original Greek,
each of those three verbs that you see on the
screen. are written in what we call the present
active imperative, meaning they are commands,
first of all, and secondly, they're commands
that should be lived out, keyword, continuously.
So literally, it should read, these things, Titus,
keep on speaking, keep on exhorting, and keep
on reproving. Just keep doing it over and over
again. And then Paul adds, keep on doing these
things with all authority. and don't let anybody
disregard you. Now, that's a heavy thing to lay
on a young pastor like Titus. Paul says, look,
when you instruct the people, Titus, your words
carry authority. Not just because you represent
me and my apostolic authority, but the very authority
of the Lord himself when you teach from his word.
Now, give me a moment to unpack some of the implications
of what Paul's saying in this verse. First of
all, let me say for some churchgoers, This idea
of authority might bring back bad memories from
your past because abuse of authority in the church
is a very real thing. We all probably know somebody
who has been hurt in the past. And far too often,
unqualified men who have character flaws somehow
are able to grab the reins of power and they
end up damaging churches and hurting people.
And if that describes you at some place somewhere
in your past, When you hear an instruction like
this, wield your authority and don't let people
disregard you, it might like feed that fear of
submitting to church leadership. But we have
to realize that just because some men have abused
their power, it doesn't mean that we can ignore
all of the New Testament instructions we have
about how leadership is established. Because
God does call men like Titus. to do these things,
to teach and to shepherd, and yes, to correct
church members using the authority of Scripture.
And he calls church members to submit to that
leadership and not disregard those that he put
in place. Both those things have to happen at
the same time, right? Here's the thing. When
authority in the church is stewarded properly
and when it's executed with care, it blesses
and protects the people that it covers. And that
is the goal we see in scripture and that is what
we strive to do in our leadership here at Oak
Hill. So what this requires is for churches to
show great care and great discernment when they
examine the character of the men they're considering
for leadership positions. That is a process that
needs to move slowly and carefully. Too many
times in church life I've seen people get rushed
into positions for all the wrong reasons and
it doesn't end well. This is why I think Paul
is, what he's getting at here when he says to
Titus, don't let anyone disregard you. This is
actually a character thing. Some have misconstrued
this statement, I think. Some people think that
Paul is saying, hey, Titus, as you're teaching,
don't let people push you around. I don't think
that's what he's saying. The way I read it is
this. Titus, be such an example of godliness
that people won't be able to disregard you because
your life backs up your teaching. They'll have
nothing to accuse you of. And the reason I think
that's the right interpretation is because Paul
writes something similar to Timothy in 1 Timothy
4. He says, let no one look down on you or disregard
you, Timothy, because of your youthfulness. Now,
how is a young pastor supposed to make sure that
doesn't happen? Is he supposed to run around
and thump his chest and say, stop disregarding
me? That's not what Paul says because in the
very next sentence he says, in your speech, your
conduct, your love, your faith, and your purity,
show yourself to be an example. That's how you
make sure that people don't disregard you as
a leader, your life. When church leaders are
men of character and it shows up in their lives,
then submission to them becomes easy and it becomes
desirable because then church members feel cared
for and protected. And that's the goal. So that's
one side of the coin related to this verse. The
other side of the spectrum is this. While there
are certainly unqualified and even abusive leaders
in churches today, there are far more congregants
out there who flat out have no respect for authority.
And they have no intention of submitting to the
leaders that God has placed over them. Too many
churchgoers today act as if they are the customer
to be served by the elders. And that they're,
not that they're called to engage or to serve
or to follow themselves. No, they're to be served.
And the elders are supposed to just give in to
all of their whims. That is very common. If you
go around churches in America, you will find
congregants who say, no, this is my church. We
tell the elders what to do. And so we get it
all backwards. So when their leaders speak, exhort,
and reprove as commanded in Scripture, too many
congregants today feel comfortable just disregarding
them. Just disregarding them. It's all optional,
they believe. I can listen to that teaching or
not. I can apply it or I can ignore it. And by
disregarding those in authority, they actually
disregard God's Word. And that means in reality,
they're not in submission to God himself. And
in order to dodge that serious implication of
that truth, what they do is they look at that
man in authority and say, well, I'm not sure
I want to follow that guy. And we call that spiritual
rebellion. And it's a destroyer of unity in the
church. So when it comes to leadership, And when
it comes to congregations, there's this important
balance that we have to find. There's a, I call
it a delicate dance that everybody has to agree
to and live out. First of all, God calls and
establishes leaders in his church. Second, those
leaders are commanded to employ God's word in
doing those three things, speaking, exhorting,
and reproving. That's not optional for a leader.
Third, church members are called to respect the
office of elder. and to follow after their shepherds
without grumbling or rebellion. And finally,
in return, those leaders are to continually let
their godly character show forth so that they
build trust in the congregation and they function
as good stewards of the responsibility given
them by the Lord as under shepherds under the
great shepherd. All of those things have to happen
at one time. That is the delicate dance that
we walk. And I have to tell you, here at Oak
Hill, you guys are doing an amazing job. Every
elder here would affirm that for the last 18
years, this has been done beautifully, and we
need to continuously talk about these things
and make sure that we're all on the same page.
Okay, so much more can be said about authority
and leadership, but I have to leave it there
because we have to get on to chapter three. So
if you're not there yet, Turn over to chapter
three. Oh, it's right there. Okay, good. Chapter
three. Okay, now as I shared earlier, Paul's
about to make this shift in direction. Having
dealt with internal matters among the believers,
he's now gonna look outside the walls of the
church. How should the believers in Crete, and
we looked at, remember the character of Cretans?
What that society was like? How are these newer
believers, because the gospel would have just
come there recently, how are they supposed to
function in the midst of this very pagan society?
Now, the section we're going to read, actually
the pericope runs all the way through verse 8.
But as I was looking at it this week, verses
4 through 7, guys, some of the richest language
in the entire New Testament. So I couldn't just
skim over it. So what we're going to do today
is focus on just the first three verses. We'll
come back to verses four through eight next Sunday
and give them the attention that they really
deserve because they are beautiful. But let's
read together all the way through verse eight.
Verse one, remember or remind them, Titus, to
be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient,
to be ready for every good deed, to malign no
one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration
for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves,
disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts
and pleasures, spending our life in malice and
envy, hateful, hating one another. But, but,
when the kindness of God our Savior and His love
for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the
basis of deeds, which we have done in righteousness,
but according to what? His mercy. By the washing
of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
whom he poured out upon us richly through Jesus
Christ our Savior, so that being justified by
his grace, we would be made heirs according to
the hope of eternal life. That may take me two
Sundays. I'm just saying. I mean, the language,
right, is so beautiful. Verse 8, finishing, this
is a trustworthy statement. And concerning these
things, I want you to speak confidently. so that
those who believe God will be careful to engage
in good deeds. These things are good and profitable
for men. So just a quick outline on these eight
verses. The first thing you see there, verses
one through two, is our obligation to the public
good and our posture towards unbelievers. Very
important. The second thing you see there in
verse three is a reminder of what you and I used
to be before we met Christ. And that's important
to understand. Then in verse four through seven,
this incredibly rich statement about how God
has saved us. And then finally in verse eight,
we have this instruction about going out as witnesses
in the power of the gospel, both speaking truth
and backing up what we say with good deeds. So
it's a beautiful outline. Friends, this is how
we're to live in the midst of a pagan culture
like Crete or Southern California. Are we under
the impression that our culture in Southern California
is any better than Crete? This is incredibly
practical for us. With all the opinions out there
about this strategy or that strategy to reach
people for Christ, it's actually not complicated
and it hasn't changed since the days of the apostles.
And as you look at these eight verses, you look
at that outline, take note of this. It's not
about political candidates. And it's not about
passing laws. It's not about planning protests
or fighting culture wars. It's not about us trying
to impose our moral values upon the culture.
It's about sinners being transformed by the gospel
and over time then seeing culture change from
the inside out. That has always been the strategy.
And that should be our strategy today. Amen?
Okay, let's dig in. I'm actually gonna start
a little bit out of order here. I actually wanna
start with verse three, okay? That's the description
of who every one of us used to be in varying
degrees before Christ drew us to himself and
saved us and began this sanctifying work in us
by his spirit. So look at verse three. These
are six characteristics listed there. that describe
just the average unredeemed man or woman. These
things describe the average person that you're
gonna bump into in daily life in Santa Clarita.
We don't often think in these terms, but this
is the theological truth. They are foolish and
disobedient, and they're deceived or led astray.
They're enslaved by lust and pleasure. They live
in malice and envy, and they are filled with
hate. Now, this morning, I'm not going to walk
through those six things. We'll do that next
Sunday. But for today, it's important that we
acknowledge the truth of this verse for two reasons.
Number one, we have to remember who we used to
be so that when we now go out into the culture
as believers, we know exactly what to expect
because we were once there. Does that make sense?
I mean, how easy is it for us today? To go online
and look at the news and to get frustrated and
get angry and be filled with a sense of disgust
about what's happening in our culture. It's a
world of confusion and criminality and perversion
and selfishness. It is an absolute mess, we all
agree. But of all people, why would we be surprised
by that? Of all the people, why would we be surprised
by that? Paul says, that used to be you. That
used to be you. Before Christ plucked you out
of darkness, that used to be you. So why are
you surprised by the depravity all around you?
That's the first reason we need to acknowledge
who we used to be. The second reason is because
remembering who we once were helps us to see
sinners in a different light. It enables us to
treat ungodly people with grace and compassion
instead of anger and resentment. Which doesn't
please God. Because we know why they act out
like they do. We look at the world, we know why.
It's because people are spiritually blind. They're
dead in their sins. They live according to their
own will and their own desires. That's why they
need the gospel. So we're not surprised by it.
So keeping this in mind will help us to respond.
to sinners with love and good deeds. Even if
they mistreat us or they make fun of us or they
falsely accuse us of things, in those moments
as they do that, we can simply remember who we
once were and say, yep, I get it. I get it. That
used to be me. So verse three is important for
us, for our mindset, our heart set as we look
out at our world. Does that make sense? Okay,
so now let's go back up to the top, back up to
verse one. And let's see exactly what God calls
us to be and do in our pagan society. Now, fair
warning, some of you may be upset by what Paul
prescribes here. It may not line up with the
way you see things in our culture right now.
Because I know that many of us are passionate
about seeing our society and our culture turned
in a more politically and socially conservative
direction. We want to see sanity return to our
culture. We want to see crime actually punished.
We want to see our immigration laws enforced.
We want to see people acknowledge and live by
their biological gender. We all want that. I
get it. I want those things too. Frankly, if
those things happened, it would be a net positive
for me and my family and our church if just basic
common sense and commonly held values come back
to America. We can agree on that. But friends,
that is not the ultimate answer. Turning conservative
politically or socially is not the ultimate answer
to our problems. And we need to acknowledge this
truth because nowhere in the New Testament do
we see God exhorting us to turn to political
solutions or to social movements as a means of
changing culture. You're not gonna find that
in any of the letters. Not even in pagan Rome
were first century Christians told to do those
things. Not even under the wickedness of Nero
were first century Christians commanded to try
to impose a moral code on all of society. That
is not the emphasis in the pages of scripture.
And so looking back at, I don't know, the last
eight years in America, It's interesting to consider
the questions about how things have shifted left
and right in our world. Ask the question, has
the political cult of Trumpism helped or hurt
our witness among unbelievers? Has the Christian
nationalist movement of the last couple years
aided in our sharing of the gospel or scared
people away from it? How's the growing trend
of hatred for Jews and immigrants among professing
Christians in right -wing circles being interpreted
by those outside the walls of the church? These
things are happening out there. Has it helped
us or has it hurt our witness? I think you know
the answer to that question. And listen, I'm
all for winning hearts and minds in the public
square of ideas. I love that. And I love to see
true biblical principles put out into the public
square to give them a fair hearing. But what's
happening so much right now is we are mixing
Christianity with political ideologies. And by
doing that, we're muddying the waters and we're
creating confusion in the minds of unbelievers.
They don't even know what true biblical Christianity
is anymore because it's so closely now associated
with these political and social movements. We've
muddied the waters. I also think that political
ideologies can lead us down all kinds of rabbit
holes that end up in sin. especially online,
where ungodly things and ungodly ideas fester
and grow if we're not careful. The truth is,
what our perverted, crime -ridden, sinful society
needs is a changed heart. It needs new life and
a new nature and new affections. And that only
happens, friends, when we introduce them to the
Savior. That's the only way. So, like I said,
you may be upset at that. That may bug you. You
may think, ah, hold on a second. I don't know
if I want to look at Paul's prescription for
this, but we have to look at it. Let's see what
he says. Look at verse 1 here in chapter 3. Here's
Paul's recommendation to Titus about how we should
live in a pagan society. And the first verse
could make you angry. It could frustrate you
because of what we're dealing with in America.
He says, remind them to be subject to the rulers,
to the authorities, and to be obedient. Right?
That sort of hurts. Like, really? These guys?
Yeah. And notice he says, remind them. So this
wasn't a new teaching for the believers in Crete.
By the way, that's what we're called to do as
church leaders, constantly remind you guys. about
our obligations, right, to the Lord and obligations
to our culture. Constantly reminding. This is
what Paul's doing. And in this case, it's a reminder
for the believers in Crete to seek the public
good. To seek the public good in obedience as
good citizens. Right? That's what it says. And
it's the same call that goes out to us here in
Santa Clarita as citizens of America. Right?
We're to seek the public good. By obediently
submitting to the governing authorities. But
listen and know this, as Christians, we're always
going to be frustrated and disappointed by government.
100 % of the time. If you haven't dealt with
that in your heart, do it today. You're going
to be frustrated and disappointed. Why? Because
no administration on either side of the aisle
is ever going to govern righteously. It's just
not going to happen. But think about this. In
Paul's day, it was so much worse than anything
we've seen. In spite of all the craziness in
the last couple decades, that was so much worse.
We're talking about Roman rulers were absolute
tyrants. A legal code that was completely arbitrary
and unfair. All of society was governed based
on power and wealth and class. And yet still
consistent all the way through the New Testament.
is this command to be subject to rulers. How
do you explain that? Even Jesus, remember? They
handed him a coin. What did he say? Get that
trash out of here. Slapped it out of the guy's
hand, right? No. He looked at it and he said,
pay your tax to the state. But wait, hold on
a second. Isn't that the image on that coin idolatrous?
Yeah, from a Jewish perspective, yeah, pay your
tax. But wait, the Roman authorities are going
to collect that tax and use it for ungodly things.
True. But still, render unto Caesar what is Caesar's,
Jesus said. I don't have time to go deep into
it, but the first seven verses in Romans 13 are
really instructive for us. Government is designed
and established by God, so when you resist that
authority, you're resisting God. So let government
do what God designed it to do, Paul says. Let
it restrain evil and punish wrongdoers. But wait,
Jeff, it's not doing their job. They're not doing
their job. They're not doing it well. Again,
that is always going to be the case, friends,
because it's imperfect. It's people. But Paul
made no exceptions to this principle in Titus
3 or Romans 13, not even for a godless psychopath
like Nero. No exception. Not even all the Greek
lands that Paul was traveling to where governments
were known for corruption. So I think here's
the bottom line, and let me just say this clearly.
We as Christians should not be lawbreakers. And
we should not be living in rebellion against
authority. Number one, because it's displeasing
to God. And number two, because we're to be a
blessing in the place that God has put us. We're
to be a blessing. And if we're lawbreakers and
if we're rebels, then we are not a blessing.
to the place that God has planted us. In fact,
we become quite the opposite. I think that's
what Paul's getting at here. Now, is there a
time for us to disobey government? Of course.
We know this principle, right? We know this.
When we're commanded to do something that would
cause us to disobey God, we have to say no. And
we have this archetypal example in Acts chapter
five to guide us on this, right? The religious
authorities in Jerusalem, they arrest John and
Peter and they say, we told you to stop preaching
about this Jesus guy, so stop it. And they said
what? Sorry, we have to obey God rather than
men. And then what happened? They were punished.
They were flogged. And yet they rejoiced in their
punishment. Why? Because they honored the Lord.
They obeyed God's command and they kept on doing
it. Then they went right back out and went preaching
in the temple courts because God had commanded
that. So yes, there is a time. And by the way,
this happened during the COVID era. We saw this,
right? When the state turns against the church
and begins to tell the church that they can't
do what God has commanded us to do. And in those
cases. What do we do? We stand our ground and
we do what we have to do and be willing to suffer
the consequences. But other than that, we are
to be subject to the authorities. We are to obey
in every possible case that we can obey. To be
a blessing to the public, good to the citizenry
of the place where God has us. Where God has
you right now, you know this is part of a sovereign
plan, right? It's not an accident that you live
in this valley. So take a look at where God has
put you and be a blessing. Okay. By the way,
just to supplement what Paul is saying to Titus,
how many of you guys listened carefully to the
call to worship this morning that Kenny read
from 1 Peter 2? Peter makes an interesting case
in that passage. He starts with this amazing
statement in 1 Peter 2. He says, did you know
as the church you're a holy nation and a royal
priesthood? You're all priests. Congratulations.
You're all priests. That's what the church is.
What's the function of a priest? To bring people
to God. That's what we do. That's what the body
of Christ is called to do in the New Testament
era. We usher people into the presence of God.
And as a royal priesthood, we go out there and
we proclaim the excellencies of the one who called
us out of darkness and into his marvelous light.
It has got to be our goal and desire as priests
to show others that light that we've received.
But what happens if we don't do this, if we posture
ourselves as enemies of the culture that we're
trying to reach? Who then is gonna usher them
into the presence of God? Christians do this
at times, right? We're so harsh, we're so judgmental,
we forget who we once were, and we posture ourselves
as enemies of the very people we're supposed
to reach. So behind the preaching of the gospel
has to be a posture of grace and compassion,
knowing that the folks out there are spiritually
blind and need help to see. And along with that
posture and proclamation has to come a unique
way of living. that makes what we say believable.
We have to build platforms from which we can
talk about Jesus with integrity. People look
at our lives. Are you building a platform where
you can actually speak with integrity about how
Jesus has changed your life? And to that end,
Peter writes, keep your behavior excellent among
the Gentiles. Why? So that they'll see your good
works, they'll see your good lives, and they
will glorify God. So in all the places that you
go in this valley, in all the daily contacts
you have with people, be mindful of your role
as a priest. Be mindful of that. To bring people
to God, to show them that light. And then, by
the way, Peter also hits on the same theme that
Paul does in Titus 3 and Romans 13 in this particular
passage. He says, here's one of the ways that
you can be an effective witness for the gospel.
Submit yourselves, for the Lord's sake, to every
human institution, whether to a king as the one
in authority or to the governors as sent by him.
This is part of our effective witnessing strategy
when people see us do this well, when we're good
citizens, when we obey. He finishes that section
by saying, honor all people, even sinners. Honor
all people and honor the king. This is the life
we're supposed to live in the midst of a pagan
society. These are things we're supposed to be
known for. And then in verse 2, if you look at
verse 2 in our text in Titus, Paul then piles
on the teaching by laying out four more commands
that describe how our posture should be towards
the world. And these are four things that when
you look at them, you're like, well, those are
obvious things. But friends, listen, in our frustration
and in our anger about the condition of our culture
right now, it's possible that we can forget these
things because we get worked up. Because we want
things to change. We want to see things get better.
So we sit and we stare at our computer screens
and we get all worked up and then we forget this
is how we're supposed to be as believers. And
the first one is this. Stop maligning people.
That word means to slander them or to speak evil
of them. Don't treat people with contempt. Not
your leaders, not those in authority, not your
neighbor. We're not to be known for being slanderers,
treating people with contempt. And sadly, professing
Christians are sort of known for this. I mean,
I know it's a bit of a stereotype, but we're
kind of known for this. I'm not saying those
of us in this room, but when others who profess
Christ become this way, it affects all of our
witness, doesn't it? So whether it's deserved
or not, we have a reputation for being condescending
and sometimes cruel towards those who don't share
our values. And we do that even though we were
once one of them. So what does that say? It says
we're arrogant now. God saved us and now we can
look down on other people. At least that's what
they feel. So you gotta be aware of that as a
priest. Somehow we forget that the minds of the
people out there are blinded by the God of this
world. We forget that we really can't hold them
to the same standard of values that we have because
they don't have the Holy Spirit. We forget it.
Now, we have every right and even an obligation
in some cases to call sin, sin, to say that is
wrong, that is sinful. We can name it. We can
call people to repentance. As long as the motivation
behind that is love, we can and should call people
to repentance. But how we approach those folks,
how we approach that situation matters. Is our
practice just to rip into people for their lifestyles
with slanderous words? Or do we graciously seek
their good by showing them a better way? Those
are two completely different things. The sin
is the sin. We can call it out, but how we get
there, how we approach it, makes a huge difference.
We're not responsible for the results, but we
are responsible for what's going on in our own
hearts as we approach sinners. Amen? So we don't
malign people. Number two, we're to be peaceable.
That means we're to avoid quarreling with folks
in the world. The literal translation of this
word used here is to be not contentious. And
again, I realize it's hard for us to see the
world and our culture spiraling down. But we're
not to respond to that truth by just being combative
with everyone. We should guard our hearts from
feeling offended by everything that we see because
unsaved people are gonna act like unsaved people.
And we should expect that, right? And we should
seek peace. I'm gonna come back to that in just
a little bit because here's the thing, you guys.
If we're gonna be contending for truth in this
culture, there's gonna be times when we have
to argue. And when we argue, we should argue
in a godly fashion. So hold that thought. We'll
come back to it. The third thing here is we're
to be gentle. We should be patient with sinners
because we know their nature. One commentator
sums up the word that Paul uses here. It's a
very unique word. He calls it sweet reasonableness.
Think about that. Do the people in your life
see you with that disposition? Sweet reasonableness.
Or do they see you as somebody that comes off
grumbly and argumentative and hostile all the
time? We should be gentle. Number four, we're
to show every consideration for all men or all
people. In some translations that says we should
show them perfect courtesy, having a mildness
of disposition. And the idea is that in all of
our dealings with those in the culture, we should
be under the control of the Holy Spirit. responding
graciously and kindly even if we feel like we've
been wronged. By God's grace, we should be gracious
in return to fellow citizens and neighbors and
especially towards those who don't yet know Christ.
So this is challenging, isn't it? In the world
we live in, this is really challenging. It sort
of flips upside down all of our feelings about
what's happening around us and sort of reorients
us and says, hey, hold on a second. Do you remember
who you once were? How are you now approaching
unsaved people? What's your heart posture towards
them? It's very important. On the final bit of
time we have left, I want to talk about conflict
and about disagreement and how we can strive
to argue with others in a godly way. This is
a great skill to have, and it takes practice.
I wrote this last night, and the whole time I
was writing, I was thinking, I need to get better
at this. I'm still learning how to do this well.
Because if you're competitive like me, you like
to win arguments, this is a real temptation.
But we've got to be able to argue in a way that
builds that platform so that we can bring the
gospel to bear. And I should start by acknowledging
that, guys, we probably live in the most contentious
period of human history, just interpersonally,
because we live in the internet age. I'm fully
convinced that when the new heavens and the new
earth come into being, there's going to be this
point where everybody said, that's where it went
all awry, the internet. And I can say that because
I existed before the internet. Everything changed.
I mean, honestly, what a crossroads for humanity.
And then on top of that, social media. Again,
I existed long before social media. So we now
live every day in a post -truth world where everybody's
opinion seems to be valid. All you have to do
is have the right platform and the right number
of followers, right? We live in a world where
nothing is any more objectively true, where no
institution or person can be trusted. We live
in the age of conspiracy theories. We live in
the era of outrage over every little thing, the
era of building brands and getting clicks. Oh,
and finding mic drop moments rather than having
extended loving conversations. We just want sound
bites now. Everything is, man, if you put on
a video, you're like, oh my goodness, it's six
minutes long. I don't have time for that. I need
30 seconds. This is the world we live in right
now. So in the midst of all that, Christians
have to figure out how to disagree with people
and have debates in a way that honors the Lord.
So as we've seen already in today's text, some
types of arguing are sinful. We sin because we're
not to be quarrelsome, but peaceable. The Bible
also condemns arguing about things that aren't
worth arguing about. Right? They're called foolish
controversies in the New Testament. Avoid them.
They're not worth arguing over. And obviously,
we can fall into ungodly anger, which James condemns,
right? The type of anger that leads us to engage
in very unbiblical arguments. But there is a
way that we can disagree with unbelievers. There
is a way that we can call them to repentance
and argue in both a godly way and a productive
way. And Jesus actually models this for us. In
all of the challenges that he lays out against
his opponents, Jesus models this for us. He doesn't
get angry. But he does challenge people. Paul
often argued with others about the truthfulness
of the scriptures. Remember, Peter's the one
who exhorts us, always be ready to give a defense
for what you believe. But with what? With gentleness.
We're told to contend for the faith. Contending
usually means you're battling for something.
But we need to do it in a godly fashion. Pastors
and elders are called to defend biblical doctrine.
We're called to refute false teachers. That is
going to require arguing. So at the end of the
day, I think there's three questions that we
should be asking whenever we choose to engage
in an argument. Here they are. Whoop, there it
is. Number one, ask yourself, what's motivating
me to want to argue about this? Do I really think
it's worth arguing over? Is my motivation for
this right? Or is it selfish? It's a good start.
Before you jump into the argument, why? And is
it worth it? Number two, am I arguing from a
place of humility? Or am I arguing from a place
of pride and contentiousness? In other words,
am I after a fight? Or am I approaching this
with... Not false humility, but real humility.
To actually have a personal interaction with,
I'll call them an opponent. To get to know them,
to hear them, to understand where they're coming
from in humility. Third, am I arguing for truth
and for God's glory? Or is there some other reason
going on that I'm really, really after self -glory?
Because I really like to win arguments. I really
like to outthink people. Or out -logic them.
And I just want to crush them. We can fall into
that trap. So those are really good questions.
This is a foundation for why we choose to argue.
But then I've got a whole bunch of other principles
here. Are you ready? If you want, you can take
a picture. Some people take pictures of those
things if you want to. A whole bunch of other
things. And by the way, these principles, let
me just say this carefully. They don't apply
just to conversations, verbal conversations.
Also to your typing. In fact, some of you do
more typing than you do speaking these days.
And we will give an account for every word that
we speak and every word that we type before the
Lord someday. So you know this happens, right?
There's the real person, then there's the online
persona. There's the real person who will often
engage in a more friendly way, and then there's
the crazy person behind the keyboard who feels
comfortable saying almost anything. So guard
your heart in this. This is both about verbal
and about online. So first principle, treat the
other person with dignity and respect. If you
want to argue in a godly fashion, treat that
person across the table with dignity and respect.
If we're not in control of our emotions, It is
so easy to get angry and lose sight of the humanity
of that person. They are now just a person to
be overcome. And if we're not careful in that,
we will end up using ad hominem attacks, using
slander and name -calling. And so know this principle.
Attack the issue. Attack the false idea. Attack
the sinful thing. Don't attack the person or
their character and inflame that argument. so
that it becomes something ungodly. Okay? Always
know who you represent. Christians should be
better than that. That's number one. Number two,
be a good listener. Be a good listener for the
sake of understanding. Nothing shuts down a debate
faster than when a person feels like he's not
even listening to me. Right, you've probably
had this experience. Maybe it's a gospel conversation
and this person is not even listening. They just
wanna get their next point out. Well, we can
do that as Christians. Remember, what are you
trying to win? An argument? You're trying to
win someone's heart. So listen to them. Listen
for the sake of understanding. James says this,
be quick to listen and slow to speak. And actually,
nothing is gonna win you more respect from your
opponent. than when they feel you're truly trying
to understand them. I mean, look, if you just
want to slam people, then don't listen. But if
you want to actually win the argument in a way
that draws them into the truth of the gospel,
show them that respect. Show them that you're
really listening and you're trying to understand.
And sometimes, even when you do this, you will
find, you know what, we have more in common than
we thought. And you can build on that common
ground in your argument. Number three, in a similar
vein, treat the opposing argument with integrity
and with charity. Okay? Don't twist their logic
into something they actually haven't claimed.
Have you ever seen people do this? They'll make
a statement, you're like, so what you're saying
is, and then you twist the logic and make it
sound really terrible. We call that strawmanning.
You're gonna strawman other people's positions.
They haven't said that, so don't put words in
their mouth. It doesn't make you look good. Actually,
what it does is it causes you to lose your integrity
and it hurts your witness in front of unbelievers.
Honestly, my most common suggestion to anyone
who finds themselves in a argument situation
or a debate situation is to ask way more questions
than you make assertions. Ask people questions.
Let them share where they're coming from. Oftentimes
they trap themselves, don't they? You can actually
politely corner somebody by asking follow -up
questions to the point where they realize, uh
-oh, my logic isn't very good. But you've done
it with grace and with politeness, and then you
can ease into your assertions in that conversation.
Ask questions. Don't be the one that's constantly
lecturing. Ask questions. Seek to understand.
Make sense? Number four. Stay cool and remember
who you represent. You are an ambassador for
Christ in that conversation, in that argument.
Paul tells Timothy, the Lord's bondservant must
be patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting
those in opposition. That's great advice. Now,
that doesn't mean we're so gentle that we sacrifice
truth, but we cannot revile our opponent. When
you disagree, you've got to measure both your
words and your tone, and you've got to pray throughout
that conversation that the Spirit would prevent
you from being so combative, so combative that
you actually drive people away. Keep the goal
foremost in your mind. You're an ambassador for
Christ, so how you represent him is actually
of utmost importance because you're not responsible
for the results, only the method in which you
employ. I know so many, If you're a fan of YouTube
and you watch debates, Christian debates, I've
watched probably too many of them, but I like
to hear the arguments. You know what's interesting
is you have some guys out there who are debaters,
and they have millions of subscribers, and they
are super smart, and they're well -equipped,
but you know what? They're absolute jerks. I
wouldn't want to be associated with them. They're
not kind, they're not gentle, and they don't
reflect Christ well. That's very common. So they
might win the debate, but based on how they come
across to the audience, no thank you. That's
called winning the battle and losing the war.
It happens all the time. Fifth, remember who
the real enemy is. For our struggle is not against
flesh and blood, Paul says in Ephesians 6. There's
something going on behind the person you're speaking
with. So if I'm gonna demonize somebody, demonize
the demons. Not that image bearer who's just
spiritually blind and struggling. Don't demonize
him. Demonize the demons. They're the ones who
are actually exercising authority in that situation.
Just remember that. And finally, number six.
This is one that I struggle with. Know when to
walk away. Know when to walk away. Sometimes
the attitude of your opponent, his combative
nature, his utter foolishness is going to be
a signal to you that, you know what, this argument
is not going anywhere good. We're not going anywhere
positive here. And as Jesus once said, there
are going to be times in your life where you
say, you know what, I'm not going to throw any
more pearls before swine. And I'm going to dust
off my sandals and I'm going to move on, right?
Because all they want to do is argue. All they
want to do is trample on these pearls that you're
trying to throw out. So employ wisdom in those
scenarios. First, who should I engage with? And
second, for how long? Is this conversation fruitful
or not? Those are really important things to
consider. Okay. There's a lot to learn here,
isn't there? Good, Minnie's taking a picture.
I love it. It's great. Now, next week we'll look
into verses four through eight. For today, I
just want you to take home just... This important
thought, simple but important. Ask yourself,
what is your heart posture towards the culture
around you today? What do you think of it? How
do you approach it? Is it marked by hostility
or anger or judgment? Are we standing apart from
our neighbors with cold indifference or are we
just seething inside about what we see? Or do
we see opportunities? Man, when things get darker,
guess what? The light gets brighter. These are
opportunities. Opportunities to draw distinctions
between people. Opportunities to talk about darkness
and light. Opportunities to talk about true peace
and joy in this life and the life to come. Do
those possibilities excite you? A chance to be
an ambassador for Christ? to take the very same
message that saved you and share it with somebody
else, these things should get us excited. In
every aspect of our lives as Christians, guys,
we've got to keep that evangelistic goal in the
forefront of our minds. Even in the little moments
of life, you may think that you sit down at a
restaurant and this waiter or waitress comes
up, and you may think that's an insignificant
moment. It might not be. Are you thinking with
evangelism in mind? in all of your interactions.
Yes, that means verbally proclaiming Jesus, but
it also means showing the world in word and deed
what a redeemed life looks like. What does a
redeemed life look like this week for you? Where
you're happily in submission to authority, where
you're eager to do good deeds in service to others,
where you're seeking the public good, a life
where you're not and slandering people, where
you're seeking peace. You're seeking to be kind
and gentle to those around you. Even in our disagreements
with people, in the way we disagree. Can you
disagree and argue in a way that makes them go,
you know what? Even though we don't see eye to
eye, there's something different about the way
that person just argued with me. What a compliment
would it be for someone to say that? You know
what? We don't see eye to eye, but. He or she
listened to me. They actually cared. That's how
you win arguments. Ambassadors for Christ, faithfully
representing the Savior. Amen? I'm gonna send
you into a time of quiet reflection because I
know I probably just ruffled some feathers. So
if you would, bow your heads and I don't know,
talk to the Lord about anything that came up
in this passage or in the message that you need
to confess or you need to just talk to the lord
about i'll give you a few moments and then grant
will close us in prayer