Thank you for continuing to stand in honor of
God's Word. Though we are going to be examining
Titus chapter 3 verses 12 through 15 to conclude
our study in this epistle today, we're actually
going to start all the way back in chapter 1
and verse 1 with our reading. I do feel that
it will be very beneficial for us to do so, and
it is not a terribly long book, so it shouldn't
take us but a moment to read the entire book
once again. Beginning in Titus chapter 1 and
verse 1, Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle
of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen
of God and the knowledge of the truth which is
according to godliness, in the hope of eternal
life which God, who cannot lie, promised long
ages ago, but at the proper time manifested even
his word, in the proclamation with which I was
entrusted according to the commandment of God
our Savior, to Titus, my true child. in a common
faith, grace and peace from God the Father and
Christ Jesus our Savior. For this reason I left
you in Crete, that you would set in order what
remains and appoint elders in every city as I
directed you. Namely, if any man is above reproach,
the husband of one wife, having children who
believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
For the overseer must be above reproach as God's
steward. not self -will, not quick -tempered,
not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond
of sordid game, but hospitable, loving what is
good, sensible, just, devout, self -controlled,
holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance
with the teaching, so that he will be able both
to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those
who contradict. For there are many rebellious
men. Empty talkers and deceivers, especially
those of the circumcision, who must be silenced
because they are upsetting whole families, teaching
things they should not teach for the sake of
sordid gain. One of themselves, a prophet of
their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil
beasts, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true.
For this reason, reprove them severely so that
they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention
to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn
away from the truth. To the pure, all things
are pure. But to those who are defiled and unbelieving,
nothing is pure, but both their mind and their
conscience are defiled. They profess to know
God, but by their deeds they deny him, being
detestable and disobedient and worthless for
any good deed. But as for you, speak the things
which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men
are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound
in faith and love and perseverance. Older women
likewise are to be reverent in their behavior,
not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine,
teaching what is good, so that they may encourage
the young women to love their husbands, to love
their children, to be sensible, pure, workers
at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands,
so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
Likewise, urge the young men to be sensible.
In all things, show yourself. to be an example
of good deeds with purity and doctrine, dignified,
sound in speech, which is beyond reproach, so
that the opponent will be put to shame, having
nothing bad to say about us. Urge bond slaves
to be subject to their own masters in everything,
to be well -pleasing, not argumentative, not
pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that
they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior
in every respect. For the grace of God has appeared,
bringing salvation to all men. instructing us
to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to
live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the
present age, looking for the blessed hope and
the appearing of the glory of our great God and
Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave himself for us
to redeem us from every lawless deed and to purify
for himself a people for his own possession,
zealous for good deeds. These things speak and
exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no
one disregard you. remind them 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 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 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. This is a trustworthy
statement concerning these things. I want you
to speak confidently so that those who have believed
God will be careful to engage in good deeds.
These things are good and profitable for men,
but avoid foolish controversies and genealogies
and strife and disputes about the law, for they
are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious
man after a first and second warning, knowing
that such a man is perverted and is sinning,
being self -condemned. And our passage for today.
When I send Artemis or Tychicus to you, make
every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for
I have decided to spend the winter there. Diligently
help Zenos the lawyer and Apollos on their way,
so that nothing is lacking for them. Our people
must learn to engage in good deeds, to meet pressing
needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. All
who are with me greet you. Greet those who love
us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Let's
pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the grace
you've shown us in your son. And we thank you
for the transforming power of the gospel at work
among your people. We praise you that you have
not left us as we once were, but have called
us to live as a holy people in the midst of a
dark and hostile world. Lord Jesus, thank you
for redeeming your church. and for binding us
together in your truth, in your love, and in
good works. Cause us to adorn your doctrine not
merely with our lips, but with lives marked by
humility, unity, service, and genuine care for
one another. Holy Spirit, we ask that you would
accompany the preaching of your word today. Renew
our minds, strengthen our fellowship, guard us
from selfishness and division, and produce within
us fruitful lives that display the beauty of
Christ to the world around us. Lord, may your
church be strengthened, encouraged, and conform
more fully to your image today. These things
we ask in Jesus' powerful name. Amen. Please
be seated. Having read the whole of Paul's letter
to Titus this morning, I hope we've been reminded
of its context and its central theme. I'm sure
that now that we've been in this... This will
be our eighth week, our eighth and final week
in the letter of Paul to Titus. I'm sure there
are certain things as I read through that, those
46 verses that make up this letter. I'm sure
there were certain things that stood out to you,
certain phrases that may have caught your attention
as we have emphasized those things as we've made
our way through this very helpful letter. Certainly,
the theme of Titus is one that is difficult to
miss because Paul is so good about reminding
us of its purpose. This short, this brief letter
is rich with instruction. It's regarding the
order of the church, how Christ's church should
be ordered, how it should be structured, and
it includes much instruction about the way that
believers should lead their lives, making it
very practical, very applicable, and very helpful
for us. Throughout our study of this epistle,
we've noted Paul's primary emphasis that sound
doctrine must produce godly living, that the
grace of God not only saves sinners, it transforms
them, that believers are, as he puts it in chapter
2 and verse 10, that believers are to adorn the
doctrine of God our Savior in every respect,
that our lives should beautify the gospel. Paul
consistently returns to this language. He notes
phrases like good deeds and good works. He talks
about purity and sound doctrine, dignity and
self -control. Continually, the Spirit -inspired
author of this short letter encourages godliness
in our lives. Consider how often these ideas
appear throughout the letter. In chapter 1 and
verse 8, elders are to be lovers of what is good.
What a wonderful requirement for someone who
seeks to lead in the church that they would love.
What is good? Proactively seeking those things
which are good. In chapter 1 and verse 16, false
teachers, when contrasted to these elders, are
called worthless for any good deed. Believers
are told in chapter 2 and verse 10, as we mentioned
earlier, to adorn the doctrine of God. And also
in chapter 2 and verse 14, It's mentioned that
Christ has redeemed a people who are, quote,
zealous for good deeds. Zealous. I've been accused
of displaying zeal in my life at times. And I
wonder how often I've been accused of showing
that zeal for good deeds. In chapter 3 and verse
1, where we studied just last week, we learned
that Christians are to be ready for every. Titus
is told to speak confidently about these things
so that believers will engage in good deeds in
chapter 3 and verse 8. And now here in our closing
section of the letter, Paul again commands believers
to, quote, engage in good deeds to meet pressing
needs. The Christian life is not merely about
doctrinal and theological correctness. Don't
get me wrong, doctrinal and theological correctness
are good things, but the Christian life is not
merely about those things. We're not called to
an intellectual understanding of these truths
only. We're not supposed to pursue right thinking
for the sole purpose of increasing our knowledge.
After all, Paul writes, actually in 1 Corinthians,
that knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.
By the grace of God, the gospel truths we believe
and profess must be visibly demonstrated in the
church and by its members. When we look at this
passage, verses 12 through 15, there are four
verses here. It might be tempting for us, To
view these verses as being somewhat inconsequential,
we may be tempted to see them simply as travel
plans and personal greetings. To some of us,
these closing verses may read like the typical
ending to any other letter between friends or
colleagues. Yet we know that all Scripture is
inspired by God, right? That all of it is profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for
training in righteousness. so that the man of
God may be adequate, equipped for every what?
Good work, right? Paul, of course, writes that
to Timothy in another of the pastorals. I would
argue that these seemingly ordinary details,
these final words that almost seem to be Paul's
way of signing off, I would argue that they provide
us with a beautiful and living portrait. of grace
-shaped church life. I would argue that in these
final few verses, we see the marks of corporate
godliness within the church. The ultimate proof
of a church having been transformed by grace
is not merely sound doctrine that its members
confess with their lips. It's a church body that's
devoted to mutual care, to godly living. and
sacrificial service. It's a group of believers
who are engaged in good works, who are leading
fruitful lives to the glory of our Lord. So,
how does grace -shaped, gospel -centered church
life actually look in practice? Because it's
one thing to talk about it. It's one thing for
us to sit week in and week out and to hear that
we're supposed to be A people who are committed
to good works. It's one thing for us, even though
we're receiving this admonition, even though
we're receiving these instructions, it's easy
for us to just think about these things. But
seeing them in practice helps us to know how
we should be acting. What are the marks of corporate
godliness? Verse 12. is where Paul begins to
show us the answer to that question, not through
abstract theology alone, but through the ordinary
sacrificial rhythms of life together in the church.
I would help you in this way by saying that if
you're taking notes, that the first heading is
simply this, the corporate need for sacrificial
flexibility and wise living. the corporate need
for sacrificial flexibility and wise living.
Verse 12, let's read it again. When I send Artemis
or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come
to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend
the winter there. Here in verse 12, we see the
relational cost of faithful church life on display.
You know, there is a cost to being faithful.
to being a faithful member of a congregation.
There is expense involved. No doubt Titus had
developed deep relationships with the believers
on Crete. I remember many years ago there was
a particular minister who served in Edwards County
and he had served faithfully for many years.
He was a good and godly man at a particular congregation
here in Edwards County. And he belonged to a
particular denomination that had a tendency to
wait until a minister was doing a wonderful job
in a church and getting attached to his people
and building the church up and then moving him
right along to the next church. Now, don't get
me wrong. We'll see in a moment why sometimes
that might be necessary. But I do remember the
cost associated with that particular minister
leaving that church and how it was very difficult.
for that congregation to leave, that man had
developed deep, meaningful relationships with
the members of his congregation. That man was,
in my opinion, leading them in a godly fashion
and doing a wonderful job of discipling his people,
and yet he was called upon by his denomination
to move to a different congregation. In the same
way, I think Titus... It probably developed those
deep, meaningful relationships with the people
on the island of Crete. Think about the difficulty
of ministering in Crete. Think about how hard
that was for Titus and how difficult it was also
for those faithful members of those churches.
And here in verse 12, Paul says, when I send
Artemis or Tychicus to you, make every effort
to come. to me at Nicopolis. It doesn't take
a rocket scientist to deduce that Paul is calling
Titus away from his ministry on Crete. You see,
I think I can relate to this, maybe not to the
same extent, but I hope I can relate to this,
and I hope the other pastors and elders here
at Grace can relate to this. The congregants
in those churches scattered all around the island
of Crete mattered to Titus. They mattered to
him because they had become his people, right?
And he had become their guy. And I can imagine
the difficulty of being told that he's going
to be called away from them. Paul calls Titus
away. for what appears to be the broader needs
of ministry. I'm sure that's why Paul needs him.
You have to remember, Paul is running around
all over the Roman world, planning churches,
encouraging congregations, and he needs help
from Titus, this true child of his in a common
faith. At the same time, and this is good to
see, Paul... does demonstrate genuine pastoral
concern for those churches. He ensures that they're
not going to be neglected. He says that he's
not going to leave these congregations abandoned
without a shepherd. Instead, he plans to send
Artemis or Tychicus to minister in Crete in Titus'
place. In doing so, Paul shows concern for continuity,
for stability, the ongoing health of the churches
in Crete. But no doubt, this is a difficult thing.
for these people, and for Titus himself. When
he tells Titus to join him at Nicopolis, he's
telling Titus that he is about to leave Crete.
And it would be hard. It would require sacrificial
flexibility from both Titus and his congregations,
the churches he was ministering to in Crete.
Both faithful ministers and healthy churches
understand that gospel ministry often requires
sacrifice. If we were to say that there is a
mark of corporate godliness, by corporate I just
mean the body, that there is a mark of corporate
godliness, perhaps this is one of them, that
they realize ministry is bigger than personal
preference or individual comfort. Godliness sometimes
requires flexibility. Sometimes we will be inconvenienced.
Sometimes we will be required to make difficult
transitions for the good of the whole body. At
times, local congregations may be called upon
to release beloved ministers so needs elsewhere
in Christ's kingdom can be met. No doubt you've
heard of churches doing church plants. What often
happens in a church plant? Certain people among
the church are chosen to go and plant the new
church in a different location, geographically
speaking. And that would be difficult. It would
be sacrificial on both the part of the congregants
who are going to remain and those congregants
who are going to leave. Imagine the discomfort
of leaving. I mean, believe it or not, and I
know I come across as a social butterfly, but
I actually get a fair amount of social anxiety
when I'm around a large group of people. That
might seem strange to you that I would say that,
but it is most certainly the truth. Sometimes
I just want to retreat to my room. That happens
sometimes. And I cannot imagine at this point
in my own life, I cannot imagine after having
put in the time and the work, the effort to get
to the point we're at now at Grace Fellowship
Church, I can't imagine how hard it would be
for me to be called away. But a mark of corporate
godliness in the church is that we're willing
to do those things. Sometimes we just have to
do hard things. And we know that we can do this
because God gives us the grace to accomplish
it. At times, local congregations may be called
upon to release beloved ministers so needs elsewhere
can be met. In those moments, the church must
be willing to prioritize the larger work of Christ
over... personal attachment or familiarity. There's
no question about that. This kind of godliness
has very practical implications for church life
today. Sometimes ministry disrupts our routines
and inconveniences our preferences. It is very
easy as a church, especially, I would argue,
especially in southeastern Illinois or southwestern
Indiana, where we all tend to think very much
alike. It is easy for us to think, I'm good.
Right? It's easy for us to start to think that
way. I know I'm that way. I often joke with my
wife that if I have the privilege of retiring
one day, I'm going to disappear. I'm going to
go disappear. I mean, it'll be in Edwards County,
Lord willing. But I just want to fade away. And
really, the only time I want to be seen is when
I come to church. I tell her that often, and
it's jokingly, but it's kind of true. The more
she deals with the public, the more she starts
to think like me. But sometimes our personal
desires must yield to the needs of others. Philippians
2, 3 -4 reminds us, Do nothing from selfish or
empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard
one another as more important. than yourselves.
This doesn't just have to be about a minister
leaving his congregation. This doesn't just have
to be about certain congregants being called
away perhaps to plant a new church. This might
very well mean that we have to learn to put others'
preferences above our own even as we all hang
out here together. A healthy church is filled
with believers who willingly embrace sacrifice
so others may be cared for more faithfully. Whether
we're facing difficult circumstances within the
church, adapting to changing ministry needs,
or surrendering personal preferences for the
good of others, godliness calls us to be willing
servants rather than stubborn consumers. That
is a mark. of godliness within the corporate
context of the church. And I'd like to read it
again. Godliness calls us to be willing servants
rather than stubborn consumers. Perhaps you've
been around people who have taken on a consumeristic
mentality. You may have seen that. It's kind
of common in the world today. And perhaps you've
even seen that in the church. And you've seen
the devastating consequences. of a people who
are marked by consumerism. Now, I'm not necessarily
talking about materialism. I'm not talking about
the tendency to want things. I'm talking about
the desire to consume rather than to serve. We're
just speaking, Kyle and I were just speaking
with someone the other day. And I mentioned that
I'd like to have a church full of deacons. Not
every one of them fulfilling the office of the
deacon, but every one of them who is a willing
servant. Imagine the lack of friction there would
be in a congregation if the people were all about
the purpose of serving one another. Everyone's
needs would be met, even those who are actively
serving, because as they serve someone else within
the church, their needs also are being met. by
those who have decided to serve them. A group
of people who have set aside their own pride,
their own desires, a people who have learned
to serve because they love the church. So I would
ask, are we willing to endure personal inconvenience
so the wider church family is strengthened and
cared for? Are we the kind of congregation willing
to embrace sacrifice for the sake of Christ and
his kingdom? There are times on the weekends
when my wife tells me that we have plans, and
I say, oh good. I don't really mean it, but I
say, oh good. And it's hard for me sometimes,
because I don't often want to do things on the
weekends. I'm sure many of you know that feeling.
Just practically speaking, that is very good
for me. It is very sanctifying for me. Because
it makes me uncomfortable and it reminds me that
this is not about me. And it's easy for me. I
work a lot of hours. I do. I'll admit it to you.
I probably am a little bit addicted to my work.
I love what I do. And I like spending time. doing
what I do. But it's good for me to have to set
down that thing that I love so much, my work,
right? It's good for me to have to put that down
sometimes and to do what my wife and my children
and my church need me to do. Because ultimately,
this is not about my comfort. This is not about
my interests. It's about serving the body. Are
we the kind of congregation that's willing to
embrace sacrifice for the sake of Christ and
his kingdom? We might even ask, are our ministers,
the four men who oversee this body, are we willing
to be joyful, to model? joyful obedience and
sacrificial service before the flock. I'm not
calling anybody out. I'm just saying we need
to question ourselves. We need to ask. In addition
to the church's need for sacrificial flexibility,
we must also note something wonderfully practical
in this passage. It's something in verse 12 that
I think we would be tempted to just... because
it's really not on the nose, but it's definitely
there. In verse 12, near the end, referring to
Nicopolis, Paul writes, I have decided to spend
the winter there. You may be thinking, Dustin,
where are you going with this? Notice first what
Paul does not say. Paul doesn't claim to have
received some mystical vision. Here. There was
no supernatural sign from God about where he
should go, and he did not receive his itinerary
via angelic revelation or visitation. Paul has
simply made a wise decision about where he'll
spend the winter. And again, this may seem mundane.
This may seem... consequential to us. But I really
believe this is an important detail in this passage,
especially for some of our young people. And
I've hit on this before, but I think it bears
repeating. And it's not just for the young people,
but young people, I do think it applies to you
in a very profound way. Many believers seem to
be paralyzed by fear over decision making. They
fear choosing the wrong school. They fear choosing
the wrong job. They fear choosing the wrong place
to live or the wrong person to marry or accepting
the wrong opportunities. In some ways, many Christians,
especially young believers, seem to be waiting
for some type of mystical certainty before they
are willing to act. Godliness, however, does
not produce fearful paralysis. It produces wise,
trusting confidence. You've seen this, and I
think in large part this has become an issue
in the church since the time that charismaticism
really started to get a stranglehold on broader
evangelicalism. This idea that somehow I have
to know the will of God. Think of Proverbs 3,
5, and 6. My kids love to sing our little song.
I have no idea where we came up with it. I'm
sure we stole it from somebody, but I don't remember
for sure, and I will save you and me both the
humiliation of singing it for you. But Proverbs
3, 5, and 6 says, Trust in the Lord with all
your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will
make your paths straight. Romans 12, 2, and do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind so that you may
prove what the will of God is, that which is
good and acceptable and perfect. Going back to
Proverbs chapter 16 and verse 9, the mind of
man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
This is a biblical pattern. We could find other
proof texts and cite them. that godliness in
our lives should produce wise, trusting confidence.
The reality about our decision -making process
is this. If you're walking with Christ, if you
are immersed in His Word, if you are loving His
church, and if you are seeking godly wisdom,
not only from His Word, but even from godly men
and women, who have more experience than you,
then you can make good decisions, wise decisions.
You can live in wisdom. You don't have to fear
ordinary decisions. You're not going to accidentally
overthrow God's sovereignty. And when you make
a mistake, when you do make the wrong decision,
because you will, at times, make poor choices,
guess what? God's sovereignty still applies.
So if we want to live in wisdom, if we want to
be a people who are sacrificially flexible, if
we want to be a people who make wise decisions,
we just have to know God. We have to know His
Word. We don't have to beseech God for a clear
answer on every decision of our lives. Should
I choose this school or should I choose this
school? Should I go into this trade or should
I go into this trade? Oh God, I'm so confused.
I don't know what to do. And certainly there
are times when you will feel that way, but you
should know, Christian, God is providential in
the way that he brings about his will in our
lives. And even when you make poor choices, he
can use those things for your... because he is
a sovereign God who works all things together
for the good of those who love him, for those
who are called according to his purpose. So trust
the Lord, make wise decisions, seek counsel,
and move on. That is freeing. Do you realize
the freedom in that? Rather than spending your
whole life clutching your pearls, wringing your
hands, worrying about every decision you make,
you simply do the best you can. You consult God's
word, you consult godly counsel, and you move
on. And if you mess up, you try it again. So
Paul's spoken here about the need for sacrificial
flexibility. And wise living in the church as
these marks of corporate godliness. Now he moves
on to another of these marks. The corporate duty
of mutual provision. Verse 13, the corporate
duty of mutual provision. Let's read that again.
Diligently help Zenos the lawyer and Apollos
on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.
Here Paul emphasizes the shared responsibility
believers have to provide for and care for one
another within the body of Christ. He commands
the church to actively assist these fellow laborers
in the gospel. Now, I would say that in our context,
culturally speaking, we can take one of two positions
with this. We can be the kind of person who needs
a little bit of help. Someone who does in some
ways need to be provided for. And we can, in
our pride, in our unwillingness to accept hell,
deny those things. Or we can also be the kind
of person who looks at those who are in need
and thinks, what's wrong with you? Right? I think
that there's both of those. Both things exist.
Both types of people exist. I did it. What's
going on here? Pull yourself up. Let's go. Right?
Sometimes we have a tendency to think that way,
or we think, there's no way I would ever let
anyone know what I need. Here we're commanded
to actively assist. Here, in the immediate context,
Titus is... being told that their corporate body,
their church, should help Zenos, the lawyer,
and Apollos. These are traveling ministers. Of
course, we all know Apollos. We all know him.
He was this eloquent, dynamic speaker in the
New Testament church. Zenos, we don't know as
well. We don't really know him. But certainly
he was a traveling companion of Apollos, perhaps
his assistant. The phrase, so that nothing is
lacking, is probably what's most important, though.
Because it communicates thoughtful, intentional
care for their needs. This point reminds me of
the illustration that James employs in James
chapter 2. What use is it, my brethren, if someone
says he has faith but he has no works? Can that
faith save him? If a brother or sister is without
clothing and in need of daily food, and one of
you says to them, go in peace, be warmed and
be filled, and yet you do not give them what
is necessary for... for their body, what use
is that? Even so, faith, if it has no works,
is dead, being by itself. This is not mere sentiment
that Paul is referring to in chapter 3 and verse
13. It's not mere sentiment. It's not passive
concern. It's active responsibility that's expressed
through loving action. It is easy. It is easy
for those of us who like to talk. It's easy for
us to sound godly, isn't it? We might say things
like, well, I'll be praying for you. We might
say things like, I hope the Lord is able to provide
for you. And that sounds godly, but a mark of
real godliness in the body is that we take action,
that we do something about it. Passages like
this remind us that Christianity is fundamentally
corporate in nature. It is fundamentally corporate
in nature. We are a body. We are Christ's body.
He is our head. And how did he live his life?
He lived sacrificially, didn't he? Modern Christianity
often becomes highly individualistic, but the
New Testament consistently presents the church
as a body and a family of faith. Believers are
called to bear one another's burdens and to meet
one another's needs in love. The apostle writes
in Galatians 6 .2, bear one another's burdens
and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. In Acts
2 .44 -45, we all know this story. And all those
who had believed were together and had all things
in common. What a thought for just a moment.
Wouldn't that be amazing? For a church to have
all things in common. And they began selling
their property and possessions and were sharing
them with all as anyone might have need. In a
healthy church, mutual care becomes one of the
most visible evidences of gospel transformation.
Believers are not abandoned when hardships enter
their lives. Suffering is not ignored. Burdens
are not carried alone. The grace of God produces
a people who willingly move toward one another
in love and sacrifice. So when someone within
our church family has a need, whether financial,
emotional, spiritual, practical, whatever it
is, we should ask ourselves an important question.
Do we instinctively move toward them in loving
care, or do we move away from them in indifference?
Let it never be said of us that we profess to
know God with our lips while denying Him by our
actions. Meeting the needs of fellow believers
is one of the clearest demonstrations of genuine
godliness and Christian love in our fellowship.
Meeting the needs of fellow believers is one
of the clearest demonstrations of genuine godliness
and Christian love in our fellowship. Are you
interested in meeting the needs of fellow believers?
It visibly displays that we belong to Christ.
and have been transformed by his grace. John
13, 34 through 35, you probably remember the
context of John 13. They're in the upper room.
At this point, Jesus has washed the disciples'
feet, which is the lowliest of the lowliest jobs.
The least ranked, the lowest ranked servant in
the household will be the one assigned this task.
Jesus takes a towel, wraps it around his waist,
gets water, goes and washes his disciples' dirty,
disgusting feet. I can't imagine because I'm
a bit of a hypochondriac washing someone's clean
feet. And here is Jesus, the sovereign of the
universe, God incarnate, who takes on the role
of a humble servant and washes his disciples'
feet. And after he's done this, he says a new
commandment I give to you, that you love one
another even as I've loved you, that you also
love one another. By this all men will know that
you are my disciples if you have love for one
another. In what better way, church, can we demonstrate
our love for one another than by diligently helping
and providing for one another? Paul's concern,
however, extends beyond just isolated acts of
kindness, and he tells Titus in verse 14 to develop
a culture of good works. Develop a culture of
good works. Our people must also learn to engage
in good deeds, to meet pressing needs, so that
they will not be unfruitful. Notice his language.
He says, our people. He's speaking collectively.
He has the local church in view. Christianity,
and we've touched on this already, is not merely
private spirituality. It's not just theological
knowledge. It's not only moral aspiration. It
is visible, active, practical love. Notice also,
good works must be learned. I can't speak for
you, and I wouldn't try, but I can speak for
myself and say that learning to do good by others
is a great way to put it. It requires learning.
Paul says believers must learn to engage in good
deeds. Learn to engage in good deeds. Godliness
is cultivated. By God's grace, it is taught and
it is developed in the church over time. It is
not something, by and large, it is not something
that will come to us immediately, but it is something
that we will learn. Christians must train themselves
to recognize and respond to real needs. And this
really connects the entire letter together, doesn't
it? Here, the second to last verse of the whole
book of Titus. Remember Titus 2 .14? Paul said
Christ redeemed a people, we mentioned it earlier,
who are zealous for good deeds. Good works are
not the cause of salvation. We know this, but
we need to be reminded good works are not the
cause of salvation, but they are the evidence
of it. Ephesians 2, 8 -10, I know I've quoted
it numerous times, but it applies so well. For
by grace you've been saved through faith, and
that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God,
not as a result of works, so that no one may
boast. For we are His workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand, so that we would walk in them. Grace
comes first, resulting in salvation through faith,
and it produces good works. And this should be
a mark of our corporate godliness. That we do
good by one another. That we provide for one
another. That we're flexible for one another.
That we help one another to live wisely in our
lives. Next he says, meet pressing needs. Pressing
needs. These are immediate needs, real world
needs, tangible needs. A mark of corporate godliness
in a healthy church is a membership that notices
people who are lonely. Have you ever thought
about that? Who's lonely in our church? Do you
recognize that? A mark of corporate godliness
in a healthy local church is a membership. That
sees people when they're sick, when they're experiencing
grief, when they're discouraged, when they're
going through financial struggles, when they
have practical hardships and so on. That church
does not merely notice, however. They act. They
respond to those needs by meeting them. Ask yourself
this question. If our church vanished tomorrow,
would there be a noticeable absence of good deeds
in our community? Your elders have been very
purposeful to establish right doctrine. We're
a confessional church. We follow a historic confession
that has been beneficial to the church for hundreds
of years. We have a robust statement of faith.
We have our own set of distinctives. We have
been purposeful in the way that we order our
worship service. committed to the public reading
of Scripture, committed to expository preaching.
We don't sing 7 -11 songs, the same seven words
sung 11 times. We sing good songs. Sometimes
the melodies are hard, especially when you have
to lead them and you don't remember the melody,
but that's for a different time. We do those
things very intentionally, and I would like to
think... that the people who have been exposed
to our worship service notice that. Now, whether
they do or not, I don't know. I can't speak for
them. As important as all those things are, and
they are very important, we were intentional
about them because we saw them as being so important.
But if our church were only known for being doctrinally
sound, And yet people in the world never noticed
our love for one another by the way that we care
for one another, by the way that we meet one
another's needs. We have failed. Do you understand
that? If we are right, but we are living wrongly,
we have failed. And I say that. Feeling a certain
amount of conviction in my own heart as the words
come off my lips. As a church, we should be marked
by godliness. We are the body of Christ. We are
his hands and his feet. We should be doing the
work that he has assigned to us. And yes, that's...
When we go out into the world, when we go door
to door and we share the gospel, we hand out
tracts at the fair, those are great things. But
if all we're doing is professing the gospel and
never accompanying that faith with good works,
just like James said, it's not enough. That faith
is dead if it's not accompanied by good works.
And sometimes those good works... are something
as simple as seeing a brother or sister in Christ
who has lost their spouse and going to their
home on a given night and sitting with them and
letting them cry. Being there for them and listening
to them. Sometimes it's something as simple as
knowing someone has lost their job and slipping
them. A $50 bill. Sometimes it is just that simple.
And it's a demonstration of the reality of your
faith. I mean, there are a myriad of ways that
we can do these good works. And there are different
ways that all of us will be gifted to do those
things. But we should be intentional about doing
them. So again, I ask, if our church vanished
tomorrow, would there be a noticeable absence
of good deeds in our community? Is our church,
is Grace Fellowship Church, I ask you, is our
church developing a culture of good works? Do
we meet pressing needs, the pressing needs of
our fellow congregants? Is the world observing
our love for one another in that way? The final
mark of corporate godliness briefly visible in
this letter can be seen in the way Paul closes
the letter. He demonstrates affection, grace,
and love that's rooted in our common faith. In
the final verse we see this, the corporate bonds
of gospel affection. Verse 15, the corporate
bonds of gospel. of gospel affection. All who
are with me greet you. Greet those who love us
in the faith. Grace be with you all. Paul's final
words are deeply personal. Now you might be tempted
to think, well I've read the way Paul concludes
all of his letters and they are very similar.
It's interesting how similar Paul's letters end.
We might be tempted to think, well this is just
like a signature line at the end of an email
or something. This is just his way of doing it.
But that is not the case. His final words are
deeply personal. You can see that there is warmth
and affection here. He speaks of those who love
us in the faith. This is not superficial friendship.
This is shared life in Christ. Going back to
Jesus' words to his disciples in John 13, by
this all men will know that you are my disciples
if you have love for one another. Gospel grace
creates supernatural affection among believers.
Do you feel affectionately toward other believers?
I would argue that if you are a genuine born
-again Christian, you will feel affection. For
other believers. A desire to be close to them.
A desire to know the intimate details of their
lives. Now I'm not saying we have to run around
telling everybody everything about our lives.
Certainly that's not the case. But in the same
breath, are you concerned? Or is this just one
more thing you check off your list every week?
This is about shared life in Christ. Paul closes
also, though, by writing, grace be with you all.
The final phrase of this beautiful, practical
letter, though addressed to just Titus, closes
with a plural phrase, grace be with you all.
He's speaking not only to Titus, but to the whole
body of believers on Crete with these words.
Paul knows that grace sustains the body. It sustains
the church's unity and its love. Grace sustains
the church's endurance and it makes our good
works possible. Churches cannot survive merely
on organization or activity. We need God's grace
continually at work among us. So when Paul concludes
this letter in this loving way, he is acknowledging
that they need God's grace. You and I need God's
grace because doing good things for others does
not come naturally. Naturally, I want everything
done for myself. Naturally, I want to be served.
Naturally, I do not want to serve others. As
we conclude our study of the letter of Paul to
Titus, it's important for us to remember the
great emphasis, as we mentioned earlier, that
sound doctrine must produce godly living. Guys,
hear me. Sound doctrine should produce godly
living in your life. And I would challenge you
with this. If it is not producing godly living
in your life, you need to prayerfully consider
your position in Christ. Grace creates a holy
people. It creates healthy churches, loving fellowships,
and fruitful lives. As he wrote under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit, Paul's concern throughout
this epistle has never merely been intellectual
precision, external morality, or church efficiency.
His concern has been a transformed people who
adorn the doctrine of God through their lives
together, not as individuals. Certainly there
is an individual element to it. You go out into
the world, you go to school, to church, to work,
or not to church, to work. You go all these different
places throughout the week, and certainly there
is an individual element to it. But when we come
together, we should be marked by corporate godliness.
In order for us to demonstrate corporate godliness
as a body, we must learn good deeds, we must
love one another deeply, we must carry one another's
burdens, we must trust God's sovereignty in our
daily lives, and we must commit ourselves fully
to the life of Christ's church. The world should
not merely hear what we believe, they should
see the transforming power of the gospel in the
way we live together. I told Kyle he had to keep
his announcement short at the beginning of the
service because I had a lot of pages of notes.
And that's the end of them right there. I thought
about this a lot last night as I was wrapping
things up. The tendency among people, the tendency
among Christians, is to think about... ourselves,
to think of our Christianity as it applies to
ourselves, me as an individual. But church, you
are the body of Christ. And I don't think that
point can be driven home too hard. I don't think
that I can overstate the necessity of the church
body. It's why we take membership seriously here
at Grace Fellowship Church. And we should, as
a body, be marked by godliness. We should be
concerned about one another. This should not
be something we do one day a week and feel like
we've accomplished that task and now we can move
on to the work week. And it's tempting to do
that. It is tempting to live that way. But that's
not what you've been called to. If you know the
truth, if your heart has been changed by the
Spirit of God, then your life in the corporate
context of the church as a member of this body
should be marked by good works. Doing good works.
for one another.