October 31, 2021

TITUS: THE CHANGE ORDER

October 31, 2021

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Have you ever made a major change in life? Perhaps you moved from the place of your birth, where so many memories had been made. Did you learn lessons that have served you well since then?

Paul, called to be an apostle by Jesus Christ after His return to heaven, brought a Gentile, Titus, to faith in Christ, and began a relationship that ended only when Paul was eventually beheaded. His letter to Titus, written possibly around 64 A.D., magnified the Lord as the example we, as Christ-followers, should always use as our pattern for living. Paul reminds Titus that the believers should be so changed from their old life that they bear the Fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) because they are now rooted in God. We are not saved by our works, but when a change of allegiance from a life of sin to one of salvation through Jesus Christ occurs, our new nature produces the fruits of good works, which testify of our new life.

Focal Passage: The Book of Titus

 We have a calling to be different in a difficult world

  • Read Titus 3:1-2. Paul uses Christ as our pattern throughout the book of Titus. Why is it good to apply “remind them” to our lives in this age? Why can it be so difficult at times to submit to authority? What should we be doing for the authorities in our culture (Read 1 Tim. 2:1-2)? When can we resist them? Were the days Titus lived easier than our present time? Why or why not?
  • How can you be “ready for good works”? Read Phil. 4:8. How can these prepare you to “be ready” to do good works? Why will good works not save you?
  • Slander or fighting may be something you gloss over quickly. However, if you change the words to “gossip” and “arguing” does that possibly convict you? How can you learn to avoid those two sins?
  • How can you teach yourself to intentionally be kind and gentle in all situations of daily life? Read Gal. 5:22-23. If you are rooted securely in Christ, how will the fruits occur? Do you examine yourself routinely for fruit?

Our calling comes from our changing

  • Read Tit. 3:3. These descriptions sound rather harsh, and we may think we never lived like that. Can someone share their testimony? Does it matter whether you were living a life of perversion or simply had not committed your heart to God? Why will they both cause a sinner to go to hell?
  • Read verses 4-5. Why is it so vital to realize that you had nothing to do with deserving your salvation? Read Eph. 2:4-5. What was our condition before salvation? Read 1 Cor. 5:17. What happens when we believe in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, and ask God to save us? Why do we keep using 1 Jn. 1:9?
  • Read Rom. 6:21-23. Does this describe your change when you came to Christ?

This change leads to our hope

  • Read Titus 3:6-7. Did God give you just a small amount of the Holy Spirit? How does Romans 5:1-2 reinforce the truth of the statement in Titus? What is the hope Paul writes of? Does your spirit assure you that you are saved?
  • What does it mean to be justified? Is that a one-time action or continuous? What is sanctification? Is it one-time or continuous?
  • When you gave your life to Christ, did friends remark on the change in you? If so, what did they say? Is it still true today?

Close

The writer to the Hebrews wrote that the Word of God is living, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). The book of Titus is a great example of that living spirit as we read it today and see that it is as pertinent to us in this world as it was at the time of the emperor Nero, possibly the vilest ruler ever to reign over Rome. Can you imagine the plight of the Christians in those days? Realistically, we are seeing hatred toward Christians grow more hostile in this age, so, yes, we probably can understand.

Yet life is uncertain in more ways than having a government that wreaks havoc. We can get in our car and never reach our destination. Our last breath will occur when God ordains, no matter how young or how old we may be. The important question is, are you ready?

Young people may feel as though they have plenty of time to make this crucial decision. It’s up to the parents or guardians to be certain their children understand we can step into eternity in one breath! Some even stress out often as to whether they are saved or not, not realizing that the mere concern can be removed instantly. If they are concerned about the state of their soul, then call out to God (“while it is today,” the writer of Hebrews tells us). In other words, if you are concerned, be certain you believe, repent of your sins, and confess all of them to God, turning your back on them. Be made clean! Then write the date in your Bible, so you can go back anytime Satan tries to bring up your past, point to the date and tell him, “It was taken care of on this date!”

The only thing that will keep you out of heaven, and rob you of eternal life, is your own choice. It is too critical to wait, for you never know what tomorrow will bring. We have seen multiple deaths of loved ones and friends over the past twenty-two months. Don’t take salvation for granted, or hope your good outweighs your bad. “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourself. It is the gift from God, NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9.) Settle it today!

 

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