I. Titus’ Responsibilities Vs. 1, 15
A. Speak Sound Doctrine
1. V. 1- Titus was to speak things which were proper for sound doctrine.
2. Titus 1:10-16 spoke of false teachers. Titus was supposed to be the opposite of them.
a. Teaching sound doctrine is one of the responsibilities of a pastor.
b. In this chapter, the sound doctrine was pointed towards people in the church.
c. Sound doctrine-to be well, to be healthy, the be free from error.
d. The purpose of the teaching was to bring health to the church members.
e. Compare with 1 Timothy 1:3-7. Paul gave the same command to Timothy.
f. Christians need proper teaching for their spiritual, mental, emotional health.
g. Many Christians are mostly influenced by emotions, human logic, or culture.
3. V. 15- Titus was to speak these things with the authority that God had given him.
a. He needed to be reminded about that responsibility and his authority from God
b. The false teachers of Titus 1 would try to stand against him and despise him.
c. Pastors need to be sure of their calling and not be intimidated.
II. Different People Groups In The Church Vs. 2-10
A. Older Men V. 2
1. V. 2-Many times, these commands are corrective because the opposite is true.
2. Sober, reverent, temperate– not given to inebriation, worthy of honor, self-controlled.
3. Sound in faith, in love, in patience-a healthy faith, godly love, persevering under trials
a. Patience- Steadfast and active endurance, not passive waiting.
b. Older men face certain challenges- they lose energy and strength, they lose the drive to accomplish things, they can feel that their best days are behind them. That may cause them to be lazy, or get drunk, feeling useless in this life. Many regrets.
c. Sometimes they retire and are just waiting until they die. They feel unimportant.
d. But spiritually speaking, but they should be in their prime. They have a lifetime of experience and wisdom to pass on to younger men. They have much to offer.
4. The opposite of this would be an older man who gets drunk, dishonorable, impulsive, weak in faith, unloving, and impatient and complaining when life is difficult.
B. Older Women Vs. 3-5
1. V. 3-Reverent in behavior-holiness in clothing, words, mannerism, actions.
a. Not slanderers- diabolos-being a false accuser. Satan is the accuser of the brethren.
b. Not given (doulos) to much wine-End of life regrets can bring alcohol addiction.
c. Teachers of good things-older women have much to teach to younger women.
2. V. 4-Admonish the younger women-Younger women may need strong encouragement to love their husband and children. Marriage and family can be difficult.
a. To love their husbands-love is more than attraction. Younger women can learn to love their husbands in deeper and more appropriate ways.
b. Love their children-there is so much that is natural about a mother loving her children, but children can be challenging, and an older woman can help with this.
3. V. 5a-Holiness as caregivers in the home- Wives can bring wonderful holiness, peace and joy into their homes. An environment of love, grace, kindness, acceptance.
a. There is much that an older woman can teach a younger woman about how to make their home environment the best that it can be.
4. V. 5b-Their holiness would prevent legitimate criticism of the Christian faith.
a. Christians are noticed by the world. When we live ungodly lives, we bring reproach upon Jesus and upon other Christians.
b. Conversely, godly, loving Christians can cause unbelievers to respect Christianity.
C. Young Men V. 6
1. V. 6-sober minded-the way they think, self-controlled in thinking, correct view of self.
2. To have life under control because of correct thinking.
3. The Living Bible- Urge the young men to behave carefully, taking life seriously.
4. A weakness of younger men is their immaturity, and their constant desire to have fun.
D. Titus Needed To Be An Example
1. Titus needed to be an example to the young men.
2. If not, his teaching would not be taken seriously.
3. V. 7-pattern-An example, the mark of a blow from a hammer; the things that they do.
a. What a rare thing to find a younger man who is mature about faith and life.
b. They become an example and a pattern that people point to for others.
4. V. 8- sound speech that can’t be condemned-healthy, truthful; the things that they say
E. Bondservants Vs. 9, 10
1. V. 9- obedient, well pleasing-The opposite of this would be a slave that was disobedient and brought frustration and anger to his master. Not resentful obedience.
2. V. 10-adorn-to make something beautiful, like a bride for her husband.
III. God’s Grace Vs. 11-14
A. It Has Appeared V. 11
1. The grace of God has appeared. That means that the revealing of grace is from God, and it developed by men.
2. The grace of God is for all men, not just for some men.
3. Grace- God’s divine favor and kindness. That which makes things beautiful. That which enables men and women to live right before God and man. It is God’s divine friendship, presence, and assistance. It is for salvation and for daily living.
B. What Grace Teaches Us Vs. 12-14
1. V. 12- God’s grace teaches us how to live. God’s divine presence tells us what to avoid, and it tells us how we should live. It tells us what not to do, and what we should do.
a. It also gives us the desire and ability to turn from sin, and towards godliness.
b. See Philippians 2:12, 13
2. V. 13- God’s grace teaches to look for Jesus
a. Looking for the blessed hope-Looking is not passive, but active. It is not a passive resignation with disinterest, but it is an active expectation. Jesus is our hope and who we are to be looking for.
b. Glorious appearing-We are not told to be looking for heaven, but to be looking for Jesus. We are to look for the appearance of Jesus.
c. Great God and savior Jesus Christ-We are not to be looking for heaven or for an event, but for a person: Jesus Christ. He is our great God and savior.
3. V. 14- Grace teaches us about Jesus
a. Because of God’s grace (undeserved favor), Jesus died for our sins.
b. Through God’s grace, when we say yes to Jesus, we are redeemed (bought back) from every lawless deed we have ever or will ever commit. It speaks of being forgiven from the judgment that we deserve.
c. Through God’s grace, we are purified, not only in the sense of being forgiven, but God purifies our thoughts, intentions, values, actions, and words. His grace works in us to cleanse us and to help us experience lives that look more like Jesus.
d. God’s grace works in us to make us desire godly things, and to make us willing to do godly things.