9. The Whole Gospel for the Whole Person (Titus 3:8-15)

8/14/11

I. Announcements

II. Introduction and Recap

a. We are in our final passage on Titus where Paul concludes his letter and repeats some of his major themes he has been emphasizing throughout.

i. Outline of the book:

1. Instructions for godliness in the Church (1)

2. Instructions for godliness in the Home (2)

3. Instructions for godliness in the World (3)

b. In Paul’s mind there is a clear connection between doctrine and application.

i. He strives to show how the knowledge of the truth accords with godliness.

ii. Recap:

1. Paul is interested in how the knowledge of the truth affects our day to day lives. Remember, the apostle is a practical man. He is interested in how the gospel affects our day to day lives. He isn’t just interested in theory, he is interested in godliness, and he knows that a right knowledge of the truth leads to godliness.

2. Has the message of the gospel affected every part of your life?

c. Paul has a high view of two things:

i. Correct Doctrine.

ii. Correct Living.

iii. Doctrine and Duty go together.

d. Outline of this message:

i. Paul’s Logical Conclusion- The Gospel Leads to Godliness (3:8)

ii. Paul’s Warning about Speech- Avoid Fruitless Discussions (3:9)

iii. Paul’s Warning about Division- Avoid False Teachers (3:10-11)

iv. Paul’s Final Instructions (3:12-15)

III. Paul’s Logical Conclusion- The Gospel Leads to Godliness (3:8)

a. “The saying is trustworthy…”

i. There are five trustworthy sayings in the Pastoral Epistle’s.

b. “Insist on these things”

i. What are “these things?”

ii. Insist on these things!

c. “so that”

i. Paul’s gospel has a “so that”

ii. There is a therefore.

iii. There must be a therefore in your life.

iv. I have heard the gospel, therefore—action!

v. God has been kind to me and shown me grace and generated a work in my heart, therefore.

vi. This conclusion is stated clearly throughout this letter.

1. 1:1- the knowledge of truth accords with godliness.

2. 2:11- the grace of God has appeared…training us to renounce ungodliness, training us to be self-controlled.

3. 3:8- the gospel has taken root…so that those who have believed in God may devote themselves to good works.

d. “Be careful to devote themselves to good works”

i. What kind of good works does Paul have in mind?

ii. Lincoln story (from two weeks ago).

e. Christians who have understood the gospel are to be godly and devote themselves to good works.

i. Paul is guarding against hypocrisy!

ii. Paul wants a whole Christian. He isn’t interested in someone who just believes certain truths, he wants those truths to affect the whole person.

f. Let me explain this in more detail…

i. The Gospel that Paul proclaimed and was delivered to Him from God, affects the whole person—Mind, Heart, and Will.

ii. This is what He does in Titus 3:8.

iii. Paul is after a WHOLE Christian!

IV. Paul’s Warning about Speech- Avoid Fruitless Discussions (3:9)

a. Avoid four things:

i. Foolish controversies.

ii. Genealogies

iii. Dissensions

iv. Quarrels about the Law.

v. Priorities in our speech.

b. Paul is calling for priorities in our speech with each other.

i. We are to guard our speech.

ii. Our speech is to be profitable.

V. Paul’s Warning about Division- Avoid False Teachers (3:10-11)

a. The False teachers were divisive.

i. Remember in chapter 1 there are “many” of them and they are twisted, insubordinate, empty-talkers, deceivers.

ii. Warn him once, then twice, then avoid him.

iii. The person is to have multiple opportunities to repent.

iv. False teaching is damaging.

v. The worst attacks come from within.

vi. They are trying to deceive (26).

vii. God uses false teachers to purge the church.

b. The Lesson: Don’t be divisive.

i. Examples.

i. Stop divisive behavior!

VI. Paul’s Final Instructions (3:12-15)

a. Paul gives his instructions and travel plans, then makes another comment on good works (3:14)

i. V. 14

ii. We need not comment on this further, but you get the idea.

b. “Grace be with you all”

i. Don’t forget that God is for you not against you!

ii. Don’t forget that God has favored you!

VII. Application: The big take away from Titus is that the gospel affects the whole person.

a. Apply the gospel to the whole person.

i. Mind

ii. Heart

iii. Will