Sound Christian Living – Part 3 – Titus 2:6-10

Titus verse by verse: Exhortations to young men and servants.

This chapter: The Apostle emphasizes the things that “become sound doctrine”. Our lives are to be an adornment to the truth (note 10b)

The Apostle brings a challenge to each group within the church concerning their Christian duties.

This lesson: Exhortations to the young men and servants

The Principle for Young Men (Vs. 6)

1. ‘sober minded’ = self-controlled, serious & circumspect. Also translated ‘vigilant’ in 1 Tim. 3:2.
   It refers to sober mindedness and spiritual and moral vigilance in all areas of one’s life. (Cloud)
2. Websters: “Regular, calm; not under the influence of passion, serious, solemn and grave
3. Soberness is a prominent theme in this chapter – S. Vs. 2, 4, 6, & 12
4. Note: This mindset is the complete opposite to the philosophy promoted by the world where young men tend to be flippant, loose, unthinking, unwise and unrestrained in their passions.

The Pattern for Young Men (Vs. 7-8)

The Preachers Life (7a)

1. ‘shewing’ = to hold before
2. ‘pattern’ = a type, model. The word originally meant, “an impression made by a die.” Titus was so to live that his life would be like a “spiritual die” that would impress itself on others. (Wiersbe)
3. “good works” = Christian service and conduct
4. 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.’
5. 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 “For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.”
6. 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

The Preachers Doctrine (7b)

In relation to doctrine/teaching, Titus was to model the following three principles:

1. Uncorruptness = not corrupt, pure. Doctrine that is faithful to the Scriptures and not intermingled with error.
   1. Especially important for younger men who are more naturally prone to being lifted up in fleshly pride
   2. Heresy is a work of the flesh: Gal 5:19-20 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,”
   3. Vital that the preacher and the older men (S. Vs 2) are pure in their doctrine
2. Gravity = dignity, venerableness, that which is worthy of respect, that which is honorable.
   1. Same word used in Vs. 2 concerning the aged men.
   2. Same word used for those holding the office of deacon (1 Timothy 3:8).
   3. This refers to the manner of the preacher’s teaching. It should be delivered with solemnity and soberness. The pulpit should not be used as a place for excessive humor (e.g. endless joke telling), questionable statements (e.g. suggestive concepts, blue jokes, toilet talk) or empty waffle (e.g. Ford Vs. Holden, Crowes Vs. Port, Samsung Vs. Iphone)
3. Sincerity = incorrupt, genuine, honest. There is an absence of hypocrisy.

The Preachers Speech (8)

1. ‘sound’ = healthy and wholesome
2. “cannot be condemned” = above reproach, no just cause for accusation

The Precepts for Servants (Vs. 9-10)

Obedience (9a)

1. ‘servant’ = applies to any situation in life where a believer is under service to another. In our day, it would apply directly to the workplace.
2. ‘obedient…please them well in all things” = all lawful things. If we are asked to do something contrary to God’s Word, we must obey the higher law (Acts 5:29)

Respect (9b)

1. “not answering again” = means to dispute, to refuse. Translated ‘contradict’ in Acts 13:45 and “speak against” in John 19:12
2. Refers to one with an argumentative, disrespectful attitude
3. Note: An authority can be appealed to, but it must be in a respectful tone, with a willingness to submit when the final decision is made.

Honesty (10a)

1. “not purloining” = to embezzle. ‘purloin’ literally means to take or carry away for one’s self; hence to steal; to take by theft (Webster).
2. “To purloin or embezzle means “to appropriate fraudulently to one’s own use what is entrusted to one’s care and management. It differs from stealing and robber in this, that the latter imply a wrongful taking of another’s goods, but embezzlement denotes the wrongful appropriation and use of what came into possession by right. It is not uncommon for men entrusted with public money to embezzle it.” (Webster 1828)
3. E.G. misuse of company funds & resources (i.e. a company credit card). Illustration from my previous workplace.

Faithfulness (10b)

1. ‘fidelity’ = faithfulness, careful and exact observance of duty, or performance of obligations. (Webster)
2. Comes from the Greek word ◻◻◻◻◻◻◻(faith)
3. Refers to one who is faithful and dependable. One who has a good work ethic.

Purpose (10c)

1. “adorn the doctrine” = lives that are a good testimony for the truth
2. “As a beautiful picture may be enhanced by an appropriate frame, so we make Christian teaching attractive if we exhibit its power and truth in our lives.” (Kent, Jr.)

Conclusion

Do our lives match our lips? Are we living out our Christian profession practically?

Sermon 6 of 9 in Titus Series

Sermon Audio Id: 73017618281