Speaker Sermon/Lesson Title Audio   Video  Text     MS Word Bobby Stafford Paul's Final Message to Titus

Paul's Final Message to Titus

Introduction:  Paul brings his letter to Titus 2A close by advising him on how to avoid division in the church and by expressing gratitude for faithful workers.

Text:  Titus 3:9-15, “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. 12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.  15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”

Body:

1.     Avoiding Division (Vs 9-11) 

a.     There were many divisions in the Lord's church during Paul's day - see 1 Corinthians.  These divisions scarred the church and created barriers between Christians.

b.     Foolish questions.  These did not edify people or bring glory to God. Many today focus on questions that have no benefit to faith or practice. 2 Timothy 2:23, “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.”

c.      Genealogies.  A list of the descent of a person from an ancestor.  Who your ancestors were have no relevance concerning your salvation. 1 Timothy 1:3-4, “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia — remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.”  The focus of a Christians life should be the clear teachings of God's word, not useless inquiries about ancestry.

d.     Contentions and strivings about the law. There were many in the 1st century world which contended that much of the mosaic law needed to be continued. Recall the Jerusalem council of Acts 15:1-4, 24.

e.     Unprofitable and useless - without any benefit for the Christian.

f.       Divisive –

                                                              i.      Factious. 1 Corinthians 11:17-18, “Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.” 

                                                            ii.      Forsakes the truth to please himself, 1 Corinthians 3:3, “for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” 

                                                         iii.      God desires unity, 1 Corinthians 1:10-11, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.”

                                                          iv.      After being reprimanded twice the church is to sever the relationship with the individual.  Romans 16:17-19, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”  2 Thessalonians 3:6, “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.”

g.     Warped and sinning - turned away from the word of God. Obstinate in their sins, will not change his ways; Continues to rebel against god.

h.     The church needs to discipline them to save themselves from eternal condemnation.  Jude 8-11, “Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”

2.     Gratitude for faithful workers (VS 12-15)

a.     The wise man Solomon wrote about the value of faithful companions. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.  10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. The apostle Paul knew of the importance of trustworthy coworkers. So he included the names of several.  Titus 3:12-14, “When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. “

b.     The Bible tells many accounts of the need for faithful coworkers.  Aaron and Hur supporting the hands of Moses.  Exodus 17:8-16, “Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand." 10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.  14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." 15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner;  16 for he said, "Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."

c.      Paul mentions Tychicus – one of Paul's assistants.  Ephesians 6:21-22, “But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.”

d.     Priscilla and Aquila had preached at Ephesus and Corinth, Acts 18.

3.     Characteristics of faithful coworkers

a.     Dependable and reliable. Acts 20: 1-5. each member of Christ body depends on the other members to help get the work done.  Note Phoebe in Romans 16:2.

b.     Encouraging and supportive - Ecclesiastes 4:10. Also Acts 28:15.

c.      Love the truth of God's word - 2 John 4, 3 John 3. 

d.     Soul winners - proverbs 11: 30; Matthew 4: 19.

4.     Conclusion:  Paul and his letter to Titus with an emphasis on good works. He urges these Christians to meet the needs of other people. We need to abound in good works. Philippians 4: 17, revelation 14: 13.  We need to be zealous so as not to be ashamed at christ's coming 1 John 2: 28

 

Prepared by Bobby Stafford

The church of Christ at Granby, MO

Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109

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