“Teach what befits sound doctrine…”

Church of Christ at MedinaJune 10th, 2012

The Letter to Titus• Who was Titus?– “…my true child in a common faith.”– “…my brother Titus…”– “…my partner and fellow worker…”

• Titus was…– A Gentile.– Not a proselyte.– Converted by Paul.– A travel companion and useful helper in

the work of the gospel.

Titus 1:42 Cor. 2:132 Cor. 8:3Gal. 2:1-3

2 Cor. 7:5-162 Cor. 8:6

2 Cor. 8:16-23

General Notes on the Letter to Titus

• Purpose– Titus 1:5: “This is why I left you in Crete,

so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” (ESV)

– The letter also provides exhortations on the reasons to serve God. • Titus 2:11-15• Titus 3:3-7

Key Themes and Verses

• One’s deeds will either prove or disprove one’s claim to know God. (1:16)

• It is vitally important to have godly men serving as elders or pastors. (1:5-9)

• The gospel by its nature produces godliness in the lives of believers. There is no legitimate separation between belief and behavior. (1:1, 2:1, 11-14, 3:4-7)

Key Themes and Verses

• True Christian living will commend the gospel to others. (2:5,8,10)

• Good works have an important place in the lives of believers. (2:1-10, 14, 3:1-2, 8, 14)

• It is important to deal clearly and firmly with doctrinal and moral error in the church. (1:10-16, 3:9-11)

• The gospel is the basis for Christian ethics. (2:11-14, 3:3-7)

OutlineA. Opening (1:1-4)B. The Occasion: The Need for Proper Leadership

(1:5-9)C. The Problem: False Teachers (1:10-16)D. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers

(2:1-3:8)– Proper living by age and gender groups (2:1-10)– Gospel basis (2:11-14)– Summary Command (2:15)– Proper living, particularly with respect to outsiders

(3:1-2)– Gospel basis (3:3-7)– Summary Command (3:8)

E. The Problem Restated: False Teachers (3:9-11)F. Closing Exhortations (3:12-15)

The Grace of God (Titus 2:11-15)

God’s grace appeared…1. What is grace?– Charis implied a favor freely done.– Unmerited favor.– Grace is doing something for someone that

needs to be done, which thing he cannot do for himself.

2. Titus 3:4-73. God’s grace appeared in the person and

gospel of Jesus Christ. – 2 Timothy 1:8-10

The Grace of God (Titus 2:11-15)

God’s grace appeared…1. God sent Jesus at the right time.– 1 Timothy 2:3-7– Galatians 4:4– Ephesians 1:10

2. God sent the gospel, which was His eternal plan for men, but revealed after the death of His Son.– Titus 1:1-3– Ephesians 3:1-13– 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

The Grace of God (Titus 2:11-15)God’s grace brought…1. …the gift of salvation.– Titus 3:4-7– Paul often stressed the role of grace in the salvation

that God provides. (Ephesians 2:8)– God’s grace redeems (Titus 2:14).

2. The gift is for all men.– This does not necessitate universal salvation.

(Matthew 7:13-14, 25:34ff, 1 Peter 3:20)– Rather, salvation is available to all men regardless of

nationality (Romans 1:16-17, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9).

– This salvation is provided to all that call on Jesus through obedience. (Acts 2:38-39, Rom. 10:13, Hebrews 5:8-9)

The Grace of God (Titus 2:11-15)

God’s grace teaches…1. …by using negative terms.– Renounce ungodliness.– Renounce worldly lusts.

2. …by using positive terms.– Live soberly.– Live righteously.– Live godly.

Rom. 1:18Jude 15

1 Peter 4:18Titus 3:3

Eph. 2:1-31 Peter 4:1-61 John 2:15-

17

The Grace of God (Titus 2:11-15)

God’s grace inspires…1. …hope.– This is confident expectation. – Our hope is based upon our expectation of

Jesus returning. – Our hope includes our expectation of life

eternal in heaven through the salvation provided by God’s grace.

2. …good works.– God’s grace provides salvation, which should

change us. This change includes our need to be ready to perform good works.

1 Thess. 1:7-9

1 Cor. 15:192 Thess. 2:82 Tim. 4:1,8

Titus 1:2Titus 3:4-7Rom. 2:6-8Eph. 2:10Titus 2:7

Titus 2:14Titus 3:1Titus 3:8

Titus 3:14