Sermons

Sunday, 10 June 2018

…to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:5

Paul continues his instructions to the older women about how they were to admonish the young women. The first admonishment is that they are “to be discreet.” The word signifies “self-controlled.” It is the inner look which regulates outward behavior. This leads to a balance which is godly.

Next, they are instructed to be “chaste.” It signifies holy, pure inside and out, and uncontaminated. This is a state which goes down even to the very heart and center of a person’s being.

After this, he says they are to be “homemakers.” It signifies a “keeper of” or “stayer at” home; and hence, someone who is domestically inclined.

After this Paul notes, “good.” This points to a good nature of the individual whether seen or unseen.

He then says, “obedient to their own husbands.” The idea here is one of submission. Paul explains the family order under Christ in 1 Corinthians 11. As Christ is the Head of man, so man is the head of the woman. The woman is to submit to the husband as is fitting in the Lord. Paul speaks about this in Ephesians 5:22-24 and Colossians 3:18 as well.

Paul then says these things are to be adhered to so “that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” Paul always brings things back to the word of God and its importance in the eyes of all people. The Gospel message is contained there, and in bringing discredit upon the word, the good news of Jesus Christ will suffer and be blasphemed. Through a proper application of these things mentioned by Paul, people will see the woman’s conduct and exalt the word of God. What is thought of in modern society as an ignoble profession, being a wife and a mother, is something ordained by God. It is something that when lived out according to Scripture brings glory to Him.

Life application: The life as a wife in obedience to how Scripture defines it is one of a high and noble calling. It is sad that this has been spoken so vehemently against in our modern world. God is pleased with the faithful, obedient, and submissive wife who tends to her home and cares for her family.

Lord God, thank You for faithful women who are willing to adhere to their role as wives in accord with Your word. You have ordained this special life for them to fill, and it is one in which is honorable and brings You glory when lived as Your word indicates. For those who are faithful to live as is stated there, may You heap an extra special blessing upon them today. Amen.

9 June 2018

…that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, Titus 2:4

Paul continues to write concerning “the older women” of the previous verse, but it is a verse which then transfers instruction to the younger women. To the older women, he exhorts “that they admonish the young women.” Some translations add in the words “to be sober.” In other words, “teach the young women to be sober.” This is not the correct use of this unusual verb. The words “to be sober” should be left out.

Teaching the young women is obviously something that comes after first applying the precepts of verse 3 to their own lives. If they are living unholy lives, it would be best for them to get their lives straight first, and then to admonish the young women. It would be no good for a person who swears all the time to tell the next generation to not go around swearing. With that understanding, the older women who are acting in accord with what is right are to then pass their knowledge of proper living on to those who are younger than them.

They have the life experiences, they know what will bring happiness and contentment, and they exhibit the proper conduct for holy living. It is now time for them to instruct the next generation of young women. In this, Paul tells them to admonish these young women “to love their husbands.”

This is another unique word which signifies a “loving friend.” It is a concept that Paul speaks of elsewhere though. In Ephesians 5:22 & 23, for example. This is especially important, because in the Bible, the family unit is a crucial element of a properly functioning society. As the family unit unites properly, the lives of the people will be more likely to unite properly to their jobs, their society, and etc. A loving wife is then at the heart of making this happen. It is also the reason why those who hate God and His word set out to destroy this fundamental job of young women. The resulting chaos in the extended society becomes a cancer which quickly spreads.

The next admonition from Paul is that the older women are to train the young women to “love their children.” This doesn’t mean like a person loves a dog or a fun movie. It is a love of both nurturing them through tenderness and through discipline. A mother who will not properly discipline wrongdoing is not acting in a loving manner. Again, it is the dream of those who hate God to destroy this precept. Properly disciplining children is spoken against as a type of torture. The murdering of one’s own offspring through abortion is exalted as freedom from bondage, and both the family and the society suffers with each young woman’s turn to these despicable avenues of disobedience to the word of God.

Life application: For proper family life which is in accord with God’s intent, read your Bible and apply it’s precepts to your life. For a negative example of how to live your family life, watch what those on the left want legislated for our society. One is honoring of God; the other shows hatred towards Him and His word.

Heavenly Father, Your word admonishes us to have a loving family unit. Respect between husband and wife; care for, and disciplining of, our children; and a constant application of biblical precepts to our family life. It is these things which will result in a happy family which is productive, and which is beneficial to society. And more, it results in stable people with content lives. Why is it that this is being so ardently spoken against by those who hate You? It is the family which honors You that is the best model for our society. Help us to realize this, and to live our family lives in accord with Your will. Amen.

Friday, 8 June 2018

…the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — Titus 2:3

Paul now turns from “the older men” of the previous verse, to “the older women.” They, likewise, are to “be reverent in behavior.” Paul uses two unique words here. The first indicates behavior or demeanor. It is a compound word which gives the sense of “settled according to a fixed, exact design” (HELPS Word Studies). The second word, indicates a sacred place, such as a temple. Thus the older women are to have behavior which is holy, sacred, and befitting of God.

He then says, “not slanderers.” The same words here, when used with an article, would indicate “the Slanderer,” meaning the Devil. Thus it would be accusers, or those who unjustly criticize and judge others. Such would be backbiters who demonstrate an evil nature as they talk in an ill manner of others.

Next, he says the older women are not to be “given to much wine.” The word he uses indicates “being enslaved by.” Thus, the older women are not to be prisoners to the bottle. They are to be temperature, drink moderately, and avoid drunkenness. They are to remain sober and alert.

Finally, the older women are to be “teachers of good things.” Instead of drinking and being irreverent slanderers, they are to rightly instruct their children, and also any other younger women, in the way to act properly. Their lives and attitudes are to be examples to follow, not examples to quickly avoid.

Life application: We all have choices to make each day. How will we conduct our lives? What words will we speak? What actions will we demonstrate to the world around us? Each thing we do will be seen by those around us, and they will make their determinations about our character – especially our relationship with the Lord – based on those things we do, say, and live out. Let us remember this, and be careful to conduct our lives with the constant remembrance that our commitment to the Lord is a part of the evaluation of our character.

Heavenly Father, the things we say, the things we do, and the lives we live… these are all being looked at by others, and they are being processed in our relation to You. Are we exalting You with our actions? Are we bringing glory to You with our words? Will people say, “I want to know more about Jesus,” because of how they view us? Help us to remember this at all times, and help us to be lights which shine out Your glory for others to see. Amen.

Thursday, 7 June 2018

…that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; Titus 2:2

Paul now states “the things which are proper for sound doctrine” noted in the previous verse. He begins with “the older men.” This is not a category such as the elders in the church. Instead, it is speaking of men of age. His words are especially important in this regard for this category of men because the Christian faith was new to the region. Those who were older had spent their entire lives as pagans, and not only pagans, but such as were described in Chapter 1. They would need to now set a new example. Paul starts the list of that which is proper with the word “sober.”

The word is used three times, and only in the pastoral epistles. It indicates “sober” or “not intoxicated.” Although there is scholarly disagreement on its meaning, this does not mean that a person in such a position could not drink alcohol at all. That would be contrary to the entire body of Scripture in both testaments. Rather, it would extend to mean that they are not to be intoxicated from alcohol. As much as the word speaks of sobriety, it is figuratively used to mean “circumspect.” It is a warning not against drinking alcohol, but allowing any sin to infect his conduct. A person not known for such an attitude was to be rejected.

Next, they are to be “reverent.” The word signifies that which is honorable, or which bears dignity. HELPS Word Studies says that it indicates, “deeply respected because viewed as majestic (having gravity).”

After this, he says they are to be “temperate.” It is a word found four times, and only in the pastoral epistles. It signifies soundness of mind. Such a person is to be well-balanced from God’s perspective. It is a person who lives according to the word of God, setting the boundaries of his life in accord with that word. Thus, a good definition of this word would be “discreet and discerning.” HELPS Word Studies gives the following example: “An opera singer controls the length (quality) of their tones by their diaphragm which even controls the ability to breathe and moderates heartbeat. Hence it regulates (‘brings safety’) to the body, keeping it properly controlled.]”

Paul then says that such are to be “sound in faith.” Those who have called on Christ are to not waffle in their convictions, but are to be steadfast in the faith which they profess. When someone comes to them looking for encouragement during tough times, they are to remind him that Jesus had tougher times, and that He endured them for our sake. Now believers are to be sound in their faith concerning His having prevailed over this life. Further, they are not to tolerate aberrant doctrine which would diminish the faithful life of other believers. They are to hold fast to what is moral, pure, and undefiled.

After this, Paul notes [sound in] love. Older men were to possess love, and convey that love to all. There should be a resolute form of volitional love of the body, and for the lost. But even more, they are to possess the love of God in the highest degree, being grateful to Him for the salvation which He granted to those of the faith.

Finally, Paul says that they are to be [sound in] patience. The word gives the sense of “endurance.” Despite the challenges of life, the older men are to exhibit faithful patience (endurance) in and through them. Thus, they would be examples to the younger men of how to persevere through the challenges that lay ahead for them as well.

Life application: Paul’s words to the older men are not cultural, nor are they temporary for the times of the early church. They are prescriptive writings which are given for the duration of the church age. At all times, older men are to exhibit these qualities, because it is these that reflect what is sound in doctrine. In their example, others should be able to find strength to act in the same manner in their own lives.

Gracious heavenly Father, you have been so very good to us in giving Your Son for our reconciliation to You. Now Lord, help us to respond to that calling, and to live out our lives pursuing sound doctrine leading to holiness. It is holiness to which You have called us, and it is holiness in us which You desire. Therefore, guide us on this beautiful path which You have called us to walk upon. To Your glory we pray. Amen.