June 9, 2022
Eyes on the Prize!
Titus 3
Jarred Long
Central Truth
God is SO good. His mercy is what saves us, and we must be ready when called upon. God's grace is consistent throughout the Bible, and we are reminded daily!
Key Verse | Titus 3:5
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3
Be Ready for Every Good Work
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final Instructions and Greetings
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | Titus 3
Most of Paul's letters come with instructions. We see this theme consistent with the beginning of Titus. In Titus 3:1-2, we are reminded of several duties for all Christians to follow. We are to remember that every "ruler" is appointed by God. We are subject to them and must be obedient. When called upon, we must be ready to do good works, not because it will help us toward our salvation, but because we have already been saved.
1 Corinthians 16:14 tells us that everything we do must be done in love. We read a similar thread of thought in Titus 3:2. We are to speak evil of no one, be gentle, and be courteous to ALL people.
The verses of Titus 3:3-5 are probably the most quoted and most important in this chapter of Titus. We are called to remember how we were before life in Christ. There is always someone, somewhere, who can relate to a part of our story before Jesus, and it helps us see how far we've come once we place faith in Him. We must remember that the Holy Spirit has been "poured" out by God from the times of the early church (Acts 2) and we also see this same truth in Romans 5:5.
Titus 3:9-11 are key here as we begin our descent into the third chapter. Paul reminds Titus to refrain from engaging in "worthless" and "unprofitable" quarrels about the law. These things can be distracting from keeping the main thing the main thing. EYES ON THE PRIZE!
We are called to remain focused and on mission, spreading the good news. It's applicable in today's times because there are so many things that the enemy uses to divide us. If we remain steadfast and unified, then we will prevail over any hardship!
Paul finished his letter to Titus with words of encouragement, as Paul often did in his letters. He encouraged those reading to remain faithful in their good works, so that they may sustain others and not be unfruitful. At the very end, we are reminded again of God's goodness and grace!
Discussion Questions
1. What rulers or authorities do you struggle with in your life? (i.e. parent, teacher, spouse, boss, mayor, etc.) How can you pray for them?
2. What distractions keep you from the main thing: loving God and loving people?
3. How did God meet you? Do you trust in His means of salvation for you through Jesus Christ? Why? Why not?