Devoted & Disciplined Titus 2:11-14 October 6, 2016

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1 Devoted & Disciplined Titus 2:11-14 October 6, 2016 INTRO: Let me ask you a rather personal question What s your favorite kind of sandwich? What determines the kind/name of a sandwich? While the bread/wrap is important it s the inner content/core that defines the sandwich (so it is in Titus 2:11-15 God s glory- sandwich ) 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. For the GRACE of GOD has appeared

2 v.11 For is a conjunction that connects 2:1-10 & :1 = BUT, as for you teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2:5 = so that the Word of God will not be reviled 2:10 = so they will adorn themselves with the doctrine of God our Savior the Grace of God is: unmerited favor plus the:! Person of Christ! Promise of the Gospel! Power of Salvation! Purpose of Great C s Koinonia! Process of Biblical proportions! People of Radical Redemption! If you don t truly get God s grace you won t truly give God glory! Titus 2:11-14 is ALL about God s Grace & God s Glory!

3 *** This is a message for EVERY:! Citizen! Christian! Church! Culture! Continent A. Pre- Cross we need to GET God s Grace (The INVITATION of Salvation) (The invitation to COME to the Cross ) 1. Bringing salvation for all people (Grace SAVES Grace DELIVERS ) a. See Luke 19:10 b. See John 3:16 c. John 6:44 d. Mark 1:15 e. Ephesians 2:8-10 The ultimate goal of increasing our knowledge of God should be Christian lives characterized by growth in obedience to God s revealed will For this reason Paul clearly connected the practical, behavioral exhortations in 2:2 10 with the profound theological statements of 2:11 15.

4 v.12 = GRACE training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, B. Post- Cross we need to GIVE God Glory! (which is empowered by God s Grace ) (The exhortation to CARRY your cross ) 2. Training us (Grace SANCTIFIES Grace DISCIPLES ) a. To (LEAVE) deny: (in the present age) i. Ungodliness 1. Literally without God 2. Literally unlike God 3. Literally against God s way a. Truth in love revealed b. Holy Scriptures reveals c. Holy Spirit reveals 4. To leave ungodliness is to cleave to Christ it is to embrace grace! ii. Worldly passions (any & ALL)

5 Dietrich Bonhoeffer coined the term "cheap grace." Cheap grace is in reality a self- imparted grace, a pseudo- grace Cheap grace is a contemptible counterfeit. It is a bargain- basement, damaged- goods, washed- out, moth- eaten, second- hand grace. It is a man- made grace... Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Grace alone does everything, they say, and so everything can remain as it was before. No wonder Christians are confused. Christian churches mirror the world; Christian leaders follow the culture; and Christian theologians provide their stamp of approval. The situation is nothing short of deplorable. b. To LIVE (disciple): (in the present age) i. BE- REAL (Inward) Self- controlled lives (sound mind /temperate/discreet) LOOK like Christ! ii. BE- RIGHTEOUS (Outward) Upright lives (just) LIVE like Christ!

6 We do not gather simply to pat ourselves on the back and think about how spiritual we are, or even about how nice God is being to us. We have banded together as a church because Christ is the visible evidence of the salvation- bringing grace of God. It is our assignment to see that men everywhere hear the message of our God who loves them. - Titus: Patterns for Christian Living. iii. BE- RADICAL (Upward) Godly lives (pious/christlike) LOVE like Christ! Walking with the Master Devotional Overcomers! All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:22) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

7 Jesus words of warning may seem strong, but His promises are even stronger! Christ- followers need to realize that we are not going to be the dominant culture. Discipleship in a world turned against God is hard and demanding. Most folks want things simple and easy, and therefore tend to swim with the currents of a sinful culture. The values of love and truth and goodness and grace that Jesus people are called to live by cause us to swim against the current of the dominant cultural agendas and attitudes. So be ready! Jesus is telling us. Be ready to face criticism and rejection. But while we know it may be an uphill journey to change the hearts of men and women, we can still be God s tools to bless others and to lead them closer to Him! And for us, salvation in all its glory awaits us at the end of the journey. Pray: Forgive me, please dear Father, for the times I grow impatient with the world around and start seeing it as the enemy rather than as the target of your grace. I know people will ridicule and even hate me for following Jesus, but fill my heart with your love for them. Please give me the wisdom and grace to overcome my struggle in the world with your passion to redeem it. May I be part of what s making all things right and true and good. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. v.13 = GLORY! waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

8 A. Waiting for (HOPE) our blessed hope But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ - Philippians 3:20 B. Waiting for (HIM) the appearing of: Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. - Hebrews 9:28 a. the GLORY b. of our Great God and c. Savior d. Jesus e. Christ CHRIST is God s Grace Christ IS God s GLORY!

9 v.14 = GRACE who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Who gave Himself for us Who gave Himself to redeem us from all lawlessness Who gave Himself to purify for Himself a people: For His own possession Zealous for good works And let us consider how to stir one another up to love and good works, - Hebrews 10:24 Titus 2:11-14 is ALL about God s Grace & God s Glory!

10 Don t miss this v.11 Grace saves us from the Penalty of sin v.12 Grace saves us from the Power of sin v.13 Grace saves us from the Presence of sin (glorified) v.14 Grace saves us from being Possessed by sin While these truths of grace are our gifts these truths of grace bring God glory! (that s why we say ) If you don t truly get God s grace you won t truly give God glory! May we cherish the privilege of serving & showcasing God s glory sandwiches for every tribe, nation, and tongue from locally, regionally, & globally. By God s grace & for His glory! Let s Pray!