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Series: What's Next
October 3, 2021
This week's message is from DeLaina Lewkowicz who is the wife of Pastor David. We hope you enjoy.
Do you have just a blanket feeling of contempt for people right now?
Contempt for how maybe Christians are portrayed?
(Titus 3 - AD63 Paul wrote from Nicoplis - Happening in Crete, cultural mess)
Titus 3:1-15
Paul is reminding us how the Gospel re-shapes our perspective about people.
v1-2 Remind them (believers) to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Soundness not violence, return good for evil.
Meek- Greek root of “gentle” – in Greek it’s Praus (prah-oos) strength under control
Jesus showed us perfect courtesy and still does each day
When/how to speak up
(An example - Peter and John – Act4:1-20)
Acts 4:19 “whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.”
Speak Truth
We have to display Jesus, otherwise who will want to hear the Gospel
(Peter and John healed a man in Jesus name and then preached the Gospel.)
Paul commands us and quickly explains WHY
v 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.
Foolish – ignorant, not to know, not to understand
We were born with an innate disposition toward doing wrong, which is our selfish nature
(Children lie as brain development – people have different beliefs – false beliefs that serve a goal- people’s beliefs don’t directly reflect reality but are based on experience.)
What should keep us from lying? Same reason we feel the need to do good. God is the ultimate reality and that is the one want to live in!
v 4-7 – But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renew of the Holy Spirit. Whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. So that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This is the Gospel
Mercy vs. Grace
Was this a trickle, a few drops, a splash…
Sound doctrine yields the want to do good!
There is only ONE power that give us the ability to show grace - the love of Christ
You have been changed into a new creation as a believer and therefor you are to be change agents for Christ in our culture
(Whom can argue with how you act? Who can accuse your loving behavior of anything but good?)
v 8-11 – 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 people are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once, and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
(Trustworthy bc Cretens were getting caught up in mythology Paul wanted to be clear)
Distractions in life and in church keep us distracted. Enemy uses these things and we don’t even realize it. If we are displaying hate, we aren’t displaying Jesus’s love.
(coffee, color of carpet, worship, politics, vaccines, mask, social media)
Tell me what makes you angry, emotional, frustrated and upset
I will tell you it’s the same thing you idolize
Strongholds hinder are ability to be fruitful
(Family will let you down if you idolize them)
When we focus on these things and criticize people living a Christless culture, we are neglecting the entire point. Our issues with some of these differences holds no power. Only the Cross and what Jesus did has power. The Gospel has power to change lives.
So how do we handle these conflicts with others?
(Jesus handles conflicts)
Judas - Matthew 26:20-25 (no text needed)
“Father, forgive them they know not what they do”
How does God do His work in this world and in people’s lives? You and me! We are the ones that are intended to live out the Gospel!
(God’s Grace and Mercy in our lives should motivate us to live like Christ)
Stand up for what you believe to be true, for your convictions…. but if you negate the Gospel then you will get nowhere.
Pray for Boldness: Acts 4:27- for truly in this city there were together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness”
Stop being concerned about being PC, be concerned about RJ
Titus 3:12-15
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. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
The darker that things get, the more opportunity we have to be a light
Do you have just a blanket feeling of contempt for people right now?
Contempt for how maybe Christians are portrayed?
(Titus 3 - AD63 Paul wrote from Nicoplis - Happening in Crete, cultural mess)
Titus 3:1-15
Paul is reminding us how the Gospel re-shapes our perspective about people.
v1-2 Remind them (believers) to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Soundness not violence, return good for evil.
Meek- Greek root of “gentle” – in Greek it’s Praus (prah-oos) strength under control
Jesus showed us perfect courtesy and still does each day
When/how to speak up
(An example - Peter and John – Act4:1-20)
Acts 4:19 “whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.”
Speak Truth
We have to display Jesus, otherwise who will want to hear the Gospel
(Peter and John healed a man in Jesus name and then preached the Gospel.)
Paul commands us and quickly explains WHY
v 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.
Foolish – ignorant, not to know, not to understand
We were born with an innate disposition toward doing wrong, which is our selfish nature
(Children lie as brain development – people have different beliefs – false beliefs that serve a goal- people’s beliefs don’t directly reflect reality but are based on experience.)
What should keep us from lying? Same reason we feel the need to do good. God is the ultimate reality and that is the one want to live in!
v 4-7 – But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renew of the Holy Spirit. Whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. So that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This is the Gospel
Mercy vs. Grace
Was this a trickle, a few drops, a splash…
Sound doctrine yields the want to do good!
There is only ONE power that give us the ability to show grace - the love of Christ
You have been changed into a new creation as a believer and therefor you are to be change agents for Christ in our culture
(Whom can argue with how you act? Who can accuse your loving behavior of anything but good?)
v 8-11 – 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 people are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once, and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
(Trustworthy bc Cretens were getting caught up in mythology Paul wanted to be clear)
Distractions in life and in church keep us distracted. Enemy uses these things and we don’t even realize it. If we are displaying hate, we aren’t displaying Jesus’s love.
(coffee, color of carpet, worship, politics, vaccines, mask, social media)
Tell me what makes you angry, emotional, frustrated and upset
I will tell you it’s the same thing you idolize
Strongholds hinder are ability to be fruitful
(Family will let you down if you idolize them)
When we focus on these things and criticize people living a Christless culture, we are neglecting the entire point. Our issues with some of these differences holds no power. Only the Cross and what Jesus did has power. The Gospel has power to change lives.
So how do we handle these conflicts with others?
(Jesus handles conflicts)
Judas - Matthew 26:20-25 (no text needed)
- He approached it, didn’t act like it wasn’t happening
- Facts vs Emotions
- Addressed the situation
- Mercy and Grace
“Father, forgive them they know not what they do”
How does God do His work in this world and in people’s lives? You and me! We are the ones that are intended to live out the Gospel!
(God’s Grace and Mercy in our lives should motivate us to live like Christ)
Stand up for what you believe to be true, for your convictions…. but if you negate the Gospel then you will get nowhere.
Pray for Boldness: Acts 4:27- for truly in this city there were together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness”
Stop being concerned about being PC, be concerned about RJ
Titus 3:12-15
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. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
The darker that things get, the more opportunity we have to be a light
