Fulfillment

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December 24, 2007 - Titus 3:1-15

Open It

  1. What is the dirtiest job you ever had to do?

  2. When is it beneficial to argue about an issue?

  3. In your experience, how can an argument damage a friendship?

Explore It

  1. How does God want us to respond to authority? (3:1)

  2. How does God want us to treat all people? (3:1-2)

  3. What are we like before we are saved? (3:3)

  4. What changes when we believe in Christ? How? (3:3-7)

  5. What saved Paul from his foolishness? (3:4)

  6. Why does God save people? (3:4-5)

  7. What role does the Holy Spirit play in a person's salvation? (3:5)

  8. What is the result of being justified by faith? (3:7)

  9. What did Paul tell Titus to stress? Why? (3:8)

  10. Why is it important to avoid controversies and arguments? (3:9)

  11. How should we treat a person who divides friends? (3:10-11)

  12. Why is it important for us to do what is good? (3:14)

Get It

  1. In what ways do you need to subject yourself to rulers and authorities?

  2. What does it mean to show true humility?

  3. How can you show humility in all you do?

  4. What difference does it make that God saves us out of His great mercy, and not because of anything we do?

  5. What role does the Holy Spirit play in your life?

  6. What can you do to devote yourself to doing what is good?

  7. What can you do to guard yourself against getting involved in useless arguments?

Apply It

  1. What is one way you can serve others in your home, place of work, or church this week?

  2. What can you do this next week to reconcile a damaged relationship?

  3. How can you say thank you to God in the next few days for His saving grace toward you?

Notes

Titus 3:1-2: As Christians, our first allegiance is to Jesus as Lord, but we must obey our government and its leaders as well. Christians are not above the law. Obeying the civil law is only the beginning of our Christian responsibility; we must do what we can to be good citizens. In a democracy, this means participation and willingness to serve. (See Acts 5:29 and Romans 13:1ff for more on the Christian's attitude toward government.)

Titus 3:3-8: Following a life of pleasure and giving in to every sensual desire leads to slavery. Many think freedom consists in doing anything they want. But this path leads to a slavish addiction to sensual gratification. A person is no longer free, but is a slave to what his or her body dictates (2 Peter 2:19). Christ frees us from the desires and control of sin. Have you been released?

3:3-8 Paul summarized what Christ does for us when he saves us. We move from a life full of sin to one where we are led by God's Holy Spirit. All our sins, not merely some, are washed away. Washing refers to the water of baptism, which is a sign of salvation. In becoming a Christian, the believer acknowledges Christ as Lord and recognizes Christ's saving work. We gain eternal life with all its treasures. We have renewal by the Holy Spirit, and he continually renews our hearts. None of this occurs because we earned or deserved it; it is all God's gift.

3:4-6 All three persons of the Trinity are mentioned in these verses because all three participate in the work of salvation. Based upon the redemptive work of his Son, the Father forgives and sends the Holy Spirit to wash away our sins and continually renew us.

Titus 3:9-11: Paul warned Titus, as he warned Timothy, not to get involved in foolish and unprofitable arguments (2 Tim. 2:14). This does not mean we should refuse to study, discuss, and examine different interpretations of difficult Bible passages. Paul is warning against petty quarrels, not honest discussion that leads to wisdom. As foolish arguments develop, it is best to turn the discussion back to a helpful direction or politely excuse yourself.

3:9 The false teachers were basing their heresies on genealogies and speculations about the law (see 1 Tim. 1:3-4). Similar to the methods used by false teachers in Ephesus and Colosse, they were building their case on genealogies of angels. We should avoid false teachers, not even bothering to react to their pretentious positions. Our overreaction can sometimes give more attention to their points of view.

3:9-11 A person must be warned when he or she is causing division that threatens the unity of the church. This warning should not be a heavy-handed action, but it is intended to correct the individual's divisive nature and restore him or her to fellowship. A person who refuses to be corrected should be put outside the fellowship. As Paul said, that person is "self-condemned"-he or she is sinning and knows it. (See also Matthew 18:15-18 and 2 Thes. 3:14-15 for help in handling such problems in the church.)

Titus 3:12: The city of Nicopolis was on the western coast of Greece. Artemas or Tychicus would take over Titus's work on the island of Crete so Titus could meet Paul in Nicopolis. Tychicus was one of Paul's trusted companions (Acts 20:4; Ephes. 6:21; Col. 4:7). Titus would have to leave soon because sea travel was dangerous in the winter months.

Titus 3:13: Apollos was a famous Christian preacher. A native of Alexandria in North Africa, he became a Christian in Ephesus and was trained by Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-28; 1 Cor. 1:12).

Titus 3:15: The letters of Paul to Titus and Timothy are his last writings and mark the end of his life and ministry. These letters are rich treasures for us today because they give vital information for church leadership. They provide a strong model for elders, pastors, and other Christian leaders as they develop younger leaders to carry on the work, following Paul's example of preparing Timothy and Titus to carry on his ministry. For practical guidelines on church leadership and problem solving, carefully study the principles found in these letters.

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