Understanding The Quality Of The Christian Life - Titus 1:1-4

Good morning.

Today's reading is from the New Testament to see a pistol of Paul to the Apostle Titus and we'll be reading. The first chapter in the entire chapter. And it begins Paul a bond servant of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ. According to the faith of God's elect in the acknowledgement of Truth, which Accords with godliness in Hope of eternal life with God who cannot lie promise before time began. But hasn't do time manifested. His words were preaching, which was committed to me. According to the Commandment of God, our savior to Titus, a true son, and our common Faith, grace, mercy, and peace, from God, the father in the Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Savior, for this reason. I left you in Crete that you should sit in order. The things that are lacking in a point elders. And every city that I commanded you. If a man is blameless in the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not a curse or just impatient or insubordination for a bishop must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-willed, not Wicked, temper, not given to Wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable a lover of what is good sober-minded. Just holy self-controlled holding fast. Faithful word is he has been taught and may be able by sound Doctrine both to extort. and convince those who contradict Was there a mani and subordinate? Both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision who is Miles Must Be Stopped. Who is avert whole household, teach me things, which they are not for the sake of Dishonor game. One of them a profit of their own said, cretans are always Liars. Evil beasts, lazy, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true there for a rebuke them sharply. They may sound in the face, the sound in the face, not giving heed to Jewish fables and Commandments of men who turn from the truth, to a pure, to the pure, all things are pure but you those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in Works, they deny him being a Bominable disobedient and has qualified for every good work. Is that is the word of the Lord.

Thank you, Mike.

You may be seated.

We're going to look this morning for just a little while at this book of Titus, Titus 1:5. By the way, is the verse that was the key verse for the ministry that I had it for a number of years called or thoughts because that word occurs in Titus 1:5. It says, set those things in order that remain Titus, as a young Pastor was left by Paul on the island of Crete to set things in order, and that's the word from which we get our word Orthopedics and orthodontist. Which means to straighten bones and straighten teeth. And from that we see in this verse the Titus was the set things in order. Now, sometimes that isn't Pleasant, if you happen to have a bone that needs to be, used to reset is probably going to hurt a little, but it needs to be done in order that the body will go straight. So it's important that we understand some Keith Roo's from this. And then giving instruction to, Titus, Paul points out. Some key cruise that help us to understand the quality of the Christian Life. Paul says, first of all, he mentions God's elect. There's probably no other subject. That is created more fear. Or in the question charge been the issue of election election or calling is something which God's sovereignty does and which does not change. It is just boarding. A note in the book of Romans chapter 11 verses 20 through, 30 is the whole Passage. Would let me just 31 verse there for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

God doesn't change his mind. Another words. No matter how hard you wish that you had a different gift than you have. God has already given you a certain gift and they expect you to use it. So it's important to know that God has ordained that he set that aside. Now, we're going to talk a little bit more about how he does that because election is is described in the scripture and this is not my idea. This is from scripture. And so I want you to follow along with me. It is based upon God's Eternal perspective, not on the passage of time, but it is committed communicated for our understanding as a progression.

Does two key passages that speak of election. What is in the first Peter? It speaks of the question as being elect according to the foreknowledge of God. And the idea that there is that it descends from the foreknowledge, to the election down from, is another way to translate that down from the foreknowledge of God. It's important to understand that before knowledge, as far as God is concerned comes first. God for knew everything about you and about me. And as a result, he took steps and we'll see this in the past. He took steps to see to it that we were saved. But there's another passes that were fairly familiar with one of the verses in the passage. And that's Romans. 8:28 says, all things work together for good to them. That love God. Remember that verse. But do you remember the next worse after it? It says this for whom he did for know. He also did for Destiny and who made for destinate. Is there a movie called? And then, the next verse goes on to say, whom he called, then we Justified and then we Justified them a glorified. Now. I can look around this car gation today and then there's a few of you at least they don't look very glorious. But as far as God is concerned, those who believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ, her already glorified. That is a one-time act by God. God is eternal, he is not bound by time. And so things don't happen in sequence. As far as God is concerned, they half of the all at once. I don't understand that. I am a creature of time and everything. I do, I have to do in order and if I get the order confused, I get it all fouled up. I've tried to put things together sometime, and gotten another part first and that and then had to take it apart in order to get it together, right? It helps when you read the instructions. I told but I seldom do that. It's important to know that God has made the decision with regard to election based on what a Forno's. Who made it for know? That me also predestined. Who me progestin? Those he called, or elected? The word is eclectus for which we get our word elect, by the way, and that's where it comes from. It'll Act. God elected, who me for new now, he gives this it a progression for us in this passage so that we can see how it works, but he did it all at once. He just did it. There's an interesting thing because I have talked with the theologians about this man, who disagreed with me and disagreed, with the scripture about this said, while God is Sovereign. And so he's made the decision. He was going to be saved. And that's irreversible. Well. It may be that he's made the decision, but he did it based on what he knew would happen in your life on the foreknowledge. And that's why I described in this way. That's not my idea. That's what the scripture says. I can maybe illustrate, this very crudely one, my younger brother. Who's 9 years younger than I am, was about 4th 5th grade along in there. He had been there a few football games that I played in the marching band in high school and college. And he'd seen the musical instruments got people together and they had a football game. So he got a little kazoo that my mom got for him. That was shaped like a trombone in your home. It made a noise and yard after school, and he's dark to play that kazoo. And the kids would come from various houses in the neighborhood and they have a football game. Now, the football game was played in our front yard. Therefore it was Bob's front yard. And it is at 1:10. The neighbor's lawn which was nice and soft. It landed on the other end of the gravel driveway. And the side of the of the football field. So to speak was a gravel road and the house. And so Bob and set up rules with regard to where the boundaries were. And whatever one team made a goal. They would kick from there to the other team which would receive towards the same goal. The goal was always in the same place the Neighbors on. Now once in a while, there was an argument about where the boundary was or where the goal line was or anything, but Bob only yard and therefore he made the rules.

Do you understand that? God, owns the world. He is Sovereign, and therefore, he makes the rules. Some people are concerned. Well, if God is Sovereign that he's already made up his mind who's going to be saved and we don't have any chance. That's not what the word of God says the word of God says, whoever will may come God for those who will heal their will they have at their for he elects them? I don't know exactly how that works. I don't profess to know cuz I don't understand internity and a person who thinks without any time frame, but that's what the word of God says. He'll act. According to the foreknowledge of God who we did for no. He destined to be saved. And who me destined to be saved or was he elected? Lumiel Academia Justified may just as if they'd never send and whom he justified them a glorified. So now in spite of what the Illusions may have said over the years you now know which verse of scripture makes it clearest in the word of God is what election really is. Election. Calling.

Is based upon God's Eternal perspective? Of these passages of scripture. It's important to know that it's important to grasp that and it's important to be assured of the fact that God knows exactly. What are you doing? Now. It's important also to know that France's when you have children and grandchildren, you pray that they will accept the Lord Jesus Christ. As Savior whosoever will may, come God knows when they will do that. God knows how they will do it and there's always a struggle with the will. Maybe they're they've not yet accepted Christ as Savior. Maybe they professed and Iraq. Living like it. We'll talk about that in a few minutes. That is up to God. You order. So the seed They receive it and God produces the increase. They are elect because of what God does not, because of what you do is not based on our Merit, Romans 5:8 says, but God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet. Sinners Christ died for us. Did you hear that? While we were yet? Sinners? We did not get all cleaned up and get to be perfect people. And then be saved. It's why we were yet. Sinners Christ died for us. It's important to know that. Because God loves us as Sinners and he's made provision for an age. Now. The second thing we see from this passage is acknowledged, produces godliness. Did you hear that? Knowledge produces godliness. God reveal himself or his truth in order to satisfy our curiosity.

He reveals it on all of their, we might live properly. That's also very important. Because there are a great many people to like to study prophecy out of curiosity. God doesn't address himself to curiosity. He addresses himself to Godliness. There is a verse in the scripture here. 1st. Timothy 6, verse 6 is the one that's important. It says, but godliness with contentment is great gain.

The first few versions of Titus encourage that as well godliness. That is why God has produced knowledge and giving us his word in order that we might live. God, the large the purpose of God's revelation in his word of his truth is. So that we may have changed lives as changed people. 1st Peter 2nd Peter, I'm sorry 3:11, seeing them that all these things must be dissolved. Peter says what manner of persons ought ye to be in all godliness and holiness. What manner, of course that's a good question. Seeing you read about the prophecies that have been things that God is going to do in Revelation. How does it affect you? Have you changed it to all of you decided to live more for God and less for yourself? That's what's important. That's the reason God gave us his word. So we would live Godly lives that his purpose is to teach us the truth. So we will live by it.

Then. The third thing we see is that promises produce certain hole. Hope in the New Testament. Is not subjunctive. Now, those are either understand the English language, you know, that, the subjunctive tense produces doubt we say, well, I hope this is going to happen tomorrow. We don't know what's going to because we can see the future. What we hope it is, and there's some doubt in our mind is the weather, it will But hoping the scripture is shirt. It's called The Blessed hope. There's not, I hope the Lord is going to come again, but he is going to come. Hope is always certain because it is based upon God's promise tried to 1:2, which we have before. Us says, he cannot lie. He cannot lie. He doesn't like he can of lie. He has promised a future for those who believe him and his word and it is called the Blessed hope. Titus 2:13 says looking for that blessed, hope and the Glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

It's my custom as I have funeral services from time to time to quote this worse, especially one as a Believer that's passed away because we all look as Believers for the Blessed hope. And we know it's coming. It's not, it's not something that. Well, it may happen. No, it's something that will happen. One day, the Lord Jesus Christ will come and take us to be with him whether we're dead or alive. And that's important for us to be assured of. We would if we were translating. This would not call it the Blessed whole, because hope is taking on a new meaning, and we would call it like the hymn Blessed assurance. That's what it is. It's the Assurance of knowing that Christ is coming for us and will be with him throughout eternity. But then, the fourth thing we see, is the grace produces. Peace. Grace produces peace. Peace from the human perspective is based upon a good defense against war and maybe victory in war and then peace comes. It always involves some kind of strife. That precedes the peace or fall has a time of peace.

But please from the Believers perspective is secure because the battle is already won. That's what's important. The battle is already won. Colossians 2:15 says, I'm having spoiled principalities and Powers. He made a show of them openly.

Triumph winning over them.

He made a show of them openly triumphing over them. That's the assurance that we have of knowing that God has given us. Peace, peace, that passes, all understanding will. Look at that verse in the moment here, but it's important to know that we can't even imagine. What that piece that God gives us is like peace. Is there times in your life? When you like to have peace. You know how you get it. God gives it to you. You go to his Ward, you read the Assurance of his word. You pray, and God through his holy spirit, brings peace to you. That's what we need is God's peace. Because everything that the man that man promises ends up bringing conflict and chaos and Discord. God's peace is the only thing that's permanent. That's what God gives.

Does. We can have peace that surpasses comprehension. Philippians chapter 4, verses five through seven matches this peace, that passes all comprehension.

You're familiar with this first. It's important to know that that the word of God speaks of this a number of different ways. You remember when the Prophet Elijah, was it in the city of Damascus? And the Syrian Army had surrounded, the city and, and his servant went out and said, alas Master. They're all gathered against is here and we're going to die. You ever think that way man, it's over for me. Things are terrible.

And what did the prophets it? Do he prayed to God and said, Lord open his eyes that he may see that the ones that are with us or more than those that be with them. Do you know that you've got an Army on your side and it's a big army. It's God's Army. He has promised to protect you, through everything. But you know, what's interesting to me. I've never experienced this and you haven't either cuz you're here today. I know that none of us have experienced death. And, and we fear death. But that's the weapon of the adversary uses in Hebrews chapter 2. There's a verse that says, who through fear of death. We're all their lifetime subject to bondage. That's part of what's going on in the world today. People are so scared of getting cold and dull and that they are doing all kinds of stuff. And the politicians are manipulating that fear. Not knowingly, but through the work of the adversary I believe. That is what God's peace gives you you know, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. That's the insurance. The Blessed hope that we have. That's what God has done for us and the entertaining part of it is he did it before we were ever born? He Did It Before the world was even created, the scripture says he didn't. Long before time even began. We talked about tonight. I'm in Memorial where there isn't such a thing. Is it turn to be? And it all happened at once. He foreknew what your decision would be. I need elected you to be saved elected. You to be justified. He elected you to be glorified. He predestined all of that because he knew that you would buy your own will accept Jesus Christ as Savior. Now, how can you do all of that and and still leave? You will. I don't know. I don't know how God works, but this is what God's word says. I don't have to know what it how it happens. This is what God's word says for knowledge comes first. And so if you have kids or grandkids. You pray that the holy spirit will speak to their hearts and open their hearts and they'll accept the Lord Jesus Christ and savior.

But they still after act by their will. They may agree with you. This is a good thing to do is their younger. They may go along with us and go to church and so on. But ultimately, they have a decision to make. They have to acknowledge what God has said, in God's word is said. And it's important to know that every single individual has to make that decision for a long time for throughout history. For many years ever, since the Reformation least, there have been people who believe that only the elect would be saved, which is true. Only the Electoral be safe. But God for knows who will accept him as Savior and therefore relaxing, but they believe the God was absolutely solvent in this and people had no choice. They were there to save it. Save. So supposing, you're a Christian couple and you have a child. How do you be sure that that child gets saved? Well, they teach that you can an effect rig the system. Even though God is predetermined, who will be elected. They won't be. If you have that child baptized in the infant. They will automatically become part of the elect. That's that's to me. At least that's a minimization of God's sovereignty. Don't you think he's smart enough to figure that out.

Sherry is God LX. Those who me for nose will buy an active. There will not the baptism of infants. The blind Act of their own will accept the Lord, Jesus Christ, the Savior. So, what's our job, we've talked about the fact that God has called us to live Godly lives. What's her job with regard to our children or grandchildren are friends. Whoever may be, what job do we have to do? We are here in order to talk to them about making a decision for the Lord. Jesus Christ. We can convince them by argument. We can't convince them by how good we present this. There is no way that we can be depended upon Our Own Strength for that to be done because the word of God teaches that God is bae the election. The Holy Spirit does the work in their hearts of sanctification or setting them apart? To become questions through the blood of Jesus Christ. All three of the persons of the godhead are involved and it takes all three. Just like you can't be saved apart from faith in the blood of the Lord. Jesus Christ. You can't be saved apart from the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, doesn't matter how good an argument you for the Holy Spirit has to work in your heart.

And maybe he'll do it now. Maybe he'll do it. Later. Maybe if you're a parent or grandparent, you'll have to wait. Maybe they'll do it after you die. Whenever that comes, God knows. He has made that decision, as to whether that person will accept him. You have to depend upon God's work to accomplish that. Not yours. That's what's hard for a parent. That's what's hard for a grandparent. That's what's hard for a friend. I have a good friend who in my opinion will make a great head Usher. He loves people. Amaze people. Well, he remembers their name. But he's not a believer. I am witness to him. I have by his request going over the Plan of Salvation with him, but he's not yet, accepted God knows. Whether he will or not. I have no further control over. What? I have. Sown. The seed. God will bring the increase. That's our job. Let's remember that. God expects us to be faithful to sow the seed. God expects us to be faithful to water from time to time. But God brings the increase. God has one job for you to do here on Earth. And that's to share the gospel with others, so that they will be safe use, whoever Will May Come. Let's burn a word of prayer. Father. Thank you. For your word, thank you for the fact that you are revealed exactly how these complicated issues work. There's been a great struggle throughout centuries as to the knowledge of your election. The fact that this may be something that you determine and we don't even have to share the gospel with anybody, cuz you were going to bring them to Salvation no matter what. That's not true for the dishwasher doesn't teach that. The word teaches this progression. And Friday, we pray that you will help us to be aware of what our role is in it. Then we still need the work of the Holy Spirit. We still need to work of God. The Father. We still need the shed blood of the Lord. Jesus Christ butt. you have left us with an important responsibility to share the word with people so that they may Make. So active there will do except the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. We pray, that will be faithful. And this. And will be obedient to your word in spite of the fact that it may sometimes leave us open to ridicule because of the fact that we know you was a savior. An increasingly that may be true father, but we pray that you will help us to share with others. What? We know we realize father the man born blind. What day was started started to be asked, by the Pharisees will, how did this happen? And what did he do? And so on and so forth. He said this, I don't know the answer to all of those things, but I do know. One thing. I was born blind and now I see. Help us to share what we know. You don't hold us responsible Lord, for what? We don't know. The old is responsible for what we know how to be effective at telling others what you have done for us and leave the results to you. For you. Ask it in Jesus name. Amen.