Sound doctrine for older men
Instructions/Standards for the Church - Book of Titus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 40:17
0 ratings
· 44 viewsFiles
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Set in order
Set in order
Titus in Crete was told to set in order certain things (Tit1:5); and this morning we will continue to look at certain things that were to be set in order. This will be part one of several parts about building a healthy church.
Titus calling, task, set in order (Tit1:5)
Tit1:5 “5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,”
Titus direction, instructions (Tit1:6-9)
TIt1:6-9 “6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”
Titus warnings (Tit1:10-16)
Tit1:10-16 “10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”
(Transition) This leads us to our passage tonight
1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
See, a healthy church needs sound doctrine. A healthy church needs all the saints, old and young alike, just like it needs everyone to bring their spiritual gifts too. Oh wait, that is Sunday nights not this morning, sorry.
Sound doctrine is important, the word sound is the Greek word: Strong's #5198: hugiaino (pronounced hoog-ee-ah'-ee-no); to have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine):--be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole(-some).
You find this word x2 in our passage this morning. So in looking at this, sound doctrine is therefore that which is spiritually healthy and wholesome according to (Copeland)
Sound doctrine has many facets to it
Spiritual truths related to the gospel and to the church
Exhortations related to godly conduct as the church
So, setting things in order, like sound doctrine would include, but not be limited to who Christians are to be, and how Christians are to act. This morning we are going to look at Older saints (men) today, we will get to women next week.
Sound doctrine/conduct (Older men)
Sound doctrine/conduct (Older men)
I think by now you can tell that the book of Titus is very instructional and descriptive. So, if that is what you have seen in Chapter one, you will not be disappointed in chapter two as we look at older men first.
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
Gleaning from the scripture:
What was Titus (and the church now) to do (v.1)?
How is it defined, described in (v.2)?
Conduct was to be sober, reverent, temperate.
After Titus had been given instructions about appointing elders in all the cities with much requirements, now comes about what to teach, the doctrine. The doctrine was to be spoken.
Paul is giving instructions not to the minister (Titus) on how to relate to the people, but to the people, specific groups, to give instructions on attitudes and behaviors within the groups. The groups are to make the teaching (doctrine) attractive to the unsaved.
Sober (Nephalios)
When you think of the word sober, what do you think? Can you define it?
It is sober, temperate, self-controlled
Metaphorically meaning sober-minded, watchful, circumspect
Complete Word Study Dictionary says “It is that state of mind which is free from the excessive influence of passion, lust or emotion.
Reverent (Semnos)
OK, reverent, what do you believe this means, what does this look like in the life of a believer?
It means, venerable, reverend, reputable, dignified.
It is not only in earthly dignity (Kosmos) but that which is derived from higher citizenship, a heavenly one. Ibid says “there lies something of majestic and awe-inspiring qualities in semnos which does not repel but rather invites and attracts.
Temperate(Sophron)
Let’s press on, temperate, what do you think it means?
Discreet, sober, of a sound mind.
Ibid says “Self-disciplined in one’s freedom, self-restrained in all passions and desires.”
(transition) - older men are not only elders (those who desire the office of it and are placed by Holy Spirit) - but they set the tone of a congregation by their sobriety, their reverence and their temperate nature.
Sound in Faith, Love and Patience
Sound in faith (pistis)
Your definition of faith matters, what does faith mean?
Subjectively it means firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth, veracity, reality (Complete Word Study Dictionary)
Objectively it means that which is believed, doctrine, the received articles of faith (Complete Word Study Dictionary)
Sound in love (agape)
Love, what’s love got to do with it? EVERYTHING, when you think of love give me some of your description or definition of it?
It is affectionate regard, goodwill, benevolence toward others .
Ibid says “Spoken more especially of good will toward others, the love of our neighbor, brotherly affection, which the Lord Jesus commands and inspires.”
Sound in patience (hupomone)
What does patience mean, can you give an example?
A bearing up, bearing under, endurance to things or circumstances (Complete Word Study)
Ibid states “Associated with Hope (1The1:3) and refers to that quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial.”
I should give that scripture since have not had one up in a bit
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
(Transition) - So older men, aged men, well the bodies may be decaying, maybe unhealthy due to physical infirmities, but they are to be spiritually fit, spiritually healthy and ever increasing in faith, love and patience. - While there may be some who think “I’ve done my time, my service” they are vital to teach the younger men to serve Christ, His Church and our community. So, now this leads us to some biblical examples to learn from.
Biblical examples
Biblical examples
This is a bible study, so time to get into some bible verses, so grab your bible or bible app and lets go!
Moses and Aaron (Exo7:7; Ps90:10)
7 Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three, when they spoke to Pharaoh.
So, how old were these men when the Lord used them?
10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.
Had to give you that one, for it is given that Moses wrote this Psalm.
So, who did God chose to use to lead His people? Men, after their prime!
Joshua and Caleb (Jos24:29, 14:6-11)
29 It came about after these things that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being one hundred and ten years old.
oh wait let’s look back some
6 Then the sons of Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know the word which the Lord spoke to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh-barnea. 7 “I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart.
8 “Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully. 9 “So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully.’
10 “Now behold, the Lord has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today. 11 “I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in.
Who did God use to fight His battles? Aged men who were willing to take a stand!
Daniel (Dan1:21, 6:1-3, 6:4-27, 6:28)
Then there was Daniel whom King Darius set over the kingdom (Dan6:1-3) who had been taken into captivity when a teenager (Dan1:21)
This Daniel who served while in captivity for seventy years and even was fed to the lions and God protected and used to be an example to the kings
28 So this Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
So, again, who did God use? Someone who could have said 85-90 years isn’t that enough? But he did not he used him as a beacon, as an example for others.
Paul (Phm1:9)
9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
Paul the aged, who had served God zealously his entire life, wrote more books in the N.T. than anyone.
Paul the aged who while in prison penned letters to Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians , and to Philemon too.
What about older men of today? Can you think of any?
For me, people like Ed Wharton who is still teaching and preaching, maybe not teaching at SIBI anymore but is just shy of 90 now.
Art GaNung who at 75 was mentoring me.
There is no retirement for a Christian, we are to be faithful until the end, to serve until the end.
Mom from her being homebound was doing a study with one of her care givers.
Who does God use today? Aged men who refuse to stop working for the Lord!
It is not enough to be considered “sound” (healthy as defined earlier just because
We knew and stood for the truth in the past, we are to be faithful until the end
To the aged man who is spiritually sound (healthy) will continue to be
Sober, reverent and temperate
healthy in faith, love and patience
Willing to serve wherever and whenever needed as the Lord gives opportunity.
May we consider the words of David:
12 The righteous will flourish like palm trees; they will grow like the cedars of Lebanon. 13 They are like trees planted in the house of the Lord, that flourish in the Temple of our God,
14 that still bear fruit in old age and are always green and strong. 15 This shows that the Lord is just, that there is no wrong in my protector.
Now consider the words and the application from paul
16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
So, be renewed today, recommitted today and let’s apply the sound doctrine, today we looked at older men, but there is more and since we have a few minutes will just ready ahead some
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
We will focus on that next week.
(Pray) (Close)