Sermon Tone Analysis

Instructions

This series has been, and is, about instructions, standards for the church.

Paul has addressed each people group (older, younger, etc.) and gender and now position.

May I say position because of possession?

See if that holds true as we look together.

Set things in Order, appoint elders (Tit1:1-9)

Speak things that are proper and sound doctrine

To older men (Tit2:1-2)

To older women (Tit2:3-5)

To younger men (Tit2:6-8)

And this morning to slaves (Tit2:9-10)

And the reason why, the grace of God available to all men (Tit2:11-15)

But before getting to the topic we must look, glean from the scripture directly first!

Gleaning from the scripture:

What does Paul tell Titus to do (v.9)?

To urge the bondslaves

What instructions are given (vv.9-10)?

Look at the verses for the answer here

According to (v.11) what appeared to all men?

The grace of God bringing salvation

What instructions are given to those who receive the grace of God (vv.12-13)?

Jesus our blessed hope (v.13) did what for us (v.14)?

What should the results be, or what instructions are given (v.15)?

A word to the slaves (bondslaves,bondservants)

Instructions given at that time to slaves, bond-servants, which today are employees and really all believers who are bond-servants to Christ.

Paul gives some words of instruction to them and to us to learn from.

Paul was very good about linking doctrine with duty.

He has address slaves in other writings too (Eph6:5-9; 1Tim6:1-2)

Some good instructions on conduct for slaves, workers:

There are some common sins that can easily be committed and Paul warns about them.

Do not be disobedient, in other words be obedient, submissive, well pleasing, and not argumentative (Tit2:9-10)

This obedience, or submissiveness, being subject too is backed up by other scripture

In looking at Eph6:5 how were the slaves to be obedient?

With sincerity of heart.

It is possible to be obedient but not with sincerity of heart

How is the slave to act according to Eph6:6?

One more verse to keep it in context

Who is the slave serving according to Eph6:7?

You may consider and note down

COl3:23-24 “23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.

It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Do not talk back (Tit2:9)

This is being prideful, arrogant to the master, the boss, talking back.

Even though the slave may know more about the task then the Master.

This would also including griping, complaining to others about the Master, the employer.

This would be a poor witness of a Christian.

Not pilfering, stealing (Tit2:10)

What does pilfering, stealing mean?

It does not have to be big things, it can be little things, including time.

Commentator Gill states this and gives a biblical example “Stealing, embezzling their master’s substance, taking away, and making use of what is their property, keeping back part of money or goods committed to their trust: the word is used in the case of Ananias and Sapphira” (ref: Act5:2)

So, in short a Christian worker should not take what does not belong to them.

In fact look what Paul says to church at Ephesus:

Showing all good faith (good fidelity) (Tit2:10)

In the NIV it says “to show that they can be trusted.”

Our actions speak louder than our words.

An approved workman is one who is a faithful servant in everything that they are entrusted with (paraphrase of what Gill has to say)

Christian workers should be those that any boss or company can fully trust, completely trust in all things.

To the Christian regardless of job or position should be a good example, display that would impact the moral, the productivity, the attitude of a company.

We have biblical examples of these type of people that impacted others.

Biblical examples of inspired workers:

(Insert Joseph and Daniel PowerPoint Here)

The second youngest son of Jacob, Joseph (Gen39:1-23, 41:28-46)

Turn to Genesis 39 with me, let’s just do a survey of this passage and glean a few things.

Chapter 37 Joseph had been beaten by brothers, thrown in pit, sold to travelling Ismaelites/Midianites (37:28) then they sold him to Potiphar the captain of the guard for Pharoah (37:36)

Now gleaning from chapter 39

Look at (v.1) what do we learn about Joseph?

He was successful man in the house of his master

Moving down to (v.4) because of Joseph’s manner, how he did things what do we see the results in (v.4)?

Found favor and made overseer over all the house.

Not only did he find favor (v.4) there was another result found in (v.5), what is it?

From there there was some negative things that happen too that ended up Joseph in Prison, just where God wanted him for something he did not do, but to be used as God’s tool (chapter 40) and then in chapter 41, so turn the page there and let’s look at little there starting at (v.28).

Joseph had interpreted Pharoah dream (vv.28-32) which lead to direction given (v.33), what is the direction given?

To look for a discerning and wise man to set

The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house.

Scan down to (vv.39-40) what do you learn about Joseph?

He is the discerning, wise man who was set over all of Egypt, under Pharoah.

Despite the trying circumstances that Joseph faced God used him for he adorned the grace of God, the doctrine of God before all men.

As an example of fidelity and humility.

A young captive named Daniel (Dan1:9, 11-13, 6:1-28)

Turn with me now to Daniel chapter 6, but I will make a quick stop in chapter 1 first.

Daniel had purposed in his heart (1:6) not to defile his body with the king’s delicacies.

and the result was

Dan1:9 “9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,”

In Dan1:11-13 you see the test Daniel asked to be put under and the results because God granted favor and compassion is found

Dan1:15 “15 At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food.”

Now to chapter 6:

In (vv.1-3)

Daniel was appointed a satrap over the kingdom with 119 others, but look at (v.3) what do you learn about Daniel?

He was made a commissioner in (v.2); in (v.3) you learn that he was being distinguished because of the extraordinary spirit and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.

Daniel’s enemies could find no fault in him (vv.4-5)

Eventhough he faced many things, including them trying to kill him or have him killed he faithfully served God (vv.6-10)

Now look down to (v.26-28) and let’s look together

In youth and in old age (was about 84 or older when captivity ended) Daniel adorned the doctrine of grace and of God with his dedication of putting God first.

Can you think of any modern day examples?

Men, women, Old, young who excel because they put God first?

People who are highly valued by those over them because they serve wholeheartedly because of the grace of God given them?

How about you, do you adorn yourself in the grace and the doctrine of God?

These are the one’s who will be blessed and be a blessing.

(Transition) I have mentioned being fashioned or adorned in the grace of God several times this morning, but now I want to focus on it some win the time we have remaining.

God’s adorning grace available to all men