The Outreach of the Local Church

Temple Baptist Church - 3-15-2015

Titus 3:12-15

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As we finish the last of the Pastoral Epistles, we need to sum them up and I believe that these verses do just that.

 

1.  1 Timothy sets forth the principles of godly behavior in God’s house.  1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  (An admonition to remember that, though the world is wanted, God’s house is not to be worldly.  It is run by the scripture and is to be treated with love and respect!)

 

2.  2 Timothy sets forth the safe guard of the bible for the protection of God’s house and people in the light of apostasy and false teachers.  2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (Stay with the old King James Bible; stand on the old King James Bible; and study the old King James Bible!)

 

3.  Titus sets forth the godly conversation of the saints in this present evil world while expectantly waiting for the return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Titus 2:11-13  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (He is coming and we are leaving.  We are to be salt and light in a spiritually dark land.)

 

B.  In his final verses of the Book of Titus, Paul names both people and places involved in the work of the gospel. 

 

1.  Paul instructs a pastor, Titus, to visit the mission field because it allows the mission churches to get to know those who are “holding the ropes” for the missionaries who are winning souls and establishing local churches. 

 

2.  Such visits also allow the pastors to get a firsthand look at the work being done by the missionaries and increases his burden for missions which increases the burden for missions in his church.

 

C.  Verse 14 says, “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” 

 

1.  The work of the gospel must be “maintained” or it will dwindle and, eventually, fade away.  Many local churches that were mission hearted no long have a burden for missions.  We have more local, bible believing churches today than we have ever had and yet missions giving and missions going is dwindling away. 

 

2.  People talk missions and have mission’s conferences but that is all that they have.  We must maintain good works for “necessary uses” because these good works for necessary uses will produce fruit!

 

1.  The People of Missions: Paul mentions Artemas, Tychicus, Zenas, and Apollos

 

a.  There are Faithful God called People.  Acts 13:2-3  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  (3)  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

 

b.  There are Faithful congregational People.  1 Corinthians 16:1-3  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  (2)  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.  (3)  And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

 

c.  These are all Soul caring People!  Jude 1:21-22  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  (22)  And of some have compassion, making a difference:

 

2.  The Places of Missions:  Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  (The key word in this verse is “both.”  It means “also” or “even” which gives the understanding of “at the same time.”  Home missions and foreign missions are to be done simultaneously.) 

 

a.  Nicopolis was a mission field where Paul, the missionary, was headed.  It was what we would call a “foreign field.” 

 

b.  Crete (Titus 1:5) was a mission field were Titus was leaving.  We would refer to this as a home mission field.

 

3.  The Priority of Missions: 1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

a.  Souls are dying without Christ.  Luke 16:22-23  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;  (23)  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 

 

 

b.  We must work while it day.  John 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

 

4.  The Power of Missions:  Matthew 28:18-19  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 

a.  There is the power of our preaching.  Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  (17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 

b.  There is the power of our possessions.  2 Corinthians 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 

5.  The Possibility of Missions: 

 

a.  Fruitful - Philippians 4:16-17  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  (17)  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

 

b.  Unfruitful - Titus 3:14  And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing

Temple Baptist Church - 3-8-2015

Titus 3:9-11

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As we come to the end of the Book of Titus, the last of the three Pastoral Epistles written by the Apostle Paul, he admonishes a young pastor to “keep the main thing the main thing.”  Paul admonished Timothy to preach the Word.  We are to teach and preach the Word! 

 

B.  Paul sets forth two areas that we need to keep a “spiritual eye” on.

 

 

C.  Now, let us look at the final admonition given to Titus by the great apostle.

 

1.  Foolish things to avoid.  Vs 9  Preach what we know and not what we thing!  In these verses, we find the reality—as we do a good work—of losing our biblical perspective.  The most important tool that we hold in our hand is the Word of God which brings about doctrinal purity when rightly divided.  But, you can go to the right church, carry the right bible, have the heart of a soul winner, and drift into doctrinal heresy.  Speculation is dangerous.  Foolish questions are questions that have no clear biblical answer.  2 Timothy 2:23  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

 

a.  For years, we have heard their “theories,” which are actually “hypotheses,” on a so-called gap in Genesis 1:1-2 and the sons of God in Genesis 6 being fallen angels who took women and had children which had to be half human and half angel.  These are only speculation and can both be easily disproved with scripture.  Stay away from hypotheses!

 

b.  Endless genealogies that gender questions.  1 Timothy 1:3-4  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,  (4)  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

 

c.  Contentions.  James 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  (We are family!  As far as I can discern, the enemy is still Satan!)

 

d.  Strivings about the law.  John 1:16-17  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  (17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  (Do’s and Don’ts.  We are not under law but under the grace of God and your relationship with God is between you and Him.)

 

Romans 14:7-14  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.  (8)  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  (9)  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.  (10)  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  (11)  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  (12)  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.  (13)  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.  (14)  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

 

2.  Fearful things to reject.  Vs 10-11  Paul deals with the reality of heretics within the church.  Guard against the infiltration of false teachers who bring in false doctrines. 

 

Acts 20:28-31  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  (31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

 

a.  The infiltration of liberalism. 

 

1)  The presence of liberalism has brought about much doctrinal confusion in the fundamental ranks.  For too long, pastors and churches have put up with the subtle encroachment upon the doctrines of our faith by allowing false teachers and preachers to go unchecked.  Many of these apostates were men who once stood with us but now have changed their doctrine.  There is a rule that generally holds true:  fundamentalists separate while liberals infiltrate.  Let me explain this statement which, by the way, is mine as far as I know.  Fundamental bible believers will not set under unsound or heretical doctrine. 

 

2)  I am not preaching about the “crossing of the t’s and doting of the I’s.”  I am talking about major doctrinal error such as not standing for God’s Word (this is to reject all other “bibles” other than the King James and refusing to work with those who carry one but deny its infallibility and perfection), those who are off on the cardinal doctrines concerning Christ, the blood, the finished work of Calvary, the bodily resurrection of our Lord, etc.  At this point, all I can say is like it or leave!  This is who we are and this is what we believe.  The bible and doctrinal truth are not negotiable!  Those who do not hold to this truth will find no soft pew to sit upon at Temple Baptist Church!

 

b.  The political correctness of not exposing liberalism.  Naming apostates or separating from liberalism has become unpopular because those who do have been maligned for being too narrow minded.  When it comes to doctrinal truth, we are to be so narrow minded that a gnat can light on the bridge of our nose and kick out both eyeballs at the same time.  We are not to allow such men to come and fill our pulpits!  We are not to support missionaries who do not hold to this blessed old bible that I hold in my hand.  The “sword of division” in the area of doctrine is one of divine approval.

 

c.  Heretic: one who teaches something that is contrary, in opposition to, or contradicts the Word of God.  Schools, Bible Colleges, and Universities are becoming more and more liberal in their theology.  There are few Bible Colleges or Universities that still stand strong on the Word of God.  Some may teach from the King James Bible because of the fear of losing students if they leave the King James Bible but they deny that it is the only English bible and therefore, the infallibility of it. 

 

d.  We are to maintain and earnestly contend for the faith once delivered!  Those who leave the doctrines of the faith are subverted.  This means to turn around or to be converted.  You do not disbelieve the bible by studying the bible.  It screams of inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility.  You become liberal by listening to liberals!  We are to reject heretics!

Remembering Who We Are

Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2015

Titus 3:1-7

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Have you noticed how frequently the Holy Spirit reminds us of who we are and where we came from.  It is not a thing of self-worth or pride that causes He does this.  It is to remind us of who we were, what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us, who we now are, and how that we are to behave in this world.

 

B.  Sometimes, we children of God become proud of who we are and this causes us to:

 

1.  Think more highly of our selves than we should.  Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

2.  Compare ourselves with other who are less spiritually fortunate.  Luke 18:11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

 

3.  Send a wrong signal to this lost world causing them to turn away from Christ instead of to Him.  2 Samuel 12:14  Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

 

C.  In light of the times in which we live, we find several applications in these verses.

 

1.  Be ready to every good work.  Vs 1  Matthew 5:13-14  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  (14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 

Be subject, obedient, and ready to make a difference! 

 

a.  We are the salt of the earth.  Salt gives flavor.  We are to leave a “good taste” in the mouths of men.  Too many times, we have allowed our lifestyle to be evil spoken of and justly so.

 

b.  We are the light of the world.  We need to allow our life and direction in life make a clear biblical path for the world to follow.  Religion, in our day, sends mixed signals as too many so-called believer have become politically correct.  We are to lovingly stand firmly on the bible!  We have no right to compromise what God has said.

 

2.  Live in a godly, loving manner before the world.  Vs 2  Matthew 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

 

a.  I have often said that we need to be “straight,” not “hard.”  The bible is a perfect standard and mankind is sinful flesh so the bible cuts to the dividing asunder in all of our lives.  Let the bible speak for itself.  There are times when we just need to quote it and then let it do the work.

 

b.  We are to love our enemies; pray for those who despitefully use us; be kind to the unkind; and when reviled, revile not again.

 

3.  Remember where we were when the Lord saved us.  Vs 3  Ephesians 5:11-12  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  (12)  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

 

a.  I think it not wise to spend time telling people what we were and what we did before coming to know the LORD.  I have heard so many preachers telling how bad they were and almost bragging on the sin that they once lived in.  We are not to even speak of those things done in darkness and this is not speaking of day and night.  It is speaking of the darkness of our lost condition when we were without God and His word. 

 

b.  When seeing people who are captive to their sin, our thought should be, “But for the grace of God go I!”  The Lord was a friend of sinners!  Love the sinner and hate the sin that brings them to destruction while realizing that we could be the one in that condition.

 

4.  Realize that what we are is because of God’s amazing grace, not our goodness.  Vs 4-7  1 Corinthians 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

 

a.  Who we are is because of the amazing grace of God!  Paul said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.”  If you got saved later in life, give God thanks for the change of life that was wrought when He saved our souls from hell!  If you got saved at a young age, thank God that you have been spared from living a life of sin.  In either case, the greatness of our witness is found in the grace of God.  To witness is to tell of what you have observed and we know the change that God made.

 

b.  Not by works of righteousness which we have done.  We are to live in the light as He is in the light before the lost.  Not proud of self but pride in our Lord Jesus Christ who can do the same for any and all who will come to Him in faith.

Civil Obedience

Temple Baptist Church - 2-22-2015

Titus 3:1

 

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Tonight’s message will certainly not be a new one because the bible deals with the subject several times in the New Testament.  We live in times where the government is often unjust and dictatorial but this is not a new phenomenon.  2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit breathed these verses because many had been falsely led into civil disobedience

 

B.  Am I, as an American that loves his country and salutes the flag, happy with the direction our nation, state, county, and city is heading?  The answer is an obvious and resounding “NO!”  Am I preaching what I feel at times, the answer is a resounding “NO!”  I often get angry and frustrated at the inept governing that I see but Word of God is clear and we are to follow it without question.

 

C.  Unfortunately, some preachers are leading their people into civil disobedience and rebellion against authority.  We will look tonight at what the Bible says about civil obedience.

 

1.  Civil Obedience And Duty - Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

 

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

 

Proverbs 24:21  My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

 

2.  Civil Obedience And Condition - Acts 5:26-29  Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

 

3.  Civil Obedience And Submission - 1 Peter 2:13-17  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

 

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,  (Magistrate - A public civil officer, invested with the executive government of some branch of it. In this sense, a king is the highest or first magistrate, as is the President of the United States.  But the word is more particularly applied to subordinate officers, as governors, intendants, prefects, mayors, justices of the peace, and the like.)

 

4.  Civil Obedience And Taxes - Matthew 22:17-22   Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?  But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?  Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.  And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?  They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.  When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

 

TRIB'UTE, n. 1.  An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one prince or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty.  The Romans made all their conquered countries pay tribute

 

5.  Civil Obedience And Respect - Exodus 22:28  Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

 

Acts 23:5  Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

 

Ecclesiastes 10:20  Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

 

Jude 8-10  Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignity.es (An elevated office, civil or ecclesiastical, giving a high rank in society; advancement; preferment, or the rank attached to it)  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation (to speak evil against or to condemn), but said, The Lord rebuke thee.  But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

                                                                                           

6.  Civil Obedience And Supplication - 1 Timothy 2:1-2  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Some Things That Will Shut Our Mouths

Temple Baptist Church - 2-15-2015

Titus 2:15

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Over the past few decades, biblical Christianity has become the “silent partner” in America.  Satan and the world has done a “number” on biblical Christianity over the years while elevating false religions of every description.  You never hear anything negative about anyone’s religion unless they are true Christians.  Jesus Christ is defamed and maligned while nothing is ever said about Mohammed, Confucius, etc.

 

B.  I do not expect the world to be a friend to the bible or Jesus Christ but what bothers me is the silencing of God’s people.  Most believers have become “closet Christians” while the sodomites, athiests, agnostics, and generally wicked people are out of the closet and vocal about their beliefs (or lack of beliefs).

 

C.  Christians have been somewhat forced into silence.  Titus, chapter 2, sets forth the biblical responsibilities of God’s children.  They are to be biblical examples to those who are around us but, more importantly, to those who follow us.  We are not trying to be in the face of loved ones or the world.  We are trying to allow our lives to reflect Christ.  I want to give the application first though this is not the norm for me.  The application is to each and every child of God.

 

1.  Sinfulness of life.  Sin will shut your mouths.  You cannot speak, exhort, and rebuke when you are doing the same things as those you are speak to!  You cannot tell others to “Do as I say do and not as I do.”  Your lives should speak, exhort, and rebuke the world and, no, you will not be popular when you live a sold out life for the Lord and neither will you be well like but some will respect you for it.

 

Matthew 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  (When our lives become compromised or sinful, our mouths are effectively shut because serving the world by holding on to it will cause us to despise and turn loose of the things of God.)

 

2.  Family members who are not either saved or right with the bible.  This is one of the biggest enemies of our public witness.  One of the hardest things to do spiritually is witness to lost or worldly loved ones.  Most of us were raised in church so we come from “church families.”  When the Lord saved you, in many of your families, there is a division to some degree spiritually.  They think that you have gone too far; they think that you have joined a cult or something; they will apply pressure for you to be like them instead of them being like you.  Some of the things they do you biblically cannot do and the things that you do, they will not do.  Their question is:  We are “saved” and go to church; how come you are different from us?  Too often, your family can wield the sword of division very effectively!

 

Matthew 10:32-39  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  (33)  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.  (34)  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  (35)  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  (36)  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.  (37)  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  (38)  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.  (39)  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

 

3.  Friends whose evil communication corrupt good manners.  We are not to be more afraid of what our friends think that of what God says.  Our old friends will come around and question our changed lives.  The world wants us to be like the world but the world cannot be like Christ until they are saved.  We work with the world; our children go to school with the world and yes, in so-called Christian Schools too.  Most “Christian Schools” are actually private schools with a Christian emphasis.  They are a mixture of both saved and lost children and the school is used as an evangelistic tool instead of a “nest” where our children are kept separate from the world and taught.  Work places are full of the unsaved and they will curse around you; they will tell you off colored jokes; they will try to get you to go when you should not go.  You speak right and live right, they will flee from you and your friends will be those of agreement.

 

Amos 3:3  Can two walk together, except they be agreed?  (The answer is “no” unless one keeps his mouth shut and you can rest assured that the world will voice their opinions.)

 

D.  Our verse for tonight commands that we speak, exhort, and rebuke with all authority, not caring what people think (let no man despise thee).  Nor for the interpretation: Paul is writing to the pastor!  He is writing to young Titus.

 

E.  Pastors are to SPEAK without fear.  Our churches are the voice of God in this world, the voice of one crying in the wilderness.  We are the fore runners of the second coming of Christ as John the Baptist was the fore runner of the first advent.

 

Ephesians 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

 

F.  Pastors are to  EXHORT faithfully.  “And so much the more as you see the day approaching” is so relevant to our times.  God’s people are to be united with their voices.

 

1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 

G.  Pastors are to REBUKE with all authority.  With the bible as our basis for faith and instruction in our way of life, we have the authority of God on our side.  I do not like the signs signed –God I see on the sides of the roads.  They need to just put the scripture there because God has already signed it!  We should be just as vocal about the wrong of this world as we are about the right.  God’s people have been silenced in part because of the example of silence that “speaks so loudly” from the pulpits.

 

H.  I want to look at a few things that have silenced the voices of our pulpits:

 

1.  Pulpits have been silenced because of compromise.  Compromised pulpits are the result of congregations made up on people who want to be like the world and have the world in the churches.  Everything is contemporary!  Times have changed!  The bible has become relative in a wrong sense!  The people love to have it so!  People are stirred emotionally, having their flesh fed instead of their souls.  Churches have become “seeker sensitive” instead of “Holy Ghost sensitive.” 

 

Jeremiah 5:30-31  A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;  (31)  The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

 

2.  Pulpits have been silenced because of attrition.  There is a constant war between the pulpits and the pews of American.  Preachers who preach on sin have become “judgmental” and sinful people leave the church for the “stand for nothing” ones.  The war is a war between our flesh and our spiritual man.  The general nonconformity of the pew to the pulpit has caused good men of God to give up.  They have become light and the people love to have it so. 

 

2 Timothy 4:14-15  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:  (15)  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

 

3.  Pulpits have been silenced because of fear of reprisal.  It has not only become politically incorrect to preach on certain sins but, in some places such as Canada, it is now against the law.  Many pastors are afraid of losing their “jobs” if they deal with the sinfulness of their pews. 

 

Acts 5:40  And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Looking For That Blessed Hope

Temple Baptist Church - 2-8-2015

Titus 2:13-14

Introduction: 

A.  Titus is the third of the Pastoral Epistles: books written to young pastors setting forth the workings, doctrines, and personal sanctification of the believer.

1.  1 Timothy sets forth the structure and workings of the local church.  The key verse is 1 Timothy 3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

2.  2 Timothy sets forth the importance of doctrinal teaching and purity of the local church.  The key verse is 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

3.  Titus sets forth the personal responsibility of the believer to live for the Lord in the light of His coming.  The key verse is Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

B.  I will not spend time this evening to set forth the eminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but those who are knowledgeable in the scripture can discern the times in which we live.  The world is in chaos, our nation is in serious spiritual decline, wrong is right and right is wrong, the New Testament churches are the enemy, and Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world while true Christianity is about as scarce as “hen’s teeth!”  Enough said.

C.  We have been looking at Practical Sanctification in this chapter and the Holy Ghost ends the chapter with our blessed hope, the Second Coming of Christ.  He is coming in two phases:  for His Church and 7 years later in power and glory to set up His kingdom.

D.  I want to look at our verses in two ways.  By way of introduction, we see:

1.  In the price of salvation, we find Calvary – “Who gave himself for us” 

1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversationreceived by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

2.  In the people of salvation, we find Cleansing – “Redeem us from all iniquity”

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

3.  In the product of salvation, we find Conversion – “Purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” 

1 Corinthians 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

E.  Now, let us take a look at those who will be found looking.  Tonight, the world spiritually sleeps; tonight, most churches are spiritually asleep; tonight, most professing churches are spiritually asleep.  Very few people are actively looking for the Lore to return and these verses give a description of that few.

1.  They are a Living People – “Peculiar people zealous of good works”  The word peculiar means to be beyond the usual.  If something has a peculiar smell, it is a smell that is distinctive and outside of the norm.  The word means odd or strange.  I have heard the word used many times as a child in reference to people who were odd or strange.  People who did not fit a mold or fit in.  That is what God’s children are to be.  When the world is around us, we should stand out of the crowd because we are not of the crowd.  We may stand in the crowd but we are not of it.

2.  They are a Loving People – “The great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”  Much is said about Jesus Christ here in the Bible Belt but there are fewer and fewer people who live a life that reflects a true love for the One who died for them.  People who give a pre-eminent place to the Lord in their lives and place His will above their own.  People who speak of Him and witness for Him.  Whom you love, you spend much time around.

3.  They are a Longing People – “Blessed hope and glorious appearing”  It is not that God’s children do not love life and want to live here as long as they can but these special people  know that heaven awaits them along with a new, eternal body to dwell in.  There are 7 “no mores” found in the last chapters of the Book of Revelation and heaven is as much about what is not there as it is about what is there.  A prepared place for a prepared people.  They long for home!

4.  They are a Looking People – “Looking for”  We that are saved are an expectant people.  I know that the second coming of Christ has been prophesied and preached for years but I look around and expect His coming.  I may die of a natural death but I expect His coming.  I heard someone once say that we should plan as if the Lord would never come and live as if He would come in the next moment.  As the world slept at the first coming of Christ (they sat in spiritual darkness), so our world sleeps spiritually.  He is coming because He said that He would come.  That is our blessed hope!  Heaven is home.  I have moved much over the years but one day I will move no more.

1 Corinthians 15:19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.