In this final passage from Paul’s letter to Titus we are reminded of the Christian journey having started as enemies of God, and then being made righteous as heirs of God.

• We were sinners (hated & hating) deserving of punishment
• He saved us.  Justified by His grace, and has a confident expectation of eternal life.When we hear that the guilty are justified, we can express outrage because of ‘moral superiority’, but we should rejoice because there is ‘hope for us’.  Rom 4:5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.

1. God our Saviour
Titus 1:3, 3:4, and yet v6 refers to Jesus our Saviour. The loving kindness of God appeared in Jesus.

2. Not because of righteous works v4
2 Tim 4:14 God judges people for doing evil Isa 6:1 -5 Isaiah see’s God’s glory and suggests that even his good works are filthy rags. We cannot earn salvation by works!

3. Saved through washing of rebirth and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
Eze 36:24-28 God declares that He will cleanse His people which is fulfilled through Jesus.

4. Heirs
Paul writes that God came to save all sinners (not just Jews)

5. Faith
In v3-7 Paul doesn’t mention faith because wants us to see that God is the hero. Faith only comes when we reflect on the God who saves.

Applications

1. Humility
v2 Show true humility because once we were sinful, we have nothing that allows us to boast. There is no salvation until we are humbled.

2. Be people who contend.
We are called to contend in humility, to stand up and point people to the gospel.

3. Give yourselves to doing good.

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Andrew Heard preaching on Titus 3:1-2 (26/6/2011)

The world we live in today is broken and dominated by sin. The bible talks of a new creation which was promised at the beginning of time. God through the bible and teachers like Paul have provided access to the new world from today’s world.
So that we can live godly lives now, and get an experience of living under God through eternity.

1 Titus 3:1 Paul uses the word ‘Remind’ suggesting he had already taught these things and that the church in Crete allowed the importance of the gospel to take a back seat. We are corrupted by sin, and perceive the new life as ‘boring’.  We have a tendency to believe that the pleasures of sin equates to freedom, but true freedom only exists under slavery to Christ !

Titus 3 v1 Be subject to rulers and authorities, our government, employers, life guards and police.
Rather than pursue the bucket list of pleasurable experiences, we should devote ourselves to love, service and sacrifice, consideration for others.

Impact of religion in society is such that there is a perception that religion & Christianity is the cause of war. But in Titus 3:1-2 we see how Christians are to submit to authority. Wars start because of people, irrespective of religion.

Pray that you develop a passion for the new life in Christ

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Tim Baldwin preaching on Titus 2:11-15 (19/6/2011)

Nothing is more important than to develop a deeper understanding of the grace of God.
- it saves us
- it teaches
- to glorify God

1. Grace Saved us
Grace of God refers to Jesus who gave himself for us. v14  Titus 3:4 When grace appeared, we were saved. It is something that was done publicly and is accessible to all. Because this grace is offered freely and without any performance based requirement, our response is often ‘does it really matter what I do?’ see Romans 6.

2. How – Grace Teaches us v12
Redeemed means to buy back, and grace saves us from the slavery of own selfish desires. The knowledge of this redemption sustains out ability to reject sin and live godly lives. Grace teaches us that going back to sin is like returning to the prison of sin after being set free.

3. Why? To gather people for his glory
Because God is gathering his special people, and our salvation is less about ‘me’ and more about God. Belonging to God means to be holy to him, free from the enslavery of sin. Eph 3:10 God is all about making his awesome glory to the heavenly realms. And he does this by holding up his redeemed people!

Pray that you will understand the holy imprint that God has used to purify us, and to treasure this grace so that it shapes our desire to live godly lives.

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Craig Dobbie on Titus 2:6-10 12/06/2011

What truths create a good community? Pauls doctrine aimed to teach the people of Crete how to live as God commanded.

1. Necessary relationship between individual and the community.
Ultimately the way a community exists is shaped by the values that are held by it’s members. Most Australians are individualists, placing our own issues above that of the community. Paul understands that although we are individuals made in Gods image, we are also members of the community and require self control to protect community values.

2. Self control is saved minded.
Self control is the only command Paul gives to Young men. Self control is an important antidote for Pride, love of pleasure, sexual temptation, tendency to be thoughtless and rash with comment. Seriousness is not prized in today’s society, because it is perceived as boring and negative restraint on freedom. However Paul calls us to take the gospel seriously, exhibiting a “saved minded” approach to living.

3. Make the gospel attractive by the way we live.
We have a responsibility to the great community at large, but an even greater responsibility to the Christian community. Paul calls Titus to live in a way that doesn’t let the gospel come into ill repute.
How does my life make the gospel attractive to outsiders? Do they know I’m a Christian? Good words without works is ambiguous . We need to be thoughtful enough to critique  individualistic society values to uphold the Christian community.

Pray that you will have a commitment to and a conviction about the importance of Christian community.

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Andrew Heard preaching on Titus 2:1-5 05/06/2011

We are surrounded by doctrine, every tv show, movie, newspaper article presents all kinds of doctrine.

Titus 2:1 Paul calls Titus to present ’sound doctrine’ , which consist of principles and ideas that come from God the creator, that bring life to us. This truth should lead to godliness.

OLDER MEN
Older men can become forgetful, irritable and ill disciplined, and therefore Paul calls them to be temperate (not indulgent), tempering their passions, and restraining from developed bad habits. Self controlled by continuing to be
sound in faith, love and endurance. Older men are to be the ones the church, families, grand children can look to as role models.

OLDER WOMEN
Women who are freed from early child raring are recognised by the Bible with dignity. Older women should develop a reverent demeanor, which is an inner conviction about the gospel that is expressed in holiness rather than vanity.
This conviction should enable discipline in relationships preventing slander / gossip. Older women are treasured teachers of the community by the ways she conducts herself. Younger woman especially need older women’s perspective.

Pray for the older men and women in our church, that they will pursue ’sound doctrine’ and become treasured examples of godliness.

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Andrew Heard preaching on Titus 1:10-16 29/05/2011

Sometimes issues are so critical that they demand radical action. In Titus 1:10-16, Paul’s tone suggests that he feels that the false teaching in Crete is a critical issue in need of confrontational silencing.

The ‘circumcism group’ seemed to embrace Christianity but retaining some traditions of Jewish religions by ‘adding’ to the gospel. Adding to Jesus takes away from the gospel message. It demeans the gift of the gospel, suggesting that there is something missing from the Gospel, and also says that the giver (God) needs our help in some way.

Teaching is such an important role in the church, for the successful spread of gospel message. Just like in the days of the early church, the biggest threat facing the church today is false teachers.
This group was suggesting that by external experiences that you will feel closer to God.  However external things can’t make you more pure with God. Purification comes from the work of Jesus. v15

Experiences make us realise what we are close to God, they do not bring us closer. Are you relying on external experiences for your salvation? Pray that you will have Paul’s passion about preserving the truth of the gospel

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Andrew Heard preaching on Titus 1:5-9  22/05/2011

Gods purpose is more than just simply to respond to Jesus. Paul directs Titus to appoint Elders – to bring about structure / institution to the church. Eldership is necessary for the life of the church.
Elders or church leaders were to be selected using the following criteria

Live the gospel (character) v7-8
- blameless
- leading their own family
- faithful to one wife
- not arrogant, quick tempered,  violent, or heavy drinking
- self controlled, hospitable, love what is good, disciplined

Know the gospel (conviction) v9
- notice that this is listed after the character trait
- elders must know the truth of the gospel
- be able to stand for the gospel against opposition

Preach the gospel v9,10
- aware of the importance of being entrusted with the truth
- passionate to share the gospel

Pray for the leaders of our church and for the leadership of our families

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Craig Dobbie preaching on Titus 1:1-5 15/05/2011

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Post Modernism over the last 40 years has shown that 75% of adults, and 85% of teenagers don’t believe in absolute truth. When you remove objective truth, society becomes a society where life is all about self pleasure.

The Bible in contrast offers a truth that is different.  The Bible’s hope isn’t wishful thinking, it’s about certainty. And yet, within our sinful self we often see God as a restriction on freedom which leads to massive contradictions between belief and behaviour

The purpose of Paul’s message is for the sake of the Christian elect.

• God determines everything
• Our choices are subordinate to God, even if we don’t wish that.
• Faith in Jesus is the most valuable thing you have

We should insure the things we value, and therefore need to be lovers of the truth

• know Gods goodness
• appreciate Gods way of living
• nurture this love
• repent of drifting along with the world, gaining a maturity in knowledge of right & wrong.

Pray that you will value God’s truth and strengthen your desire to know & appreciate God’s goodness.

Note: LIFE starts again this Wednesday 18th May (6 nights) 7:15pm for 7:30 sit down dinner

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Andrew Heard preaching on Titus 1:1-4 01/05/2011

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Titus 1:1-4

Titus is a letter written by Paul to Titus, a Greek who was carrying on Paul’s work in Crete.

Why write this letter?
Paul wants Titus to appoint Elders to continue leadership of the church, and the letter provides instruction on character traits which Paul saw as ways to counter potential problems, (evident in Ephesus)

It is necessary to protect what is precious.
This applies to relationships including marriage, and our relationship with God.
Human nature is weak.  What is tangible always takes precedence over what is unseen.

Therefore we need to actively guard ourselves from letting all that Jesus has done for us slide into the background.
Pray that Jesus becomes central in your life, and that you understand the need to guard & protect this truth.

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