Deurpost

TEXT: Titus 3:1-15
PREACHER: Marc La Porte
DATE: July 19 and 26, 2009

It’s Good to be Reminded
It is good to be reminded often of the things which are important. Peter in his second letter also wants to remind his readers: “Therefore, I will always remind you about these things – even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live […] so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.” (1 Pet. 1:12-14)

One of the main things that Peter wants to remind us of is that “by his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3)

Remember Four Things
Paul wants to remind us of four things in this last chapter of Titus:

1. Remember Who We Are in Christ (READ: Titus 3:1-2)

• Paul reminds us to be obedient and always be ready to do what is good. If we only remind ourselves without doing what is good, then it’s easy to become passive.
• Paul is aiming for action here. He is calling us to be active participants and not only show the love of Christ by our words or our intentions, but by our actions.
• It is James who said: “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:13-18)
• See also: Titus 2:9-10; Romans 13:1-6; Colossians 3:22-23

2. Remember Who We Were Before (READ: Titus 3:3)

• This shows why Titus should remind them of the things mentioned in Titus 3:1-2. Remembering where we once were shows us that the fallen nature is not so far from us, and we need constant reminding to stay where we should be in the Lord
• What does remembering our former lives lead to?
  • It leads to gratitude, because we see how God changed us;
  • It leads to humility, because we see that it is His work in us that changed us;
  • It leads to kindness and compassion to those who are in the condition you were once in;
  • It leads to faith and hope that God will saved them through Jesus;

3. Remember Who Saved Us (READ: Titus 3:4-7)

• When we were in the place described by Titus 3:3, we didn’t rescue ourselves. We were rescued by God’s mercy (Colossians 1:13-14)
• And does God’s mercy give us?
  • Regeneration and Renewing (2 Corinthians 5:17)
  • Heirs to Eternal Life (Romans 8:16-17)

4. Remember Not To Give Up (READ: Titus 3:8-11)

• Here we find Paul’s last warning in this letter against the people within the church who are causing division and threaten the unity in the church
• This warning is not be heavy-handed, but is intended to correct and restore that person to fellowship
• A person who refuses to be corrected might need to be put outside the fellowship, because that person is willfully sinning and knows it
• What is Paul trying to remember us of here?
  • Keep the course, keep reminding yourself of these teachings, keep doing good, for that is what you’ve been called to do
  • Don’t let yourself be drawn away into discussions that are not fruitful
• In Ephesians 4:14, Paul says that when we keep on maturing in the Lord, “we won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth“, but the whole body will be “healthy and growing and full of love“

The Conclusion

• Our mission is to point people in our society to Jesus:
  • It begins with the leadership in the church (chapter 1)
  • Followed by our relationships inside the church (chapter 2)
  • Followed by our behavior and action in a society that desperately needs Jesus (chapter 3)
• Our mission is the mission of Jesus who was sent on a mission from God:
  • “I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.” (John 17:14-18)
  • “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:5-7)
• We should remind ourselves often of the words of Peter in the beginning of our time, that “by his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” (2 Peter 1:3)