Sound Teaching

In the first seven verses of the chapter, Paul affirms an important truth, we are saved by the mercy and grace of God, brought to us through Jesus Christ.

Right after he states that we do not merit our salvation by “works of righteousness we have done” (5), he writes Titus to “affirm constantly” the need to “maintain good works.”

Interestingly, denominational preachers often do just the opposite. They are so interested in affirming that we are not saved by our own merit (which is true), that they deny that our salvation depends at all upon our obedience (which is decidedly false)!

Read this from Paul’s pen, “those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works” (8).

Any doctrine that teaches God’s grace does not expect anything in return from its recipients is a cheap and faulty view of grace.  We can’t get to heaven without God.  We all agree with this.  Nowhere does the Bible say we don’t have to do anything!

The child of God has great assurance given him by his heavenly Father. It is a wonderful thing to be able to go through life with the certainty that the preeminent Being in the universe is on your side! It is good to be mindful that “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalms 62:5-7).

Sometimes we have difficulty accepting this truth. We can become preoccupied with things that are seen. This is something Paul understood, and so wrote the Corinthians something we need to hear. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

If you are having difficulty with your life in this difficult world, trying focusing on your hope of heaven as God’s child!

A fact of life we all face is our inevitable decline. The Bible says, “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27). While some die due to unforeseen circumstances, most see it coming through age, or a failure of health.

It is not a surprise that God has accommodated this truth in His instructions to His children. His call for us to love one another is specially challenged when the object of that love becomes more vulnerable or needy. There are numerous examples found in scripture of such circumstances. And it often does not involve age, as other physical circumstances in life can impact our service to one another. Continue reading “(12 of 13) Physical Considerations in Our Relationship” →

A discussion of the Two Tabernacles and the ordinances of divine service mentioned in Hebrews 9.

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An examination of Paul’s wonderful sermon preaching on Mars Hill in Acts 17.

Audio

YouTube Video of Sermon

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Each of these articles in past weeks have emphasized our responsibility to help each other. At this point we recognize the importance of expressing love for our neighbor, and the emphasis that the Lord places on our good treatment of other brethren. The imperative of love is what divides the righteous from the unrighteous.  The Lord emphasized this truth, distinguishing between two groups as He talked of future judgment. His statement, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world” (Matthew 25:34), was directed at those who were benevolent and loving to others. A peculiar part of our culture is the pride (or perhaps other motivations) that cause some to refuse the help or friendship of others. This should never be the case with a Christian. Why would we ever put an obstacle in the way of another’s potential reward in Judgment?

Hopefully we will be quick to offer friendship, care, benevolence and hospitality to those we love. We should be quick to ask, “What can I do?” And to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Consider the very next verse of that context, where Paul admonishes the Romans, “Be of the same mind toward one another…” (16). If we are ready to help our brothers, but unwilling to ask for or receive the same from them, how can we be described as being of the same mind? Part of being gracious is our willing reception of the help offered by our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should not let pride, or a desire “not to be burden” to impede their efforts to do what God expects of all of us. Continue reading “(13 of 13) My Individual Responsibility to Accept Your Friendship” →

The imagery of the vessels can be explained simply. In the Lord’s church, He has the right to expect us to be honorable in our service. Unfortunately, some fail Him in this. They are described as vessels of wood and clay, rather than gold and silver.

Can you imagine being in the Lord’s house, and dishonoring yourself? Some do! Thus his warning which includes the following: Sinful lust (referred to here as youthful lusts), and participating in foolish and ignorant disputes, causing strife and division among the people of God.

The key is to be honorable. This is done by cleansing ourselves from any dishonor. For God’s child, knowing that sin is possible for any of us, we must repent and pray God’s forgiveness when we dishonor ourselves (cf. 1 John 9-10).

Here is what God expects, that we be “a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (9). Are you sanctified? Are you prepared?

Psalm 46:10 states, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The sentiment (as it relates to our understanding of God) is stated in two other Psalms. The first follows an admonition against anger in Psalm 4:4. Instead, we are told to “…Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.” The second follows an acknowledgment of divine judgement on the earth in Psalm 76:8, “…The earth feared and was still.”

God is great. He is preeminent in the universe. This is not merely a reference to His position. It relates as well to our responsibility before Him. He is God. The Son is our Lord and Savior. A way to ensure our acquiescence to Him is to take time to “be still.”

What happens in stillness? As stated in Psalm 4:4 we have opportunity to meditate. 1) Meditate on our actions, and whether we are truly following His will in our lives. 2) Stillness is associated with respect.  The stillness of the earth was the acknowledgment that the Creator had acted. We are to fear God. This fear indicates awe and respect. If we are too busy for God, we are too busy! Take time everyday to consider Him!  3) Stillness is an opportunity for prayer. Go to your “closet”, and in such privacy make yourself known to God!

1 Corinthians 4:1-4 relates an interesting sentiment by the great apostle Paul. “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.” There is too much in the passage to unpack it all in this short space. I want to emphasize one aspect of Paul’s declaration.

Paul was God’s servant, and he knew just how important it was for him to be faithful in his service to the Lord. How can we know whether we are faithful to the Lord? It requires diligence: seen in Bible study, self-reflection, and heeding the counsel of others. Of the three, Bible study is the standard we finally look to in determining our standing with God.  “…And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books” (Revelation 20:12). Continue reading ““He Who Judges Me”” →

Anger itself is not necessarily sinful. However, we must guard against the sinful actions it brings!

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A discussion of Psalm 147, where the Psalmist proclaims “Praise the Lord” and then enumerates the reason He is worthy of our worship!

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Here Paul makes two specific requests.  He says, “I desire”, or “I will” (KJV). (A third request for the women will be seen in a treatment of verses 11-15).

The first desire is for the men to pray (8). The prayers are to be holy, not corrupt or outside of God’s will. The one who is to pray is to do so without wrath (an impulse of anger) and without doubt (something Jesus acknowledged as problematic numerous times).  Wrathful pray is a violation of God’s call to love one another; Doubting prayer shows a lack of faith in the Almighty.

The second prayer had to do with the dress and demeanor of women. The word modest (kosmios) means orderly, well-arranged, decent.  A woman can violate this by being too ostentatious in dress, or by dressing sensuously (the common use of modesty in our culture). The dress that is appropriate is the dress that coincides with the woman’s profession as a Christian.  It is holy dress, bringing light to the world.

Our discussion of the love we are to have for each other is continued with the consideration of hospitality. The Greek word for hospitable is philoxenos and consists of two parts: philo indicates love or affection; and xenos is the Greek word for stranger. A love for strangers. It was used in Bible times to indicate a fondness of guests, or to be given to hospitality.

This is a characteristic to which God gives great emphasis. It was an integral part of ancient culture, and its value is shown time and again in scripture. Both in teaching and example. “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). When we speak of hospitality, it is not limited only to strangers. In fact, it is an important part of our relationship with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a part of the intimacy God wants us to develop. “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9). Continue reading “(11 of 13) Hospitality!” →

A discussion of what the scriptures teach about the Lord’s church. A good lesson to show the error of denominationalism.

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The book of Esther is examined, noting the similarities to our day, such as immorality and oppression.  It is noted that God’s providence works in every age, and that one righteous person can make a difference in the world.

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