Titus was a pastor trying to keep the church he pastored in the center of God’s will rather than the center of man’s wishes. When we encounter God’s direction regarding the Church, we will realize he has paradigm shifts for how we think and live as the Church.
Order in the Church
Titus 1:1-9 Churches can easily drift from the biblical mandate. God’s Word provides specific directions to bring order within a church family. God wants his church discipled. I serve God; I’m sent by God – not the other way around. Election can either become a nuisance, an avoidance, or an obsession. The most foundational element…
All Talk
All Talk (Titus 1:10-16) – Many can profess doctrinal clarity but few can practice ethical purity. As believers, we cannot be all talk in our commitment. All talk Christians can profess doctrinal clarity but unable to practice ethical purity. Satan’s strategy is to get you to doubt, deny, and then defy God’s Word. False teachers are used by Satan to entice those within the Church since those outside the…
The Multigenerational Church
Churches are prone to segregate groups by ages. The biblical example is quite different by modeling multigenerational relationships.
On the Clock
On the Clock (Titus 2:9-10) – While we are on the clock vocationally, we are also on the clock missionally. Even if your job isn’t in the ministry, you are in the ministry. The concept of slavery in biblical times is extremely different from slavery in modern times. Old Testament teaching regarding the positive treatment of slaves was countercultural at the…
Working While Waiting
Working While Waiting (Titus 2:11-15) People tend to drift to either passively waiting on Christ’s return or actively working while ignoring his return. We are to show zeal in our work while we wait. Salvation (Titus 2:11) The grace of God appeared. It was not summoned, warranted, or earned. Salvation by grace knows no concept of merit. Sanctification (Titus 2:12) The gospel will produce godliness. God’s grace enables…
Christ Have Mercy
Christ Have Mercy (Titus 3:1-8) – We will never do enough good works to earn God’s favor. Our only hope for salvation is if Christ shows us mercy. Objection #1: I’ve Been Hurt by the Church (Titus 3:1-2) The local church should be a force for good within the community. We should make it difficult…
Stirring Up Division
4/23/17 – Titus: Stirring Up Division (Titus 3:9-11) In our striving for church unity, we must avoid majoring in the minors. God’s Word teaches us how to maintain unity and deal with those who stir up division. Avoid Divisive Arguments (Titus 3:9) We must discern the difference between truths, trends, and traditions. Truths are the unchanging,…
Until Every Need Is Met
Until Every Need Is Met Titus 3:12-15 Christianity was founded upon what Jesus gave and yet we have turned church into what we get. The tendency in church can be to give as little as possible. Instead of showing minimal generosity, we should see how we can sacrificially give until every need is met….
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
