LIVING A PRODUCTIVE LIFE

Titus 3:12-15

Princeton Religion Research Center: “One of the seeming paradoxes of American Society is that religion is gaining ground, but morality is losing ground. . . . Organized religion in America was at a ten-year high mark . . . . Evidence of a moral vacuum is seen [by numerous indicators]:

94% believe in some kind of god or universal spirit

          84% believe in a personal God

75% pray at least daily

30% say religion is the most important part of their lives

13% have a “transforming faith,” manifested in measurable attitudes and behaviors

Barna’s most recent research reaffirms similar trends; same paradox has spilled over into the evangelical church in our day.

Gallup’s words: “NEVER have so many claimed to be religious; never has it made so little difference!”

How should the church address this trend in modern society?

Nothing new here! Same conditions in Crete, where Paul sent Titus to address similar problems that had developed in the church.

Town was famous for lots of religion, but little impact on life.

Professed to know God; lived as if there were no God—“practical atheists.”

          This attitude spilled over into church!

Paul’s instructions to Titus about how to speak to the church are relevant to the church in the 21^st Century.

Titus was sent to straighten out what wasn’t right.

     Some things were crooked; they were “bent out of shape.”

          He was to help straighten out those things, to get them back into line.

Underlying assumption: our lifestyle demonstrates what we really believe.

     Our lifestyle reflects our real values.

               People who believe like pagans act like pagans.

          Pagan doctrine produces pagan living.

               People who believe like Christians act like Christians.

          Sound doctrine produces sound living

First section deals with AUTHENTICATION OF TRUE LEADERS 1:1-16.

     What do godly leaders look like? 1:5-9

Best way to produce change:

Identify leaders who demonstrate by example what the lifestyle God expects of His people looks like.

By finding such leaders and designating them as Elders,

                             Titus could straighten out what was crooked.

Good testimony required of true leaders 1:6-9

Designating the right kind of leaders will make clear to people who are watching, the difference that following the true God makes over following pagan gods.

Contrast: Bad testimony modeled by false leaders 1:10-16

Their lifestyle demonstrates they are following a religion that will never solve man’s problems, nor bring us into fellowship with a holy God.

Requirement for leaders in ch. 1, is applied to the whole church in ch. 2.

The church will only penetrate pagan society with the good news about Jesus when our life confirms the truth of our message.

If our doctrine is true, it must produce a distinctive lifestyle.

Second major section describes the “Adorning of True Believers” 2:1-3:2

     We ought to model a lifestyle that “dresses up” our doctrine!

What should people who have a genuine relationship with the holy God of the universe look like?

               How should we “dress?” How should our lifestyle stand out from others?

Every follower of Christ should adorn our doctrine with a lifestyle that’s different from our neighbors who don’t know Christ, and that’s attractive to them.

Otherwise, we will never convince them of the truth concerning God’s grace.

Ch. 3 shows us the source that makes us capable of living a different kind of life, as well as the reason to live that way.

It’s based on God’s work in our life.

               God has transformed us.

3:3-7 presents the transformation of true believers–How God has changed our life.

God has taken what we were: rebels, filled with jealousy, anger, and hatred;

                        and He has changed that into a new life, desirous of doing good deeds.

                             He has saved us.

He has given us new life and a fresh start—a godly lifestyle pleasing to Him

Conclusion: Practical issues reveal implications for true ministry in 3:8-15.

     Stress what’s really important:

God has changed our life—so we’ll live a godly life in our community.

That’s what we should be stressing

                   —NOT the meaningless trivia so many people focus on, and delight to argue about.

               If you’re going to invest your energy in something, be sure it’s worth the energy!

Titus motivates us to demonstrate by our daily life the change God has accomplished in our lives.

          Our neighbors watch us everyday.

               What do they see when they watch us?

                   Is our life different because of God’s grace and the message of His Word?

Take a moment to review one last time the message of Titus.

     What areas of our life has God exposed?

What does He still want us to deal with that we haven’t yet gotten around to?

     Identify the next couple of steps you need to take.

          Decide now what you need to do and when you’re going to do it.

PERSONAL INSTRUCTIONS 3:12-14

Even the concluding personal matters show importance of doing what’s good

               as evidence of our faith which adorns our sound doctrine.

Paul’s plan for Titus 12 “As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.”

Paul wants Titus to visit him in Nicopolis where he plans to go as a “winter visitor.”

His concern for Crete obligates Paul to send a substitute to take Titus’ place.

                   They’re not ready to be left on their own yet.

          Paul is sending a replacement

Whomever he sends to Crete, Paul wants to spend time with his disciple.

His time may be short.

               He wants more time to prepare his disciple for ministry.

Investing time in disciples, what he told Timothy: “The things you’ve heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others also.”

The importance of hospitality 3:13-14

Paul is planning to send two other ministers, Zenas and Apollos.3:13

“Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.”

          They’re passing through, en route to another ministry.

Paul gives Cretans an opportunity to participate in their ministry.

Specific situation converted to general principle 3:14

          “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.”

Paul wants us to participate in the mission of people who are committed to serve God—to help them on their way.

General statement: TWO THINGS HE WANTS GOD’S PEOPLE TO DO:

1. Dedicate ourselves to DO WHAT IS GOOD

          2. LIVE PRODUCTIVE LIVES—lives that are FRUITFUL.

Jonathan Edwards: “It is with professions of religion, especially such as become so in a time of outpouring of the Spirit of God, as it is with blossoms in the spring; there are vast numbers of them upon the trees which all look fair and promising, but yet many of them never come to anything .... It is the mature fruit which comes afterward, and not the beautiful color and smell of the blossoms, that we must judge by.”

TWO REASONS WE SHOULD DO GOOD FOR OTHERS:

          1. It helps them–it meets their need; it’s good for them!

                    –supplies what THEY need, so they don’t lack anything.

          2. It’s good for us!–It helps us become what God wants US to be!

We meet the needs of others for our own sake—because it’s good for US.

We meet others needs so we can BECOME WHAT GOD WANTS US TO BE

One more way to adorn our sound doctrine with a healthy lifestyle.

By keeping busy doing good, we produce fruit that brings glory to God.

CLOSING GREETINGS AND BENEDICTION 3:15 “Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

All his companions send greetings to all those who love them.

Don’t miss in this passage the importance of greeting one another!

Final blessing reminds us again of what we have received: God’s grace.

Paul’s prayer is that those who have received God’s grace might be conscious of it’s presence with us, and the benefits it brings to God’s children.

Paul’s message to Titus, summarized in conclusion: God’s people should dedicate ourselves to doing what is good and to living productive lives.

Evidence of work God has accomplished in our lives.

Among good works we do: help God’s servants by supplying what they need,

                   so they’re free to dedicate selves to carrying out ministry God called them to.

Still a valid principle today!

                             We ought to dedicate ourselves to doing what is good in general.

One way: support those God calls to serve Him in other parts of the world.

Like doing good in general, supporting those God sends serves two purposes:

It helps meet their need. Frees them to carry out what God called them to do.

It also does something for us. We need to do what is good, for our own sake!

We do it as part of becoming all God wants us to become.

Part of God’s purpose in calling us:

          “to purify for Himself a people, eager to do what is good!”

He wants us to have that attitude: desire to please Him by doing what’s good.

NOT something we do to earn salvation, or to earn fellowship with God.

          We do it as an act of gratitude for what He has done for us.

That’s how we live a fruitful productive life.

God’s people are fruitful when we become sensitive to the needs of others around us

          and dedicate ourselves to doing what’s good to help them.

God has called us to serve others, to seek what’s best for them.

Sometimes we act as if we think that since we are saved by grace, without works,

               we can take it easy and live for ourselves.

                   Show me that concept in Scripture!

Any time you see people living with that attitude in Scripture,

               God comes along to remind them that this wasn’t what He had in mind!

We’ve been called to serve, NOT to be served!

A business man recalled his first encounter with D. L. Moody before he became famous,

"[It] was in a little shanty he managed to get possession of to hold a meeting that night.

          The first thing I saw was a heavy-set man holding a small black boy in his arms.

               By the light of a few candles he was trying to read the story of the prodigal son.

               He couldn’t make out many of the words, so he had to skip them.

I thought, if the Lord can ever use such an instrument as that for His honor and glory, it will certainly astonish me!

     After the meeting, Moody said, `I have only one talent; I have no education,

          but I love the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to do something for Him.”

Moody became great because he loved the Lord and wanted to do what was good!

     How about US? Is that OUR desire?