CONFRONTING A CORRUPT CULTURE
Titus 1:10-2:1
You’re walking down the street and suddenly stopped for a man on the street interview:
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE OUR CULTURE?
Some time ago, I was reading magazine article, expressing concern that . . .
* Credit is stretched thin; bankers and merchants are concerned about what will happen when government and people have to pay back what they owe.
* Oil prices are increasing; fears growing that it’s not going to stop.
* Stock market is shaky; on verge of collapse?
* Mass starvation is a real threat in many parts of the world.
The time: 1920; or again, 1974. Sound familiar?
Whether we’re talking about economics, morals, or nature, we live in a time of crisis!
But the church has frequently been in crisis.
Crisis in 1st century Rome. Crisis in Crete.
Crisis in Europe during Middle Ages Crisis during war years
It’s in crisis today!
What should God’s people look like in a world gone wild—a world marked by economic and moral chaos?
That’s what Paul is trying to tell us in Titus.
Importance of blameless leaders–pacesetters for God’s people–is underlined when you consider the reputation of those teaching a different message.
Their lifestyle was well known. They were perverted.1:10-16 => 2:1
When you see what their religion produced, who would want to follow their lead?
Those who possess the truth should stand out, in contrast to these degenerate leaders
We should attract others to Christ by transformed lifestyle He produces.
When our neighbors see that Christ has changed our life, then they’ll have a reason to look for answers. What makes US different?
False teachers revealed the nature of their teaching by their corrupt lifestyle.
We should be careful how we live, so people can see that God makes a difference.
GOOD TESTIMONY REQUIRED OF GODLY LEADERS 1:5-9
Solution for producing a godly lifestyle in the midst of a perverted culture:
Blameless leaders:
* Blameless in their home and family life.
* Blameless in their personal character
* Blameless in their use of God’s Word
Essential prerequisite:Godly leaders MODEL a good reputation!
Godly people IMITATE a good reputation!
Importance of our testimony emphasized by reputation of false teachers.
What kind of people would teach such doctrines?
These aren’t just innocent seekers of truth!
BAD TESTIMONY MODELED BY FALSE LEADERS 1:10-16
God's children must stand out as different, if we’re going to impact our society.
DESCRIPTION OF SOCIETY 1:10-12
THEIR CHARACTER 1:10
-Rebellious —know what they should do, but do the opposite
--consciously defiant! Rom. 1:32
In rebellion against God, and against authority God has established.
Ps 2:1-4 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. 3 ‘‘Let us break their chains,” they say, ‘‘and throw off their fetters.” {God laughs at them!]
“Spirit of the age” is rebellion against authority God has established—in church, in government, at home, at work, at school—wherever God has placed people in authority.
God has established people in authority. That’s His choice.
They may not deserve it, but He chooses those He wants.
His children acknowledge: “GOD sets up kings and He takes them down!”
We may not like His choices, —but HE’s in charge—NOT US!
God’s children submit to those He puts in charge!
Like our day, people in Crete didn’t want to submit to authority.
They rebel against God, and against those He places over them.
“No one’s going to tell ME what to do!”
-Empty talkers–lots of words, but no fruit—no results
People like to hear selves talk—even about religion.
We’re pretty good with words—even big, impressive words.
But no transformation of character. Our words don’t change our life.
People get upset when you tell them God puts demands on those He made.
Their words are “hot air!” They are meaningless. They don’t affect their life.
-Deceivers–NOT innocent, nor ignorant. They know what they’re doing
Deliberately lead people astray, in the name of religion.
Main movers are the circumcision => Judaizers
They promote salvation and living by works—as if we could somehow satisfy God by our own efforts. It can’t be done!
They misrepresent God’s law, causing others to break it and be condemned by it!
THEIR WORKS 1:11 --go house to house, leading people astray.
Judaizers hounded Paul everywhere he went!
They must be silenced! “Take the wind out of their sails!”
How do you silence legalists? By telling them to shut up?
The only way to silence legalists is by a transformed lifestyle!
Demonstrate how God changes a life, when we stop trying to do it ourself, by rules.
Most convincing argument: BE a light, in dark around us.
-Teach what they shouldn’t teach: salvation by law--works
Their religion is legalistic. “Just keep the law!”
“Live by the ten commandments. Obey Moses’ law.” “You can do it!”
-Teach for the money People pay to hear what they want to hear.
Tell people what they don’t want to hear and they stop paying you!
Theology of “2nd opinion.” Man told by doctor he would die unless he had treatment he didn’t want. Kept looking for another opinion, until he found a doctor who told him what he wanted to hear.
What do people want to hear? “You can make it yourself. You’re basically good. Just try a little harder; it’ll be alright. God appreciates your good intentions!”
They weren’t into telling the truth. They were into making money! People could be lost; they could go to hell. That’s O.K., as long as they pay their dues!
THEIR REPUTATION 1:12 --both Cretans and the false teachers
Cretans known for infamous character.
Like other perverted societies, a verb was created for them.
“To Cretize” was to lie and cheat. —characterized by deception and treachery.
Cretan writer describes them accurately:
-Liars—they are deceivers. Lies and bribes are common.
Condition of American culture described in “best seller:” The Day America Told the Truth:
* 91% of Americans lie regularly.
* When we stop lying, it isn’t because we think it’s wrong; we’re afraid we’ll be caught.
* 2 out of 3 Americans say there’s nothing wrong with lying.
Authors conclude: “Lying has become a cultural trait of America. Lying is embedded in our national character. . . . Americans lie about everything—and usually for no good reason.”
Deception becomes such a part of society we build in a “fudge factor.”
Teachers give impossible assignments because students “divvy up” work!
Speed limits set at 55, when everyone travels 70; “if we set them at 70, they’ll go 85 mph.”
Credit card companies charge 20% interest; going rates less than 10%, to cover for fraud:
IRS tries to figure how to get more from tax forms; people don’t include all income.
Deception has become a lifestyle!
-Evil beasts—Not complimentary! They aren’t innocent beasts; they’re evil beasts.
Poet, sarcastically: “Absence of wild beasts was made up for by people God put there!”
They attack innocent victims—social injustice.
People out to make fast buck at someone else’s expense
-Lazy gluttons--seek personal pleasure the easy way
Have you found yourself asking how YOU can get in on benefits of our great, litigious society?
Bumper sticker: “Hit me! I need the money!”
Our culture is teaching us to watch for OUR chance!
Doesn’t matter how you do it. What matters is that WE live the good life—with least investment of energy possible.
We don’t want anyone to do it to us, but we sure do wish we could get in on it!
Wouldn’t you like to have these guys for next door neighbors?!!
THE REAL PROBLEM 1:15-16
Misused: People participate in something wrong, saying: “To the pure all things are pure!”
This is response to legalistic Judaizers.
Their doctrine: If you eat forbidden food you defile yourself, but if you refuse that food, you become holier. The opposite is true.
Christ pointed out: they have defiled minds and consciences.
All foods are clean.
Food doesn’t contaminate us.
Corrupt culture defiles pure food God created.
“It’s not what goes into a person that defiles him; it’s what comes out!”
-Corrupt mind 1:15b: “both their minds and consciences are corrupted.”
Contaminated from the inside out. Our heart’s not right.
Problem isn’t external activities—that’s a symptom!
Problem is contamination on the inside.
Fruit our heart produces is corrupt.
Corrupt heart makes most beautiful things God made corrupt!
We’ll never solve problem of corrupt society by treating symptoms!
Legalism deals with symptoms, but it can’t cure the heart.
It looks good on the outside, but it’s whitewash on a grave. The inside is rotten!
Only way to cleanse the inside: to change the heart and mind.
Godly people demonstrate difference a transformed heart makes!
When God changes the heart and renews the mind, the externals change also!
-Empty profession --practical atheists
Actions indicate they don’t really know Him.
# 1cause of atheism: ‘Christians’—proclaim God with mouth; deny him with lifestyles
Are YOU an atheist? Oh no, not me! I believe in God!
What difference does it make in our life?
“God Is Dead” movement never believed God was dead.
He must be off fishing; He no longer makes impact on society.
If He exists it doesn’t matter; He’s irrelevant.
He certainly isn’t making any difference in our life
How much different are we? Are WE practical atheists?
What is there in our life that can’t be explained any other way, than by the fact that God has changed us?
-Worthless deeds
Conduct is corrupt! It’s “repulsive.”
In rebellion against God. They cannot obey Him.
Took final exam and got a zero! They flunked the test!
SOLUTION FOR SOCIETY 1:13-21 How do you deal with such people?
3 clues for dealing with such “brutes”
1. FACE THE TRUTH 1:13a “This testimony’s true!”
Don't whitewash it! Don't deny it! Don't try to justify it!
RECOGNIZE IT FOR WHAT IT IS!
You don’t help things by acting like it’s not really that bad.
Admit it! Pagan society is rotten to the core! . . . and WE live in a pagan society!
The only way to change it is from the inside out!
These people were hard to deal with because of their background.
Hard to deal with contemporary, postmodern people because of their pagan background.
Recognize reality of what we’re up against—then go to work on it!
2. HELP THEM SEE THE LIGHT. 1:13b-14 Rebuke them!
Paul’s assumption: such attitudes and conduct aren’t appropriate for God’s people.
"Reprove" = "convince"--cause them to see the light clearly. Same expression in v. 9
"Severely" = firmly, energetically--use of force, backed up by authority--decisive, firm correction
Not the time for soft words--you must tell the truth firmly, but in love.
If we don't confront in love, we will never see transformed lives.
Paul’s words here are directed to Cretan believers. “Speak sharply to them.”
So that => to restore the erring ones to spiritual health.
Don’t try to get pagans to act like Christians.
But we better Deal with Christians who act like pagans!
If we want to attract people, we must model a unique lifestyle!
Article about “baby boomers” by people working with “Gen X:” Summary statement:
“Boomers started a dialogue of idealism about love and relationships in the 60's,
yet lived self-centered materialistic lives in 70's and 80's.”
To paraphrase Paul’s words:
“Americans are lazy, lying animals, living to satisfy themselves, cutthroats who devour one another to get ahead. Therefore, when you deal with them,Tell it like it is! Don’t mince any words! Speak firmly to them. Urge God’s people to be different—to live in a way that’s in harmony with solid Bible teaching.”
N.A.E.: “Evangelicals have been ‘infected’ by the ‘polarization, selfishness, indifference, and godlessness’ in our culture . . . .”
Cal Thomas: “National leadership is important, but those who are looking to Washington for deliverance will be frustrated and disappointed. A ‘trickle-down morality’ is impossible. What it’s going to take is a ‘bubble-up morality,’ in which individuals go on the offensive as moral leaders ‘even at the risk of being called a leftover Puritan.’”
Leith Anderson: “There is a danger that what is least important has become the most important focus of attention. Rather than argue politics and philosophies and strategies, is not our highest calling to “live Christianly?” Holding fast to the values and actions of Christianity in the tumult of change is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. If we live Christianly, we become more like Jesus Christ in our generation. Winning the values war is more about how Christians live than whom Christians fight.”
What is there about our life that is so different from our neighbor, or friend at school, that only God’s presence in our life can explain it?
3. TEACH THEM TO LIVE IN AGREEMENT WITH SOUND DOCTRINE 2:1 “BUT YOU . . .
NOT, “teach sound doctrine!”
BUT, “teach what agrees with sound doctrine!”
Our lifestyle must adorn our doctrine!
Following verses explain it: a sound lifestyle!
In face of pagan lifestyle surrounding us, we have a different message;
we should have a different lifestyle.
Sound doctrine will produce spiritual health and godly living.
We model what we believe by telling the truth—by our words.
We model what we believe by living the truth—by our example, our lifestyle.
Our lifestyle should adorn our good Bible teaching!
That’s why it’s important that our leaders be models of godliness—so the rest of us will have something to imitate, to attract our friends and family to Christ.
WHERE ARE WE IN THIS PROCESS?
Have we dealt seriously with the reality of our culture?
Do we understand how bad off our culture really is?
Have we given up trying to transform it from the outside?
Do we agree with God about how corrupt our society has become?
What difference has the good news made in our life?
Do we know how WE ought to respond in such a corrupt culture?
What does God want to work on in OUR life to attract others to Christ?