A COMPREHENSIVE MESSAGE FOR CONGREGATIONAL MATURITY

The second chapter of Titus commences with Paul telling Titus to “speak the things,” and concludes with, “speak these things.”  The method and manner of the preacher’s task is made clear. His method is to speak a comprehensive message that touches every member and his manner is to seek after congregational maturity.

The man of God must preach with APPLICABILITY, (v. 1-10). Doctrine is to lead to duty. Proper belief yields proper behavior.

There is a word for older men, (v. 2). Paul begins with them for they will be the mature leaders in the fellowship and in their family. There is to be seriousness, “sober,” sanctity, “reverent,” self-control, “temperate,” and soundness, “sound in faith, in love, in patience…”. 

There is a word for older women, (v. 3-4a). These godly women are to be trained to then disciple the younger women. They do so with reverence, “reverent in behavior,” restraint, “not slanderers, not given to much wine,” and with responsibility, “teachers of good things…[as they] admonish the young women,”. 

There is a word for younger women, (v. 4b-5). The education from what the older women speak and the emulation of what the older women show is to help the young women to mature. They will grow in devotion as those taught, “to love their husbands, to love their children,” grow in discretion by being “discreet, chaste,” and grow in discipline,”homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”

There is a word for younger men, (v. 6-8). They are to model a sincere character, “sober-minded,” a sanctified conduct, “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works,” a steadfast commitment, “in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,” and a sound conversation, “sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”

The man of God must not only speak with applicability but with AUTHORITY, (v.11-15). When we preach the Word of God it will mature the people of God. This assures that we speak with conviction as we “exhort,” with correction as we “rebuke with all authority,” and with courage as to “Let no man despise you.” Here is a comprehensive message that will bring congregational maturity. This text covers the three dimensions of salvation. 

There is the commencement of salvation, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men…[in Christ] who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us…”. The true Christian can confess, “I have been saved.” This is a past experience of redemption. Jesus died for us—His substitutionary sacrifice paying the penalty for our sins.

Then follows the continuation of salvation, “teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age… [redeemed] from every lawless deed and [to] purify for Himself His own special people zealous for good works.” The true Christian can confess, “I am being saved.”  This  is a present evidence of sanctification. We are to be a holy people in our lifestyle of self-denial and sincere devotion.

Ultimately there is the consummation of salvation, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…”.  The true Christian can confess, “I will be saved.”  This is a promised expectation of glorification.  Paul said elsewhere, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ,” (Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬‬).

Now—PREACH IT! 

STANDING FAST

 

A man was passing by a field one day and saw a young boy with his horse. The horse was worn down by time and toil—its legs bent and its back bowed, yet the lad was tenderly patting the old steed. The fellow yelled to the kid, “Can your horse run fast?” The boy smiled, “No mister, but he can sure stand fast!”

That is a good trait for every preacher to have!  We may as well accept that burdens to bear are inherent in Gospel work. Giving up and moving  on is ever tempting. 

When facing opposition—as we surely will—we may decide not to pack up our bags but put up our fists!  Don’t strike first, but stand fast!  In 2 Timothy 2:24, Paul tells us three traits of such a steadfast servant of the Lord.

The first trait is TENDERNESS. “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all…”. In ministry you need a tough hide and a tender touch. When assaults come, you let it roll off—instead of responding with a counterattack. Remember that our war is with the Devil and not those he dupes. They are captives to be freed, not combatants to fight. The Apostle goes on to say, “in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will,” (v. ‭25‬-‭26‬‬). The wise man said, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,” (Prov. 15:1). Stand fast with tenderness. 

The second trait is TEACHING. “And a servant of the Lord must…be…able to teach…”. Opposition sometimes arises over a lack of understanding. Poor communication often ignites powerful conflict. The positive truth can overcome the negative tendency. The congregation must be taught. When we are faithful to the Scriptures, If members want to argue with the message, it is not resistance to the messenger, but the Master!  The persistent preaching of the Word cultivates a spirit of cooperation instead of opposition. Stand fast with tenderness and teaching.

The third trait is TENACITY. “And a servant of the Lord must…be…patient… .”  We do not give up but dig in! Outlast your opposition. Be resolute in faith, hope, and love. A tenacious faith trusts God with the problem people. A tenacious hope rests in the potential of change in the problem people. A tenacious love wears down the resistance of problem people. It is always too soon to give up!  I wrote this in my Bible nearly a century ago as I began Gospel ministry:

    DON’T QUIT

    When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
    when the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
    when the funds are low and the debts are high,
    and you want to smile but you have to sigh,
    when care is pressing you down a bit—rest if you must, but don't you quit.

    Life is queer with its twists and turns.
    As everyone of us sometimes learns.
    And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out.
    Don't give up though the pace seems slow—you may succeed with another blow.

    Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man;
    Often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup;

    and he learned too late when the night came down,

    how close he was to the golden crown.

    Success is failure turned inside out—the silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
    and when you never can tell how close you are,
    it may be near when it seems afar;

    so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit—it's when things seem worst, 

    you must not quit.  (Edgar A. Guest)

Brothers, stand fast with tenderness, teaching, and tenacity.