WEBVTT 00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:12.800 This sermon was recorded at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:22.879 This morning I would like to direct your attention for a few moments to Titus chapter 2. 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:25.120 Titus chapter 2. 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:32.880 We have finished our study together of the New Testament book of 1 Peter. 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:42.880 So for the next few weeks, I would like to sort of reorient ourselves again to our vision statement. 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:46.719 If that is new to you, it's on the front cover of your bulletin. 00:00:46.880 --> 00:00:52.159 Here at Faith Evangelical Free Church, we seek first and foremost to declare the Word of God. 00:00:53.359 --> 00:01:07.599 As we declare the Word of God, we want to disciple everyone who gathers here together, and our discipleship has a goal so that we all might reach maturity in the faith that we hold. 00:01:07.920 --> 00:01:14.400 And that we would then, as we become more and more mature, become devoted followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:21.359 I'd like to give a picture of what that looks like, the discipleship part this morning from Titus chapter 2. 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:27.200 Now we know that discipleship begins with the communication of the gospel itself. 00:01:27.439 --> 00:01:33.519 That's how Christ displays it at the end of the Gospel of Matthew and his great commission. 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:35.120 We declare the gospel. 00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:36.719 What is the gospel? 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:42.000 That the Lord Jesus Christ came to offer himself as a sacrifice. 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:43.439 He died on the cross. 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:47.439 He was buried and he rose again to purchase our salvation. 00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:53.280 As people believe in what they hear in that message, they become disciples. 00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:57.200 So if you are a disciple, you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:00.319 If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are a disciple. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:04.000 A Christian is a disciple, a disciple is a Christian. 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:13.360 So the New Testament pattern is that new disciples are to be baptized as an outward demonstration of new life in Christ. 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:14.719 That's coming next week. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:21.439 We're going to witness some baptisms next Sunday and encourage you to return as we celebrate that together. 00:02:22.879 --> 00:02:31.280 As new believers in Christ are baptized and our disciples, they are to be taught what Jesus said and to observe those commands in life. 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:33.280 That's the end of Matthew 28. 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:35.599 That's what discipleship is about. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:43.039 Discipleship is the process of teaching all of us what the Lord Jesus Christ said and how to live that out. 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:50.800 When we gather together then on Sunday mornings, our gathering is primarily a gathering of disciples. 00:02:51.120 --> 00:03:02.159 We gather on a weekly basis to celebrate the risen Christ, to encourage one another, to pray for one another, to support one another, to worship and to learn. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:10.000 That means that everything that we are and everything that we do is founded on the truth of the gospel. 00:03:11.599 --> 00:03:17.599 In terms of discipleship, we gather together to be taught to observe all that Jesus commanded. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:24.159 And Titus chapter 2 gives us some guidelines for discipleship in the gathering of the local church. 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:28.400 If you have your Bible or your device, I would encourage you to look at that with me. 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:33.280 I'd like to read the entire chapter this morning, and we'll look at it briefly. 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:40.159 So Titus is being instructed here in his leadership by the Apostle Paul. 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:47.759 He is said, he is told, but as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:54.719 Older men are to be sober minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith and love and in steadfastness. 00:03:55.039 --> 00:04:12.719 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine, they are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:16.720 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self controlled. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:31.600 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:34.959 Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything. 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:43.600 They are to be well pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:46.879 Four, here's the reason. 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:53.120 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:55.839 Don't want you to miss that statement. 00:04:56.480 --> 00:05:04.800 That shows us that the entire process of discipleship is grounded, is centered in the gospel. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:32.959 Verse 12, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness, and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, who are zealous for good works. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:41.279 Declare these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority, let no one disregard you. 00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:42.480 Amen. 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:56.399 Titus was told, first and foremost, that the first major emphasis of discipleship in the local church is sound teaching. 00:05:56.800 --> 00:05:58.000 It's sound teaching. 00:05:58.160 --> 00:06:02.800 Effective discipleship is driven by sound teaching. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:11.120 He says in verse 1, but as for you, teach what accords with sound teaching. 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:16.240 I can't see who's behind the computer this morning, but guys, can you advance that next slide for me? 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:17.439 It's not working down here. 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:18.800 Thank you very much. 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:23.279 Titus was commanded to teach. 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:25.040 That was the command. 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:34.079 He was to speak on the scriptures with all authority, even with strength at the end of the chapter, exhort and rebuke with all authority. 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:40.720 He was to do so in a way that was accurate, that was trustworthy, that's appropriate. 00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:44.879 But there's a substantial amount of background to that command. 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:47.120 Look back at chapter 1 and verse 5. 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:53.519 This is where the Apostle Paul lays out for Titus sort of the groundwork for these commands. 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:57.680 Chapter 1, verse 5, Paul said, This is why I left you in Crete. 00:06:57.839 --> 00:07:01.759 In case you don't know where that is, it's an island in the Mediterranean Sea. 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:15.519 He says, I left you there on that island, so that, here's the purpose of his ministry, so that you might put what remained into order and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:22.160 At the time that the Apostle Paul wrote this letter, the churches on that island were still infants. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:27.199 They had not developed in their growth and their maturity as local churches. 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:31.199 They needed support, direction, leadership, encouragement. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:41.120 And Titus was to supply all of that through his teaching, through his leadership, but also by raising up leaders from within those local churches. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:51.040 Following that, he's given some qualifications necessary for who those elders are to be, what character qualities they are to have. 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:56.720 But that's where the idea of teaching begins to gain steam in this letter. 00:07:57.279 --> 00:08:04.879 An elder, we are told in verse 9, is to hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught. 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:05.839 Why? 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:10.399 So that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine. 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:12.079 There are those words again. 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:16.079 And also to rebuke those who contradict it. 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:27.680 An elder, then, is someone who has been a disciple himself, who has grown in the maturation process, someone who has grown to the point where he doesn't deviate from the word of God. 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:34.320 He's able to teach others, to communicate what he's learned so that other disciples can learn as well. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:42.000 With that ability is also the strength to correct, to firmly rebuke those who are in error. 00:08:42.240 --> 00:09:07.200 Now that was important for Titus, especially important, because the local congregations there were bombarded with well, look at what he says in verse 10 insubordinate people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party, that's Jews who were Christians who believed that the Jewish law still applied. 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:11.279 Verse 16. 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:19.679 We read that they profess to know God, they deny him by their works, they are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good works. 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:29.120 In fact, if you go back to verse 12, one of their own people, one of the Cretan national people, said of themselves, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:30.720 How would you like that set of you? 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:32.879 Encouraging, right? 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:33.679 No. 00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:37.600 That's what the people were like. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:42.080 So you can understand then why Titus was given these instructions. 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:50.480 There was a lot of work that had to be done in bringing these people to a place of maturity so that they could lead the church properly. 00:09:52.799 --> 00:10:02.399 But, in contrast to all of that, but as for you, Titus, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:10.639 Sound refers to what's good, what is healthy, what's appropriate, as opposed to what's diseased and sick. 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:17.279 Teachers who only upset people, who seek to profit from others, are not godly leaders. 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:20.240 That wasn't sound, healthy teaching. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:30.399 The kind of teaching, Titus says, or Paul says to Titus, that is to take place in the local church is the opposite of all of that. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:42.080 It's teaching that's solid in content, not mushy entertainment style that's worse than baby food, but the kind of food that is fit for nourishment and growth of the soul and for healing. 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:48.879 The church's teaching must be faithful to Scripture. 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:55.919 It must be solid in content, it must be nourishing to the soul and convicting to all of life. 00:10:57.200 --> 00:11:03.440 Teaching that follows that kind of pattern is foundational to discipleship within the local church. 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:05.279 That's how this starts. 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:12.399 But as we go on, we begin to see a pattern of referring to groups of people. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:21.600 And in those groups of people, we see that effective discipleship is generational, or we might say cross-generational. 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:29.120 First, we need to notice that there are five distinct groups in this text. 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:30.639 There are five distinct groups. 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:37.519 Four of them, these are the ones I'd like to focus on this morning, four of them are marked generationally. 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:42.639 Older men, older women, younger women, and younger men. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:54.480 Now there are various suggestions as to what age ranges were included in those groups, but the fact of the matter is we don't really know for sure. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:12:04.399 We do know that according to ancient literature, the Greek culture considered somewhere around age 50 to be older. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:07.440 I'm sorry for those of you that are at 50 and older. 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:10.000 It's not me, it's Greek culture, okay? 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:11.519 Don't blame me. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:19.519 Now it might be best to say that it depends on your culture. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:29.519 So if you're if if in your culture you are generally put in the older category, then that's what Paul would say. 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:34.159 If you're generally put in the younger category, then you would be in the younger category. 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:42.080 Now, we do know that the term older men is only used two other times in the New Testament. 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:47.279 Once Paul uses it for himself when he was somewhere in his 60s. 00:12:47.840 --> 00:13:03.679 The other time it's used of Zecharias, the father of John the Baptist, when he replied to the angel's announcement that he and his wife would have a son, he said, I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years. 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:07.200 But the point is not the age. 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:16.320 The point in all of these categories is not what age you are, the point is what level of maturity you are at. 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:24.320 Some within the Lord's church have more experience in life. 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:32.720 And theoretically, they have learned more than the younger generations and should be, theoretically, much wiser, right? 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:45.440 Put into the context of the church, these are older believers who have followed Christ for a longer time, who have gone further in the discipleship process and the maturation process than others. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:54.879 They have learned from the scriptures how to live in a way that pleases the master, and they are then able to communicate that to others who are still learning. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:14:03.039 So Timothy is given a list of characteristics that each generation ought to have as they grow in discipleship. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:12.480 And as we will see, it's couched in terms of instruction within the context of the gospel. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:14.960 Let's look quickly at these older men. 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:21.840 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:30.720 Sober-minded has the idea of being sober as it pertains to the use of alcohol, and probably in our culture we could use drugs as well. 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:40.080 But it goes further than that in the biblical context to include the idea of being clear-headed, of being sensible. 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:57.759 An older man's mind is to be clear so that he can give careful thought and consideration to Scripture and be discerning of Scripture and of our world and its application to life, so they're not given to the wanderings of younger men. 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:01.279 Which leads to the second term, dignified. 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:05.200 That means to be worthy of honor and respect. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:09.360 Now I want to clarify that. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:15.120 Sometimes the older we get, we can have the perspective that we deserve. 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:17.200 Respect. 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:20.000 That's not what this word means. 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:25.120 It means you've earned it in terms of your character. 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:31.440 It means the older man should have the kind of character that earns respect. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:38.399 Not that he's demanding it, not that he's exercising authority to get it, but that he he has shown he is worthy of it. 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:46.639 They've learned well what it means to act well, to discern well and to live well. 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:49.039 It's also to be then self-controlled. 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:54.879 If there is any particular nuance to this word, it would be that the older men are to be thoughtful and prudent. 00:15:55.039 --> 00:16:03.440 That is, as men mature in their faith, they should be less and less hasty. 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:07.519 More and more thoughtful before rushing into something. 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:13.759 They're not inclined then to rush into decisions or action without first thinking it through. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:17.679 Because we all know young men have a tendency to do that. 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.840 I'll just stop there. 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:25.519 Sound in faith, love, and steadfastness. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:31.200 That's likely a modified version of the New Testament trio of faith, hope, and love. 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:34.080 You know those from 1 Corinthians 13. 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:39.840 It says sound in faith, hope, or faith, love, and steadfastness. 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:43.200 Sound is the same word as verse 1 where it talks about sound doctrine. 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:45.440 It carries the idea of being healthy. 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:56.240 You ought to have, as older men, the kind of faith, love, and steadfastness in your Christian life that a healthy Christian ought to have. 00:16:57.279 --> 00:17:09.519 That means you should have a healthy trust in God, a genuine love for other people, and a hopeful, steadfast trust in the character of God that enables you to keep on going in life. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:17.119 Now, the idea behind this is that all men are to be growing in these areas, no matter where we are in life. 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:21.759 If we're not growing in these areas, then we need to ask ourselves why? 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:27.279 Why are we not moving in the direction of maturity? 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:42.720 But in the context here of Titus 2, having older men in our fellowship who model these characteristics is key to discipleship. 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:49.359 Because they can help instruct others from their own experience how to walk with Christ. 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:53.039 In the same way, older women. 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.799 Notice the word likewise. 00:17:54.880 --> 00:18:02.880 He's talking about in the same way, in the same kind of pattern, older women are to be reverent in behavior. 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:08.960 Interestingly, literally translated, this would be befitting a holy person. 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:17.759 And that's a kind of a technical term because it's used throughout Scripture of priests. 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:19.920 Of priests. 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:34.960 It's used in the context of the duties and the actions of a priest at the temple, indicating to us that the character, the attitude of reverence carried by a priest is the character and attitude to be found in older women. 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:45.920 It's not simply the way that they are in church when we gather together on Sunday morning, but it's the character that they display in life throughout the rest of the week. 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:49.839 This is their character because they belong to Christ. 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:58.720 And as they've walked with Jesus, those godly characteristics have been developed within them through lifelong devotion to the Lord. 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:02.160 That's seen then in not being slanderers. 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:09.519 If they are reverent or godly in their behavior, then that will extend to their treatment of other people. 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:13.119 Now, this particularly refers to speech. 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:16.400 It means essentially they don't gossip. 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:20.079 They don't talk about others in a slanderous or demeaning way. 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:31.519 But they only speak of others in ways that build them up. 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:40.319 Now, generally, this begins well, this slandering, it begins well and ends badly. 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:46.640 Slander or gossip often begins with genuine care or concern for another person. 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:48.640 You know, I really do care about you. 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:51.440 But now I'm going to turn around and tell everybody I know. 00:19:52.240 --> 00:20:00.480 So it begins well with a proper desire to serve others, but then it degenerates into spreading information that shouldn't be spread. 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:07.039 But older women are to be focused on building others up so that the spread of slander can be halted. 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:16.480 They generally don't give in to listening to that kind of talk or spreading it or initiating it. 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:26.240 That means our older women are to be wise in their speech, wise with their words, seeking to build up others rather than tear them down. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:33.200 Interestingly, this term slanderers translates the Greek word diabolos, from which we get devil. 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:41.920 So whenever we slander, whenever we spread gossip, we are participating in the works of Satan. 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:48.079 We are displaying the characteristic of Satan. 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:52.559 Older women in the body of Christ should have matured beyond that. 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:56.319 Then they are not slaves to much wine. 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:11.039 How easily one can turn to addictive substances as a stimulant or to ease their pains or frustrations or to pacify loneliness. 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:17.039 And those sorts of things can become prisons, which is why the word enslaved is used. 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:26.799 Any believer who is addicted to such things brings dishonor to the Lord's name, including older women. 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:32.319 Now we might think, you know what, that that's you don't need to have that warning. 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.599 That's that's kind of unnecessary. 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.839 Why did you go that far, Paul? 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:42.799 Well, it was needed, and it's probably needed today because all you have to do is read 1 Corinthians chapter 11. 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:48.960 Where believers in the local church were coming together to celebrate the Lord's table and they were coming to church drunk. 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:53.200 Maybe we need the warning. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:56.960 Older women then are to teach what is good. 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:59.200 So there again is the repetition of teaching. 00:21:59.359 --> 00:21:59.759 This time. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:02.640 From older women to younger women. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:07.599 Titus is told this is essential for discipleship within the body. 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:14.960 Generally speaking, those who are older have greater life experience through which to teach those who are younger. 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:22.640 Older women in the body are to be known as those who help the younger generation know what is good. 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:26.960 That is what's noble, what's excellent, what's worthy of pursuing. 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:37.920 They are to pass on the reverent behavior to the next generation and teach them how to communicate care and concern for others without becoming slanderous, gossipy. 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:47.279 The assumption is that you older ladies have experienced life in ways that others haven't. 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:50.319 You've experienced life with Christ. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:58.240 And you have an ability then to communicate that godly wisdom to those who haven't yet learned it. 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:07.359 The older women in a local church are to have these character qualities and actively working to pass them on to the next generation. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:11.839 That's how God designed discipleship in the local church. 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:19.440 Those who have learned pass on what is learned to those who are learning. 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:25.279 Let me throw out a caveat here. 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:39.039 That happens sometimes. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:44.799 It may be, in some cases, that the younger ones have learned lessons more quickly. 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:50.400 And so the learning needs to be reversed in some cases. 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:56.319 But generally speaking, the pattern is older teach younger. 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:59.119 Now the purpose is mentioned here in verse 4. 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:00.880 Why would God say this? 00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:13.440 And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:24.640 The word train here doesn't necessarily mean we're going to sit down at desks like in a classroom, and I'm going to teach you and you're going to learn what I have to say. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:26.400 That's not necessarily what it means. 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:34.160 It means to encourage or to urge to say, this is really important for you. 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:36.000 This is really good. 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:40.000 So that a goal will then be achieved. 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:42.880 What is at heart here is love. 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:49.519 A love that is not conditional, but unconditional based on God's command. 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:59.680 Sometimes, if we're honest with ourselves, sometimes we do need to be encouraged and urged to do the work of loving, don't we? 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.200 All of us. 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:03.519 Men, women, older, younger. 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:09.119 Sometimes we all need to have that encouragement to do the work of loving. 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:12.400 Sometimes loving is effortless. 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:14.480 Other times it takes work. 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:24.160 Older women, then, he says, are to help the younger women understand and know how to follow God's commands as it pertains to their families. 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:34.720 Especially in a world where the prevalent action is falling out of love and then ditching your family. 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:43.359 Now, a comment here before we move on to the younger ones. 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:54.240 It is not unusual to hear from older folks in the church something like this. 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:58.799 I've put in my time. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:04.160 It's time for the younger people to step up and fill the gap. 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:08.720 Maybe you've felt that. 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.640 Maybe you've said that. 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:12.240 Maybe you've heard that. 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:14.160 Let me give you some thoughts about that. 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:16.559 First of all, it's not biblical. 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:21.279 In fact, it's self-centered rather than others-centered. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:25.279 It is me focused rather than Christ-focused. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.960 Now it's true. 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:34.400 It is absolutely, positively true that younger people need to be encouraged to step up and serve the Lord in the local church. 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:43.839 But as we can see here, God designed discipleship to work by the younger seeing you, the older, doing that work. 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:49.119 By seeing you continue to serve and walk with Christ. 00:26:49.599 --> 00:27:00.240 So God's way to continue to work in the local church and through the local church may be through you, the older generations, showing them how to serve Christ. 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:02.799 Even when you don't feel like it. 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:13.440 Even when you feel like it's time to be done, by inviting them to join you, by taking part in their lives to encourage them. 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:20.799 So if you are in the older group in our culture, ask yourself this question. 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:28.079 How am I fulfilling the Lord's expectation to disciple others? 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:31.119 Ask yourself that question. 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:36.880 And remember that he designed it not so that we could get to a certain point and then say, okay, I'm done. 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:41.200 But because the older need to teach the younger. 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:46.720 See, there's something devastating here in local churches. 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:51.359 If the older people begin to back away, we have failed. 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:54.079 We have failed. 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:57.519 We've failed to follow Scripture. 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:59.680 We've failed to be obedient to the Lord. 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:02.079 And we've failed our younger generations. 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:06.240 Now the idea of teaching is continued here in younger people. 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:09.039 First younger women and then younger men. 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:12.799 Younger women are to be self-controlled, the same as older men. 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.759 The younger women are to be thoughtful and prudent. 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:21.839 They are to learn to be women who give careful consideration to action rather than being hasty. 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:24.000 They are to be pure, he says. 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:29.519 That's in a moral sense, to have sexual purity, to have marital faithfulness. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:34.960 This is just as much of a problem for women in our culture as it is for men. 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:38.400 It says they are to be homemakers. 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:41.680 The home and the family is to be the priority. 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:48.720 Now that doesn't necessarily rule out working or even working outside the home. 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:53.200 I think we can see that demonstrated very clearly from Proverbs chapter 31. 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:59.680 But the priority is to be the home and the family, or to make sure that that is first. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:02.319 Be kind, he says. 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:07.440 That is, be gentle, be considerate, sympathetic, following the pattern of God Himself. 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:15.680 Says in Luke chapter 6, verse 35, that God is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:20.559 You know, sometimes it's really hard to be kind to the ungrateful, isn't it? 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:24.480 Sometimes your kindness has a limit. 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:27.200 But it says God doesn't have that. 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:32.960 Be submissive to your own husbands that follow the pattern of Ephesians 5, the pattern that God established. 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:33.920 Why? 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:35.839 Why would he say that? 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.519 The end of verse 5. 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:43.359 So that the word of God may not be blasphemed is what it says literally. 00:29:48.480 --> 00:30:00.559 Those of us who are not in the older category, the world can see how we act in our relationships and in our marriages. 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:07.279 They witness it, they see it, they hear it, they see how we respond to one another. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:09.039 They see how we live. 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:17.759 And so we ought not to give the world a cause, a reason to slander Christ, to blaspheme Christ, to revile God's word. 00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:23.920 Younger men, note again, likewise. 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:42.640 In the same pattern, he's giving character qualities, continuing the idea of things that ought to be seen, evident, and then teaching and instructing where they're not, young men are to be self-controlled, just like we've talked about already, thoughtful and not prudent, not rash and hasty. 00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:45.839 The younger you are, the more difficult that is. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:56.799 But the emphasis here is again the need for the older generation to help guide the younger generation in not being hasty and rash. 00:30:57.759 --> 00:31:02.319 Young men and also the entire church are to follow Titus. 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:08.000 He says in verse 7 to Titus, show yourself in all ways to be an example. 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:08.960 An example to who? 00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:11.440 Well, first and foremost, younger men. 00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:13.680 And then to the whole church. 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:16.640 Follow Titus. 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.480 And so be. 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:22.400 So be dignified. 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:24.640 Show integrity. 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:28.000 Have sound speech that cannot be condemned. 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:31.680 Be a model of good works. 00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:36.720 Again, there's a reason so that an opponent may be put to shame. 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:45.359 Now I want you to kind of step back from all of that and notice the sort of cross-generational work taking place. 00:31:46.480 --> 00:32:00.480 Older men and older women have life and spiritual experience that, Lord willing, has molded them into wise, godly people. 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:06.799 As such, they are to be examples and teachers to other generations. 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:14.799 That means that they are to be active in their lives so that those who are younger are to look up to them for leadership and instruction. 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:22.480 That means, of course, that we are seeking constantly to take on these characteristics in our lives. 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:29.680 And as we do, we learn from those who have gone before us, those who are more knowledgeable, who are more mature. 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:38.559 And by doing that, we fulfill the Great Commission, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:49.279 There ought to be purposeful action taking place between those who are older and those who are younger. 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:59.599 Talking together, praying together, reading scripture together, maybe even in an instructive way, living life together. 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:05.119 Now, there's no real mention here of how that's done, of what that looks like. 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:10.000 And that leaves us open then to accomplish that in a variety of ways. 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:19.279 Now you may have noticed here that what we've seen is not simply generational discipleship, but that it is purposeful. 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:24.000 Effective discipleship teaches others to obey. 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:26.720 All throughout this passage is instruction. 00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:30.400 Teaching on how to live in a way that pleases God. 00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:33.519 That's discipleship in the local church. 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:39.680 We ought to be teaching, encouraging, urging others to obey. 00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:45.359 That means we need to take action. 00:33:47.359 --> 00:34:01.279 If there is a generation that is younger than you, and you have learned things in your life with Christ that they seem to be missing, go and wrap your arms around them and say, Hey, I want to get to know you. 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:03.200 I want to help you. 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:05.119 I want to walk with you. 00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:09.280 Help them know what it takes to follow Christ. 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:15.119 If there is a generation that is older than you, seek them out. 00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:18.079 Learn from them. 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:18.960 Know them. 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:20.719 They're fascinating people. 00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:24.480 See them. 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:33.599 If there is a generation older than you, and by the way, there's very few of us in which there's not a generation older than us. 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:50.000 If there's a generation older than you, see them as people who have walked with Christ and have endured life and learned lessons that will enable you to walk through life. 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:57.760 We need to be purposeful in this as we are sharing the good news of the gospel with others and with each other. 00:34:58.960 --> 00:35:02.400 So here are some questions to get your mind rolling. 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:06.400 Are you in a Bible study group that is intergenerational? 00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:14.239 Are you in a life group that is intergenerational? 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:23.679 Are you in a Sunday school class or will you be in a Sunday school class that is intergenerational to some extent? 00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:32.960 Are you reaching outside of the comforts of your group, of your age group, to include others who are older or younger? 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:35.679 If not, why not? 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:44.800 How are you seeking to be a part of effective discipleship, either as a learner or as a teacher, or both? 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:50.400 Now, I understand that our natural tendencies are to gravitate towards those who are like us. 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:53.679 That's very normal, it's very natural. 00:35:54.639 --> 00:36:02.079 And there's nothing inherently wrong with gathering together, as for example, a group of college students, to meet together. 00:36:02.159 --> 00:36:03.840 There's nothing wrong with that. 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:14.000 But if we're following what Scripture says, there needs to be some sense of intergenerational discipleship. 00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:19.920 And as we are doing this with each other, we're continually pointing each other towards holiness. 00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:26.000 Effective discipleship leads to holiness. 00:36:26.719 --> 00:36:29.920 For the grace of God, he says in verse 11, has appeared. 00:36:30.159 --> 00:36:40.480 Bringing salvation to all people, training us to renounce, to do away with ungodliness, worldly passions, to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. 00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:41.840 That's holiness. 00:36:42.239 --> 00:36:44.480 That's what we've seen in 1 Peter. 00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:46.639 Be holy as I am holy. 00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:54.719 Without teachers, we simply wander around until we stumble across something that feels good to us. 00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:59.280 Sometimes poison feels good. 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:03.440 Sometimes the edge of a cliff feels good. 00:37:03.599 --> 00:37:05.760 Sometimes walking on the train tracks feels good. 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:11.280 Sometimes we need wise people to tell us that may feel good, but it's not good. 00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:15.599 The Lord has given us another way, folks. 00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:27.199 We gather together as a body of believers, not left to be wandering around in life, but to be guided on the right road, the road to obedience and holiness for which we've been redeemed. 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:30.400 God has given us one another. 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:35.920 God has given us teachers within the local body to instruct in sound, healthy doctrine. 00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:42.559 He's given us people who have grown wise in the Lord to urge us to remain on the right path. 00:37:42.960 --> 00:37:49.679 We need that in this ungodly world that has so many different kinds of unrighteous paths. 00:37:50.880 --> 00:37:55.840 I'm out of time this morning, but we cannot neglect the big picture here. 00:37:57.039 --> 00:38:09.760 Discipleship in the body of Christ must take place because it magnifies the glorious gospel to a watching world. 00:38:12.239 --> 00:38:14.800 That is why it must happen. 00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:20.960 It is one of God's means to declare what it means to be with Christ. 00:38:23.199 --> 00:38:26.480 Why should we make the effort to disciple one another? 00:38:26.719 --> 00:38:30.400 Because the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation. 00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:41.360 The world is watching, it sees how we live, it sees how we interact with our roommates, with our spouses, with our children, with our friends, with our coworkers. 00:38:41.519 --> 00:38:45.760 It sees how we live, it sees how we welcome others within the church. 00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:51.039 It hears how we speak of others, it sees how we work, it sees how we live. 00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:54.800 What are they seeing of the gospel? 00:38:56.639 --> 00:39:01.039 The gospel is a glorious thing, and we are living evidence of it. 00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:07.280 We are lights in a dark world giving evidence of the blessed hope of eternity. 00:39:07.840 --> 00:39:25.199 We live in expectation of Jesus returning full of glory to finally and completely redeem us, but in the meantime, we're to be growing, maturing in obedience and holiness, and any time we fail, we cast a shadow upon the glory of the gospel in the eyes of the world. 00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:46.159 If we continually fight with our roommates, if we continually fight with our siblings, if we continually fight with our spouses, and word of that gets out, why would anyone want what we have if it can't change our relationships? 00:39:50.239 --> 00:40:01.360 If the gospel isn't powerful enough to keep us from gossiping about others, then why would the young college student or the high school student or the widow down the street want to trust in Christ? 00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:19.440 If the church is divided between older and younger, with the older complaining about those kids and their music, and younger generations groaning about those grouchy, straight-laced old people, then why would anybody want to worship the God we worship? 00:40:22.159 --> 00:40:28.639 If the gospel divides us in our discipleship, then why would anyone want it? 00:40:31.119 --> 00:40:34.320 More importantly, why would Jesus want to call us his own? 00:40:36.880 --> 00:41:04.400 But when discipleship begins to take place and we reach out to one another as sinners in need of grace, as unworthy recipients of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we realize that in each other we have been given aids to learn and follow Jesus, then when we begin to live that out, we will be lifting up the gospel in all of its glory as something worth having. 00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:06.159 Let's pray together. 00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:11.039 Our Lord Jesus, we ask for your help in this. 00:41:12.000 --> 00:41:26.159 Everything in our world wants to keep us from this, wants to divide us, wants to split us up, wants to keep us from fulfilling this part of the Great Commission. 00:41:28.880 --> 00:41:33.360 Lord, we're not perfect people, so we ask for your the grace of your forgiveness. 00:41:34.639 --> 00:41:38.239 And we don't necessarily do things perfectly here at faith. 00:41:39.119 --> 00:41:42.800 But we ask that you would help us to grow. 00:41:43.599 --> 00:41:53.519 To grow in our discipleship, to grow in our maturity, and make us through our discipleship a beacon to a watching world. 00:41:55.119 --> 00:41:58.480 That light on a hill displaying the glorious gospel. 00:41:59.119 --> 00:42:00.639 And may it be seen. 00:42:01.599 --> 00:42:07.199 Seen as worthwhile, as that treasure worth obtaining. 00:42:08.719 --> 00:42:10.880 Help us, Lord, as we grow. 00:42:11.360 --> 00:42:19.119