It’s weird to see a guy go out and struggle. He might have had a great run just the week before and things didn’t change that much, but for some reason it is just not good. The car is a handful. Last week one of the guys had that kind of night and most likely it is some small thing that changed, slowed the car, and made it way too hard to handle. The same can happen with our health. A little hangnail, a little kidney stone, a tooth etc. can just make life off. A small sin can throw us off and sin coming between our relationship with God is much bigger deal then a hangnail. I say all of this to draw attention to the fact that we need to see the sin in the mirror and to be people who confess, seek forgiveness and repent of sin. Now back to Titus 2.

Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. Titus 2:9-10

We switch to workers and employees. We saw in the opening verse of Titus that we are slaves to Jesus Christ. Let us not forget that position. Now the same word is used here and is speaking to employees and the employer. Being a slave is not very popular right now. Matter of fact people are trying to misrepresent history and trying to change it in the area of slavery. It is a sad thing that so many are buying into this. In the Bible being a slave can be good and it can be bad. The Bible lays out what workers and bosses should look like. Let’s see what it says. Here the worker is to be subject to and follow the instructions given. In today’s world it seems everyone wants to do what they want to do. That’s not good. It feeds the flesh. Workers are to be pleasing to their bosses. They are to have a standard that is high and right. Next, we see a worker should not be argumentative. Don’t stir the pot. Don’t divide. Don’t bite back. It is not your place. Now that was not easy to hear but this is what God says and He says it for a reason. This is followed by not being a theft of time or things. It takes on the meaning of “keep” or keep for ones self. After not pilfering is positives. First, we are to be showing all good faith. We see this as in two ways. One, we are to be full of faith and show it to others. Second, we are to be faithful to our employer. This is to be a pointer. It is to point those around us to doctrine. Yes, we are back to doctrine. Our doctrine is vital and that is why God keeps bringing it up. Have you worked hard at getting a Biblical understanding of doctrine, pure, true doctrine?

Now on to one of the favorite passages (you are right, I am busted, I say that about a bunch of passages).

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15

Verse 11 – God’s way of salvation is clear to all. Romans 1:20 makes it clear that no one has an excuse. The next chapter in Titus is going to make it very clear God’s way of salvation and there are many other passages that do the same. Are you right with God? Are you saved? Have you repented unto salvation and called on the one and only name – Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) DON’T MISS THIS!

Verse 12 – In the NIV it reads It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions. I like that. It is simple and clear and strong. We have to say ‘No” to sin. Do you? I mean do you really say “No” to sin? Do you deny yourself? Paul was not the only one to say this. In Mark 8:34 Jesus said “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself. What was that? MUST! Lots more could be said here. Do you know what sin is? And how are we to live? We are to be sensible, righteous, godly. Do you know what those look like? We can’t live them out if we don’t know what they look like. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 gives us an example. Micah 6:8 gives us an example. Galatians 5:22-23 gives us an example. First Thessalonians and First John both talk of what living Christ-like is like. Study them out.

Verse 13 – This should be our focus. A focus on what is to come. The amazing return of Jesus Christ. Notice here the clear statement of deity of Jesus Christ.

Verse 14 – And what has Jesus done? He redeemed us. That is huge. We need to be redeemed. We are lost, junk and need a Savior and Master. Jesus purifies us and owns us. Those two facts are huge also. Let this all sink in. It should have us breakout in worship. Does it move you to worship?

Verse 15 – Do you see the chain of authority here? It is Jesus Christ teaching Paul and Paul teaching Titus and Titus is to teach the next. What a great picture for today and the church today. Get busy for God.