Titus 2:1-10: Adorning the Doctrine of God
Attention
1. What good is a church if the right doctrine is taught
but its principles are not lived by the members?
2. Titus faced a difficult situation on Crete; the island
was notorious for gluttonous and lazy behavior.
a. Christians there obviously
could not share in these sinful characteristics, but how to instill godly
virtues?
b. It would be resolved by
sound doctrine emphasizing personal responsibility and mutual encouragement.
3. The lessons taught to the Christians on Crete are the
same lessons that Christians today need to learn.
[Proposition] We must honor and adorn God’s word by living
lives that reflect its holiness and reverence.
I.
What Our Conduct Says About God’s Word
A.
Our Conduct Must Meet the Standard of God’s Word (1)
1.
Speaking the things that are proper for sound doctrine includes teaching
brethren how to behave.
2.
The way we live reflects directly on the quality and priority of the
teaching we believe.
3.
If God’s word is holy, our lives will reflect that holiness in our
everyday affairs. 1Pe. 1:13-16
B.
Our Conduct Must Defend the Truth of God’s Word (5, 8)
1.
Neither our conduct nor our teaching is to provide an occasion for
criticism.
2.
Our example can be a great asset in teaching others, but hypocrisy is a
liability. Ro. 2:21
3.
If God’s word is truthful, our lives will reflect the same genuineness of
faith that is seen in it.
C.
Our Conduct Must Adorn the Teaching of God’s Word (10)
1.
To adorn the doctrine of God is to make it attractive and appealing to
others.
2.
Our lives should help others see the daily joy and help that belongs to
the Christian.
3.
If God’s word is for our good, our lives should joyfully display that
fact to others. Php. 4:4-7
II.
What God’s Word Says About Our Conduct
A.
The Doctrine of God for Older Men (2)
1.
Our society tends to disrespect and disregard older people as useless and
bothersome.
a)
God’s doctrine begins with the older generation, because they must set
the tone.
b)
For younger generations to succeed, older generations must rise to teach
and lead.
2.
Older men are to be sober, reverent, and temperate.
a)
The idea of reverent here is better translated venerable or
worthy of respect.
b)
Older men shouldn’t play the fool to cling to their youth; embrace the
honor of age.
3.
The word sound is a medical term that means healthy.
a)
Older men are to exhibit healthy measures of faith, love, and endurance.
b)
Far from useless, older men are valuable assets in the work and kingdom
of God.
4.
The patriarchs were spiritual leaders who kept God before the eyes of
their families. Ge.
18:19
a)
The older men shared the wisdom of age with younger generations. Pr.
4:1-7
b)
Before they died, older men would gather their family and give a
spiritual charge. 1Ki. 2:1-4
5.
Older men, God does not measure the value of your contribution by the
strength of your back.
a)
Over time your body may weaken, and you may not retain the vigor of your
youth.
b)
But you can still offer much to your brethren and family; you are needed;
rise and work.
B.
The Doctrine of God for Older Women (3)
1.
There is a special beauty in older women that love and serve the LORD
God.
a)
Physical beauty made fade with time, but spiritual character shines
continually from within.
b)
Older women need to learn to see and cultivate inner beauty, the beauty
that God values.
2.
The older women are to be reverent, better rendered by the King James:
as becometh holiness.
a)
Whatever is fitting and representative of holiness should be cultivated
by God’s woman.
b)
Gossip and slander and the drinking of wine are not fitting for godly
women of any age.
3.
Some older women try to hold on to their youth by dressing and talking
like young girls.
a)
Such behavior is immodest for any woman, but especially so for an older
woman.
b)
There is something absurd about an older woman without the propriety to
act her age!
4.
On the other hand, there is something undeniably wonderful about a sweet,
pious older woman.
a)
God expects older women to carry themselves with the reverence that
befits their age.
b)
Such godly conduct is a reflection upon God and is an example for those
they influence.
5.
Older women in particular are singled out by the Spirit as important role
models and teachers.
a)
You may think young women don’t want to hear from you, but God has given
you that task.
b)
You are to teach the young women God’s plan for them; you can teach when
a man can’t.
C.
The Doctrine of God for Younger Women (4-5)
1.
The world tells young girls, “You can do anything a man can and be
anything you want.”
a)
Ladies, you can do what man cannot; there is no greater calling
than being a wife and mom.
b)
We need to exalt the honor and value of being a wife and a mom; it is
worthy of devotion!
2.
God’s plan for young women revolves around home and family; she is to
exert loving influence.
a)
Today women marry whomever they love; then they learned to love whoever
they married.
b)
Is our culture really superior? What does our divorce rate say about the
wisdom of our way?
3.
Young women must learn to properly love their family; it is not merely
instinctual.
a)
Do you keep your husband content with your attention and affection?
b)
Are you kind, attentive, firm, and compassionate toward your children?
4.
Young women are to be keepers at home/homemakers, and obedient to their
husbands. 1Ti. 5:14
a)
It is an honorable and important task to care for your home and prepare
it for your husband.
b)
Husband and wife are equal in value but not in position; do you show him
proper respect?
5.
The young women are to be discreet, chaste, and good in their character
and conduct.
a)
Discretion conveys the idea of self-control, propriety in one’s dress and
demeanor.
b)
Chastity is purity or modesty: outwardly in attire and inwardly in speech
and action.
c)
Goodness here refers to being useful, pleasant, and excellent
in one’s work and person.
6.
Young ladies, do these qualities summarize your character and conduct,
priorities and practice?
a)
Older women, these are the virtues you must instill in our young women.
b)
Be role models for them; encourage them to honor God’s priorities;
support their efforts.
D.
The Doctrine of God for Younger Men (6-8)
1.
Manhood is defined in various ways today.
a)
God’s man is not a tough-guy who is ready to fight, looking for trouble,
and disrespectful.
b)
Neither is God’s man soft, effeminate, indecisive, and weak.
2.
The young men are to be sober-minded, i.e. sane, in their right
mind.
a)
What is the right mind for a man? Look to the scriptures for a pattern of
real manhood.
b)
God’s men were warriors, prophets/preachers, builders, and above all –
leaders.
3.
Jesus is the perfect example of masculinity in strength, courage,
leadership, and selflessness.
a)
Being a man is being a leader; you are to lead with a servant’s heart,
putting others first.
b)
A real man serves a cause that is greater than
himself; he sacrifices for those in his care.
4.
Titus was to set a good example for the young men in the way that he
lived and taught.
a)
Young men need role models to inspire them toward good works; use your
strength for God.
b)
Young men need integrity (purity), reverence (seriousness), and enduring
sincerity.
5.
Purity, seriousness, and lasting sincerity are uncommon qualities in
young men today.
a)
These are virtues that advance honor above personal position, pleasure,
or passion.
b)
We need more men to learn that to be a man is to lead, and to lead is to
serve.
E.
The Doctrine of God for Those Under Authority
(9-10)
1.
Bondservants were slaves; God’s doctrine for them applies to all those
living under authority.
a)
Bondservants are to obey their masters, not resentfully, but striving to
please.
b)
It is neither pleasing nor appropriate to talk back or steal from your
master.
2.
Remember that time can be stolen too; we must prove ourselves faithful in
our responsibilities.
Action
1. God’s teaching impacts every aspect of our lives so that
His wisdom can bless every area of our lives.
2. Have you obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ? Mk.
16:16; Ac. 2:38; 22:16