1 00:00:04,800 --> 00:00:06,300 It's good to see you all this morning. 2 00:00:06,300 --> 00:00:09,500 Good to hear you guys. Fellowshiping is great to hear 3 00:00:09,500 --> 00:00:12,100 you singing. For those of you that know me, 4 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:14,600 you know, already, for those of you don't, I'll tell you, I wear 5 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:18,200 hearing aids and they are great. Sometimes, sometimes they're 6 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:20,200 awful, but I hear really well behind me. 7 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:22,900 And so, sitting up here, I got to hear you guys and I thought 8 00:00:22,900 --> 00:00:26,000 at first, it's things were turned up a little too much 9 00:00:26,100 --> 00:00:28,500 like, wow, that is really loud and I tried to turn them down. 10 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:31,200 It wasn't you guys were just singing really, really loudly. 11 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:34,400 So that is awesome. I'm just going to tell you that. 12 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:37,500 Combined with fall weather and all the flannel and Boots. 13 00:00:37,500 --> 00:00:38,900 This is my favorite time of the year. 14 00:00:38,900 --> 00:00:40,500 I'm loving it. That just couldn't be happier 15 00:00:40,500 --> 00:00:43,200 than right now. This is like perfect so it's 16 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:44,700 good to see you guys this morning. 17 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:50,400 I'm glad you're here as we sang about just a second ago, in one 18 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:54,000 of the songs we did our sins, they are many but his Mercy is 19 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:58,100 more, that's a great great statement and it's a great Truth 20 00:00:58,100 --> 00:01:02,500 for us as born-again Believers. And that's why we sing to God. 21 00:01:02,500 --> 00:01:04,900 That's why we pray to God. That's why we're we're here. 22 00:01:04,900 --> 00:01:08,600 This morning is to honor and glorify God for what he has done 23 00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:11,900 in our lives, to open his word to learn more about it, so that 24 00:01:11,900 --> 00:01:15,300 we can live our lives in a Godly manner bringing honor and glory 25 00:01:15,300 --> 00:01:16,100 to him. Amen. 26 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:18,800 And so that's what we're here to do today. 27 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:20,400 That's what we're going to look at today. 28 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:26,100 Specifically is Godly living among Outsiders and so the same 29 00:01:26,100 --> 00:01:27,800 theme, we've had going all morning. 30 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:28,900 We've been singing. A god. 31 00:01:28,900 --> 00:01:31,100 We've been praying to God. We've been thanking him for what 32 00:01:31,100 --> 00:01:32,500 he's done. We're going to keep that going. 33 00:01:32,500 --> 00:01:34,400 And look at. What does this mean now? 34 00:01:34,500 --> 00:01:37,800 Now that we've been redeemed, what does this mean for us as 35 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,100 the people of God living in this world? 36 00:01:40,100 --> 00:01:42,300 So that's what we're going to talk about today. 37 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:46,400 Let me catch you up just really quickly for anybody that maybe 38 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:48,800 has missed some weeks, or maybe you're visiting for the first 39 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:50,800 time we've been in the book of Titus. 40 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,100 So, if you have your Bibles, go ahead and turn to the book of 41 00:01:53,100 --> 00:01:56,700 Titus Chapter 2, we're going to be starting around verse 15. 42 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:01,800 So the book of Titus so far will give you the snapshot of what 43 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:03,900 we've learned. And what we've looked at the 44 00:02:03,900 --> 00:02:07,500 book of Titus, Titus was written by the Apostle Paul to his 45 00:02:07,500 --> 00:02:11,800 disciple, his Protege Titus Paul had planted churches on the 46 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:14,600 island of Crete and there were multiple churches on this 47 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:18,200 island. He left Titus there to put what 48 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,000 remained in to order to establish these churches and get 49 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:22,600 them up off the ground and going. 50 00:02:22,700 --> 00:02:24,200 Okay. That's why Titus was there. 51 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:28,400 He left him behind to do this. Now, Crete was a very Pagan 52 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:31,300 culture. It was a very sinful culture, 53 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:34,300 their own people describe them as Liars. 54 00:02:34,500 --> 00:02:38,300 Evil beasts and lazy gluttons. They were detestable they were 55 00:02:38,300 --> 00:02:40,900 untrustworthy. They were very mean-spirited. 56 00:02:40,900 --> 00:02:45,100 Just nasty people. So Paul throughout this letter 57 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:49,500 has been stressing stressing that all this sound doctrine 58 00:02:49,500 --> 00:02:52,400 that tied us has to teach all these things were learning about 59 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:55,900 the Lord and the gospel, and all of that has to influence your 60 00:02:55,900 --> 00:02:59,500 life, okay? It has to change the way you 61 00:02:59,500 --> 00:03:03,500 live, especially in the culture of Crete and where you're at, 62 00:03:03,500 --> 00:03:06,800 this is huge. This has to be a part of your 63 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:10,900 life and so throughout chapters 1 and 2, we've seen Paul 64 00:03:10,900 --> 00:03:16,300 instructing Titus on what to teach how to teach it, who could 65 00:03:16,300 --> 00:03:18,700 be teaching, it who was qualified to do that. 66 00:03:18,700 --> 00:03:22,600 And then the implications that this should have on the people 67 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:24,300 in the lives of the people of Crete. 68 00:03:24,300 --> 00:03:28,700 In the churches, we've looked at several several different people 69 00:03:28,700 --> 00:03:30,500 groups. We've looked at what this would 70 00:03:30,500 --> 00:03:35,000 look like for older men, younger men, older women, younger Women 71 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:37,500 and then Bond servants. So we've kind of covered the 72 00:03:37,508 --> 00:03:40,900 entire spectrum of people groups within the church and what Godly 73 00:03:40,900 --> 00:03:42,500 living should look like for them. 74 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:45,200 Over the last couple of weeks, we've looked at some of the 75 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:48,700 motivation behind it. Why is this so important? 76 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:50,900 What is it that makes us want to do this. 77 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:53,000 And so that's been really great to. 78 00:03:53,900 --> 00:03:58,600 So Titus was to be teaching encouraging, encouraging people 79 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,200 showing them how to do this but then also correcting and 80 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:05,700 rebuking them when they did not. Because of the culture in Crete, 81 00:04:05,700 --> 00:04:08,100 this sound Doctrine should lead to sound living. 82 00:04:08,100 --> 00:04:11,500 You should make sure that they realize that their faith has to 83 00:04:11,500 --> 00:04:14,900 influence their lifestyle. That's been a huge emphasis and 84 00:04:14,900 --> 00:04:19,500 his letter. Everything we've seen so far up 85 00:04:19,500 --> 00:04:22,100 until now has been kind of looking inward. 86 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:24,100 It's been about personal Holiness. 87 00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:26,300 It's been about holding us in the home. 88 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,500 It's been about Holiness within the church and what that should 89 00:04:29,500 --> 00:04:31,500 look like. It's been a, how should we 90 00:04:31,500 --> 00:04:34,800 conduct Our Lives as Christians among One another in our homes 91 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:38,100 and our families, and just personally, what does my life to 92 00:04:38,100 --> 00:04:40,100 look like as a born-again Believer? 93 00:04:40,700 --> 00:04:43,800 Today, we are going to shift the focus, Paul changes. 94 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:46,000 The focus is a bit and this letter and we're going to look 95 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:48,800 outward. Now, we're going to look at what 96 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:53,000 should Godly living look like for Christians out there amongst 97 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:57,700 Outsiders as we leave the church and maybe step out of our homes 98 00:04:57,700 --> 00:05:00,200 and all of that and we get out into the world around us. 99 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,200 How are we to as Christians approach? 100 00:05:03,300 --> 00:05:06,000 Unbelievers and approached the culture around us and The 101 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:07,400 Outsiders. So that's what we're going to 102 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:09,800 look at today. You see, it's Christians. 103 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:14,100 We are caught up in this struggle of being in the world 104 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:17,100 yet not of the world. Amen. 105 00:05:17,900 --> 00:05:21,200 World is not our home. We look forward to a Heavenly 106 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,600 home. So, how are we to interact? 107 00:05:24,700 --> 00:05:27,600 As we are still here in this world? 108 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:31,700 How are we to conduct ourselves as aliens and sojourners in a 109 00:05:31,707 --> 00:05:35,300 foreign land? That is what Paul is talking to 110 00:05:35,300 --> 00:05:38,000 Titus about in today's text and he's going to help answer that 111 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:41,300 question for us. So let's read Titus Chapter 2 112 00:05:41,300 --> 00:05:47,400 starting at verse 15. Declare these things, exhort and 113 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:50,900 rebuke with all authority. Let, no one. 114 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,200 Disregard, you remind them to be. 115 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,600 Submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient to 116 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:04,000 be ready for every good work to speak, evil of no one to avoid. 117 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:09,100 Quarreling, to be gentle and to show perfect courtesy toward all 118 00:06:09,100 --> 00:06:14,300 people for we ourselves were once foolish disobedient. 119 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:19,100 LED astray slaves to various passions and Pleasures passing 120 00:06:19,100 --> 00:06:24,500 hour days in Malice and envy hated by others and hating one. 121 00:06:24,500 --> 00:06:32,000 Another So the the big idea for today's sermon the kind of the 122 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:35,400 central proposition if you will the thing I want you guys to 123 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:38,000 remember, if you don't remember anything else, write this down 124 00:06:38,300 --> 00:06:43,400 is that the gospel transforms us into ambassador's of Christ? 125 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:45,600 Okay. The gospel. 126 00:06:46,300 --> 00:06:50,700 That's what does the work? The gospel transforms us into 127 00:06:50,700 --> 00:06:53,900 ambassador's of Christ. That's what we want to talk on 128 00:06:53,900 --> 00:06:56,700 today. So let's jump right into the 129 00:06:56,700 --> 00:07:00,500 text. 2:15 in many of your Bibles. 130 00:07:00,500 --> 00:07:02,300 This is the last verse in chapter 2. 131 00:07:02,300 --> 00:07:05,500 Before we start chapter 3, it's the end of that section. 132 00:07:05,700 --> 00:07:08,300 When I first started preparing for this, I kind of wondered why 133 00:07:08,300 --> 00:07:10,900 it was broke up this way. Why did we choose to do it this 134 00:07:10,900 --> 00:07:14,800 way? And then I realized that 2:15 is 135 00:07:14,800 --> 00:07:16,600 a, it's kind of a summary sentence. 136 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:19,500 It's summarizing everything we've talked about and it's 137 00:07:19,500 --> 00:07:22,000 helping set the tone for everything we're about to talk 138 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,700 about, okay? So it's a transitional sentence 139 00:07:25,700 --> 00:07:30,100 here. Not only is tied as to teach and 140 00:07:30,100 --> 00:07:32,700 encourage and rebuke. All of the things that we've 141 00:07:32,700 --> 00:07:35,400 talked about so far in the church with the Christians, but 142 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:40,100 he is to do so with all authority, not letting anyone 143 00:07:40,100 --> 00:07:43,500 disregard him, okay? Now this is very, very 144 00:07:43,500 --> 00:07:47,500 reminiscent of his instruction to Timothy in 1st, Timothy 4:12 145 00:07:47,500 --> 00:07:50,800 or he told Timothy, let no one despise you for your youth, but 146 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:56,500 set the Believers and example in speech and conduct and love, and 147 00:07:56,900 --> 00:08:02,500 And in Purity so these things that tied us was to be teaching 148 00:08:02,700 --> 00:08:05,600 all the things we've learned all the things we've looked at that, 149 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:08,400 he's to be teaching these are not just suggestions. 150 00:08:08,900 --> 00:08:12,900 Okay, he's to teach, he's to encourage these things in the 151 00:08:12,900 --> 00:08:16,200 people and he is to do. So with all authority. 152 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:21,600 So these weren't suggestions that Paul is making saying, you 153 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:24,200 know, what if the people feel like doing these things, tell 154 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:26,900 them that would be great. If they, if they can manage it, 155 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,900 this would be wonderful. Know he's telling Titus teach 156 00:08:29,900 --> 00:08:33,200 this rebuke them in this. Make sure they understand that. 157 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,000 These things are absolutely crucial. 158 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,000 These were not optional qualities. 159 00:08:39,100 --> 00:08:43,100 So this verse 15, it helps set the tone for not only everything 160 00:08:43,100 --> 00:08:46,000 we've just looked at, but going forward how important all of 161 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:52,000 this is He was to Titus was to remind them of the things that 162 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:56,300 we are about to discuss verse 1 of chapter. 3 says, remind them 163 00:08:56,300 --> 00:08:58,200 to and then we get into all of it. 164 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:00,200 So these were things that they've already been taught. 165 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,700 These are things. They would have already known 166 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,900 throughout the Book of Titus Paul has been stressing that as 167 00:09:06,900 --> 00:09:09,900 Christians, they were to live differently from the culture 168 00:09:09,900 --> 00:09:13,000 around them. They were to live opposite of 169 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:16,400 the way. The culture looked He has over 170 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:19,800 and over again in the book of Titus listed the qualities of 171 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:24,100 the false teachers, and the Pagan culture there in specific 172 00:09:24,100 --> 00:09:27,700 detail and then turned and said, but you were to look like this. 173 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:30,400 Here's what they look like, here's what the world looks like 174 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:32,900 in your culture, your to look like this and they're always 175 00:09:32,900 --> 00:09:36,000 Polar Opposites, he's done this multiple times, and that's 176 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,300 exactly what he's going to do in today's text. 177 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:45,100 So let's get into this. In verse 1 of chapter 3, he 178 00:09:45,100 --> 00:09:47,600 starts out by saying be submissive to the rulers and 179 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:50,800 authorities be obedient be ready for every good work. 180 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:52,900 Let's stop there. That's verse 1. 181 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:56,500 So let me let me give you just a brief history lesson. 182 00:09:56,500 --> 00:10:00,600 Paul here in verse 1 is telling the be submissive to the rulers 183 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:04,200 and the authorities to the governing authorities over you. 184 00:10:04,300 --> 00:10:06,400 Okay? So give you a brief history 185 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:09,200 lesson. Crete this island of Crete was 186 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:11,600 conquered by Rome sometime around. 187 00:10:11,700 --> 00:10:18,500 And 66 BC 66 to 67 68 BC, Paul's letter to Titus was written 188 00:10:18,500 --> 00:10:22,100 sometime in the mid 60's ad. So there was a little bit of a 189 00:10:22,108 --> 00:10:24,500 gap there between the time when they were conquered by Rome. 190 00:10:24,500 --> 00:10:28,400 And when Paul's writing this letter, but Crete was an island 191 00:10:28,500 --> 00:10:33,200 that was ruled and conquered by Rome, Crete would have not only 192 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:36,500 been ruled by them. So not only would there have 193 00:10:36,500 --> 00:10:40,100 been officials and governors and however, their political stuff 194 00:10:40,100 --> 00:10:42,700 was set up there to rule over But there probably would have 195 00:10:42,700 --> 00:10:46,200 been soldiers there as well. I didn't dig deep enough to find 196 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:48,800 out if there was a military for it, there any of that, but no 197 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,000 doubt, there would have been at least a few soldiers there to 198 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:54,700 help prevent any kind of rebellions or uprisings, but 199 00:10:55,100 --> 00:10:58,300 basically Rome had conquered them and they were their ruling 200 00:10:58,300 --> 00:11:01,200 over them. So, the cretans, the people of 201 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:04,000 Crete, the natives had some animosity toward the Romans to 202 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,700 say the least. Many of the cretans were known 203 00:11:07,700 --> 00:11:11,500 to be disobedient to be insubordinate, especially, 204 00:11:11,500 --> 00:11:15,400 especially the Jewish leaders of the day who were always trying 205 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:20,700 to start some sort of a riot, or an uprising or Rebellion, Titus, 206 00:11:20,700 --> 00:11:24,000 110 told us when we read it, there are many who are 207 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:28,400 insubordinate, empty talkers, and deceivers, especially those 208 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:31,700 of the circumcision party. And then in verse 14, chapter 1 209 00:11:31,700 --> 00:11:35,100 verse 16, we saw that they profess to know, God, but they 210 00:11:35,100 --> 00:11:37,100 deny him. By their Works, they are 211 00:11:37,100 --> 00:11:41,100 detestable disobedient unfit for any good work. 212 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:45,100 So these false teachers these Jewish leaders, these people 213 00:11:45,100 --> 00:11:48,400 that are leading everyone astray, they were known known 214 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:51,600 for their Rebellion for they're trying to provoke these 215 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:56,500 uprisings and these division in the culture, they're occupied by 216 00:11:56,500 --> 00:11:58,800 Foreign leaders. Everyone there seemed to hate 217 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,400 them. So this was a constant ongoing 218 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:03,200 issue. There were constantly trying to 219 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:05,500 start a revolt on the island of Crete. 220 00:12:05,700 --> 00:12:10,700 It is a very common theme and that's why Paul writes to Titus 221 00:12:10,900 --> 00:12:13,100 on how Christians are to approach. 222 00:12:13,100 --> 00:12:18,200 This, how Christians are to live their lives in relationship to 223 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:22,100 the governing authorities, Paul lays out that as Believers in 224 00:12:22,100 --> 00:12:26,900 Christ, as born-again new creatures in Christ, they are to 225 00:12:26,900 --> 00:12:29,400 behave differently. Remember, all through the 226 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,200 letter, here's what they look like. 227 00:12:31,700 --> 00:12:33,000 Here's what you should look like. 228 00:12:33,500 --> 00:12:37,300 If they like to start uprisings. I hate the government and do all 229 00:12:37,300 --> 00:12:39,500 of this and they're causing Division and conflict. 230 00:12:39,500 --> 00:12:42,100 What you you do, should be obedient. 231 00:12:42,100 --> 00:12:45,800 You should be submissive So remember we're not of this 232 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:48,000 world, right? This world is not our home. 233 00:12:48,300 --> 00:12:51,600 We shouldn't act like everyone else in this world. 234 00:12:52,300 --> 00:12:57,000 When Jesus saves us, he takes us out of that former life, out of 235 00:12:57,000 --> 00:13:00,700 that, former situation. He redeems us, he cleans us up. 236 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:04,700 He gives us his righteousness bestows that upon us, and then 237 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:06,900 puts us right back in the same situation. 238 00:13:06,900 --> 00:13:08,600 We were in, but we're not the same. 239 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:12,000 As we were before we've become new creatures, but we're still 240 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:14,100 in the same job, the same home, the same. 241 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:17,900 We'll all of those things. But now, were there as a 242 00:13:17,908 --> 00:13:21,800 representative for Christ were there as one of his ambassadors, 243 00:13:22,300 --> 00:13:23,900 and that's what an ambassador does. 244 00:13:23,900 --> 00:13:27,300 An ambassador goes into a foreign land to act as a 245 00:13:27,300 --> 00:13:30,800 representative for his home country in that place and that's 246 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:33,700 what we are as Christians. That's what the people of Crete 247 00:13:33,700 --> 00:13:37,300 would have been in that culture there in their New Creations 248 00:13:37,300 --> 00:13:38,900 there. Now ambassador's for Christ, 249 00:13:38,900 --> 00:13:43,700 Living amongst these pagan people, that's what we're doing 250 00:13:43,900 --> 00:13:45,600 while we're Still here on this Earth. 251 00:13:46,300 --> 00:13:48,700 So knowing how the Jewish authorities have these false 252 00:13:48,700 --> 00:13:50,100 teachers. And most of the culture of as 253 00:13:50,100 --> 00:13:53,500 treating these Roman officials and the Roman authorities, those 254 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:56,000 Outsiders who were their ruling over them. 255 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:59,400 Paul tells Titus remind the Christians in Crete that you 256 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:03,500 aren't here to start revolts, you're not here to start. 257 00:14:03,500 --> 00:14:07,700 Uprisings, you are here to spread the gospel you are here 258 00:14:07,700 --> 00:14:10,700 to represent Christ. That is your mission, not an 259 00:14:10,700 --> 00:14:13,000 uprising, make that your priority. 260 00:14:13,900 --> 00:14:18,100 And you do that by being submissive verse 1. 261 00:14:18,100 --> 00:14:22,200 Be submissive to rulers and authorities I can just hear it 262 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,300 now. The Christians in Crete assay. 263 00:14:24,300 --> 00:14:26,600 Whoa. Like you want us to submit to 264 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:28,000 these guys. Are you kidding me? 265 00:14:28,700 --> 00:14:30,300 Yes. Yes. 266 00:14:30,300 --> 00:14:33,700 In a climate where everyone everyone seemed to be angry 267 00:14:34,100 --> 00:14:37,900 looking for a reason to Rebel hating the government hating. 268 00:14:37,900 --> 00:14:41,700 The rulers Paul says, be submissive. 269 00:14:42,900 --> 00:14:47,100 Christians are not to be hateful, angry people who are 270 00:14:47,100 --> 00:14:51,700 constantly trying to stir up, Discord and resentment. 271 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:55,200 They had every reason to be mad. They had been conquered by a 272 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:56,300 foreign ruler. Okay. 273 00:14:56,300 --> 00:14:58,700 There were now under Roman rule. Sure they could have been pretty 274 00:14:58,700 --> 00:15:02,400 salty but Paul does not urge them to revolt. 275 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:06,500 He urges them to be Peaceable. To be obedient. 276 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:11,600 Why why in the world? I think Romans 13 can help us 277 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:13,000 with this event. This has been a verse that's 278 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,100 been thrown around a lot over the last couple of years and we 279 00:15:16,100 --> 00:15:19,300 don't have time to dive deeply into Romans 13 and unpack. 280 00:15:19,300 --> 00:15:22,500 That today, that's not our ticks but I love that in verses 1 and 281 00:15:22,500 --> 00:15:25,200 2. It says, let every person be 282 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:28,200 subject to the governing authorities for there is no 283 00:15:28,200 --> 00:15:32,000 Authority except from God and those that exist have been 284 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:36,900 instituted by God. Jay Paul is reminding the Romans 285 00:15:36,900 --> 00:15:40,600 in that letter and he's also reminding the cretans in his 286 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:43,500 letter to tide us. That God is Sovereign. 287 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:47,200 God is in control of all of this somehow. 288 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:50,400 This is part of his plan. We might not understand it, but 289 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:53,300 he is in control. The Romans didn't conquer, 290 00:15:53,300 --> 00:15:55,700 Crete, and God was standing back saying, what? 291 00:15:55,700 --> 00:15:56,800 I didn't know that was going to happen. 292 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:59,100 It's all somehow part of God's plan. 293 00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:03,900 He is in control. He is sovereign So these rulers 294 00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:08,000 that are there are put there by God, God appointed them to be 295 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:10,800 there in that time and place. We might not understand why it 296 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:14,500 might be that they're there as an act of judgment on that land. 297 00:16:15,100 --> 00:16:19,000 Maybe, maybe not. But what we do know is that it 298 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:25,000 doesn't matter because our faith is not in governments. 299 00:16:25,500 --> 00:16:28,900 Our faith is in Christ and in Christ alone. 300 00:16:28,900 --> 00:16:31,600 That's the rock. We stand on, so it doesn't 301 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:33,100 matter. In charge of the government 302 00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:36,600 doesn't matter what matters is Christ and the life that we have 303 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:39,300 in him. So Paul is charging the cretans 304 00:16:39,300 --> 00:16:42,000 to be submissive not rebellious and disobedient. 305 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,300 They were to be a peaceful people. 306 00:16:44,300 --> 00:16:48,900 In fact, in 1st Timothy 2, he even goes so far as to command 307 00:16:48,900 --> 00:16:52,100 them to not, the cretans, but just to command Christians to 308 00:16:52,100 --> 00:16:55,300 pray for their rulers and authorities. 309 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:58,700 So not only be submissive and be obedient. 310 00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:02,900 You need to be praying for them. First Timothy 2 1 through 3 311 00:17:02,900 --> 00:17:07,099 says, first of all, then I urge that supplications prayers 312 00:17:07,300 --> 00:17:12,599 intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people for kings 313 00:17:12,599 --> 00:17:15,099 and all who are in high positions that we may lead a 314 00:17:15,099 --> 00:17:20,500 peaceful and quiet life Godly and dignified in every way this 315 00:17:20,500 --> 00:17:24,800 is good and it is pleasing. In the sight of God our savior 316 00:17:26,099 --> 00:17:30,400 So the overall gist here for the cretans is that they should not 317 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:33,400 be a rebellious people constantly stirring up division. 318 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:38,500 They were to Adorn the gospel by being peaceful submissive and 319 00:17:38,500 --> 00:17:41,600 living gentle lives. Amongst The Outsiders amongst 320 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:45,700 amongst unbelievers around them. Now this still applies to us 321 00:17:45,700 --> 00:17:49,200 today, it will look. We're not occupied by a foreign 322 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:51,400 ruler. Our land has not been invaded, 323 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:54,200 we've not been conquered. So we have to be very, very 324 00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:57,000 careful. Not to read texts like this and 325 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,500 just automatically insert ourselves into that. 326 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:01,300 We have to be very careful about that. 327 00:18:01,300 --> 00:18:03,300 Their situation was much different. 328 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:05,900 Paul was writing what he was writing in this letter for a 329 00:18:05,900 --> 00:18:10,400 reason. This was an issue there but we 330 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:14,900 still have the opportunity every day to set ourselves apart from 331 00:18:14,900 --> 00:18:18,600 the culture by being peaceful and loving people instead of 332 00:18:18,608 --> 00:18:23,600 being hateful and divisive. I think we could all agree that 333 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,300 right now and over the last couple of years, there's been a 334 00:18:26,300 --> 00:18:28,800 lot of hatred and Division in our country. 335 00:18:30,300 --> 00:18:33,100 We as Christians are to lead a different kind of life. 336 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:37,300 So I had to ask myself this question and I want to ask you 337 00:18:37,300 --> 00:18:40,000 to when was the last time you prayed for our ruling 338 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:44,100 authorities and our government? When was the last time you gave 339 00:18:44,100 --> 00:18:47,000 thanks for them. That's hard. 340 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,400 That's really hard at times. We're not going to get into all 341 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:54,600 the nuances of that but again we are to be a people marked by A 342 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,500 Gentle Spirit by submission and peacefulness. 343 00:18:57,500 --> 00:19:00,100 We need to be praying for those in charge. 344 00:19:00,100 --> 00:19:01,900 We need to be praying that God would redeem. 345 00:19:01,900 --> 00:19:04,500 This nation just as the cretans were to do. 346 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,900 In fact Paul not only commands them to be submissive and 347 00:19:07,900 --> 00:19:11,400 obedient he goes on to say they should be ready for every good 348 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,400 work. Now the commentator, John Stott 349 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:17,900 says it is not enough for Christians to be law-abiding. 350 00:19:18,700 --> 00:19:21,300 We are to be public-spirited as well. 351 00:19:21,700 --> 00:19:25,200 We are to be ready. Eager, not reluctant to do, 352 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:28,400 whatever is good whenever we have the opportunity. 353 00:19:29,500 --> 00:19:32,000 So you see these these cretins, the people of Crete, the 354 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:35,400 Christians there were to be looking for ways to do good in 355 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:38,200 their Community. They were to be eager to have a 356 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:41,300 positive impact on the culture around them and help make it 357 00:19:41,300 --> 00:19:44,900 better, not worse. These false teachers, these 358 00:19:44,900 --> 00:19:48,300 Jewish leaders were the opposite of that back in chapter 1 verse 359 00:19:48,300 --> 00:19:50,600 16, it says they are disobedient. 360 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:55,100 Unfit for any good work. They were incapable of doing 361 00:19:55,100 --> 00:19:58,300 good. Everything they did was evil 362 00:19:58,500 --> 00:20:02,100 defiled and detestable. All they did was bring Division 363 00:20:02,300 --> 00:20:05,300 and hatred. This was the culture that these 364 00:20:05,300 --> 00:20:09,200 Christians were living in. Does that sound Vaguely Familiar 365 00:20:09,500 --> 00:20:14,300 for us today? These Christians of Crete were 366 00:20:14,300 --> 00:20:17,400 to be a light in the midst of all of that Darkness around 367 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:19,300 them. They were to look for ways to 368 00:20:19,300 --> 00:20:23,800 help make things better to be eager to do, good to not add, 369 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:27,200 more Discord, and more division. We should do this. 370 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:31,300 Also, again, we're not we're not occupied by some foreign threat, 371 00:20:31,300 --> 00:20:33,800 but these principles still apply to us today. 372 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:36,200 We can still pray for those in Authority. 373 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:39,600 We can live peaceful lives. We can follow the laws of the 374 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:41,300 land. We can pay our taxes. 375 00:20:41,900 --> 00:20:44,200 When given the opportunity, we can vote and try to make 376 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:48,000 positive change that way. Should absolutely speak out 377 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,800 against evil. When we see it, we should be 378 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:54,400 vocal about those things that violate God's word, but we 379 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:59,200 should not be a people known for constantly arguing constantly 380 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:02,900 causing division constantly stirring up conflict and strife 381 00:21:02,900 --> 00:21:06,100 and bickering with people that is not a mark of a Christian. 382 00:21:07,100 --> 00:21:11,700 When people think about us as born-again Believers in Christ, 383 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:16,400 they should not immediately have the image or think of this 384 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:20,300 person whose tongue is loaded with poison ready to spew Venom 385 00:21:20,300 --> 00:21:21,900 on. The first person that disagrees 386 00:21:21,900 --> 00:21:26,300 with me or gets in my crosshairs and is not the way a Christian 387 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:28,600 should act and conduct themselves. 388 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:34,000 Now, do you want to say there obviously are some exceptions to 389 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:36,500 this submission to the ruling authorities. 390 00:21:36,500 --> 00:21:38,900 Okay. I'm going to, I'm going to chase 391 00:21:38,900 --> 00:21:44,200 just a small rabbit here for a second but we worship God, not 392 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:49,500 Caesar, amen. We have to remember that our 393 00:21:49,500 --> 00:21:54,800 Allegiance is to the Lord, not to the state, we follow the 394 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:58,400 rules and the laws of the land, unless they command us to 395 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:02,100 violate God's rules. And commands, that is where we 396 00:22:02,100 --> 00:22:05,200 draw the line. The Bible is full of great 397 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:09,100 examples of this just wanted, Shadrach Meshach and Abednego in 398 00:22:09,100 --> 00:22:12,700 Daniel chapter 3 King Nebuchadnezzar had made a decree 399 00:22:12,700 --> 00:22:15,100 that when the horn sounded everyone had to Bow Down and 400 00:22:15,100 --> 00:22:18,400 Worship the image of gold. These three guys I would not do 401 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:21,300 that. When summoned to answer for this 402 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,400 King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them in the fiery. 403 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:27,700 Furnace. Here's what they said to the 404 00:22:27,700 --> 00:22:32,100 king o Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this 405 00:22:32,100 --> 00:22:35,600 matter. If this be so our God, whom we 406 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:39,300 serve is able to Deliver Us From The Burning fiery furnace and he 407 00:22:39,300 --> 00:22:44,000 will deliver us out of your hand O King but if not be it known To 408 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:47,700 You O King, we will not serve your gods or worship the golden 409 00:22:47,700 --> 00:22:52,200 image that you have set up. So these three guys are saying 410 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:54,800 you're going to throw us in a fiery furnace, you're going to 411 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:57,100 kill us if we don't Bow Down and Worship your idol. 412 00:22:57,700 --> 00:23:01,000 Fine do it, God might Deliver us, but if he doesn't, we're 413 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:02,300 still not going to worship your idol. 414 00:23:02,300 --> 00:23:04,200 Throw us in there. Do it. 415 00:23:04,300 --> 00:23:07,600 Go ahead. And of course, God did deliver 416 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,700 them. Peter and the apostles is 417 00:23:10,700 --> 00:23:14,500 another great example in Acts chapter 5 verses, 27 through 29 418 00:23:15,100 --> 00:23:18,700 says when they had brought them, they set them before the council 419 00:23:19,300 --> 00:23:22,000 and the high priest. Questioned them saying, we 420 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:25,600 strictly charged you not to teach in this name. 421 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:30,400 Meaning Jesus yet. Here you have filled Jerusalem 422 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:33,300 with your teaching and you intend to bring this man's blood 423 00:23:33,300 --> 00:23:36,000 upon us. But Peter and the apostles 424 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:39,300 answered we must obey God, rather than men. 425 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:43,300 That is The Stance we take as Christians. 426 00:23:44,100 --> 00:23:47,100 We live as peaceably as we can, we follow the rules. 427 00:23:47,100 --> 00:23:51,300 We do what we can to promote peace and bring people together, 428 00:23:51,300 --> 00:23:55,100 not divided but we never never never violate God's command. 429 00:23:56,000 --> 00:24:01,200 So if our country ever gets to a place for example where a law 430 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:06,300 comes into into place that says that Pastors in churches have to 431 00:24:06,300 --> 00:24:10,200 no matter what Mary people of the same sex they have to do 432 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:12,500 that. And if you don't you'll lose 433 00:24:12,500 --> 00:24:14,600 your privileges as a church. You won't be tactics of 434 00:24:14,608 --> 00:24:17,600 tax-exempt anymore. If something like that were to 435 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:21,100 happen, the Elders of this church will come stand before 436 00:24:21,100 --> 00:24:25,200 you guys and say you're offering is no longer tax-exempt, we're 437 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:31,000 not going to do it. Another great example would be 438 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:36,100 if our government tells us you can't worship. 439 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:40,100 You can't gather together and worship God anymore. 440 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:42,100 You can't do that. It's against the rules now. 441 00:24:43,700 --> 00:24:46,400 You guys will have to have Miss Kay deliver bread to the jail, 442 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,000 cause that's where we're going to be. 443 00:24:49,100 --> 00:24:52,200 We're not going to stop worshipping ever. 444 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:15,700 Jesus Christ. Is our King. 445 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:27,000 We owe him our Allegiance. We are to live as peaceably as 446 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:33,300 we can while we're here. We are to follow the laws of the 447 00:25:33,300 --> 00:25:36,400 land. We are to be a people known for 448 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:41,100 gentleness and meekness and be mild but we will not. 449 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:45,900 We cannot Violate God's command to do so. 450 00:25:48,100 --> 00:25:51,100 So, this was just one of the ways. 451 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:54,300 That the cretans that the Christians of Crete were to 452 00:25:54,300 --> 00:25:58,600 engage The Outsiders and the unbelievers and their culture. 453 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:02,900 The government had this is a very specific situation for them 454 00:26:02,900 --> 00:26:07,100 but this is how they were to approach this as opposed to the 455 00:26:07,100 --> 00:26:09,600 culture around them. It was a huge part of what was 456 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:13,000 happening in created the time. If you'll remember back in 457 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:17,200 Chapter 2 verses 9 through 10, that was the section on bond 458 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:20,800 servants, and they also were called to be submissive to their 459 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:25,700 masters for of Purpose of adorning, the Gospel making the 460 00:26:25,700 --> 00:26:29,000 gospel, lovely, making it attractive to other people. 461 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:31,900 That was why they were to be submissive. 462 00:26:31,900 --> 00:26:35,900 And it's the same thing here. We are to be submissive to our 463 00:26:35,900 --> 00:26:38,800 government. We are to live peaceably to make 464 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:42,400 the gospel attractive. Nothing is attractive about a 465 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:46,000 people that are just constantly fighting and quarreling and 466 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:51,800 stirring up division, whether it be in person or Online. 467 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:57,600 So let's move on another way that these Christians on Crete 468 00:26:57,600 --> 00:26:59,400 were to engage the culture around them. 469 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:02,300 Another way, they were to be ambassadors for the gospel. 470 00:27:02,300 --> 00:27:05,700 Amongst the culture was with unbelievers and just people in 471 00:27:05,700 --> 00:27:09,700 general. So, verse 2. 472 00:27:10,900 --> 00:27:14,200 Paul starts to give instruction on how to treat people people in 473 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:17,100 general, okay? He starts verse 2 with speak 474 00:27:17,100 --> 00:27:20,600 evil of no one and ends it with show show. 475 00:27:20,600 --> 00:27:24,400 Perfect perfect, courtesy toward all, people or everyone. 476 00:27:25,000 --> 00:27:28,200 So, these verses are not just about Believers. 477 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:31,000 These are about all people. Everyone, specifically, 478 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:34,700 unbelievers, it is essential to notice this. 479 00:27:34,700 --> 00:27:38,800 That this means everybody. So when it comes to dealing with 480 00:27:38,800 --> 00:27:42,300 people, Paul and these verses gives us two negatives into 481 00:27:42,300 --> 00:27:44,600 positives to some do's and some doughnuts. 482 00:27:44,600 --> 00:27:46,500 Okay? So here's the to negative 483 00:27:46,500 --> 00:27:49,000 commands, don't speak evil of anyone. 484 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:53,400 In other words, don't use your words, negatively, don't 485 00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:56,400 slander. Don't talk about people behind 486 00:27:56,400 --> 00:27:58,700 their back, don't badmouth people. 487 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:02,000 Paul said the same thing to the Ephesians in chapter 4, verse 488 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:04,200 29. He says like no corrupting talk 489 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:07,100 come out of your mouths, but only such as is good. 490 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:11,100 For building up as fits the occasion, that it may give Grace 491 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:15,500 to those who hear all of this. Again, still applies. 492 00:28:16,100 --> 00:28:19,600 We should build people up with our speech, not tear them down. 493 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:22,400 We shouldn't slander others. We shouldn't gossip. 494 00:28:22,900 --> 00:28:25,600 Remember, this is how the false teachers act, right? 495 00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:28,700 This is what they do. They're constantly talking bad 496 00:28:28,700 --> 00:28:31,400 about people constantly, gossiping and slandering, and 497 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:34,200 backbiting, and we're to be opposite of that. 498 00:28:35,500 --> 00:28:40,700 The other - here is don't quarrel or avoid quarreling, but 499 00:28:40,700 --> 00:28:42,800 don't don't quarrel don't start fights. 500 00:28:43,300 --> 00:28:45,200 They shouldn't be picking fights, they shouldn't be 501 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,800 argumentative and bickering with people, they should be should 502 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:51,800 not be looking for conflict all the time. 503 00:28:51,800 --> 00:28:55,400 This goes hand-in-hand, with why would they were to be submissive 504 00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:59,100 to the government. Because constantly, bickering 505 00:28:59,100 --> 00:29:02,800 constantly fighting does not do anything but make the gospel 506 00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:06,900 look unattractive. So we shouldn't go looking for 507 00:29:06,900 --> 00:29:09,600 division. We shouldn't be looking for ways 508 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:14,500 to fight and disagree again with our mouths or with our fingers 509 00:29:14,500 --> 00:29:17,300 on a keyboard. There's we should not be looking 510 00:29:17,300 --> 00:29:21,800 for ways to divide and slander and argue with people as 511 00:29:21,800 --> 00:29:24,600 Christians we shouldn't run toward conflict. 512 00:29:24,600 --> 00:29:28,000 We should be looking for opportunities to reconcile with 513 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:32,800 people and to love people. We should want to and do our 514 00:29:32,800 --> 00:29:38,000 best to live out Romans. 18 which says, if possible so far 515 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:41,000 as it depends on, you live peaceably with all people. 516 00:29:42,200 --> 00:29:46,500 Now, sometimes we can't help it. Controversy and divisions are 517 00:29:46,500 --> 00:29:49,200 going to happen, sometimes it just lands on our doorstep. 518 00:29:49,900 --> 00:29:54,000 But how we handle that can still Adorn the gospel? 519 00:29:54,800 --> 00:29:58,600 We shouldn't be antagonists. And those situations, we should 520 00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:02,600 be gentle, our speech should be seasoned with love and grace 521 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:05,200 toward other people. Give them the benefit of the 522 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:07,500 doubt. Hear them out, listen to them. 523 00:30:07,500 --> 00:30:12,100 Well, love them. Well, Then the two positive 524 00:30:12,100 --> 00:30:15,400 commands here. Be gentle, do be gentle. 525 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:19,700 I thought this was really neat. The, the Greek word here for 526 00:30:19,700 --> 00:30:24,400 this means to be gracious or concealed e ettore. 527 00:30:24,800 --> 00:30:27,600 I'm probably saying that wrong, but I had to look the word up. 528 00:30:28,000 --> 00:30:33,700 It means intended to pacify, Okay, don't don't miss that. 529 00:30:33,800 --> 00:30:37,600 You're to be gentle or gracious, or intending to pacify. 530 00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:41,800 So, rather than looking for opportunities, for conflict and 531 00:30:41,800 --> 00:30:45,800 division to stir up Strife, we're to be of people marked by 532 00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:50,300 wanting looking for ways to pacify and bring peace to 533 00:30:50,300 --> 00:30:53,100 situations, especially in our own lives with people that we 534 00:30:53,100 --> 00:30:55,200 deal with. But even in the lives of others, 535 00:30:55,400 --> 00:31:02,500 the rear around weird to be peacemakers So many many times 536 00:31:03,000 --> 00:31:08,300 when conflicts arise, how we handle that can make a huge 537 00:31:08,300 --> 00:31:11,200 difference between reconciliation and division. 538 00:31:11,600 --> 00:31:13,100 So, we need to keep that in mind. 539 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:18,600 We also are to show perfect courtesy to all people. 540 00:31:18,600 --> 00:31:20,500 Another way. This is translated is all 541 00:31:20,500 --> 00:31:25,200 courtesy to all people. This could also mean gentleness 542 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:30,100 humility meekness considerate, giving people the benefit of the 543 00:31:30,100 --> 00:31:33,600 doubt. So all gentleness all courtesy 544 00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:38,700 to all people we're to show as much courtesy as we possibly can 545 00:31:38,700 --> 00:31:41,800 to every single person that we come into contact with all 546 00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:47,000 people against Todd says In other words, there's no limit to 547 00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:51,100 how much humble courtesy that we should show or who we should 548 00:31:51,100 --> 00:31:54,000 show it to as much as we can muster. 549 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:58,500 We should show all courtesy, all gentleness to all people all the 550 00:31:58,500 --> 00:32:01,300 time, there's no caveats to this. 551 00:32:02,600 --> 00:32:07,500 He goes on to say that these two positive commands here where two 552 00:32:07,500 --> 00:32:11,600 characteristics of Jesus himself, that Paul appealed to 553 00:32:11,600 --> 00:32:15,600 the Corinthians with and second Corinthians, 10 meek and Mild. 554 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:19,400 Gentle and meek, we are to emulate Christ in this. 555 00:32:19,400 --> 00:32:24,300 We are ambassadors of Christ were in a foreign land as his 556 00:32:24,300 --> 00:32:26,700 Representatives we should want to live our lives. 557 00:32:26,700 --> 00:32:30,300 As Christ, lived his life, we should want to be gentle and 558 00:32:30,300 --> 00:32:33,000 meek and mild and how we're Late to peep. 559 00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:38,900 So these are just two ways that Paul wrote to Titus for the 560 00:32:38,900 --> 00:32:42,000 Christians of Crete to engage the culture around them, when 561 00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:44,800 they step outside the church and their homes. 562 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:46,800 And now you're dealing with unbelievers, you're going to 563 00:32:46,808 --> 00:32:49,600 have this government issue and then you're going to have people 564 00:32:49,600 --> 00:32:52,300 in general. Here's how you are to treat 565 00:32:52,300 --> 00:32:55,500 these people. Now, let's look at the 566 00:32:55,500 --> 00:32:59,300 motivation behind it. All, why, why should we do this? 567 00:32:59,300 --> 00:33:02,400 How are we to do this? How are we going to accomplish 568 00:33:02,400 --> 00:33:07,100 this? Look at verse. great 3:3 for we 569 00:33:07,100 --> 00:33:13,000 ourselves were once foolish disobedient, LED astray slaves, 570 00:33:13,000 --> 00:33:16,500 to various passions and Pleasures passing hour days and 571 00:33:16,500 --> 00:33:23,700 Malice and envy hated by others and hating one another So 572 00:33:23,700 --> 00:33:27,800 there's two motivations here for all of the things we've talked 573 00:33:27,800 --> 00:33:31,000 about for treating people and Outsiders for unbelievers and 574 00:33:31,000 --> 00:33:33,200 your government. There's two motivations here, 575 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:34,700 the first one is a love for people. 576 00:33:36,100 --> 00:33:40,400 Paul is saying, look, if he saved us, he might just save 577 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:44,700 them to says. Remember you used to look just 578 00:33:44,700 --> 00:33:47,700 like that? You used to be part of that? 579 00:33:48,000 --> 00:33:51,400 That was you. You were exactly like that, but 580 00:33:51,400 --> 00:33:54,000 God saved you, he brought you out of that. 581 00:33:54,000 --> 00:33:56,700 So be humble, don't point fingers. 582 00:33:56,700 --> 00:33:58,500 Don't get judgy toward those people. 583 00:33:58,500 --> 00:34:03,100 You used to be just like them. Love them hope and pray that God 584 00:34:03,100 --> 00:34:05,300 pulls them out of that just like he did you. 585 00:34:06,500 --> 00:34:10,600 We never know who that might be. John 3:8 tells us that the holy 586 00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:13,300 spirit is like the wind blows. Where it wishes. 587 00:34:13,300 --> 00:34:17,400 We can't predict it. We never know who God is working 588 00:34:17,400 --> 00:34:19,300 on. We never know who is under 589 00:34:19,300 --> 00:34:21,600 conviction, who the holy spirit is working on. 590 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:24,300 And so we need to be loving to all people. 591 00:34:24,900 --> 00:34:28,100 We don't get to pick and choose who gives their life to Christ 592 00:34:28,100 --> 00:34:30,699 and who he calls only, he chooses that. 593 00:34:31,000 --> 00:34:34,500 So we love everybody. We keep in mind that anybody 594 00:34:34,900 --> 00:34:39,100 could be right on the edge of giving their life to Christ, you 595 00:34:39,100 --> 00:34:41,300 need to be loving. We need to be, we need to be 596 00:34:41,300 --> 00:34:45,800 peaceful with people. We never know who God's working 597 00:34:45,800 --> 00:34:49,100 on breathing called to love our enemies and pray for them. 598 00:34:49,100 --> 00:34:52,800 So it's not just unbelievers or people in our lives and maybe we 599 00:34:52,800 --> 00:34:56,900 disagree with their people that are our enemies that hate us. 600 00:34:56,900 --> 00:34:59,500 Maybe people that we really don't like we're even called to 601 00:34:59,500 --> 00:35:03,300 love them to pray for them. Pray for their salvation. 602 00:35:04,100 --> 00:35:10,000 It could just be that by doing this through living counter 603 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:13,800 culturally, instead of slandering and causing Division, 604 00:35:13,800 --> 00:35:17,800 and being hateful, instead of being that if we're loving, we 605 00:35:17,800 --> 00:35:21,300 care about these people. It could just be that God 606 00:35:21,300 --> 00:35:25,300 chooses to use you. As the means to communicate the 607 00:35:25,300 --> 00:35:27,700 gospel in a way that saves their soul. 608 00:35:28,500 --> 00:35:31,400 That doesn't mean you saved them, God does the saving but he 609 00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:35,300 might Use you as the tool to preach the gospel to them. 610 00:35:35,400 --> 00:35:39,000 And how awesome is that that God chooses to use us? 611 00:35:39,100 --> 00:35:41,900 Who used to be nasty? Sinners still are sinners, but 612 00:35:42,100 --> 00:35:45,200 he's redeemed Us and how he uses us to reach other people. 613 00:35:45,300 --> 00:35:48,500 So keep that in mind when dealing with Outsiders and 614 00:35:48,500 --> 00:35:52,700 unbelievers. The second motivation here for y 615 00:35:52,700 --> 00:35:55,800 to do this is a love for God. It's a love for people and a 616 00:35:55,800 --> 00:35:59,500 love for God. Paul reminds the Christians on 617 00:35:59,500 --> 00:36:02,600 Crete that they used to be. Just like that. 618 00:36:03,100 --> 00:36:05,200 They used to be just like those unbelievers. 619 00:36:05,300 --> 00:36:08,700 They used to be a people marked by foolishness Disobedience, 620 00:36:08,700 --> 00:36:13,500 malice, Envy hating other people and being hated the exact 621 00:36:13,500 --> 00:36:16,400 opposite of everything that he's just commanded. 622 00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:21,800 You used to be like that. He uses the words, LED astray 623 00:36:22,300 --> 00:36:25,900 and slaves. There were slaves to various 624 00:36:25,900 --> 00:36:29,900 passions and Pleasures now. This means that they were held 625 00:36:29,900 --> 00:36:34,400 captive by it. They were powerless against it. 626 00:36:35,600 --> 00:36:40,000 They were being absolutely fully submissive, but not so their 627 00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:44,400 government and not to God not to any kind of authorities, but to 628 00:36:44,400 --> 00:36:46,900 their own passions and Pleasures. 629 00:36:46,900 --> 00:36:50,000 They were submissive to sin and to Satan. 630 00:36:50,800 --> 00:36:53,800 That's what they were submissive to their were slaves to the 631 00:36:53,800 --> 00:36:58,900 devil Bound by him. Imprisoned, by him, unable to 632 00:36:58,900 --> 00:37:02,500 Break Free on their own. They spent their days in Malice 633 00:37:02,500 --> 00:37:05,200 and envy hating others and being hated. 634 00:37:06,200 --> 00:37:09,900 But then, something miraculous happened. 635 00:37:10,900 --> 00:37:13,100 This is not part of our text. We're going to get into this 636 00:37:13,100 --> 00:37:16,400 next week but let's just for funsies, let's read Verses 4 637 00:37:16,400 --> 00:37:21,000 through 8 of chapter 3 but when the goodness and the loving 638 00:37:21,000 --> 00:37:24,100 kindness of God our savior appeared, he saved us. 639 00:37:24,700 --> 00:37:27,900 Not because of Works done by us in righteousness, but according 640 00:37:27,900 --> 00:37:32,800 to his own Mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewal of 641 00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:36,700 the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us richly through. 642 00:37:36,700 --> 00:37:40,400 Jesus Christ, Our Savior. So that being justified by his 643 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:43,300 grace, Nice. We might become heirs, according 644 00:37:43,300 --> 00:37:47,600 to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I 645 00:37:47,600 --> 00:37:50,100 want you to insist on these things. 646 00:37:50,100 --> 00:37:54,100 That those who have believed in God, may be careful to devote 647 00:37:54,100 --> 00:37:59,500 themselves to good works. These things are excellent and 648 00:37:59,500 --> 00:38:05,900 profitable for people. These people were slaves to sin, 649 00:38:05,900 --> 00:38:10,100 they were LED astray by it. They were captivated by it but 650 00:38:10,100 --> 00:38:15,100 God saved them, not because of anything they did but because of 651 00:38:15,100 --> 00:38:20,000 his mercy and his love and his grace, he saved them, God set 652 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:22,600 them free. He freed them from their bondage 653 00:38:22,600 --> 00:38:26,100 to sin and slavery and made them a new creation. 654 00:38:27,200 --> 00:38:31,500 The gospel transformed them into a people with new hearts and new 655 00:38:31,500 --> 00:38:33,700 affections. Now, set on Christ. 656 00:38:34,000 --> 00:38:38,000 And as newly transformed people, they were to be ambassador's 657 00:38:38,000 --> 00:38:41,000 representatives of Jesus in that culture. 658 00:38:42,500 --> 00:38:45,700 Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they were to live a life 659 00:38:45,700 --> 00:38:49,600 set. Apart devoted to Good Works. 660 00:38:50,000 --> 00:38:55,700 Instead of evil works The same is still true for us. 661 00:38:56,500 --> 00:39:01,100 This is our motivation for Godly living among Outsiders. 662 00:39:01,900 --> 00:39:07,600 We have been redeemed, we have been saved, God has set us free 663 00:39:07,800 --> 00:39:11,300 from the bondage of sin. We are no longer slaves to the 664 00:39:11,300 --> 00:39:14,200 Flesh and to sin and it's because of him alone. 665 00:39:14,700 --> 00:39:18,600 And so now because of that, I want to do everything I can to 666 00:39:18,600 --> 00:39:22,400 live my life for Christ and to go represent him well in the 667 00:39:22,600 --> 00:39:29,000 Unity that I'm a part of. So verse 3 gives us the why 668 00:39:29,100 --> 00:39:33,100 behind the how that these cretins were to live their lives 669 00:39:33,100 --> 00:39:35,300 as Christians in the culture around them. 670 00:39:36,300 --> 00:39:41,500 So what does all of this mean for us in Magnolia Arkansas, the 671 00:39:41,508 --> 00:39:46,100 21st century. Well, I have a couple of ideas 672 00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:50,300 worship team, you guys can come up if you want to and going to 673 00:39:50,300 --> 00:39:54,200 wrap this up. What does this mean for us 674 00:39:54,200 --> 00:39:55,900 today? As we've gone through these 675 00:39:55,900 --> 00:39:58,600 things, I've pointed out a couple of times at these things, 676 00:39:58,600 --> 00:40:00,700 still apply to us today and they do. 677 00:40:01,100 --> 00:40:04,000 But specifically, I want you guys to hear a couple of things. 678 00:40:04,900 --> 00:40:08,100 Number one, if you're in this place and you're a believer. 679 00:40:09,300 --> 00:40:13,000 If you've given your life to Christ, these words were written 680 00:40:13,000 --> 00:40:15,700 to a specific people in a specific Place. 681 00:40:15,800 --> 00:40:19,800 Specific time under very specific circumstances but these 682 00:40:19,800 --> 00:40:23,200 principles still apply to us as Believers. 683 00:40:24,100 --> 00:40:26,900 God has set us free from the slavery of sin. 684 00:40:27,000 --> 00:40:29,600 He has redeemed us and made us New Creations. 685 00:40:29,800 --> 00:40:34,400 And as New Creations, as transformed creatures, by the 686 00:40:34,400 --> 00:40:38,400 gospel we are now ambassador's for Christ in the world around. 687 00:40:38,500 --> 00:40:41,300 And us this place is not our home. 688 00:40:42,200 --> 00:40:45,700 We are eagerly longing for the day that we can be done with sin 689 00:40:45,700 --> 00:40:49,200 and death and all the consequences of the curse and be 690 00:40:49,200 --> 00:40:51,900 with Jesus in Paradise. But while we are here, we have a 691 00:40:51,908 --> 00:40:56,400 mission to spread the good news and Adorn the gospel through 692 00:40:56,600 --> 00:41:01,700 Godly living among Outsiders. Second Corinthians 5:17 through 693 00:41:01,700 --> 00:41:06,700 21 says, therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 694 00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:10,600 The old has passed away. Hold the new has come and all of 695 00:41:10,600 --> 00:41:13,900 this is from God who through Christ reconciled himself. 696 00:41:14,300 --> 00:41:17,200 Reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of 697 00:41:17,200 --> 00:41:21,200 reconciliation that is in Christ. 698 00:41:21,200 --> 00:41:24,300 God was reconciling the world to himself not counting their 699 00:41:24,300 --> 00:41:28,300 trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of 700 00:41:28,300 --> 00:41:32,000 reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for 701 00:41:32,000 --> 00:41:34,900 Christ. God making his appeal through 702 00:41:34,900 --> 00:41:37,600 us. We implore you on behalf of 703 00:41:37,600 --> 00:41:40,500 Christ be reconciled to God for our sake. 704 00:41:40,500 --> 00:41:44,600 He made him who knew no sin to be sin, so that in him, we might 705 00:41:44,600 --> 00:41:48,100 become the righteousness of God. So, brothers and sisters. 706 00:41:49,200 --> 00:41:51,300 Let's live our lives in submission. 707 00:41:51,800 --> 00:41:54,300 Let's be gentle. Let's be courteous, not 708 00:41:54,300 --> 00:41:58,700 quarrelsome and divisive. Let's be a people known for that 709 00:41:59,100 --> 00:42:01,600 for being considerate and courteous to other people. 710 00:42:01,600 --> 00:42:05,500 Let's not be quick to judge quick to run to conflict and 711 00:42:05,500 --> 00:42:06,700 stir. Up division. 712 00:42:08,400 --> 00:42:11,600 Now, I know I fail at this and I know you probably do, too. 713 00:42:11,600 --> 00:42:14,700 Unfortunately, when we are saved these things don't automatically 714 00:42:14,700 --> 00:42:16,800 download our hard drive and Bama. 715 00:42:16,800 --> 00:42:20,700 Perfect at this, it's an ongoing process called sanctification. 716 00:42:21,400 --> 00:42:25,100 So I want to encourage you in this pray and ask God to help 717 00:42:25,100 --> 00:42:27,800 you in this. It's only through the holy 718 00:42:27,800 --> 00:42:31,200 spirit's power that we can love people in this kind of way it's 719 00:42:31,200 --> 00:42:34,300 not natural. It goes against what our flesh 720 00:42:34,300 --> 00:42:36,500 tells us to do. So I want to encourage you as 721 00:42:36,500 --> 00:42:40,500 believers. You used to be just like them, 722 00:42:41,300 --> 00:42:43,600 love them. Well you're an ambassador for 723 00:42:43,600 --> 00:42:48,200 Christ in your culture around, you represent Christ, well of 724 00:42:48,200 --> 00:42:51,400 people. Well and then for anyone in here 725 00:42:51,400 --> 00:42:53,900 who maybe hasn't ever placed their faith in Christ, maybe 726 00:42:53,900 --> 00:42:55,700 you've never made that commitment. 727 00:42:55,700 --> 00:42:57,900 Maybe you've never placed your faith in him. 728 00:42:58,200 --> 00:43:01,500 Maybe all of this is brand-new to you, maybe you read that 729 00:43:01,500 --> 00:43:05,500 description of those unbelievers there are so hateful and all 730 00:43:05,500 --> 00:43:10,800 that you say, man, that's me. I want to tell you that is no 731 00:43:10,800 --> 00:43:14,300 way to live your life. Jesus said that he came to give 732 00:43:14,300 --> 00:43:15,900 life and give it more abundantly. 733 00:43:16,700 --> 00:43:20,200 So if you've never placed your faith in Christ, you've never 734 00:43:20,200 --> 00:43:24,800 been reborn and made a new creation, it is not too late to 735 00:43:24,808 --> 00:43:28,300 do that. If he did it for me, he can do 736 00:43:28,300 --> 00:43:31,600 it for you. And that is what Paul is saying. 737 00:43:31,600 --> 00:43:36,400 In verse 3 that we all used to be this way, but through Christ, 738 00:43:36,400 --> 00:43:41,200 you can be made new and it is only through the saving grace of 739 00:43:41,200 --> 00:43:45,400 God, that any of us can be free from this bondage of Sin from 740 00:43:45,400 --> 00:43:48,700 the slavery to sin, but you can be free of that burden. 741 00:43:49,300 --> 00:43:52,600 You can be free of all that hatred and bitterness you do not 742 00:43:52,600 --> 00:43:54,100 have to live your life like that. 743 00:43:54,100 --> 00:43:56,300 You don't have to carry that around all the time. 744 00:43:57,500 --> 00:44:01,600 I beg you to place your hope and your faith in Christ today to 745 00:44:01,600 --> 00:44:06,600 believe in him to turn from that life of hatred and bitterness 746 00:44:06,600 --> 00:44:09,700 and quarrelsome - and all of that to a life of being 747 00:44:09,700 --> 00:44:14,000 submissive to Christ, to loving people, into being courteous and 748 00:44:14,000 --> 00:44:16,000 wanting to be an ambassador for Christ. 749 00:44:17,800 --> 00:44:20,900 Believe in Jesus, place your faith, and your hope in him 750 00:44:21,000 --> 00:44:22,800 today. And if you have any questions 751 00:44:22,800 --> 00:44:25,200 about that, or you won't pray or any of that, I'll be down here. 752 00:44:25,200 --> 00:44:27,700 Be glad to talk to you or pray with you Kyle. 753 00:44:27,700 --> 00:44:30,100 Do the same and stick around and talk afterward. 754 00:44:30,100 --> 00:44:32,600 If you have any questions about that, please come see us. 755 00:44:32,900 --> 00:44:36,200 But don't leave here today, without doing that. 756 00:44:38,000 --> 00:44:43,200 The gospel transforms us into ambassador's for Christ. 757 00:44:44,300 --> 00:44:47,400 Let's remember that. As we leave this place and we go 758 00:44:47,400 --> 00:44:52,100 our separate ways and we go out into the culture out into these 759 00:44:52,100 --> 00:44:54,100 areas where we're surrounded by unbelievers. 760 00:44:54,100 --> 00:44:57,700 Let's remember, we have been placed there by God for reason 761 00:44:58,100 --> 00:45:01,800 to represent Jesus and preach the gospel in the love people. 762 00:45:02,200 --> 00:45:04,600 Well, you guys join. Join me in. 763 00:45:04,600 --> 00:45:06,200 Stand your feet. We're going to sing. 764 00:45:06,500 --> 00:45:09,300 Going to worship. Praise God. 765 00:45:09,300 --> 00:45:09,900 This morning.