Trusting in Christ, we are saved by grace and live by grace.

This lesson is about one of the great themes of the New Testament: God’s grace. John wrote, “the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The grace of God is that undeserved favor God extends to us for Christ’s sake to save us from sin. God saves us because He wants to, because He loves us, and because Christ died for our sins to reconcile us to God. The grace of God is also God’s power working in, for, and through us, enabling us for Christian living and ministry. As Christians, we are what we are by the grace of God (1 Corinthian‘s 15:10). Therefore all the glory for our being Christians belongs to God.

WHAT GRACE TEACHES

A. Grace Teaches Godliness

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

…….Though there are hundreds of millions of people who have not heard of or experienced salvation, the grace of God has nevertheless appeared to all men. The grace of God that leads to salvation can be realized through moral convictions of what is right and what is wrong. There will always be a connection from the Creator to its creation that demands a searching for more, that is grace. This explains why from the beginning of time there has always been a history of people worshipping. Though they know not what they worship they still seek for something greater. The absence of grace would be an absence of desire for truth, and vise versa; the presence of grace presents a desire for truth.

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Question: what is worldly lust? Anything in this world that intercepts our attention and affection from having a relationship with our Lord and being in His presence.

…….Paul knew the key to living Godly, it is in the denial of sin and everything that invites sin. If we are living righteously then we cannot live in unrighteousness. There is no straddling between the two. Many who attempt to live in both, though the attempts may be many, will always prove to fail.

B. Our Blessed Hope

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

…….Salvation in itself brings not only cleansing and freedom from sin, but also creates a longing of the appearing of Jesus Christ. Whether that longing is for the second coming, or his appearance at the throne of God, all believers have a desire to see the one who sacrificed everything to bring us relationship!

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

…….Paul explains more in depth what salvation does in a man: it redeems from all iniquity and “purify unto himself” (Christ did this out of His desire to relate with us!), a peculiar (or different people, set apart from this world) zealous (fiery burden and desire) of good works!

Tit 2:15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

…….Paul here charged Titus to preach and teach these encouragements and requirements, even when it comes to rebuking, do it with all authority knowing that the calling is heavenly.

…….Let no man despise thee: Knowing that in every age of Ministers there has always been ones who hate and despise, Every disciple except one was martyred. To me this encouragement is deeper. The mental battle every official minister faces is greater than that of the lay man. Here Paul advises to not let anyone despise in such a way that it causes you to despise the calling. Don’t let opinions of others, words or body languages ever come in between you and what you know God has called you to. Hang on to the perfect word of God and every promise Je has given along the way! Don’t ever give up the mission!

GRACE TO BE GOOD CITIZENS

A. Good Citizenship Commanded

Tit 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities (rulers) and powers, to obey magistrates (leaders), to be ready to every good work,

…….Every saint of God must be law abiding citizens. The reputation of a Christian holds just as much weight on the outside of church as it does on the inside. A child of God will have a burning desire to please God biblically and lawfully. Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Rom 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

…….Put then in mind; or bring to their attention to understand the office of those who have been appointed to authoritative structure in the church. As every business, but greater in all aspects, the church has a structure and design of leadership as well. The quicker the church comes to the understanding in this, the closer we walk and work in unity and the design that God has for His church.

Tit 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness (gentleness humility) unto all men.

…….B. H. Clendenon said this; every Christian man will become a gentleman. Jesus Christ himself was the epitome of a gentleman. The child of God must respect others to gain the respect of others. If we want to win the world for Christ, they must be able to come to us with confidence.

B. Made Right With God by Grace

Tit 3:3  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

…….We ourselves have to be reminded that we were once sinners enslaved by this world. We we selfish and greedy, serving only our feelings, despising everything that got in the way. Question: Why do you think we at times forget this? I think at times we need to be reminded that the work of salvation had nothing to do with anything we think we have accomplished.

Tit 3:4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Tit 3:6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Tit 3:7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

……. instead of looking down with content on people who lives sinfully, we who are Christians need to remember that we have been saved by grace, and the same grace that has saved us and transformed our living, can also save others and transform their living. With humble gratitude to God we must confess that we are saved, not by our good works, but by the grace of God. “If we glory, let us glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14)

GRACE TO DO GOOD WORKS

A. Avoid and Reject Evil

Tit 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly (teach continually), that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

…….Faith without works is dead. “Dead hands leads to a dead spirit.” Though there is nothing a person can do to attain salvation, being saved will cause the desire to work. Doing good works and keeping the mind busy for the work of the Lord prevents idleness. (Romans 12:11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;), (Ephesians 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.)

Tit 3:9  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

…….He encourages here to avoid those who bring foolish questions to try and stumble or divert the mind from the truth. It’s never good to argue the word of God. If others refuse to understand, there is nothing a man can do in the flesh to convince the mind. We must have wisdom in answering every question asked because many people don’t want the truth.

Tit 3:10  A man that is an heretick (contentious agitator) after the first and second admonition reject;

Tit 3:11  Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

…….We are commanded to reject those who contend with the word of God. Because there are those out there who only want to disprove God’s word, we must safeguard ourselves and what we know is true.

B. Practice Hospitality

Tit 3:12  When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

Tit 3:13  Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

Tit 3:14  And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Tit 3:15  All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

…….Showing hospitality to friends, and also to strangers in need, are practices inherited by the early Christians from the Jews by the way of Jesus and his disciples. Paul named several Christians that were traveling from him and to him via Crete, and he told Titus they should not go looking for anything they needed. Paul wanted all Christians to learn to practice hospitality. It is right for Christians to do good deeds for one another, and it is also good for Christians to express verbally their love, respect, and goodwill toward their fellow Christians. Paul exemplified this for others to follow.