Titus 2 - Zealous of Good Works

CLP Sunday School lesson for 7/22/2018

I was able to finish my notes a little early this week so I thought I would toss them up here.

1. Where we left off last week
1. Crete was corrupt, violent, and self-indulged see Titus 1:12. (Epimenides) This really lays the groundwork for the worldview of the Cretans
2. The current leaders needed to be replaced because the existing ones were “unfit for any good work.” Titus 1:16. Apparently they brought their existing worldview into the church and the church had become corrupt, argumentative, and unfruitful.
2. New World View or Belief system. There is a connection between your beliefs and actions. Your beliefs (worldview) guides your actions. (2-10) Watch how Paul strikes at these 3 points (liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons) throughout this letter, calling for them to change.
1. Older Men: Sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity (love), in patience.
2. Older Women: (likewise) holiness, not false accusers (slanders), not drunkards, teachers of good things, teaching younger women…
3. Younger women: Love their husbands, love their children, discreet (self-controlled), chaste (pure), obedient to husbands...that the word of God is not blasphemed.
4. Younger men: (likewise)...including the above and sober-minded aka self-controlled.
5. Titus: Need to be a model of good works, showing the results of a new belief in the risen Jesus Christ.
6. Servants: Obedient to masters, not talking back, not embezzling/stealing-->integrity. This adorns the doctrine of God our Saviour.
3. What the Favor of God teaches us. (11-14)
1. The grace (or favor) of God has brought salvation available for all people
2. It teaches us to do the following:
1. Deny ungodliness. Literally wickedness and wrong.
2. Deny worldly passions/lusts. Corrupt desires
3. Live soberly. Self-controlled
4. Righteously. Equitably...fair or right. Truthfully.
5. Live godly. Piously 
3. In the present age. Paul is telling them that they can do this right where they are living in their corrupt, violent, and self-indulgent culture.
4. Waiting for Jesus to return. While they were learning, they were to live with an expectation that Jesus would be returning.
5. Who didn’t just save us from hell:
1. Redeemed us from all iniquity (lawlessness) or a bent to do bad things.
2. So that HE could purify a special group of people who are zealous for good works. Paul is striking at the lazy gluttons again, calling for some zeal and energy to do good, not evil
4. Why? And how?
1. Oh a couple more things: 3:1-2
1. Be submissive to rulers and authorities
2. Obedient
3. Ready for good works
4. Extend common courtesy to everyone (ALL People).
2. Just in case you think that only Cretans are bad...we were too (see verse 3)
3. The Poem. Verses 3:4-7 make up a poem or saying.
1. God came to us.
2. We are saved by God’s mercy not some special feat done by us.
3. The Holy Spirit performs the washing and renewing through Jesus Christ.
4. To become heirs of eternal life.
4. Insist on these things so the believers can devote themselves to good works. (3:8)

Conclusion

What is going on here? The core beliefs and object of the Cretan’s worship glorified lying, cruelty, and lust. Zeus, (their main god) then did whatever he needed to in order to satisfy his lusts. So if you go back to chapter 1 and look at the bad church leaders, they weren’t teaching the truth (deceivers 1:10), getting what they want through shameful gain (1:11), and there was definitely some impurity going on (1:15). The life of one who is a follower of Jesus is going to have his core beliefs and object of worship changed so that he/she is instead following One who is pure, gracious, and loving. Jesus was the full embodiment of all things good and pure. If our object of worship is truly Jesus, then we begin to act like Him. Our lives will be marked with integrity, self-control, and a zeal to do good and correct wrongs.

Our faith in Christ is revealed by our faithfulness (obedience) to Jesus Christ.

Something that helped with studying this lesson:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/titus/

Just a thought

The Good News of Jesus Christ isn't a bunch of fanciful ideas to which we give mental ascent, but rather it is the very power of God Himself taking up residence in the lives of men and women everywhere no matter the color of their skin or the language of their tongue. This power changes people, it brings order to disorder, strength to weakness, and love where there was hate.

Gaining Perspective from Psalm 73

The Goodness and the Severity of God

Intro

This post relates to CLP's Sunday School lesson for March 11, 2018.

John Ruth, in his book “The Earth is the Lord’s” tells a story of a young, college-educated, Mennonite preacher who preached on the “the goodness and the severity of God”. After preaching this message he was reprimanded as being too young for such a deep subject. I am not sure how old you need to be to tackle such a subject, hopefully I am old enough because I plan on scratching the surface of this topic.

Discipline definition: The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. When this word is used I often think of this definition.

Discipline comes from Latin word “disciplina” which means “Instruction or knowledge” and from middle English definition meaning “mortification by scourging oneself”

The meaning I would like to refer to in this lesson has to do with this definition: activity or experience that provides mental or physical training.

We will look at this psalm in its entirety. The progression begins with a statement of truth and then deals with an issue challenging this truth. The psalmist then resolves the question by the end of the psalm.

This lesson is part of the Didactic Psalms...basically they are lessons in the form of poetry. We find a truth being declared at the beginning, an argument against, and then a conclusion supporting the truth.

Building the Case

God is Good

Psalm 73 begins with the psalmist’s hypothesis that God really is good. He narrows this down somewhat to those who are called “God’s people” particularly those of a pure heart.

But as for me…

When you make a statement like this you have many questions and arguments. Last night I was listening to Neil degrasse Tyson arguing that if there is a God he is either not good or not all powerful because bad things happen. One thing I would like to explain to Mr. Tyson is how history and the Bible is really the greatest love story ever written. The greatest part of creation is this creature who has free will and choice. Rather than removing the free choice and making everything "good", God instead "loves" us back into a relationship. God created all this "stuff" that Mr. Tyson helps to "discover" for the purpose of revealing Himself and drawing these "free" creatures back into a relationship. It really takes an all-powerful God to accomplish that.

Thankfully the psalmist limited his psalm to 1 question or we would have a lot more than 28 verses. His argument is that the wicked appear to be more blessed than the righteous. He is saying that there’s a lack of justice in God.

Condition of the wicked verses 4-15

For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.  Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.  And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?  Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.  Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.  For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.  If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
Psalms 73:4‭-‬15 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.73.4-15.KJV 

While they get rich, I struggle!

Verse 14 is speaking about being disciplined and punished and struggling along in life.

Then he finishes up with, “but I can’t say anything”! This would upset the faith of many. Sometimes it is wise to keep our wrestling to ourselves until a conclusion can be reached. Our speech and thoughts do influence others!

The severity of God’s judgment and my foolishness verse 16-22

Some things hurt when you think about them (v 16). Then he went into the sanctuary of God. God often reveals Himself when we come to Him. Do you take your questions to God? Here in the sanctuary of God, the psalmist gets a clue about the end of the wicked.

In verses 18-20 he details how they are brought to ruin and in the end, “poof”, they are gone.
At this point the psalmist is grieved and guilty in his foolish thinking. His heart was grieved and his stomach hurt. I was so ignorant and foolish that I was like a beast before God, something with no intelligence.

The guidance and discipline of God reveals His goodness. (v 23-28)

The real blessings of God are his discipline keeping us from the slippery path. Here we get a picture of the Heavenly Father holding a child by the right hand, guiding with instructions. All this has a purpose to lead us to “glory” not destruction.

Here is where we can understand verse 14. The real goodness of God is his discipline.

Read Proverbs 3:1-12

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord , and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:1‭-‬12 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.3.1-12.ESV

This passage from Proverbs is almost an “opposite” of Psalm 73. Solomon tells his son to bind “steadfast love and faithfulness” around his neck while the wicked have pride as a necklace. Rather than looking at the discipline and chastening every day as unjust, don’t despise it or run away.

Do you desire God?

Your body will fail, but the inheritance and wealth of God is mine forever.

Destruction looms for the wayward.

The goodness of God is found in drawing near to Him and resting your whole weight on Him. The picture that I have of trust is the ice roads in northern Canada. The First Nations people have a tremendous respect for the safety of crossing ice. When it’s well below 0 and you go through the ice, your chances of living are very slim. So when I think of putting my trust in something it’s like stepping on to ice...will it hold? What if I drive my truck onto the ice...will it hold? Do I put my trust in a God I cannot see? The psalmist concludes with a resounding “Yes”! In fact, he then can advertise for God! I will tell of your works! We don’t have to worry about offending the children like mentioned in verse 15 but rather we can call the wicked to repentance and proclaim the “Good News” of the works of God.

Conclusion

The Goodness of God is in his teaching, training, and discipline. Questioning the goodness of God is not a new concept. Job, which is possibly the oldest book in the Bible wrestles with this question as well. Is God good when good people suffer and bad people prosper?

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Revelation 3:19 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/rev.3.19.ESV 

This training and teaching is what keeps us near to God. Don’t despise the hard things in life but rather hold on tighter!

Supreme and Preeminent

Supremacy of what?

First a small allegory. 

Once there was a very wealthy King who designed, funded, and personally built an incredible city. This city contained everything it needed to be developed and grow. It had a large body of freshwater, seaport, temperate climate, good farmland, and all other things necessary to sustain a bustling and attractive city. The occupants, also designed and created by this King, were given the task of developing and “keeping” the city. The one main stipulation was to follow the instructions of the designer and creator.

Not long into the project, the occupants decided to form their own government, not in agreement with the original Designer but rather in opposition to him. The rebellious occupants thought of themselves as the masterminds behind the beautiful city.

Meanwhile the true King of the city continued to fund and maintain the workings of the city despite the disproportionate number of loyalists to the overwhelming majority of rebels. The rebels even denied that a true King existed and most certainly refused to submit to his rule. At times they were very cruel to the loyalists, killing them or torturing them.

In time this true King came to the city. He decided not to come as the powerful and mighty King that he was, but rather as a small child. This allowed Him to enter the city unrecognized and experience the city first hand. He grew up in the low class, “other side of the tracks”, neighborhood struggling along with the poor. 

When he grew up, he pursued a career in education, becoming a teacher. He taught about how the real King wanted things to be done. He even did things that upset the status quo, causing the rebel government to see him as a threat. Eventually the rebel government killed this irritating occupant thinking that it will silence him and finally do away with this idea of a real King.

Incredibly, the real King came back from the dead. Instead of immediately taking revenge, he extended an offer to the insolent rebels. An offer that would be foolish not to accept and at the same time very humbling to accept. The offer was this: the real King would substitute His own gruesome death as a vicarious punishment for the rebels’ treason. All the rebels have to do is accept the offer and become loyal to the Real King. 

The peace deal came with a warning and a reward. It warned that at some point in time the real King will end the redemption offer and all the rebels will be punished. Interestingly enough, the reward included the promise of being part of the inheritance of the King as a full son.

The transfer of loyalties

"...and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Colossians 1:12‭-‬14 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/col.1.12-14.NIV

The Supreme and Preeminent Ruler of the Universe

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:15‭-‬20 NIVhttps://bible.com/bible/111/col.1.15-20.NIV

 The Offer no one should refuse

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Colossians 1:21‭-‬23 NIVhttps://bible.com/bible/111/col.1.21-23.NIV

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Hebrews 2:1‭-‬4 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.2.1-4.NIV