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/

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!

More Than a Prophet

Our church uses Christian Light Publications lesson plan. This is my week to teach Sunday School and so I thought I would put my notes in a post.

More Than a Prophet

Matthew 11:1-15

Intro/Context

Some of us tend to be very skeptical people, when i hear about “something new” or “revolutionary” I tend to say “really? Are you certain about that?” Why is this? I think it is because often times things simply are not as they sound. Rather we trust our own senses, which may not be very accurate or we question someone we trust.

I just did it recently with Walter. He came in to the office looking for a recommendation on getting an electronic log system for his truck. So I looked up this system on the company’s website and then found some reviews. The reviews I found were very unfavorable. People complained that the device would register them to be driving when clearly they were not etc. I then suggested that he calls someone who, like him, is an independent operator and already has a system in his truck. Ask what they use and how they like it. In other words talk to someone you trust.

That's what we find in our lesson today. John wanted answers so he sent someone whom he could trust.

Background

Read Matthew 9:35-37

In Matthew 10 we find Jesus selecting 12 disciples Read Matthew 10:1-6

Jesus gives them a list of instructions...this is the jist of Matthew 10.

The Prophet’s Concern

What does Jesus do while the disciples are gone? He goes about preaching in the home towns of his disciples.

John the Baptist meanwhile, is languishing in prison since (Matthew 4:12) his arrest. He must have been having some doubts and since he couldn’t go to Jesus himself, he sends 2 trusted disciples with John’s burning question: Are you truly the ONE?

Read Luke 7:21.

Luke records a specific item that Matthew doesn’t. Jesus began a healing demonstration for John’s disciples. “In that hour…”

Then Jesus says to the visiting disciples, “Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see:

• Blind see
• Lame walk
• Lepers are cleansed
• Deaf hear
• Dead are raised up
• Poor have the Gospel preached to them.
• Last but not least: Blessed is he who is not offended at me.

This was a list that was rabbinical tradition of what to look for when the Messiah came. (Lee Strobel?) Let’s look at what Isaiah actually said (mistake in lesson commentary).

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 35:5‭-‬6 KJV 

And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord , and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 29:18‭-‬19 KJV 

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Isaiah 26:19 KJV

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek [poor, afflicted]; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord , and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord , that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1‭-‬3 KJV 

For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken."
Isaiah 8:11‭-‬15 ESV

How can something small enough to be stumbled over be large enough to be a sanctuary? Just another paradox of the nature of God.

The Prophet’s Character

Matthew 11:7: John was not a pushover

Matthew 11:8: It is possible that the place where Jesus was teaching was within site of Herod’s palace, if not they were most likely familiar with Heriodin or Herod’s palace in Jerusalem.

Matthew 11:9: So what was John?

Matthew 11:10-11:

"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3:1 ESV

Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further it is by standing on ye shoulders of Giants.”

John the Baptist was the culmination of the Prophets, he was the last and the greatest...so said Jesus!

How can the least in the Kingdom of Heaven be greater than John?

I am going to suggest to you that it’s because the “least in the Kingdom of Heaven” was able to really know what John was only prophesying about. Our message is not one of future things but of current reality! He who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit or with the fire of judgment is here!

Entering the Kingdom by force??

Somehow over 2000 years and translating between Greek and English we have lost some understanding what Jesus meant by this statement.

Luke 7:29-30 In Luke’s account of this story we find that he doesn’t include this saying but it shows up later in Luke 16:16, however in Luke 7:29-30 we find this parenthetical statement.

(Now all the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. However, the Pharisees and the experts in religious law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. )
Luke 7:29‭-‬30 NET

I understand this to go back to Isaiah 8:14-15 and the picture of Jesus being the “sanctuary” or a “rock of offense”. The proud who refused to admit their sins and repent caused violence and those who did found Jesus to be the sanctuary for their souls. Where are you?

Elijah the Prophet (verse 13-14)

Jesus clearly pointing to Malachi 4:5. John was Elijah who was to come!
Application

Jesus offered proof that He indeed was the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ. To everyone he will become either the refuge of their soul or He will be a stone that causes you to stumble and will ultimately destroy you.

Application

Today! Is the the great and awesome “Day of the Lord”, because you have a choice! Take refuge today!

Christ's Coming in Judgment

Today's Sunday School lesson is taken from 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Here are a few observations from the lesson. For some reason this lesson feels a little disjointed, however I was blessed in studying it.

Paul starts out with his traditional greeting verses 1 and 2. It would appear that only a short amount of time has passed since the last letter (First Thessalonians). The 3 men are still working together and are most likely in Corinth. Paul is giving additional teaching (almost like correction) to the believers on the subject of Christ’s return.

Paul continues to have fond memories of Thessalonica and the people he met there. He loves them and rejoices at their success.
Verses 3-10 is a complete thought that would qualify as too long of a sentence in modern English, however we need to look at it together to understand what Paul is trying to say.

• Paul is thankful for the Thessalonians because:
• Their faith is growing.
• Their love for each other is growing.
• Paul boasts of the patience and faith that they have in the midst of persecution.
• This (referring to their patience and faith in persecution as well as their growth in faith and love) is evidence of God’s righteous judgment.
• How is this evidence of God’s judgment? How can you have patience and faith in persecution? Currently we have a modern day example of this in Iraq. This patience and faith comes by the Holy Spirit.
• God will set everything right because He is just. v6 Also see Romans 12:19
• How will Jesus return?
• With mighty angels.
• In flaming fire, with vengeance on those who do not believe and do not obey.
• With glory and admiration of all who believe.

Counted Worthy of His Calling
Twice I find this phrase “count(ed) worthy”. The first is in verse 5 where we are to be “counted worthy of the kingdom of God”, “for which ye suffer”. Secondly I find this phrase in verse 11, where Paul says he prays that they [Thessalonians] would be counted worthy by God of this calling.

Application
In Mark 13:32-37 Jesus gives a very clear application to this lesson:
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:33-37)

Verses 11-12 also tell me that I need to be in prayer.

Often times when we hear of Christians being persecuted such as they are in Iraq, we ask what we can do. The first response from the persecuted people is rarely, if ever, send in your army! No, it is always, “PRAY FOR US!!” Am I praying? In this passage Paul was clearly a man of prayer and he specifically prayed for this church in Thessalonica as they faced the trials of persecution.

Watch and Pray my fellow Christian, Christ WILL come again! Be ready

Community Evangelism

I decided to post my (abbreviated) notes from today's Sunday School lesson. The lesson text is taken from 1 Thessalonians chapter 2.

Introduction
Paul and Silas visited Thessalonica on their first missionary journey and they got run out before they were ready to leave and in this letter they are checking up on the good folks of Thessalonica. In the last lesson (chapter 1), Paul greets and blesses the Thessalonians. In this chapter, Paul explains his attitude and that of his team which appears to have consisted of several people. At the very least Silas and Timothy and possibly Luke were traveling with Paul at this time.

Paul gives a number of tips on how to be an effective missionary in a new town.

• It may require suffering. Verse 2 and see Matthew 5:10-12 
• Bold in declaring truth despite contention. Verse 2 and see Matthew 28:18-20 
• Preach Gospel not out of deceit, uncleanness, or guile (sly or cunning intelligence). Paul didn't come and try to trick the people into believing. Instead (verse 4) they spoke the Gospel in an attempt to please God. 
• Speaking (did not live as the silent in the land) the Gospel in a way pleasing to God. Verse 4 and see Romans 10:14-15. 
• Not flattering. Verse 5 and see Romans 16:17-18 
• Not out of covetousness (other missionaries perhaps) Verse 5. 
• Not seeking glory for being a missionary. Verse 6. 
• Not burdening the people we are trying to reach by making them support us. Verse 6. This goes along with verse 9. 
• Gentle as a nurse to her children...what kind of gentleness is that? Verse 7. 
• Loving the people. Verse 8. How can you explain the Gospel to people you are prejudiced against? 
• Gave of their lives to the people, not just the Gospel. 
• Made no profit of the Gospel (money) verse 9. Paul and his team did not live like leeches on the church they were trying to plant. It has been said that our pastors should be fully supported and our missionaries should have to work to provide for themselves. 
• Lived righteously among the people. Verse 10. Nothing turns people away quicker than a hypocrite. 
• Paul treated the people as a father should treat his children. Verse 11. 

Success
Because of all these things the people in Thessalonica received the message of the Gospel as the Word of God. Verses 13-14. They also have a bit in common with the churches of Judea because they are suffering at the hands of their countrymen just like the Jewish Christians. With success came opposition.

Paul's final glory and prize comes when Christ returns verse 19.

Conclusion
When I worked in a local factory I was very nervous about how the foreman and bosses saw me working or not working. What if I broke something? One day the Holy Spirit laid something on my heart. If I work to please God, I don't need to worry about what the foreman or boss thinks of my labors because ultimately it is God to whom I will need to answer for my motives and actions ("[He] trieth our hearts" I Thess 2:4). Now you would think that such a calling would place more stress on me, actually it worked just the opposite. I was less stressed about what the foreman thought or saw in me. I was more relaxed and productive. So take into consideration I Thess. 2:4, am I speaking the Gospel as pleasing God or men?