The Conclusion :9-15

- Titus 3:9-15 - The church’s purpose in the world requires that we live consistent with the and in unity with one another. - Unity in the church and among ’s church abroad is very important when it comes to representing the Gospel. - Paul addresses three areas that will help the church achieve this unity in the closing of his letter to Titus. - Avoid false teachings, avoid divisive people, and accept and support faithful servants. I. Avoid False Teachings - Vs.9 – “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.” - Paul instructs Titus to turn away from and avoid four different types of falsehood in the church so that the Gospel will not be misrepresented. 1. Avoid “foolish disputes” - Debates for the purpose of controversy - Typically these disputes are based on human opinion or reason rather than on God’s Word. - 1 Timothy 1:3-6 – “3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk,” - 1 Timothy 6:3-5 – “3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” - Such disputes distract us from the Gospel. 2. Avoid “genealogies” - Avoid arguments about genealogies in the Scripture because messing with such genealogies messes with the lineage of Jesus Christ. - Some in Titus’ day argued that the genealogies were allegorical in an attempt to disprove different aspects of the Gospel. 3. Avoid “contentions” - This was a general reference to arguments about the truth that were “unprofitable”. 4. Avoid “strivings about the law” - The churches on the Island of Crete had many converted Jews so there were often disputes about the Mosaic Law that were unnecessary. - The same thing happened in Galatia. - Galatians 6:12-13 – “12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.” - Paul’s encouragement to avoid discussions in these four areas is in the context of those who have no interest in the truth and are creating distractions to sharing the Gospel. - If can keep us quarreling amongst ourselves, we won’t be focused on impacting the culture around us with the Gospel. II. Avoid Divisive People - Vs.10-11 – “10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” - “Reject” means ‘have nothing to do with’ or ‘refuse’ - “divisive” comes from the Greek word that we get ‘heretic’. - The original word simply meant ‘to choose’ and eventually came to mean ‘placing your own opinions above the truth and rejecting any views contrary to your own.’ (legalistic liberalism) - Paul is referring to anyone in the church who is divisive or disruptive. - “Try once or twice to achieve unity but if unsuccessful, reject them and move on with those who are unified on the Gospel.” - Romans 16:17-18 – “17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” - Unity in the church in truth and in fellowship is essential to effective evangelism. - John 13:35 – “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” - It is important for us to apply this beyond just this local Body of Christ. - Ephesians 4:4-6 – “4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” - Unity is important but not at the expense of doctrine. - “11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” - Eventually these type of people that we are to avoid will expose themselves through their own character. - After vs.11, Paul turns to the positive interactions among the Brethren as he concludes his letter. III. Accept Faithful Servants - Vs.12-15 – “12 When I send to you, or , be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.” - Paul is instructing Titus to receive Artemas and Tychicus and when they arrive, to then come and visit him in Nicopolis. - In vs.13, there is a charge to participate in missions outside the walls of the church at Crete. - “13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing.” - Packed in the word “Send” is providing whatever help/funding is needed to get them to where they are headed and doing whatever they were called to do when they get there. - The local church is the #1 missions sending organization in the Kingdom. - “Send them and may they lack nothing.” - Lottie Moon - “14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.” - Paul inserts our primary objective one last time as representatives of the Gospel, “maintain good works”. - Vs.1 – “be ready for every good work” - Vs.8 – “be careful to maintain good works” - Vs.14 – “learn to maintain good works” - Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” - “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” - The way the church is able to be fruitful in its community is through the faithful giving and service of its people. - “Give” & “Service”

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