Entrusted Series: "Remember"

Remember Titus 3:1-15

It is only fitting to end our study in the Pastoral Epistles with this message, because in every sense we have to remember what we learned. (illustration about guy who said 20 years of sermons made no difference) I trust that our 7 months together has spiritually nourished you, helped you to grow and gave you a grasp on what these books of the Bible teach. Even though you may not remember everything said or taught the passage we are going to look at tonight can serve as a summation for what we studied together because it is an encouragement to remember

Remember who you are supposed to be Verses 1-2
-Submissive to authorities
-Obedient (to the Lord)
-Ready to do good. A Christian should be looking for opportunities to do good, not waiting. “See a need, meet a need”
-Speak evil of no one…why do we speak evil about others?
Thomas Aquinas says “A person speaks of his neighbor things that are evil simply, for such things lead to loss or depreciation of his good name”
In a strange way we think it makes us look better, but in reality it also makes us look worse.
-Avoid a fight- It is easy to retaliate, but we should avoid
-Be gentle
-Show courtesy to ALL- even those who are belligerent

Remember who you were. Verse 3 When we remember who we were before we trusted in Christ, it helps us to understand the state of the hearts of people who are not Christians. If you want to believe that the state of the human heart is good…turn on the news and let the world show you that it is not. Just by the simple fact that if a station only broadcast good news it would be less likely to be watched. And Christians fall into the trap of doing this with personal testimonies “look how bad I was”

In the back of your mind remember how and what you were and that will help you time be more gracious and compassionate on others…not excusing sin but coming to someone with understanding.
-Foolish- the Bible tells us that the “fool says in his heart there is no God”
-Disobedient
-Led astray
-Slaves to sin
-Using our time on sin. Think about what you spend your time on. What do you read, watch, talk about, do? Are they the same things that they were before you trusted in Christ?
-Hated and hating

Remember who changed you. Verses 4-7 In order not to think we are better then anyone else Paul tells Titus to remember it was Jesus who saved you and changed you. We cannot take the credit. GOSPEL
-Good, loving and kind God
-Saved us not based on ourselves
-Based on his mercy
-By the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit
-Through Jesus Christ
-Heirs

Remember how you show thanks to Him Verse 8
-Do good, Jesus’ love language is “acts of service”

Remember what/who to avoid Verses 9-11
-Foolishness
-Divisive people Vr10 sometimes people who interrupt focus need to be dealt with, Remember Paul named names…unfortunately there are some people that you have to stay away from for your own spiritual health. And sometime you have to warn others about them.


Remember we are in this together Verses 12-15
-Spend time with one another
-Meet one another’s needs (Aesop’s Fables the Bear and the Traveler)
-Do good together, especially in urgent needs

Remember what you are “Entrusted” with…sharing the Gospel and living the Gospel