"THE EPISTLE TO TITUS" The Power Of God's Kindness And Love (3:3-7) INTRODUCTION 1. In our previous study we examined several "Graces Of The Heirs Of Grace"... a. Graceful conduct toward those in authority - Tit 3:1 b. Gracious treatment of all men - Tit 3:2 2. In our text for this lesson (Tit 3:3-7) we are told why we should act with such grace... a. Because of our own condition before we experienced God's grace b. Because of what has happened since we became recipients of God's grace [To appreciate why we should conduct ourselves in the manner prescribed in verses 1-2, let's look in verse 3 at Paul's description of...] I. OUR CONDITION BEFORE GOD'S KINDNESS AND LOVE A. FOOLISH, DISOBEDIENT, DECEIVED... 1. Foolish (anoetos) - not understanding, unwise, foolish - Thayer 2. Disobedient (apeithes) - Unwilling to be persuaded, unbelieving, disobedient - TCWD 3. Deceived (planao) - those seduced, gone astray - TCWD -- A spiritual condition described elsewhere - cf. Ep 4:17-18 B. SERVING VARIOUS LUSTS... 1. "slaves to various passions and pleasures" (ESV) 2. "enslaved to various lusts and pleasures" (NASB) 3. Not served or gratified by our lusts and pleasures, but living, as their slaves, a life of misery and wretchedness - Clarke -- Given over to lewdness - cf. Ep 4:19 C. LIVING IN MALICE AND ENVY... 1. Malice (kakia) - ill-will, desire to injure - Thayer 2. Envy (phthonos) - envy, jealousy, pain felt and malignity conceived at the sight of excellence or happiness (of others) - TCWD -- Jealous of the success of others, seeking to do them harm D. HATEFUL AND HATING ONE ANOTHER... 1. Hateful (stugetos) - hated, detestable - Thayer 2. Our conduct was such as to be worthy of the hatred of others - Barnes 3. Hating one another (miseo allenon) - implying active ill will in words and conduct, a persecuting spirit - TCWD -- The natural condition of those left to their own moral degradation - cf. Ro 1:28-32 [Living without God's kindness and love we were truly ungodly, sinners, and enemies. Yet His love was manifested even while we were in such a condition (cf. Ro 5:6-11). In our text we are told of...] II. OUR CONDITION AFTER GOD'S KINDNESS AND LOVE A. SAVED BY HIS MERCY... 1. "not by works of righteousness which we have done" - Tit 3:4-5 2. It wasn't through works of merit, by which we earned salvation -- As Paul writes elsewhere, we were saved by grace! - Ep 2:8-9 B. REGENERATED AND RENEWED BY THE SPIRIT... 1. Saved "through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" - Tit 3:5-6 2. "...distinctly refers to baptism, in connection with which and through which as a medium regeneration is conceived as taking place. Comp. Ro 6:3-5. It is true that nothing is said of faith; but baptism implies faith on the part of its recipient. It has no regenerating effect apart from faith; and the renewing of the Holy Spirit is not bestowed if faith be wanting." - Vincent's Word Studies 3. "All commentators of reputation refer this to baptism, such as Meyer, Olshausen, Lange, Plumptree, Schaff, Canon Cook, Wesley, etc. Regeneration is due to the Holy Spirit, but baptism is an outward act that God requires to complete the fact." - B. W. Johnson -- By God's grace, in baptism we are born again of water and the Spirit! - cf. Jn 3:3-5 C. JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE... 1. Justified (dikaioo) - to render just or innocent - Strong 2. Such justification comes through the blood of Christ - cf. Ro 5:9 3. For we have forgiveness of sins through His blood - cf. Ep 1:7 -- Such justification comes when we are baptized for the remission of sins, and have our sins washed away by blood of Jesus! - cf. Ac 2:38; 22:16 D. HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE... 1. We have the hope of receiving eternal life at the end - cf. Ro 6:22-23 2. As promised by God before time began - cf. Tit 1:2 3. As such we are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ - cf. Ro 8:17 -- This is contingent on our remaining faithful to the end - cf. Re 2:10; Mt 24:13 CONCLUSION 1. How powerful is the kindness and love of God...! a. Taking those who are ungodly, sinners, and enemies of God b. Turning them into people who are saved, regenerated, justified, and heirs according to the hope of eternal life! 2. This kindness and love of God is not available for only a select few... a. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men - cf. Tit 2:11 b. Indeed, God desires that all men be saved - cf. 1Ti 2:3-6 c. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance - cf. 2Pe 3:9 d. The invitation of salvation is given to "whoever desires" - cf. Re 22:17 Whether we experience the power of the kindness and love of God depends on us, whether we are willing to obey the gospel of Christ (cf. He 5:9). If not, then all we have to look forward to is the vengeance of fire and everlasting destruction when the Lord returns...! - cf. 2Th 1:7-9Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
