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Titus 2:7-10
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good
works.” “Exhort servants to be obedient in all things.” “Adorn
the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:7,9,10). Those
words, “in all things” are both challenging and compelling. No
part of the life or ministry of Titus was to be lived on the basis of personal
opinion or selfish desire. His hearers also were not to partially or
selectively apply the word in their lifestyle. The “sound doctrine”
which Titus preached must permeate and influence the character and actions of
Titus, the preacher himself, and all his hearers “in all things.”
Preachers never go on vacation, they are always preaching. A few hours’
preachers preach from the pulpit, the rest of the time we demonstrate our
message, making our lives shed light on the meaning of what we have been
preaching – now preaching by the way we live in the public. This life-pattern
or life-preaching, carries more weight and takes more time than one-hour or
two-hour messages. The pattern of our lives will either drive home or drive out
the preaching of our lips. How often have we heard, ‘your life speaks so loud
that I cannot hear what you say.’
“In all things.” Those words occur so often
in the Scripture that we cannot overlook them. “For Moses truly said unto
the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your
brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear IN ALL THINGS whatsoever he shall say
unto you.” “But IN ALL THINGS approving ourselves as the
ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in
distresses.” “Speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him IN ALL
THINGS, which is the head, even Christ.” “But watch thou IN ALL
THINGS, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of
thy ministry.” “IN ALL THINGS shewing thyself a pattern of good works:
in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.” “We trust
we have a good conscience, IN ALL THINGS willing to live honestly.” “If
any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let
him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God IN ALL THINGS may be
glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and
ever. Amen.” (Acts 3:22; 2 Corinthians 6:4; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Timothy
4:5; Titus 2:7; Hebrews 13:18; 1 Peter 4:11).
1. CONSTANT
COMMITMENT TO EXEMPLARY PATTERN IN ALL THINGS
Titus
2:7,8; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:16,17; Philippians 3:14-17;
1
Peter 5:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:12-16; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1:12; Colossians 4:5,6.
Titus
was to teach all the brethren under his pastoral care. Here, the Apostle also
taught him that he was to conform his life to the message of sound doctrine in
all things. Titus was to always remember and we are to always remember that the
most compelling and powerful words will fall on deaf ears if the one speaking
those words fails to live by them. Titus was willing to be taught. A teacher
must be willing to be taught and a leader must be willing to be led. If the preacher
is not able to pattern his life after the message he preaches, if he cannot
obtain grace from God to demonstrate the holiness he emphasizes, he will be
rightly labeled a hypocrite. If the preacher who proclaims scriptural standard
on the unity and permanence of the family does not have the love, wisdom and
commitment to cleave to his wife for life, how can he expect his hearers to
have the grace he does not possess? If the one who teaches his congregation to
be free from covetousness is himself known to be controlled by the love of
money or insatiable desire for material things, can he ever hope to see the
fruit of his preaching in his congregation? If I am irresponsible and
undisciplined, I cannot raise a responsible, disciplined congregation only by
preaching. To lead others to heaven, they must see that the leader is headed in
that same direction too.
The
pattern, example and model of Titus’ life were to conform to sound doctrine in
all things so he could be a good example in everything to all members and
ministers in the church. In doctrine and the manner of communicating divine
truth, he was to demonstrate “uncorruptness” – everything in his
teaching was to be such as to make men better and purer. “Gravity”
was to be evident in his presentation and “sincerity” of motive
and affection was to be observable in all he said and did. He was to so
minister at all times and in all places that he would not be ashamed before God
or before men – in the present day and on the final day. The same challenge is
placed before each and everyone of us.
2. CLEAR
CONSCIENCE AND EMPLOYEES’ PERFORMANCE AT ALL TIMES
Titus
2:9,10; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-25; 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:1,2; 1 Peter
2:18-21; Ecclesiastes 9:10; 1 Timothy 6:6-12; Romans 2:14-16; Acts 24:16; 1
Timothy 1:4,19; 3:7-9.
The
servants, the employees in various places of employment and under different
kinds of masters or employers were to allow Christ to shine forth through them.
The masters or employers in New Testament times were mostly unbelievers. A
great number of them were inconsiderate and unkind but their unchristian
character did not excuse or permit Christian employees to dishonour those
masters or be dishonest in their duty. The servants, that is, the employees,
were to be obedient, hardworking and faithful “not only to the good and
gentle, but also to the froward.” In their hearts, they were to “count
their own masters worthy of all honour.” The few servants who were
employed by “believing masters” were “not
to despise them, because they are brethren” but rather to do them
service. All this they were to do so that “the name of God and his
doctrine” will not be blasphemed. Pastors and preachers are to teach
Christian men and women that they must let their gospel light shine in their
communities and in their places of employment.
Titus
was to instruct and impress it on all Christian employees that they were to be
“obedient unto their own masters” at all times as long as they
were in their employment. They were not to riot or be governed by an aggressive
union but to please their own masters well in all things, and at all times.
Their greatest desire should not be higher pay but “the adorning of the
doctrine of God our Saviour.” “Not purloining” –
Christian employees would not be deliberately producing less than they are
capable of, for that would be considered unfaithful and unchristlike on their
part. In all things, at all times, under all conditions, with good and froward
masters, Christian employees are to so live and work that they will draw
employers and co-workers to Christ through righteous attitude, behaviour and
dedication to their work.
3. CONSUMING
CONCERN FOR EXCELLENT PURPOSE IN ALL THINGS
Titus
2:8b,10b,5b; 1 Timothy 6:1; 1 Peter 2:12-15; 4:11,14-16; Matthew 5:16;
Ephesians 4:1, 17-21; Philippians 2:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:11,12; 1 Peter
2:9.
Goals,
motives and purposes or reasons for our action are very important to God. Our
actions are evaluated on the basis of the purpose behind those actions. For all
the children of God and the ambassadors of Christ, our consuming purpose and
passion should be to glorify God and to influence and inspire others to also
glorify Him. Our relationships, behaviour, activities, manner of life and mode
of working should make all around us to desire Christ and His salvation. At
home, we should so live “that the word of God be not blasphemed”
(Titus 2:5). In the community, our conduct should show such a model of
righteousness “that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed,
having no evil thing to say of you”, of us (Titus 2:8). With our
employers and among our fellow-workers, in the midst of other employers, our
lifestyle and dedication in service, our faithfulness and loyalty, our honesty
and integrity, our attitude and industry, our skilfulness, selflessness and
resourcefulness will go a long way to make us “adorn the doctrine of God
our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:10).- from bible study outline
Bible study video can be found HERE
May the Lord dwell, abide and live brightly in us! Amen.
-Charity
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