Zealous of Good Works

TEXT: Titus 2:1-15

Titus 2:14 — Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Introduction

• Zeal; good: beautiful, fair, valuable, virtuous

• Not Self Promotion, but for the glory of God and the BENEFIT of my neighbor

• Am I responsible? Ge 4:9 Am I my brother's keeper? & Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

• Each one of us has the capacity to effect others for evil or good.

I. Negative (2)

1. Esau's Wives (grief; bitterness of spirit)

Genesis 26:34,35 — And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: 35 Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

2. The City of Sodom, The Vexing of Righteous Lot

2 Peter 2:7,8 — And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

1 Corinthians 15:33,34 — Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

• Why bear crosses if there is no resurrection? (therefore no judgment; "Therefore, while we may, let us enjoy life.")
• "be not deceived" - roam from the truth, from safety
• "evil" worthless; bad; injurious; causes harm
• "communications" - homily; companionship
• "corrupt good manners" he who frequents the company of bad or corrupt men will soon be as they are.
• "some have not the knowledge of God" have an ignorance of God; live as though God does not exist
• "I speak this to your shame" - Lot had no excuse, but Sodom was not off the hook either.

II. Positive

Consider not merely matters of personal sanctification and holiness, but also how were WITNESS for Christ IN us effects others.

1. Our Mutual Faith

Romans 1:11 — For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 — Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

• Be an example to one another.

1 Timothy 4:12 — Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

III Titus 2

Tit 2:1 ¶ But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

The Judaizing teachers in Chapter 1, not only taught a false doctrine, but they lived an unholy life; Titus was to act directly opposite. The people must not only be well instructed, but they must be holy in their lives.

2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

• SOBER NOT drunkard, gluttonous, out of balance; GRAVE honorable, venerable, honest; TEMPERATE safe, sound in mind, self-controlled (not a joke); SOUND IN FAITH knowing what they believe, not a novice; CHARITY benevolence, love feast, love through actions; PATIENCE cheerful endurance, [Aged men should be particulary positioned to demonstrate this due to their perspective]

• It is natural that the young would imitate the old, THEREFORE the old MUST by necessity live as WORTH imitating. (No, "Do as I say and not as I do")

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

• Holinesss decent without, and adorned with holiness within.
• not given to much wine: excess, Ephesians 5:18
• not false accusers: diabolos, "not devils"
• **Teachers of good things": What are we passing along to the next generation?
• to be discreet: moderate as to passion and opinion ( Pr 25:24 ¶ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.)
• chaste: innocent, modest, clean, pure, [avert your eyes] "not trying to turn eyes"
• keepers at home: A woman who spends much time in visiting, must neglect her family.
• good: a benefit, a "plus"
• obedient to their own husbands: in Biblical submission
• not blasphemed "Your religion professes to reform all things, and its very professors are no better than others! Our heathenism is as good as your Christianity."

6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

• Soberness in young men is a rarity.
• The Young should be labor in the work listed before, but Paul puts special direction for those WHO should be laying out a pattern.

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

• CONCLUSION

Titus 2:11-15 — ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 ¶ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

2. Timothy's Grandmother Lois and Mother Eunice

2 Timothy 1:3 — I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.