Titus Sermon Series
Every Good Work - Part 3
Sermon follow-up 9/2/25
Introduction
In Titus chapter 3, Paul confronts us with a powerful reminder: we need to remember what life was like before we met Jesus. By reflecting on our past, we can better appreciate the new life He's given us and be motivated to pursue every good work God has prepared for us.
What Does It Mean to Live as a Christian in the World?
Paul begins by instructing believers to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do whatever is good. The word "whatever" here means "any and every" good work. If there's good to be done in the world—things that help people meet, know, and follow Jesus—that's what we should put our hands to.
He also lists qualities that should define us as Christians:
This raises an important question: Would the people around you describe you with these attributes? Most of us have work to do in these areas.
Why Does Paul Remind Us of Our Past?
Before diving deeper into how we should live, Paul takes a step back to remind us where we came from: "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another."
This "me too" moment from Paul is significant. Here's the Apostle Paul—a giant of the faith who wrote much of the New Testament—saying, "I was in that boat as well." He's reminding us not to get too big for our britches. As we seek to live out the good works God has prepared for us, we do it not from a high and mighty place, but as people who still have dirt stains under our fingernails from the miry pit we were pulled from.
As Tom Wright puts it: "The reason we're summoned to avoid speaking evil of people, not to be quarrelsome and so on, is that we are ourselves the creatures of God's generous love. And if we aren't showing that same generous, kindly, forgiving love, we've obviously forgotten the path by which we've come."
How Did God Save Us?
Paul then transitions to the heart of the gospel message:
"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."
This is the third time in this short letter that Paul emphasizes this same message. He's repeating it over and over because he wants it to sink deep into our bones: Grace, grace, grace. You didn't earn it. You don't deserve it. But it's a gift to you, and it's yours.
The Appearance of God's Goodness and Love
The word "kindness" here might also be translated as "goodness" in some Bibles. The word "love" comes from the Greek "philanthropia," which means "love for humanity." When these appeared, it was as if God's face was shining upon us in the darkness of our lives.
The Washing of Rebirth
Paul uses the language of being "born again" here—the only place in all his writings where he uses this specific terminology. This connects back to Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, where Jesus said, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
When you trust Jesus, new life begins. Literally, regeneration occurs. This leads to the most important question you'll ever answer: Have you been born again?
What Happens When We Trust Christ?
Two key things happen when we trust in Jesus:
How Should We Live in Response to God's Grace?
Paul emphasizes that this message is a "trustworthy saying"—a phrase he uses to highlight particularly important points. Based on the good news of Jesus, we should:
Life Application
As we reflect on Titus 3, here are some questions to consider this week:
The challenge for this week is simple but profound: Live in light of the grace you've received. Remember that you were once lost in darkness, but Jesus appeared and saved you. Let that reality drive you to do every good work you can in response to His great love.
As you go through your week, keep this truth in your heart: "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." Let this transform how you see yourself and how you treat others.
Introduction
In Titus chapter 3, Paul confronts us with a powerful reminder: we need to remember what life was like before we met Jesus. By reflecting on our past, we can better appreciate the new life He's given us and be motivated to pursue every good work God has prepared for us.
What Does It Mean to Live as a Christian in the World?
Paul begins by instructing believers to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do whatever is good. The word "whatever" here means "any and every" good work. If there's good to be done in the world—things that help people meet, know, and follow Jesus—that's what we should put our hands to.
He also lists qualities that should define us as Christians:
- Don't slander anyone
- Be peaceable
- Be considerate
- Always be gentle toward everyone
This raises an important question: Would the people around you describe you with these attributes? Most of us have work to do in these areas.
Why Does Paul Remind Us of Our Past?
Before diving deeper into how we should live, Paul takes a step back to remind us where we came from: "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another."
This "me too" moment from Paul is significant. Here's the Apostle Paul—a giant of the faith who wrote much of the New Testament—saying, "I was in that boat as well." He's reminding us not to get too big for our britches. As we seek to live out the good works God has prepared for us, we do it not from a high and mighty place, but as people who still have dirt stains under our fingernails from the miry pit we were pulled from.
As Tom Wright puts it: "The reason we're summoned to avoid speaking evil of people, not to be quarrelsome and so on, is that we are ourselves the creatures of God's generous love. And if we aren't showing that same generous, kindly, forgiving love, we've obviously forgotten the path by which we've come."
How Did God Save Us?
Paul then transitions to the heart of the gospel message:
"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."
This is the third time in this short letter that Paul emphasizes this same message. He's repeating it over and over because he wants it to sink deep into our bones: Grace, grace, grace. You didn't earn it. You don't deserve it. But it's a gift to you, and it's yours.
The Appearance of God's Goodness and Love
The word "kindness" here might also be translated as "goodness" in some Bibles. The word "love" comes from the Greek "philanthropia," which means "love for humanity." When these appeared, it was as if God's face was shining upon us in the darkness of our lives.
The Washing of Rebirth
Paul uses the language of being "born again" here—the only place in all his writings where he uses this specific terminology. This connects back to Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, where Jesus said, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
When you trust Jesus, new life begins. Literally, regeneration occurs. This leads to the most important question you'll ever answer: Have you been born again?
What Happens When We Trust Christ?
Two key things happen when we trust in Jesus:
- The Spirit is poured out on us through Jesus Christ. This Spirit empowers us to live life and gives us gifts to carry out the good works God is calling us to.
- We become part of God's family. When we're justified by His grace, we become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
How Should We Live in Response to God's Grace?
Paul emphasizes that this message is a "trustworthy saying"—a phrase he uses to highlight particularly important points. Based on the good news of Jesus, we should:
- Keep the good news of Jesus Christ as the main thing. Don't overcomplicate salvation: God did it through Jesus. It's a gift we receive by grace through faith. We can't earn it.
- Stay united. Don't divide over preferences, but remain united around the central mission of helping as many people as possible meet, know, and follow Jesus.
Life Application
As we reflect on Titus 3, here are some questions to consider this week:
- Do I regularly remember where I came from before Christ? How does that memory impact how I treat others?
- Would others describe me as peaceable, considerate, and gentle? What areas do I need to grow in?
- Am I keeping the good news of Jesus as the main thing in my life, or am I getting distracted by preferences and secondary issues?
- What good works has God prepared for me to do this week? How can I be ready for "whatever is good"?
The challenge for this week is simple but profound: Live in light of the grace you've received. Remember that you were once lost in darkness, but Jesus appeared and saved you. Let that reality drive you to do every good work you can in response to His great love.
As you go through your week, keep this truth in your heart: "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." Let this transform how you see yourself and how you treat others.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
September
2024
November