Titus Sermon Series
Every Good Work - Part 2
Sermon follow-up 8/25/25
Introduction
In a world that often questions the relevance of faith, how we live as Christians carries tremendous weight. Our actions can either make the message of Jesus attractive or push people away. The core truth from Titus 2 reminds us that while we are saved by grace alone, how we live still matters deeply.
The Power of Intergenerational Impact
Paul's letter to Titus emphasizes the importance of different generations within the church community. When writing about older men, older women, younger men, and younger women, Paul implies that all generations should be represented in a healthy church.
The older generations have a unique opportunity to impact those who are younger. Having lived longer, they possess:
Think about someone who mentored you in your faith journey. For many, these relationships prove transformative. As one example shared in the message, Gordon McDonald credits his high school coach Marvin Goldberg with helping shape his life's direction. Goldberg wasn't just concerned with immediate athletic performance but was "looking ahead to life" when his students would "bear much greater responsibilities."
What Makes Our Faith Attractive to Others?
Throughout Titus 2, Paul repeatedly connects our behavior to our beliefs. Our lifestyle has tremendous power to impact how people perceive Jesus and His followers.
As verse 10 states, we should live in such a way that makes "the teaching about God our Savior attractive." While God doesn't need our help to accomplish His purposes, He invites us to participate in His work.
People are watching how we live. As C.S. Lewis noted, "People may doubt what you say, but they'll always believe what you do."
What Behaviors Make Our Faith Attractive?
Paul emphasizes several qualities that should characterize believers:
These qualities are countercultural both in Paul's time and our own. Living this way stands out in a world focused on self-gratification and instant pleasure.
The Danger of Poor Witness
Just as our lives can make Jesus attractive, they can also make His teachings less appealing. When Christians act in ways that contradict Christ's teachings, people use this as an excuse to reject Jesus and the church.
This challenge is particularly acute in our "post-institutional" culture where authority structures of all kinds face skepticism. When people see Christians acting without self-control or integrity, the good news of Jesus can look like fake news to them.
The Foundation: God's Grace Teaches Us How to Live
The key to living a life that matters comes in Titus 2:11-14:
"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
This passage reveals the proper order:
The Power of Christ's Blood
Just as our physical bodies depend on blood to survive, our spiritual lives depend entirely on the blood of Jesus. Our physical blood:
Similarly, the blood of Jesus:
Life Application
As we consider how our lives can make the message of Jesus attractive to others, here are some questions to reflect on this week:
The challenge this week is to remember that our lives matter not because they earn us salvation, but because they flow from what Christ has already done. Let your actions be a response to grace, not an attempt to earn it.
Each day this week, remind yourself: "I am saved by grace alone, and how I live matters because it can help others see Jesus more clearly."
Introduction
In a world that often questions the relevance of faith, how we live as Christians carries tremendous weight. Our actions can either make the message of Jesus attractive or push people away. The core truth from Titus 2 reminds us that while we are saved by grace alone, how we live still matters deeply.
The Power of Intergenerational Impact
Paul's letter to Titus emphasizes the importance of different generations within the church community. When writing about older men, older women, younger men, and younger women, Paul implies that all generations should be represented in a healthy church.
The older generations have a unique opportunity to impact those who are younger. Having lived longer, they possess:
- More life experience to draw from
- More opportunities to point to God's faithfulness over time
- Wisdom that can influence those still trying to figure life out
Think about someone who mentored you in your faith journey. For many, these relationships prove transformative. As one example shared in the message, Gordon McDonald credits his high school coach Marvin Goldberg with helping shape his life's direction. Goldberg wasn't just concerned with immediate athletic performance but was "looking ahead to life" when his students would "bear much greater responsibilities."
What Makes Our Faith Attractive to Others?
Throughout Titus 2, Paul repeatedly connects our behavior to our beliefs. Our lifestyle has tremendous power to impact how people perceive Jesus and His followers.
As verse 10 states, we should live in such a way that makes "the teaching about God our Savior attractive." While God doesn't need our help to accomplish His purposes, He invites us to participate in His work.
People are watching how we live. As C.S. Lewis noted, "People may doubt what you say, but they'll always believe what you do."
What Behaviors Make Our Faith Attractive?
Paul emphasizes several qualities that should characterize believers:
- Self-control
- Integrity
- Purity
- Upright living
These qualities are countercultural both in Paul's time and our own. Living this way stands out in a world focused on self-gratification and instant pleasure.
The Danger of Poor Witness
Just as our lives can make Jesus attractive, they can also make His teachings less appealing. When Christians act in ways that contradict Christ's teachings, people use this as an excuse to reject Jesus and the church.
This challenge is particularly acute in our "post-institutional" culture where authority structures of all kinds face skepticism. When people see Christians acting without self-control or integrity, the good news of Jesus can look like fake news to them.
The Foundation: God's Grace Teaches Us How to Live
The key to living a life that matters comes in Titus 2:11-14:
"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
This passage reveals the proper order:
- God's grace saves us
- This same grace teaches us how to live
- We become eager to do good works
The Power of Christ's Blood
Just as our physical bodies depend on blood to survive, our spiritual lives depend entirely on the blood of Jesus. Our physical blood:
- Provides everything our cells need to live
- Takes away waste that would poison us
- Reaches every part of our body through an intricate system
Similarly, the blood of Jesus:
- Washes us clean from sin
- Gives us what we need spiritually
- Takes away that which would harm us
Life Application
As we consider how our lives can make the message of Jesus attractive to others, here are some questions to reflect on this week:
- In what areas of my life might my actions be contradicting my stated beliefs?
- How can I be more intentional about living in a way that makes the gospel attractive to those around me?
- Am I living from a foundation of grace, or am I trying to earn God's favor through my behavior?
- Who in a different generation could I connect with to either mentor or be mentored by?
The challenge this week is to remember that our lives matter not because they earn us salvation, but because they flow from what Christ has already done. Let your actions be a response to grace, not an attempt to earn it.
Each day this week, remind yourself: "I am saved by grace alone, and how I live matters because it can help others see Jesus more clearly."
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