For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3:3-5

One of the doctrines that doesn’t get talked about very much today is regeneration of the Holy Spirit. There are many who claim to be Christians, yet see no change in their life. There are others who claim to be Christians, and then one day decide they no longer believe. How does this happen? Well the simple question is, were they ever Born Again (John 3:3)? 

Christianity is not just another religion, its not just a title or status someone claims or is born with. To be a Christian, meaning your identity is in Christ, you have to be regenerated or reborn by the Holy Spirit. This is a total supernatural transformation of your entire soul. As the Apostle Paul said “You are either Alive in Christ or dead in sin” (Ephesians 2:5) 

As the Apostle Paul says here “for we ourselves also were” notice the past tense, before we became saved we were depraved, we were dead in our sins. When we become saved in Christ, we don’t remain the same as we were. It’s impossible to become Born Again, baptized by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5) and not be transformed in Christ. If you are still the same creature you were when you became saved, then I would have to say , something is wrong! You can’t have the Holy Spirit living inside of you and not transforming you!

Now the next point I want to make, is we are saved by the grace of God and not of ourselves. (Ephesians 2:8-9) As the Apostle Paul says here “ But after the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared” Why are any of us saved? Because God loves you, that’s simply it. God has chosen you and saved you because He loves you (Ephesians 1:4) 

The fact you are saved is all glory to God and no credit to yourself, as the Apostle Paul says “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” Its by the works of Christ we are saved not by ourselves. If we did anything to save ourselves then it wouldn’t be grace. The only reason your saved is because Christ has chosen you and showed his love and mercy towards you

So what happens when we become saved? As Jesus said “You must be Born Again” (John 3:3) As the Apostle Paul says here “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” You are made alive in Christ by the Holy Spirit, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all working together in unison for your salvation. The question I want to leave with you is Are you Born Again? Have you been regenerated by the Holy Spirit? Are you a new creation in Christ? Amen!

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus 3:1-2

As we look around the world, we see chaos and the breakdown of civil law and order. So how does God maintain Law and Order in a fallen world? This is why God has ordained the governments and law authorities and put them in place, to try and restrain evil and maintain some sense of order. 

As the Apostle Paul said this under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit , “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” (Romans 13:1) We learn a few things here, first God ordained all the governments of the world for order and structure, and we are to respect the authorities that are above us, to the best of our abilities.

This is the same the Apostle Paul is saying here to Titus “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates” We as Christians are to strive to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18) To be a good example for the rest of the fallen world, that includes paying our taxes and obeying the laws of the land. As the Lord Jesus said “Render to Caesar what is Caesers and Render to God what is Gods” (Mark 12:17) Give to the governments what belongs to the governments, and give to God what belongs to God. 

Now of course because we live in a fallen world, the governments are all corrupted, and some are very wicked and evil. Some governments abuse their authority and use it to oppress the people. So what do we do when the laws of the governments conflict with the laws of God? Well as the Apostle Peter and the other Apostles  said “We obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29) When the laws of the government conflict with the laws of God, we always obey God first before men. This obviously sometimes will have repercussions, but we must stay obedient to our one and only Lord Jesus Christ

A good example is when King Nebuchadnezzar was forcing everyone to bow down to his golden statue. The Hebrew men refused because it violated the law of God, which overrides the law of man. The consequences meant death, as they were thrown into the fiery furnace, however there was a 4th man in there, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who spared their lives. We must remain faithful to God even if it means persecution or even death. (Daniel 3)

We worship a God of Law and Order, not a God of chaos or confusion (1 Cor. 14:33) Obey The Lord and strive to live in peace with everyone, the world is not our home, our Kingdom is eternal with The Lord, Amen!

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

Today we look at some powerful words and revelation from the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” God has become flesh in our Lord Jesus Christ, those who deny the Trinity deny the Word of God. Salvation has appeared to everyone, the Word became Flesh and dwelled among us, Christ was not just another man or prophet, Jesus Christ is God in human form.

What did The Lord Jesus teach us? As it is written in the Word of God, “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts” This idea we just say we are a Christian and continue to live in our sins is unBiblical. The liberal , progressive, watered down gospel of today saves nobody, as Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you can’t see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) You must be reborn , you must be regenerated by the Holy Spirit, you can’t remain dead in your sins and alive in Christ (Ephesians 2)

How should we live? As it is written, “ we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”  There should be evidence of our conversion, there should be fruits of the Holy Spirit being produced, if you continue to live like the world, dead in your sins, then what did Jesus save you from? Christ came to set you free , not keep you in bondage of sin (John 8) If the Holy Spirit is truly living inside of you, then how can there be no fruit of the Holy Spirit being produced? (Galatians 5)

So what is our hope? As it is written “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” Again notice the Apostle Paul literally calls Jesus Christ God. Secondly, all our hope is in Jesus Christ and not ourselves. We have this living hope, because Christ is Risen, Christ has overcome the world and the grave, we have Victory in Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior

What did Christ do for us? “He gave himself for us” Christ died for our sins, why? “That He might redeem us” Christ justified us before The Father by paying the penalty for our sins. And then notice what Christ did, “And purify for Himself his own special people” Christ baptized us with the Holy Spirit, regenerating us and setting us apart as His Church, the Children of God

The Apostle Paul ends with instructions “Speak these things” Preach the true and undefiled gospel, Repent of your sins and put your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, who died for you, redeemed you, and purified you , Amen!

Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Titus 2:9-10

Today we look at a text that many non-believers will claim supports the idea of Western cultural slavery. And at first glance in the English translation, it might seem that way. But to understand the Bible , we need to understand the cultural context and look at the original Greek language. With a little research, the skeptic claims are easily debunked. After all , historically speaking, The BIble was used as the foundation to end slavery by Abraham Lincoln. What was the difference? Context is key, many who quote the Bible , have no true understanding of The Bible

So as we look at our controversial word, the original Greek “Doulos” which is translated in English several ways as slave, servant, and bondservant. So which English translation is correct? Well if we understand the cultural context, they are all technically correct, but the question is do we understand the Greco-Roman concept of a slave? Most people don’t , they use their Western cultural idea of slave, which is not the context of the Bible. We when try to apply our 21rst century ideas to the context of the BIble, that’s when error begins

As we look at different commentaries, Elliots commentary begins “The accurate translation here is bond servants” If we look at alot of our reliable English translations such as ESV, NASB,  and NKJV , they all translate to Bond Servants/Slaves also. I would argue this is the best translation in our English language also, why? Because Bond Servant gives us the best context and understanding of what is being conveyed here. 

What is a Bond Servant? Bond Servants are almost what we consider employee/employers relationships today. Bond Servants often voluntarily committed themselves as servants to a master in exchange for housing and food. This is not the same concept as we would think of a slave in Western culture. It’s not someone held against their will to a ruler, its more of a employee/employer relationship

So what is the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit trying to teach us? That in all things we should be obedient to authority. Just as we are obedient to our Lord Jesus Christ , we should also be obedient and subject to our employer, or government, or families ect. We should have a “servant-like” mentality as a Christian. We should be willing to serve and glorify our God. We should work honestly and hard working, not living immoral or any behavior that is disgraceful to our Lord , because in everything we do , we do it for the glory of God

Now when come to remaining loyal to our employers or government, I understand there are limitations. If our governing bodies are corrupted and wicked, then we obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29) But primarily our goal is to “strive to live in peace with everyone” (Hebrews 12:14) Be the salt and light of Christ , (Matthew 5) be the hands and feet of Christ in everything we do, all Glory to God! Amen!

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 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. Titus 2:6-8

As I want to continually remind you we are in a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) Satan wants to destroy your soul and Jesus wants to save your soul. Every human alive is in this battle, and they don’t even know it. While the world like to seduce and deceive the masses, by keeping them intoxicated and slaves to sin, God is raising up a Holy Army to fight the demonic forces of this world.

Where are the Men of God in this generation? People like to complain about the problems of this world, the moral collapse of society and the family, the root of this problem is the majority of men have abandoned their God ordained role as a Man of God, the Head of the Family and Church.  The collapse of the family and the Church are direct result of most men living in disobedience to God. Just as the angels abandoned their God ordained positions to fornicate with the world (Jude 1:6), most Men have done the same

So what does God expect of us? Be sober minded or self controlled. How can you hear the voice of the Great Shepherd when your never sober? How can you keep your flesh under control of sin when you’re intoxicated? The reality is most crime happens when people are under the influence. The battle begins in your mind, once you become drunk, you already lost the battle, your vulnerable for the devil to devour you like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) 

As a Man of God, you are a leader , you need to set a good example for the community. When you fall to sin, not only do you fail yourself, but you failed your entire family and community. As the Apostle Paul says here “Show yourself to be a pattern of good works” Do others see Christ in you? If you want to see a change in your family or Church, you be the change, set the tone, make a difference, be the Man of God your called to be

The Apostle Paul mentions also “in your doctrine or teaching” As the Man of God you are a teacher for your family and community. How can you be a teacher when you don’t practice what you preach? Live with integrity, reverence, and incorruptibility. The world will oppose you and call you strange, receive this as a badge of honor to serve The Lord Jesus Christ

Lastly, make sure your speech can’t be condemned, preach and speak the truth. The world loves to gossip and brag, making carnal stories. Be a Man of integrity, speaking truth that can’t be refuted. Notice the Apostle Paul calls these people your opponent , make no mistake you are in a spiritual warfare!

Now I know this is a big calling, and its not for the faint of heart, but Christ has given us the Holy Spirit to lives inside of us, the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead is living inside of You! (Romans 8:11) Live for Christ, because Christ died for You! Amen!