Brentwood Lighthouse Baptist Church Brentwood Lighthouse Baptist Church

Study of the Book of Titus (Week 9) – Pastor’s Message

Introduction:


The pastor begins by celebrating the completion of the church’s nine-week study of the Book of Titus, having covered every verse in depth.
Emphasizes the victory in studying this pastoral epistle, which offers divine direction and encouragement for both individual believers and the church as a whole.
Encourages the congregation to believe in the Word of God, prioritize it, and live in obedience to its teachings.

Reading and Exposition of Titus 3:12-15:


The pastor reads Titus 3:12-15, where Paul gives his closing exhortations.
Verses 12-13:

Verse 14 – Emphasis on Good Works:


Reads Titus 3:14, stressing the need for Christians to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs and avoid being unfruitful.
Reminds the congregation that they are “our people,” the people of Jesus Christ, saved and covered by His blood.
Emphasizes that God sees believers as righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, calling them to partake in good works that align with God’s heart.
Uses the example of assisting Zenas and Apollos to illustrate how Christians can be involved in good works, relieving needs, and furthering the gospel.

Verse 15 – Closing Exhortation:


Reads Titus 3:15, noting that Paul’s letter, though addressed to Titus, is intended for the entire congregation.
Encourages the church to greet and love one another in faith, as part of the family of Jesus Christ.

Review of Lessons from Titus:


Faith and Conduct: True faith leads to godly conduct, transforming lives and shining God’s light in the world.
Proper Leadership: Emphasizes the need for appointing elders and pastors to teach God’s truth and maintain the church’s purity.
Addressing False Teachers: Stresses the importance of guarding against false teachings that can lead believers astray.
Christian Living: Teaches obedience to God’s Word and proper conduct within the church.
Gospel Truth: Highlights the centrality of the gospel in changing lives and motivating good works.
Living Among Outsiders: Encourages treating unbelievers with consideration and peace.
Insisting on Biblical Conduct: Reinforces the importance of adhering to biblical teachings for a transformed life and God’s blessings.
Supporting Missions: Calls the church to support mission work and address urgent needs.

Conclusion:


The pastor rejoices in God’s timing and the opportunity to conclude the study of Titus on a potluck Sunday, a time of fellowship and celebration.
Reminds the congregation of the transformative power of the gospel and the importance of putting faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
Closes with a reading from Colossians 1:13-14, emphasizing God’s rescue from darkness and the redemption through Jesus Christ.
Urges anyone listening who has not yet put their faith in Jesus to do so, highlighting the eternal significance of this decision.

In today's sermon, Pastor Anthony delves into Titus 3:8-11, emphasizing the importance of adhering to biblical conduct. The key message is the insistence on living according to scriptural teachings, which is beneficial for individual believers and the church community as a whole.



Summary:

Introduction:



The sermon is part of a series on the Book of Titus, nearing its conclusion.

Titus is a pastoral epistle providing guidance for church leaders and congregants.

Review of Previous Week:



Last week's message focused on the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Main Message:



Insist on Biblical Conduct: Titus 3:8-11 commands believers to live according to biblical teachings.

Scripture Reading: The verses call for believers to engage in good deeds, avoid pointless controversies, and reject divisive individuals after warning them.

Explanation of Key Points:



Engaging in Good Deeds:



Good deeds are rooted in right doctrine and behavior.

These deeds are not just acts of kindness but also adherence to God's commands.

Avoiding Foolish Controversies:



Paul warns against engaging in unproductive disputes, which are deemed worthless.

Historical context: False teachings were disrupting early church communities.

Rejecting Divisive People:



A factious person, one who disrupts unity, should be warned and then rejected if unrepentant.

This process maintains the purity and unity of the church.

Application to Modern Church:



Biblical Standards: Churches must align with biblical standards, rejecting leadership and teachings that contradict scripture.

Individual Conduct: Believers should self-reflect and align their lives with God's word.

Encouragement:



Open to Learning: Believers should be open to learning and correcting themselves according to God's word.

Joy in Obedience: Following biblical teachings leads to blessings and profitable outcomes in life.

Conclusion:



Faith and Conduct: True faith is evidenced by a commitment to live according to biblical standards.

Repentance and Forgiveness: The church should be a place of learning, repentance, and forgiveness, emphasizing restoration over condemnation.

The sermon underscores the importance of adhering to scriptural teachings in both personal conduct and church practices, ensuring that faith is lived out through good works and unity within the church community.

This sermon is the fourth week of our study in the book of Titus, emphasizing the importance of proper Christian living for both individuals and the church community. The sermon highlights the structure and purpose of the book of Titus, categorizing it as a New Testament pastoral epistle, similar to 1 and 2 Timothy, aimed at providing guidance for church leadership and congregation behavior, particularly in the context of local churches in Crete.

The pastor outlines the sections of Titus, including salutations, instructions, and paramesis, which are moral exhortations. This week’s study centers on Titus 2:1-10, which offers directives for Christian living that enhance the credibility of the gospel. The reading of these verses sets the foundation for discussing proper conduct among different demographic groups within the church: older men, older women, younger women, and younger men.

Key points from the sermon include:


Sound Doctrine: Emphasizing the necessity for pastors to teach sound doctrine, as it fosters spiritual well-being and aligns believers’ lives with biblical truths. The pastor asserts that adhering to sound doctrine is crucial for both honoring God and effectively witnessing to non-believers.
Instructions for Different Groups:
Clarification on Misinterpretations: The pastor addresses previous misinterpretations of biblical passages, clarifying that criticisms of behaviors in scripture do not equate to dislike of any group. He emphasizes the importance of loving all people, including women and Jewish people, while upholding biblical truths.
Role of Women in the Church: The sermon touches on the controversial topic of women’s roles, stressing that while women should be active and outspoken, there are biblical directives about their roles, especially concerning their homes and families. The pastor acknowledges the modern feminist movement but presents it as a regression to ancient practices that deviated from God’s design.
Accountability and Truth: Emphasizing accountability, the pastor discusses the importance of adhering to God’s word without compromising, despite societal pressures. He underscores the idea that living according to biblical principles is essential for Christians to maintain their faith and witness effectively.
Encouragement for All Members: The sermon concludes by encouraging all church members, regardless of age or gender, to live by the exhortations found in Titus, thereby affirming their faith through their actions and ensuring their lives reflect their commitment to God’s word.

In summary, the sermon calls for a steadfast commitment to biblical teachings, proper conduct according to one’s role within the church, and a life that honors God and validates the Christian faith to others.

The sermon is a detailed exposition of Titus 1:5-9, focusing on the need for proper leadership within the church. The pastor begins by contextualizing the passage within the broader framework of Paul’s letter to Titus, highlighting Titus’ role in establishing churches in Crete. He emphasizes the importance of leadership in guiding and shepherding these young congregations.

The sermon then delves into the qualities expected of church leaders, drawing insights from various verses and passages in the Bible. The pastor discusses the significance of leaders being above reproach, faithful in marriage, and capable of leading their families in faith. He also addresses the responsibility of leaders to manage their households well and keep their children under control.

Throughout the sermon, the pastor shares personal anecdotes and reflections, relating the biblical principles to his own life experiences. He speaks candidly about struggles and challenges, underscoring the universal applicability of the scriptural teachings.

The pastor emphasizes the need for leaders to adhere to sound doctrine and defend the faithful word of God. He warns against deviating from biblical principles and urges the congregation to stand firm on the truth, regardless of societal pressures or trends.

In conclusion, the sermon reaffirms the central message of salvation through Christ and encourages listeners to embrace the transformative power of God’s word in their lives. It ends with a call to prayer and reflection, followed by a closing song.

The pastor's sermon began with an introduction to the book of Titus, emphasizing the importance of studying it comprehensively to bring spiritual growth both individually and as a church. The sermon focused on the theme of faith according to godliness, highlighting the inseparable link between faith and practice, belief and behavior. Here's a detailed summary of the sermon:


Introduction to Titus:


The pastor introduced the book of Titus, emphasizing its significance and context. Titus is a letter written by Paul around AD 62-64 to Titus, a young pastor tasked with appointing leaders in the Cretan churches.


Faith According to Godliness:


The sermon highlighted the theme of Titus, which is the connection between faith and godly behavior. The pastor stressed that true faith leads to practicing godliness and change in behavior, reflecting the nature of the kingdom of God.


The Importance of God's Truth:


The pastor emphasized the importance of God's truth, stating that it leads believers to conform to God's laws and desires. This wisdom and godliness are more valuable than material possessions like gold or silver.


God's Promises and Eternal Life:


The sermon focused on God's trustworthiness and eternal promises. The pastor cited Numbers 23:19-20 and 1 John 2:25, emphasizing that God cannot lie and has promised eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.


The Gospel Truth:


The pastor concluded by emphasizing the gospel truth—the saving message of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Believing in Jesus and placing faith in Him leads to eternal life and godliness.


Call to Action:


The sermon concluded with a call to action, inviting listeners to affirm Christ in their hearts and turn away from sin to embrace the life and godliness found in Jesus Christ. The pastor emphasized that having Jesus means having life.



Throughout the sermon, the pastor provided biblical references and personal insights to illustrate the theme of faith and godliness. The overarching message was a call to live out one's faith in a way that reflects godly behavior, embracing the transformative power of the gospel for eternal life and sanctification.

Main Scripture: Titus 1:1-4

Salutation

1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,

4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

 

Referenced:

1) Titus 1:1-4

2) Proverbs 3:11-18

3) James 3:13

4) Numbers 23:19-20

5) 1 John 2:25

6) 1 Timothy 2:3-5

7) 1 John 5:10-12

In this sermon, the pastor explores the theme of consequences of sin and the importance of living a life aligned with the Holy Spirit, based on Galatians 6:6-10. He starts by expressing gratitude for the community’s engagement and shares his prayers for their spiritual growth. He highlights the miraculous events occurring within the congregation and expresses a desire for such transformations to impact everyone deeply.

The sermon emphasizes that sins have consequences, a lesson the pastor found life-changing. He discusses Galatians 6:6-10, explaining that these verses teach the principle of sowing and reaping in both a moral and spiritual context. He underscores that what believers sow in their spiritual lives, they will also reap. Those who sow in the flesh will experience corruption, while those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life.

He stresses the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ but clarifies that while sins are forgiven, they still carry consequences. This dynamic illustrates the natural law of reaping what one sows. The pastor reflects on his own spiritual journey and encourages the congregation to make deliberate choices to sow to the Spirit rather than the flesh. He uses personal anecdotes to emphasize how his life was transformed by adhering to this principle.

The pastor also reflects on the communal aspect of the faith journey, highlighting the importance of supporting one another and especially those within the household of faith. He points out that the entirety of a believer’s life provides an opportunity to do good and serve others, emphasizing that this should be a primary focus.

He concludes with a call to action, urging members and viewers to commit to living in alignment with God's will, sowing into the Spirit, and embracing the life changes that come with truly following Jesus. He offers a prayer for anyone who might feel moved to dedicate or rededicate their lives to Christ, emphasizing the transformative power of living in accordance with the Holy Spirit.