Godliness For Office-bearers

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Titus 2:7,8
Psalters: 132, 367, 237, 369
  1. The duty.
    1. This applies particularly to Titus (“thyself”).
    2. “Exhort” is to call alongside.
      1. You beckon someone to come to you so you can instruct, encourage, console, admonish, or beseech.
      2. Alongside because it applies equally to the speaker - not nose to nose, because must love them.
      3. He must also personally to beseech them even as he tells them what God commands of them.
    3. Exhortation must be accompanied with a “pattern of good works.”
      1. “Good” works are those which are beneficial or useful because they promote the causes of God.
      2. Office-bearers must say: do as I do, follow my example (I Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 4:9; II Th. 3:7; II Tim. 1:13).
  2. “In doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech.”
    1. This is the reason behind the exhortation and the need to set such a pattern
      1. Titus must not only teach them how we are to live, but also why.
      2. Instruct in all the truths of Scripture for they serve as th foundations for such a life.
    2. “Uncorruptness” concerns the content of Titus’ instruction.
      1. The instruction must not be corrupted with the lie of false doctrine nor mixed with the folly of Jewish fables.
      2. Teach faithfully, according to Scripture.
    3. “Gravity” and “sincerity” describe the manner in which Titus is to exhort.
      1. “Gravity” is reverence for the great doctrines of salvation.
      2. “Sincerity” in motive: Scripture’s teachings live within his heart (something easily apparent).
    4. “Sound speech” is speech which is healthy for the hearers.
  3. Such instruction “cannot be condemned.”
    1. Those of “the contrary part” are the enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
      1. These do whatever they can to discredit Titus and to destroy his ministry.
      2. When Titus labors as Paul is instructing him, then he cannot be condemned, but he will put them to shame.
    2. More, laboring in this way will free us from being condemned by God.