Speak, Exhort, Rebuke With Authority

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Titus 2:15
Psalters: 408, 45, 176, 64
  1. His calling.
    1. What was Titus?s duty?
      1. First, we see it when Paul identifies His calling (1:1,2)
      2. Second, Titus, like Timothy, had received the laying on of hands (I Tim. 4:14) as an evangelist.
    2. Always the preachers of the truth stand opposed to gainsayers and false teachers (1:9b,10,11,16).
    3. Titus is to make a sharp contrast between himself (a true office-holder).
      1. First, he was to be ?a pattern of good works (2:7), i.e., have an attitude and conduct which was exemplary.
      2. ?These things? consists of the teachings of gracious salvation which produces godliness (good works).
  2. Titus carries out his duties by unending speaking, exhorting, and rebuking.
    1. Titus must ?keep on speaking,? using the faculty of speech.
      1. He must ?speak? clearly, plainly, publicly and privately, boldly and faithfully.
      2. He must preach doctrines which declare the truth of God as reveled in the Scriptures.
      3. Also he must instruct concerning the life-style which flows from the right teaching.
    2. He must ?keep on exhorting,? i.e., call alongside.
      1. The various translations (comfort, beseech, encourage) imply shoulder to shoulder.
      2. The preacher must teach in such a way that he also hears what he is being used to God to teach.
    3. And Titus must ?keep on rebuking,? i.e., reprove, refute, admonish (1:9) with a view to correcting.
  3. Titus? position requires respect from others and a certain deportment on his part.
    1. ?With all authority? mean that he has been given authority from Christ through the church.
      1. It is Christ?s authority given to various positions (husband/father, gov?t, elders, employees)
      2. While Titus must be respectable, his office/position is to be respected.
    2. Let no man despise thee.?
      1. It means to set oneself in thought beyond, to exalt one?s self with the result of despising others.
      2. He must conduct himself in such a manner than no one disregards or despises him for neglecting his duties or not behaving himself worthily.