Randy Green's Blog - Posts Tagged "titus-2"
Just Say No To Drugs – Part 1
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds [Titus 2:11-14].
A TV commercial used to run regularly during prime time each evening. For the life of me I cannot even venture a guess how long ago it was. Memory isn’t what it used to be.
Anyway a public disavowal of illegal drug usage was in full swing. In a failed effort to dissuade the young folks—and the not so young too—from using drugs, the government put out these commercials on the TV during prime time. They were actually done quite well.
I remember how one of the commercials popped up on the screen, showing a skillet with an egg in it. The egg sizzled loudly as it fried. After several seconds of watching that scene—the delay being for effect and creating anticipation, you see—a voice brusquely announced, “This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?”
Effective in making a point, don’t you agree? Well, the real point I want to draw from those anti-drug commercials is what followed next. All of these anti-drug commercials ended with the same catch phrase, “Just say no to drugs.”
The reason I recall those anti-drug commercials at this time is simple. Many many moons ago a youth pastor at a church where I interned had a good take on Titus 2:12. In the New International Version the verse is translated, “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions”. Taking his cue from the anti-drug commercials, he noted that Titus 2:12 is his anti-drug verse. Being a youth pastor he regularly taught and exhorted the youth not to do drugs.
Whenever I read Titus 2 anymore, I remember that good brother. He had a knack for ministering to young folks. Youth pastors require a special gift from the Lord, if they are to be effective with teenagers under their care. He was good at his ministry, and I for one appreciated him for it.
In this study we won’t employ Titus 2:12 as our anti-drug Bible verse. We want to tackle verses 11-14 as a group and enjoy the smorgasbord of scrumptious delectables afforded therein. So let’s wash our hands, sit at the table, say grace, and get to eating!
But now we will call it a day and go visit with Jesus a spell. See you tomorrow, and we won’t be showing anymore commercials.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
A TV commercial used to run regularly during prime time each evening. For the life of me I cannot even venture a guess how long ago it was. Memory isn’t what it used to be.
Anyway a public disavowal of illegal drug usage was in full swing. In a failed effort to dissuade the young folks—and the not so young too—from using drugs, the government put out these commercials on the TV during prime time. They were actually done quite well.
I remember how one of the commercials popped up on the screen, showing a skillet with an egg in it. The egg sizzled loudly as it fried. After several seconds of watching that scene—the delay being for effect and creating anticipation, you see—a voice brusquely announced, “This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?”
Effective in making a point, don’t you agree? Well, the real point I want to draw from those anti-drug commercials is what followed next. All of these anti-drug commercials ended with the same catch phrase, “Just say no to drugs.”
The reason I recall those anti-drug commercials at this time is simple. Many many moons ago a youth pastor at a church where I interned had a good take on Titus 2:12. In the New International Version the verse is translated, “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions”. Taking his cue from the anti-drug commercials, he noted that Titus 2:12 is his anti-drug verse. Being a youth pastor he regularly taught and exhorted the youth not to do drugs.
Whenever I read Titus 2 anymore, I remember that good brother. He had a knack for ministering to young folks. Youth pastors require a special gift from the Lord, if they are to be effective with teenagers under their care. He was good at his ministry, and I for one appreciated him for it.
In this study we won’t employ Titus 2:12 as our anti-drug Bible verse. We want to tackle verses 11-14 as a group and enjoy the smorgasbord of scrumptious delectables afforded therein. So let’s wash our hands, sit at the table, say grace, and get to eating!
But now we will call it a day and go visit with Jesus a spell. See you tomorrow, and we won’t be showing anymore commercials.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Just Say No To Drugs – Part 2
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds [Titus 2:11-14].
Let’s continue our study of the anti-drug Bible verse. When reading Scripture we would be benefited to note the actors on the stage of the text. There are several in Titus 2:11-14. We will acquaint ourselves with them as they make their appearance.
The first person we meet enters stage right during the first seven words: “For the grace of God has appeared”. God is the star of this story, as He is in all of Scripture. Life isn’t about me, or about you, or about the family cat. Life for everyone revolves around God.
The word “grace” appears in the New Testament constantly. We need to understand what it means, if we want to know what God has to teach us. The grace of God has appeared. What is that anyway?
The word “grace” refers to a free gift. In our study it refers to a free gift from God specifically. He gives it to us because…because…well, just because He wants to. His love is His motivation. God is love so He does things like that.
Man hasn’t earned this free gift. Otherwise it wouldn’t be free, and it wouldn’t be a gift either! Nor does man receive this free gift because he deserves it. I am not so sweet a darling that God felt compelled to give me His grace. It doesn’t work like that! Nor am I so smart or strong or successful or whatever.
God gives me His grace because He is love. I don’t even enter the picture until I receive it. Up until that time God’s grace alone is on the stage.
So God’s grace, His free gift, has made an appearance on the stage of world history. Okay, then what is this free gift, this grace of God which has appeared? Well, first of all it isn’t a “this” or a “which”. God’s grace is a “Who”. In the context of Titus 2:11-14 we should recognize the “Who” as three Persons. The three are:
1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Spirit
“How do you reckon those three Persons comprise God’s grace, based on Titus 2:11-14?” you are no doubt champing at the bit to ask me.
And an insightful query it is too. I’ll be happy to oblige you with an explanation, as we make our way through the text.
But it’ll have to wait for our next study. This one’s over, as is the day. I need time alone with Jesus before I retire. Don’t you?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Let’s continue our study of the anti-drug Bible verse. When reading Scripture we would be benefited to note the actors on the stage of the text. There are several in Titus 2:11-14. We will acquaint ourselves with them as they make their appearance.
The first person we meet enters stage right during the first seven words: “For the grace of God has appeared”. God is the star of this story, as He is in all of Scripture. Life isn’t about me, or about you, or about the family cat. Life for everyone revolves around God.
The word “grace” appears in the New Testament constantly. We need to understand what it means, if we want to know what God has to teach us. The grace of God has appeared. What is that anyway?
The word “grace” refers to a free gift. In our study it refers to a free gift from God specifically. He gives it to us because…because…well, just because He wants to. His love is His motivation. God is love so He does things like that.
Man hasn’t earned this free gift. Otherwise it wouldn’t be free, and it wouldn’t be a gift either! Nor does man receive this free gift because he deserves it. I am not so sweet a darling that God felt compelled to give me His grace. It doesn’t work like that! Nor am I so smart or strong or successful or whatever.
God gives me His grace because He is love. I don’t even enter the picture until I receive it. Up until that time God’s grace alone is on the stage.
So God’s grace, His free gift, has made an appearance on the stage of world history. Okay, then what is this free gift, this grace of God which has appeared? Well, first of all it isn’t a “this” or a “which”. God’s grace is a “Who”. In the context of Titus 2:11-14 we should recognize the “Who” as three Persons. The three are:
1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Spirit
“How do you reckon those three Persons comprise God’s grace, based on Titus 2:11-14?” you are no doubt champing at the bit to ask me.
And an insightful query it is too. I’ll be happy to oblige you with an explanation, as we make our way through the text.
But it’ll have to wait for our next study. This one’s over, as is the day. I need time alone with Jesus before I retire. Don’t you?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Just Say No To Drugs – Part 3
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds [Titus 2:11-14].
In the context of Titus 2:11-14 we should recognize God’s grace as three Persons. The three are:
1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Spirit
Let’s assay how this is so.
To begin with observe what occurred when God’s grace appeared: it brought salvation to all men. And there are the second and third members who make up the cast of this movie. The third part of the cast is a group, “all men”. Who does that include? Well, you show me a human being from the past, present, or future, and I will show you someone who is included!
To recapitulate, “God” is the first member of the cast and “all men” make up the third addition to the cast. But wait a sec. How did we go from first to third? Where is the second member of the cast?
You will recall that I identified the “grace of God” as a Person, or rather three Persons to be exact. That is where the second member of the cast comes in. This second member was already present when Paul wrote the words of Titus 2. He appeared already, you see. When He appeared He brought salvation to all men. In fact He continuously brings this salvation to all men.
Is this starting to ring a bell? We are of course pointing to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and to His ministry at the cross and empty tomb. Jesus is the Son of God, one of the three Persons of the Godhead. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men”. That is a direct allusion to Jesus Christ the Son of God. He appeared (past tense), and He is continuously “bringing salvation” (present tense).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” [John 3:16]. God’s love is for “the world”, or as it is worded in Titus 2:11 “all men”. The world consists of all men, or all humans.
However, only those who believe this truth from the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “have eternal life”. The “have eternal life” part is worded in Titus 2:11 as “bringing salvation”. If we have salvation, we have eternal life, and vice versa too.
Titus was one of Paul’s closest associates. Paul went around the Mediterranean world sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When people believed they were born again. Paul organized the believers into local churches.
One place Paul did this was on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete was south by southeast of Greece and south of the Aegean Sea. The Aegean Sea is the body of water between today’s Asia Minor and Greece.
I’ll give you a pass on the geography lesson. We need to pause now and reflect on what we’ve been taught. Jesus calls us. Let’s accept the invite.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
In the context of Titus 2:11-14 we should recognize God’s grace as three Persons. The three are:
1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Spirit
Let’s assay how this is so.
To begin with observe what occurred when God’s grace appeared: it brought salvation to all men. And there are the second and third members who make up the cast of this movie. The third part of the cast is a group, “all men”. Who does that include? Well, you show me a human being from the past, present, or future, and I will show you someone who is included!
To recapitulate, “God” is the first member of the cast and “all men” make up the third addition to the cast. But wait a sec. How did we go from first to third? Where is the second member of the cast?
You will recall that I identified the “grace of God” as a Person, or rather three Persons to be exact. That is where the second member of the cast comes in. This second member was already present when Paul wrote the words of Titus 2. He appeared already, you see. When He appeared He brought salvation to all men. In fact He continuously brings this salvation to all men.
Is this starting to ring a bell? We are of course pointing to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and to His ministry at the cross and empty tomb. Jesus is the Son of God, one of the three Persons of the Godhead. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men”. That is a direct allusion to Jesus Christ the Son of God. He appeared (past tense), and He is continuously “bringing salvation” (present tense).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” [John 3:16]. God’s love is for “the world”, or as it is worded in Titus 2:11 “all men”. The world consists of all men, or all humans.
However, only those who believe this truth from the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “have eternal life”. The “have eternal life” part is worded in Titus 2:11 as “bringing salvation”. If we have salvation, we have eternal life, and vice versa too.
Titus was one of Paul’s closest associates. Paul went around the Mediterranean world sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When people believed they were born again. Paul organized the believers into local churches.
One place Paul did this was on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete was south by southeast of Greece and south of the Aegean Sea. The Aegean Sea is the body of water between today’s Asia Minor and Greece.
I’ll give you a pass on the geography lesson. We need to pause now and reflect on what we’ve been taught. Jesus calls us. Let’s accept the invite.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Just Say No To Drugs – Part 4
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds [Titus 2:11-14].
Paul dispatched Titus to Crete to organized the leadership in the churches on that island. Later he wrote Titus the letter we know as the the New Testament Epistle to Titus. This letter contains Paul’s instructions to Titus about what he should do to set the churches on their feet spiritually. We are studying a part of it today.
At the time Paul penned the words of Titus 2:11-14, Jesus Christ had already ascended into heaven, likely more than 3½ decades prior. Paul noted that the grace of God appeared bringing salvation, a reference to Jesus. That was past tense at the time Paul wrote.
Then Paul continued in the present tense with verbs like,
• instructing
• live
• looking
Jesus had been in heaven for decades. He wasn’t on earth “instructing us”. This brings us to the fourth member of the cast of this movie. This Person is the One on earth “instructing us” during this Church Age. Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to introduce to you the Holy Spirit.
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. God as identified by those words has a Son, so the reference is to God the Father. He is the first Person noted. “All men” received the second mention. God the Son then made His appearance.
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, ascended into heaven. Ten days later on Pentecost He sent the Holy Spirit to give birth to His Body on earth during this age, the Church.
It is through the instrumentality of the Church during this Church Age that the Gospel of Jesus Christ goes out to “all men”. We know the specifics of the Gospel because it appears in the Bible. We can understand the Bible because God the Holy Spirit lives inside the born again person. This indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the new life, eternal life, which Jesus grants us by means of the Gospel.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit entails many avenues of work. He teaches us the Word of God, leads us as we share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others, and comforts us in our distress. He it is Who, to employ the words of Titus 2, “instruct(s) us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age”.
The Holy Spirit also keeps us focused on eternity and our heavenly home, so that we are always “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”. This additional aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is crucial to the previous aspect.
We will learn all about it in our next study. For now let’s allow Jesus to build what we’ve eaten today into our hearts and minds.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Paul dispatched Titus to Crete to organized the leadership in the churches on that island. Later he wrote Titus the letter we know as the the New Testament Epistle to Titus. This letter contains Paul’s instructions to Titus about what he should do to set the churches on their feet spiritually. We are studying a part of it today.
At the time Paul penned the words of Titus 2:11-14, Jesus Christ had already ascended into heaven, likely more than 3½ decades prior. Paul noted that the grace of God appeared bringing salvation, a reference to Jesus. That was past tense at the time Paul wrote.
Then Paul continued in the present tense with verbs like,
• instructing
• live
• looking
Jesus had been in heaven for decades. He wasn’t on earth “instructing us”. This brings us to the fourth member of the cast of this movie. This Person is the One on earth “instructing us” during this Church Age. Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to introduce to you the Holy Spirit.
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. God as identified by those words has a Son, so the reference is to God the Father. He is the first Person noted. “All men” received the second mention. God the Son then made His appearance.
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, ascended into heaven. Ten days later on Pentecost He sent the Holy Spirit to give birth to His Body on earth during this age, the Church.
It is through the instrumentality of the Church during this Church Age that the Gospel of Jesus Christ goes out to “all men”. We know the specifics of the Gospel because it appears in the Bible. We can understand the Bible because God the Holy Spirit lives inside the born again person. This indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the new life, eternal life, which Jesus grants us by means of the Gospel.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit entails many avenues of work. He teaches us the Word of God, leads us as we share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others, and comforts us in our distress. He it is Who, to employ the words of Titus 2, “instruct(s) us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age”.
The Holy Spirit also keeps us focused on eternity and our heavenly home, so that we are always “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”. This additional aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is crucial to the previous aspect.
We will learn all about it in our next study. For now let’s allow Jesus to build what we’ve eaten today into our hearts and minds.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Just Say No To Drugs – Part 5
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds [Titus 2:11-14].
The Holy Spirit teaches us how to live day-by-day in this world. This entails a negative and a positive aspect. The negative aspect is that we must deny the old man, the sin nature which continues to exist inside the born again person. The sin nature will not be eradicated until our glorification. This occurs at the Rapture of the Church when Jesus comes for us again. Paul made note of that event in Titus 2:13.
The Holy Spirit teaches us what sin is, and empowers us to refuse the sin nature when it entices us to sin. By the power of the Holy Spirit inside us, we can just say “No” to the sin nature, you see.
Then there is the positive aspect. We are also empowered to just say “Yes” to the new nature inside us, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do this as well.
This isn’t to be taken lightly, dear friends. Before a person is born again, he is ruled by the sin nature. He cannot live a righteous life and serve God. He is a slave to sin. Paul teaches about this in Romans 6.
Once a person is born again, he is no longer to obey the sin nature as its slave. The Lord delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and brought them into the Promised Land to live a righteous life for Him. So too does the Lord Jesus save us from sin and impart to us a new life, the indwelling Holy Spirit. This frees us from sin so that we are enabled to live a righteous life for Him.
But we are also able to listen to the crooning of the sin nature, as its alluring song inveigles us onto the rocks of Island of the Sirens. If the sin nature is eradicated when we are born again, why did Paul tell Titus that the Christians have to just say “No” to sin and just say “Yes” to righteous living? Without a sin nature we wouldn’t be seduced into sinning.
But we are daily susceptible to the temptations of our old life, and some new temptations too! We have to choose to say “No” to them and say “Yes” to the Holy Spirit day-by-day, moment-by-moment, grace upon grace.
The sin nature still has its claws in us, dear friends, even after we are born again. The difference now is that the Holy Spirit indwells us and empowers us to resist the sin nature and choose to live His new life instead.
Food for thought, deep thought, very deep thought! Let’s chew the cud on it a while, as we sit at the feet of Jesus.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The Holy Spirit teaches us how to live day-by-day in this world. This entails a negative and a positive aspect. The negative aspect is that we must deny the old man, the sin nature which continues to exist inside the born again person. The sin nature will not be eradicated until our glorification. This occurs at the Rapture of the Church when Jesus comes for us again. Paul made note of that event in Titus 2:13.
The Holy Spirit teaches us what sin is, and empowers us to refuse the sin nature when it entices us to sin. By the power of the Holy Spirit inside us, we can just say “No” to the sin nature, you see.
Then there is the positive aspect. We are also empowered to just say “Yes” to the new nature inside us, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do this as well.
This isn’t to be taken lightly, dear friends. Before a person is born again, he is ruled by the sin nature. He cannot live a righteous life and serve God. He is a slave to sin. Paul teaches about this in Romans 6.
Once a person is born again, he is no longer to obey the sin nature as its slave. The Lord delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and brought them into the Promised Land to live a righteous life for Him. So too does the Lord Jesus save us from sin and impart to us a new life, the indwelling Holy Spirit. This frees us from sin so that we are enabled to live a righteous life for Him.
But we are also able to listen to the crooning of the sin nature, as its alluring song inveigles us onto the rocks of Island of the Sirens. If the sin nature is eradicated when we are born again, why did Paul tell Titus that the Christians have to just say “No” to sin and just say “Yes” to righteous living? Without a sin nature we wouldn’t be seduced into sinning.
But we are daily susceptible to the temptations of our old life, and some new temptations too! We have to choose to say “No” to them and say “Yes” to the Holy Spirit day-by-day, moment-by-moment, grace upon grace.
The sin nature still has its claws in us, dear friends, even after we are born again. The difference now is that the Holy Spirit indwells us and empowers us to resist the sin nature and choose to live His new life instead.
Food for thought, deep thought, very deep thought! Let’s chew the cud on it a while, as we sit at the feet of Jesus.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Just Say No To Drugs – Part 6
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds [Titus 2:11-14].
One aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in us today is to lead us to say “No” to sin and “Yes” to “righteous living”. Another aspect is that the Holy Spirit keeps us focused on eternity, on our eternal home with Jesus in heaven. In doing so we don’t put undue value on the world and the things of the world.
Before we are born again, all we know is the world and its toys. We live to acquire more toys and indulge our lusts. We want it all, the good life of affluence and easy living.
After we are born again, the Holy Spirit inside us focuses us on the Person of Jesus Christ. We spend time alone with Jesus daily, as the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see His lovely face more clearly. The Holy Spirit also opens our ears to hear His sweet voice speak a fresh word to us from the Bible. Our hearts go out to Him in love. We are growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit takes it further than that. He reminds of us Jesus’ words, that He has gone back to the Father, where He is interceding on our behalf at the throne of God. He is also preparing a place for us, and He is coming again at any moment to take us home with Him. We have a mansion in glory! Hallelujah!
That is where it’s at, dear friends. That is where our focus should be. The Holy Spirit makes it His goal to keep us focused on that. He calls this to mind incessantly, so that we “look for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”. That is the future aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry on our behalf. The present aspect is to just say “No” to sin and “Yes” to righteous living.
Our text concludes in verse 14 by reminding us of the Lord Jesus. Jesus “gave Himself for us”. Yes, He did, and that speaks volumes about why we should love Him and trust Him and obey Him. He laid down His own life, so that we don’t have to die for our sins. His sacrifice on our behalf earns Him our love and trust and obedience.
There is more to come on that blessed subject. We will get to it in our next study. Lord Jesus, we are ready to spend some time with you now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
One aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in us today is to lead us to say “No” to sin and “Yes” to “righteous living”. Another aspect is that the Holy Spirit keeps us focused on eternity, on our eternal home with Jesus in heaven. In doing so we don’t put undue value on the world and the things of the world.
Before we are born again, all we know is the world and its toys. We live to acquire more toys and indulge our lusts. We want it all, the good life of affluence and easy living.
After we are born again, the Holy Spirit inside us focuses us on the Person of Jesus Christ. We spend time alone with Jesus daily, as the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see His lovely face more clearly. The Holy Spirit also opens our ears to hear His sweet voice speak a fresh word to us from the Bible. Our hearts go out to Him in love. We are growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit takes it further than that. He reminds of us Jesus’ words, that He has gone back to the Father, where He is interceding on our behalf at the throne of God. He is also preparing a place for us, and He is coming again at any moment to take us home with Him. We have a mansion in glory! Hallelujah!
That is where it’s at, dear friends. That is where our focus should be. The Holy Spirit makes it His goal to keep us focused on that. He calls this to mind incessantly, so that we “look for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”. That is the future aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry on our behalf. The present aspect is to just say “No” to sin and “Yes” to righteous living.
Our text concludes in verse 14 by reminding us of the Lord Jesus. Jesus “gave Himself for us”. Yes, He did, and that speaks volumes about why we should love Him and trust Him and obey Him. He laid down His own life, so that we don’t have to die for our sins. His sacrifice on our behalf earns Him our love and trust and obedience.
There is more to come on that blessed subject. We will get to it in our next study. Lord Jesus, we are ready to spend some time with you now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Just Say No To Drugs – Part 7
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds [Titus 2:11-14].
Jesus “gave Himself for us”. Verse 14 goes on to teach us why Jesus gave Himself for us. Let’s read it again and see,
To redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Did you catch the two aspects depicted by those words. Each aspect begins with the word “to”. Jesus gave Himself for us “to”, i.e., in order to accomplish what follows.
First, Jesus’ death for our sins and resurrection for our justification was for the purpose of “redeem(ing) us from every lawless deed”. The word “redeem” means to buy back. We were slaves to sin, you see, slaves to “every lawless deed”. Christ Jesus gave Himself for us to buy us back from the slave market of sin.
Secondly, Jesus’ death for our sins and resurrection for our justification was for the purpose of “purify(ing) for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds”. We were slaves to sin. Jesus went to the slave market and bought us off the auction block. This makes us “His own possession”.
Jesus is God. He cannot even look upon sin. It is too flagitious for His pure eyes. As His property, we cannot be in fellowship with Him while we are in sin. Ergo, Jesus gave Himself for us so that He might purify us. This allows us to be and remain in fellowship with God the Son, as well as God the Holy Spirit and God the Father too.
The life I now lead is a pure life, His life in me, the new nature of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus went around the land of Israel doing good deeds zealously, so now too am I to be “zealous of good deeds” in my own city and country.
But I don’t do this out of obligation or to earn salvation. I already am saved! I do it because of the new life indwelling me, the Spirit of God, and that is how He lives.
This sure gives me plenty of food for thought, dear friends. Let’s betake ourselves to the prayer closet and spend time alone with Jesus. The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, as we enjoy the Lord’s fellowship and converse with Him and He with us.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Jesus “gave Himself for us”. Verse 14 goes on to teach us why Jesus gave Himself for us. Let’s read it again and see,
To redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Did you catch the two aspects depicted by those words. Each aspect begins with the word “to”. Jesus gave Himself for us “to”, i.e., in order to accomplish what follows.
First, Jesus’ death for our sins and resurrection for our justification was for the purpose of “redeem(ing) us from every lawless deed”. The word “redeem” means to buy back. We were slaves to sin, you see, slaves to “every lawless deed”. Christ Jesus gave Himself for us to buy us back from the slave market of sin.
Secondly, Jesus’ death for our sins and resurrection for our justification was for the purpose of “purify(ing) for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds”. We were slaves to sin. Jesus went to the slave market and bought us off the auction block. This makes us “His own possession”.
Jesus is God. He cannot even look upon sin. It is too flagitious for His pure eyes. As His property, we cannot be in fellowship with Him while we are in sin. Ergo, Jesus gave Himself for us so that He might purify us. This allows us to be and remain in fellowship with God the Son, as well as God the Holy Spirit and God the Father too.
The life I now lead is a pure life, His life in me, the new nature of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus went around the land of Israel doing good deeds zealously, so now too am I to be “zealous of good deeds” in my own city and country.
But I don’t do this out of obligation or to earn salvation. I already am saved! I do it because of the new life indwelling me, the Spirit of God, and that is how He lives.
This sure gives me plenty of food for thought, dear friends. Let’s betake ourselves to the prayer closet and spend time alone with Jesus. The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, as we enjoy the Lord’s fellowship and converse with Him and He with us.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Just Say No To Drugs – Part 1
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds [Titus 2:11-14].
A TV commercial used to run regularly during prime time each evening. For the life of me I cannot even venture a guess how long ago it was. Memory isn’t what it used to be.
Anyway a public disavowal of illegal drug usage was in full swing. In a failed effort to dissuade the young folks—and the not so young too—from using drugs, the government put out these commercials on the TV during prime time. They were actually done quite well.
I remember how one of the commercials popped up on the screen, showing a skillet with an egg in it. The egg sizzled loudly as it fried. After several seconds of watching that scene—the delay being for effect and creating anticipation, you see—a voice brusquely announced, “This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?”
Effective in making a point, don’t you agree? Well, the real point I want to draw from those anti-drug commercials is what followed next. All of these anti-drug commercials ended with the same catch phrase, “Just say no to drugs.”
The reason I recall those anti-drug commercials at this time is simple. Many many moons ago a youth pastor at a church where I interned had a good take on Titus 2:12. In the New International Version the verse is translated, “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions”. Taking his cue from the anti-drug commercials, he noted that Titus 2:12 is his anti-drug verse. Being a youth pastor he regularly taught and exhorted the youth not to do drugs.
Whenever I read Titus 2 anymore, I remember that good brother. He had a knack for ministering to young folks. Youth pastors require a special gift from the Lord, if they are to be effective with teenagers under their care. He was good at his ministry, and I for one appreciated him for it.
In this study we won’t employ Titus 2:12 as our anti-drug Bible verse. We want to tackle verses 11-14 as a group and enjoy the smorgasbord of scrumptious delectables afforded therein. So let’s wash our hands, sit at the table, say grace, and get to eating!
But now we will call it a day and go visit with Jesus a spell. See you tomorrow, and we won’t be showing anymore commercials.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
A TV commercial used to run regularly during prime time each evening. For the life of me I cannot even venture a guess how long ago it was. Memory isn’t what it used to be.
Anyway a public disavowal of illegal drug usage was in full swing. In a failed effort to dissuade the young folks—and the not so young too—from using drugs, the government put out these commercials on the TV during prime time. They were actually done quite well.
I remember how one of the commercials popped up on the screen, showing a skillet with an egg in it. The egg sizzled loudly as it fried. After several seconds of watching that scene—the delay being for effect and creating anticipation, you see—a voice brusquely announced, “This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?”
Effective in making a point, don’t you agree? Well, the real point I want to draw from those anti-drug commercials is what followed next. All of these anti-drug commercials ended with the same catch phrase, “Just say no to drugs.”
The reason I recall those anti-drug commercials at this time is simple. Many many moons ago a youth pastor at a church where I interned had a good take on Titus 2:12. In the New International Version the verse is translated, “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions”. Taking his cue from the anti-drug commercials, he noted that Titus 2:12 is his anti-drug verse. Being a youth pastor he regularly taught and exhorted the youth not to do drugs.
Whenever I read Titus 2 anymore, I remember that good brother. He had a knack for ministering to young folks. Youth pastors require a special gift from the Lord, if they are to be effective with teenagers under their care. He was good at his ministry, and I for one appreciated him for it.
In this study we won’t employ Titus 2:12 as our anti-drug Bible verse. We want to tackle verses 11-14 as a group and enjoy the smorgasbord of scrumptious delectables afforded therein. So let’s wash our hands, sit at the table, say grace, and get to eating!
But now we will call it a day and go visit with Jesus a spell. See you tomorrow, and we won’t be showing anymore commercials.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Just Say No To Drugs – Part 2
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds [Titus 2:11-14].
Let’s continue our study of the anti-drug Bible verse. When reading Scripture we would be benefited to note the actors on the stage of the text. There are several in Titus 2:11-14. We will acquaint ourselves with them as they make their appearance.
The first person we meet enters stage right during the first seven words: “For the grace of God has appeared”. God is the star of this story, as He is in all of Scripture. Life isn’t about me, or about you, or about the family cat. Life for everyone revolves around God.
The word “grace” appears in the New Testament constantly. We need to understand what it means, if we want to know what God has to teach us. The grace of God has appeared. What is that anyway?
The word “grace” refers to a free gift. In our study it refers to a free gift from God specifically. He gives it to us because…because…well, just because He wants to. His love is His motivation. God is love so He does things like that.
Man hasn’t earned this free gift. Otherwise it wouldn’t be free, and it wouldn’t be a gift either! Nor does man receive this free gift because he deserves it. I am not so sweet a darling that God felt compelled to give me His grace. It doesn’t work like that! Nor am I so smart or strong or successful or whatever.
God gives me His grace because He is love. I don’t even enter the picture until I receive it. Up until that time God’s grace alone is on the stage.
So God’s grace, His free gift, has made an appearance on the stage of world history. Okay, then what is this free gift, this grace of God which has appeared? Well, first of all it isn’t a “this” or a “which”. God’s grace is a “Who”. In the context of Titus 2:11-14 we should recognize the “Who” as three Persons. The three are:
1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Spirit
“How do you reckon those three Persons comprise God’s grace, based on Titus 2:11-14?” you are no doubt champing at the bit to ask me.
And an insightful query it is too. I’ll be happy to oblige you with an explanation, as we make our way through the text.
But it’ll have to wait for our next study. This one’s over, as is the day. I need time alone with Jesus before I retire. Don’t you?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Let’s continue our study of the anti-drug Bible verse. When reading Scripture we would be benefited to note the actors on the stage of the text. There are several in Titus 2:11-14. We will acquaint ourselves with them as they make their appearance.
The first person we meet enters stage right during the first seven words: “For the grace of God has appeared”. God is the star of this story, as He is in all of Scripture. Life isn’t about me, or about you, or about the family cat. Life for everyone revolves around God.
The word “grace” appears in the New Testament constantly. We need to understand what it means, if we want to know what God has to teach us. The grace of God has appeared. What is that anyway?
The word “grace” refers to a free gift. In our study it refers to a free gift from God specifically. He gives it to us because…because…well, just because He wants to. His love is His motivation. God is love so He does things like that.
Man hasn’t earned this free gift. Otherwise it wouldn’t be free, and it wouldn’t be a gift either! Nor does man receive this free gift because he deserves it. I am not so sweet a darling that God felt compelled to give me His grace. It doesn’t work like that! Nor am I so smart or strong or successful or whatever.
God gives me His grace because He is love. I don’t even enter the picture until I receive it. Up until that time God’s grace alone is on the stage.
So God’s grace, His free gift, has made an appearance on the stage of world history. Okay, then what is this free gift, this grace of God which has appeared? Well, first of all it isn’t a “this” or a “which”. God’s grace is a “Who”. In the context of Titus 2:11-14 we should recognize the “Who” as three Persons. The three are:
1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Spirit
“How do you reckon those three Persons comprise God’s grace, based on Titus 2:11-14?” you are no doubt champing at the bit to ask me.
And an insightful query it is too. I’ll be happy to oblige you with an explanation, as we make our way through the text.
But it’ll have to wait for our next study. This one’s over, as is the day. I need time alone with Jesus before I retire. Don’t you?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Just Say No To Drugs – Part 3
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds [Titus 2:11-14].
In the context of Titus 2:11-14 we should recognize God’s grace as three Persons. The three are:
1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Spirit
Let’s assay how this is so.
To begin with observe what occurred when God’s grace appeared: it brought salvation to all men. And there are the second and third members who make up the cast of this movie. The third part of the cast is a group, “all men”. Who does that include? Well, you show me a human being from the past, present, or future, and I will show you someone who is included!
To recapitulate, “God” is the first member of the cast and “all men” make up the third addition to the cast. But wait a sec. How did we go from first to third? Where is the second member of the cast?
You will recall that I identified the “grace of God” as a Person, or rather three Persons to be exact. That is where the second member of the cast comes in. This second member was already present when Paul wrote the words of Titus 2. He appeared already, you see. When He appeared He brought salvation to all men. In fact He continuously brings this salvation to all men.
Is this starting to ring a bell? We are of course pointing to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and to His ministry at the cross and empty tomb. Jesus is the Son of God, one of the three Persons of the Godhead. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men”. That is a direct allusion to Jesus Christ the Son of God. He appeared (past tense), and He is continuously “bringing salvation” (present tense).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” [John 3:16]. God’s love is for “the world”, or as it is worded in Titus 2:11 “all men”. The world consists of all men, or all humans.
However, only those who believe this truth from the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “have eternal life”. The “have eternal life” part is worded in Titus 2:11 as “bringing salvation”. If we have salvation, we have eternal life, and vice versa too.
Titus was one of Paul’s closest associates. Paul went around the Mediterranean world sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When people believed, they were born again. Paul organized the believers into local churches.
One place Paul did this was on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete was south by southeast of Greece and south of the Aegean Sea. The Aegean Sea is the body of water between today’s Asia Minor and Greece.
I’ll give you a pass on the geography lesson. We need to pause now and reflect on what we’ve been taught. Jesus calls us. Let’s accept the invite.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
In the context of Titus 2:11-14 we should recognize God’s grace as three Persons. The three are:
1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Spirit
Let’s assay how this is so.
To begin with observe what occurred when God’s grace appeared: it brought salvation to all men. And there are the second and third members who make up the cast of this movie. The third part of the cast is a group, “all men”. Who does that include? Well, you show me a human being from the past, present, or future, and I will show you someone who is included!
To recapitulate, “God” is the first member of the cast and “all men” make up the third addition to the cast. But wait a sec. How did we go from first to third? Where is the second member of the cast?
You will recall that I identified the “grace of God” as a Person, or rather three Persons to be exact. That is where the second member of the cast comes in. This second member was already present when Paul wrote the words of Titus 2. He appeared already, you see. When He appeared He brought salvation to all men. In fact He continuously brings this salvation to all men.
Is this starting to ring a bell? We are of course pointing to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and to His ministry at the cross and empty tomb. Jesus is the Son of God, one of the three Persons of the Godhead. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men”. That is a direct allusion to Jesus Christ the Son of God. He appeared (past tense), and He is continuously “bringing salvation” (present tense).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” [John 3:16]. God’s love is for “the world”, or as it is worded in Titus 2:11 “all men”. The world consists of all men, or all humans.
However, only those who believe this truth from the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “have eternal life”. The “have eternal life” part is worded in Titus 2:11 as “bringing salvation”. If we have salvation, we have eternal life, and vice versa too.
Titus was one of Paul’s closest associates. Paul went around the Mediterranean world sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When people believed, they were born again. Paul organized the believers into local churches.
One place Paul did this was on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete was south by southeast of Greece and south of the Aegean Sea. The Aegean Sea is the body of water between today’s Asia Minor and Greece.
I’ll give you a pass on the geography lesson. We need to pause now and reflect on what we’ve been taught. Jesus calls us. Let’s accept the invite.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
