Politics?

     Liberal politics are the actions of rape and robbery. Evil men extracting cheap thrills and easy money from a system they are destroying. The diligent are simply seen as a resource to be exploited for diabolical reasons of selfish ambition. In the end while there is institutional punishment of good and the rewarding of evil God is not asleep but making an exacting record. It is He who will punish those who have put their hands on the faithful and diligent. Nations have no soul and must be punished here and with far reaching consequences. The institutional defrauding of the diligent for the morally inept causes wickedness to be in the court of the king. Believing wrong to be right they have all together become useless and unable to save from the moral collapse they seek. Like moths to a flame their desire will be deadly.

                When you fail to recognize morality you become immoral and the enemy of God.

Proverbs 28:4 “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked but those who keep the law strive with them”

One another-->It’s about the Heart

                       Our Heartbeat -Way

Titus 3:3-6 3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior 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 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;

        Our Anthem-Truth

Titus 3:7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

        Our Lifestyle-Life

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

1Peter 2:9-17    9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

      Christ died and rose again to purchase something for us here and now, If you think we just punched our ticket and only need to kick back relax and wait for rapture-Find that in the book! We cannot say I've got my fire insurance let's wait for the fire

No we are a Chosen generation -a Royal Priesthood –Holy nation – A Peculiar people "for Gods own possession"

Being called Christian which literally suggests that we are Christ's servant soldiers;

We serve one King -we can serve no other. Our King is sovereign so it can literally be said that we can go "As sheep to the slaughter" Romans 8:36

We don't live in fear of sin and death -He gives us joy and life –

1. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of heaven is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
2. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

We are free from the slavery of our own preferences. We are those who prefer Him!

    Do you prefer Him over your own agenda or preferences?

1. John10:27-30 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.30 I and my Father are one.

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

― C.S. Lewis
 

There is a sense of a A. Community of believers"Brotherhood"1Peter2:17

B. The Body of Christ 1Cor 12:25-27 Rom12:5

C. Saints 1Cor 1:2 Acts26:10

D. Bride of Christ Eph. 5:25-27

E. Brothers and sisters "family" 1Cor11:33

"One Another" is of particular importance- its part of how His kingdom reigns.

That's why when we look around these faces are so dear. These are the faces of AL-LA-LON – One another, each other, mutual, themselves, yourselves, together.

    This is a reciprocal pronoun, there must be two or more people involved and they must be doing the same thing one to the other!

We should notà________"One Another"

1. Devour Gal 5:15

2. Provoking/envying Gal5:26

3. Hating Titus3:3

We mustà_________"One another"    

1. Love John 13:34 (2) 15:12 15:17 Romans 13:8 (2) 1th4:9 1Pet1:22 1Jo3:11 3:23 4:7 4:11 4:12 2Jo1:5 à14 times
2. Excusing Romans 2:15
3. Kindly affectioned/preferring Romans 2:15
4. Not judge Romans 14:13
5. Receive Romans 15:7
6. Admonish Romans 15:14 Col3:16
7. Salute Romans 16:16
8. Greet 1 Cor16:20 2Cor 13:12 1Pet5:14
9. Serve Gal 5:15
10. Bear Gal6:2
11. Forbearing Eph. 4:32 Col3:13
12. Kind/Forgiving Eph. 4:32 Col3:13
13. Comfort 1Th4:18
14. Exhort Hbr3:13 10:25
15. Consider Hbr10:24

• We must do this at times in spite of the other person and be sure they will need to do that for you!

I have a saying that if you've got people than you've got problems, we are going to have problems in the church, if we are going to struggle let's do it over what the bible says we should and nothing else. These one another verses are about keeping the peace, being of one mind and having real unity on this earth in the name of Jesus Christ. We have adversaries à Ephesians6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places –Don't attack your brother; lay your life down for him.
    Strengthen and encourage Gods people.


    It comes down to a question of the heart



That is why we have words like Mortification and Self-denial.

1. Foolish Questions The word foolish here is "Moros" where we get the word moron. A similar word is "Raca" meaning stupid scorning the mind where Moros Scorns heart and character. Foolishness as a personal quality.
   William Barclay –
       "It has been said that there is a danger that a man may think himself religious because he discusses religious questions. There is a kind of discussion group which argues simply for the sake of arguing. There is a kind of group that will argue for hours about theological questions. It is much easier to discuss theological questions than it is to be kind and considerate and helpful at home, or efficient and diligent and honest at work. There is no virtue in sitting discussing deep theological questions when the simple tasks of the Christian life are waiting to be done. It is indeed true that such discussion can be nothing but an evasion of Christian duties."
       "Paul was quite certain that the real task of the Christian lay in Christian action. That is by no means to say that there is no place for Christian discussion; but it is to say that the discussion which does not end in action is very largely a waste of time."
   
   
       Orthodoxy= correct belief --- Orthopraxy= correct action
   
   
   
   1. Tim 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
   2. 2Tim 2:16But shun
      profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
   3. 2Tim 2:23-24But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strife's. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Questions that subvert or confuse Gods law (Orthodoxy) in an effort to cover ________.
        You fill in the blank- are foolish or worse.


The heart

1. Genealogy – Genealogies are quoted with a sense of pride and guarantee John 8:44" We are the children of Abraham –Look at the fall of Jerusalem in AD60 or the atrocities of the Nazi's in WWII. Jesus says to them "You are of your father the devil"
   1. Record of descendants or lineage
      1. Do you believe you will be saved if your parents are? Look at Esau
      2. Will you be saved if you're good? Look at the Pharisees and the rich young ruler
   2. Your Genealogy is about Gods sovereignty and mercy. You may not of had the best parents but God did choose yours and by the way you are here aren't you. How many are simply missing in this silent Armageddon called abortion. Well over a billion.
   3. 1Tim 1:4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

The heart

1. Contentions and strivings about the law
   

1. Immature "foolish" or Enemies of the cross _ I picture two toddlers fighting over a toy.
2. LAW: No-mE-ko's – pertaining to the law "Lawyer" (8) "Law" (1) one learned in the law, one learned in the Old Testament, specializing in the OT and applying the teachings of established rabbis.
3. It's not about doctrine and theology.
   1. I picture people who are wrangling the word and trying to justify their own sin, preferences, or personal convictions.

What we care and fight most about is not doctrine nor the law of God, but our preferences. Church History is ripe with the faithful of God dyeing for a biblical theology, biblical church practice and to have the words of God in their own language. We split churches over ….

• If it does or if it doesn't have youth programs and Sunday school. But the real sin of not discipling your children is ignored. Deut. 6:7
  
• Whether it does or doesn't have the right music. but the sin of not serving the Lord with gladness is forgotten. Psalm100:2
  
• If ladies ought always to where dresses but the real sin of immodesty is not covered. 1 Tim. 2:9
  
• Backbiting but we ignore grumbling. 2Cor. 12:20
  
• Drinking alcohol but the real sin of gluttony is not seriously discussed. Matt. 11:18-19

The heart

1. Unprofitable and vain
   1. No practical use – isn't just like a man, if it doesn't have a practical use he doesn't have much use for it; what about how we feel.
      1. Newsflash your emotional dispositions are not always going to be right not to mention edifying to the church.
   2. Romans 1:21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things

Why avoid? A. Foolish questions B. Genealogy C. Contentions and strivings

they are Unprofitable and vain

In summary we have to consider Piety and Pietism
    Piety is not just good it is a character trait of the righteous. It is those consistently following Gods law and Spirit while responding to them both with joy.
    Pietism on the other hand is someone who believes they are earning something from God. Quite often they set standards and rules that God did not and all the while condemning those who don't hold to them.
    God decides what is true; Pietism is prideful idolatry!


Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;
The heart

1. The Heretic: Titus 3:10 To take for oneself; to choose for oneself. A person who chooses what he wants to believe. the epitome of idolatry; it is Gods prerogative to decide what is right and wrong

• He's in the Church
• He is his own authority
• He alone determines truth

1. After the first and second admonition reject. "Exhortation" its relational.
   1. It's not about being offended; it's about the honor of Christ
      Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
   2. Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
      1. Psalm 141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
      2. Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend

The heart

1. Reject- Begged off –have nothing to do with- refuse-reject
   1. Not a hanging or flogging but a serious separation.
      1. Hebrews12:6"those whom the Lord loves he disciplines" even as a father to his son
      2. A sense of making things distasteful, undesirable, something to be shunned, rejected unsightly, shameful

Titus 3:11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

The heart

1. 
   Subverted: Titus 3:11 To turn or twist out, tear up. Invert, pervert, corrupt. Military point of view = "to dismantle a town, to plunder"    To Pervert, turn inside out, away from the truth of Christ and His word.
   1. This compares closely with the word reprobate, where subverted describes the process, reprobate describes the outcome.
   This helps us see the supple danger of pride, when we act independently of God and His word.

• Matt.15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
• Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
• 2 Pet.2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction
• 2Pet.3:17 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness

God put the verses about dealing with problems in the bible because we are going to need them.
 
Gal 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other


Eph 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.


Eph 5:19-20 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.


Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Glasses?

     Christians in America are pretty messed up. When we come to the scriptures we have these glasses on that shade and color our perspectives of the word and our world. Narcissism has caused us to take scripture and look mostly at how it affects me and mine. We forget that there is also ours as the bride and His which is preeminent. The bible speaks to us corporately nationally familisticly and individually. One of Gods intended consequences of salvation is that we would get this right and live a life of self-denial. Just say the word self-less do you feel that? "Fearfulness". Apart from Christ all I had was me, myself and I which is to say I had nothing but death; but in Him I have life and all good things.
    In the same way Feminism is far reaching and very destructive. It clouds our minds with the importance of emotions. Making decisions based on emotion will destroy; no one and nothing is safe. It rebels against Gods order and makes emotional plea's about it, in order to somehow justify. It is inherently dishonest, changing the definitions of words and rejecting the word of God. If you doubt its control, talk to someone about beauty in music, dress and what activities a woman should do. If the concept of an "independent young lady" sounds grand to you than you are on very shaky ground, and will find no biblical justification.
    Narcissism and its sister feminism are vile rebels against the God of heaven. They are like a deep ditch that traps and ensnares your affections and thus control your life. All the while you are a cursed puppet of hell. Repent of your sins of immaturity and self-sufficiency, confess them to God and turn from your wicked ways. He will not only forgive he will cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

     The world acts and lives according to narcissism! It is their heart felt religion- it's what they love. Of course they act according to their emotions –that is the dearest part of their narcissistic worship. These things are deep and complex giving the appearance of goodness or selflessness. Both of which are not possible without the spirit of the living God. As Christians live among a world of flesh we must know we are among the crippled and blind it is against their nature to really do what is right with rite motives. They cannot please God. Pagan religions are people trying to justify themselves to a righteous God with the unrighteous means of the flesh. They are full of pride who believes they can do anything good. – Egocentric and Arrogant.

Mercy

     This week has been a rough one as weeks go. Life throws some curve balls and sometimes you just get hit in the gut. This time we were staring in the face of death, it came as a thief in the night; totally unexpected and with the surprise and terror that life and death struggles bring. We expected to loose in a terrible defeat; utterly powerless to do or think anything that can save. As if help and security are in the hands of men. It's from this position that we did what many do, we lifted our eyes to heaven and ask for that one thing that can help and of witch God has in excess; mercy. Maybe not exactly as you would think, we were pleading for the mercy of Christ to be poured out on those who do not and cannot in any way earn or deserve this most precious of all commodities. In these situations men tend to be griped by fear but in our case our hope rested on the one who casts out all fear for He is perfect love. We watched as The God of peace and mercy met us in our need and gave the miraculous gift of life, we received his unmerited favor. And after seeing such things we can only be continually grateful. Life is short and death is sure; all that lies in question is how will you respond to Jesus now and how God will respond to you later. Heaven is eternal and there is a catch, only the righteous may enter. All men naturally seek their own, to justify themselves. God's Word, His Spirit and our hearts testify against us; there is now no self-justification and no self-righteousness "all we like sheep have gone astray" Isaiah 53:6 " there is none righteous no not one" Romans 3:10 " for all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God" Romans 3:23 " the soul that sins it shall die" Ezekiel 18:20


"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."- 1 Cor15:57
It is Jesus Christ the risen savior that becomes our righteousness when we are in relationship with him, when he is "our Lord". If this is your need then seek it diligently, fight for life. If it is yours then finish the verse.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."1 Cor15:58

Advent and Honor

Advent = from adventus in Latin meaning "coming" in reference to preparation.

In our case it is a person and an event. Christ the savior of the world. We prepare

our homes, we prepare our schedule and we prepare our food.

    What we want to remind you is to prepare your heart.

 

A central theme must be Joy. Think of all the songs of joy in this season.

 

Luke 1:13-17 "the Angel says to Zacharis you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth" – speaking of John the Baptist.

 

Luke1:39-55 "the baby leapt for joy" speaking of John the Baptist in the presence of Jesus – both in womb.

 

Luke2:10-14 "I bring you news of great joy" speaking to the shepherds.

 

Matthew 2:10-11 "when they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy" speaking of the wise men.

 

Let us rejoice as we receive so great a gift:

    1. This is the light that takes us from our darkness

    2. The sinless and most precious gift from heaven was sent to a wretched world

    3. He is sight to the blind

    4. He is hearing to the deaf

    5. This gift is Life to the dead.

Anyone who receives it is emphatically grateful and it leads to a life of honor.

As obedience is a barometer for love so honor is to gratefulness.

 

Let's look at the shepherds; Luke 2:8-20

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 

When you receive this Gift of Joy unspeakable you can only be grateful and honor the giver like the shepherds and wise men.

LET THE FIRE SPREAD

In order to preach this before you my beloved brothers, I am forced to see myself in truth and I lack deeply before my God and before you. That is why I struggle and am crippled even to share the simple things God gives me to share.

 

"When all is said and done, the life of faith is nothing if not an unending struggle of the spirit with every available weapon against the flesh."

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

 

I.    In Titus 1:1-4 We get Purpose Heart and Drive. Why we are here what are we about -we get order.

a.    We may not be apostles but we are "servants of God".

b.    We have the very same hope as Paul. "The hope of eternal life." From God who cannot lie.

c.    We have Gods word through his spirit filled saints. II Timothy 3:16

 

In verse 4- It shows that when we are on the same page, fighting the battle together. It is natural for there to be a closer relationship with one another as fellow combatants building unity within the body of Christ.

 

Verses 5-8

 

    If we step back and see the big picture what we see is an antithesis between the passions and appetites that are the difference between two, not just opposite but opposing world views. One is marked by self-control the other is marked by self-indulgence. It is not that we should look at this list, try to do these things and somehow we will qualify for the seat of eldership. NO it is that Jesus Christ is the center of your life and this is how others will know it.

 

 

Romans 6:
15-18 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

 

The one command of the evil one is to "do what thou wilt".

 

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself". Deuteronomy 6:5

 

    

For us today the primary concern is stated in Acts 6:3, it is the presuppositional thought at the time Paul wrote the letter to Titus. If you are a Christian you have the Spirit of God in you. He is our comforter and teacher. He changes our affections that we become compelled to pursue integrity and righteousness. The fruit of the spirit is not something we try to do. It's what we love. Our desires are taken off the things of death and placed on life. That is the supernatural work of God in our lives. It is then that we can taste and see that the Lord is good.

 

Why does this matter? What does it mean?

When we think of spirit filled people we think of those who are intangible unaccountable like a drifting mist, heavenly minded---

    It seems we are more comfortable with friendly emotions rather than the law of God; when we run into the law of God -believe me there are plenty of emotions.

 

You can't be full of the Spirit and reject Gods Law!

 

Exodus 31:1-5
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

 

Being Spirit filled is more tangible in fact it's practical and takes dominion. Gods Spirit fulfills Gods purposes.

 

"The Holy Spirit thus has a more general as well as a more specific place in our lives and world than is generally recognized. The doctrine of vocation or calling must be seen as essentially related to the Holy Spirit. We are therefore not alone; whatever our gifts or vocation, however, great or small, we are the instruments of the Holy Spirit. To limit the Spirit's manifestations in our lives to dramatic or ecstatic experiences is to limit severely our relationship to Him. He is very much present in all our daily tasks, and we have the duty to recognize His presence and power".

R.J. Rushdoony "the spirit filled men"

 

1 cor 4:7b What do we have that we have not receive?

 

"In the modern view, each man is a little god and creator, whereas our text tells us that the Holy Spirit is the source of our gifts, and neither we nor our gifts are an end in themselves. We are God's creation, for His Kingdom purposes, and there is "a work to be done." R.J. Rushdoony

 

"Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!" Numbers 11:34-35 Moses

 

I think being filled with the Spirit means basically having great joy in God. And since the Bible teaches that "the joy of the Lord is our strength" (Nehemiah 8:10), it also means there will be power in this joy for overcoming besetting sins and for boldness in witness. But basically it means radiant joy because the Spirit who fills us is the Spirit of joy that flows between God the Father and God the Son because of the delight they have in each other. Therefore, to be filled with the Spirit means to be caught into the joy that flows among the Holy Trinity and to love God the Father and God the Son with the very love with which they love each other. And then, in answer to the second question, the way to be filled with the Spirit is by trusting that the God of hope really reigns -- that not a sparrow falls to the ground apart from His will (Matthew 10:29) -- and that He runs the world for you and for all who trust His word. In believing that, you will be filled with the Holy Spirit and with joy. John Piper

This goes much further than conviction!

• If you understand affections then you will understand what is meant by joy. We hate lying because we love the truth…
  

 

For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17 Paul

 

In verses 5 Paul lays out what Titus should be doing

1. Thou shouldest continue in the things that remain
   
   1. Setting the churches in order
      
      1. Leadership
         
      2. Teaching
         
      3. Serving
         

         
          

2. Ordain Elders in every city as I appointed you.
   
   1. The word for Elder presbýteros – properly, a mature man having seasoned judgment (experience);
      

      *As we go through this you will see that its character
      

      
       

 

In verse 6-8 we get antithesis, do's and don'ts of the Christian life and therein lies our danger. As soon as we have a list we tend to start justifying ourselves. And young men, this is for you! If you're looking for a list of manly character; here it is. Young men should be attaining it, and men of all ages should be living it. Elders lead in doing the very same things that everyone else is.

    

    Not special assignment it's normal assignment.

 

Doà

 

Blameless- ä-ne'n-klā-tos=without fault; innocent; guiltless; not meriting censure. Unreproveable

 

Husband of one wife= Polygamy was ramped and There is no better place to learn godly character then the home.

    1. Pressure

    2. Accountability

 

Faithful-
pē-sto's= 1) trusty, faithful

a) of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties

c) that can be relied on

a) believing, confiding, trusting

b) in the NT one who trusts in God's promises

1) one who is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead

2) one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation.

 

Don't à

 

Self-willed-
au-thä'-dās=
1) self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant

 

 

Soon angry-
or-gē'-los=
1) prone to anger, irascible

 

Not given to wine-
pä'-roi-nos=1) given to wine, drunken

 

Striker-plā'k-tās=
1) bruiser, ready for a blow

2) a pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome person

 

Given to filthy lucre-
īs-khro-ker-dā's=
1) eager for base gain, greedy for money

 

 

Doà

 

Hospitality-
fē-lo'-kse-nos= hospitable, generous to guests._1Tim 3:2,1 Pet 4:9

 

A Lover of Good Men-
fē-lä'-gä-thos= loving goodness.

 

Derived from

 

fē'-los=

friend, to be friendly to one, wish him well

a) a friend

b) an associate

&

ä-gä-tho's=

1) of good constitution or nature

3) good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy

 

Sober-
sō'-frōn=
1) of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses

2) curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate._1Tim 3:2,Tts 2:2,2:5

 

 

Just-dē'-kī-os=
1) righteous, observing divine laws

a) in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God

 

Used as- Righteous-41, Just-33,Right-5,Meet-2.

 

Derived from-

dē'-kā=
1) customs

2) right, just

3) a suit at law

 

 

Holy-
ho'-sē-os=
1) undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious.

 

Most commonly used as-Holy-4,Holy One-2

 

Temperate-en-krä-tā's=
1) strong, robust

2) having power over, possessed of (a thing)

3) mastering, controlling, curbing, restraining

a) controlling one's self, temperate, continent. Self-controlled or self-governed.

 

What a list but if we just read this list and go on I think we can miss something important.

    When I was a young man I spent a month in Africa, in C.A.R. Central African Republic. There were many things that left an indelible mark on me.

    1. The simplicity of life. No rush or stress

    2. Real humble living. Huts/dirt roads

    3. Beautiful images in my mind. Grapefruit/Singing ladies/gifts

    4. Foreign languages.

a. Asontae asontae-sona – Thank thank you very much - Swahili

b. Bowana zombie now-lo cola – Jesus is in the sky

c. Hello depended on who you were talking to.

    1. Seno = Hello at a distance or to children

    2. Sena = hello up close to adults, more respectful

3 Sena fer-rony = an endearing hello to adults up close

 

Just to say hello they are mindful of who they are addressing and propriety. To others around it is clear who you are talking to. This type of thing is not that uncommon in foreign languages, but to Americans it appears a little odd.

 

 

As we study the word of God there are a lot of details that can be missed especially if we don't speak Hebrew and Greek. One of which that seems to shed some light on this current issue is that of Inflection. Inflections can indicate 1 of three things

1. Singular or plural. If it has an s on the end of a noun then you are indicating that there is more than one.

2. There state as absolute or construct. When one noun affects the other.

3. Their gender as male or female.

While I don't believe having women in the pulpit is our issue, it is an issue of our day and it affects us. We live in a deeply narcissistic and feminine culture. Any man who has been through the public education juggernaut has had his mind crippled and his manhood deeply repressed. When someone is rescued from this state by the living God what they really need is to be deprogrammed and catechized.

 

• They need to learn that God
  created and real science is biblical.
  
• They need to know that God is in control of History and you don't break Gods law Gods law breaks you.
  
• They need to know that Reality is defined by God just like all truth beauty and order.
  
• They need to know that to glorify God alone is there purpose and in that is all joy and fulfillment.
  
• They need to know that they can't trust what they think or feel but only the word of God.
  

 

We call this discipleship. It's not just man's work but everyone's and we all have our places.Matthew28:19

 

 

 

As we read verses 6-8; we see that 17 of these words are in the Masculine inflection. Of which; I believe it is Gods exclamation point on the fact that he has order and we should never quibble about it.

Paul is clearly directing this towards Men…

 

 

    

 

    -The world is shouting to our ladies that they must have fulfillment they must have control, a college degree and a pay check. The modern American woman is more prepared to be a man then our young men. The ravages of which make their way into all of our lives in many ways but the very worst of them is abortion.

    For us it looks like a young lady whose joy is not found in what the bible says about womanhood.

-Tts 2:3-5, Or for a young man whose joy is not found in biblical manhood –Titus 1:5-9

 

The church of God is floundering and neglecting the Spirit of the living God. The culture is being lost and the imperfect foundations that were the surest the world has ever known are crumbling. All the while the in touch crowd are excited by this destruction and lost ground. It's a dispensational dereliction of duty and a total disregard for the suffering and bloodshed that purchased this liberty for you!

            While we are claiming a spiritual connectedness we are drinking deep from the polluted fountain of apathy. Our emotional drunkenness is surrendering these treasured foundations to tyranny instead of building cathedrals for Christ out of complete and utter reverence for Him.

 

"Unless the Lord builds the house the workman labors in vain". Psalm127

    How does God do that- 1. Providence

                         2. Spiritual gifting –Talents/abilities

"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of Hosts" Zechariah 4:6

 

In our cultural rejection of all things Christian and manly, we in the church like a gentle and kind touchy feely feminized pulpit, that is to gentle to hate the sin in you and in me.

    Please forgive us Almighty God.

 

When we either deny or don't recognize the power and effect of the Holy Spirit in our lives we rob men of the hand of God on them.

 

àWe must teach our young men to fight and roar and overcome; taking dominion of all things to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

We are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, wherewith shall it be salted. Matthew 5:13

i) salt is offensive – just try pouring it in a wound. Our society is wounded, will you be salt?

 

The Gospel is good news but it is also offensive. We need to tell

    People… As a result of the best things you have ever done God is revolted and all heaven will rejoice at the justice of Him throwing you into hell.

 

Do you know who you serve?

    The Lion of the tribe Judah! Does that sound safe?

It is an abomination for the soldiers of the cross to slip through life unnoticed.

 

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2Timothy 3:12    Have you experienced this?

        Our brothers in other countries are losing their lives; but in America "the land of religious tolerance" we don't see persecution.

 

Either God is wrong or we are not living a Godly in Christ Jesus.

 

"Godliness, as denoting character and conduct determined by the principle of love or fear of God in the heart, is the summing up of genuine religion. There can be no true religion without it: only a dead "form" " James Orr

 

 

God our Father living still and we live untouched and unmotivated?

 

Do you want to see Him?

Do you want to know Him?

Do you know who this is????????

 

If every fiber of your flesh doesn't cry out for God the living God – Then I fear for you!
Psalm84:2

 

I am broken because Jesus loves me

àAnd as a result I can say that I am a disciple that Jesus loves

 

I can do all things Through Christ who strengthens me because Philippians 4:13

à The Spirit of God is in me in real and practical ways that Help me do what He desires.

 

 

 

 

Bending rules

    I have often said, because I have children, nieces and nephews – that changing the rules in the middle of a game is the very definition of cheating. It stands to reason because of our sin nature that these new rules tend to benefit the author in their pursuit of the goal; which is our chief end in the flesh. So it goes in the world as well. If we decide for ourselves what is good/bad right/wrong beautiful/ugly or ethical/unethical we will do so with a self-justifying bent. That's why it can be said that "A man's morality dictates his theology". He is looking to get what he wants and feel good while he does it. Tyranny likewise is when someone wants to decide jurisdictions, definitions and ethics for themselves. As a person in a supervisory role lifts up the high standard (Gods law) they become an edifice in the process of securing good character in society. (Romans 13) If on the other hand they reject the standards of God they will inevitably punish good character "Manhood" and encourage immaturity "Effeminacy".