Sermon: Be Ready for Every Good Work

#1804B
Martin G. Collins
Given 15-Feb-25; 29 minutes 2025-02-15

Men and women, young and old, married and single, each have vital functions to fulfill in the church if we are living examples of the doctrine we profess.

In the third chapter of the letter to Titus, the apostle Paul stresses the necessity of practical working out of salvation in the daily lives of the elders and of the congregation. It is desirable and profitable for all members of the church to do good works. Now Paul's letter emphasizes sound doctrine and warns against those who distort the truth. It is also a conduct manual emphasizing good deeds and proper conduct within families, the church, and even in the public.

Generally, when most of us think of witnessing to the world, we think of preaching the gospel of God's coming Kingdom by the church with its ministers and teachers, and rightly so. Jesus says in Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."

Some believe our responsibility of supporting the church through donations and volunteering fulfills our commitment to witness to the world. Our conscience is satisfied because our religious duty to witness is achieved. But not so. That is only part of our witness. And those who benefit from the work of Christ become witnesses de facto because they are filled with the Spirit. Acts 5:32 says, "And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."

The disciples who saw the resurrection have a special status as witnesses, like the direct signatories of a will. And when they went out into the world to declare Jesus Christ and God's Kingdom, they preached and taught, but also by living righteously and achieving good works, they were examples of God's way of life.

Please turn with me to Ephesians 2, verse 19. We must live as excellent representatives of God's government. Paul says in II Corinthians 5:20, "We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."

Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Of course, our behavior as saints living in an evil world must differ from that of unbelievers. We have a moral and ethical responsibility as the faithful of God. And the indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables us to go contrary to the self-serving direction of the world.

Now, please turn over to Titus 3, verse 1. In Titus 3, Paul tells Titus he must remind the members of God's church how to maintain good works, even when interacting with the world.

Titus 3:1-2 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

In verses 1 and 2, Paul lays down our public duty, and his advice is especially relevant to anyone living in a society such as the one of Crete, which Titus was being sent to. The Cretans were notoriously argumentative and impatient of all authority. In contrast, God has been training us to renounce wickedness and worldly desires and to live our lives with self-control, uprightness, and godliness.

In the Bible, work is an expected part of life. So we find Paul's order that Christians should be ready for every good work. Now Titus was to be a model of good works, and although God is not saving His people because of any works of righteousness that we have done, He wants us to be zealous and ready and devoted to good works. This is righteous action, especially in service to others, and this applies to singles as much, if not more, than others.

Because improper Christian conduct differs from the world, we must be good citizens without compromising our faith. Our worldly neighbors might disobey the law, but we must submit to the state's authority as long as it does not conflict with God's.

Verses 1 and 2 lay down seven qualifications for the good citizen. The first qualification for the good citizen is subject to rulers and authorities, that is, law-abiding, and we recognize that unless laws are kept, life becomes chaos, which you have certainly seen in the last four years of the previous administration and it continues on to this day, sadly. We give proper respect to those who are set in authority and carry out whatever command is given us, provided it does not go against God's commands, statutes, laws, and principles.

God does not instruct us to cease to be individuals, but He insists that we remember that we are a group member, and more importantly, a church family. We do not best express our personality and isolated individualism, but within the framework of the group.

The verb subject in verse 1 implies loyal subjection. It shows our duty towards the civil administration, and the exact deceptive words, rulers and authorities, are combined several times in Paul's writing and generally refer to spiritual agencies. That is, leaders God has set up.

The second qualification for the good citizen is obedience. This expresses general conformity to the regulations of civil authorities. We bide by even the regulations and codes imposed by civil authorities that help maintain order in anything from land development to traffic laws, provided it does not go against God's commands, His statutes, His laws, and His principles. In one sense, this is emphasized in addition to subjection to help clarify that we are to abide with all civil laws and regulations. We must be willing to submit to these.

The third qualification for the good citizen is ready for every good work. That is, ready to do whatever is good. We are prepared and willing to help others, and we should always be cooperative, provided no question of conscience is involved. But this does not mean we are to join and be active members of the local community groups. These groups are often heavily involved in the world's national and/or religious holidays and we are commanded to come out of the world and be separate regarding social and religious interactions.

As potential firstfruits being trained as leaders and teachers for God's Kingdom, we must learn to have the right priorities. We serve God, our family, and our brethren first, then we set a good example and give wise service to the outside community minimally, and we must always be ready to come to any person's aid in serious need.

Go back to Titus 3:2. "To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men." So the fourth qualification for the good citizen is to speak evil of no one. We must be careful in speech and that is refraining from slander. No one should say anything about another person we would not want it to be told about us. A good Christian citizen is as careful with the words he speaks as with the things that he does.

Proverbs 10:18-19 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

The fifth qualification for the good citizen is peaceable. Some translators interpret this as tolerant or avoiding quarreling or refraining from strife. Although we may be confident we are not aggressive, in the Greek it means not a fighter of a violent nature. And we will not fight for false or unrighteous causes like our own pride. A good citizen stands for righteous principles, but we are never so opinionated as to believe that only our way is right.

The sixth qualification for the good citizen is gentle. We are kind and considerate, as it is in some translations. In Greek, it describes a person who does not only stand on the letter of the law. We consider not only the law's letter, but the law's spirit, and that is the intention behind it. The good citizen is always ready to avoid injustice which often lies in being strictly just. Judgment and moderation is a simple way of putting it.

The seventh qualification for the good citizen is showing all humility to all men. This phrase is rendered to show perfect courtesy toward all men in the ESV and RSV. The Greek root word praus describes the man whose temperament is always under complete control. We know when to be angry and when not to be angry. We patiently bear wrongs done to us but are always considerately ready to spring to help others who are wronged. The word means gentleness or meekness, which implies courteous consideration.

These qualities are perfectly reflected in the life of Jesus Christ. Qualities such as these are possible only for the person in whose heart and mind God is first and in whom Christ dwells. So this is the person who submits to God and lives according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the prophets, and the apostles.

Paul balanced out this emphasis that all church members must maintain good works by explaining that we are saved according to God's mercy. God-created work on a Christian's character through the Holy Spirit gives us experience living with the proper righteous conduct.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

When Paul says we were also once foolish, he means we were without spiritual understanding.

Next in his list is disobedient, directed towards God, and deceived, which is connected to man. The Greek word for deceived refers to a false guide leading one astray. Proverbs 14:26 says, "A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies."

In the phrase "serving various lusts and pleasures," the metaphor of slavery is used to illustrate our former servitude to passions and pleasures. The words "living in malice and envy" reflect the anti-social nature of our former lives. Both words emphasize wickedness. Including words hateful and hating show how quickly hate can increase in intensity and spread to others.

Now we have a welcome change to the positive. Titus 3, verses 4 through 7 emphasizes God's kindness, His love, and His mercy, who saves us not by works of righteousness which we have done. Nevertheless, a result of salvation is the need for good works.

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and the 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 through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The vibrancy of our life in Christ comes first from the realization that we were once no better than the unconverted people. Christian goodness does not make us proud, it makes us tremendously grateful and humble.

We should not regard others with contempt when we see them living worldly lives. It comes from realization what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Paul mentioned seven incredible facts about God's work in us.

The first is that Jesus came to reveal God the Father and His plan of salvation through His Son to us, and to put us into a new relationship with God. Second, the love and grace of God to us are gifts that no one could ever earn. They can only be accepted in faith and obedience with humble thankfulness. Third, Jesus Christ mediates this love and grace of God to us through the church. They come through the washing of water, baptism, the laying on of hands, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We deliberately leave one way of life and enter another, or if we have grown up attending God's church, we choose faithfulness to God's way of life while rejecting Satan and the world's way of life early in life.

In this connection, Paul uses two words. He mentions regeneration, and this word implies a process that begins with spiritual conception by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, it is as if our life begins all over again. This is a newness of life which is similar to a new conception. Regeneration is the process of being spiritually converted into a new and better condition. Paul also mentions renewing. It is as if the life were worn out and when we discovered Christ, there is an act of renewal, which is not over and done with but repeats itself every day.

Fourth, is that Jesus Christ mediates the grace and love of God to us, which is done by the power of God's Spirit, and all the work of the church and all the words of the church and all the ordinances of the church are inoperative and ineffective unless the power of the Holy Spirit is there. God's Spirit empowers the mind to comprehend spiritual matters producing conversion. And it leads us to all truth, convicts us of sin and righteousness, imparts faith, the love of God, the power to overcome sin, and to receive other gifts essential to do His will.

Fifth, the effect of all this is that it brings forgiveness for all past sins and any genuinely repented of in the future. In His mercy, God does not hold our forgiven sins against us. Of course, we still have to continue overcoming sins throughout our lives and remembering that we have been forgiven should move us to be in awe of the forgiving mercy of God.

Six, the effect is also present life. The grace of God is not confined to what will be. It offers us here and now a more excellent way of life. It is a quality of life never before seen, and when Christ our Lord and Savior enters a person's life and accepts Him, we begin to live for the first time.

And then seventh, there is the hope of even greater things. For us, the best is still to come, and we know that no matter how blessed we are now, or how wonderful life on earth with Christ may seem, the life to come will be more extraordinary and indescribable with the human mind. This hope helps us put our lives in proper perspective because we know the wonder of past sins forgiven, the thrill of the present life with Christ, and the hope of the more excellent life to come.

Titus 3, verse 8 stresses the need for Christian action.

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

"This is faithful saying" relates to Paul's previous four verses, and these things are what Paul advises Titus to emphasize to the church, which is all that was in the previous part of the letter to Titus. This advice is simple. Members of the church should commit themselves to doing what is good. These admonishments are directed toward those who believe and trust in God. A true belief is an indispensable basis for the correct ordering of conduct, the specific purpose is to encourage believers to be careful. We must have a thoughtful approach to continuing good works.

Let us turn and look a little bit about the world's infiltration of the church along the same line carrying on this topic through Titus 3. In verses 9 to 11, Paul gives Titus advice on how to avoid dissension and handle divisive people. This advice is good not only for ministers but for every member as well.

Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

In verse 9, Paul warns of useless discussions. It is dangerous to think that a divisive man is spiritual merely because he discusses religious subjects. It is much easier to discuss theological questions than to be kind and considerate and helpful to someone or efficient, diligent, and honest at work because good works go against human nature. Still, talks comes naturally and is cheap since it costs nothing.

Now there is no virtue in sitting and discussing deep theological questions when simply Christian responsibilities are waiting to be done. If this is the case, these discussions can be nothing more than an evasion of Christian duties. Paul was confident that our real responsibility lay in action, and the action may be an inspiration to overcome some problem or to help someone in need, but whatever the situation, action must follow the study of God's truth. Jesus' words in John 8:32, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free," means that upon understanding God's way of life, we are inspired to act wisely in the right way. Wisdom is the correct use of the truth and Paul advises that the contentious and opinionated person should be avoided. In Greek, avoid means to "turn oneself to face the other way." The fundamental reason for such avoidance is the essential unprofitableness and uselessness of false teaching.

In Titus 3:10, the word divisive in Greek is distinguished in meaning from the English word heretic derived from it. It later acquired a more technical meaning, "one who holds false doctrine." Initially it carried no negative meaning. This negativity creeps in when someone raises his own opinion against the doctrine of the church. Here it refers to one who promotes division by his views. A heretic in this context is simply a person who has decided that he is right and everybody else is wrong.

Paul's warning is against the person who has made his ideas the test of all truth. So it characterizes a self-chosen opinion or viewpoint. Because of the divisive person's insistent on his views, he exposes himself as lacking a solid spiritual foundation. One commentary said this kind of person is an opinionative propagandist who promotes dissension by his obstinacy. So when the divisive person is persistent for a while, it results in the formation of dissenting groups. Paul told Titus to warn them by lovingly pointing out their error.

Please turn to II Thessalonians chapter 3, verse 13. If a second effort to admonish them proved ineffective, Paul said to have nothing to do with them.

II Thessalonians 3:13-15 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

So efforts to convince this kind of person is a poor use of valuable time. At this point, it becomes like casting pearls to swine. Also, it gives the offender an undeserving sense of importance.

Please turn over to Romans 16, verse 17. So Paul tells God's people to withdraw from every spiritual brother who walks disorderly. Maybe I should say Paul tells God's people to withdraw from every seemingly spiritual brother who walks disorderly and not according to the teachings we receive from the apostles. He said something similar earlier to the church in Rome.

Romans 16:17-19 [this is about avoiding divisive persons] Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly [that is, their lusts], and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good and simple concerning evil.

So if one does not obey the word of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians and by extension all the words of the inspired Scriptures, we are to note that person and not keep company with them that the divisive person may be ashamed. The realization of that shame usually comes later and repentance follows with the help of God.

Now back to Titus 3.

Titus 3:14 [Paul writes] And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

In verse 14, Paul's last piece of advice is that we should continue to practice good deeds so that we may be able to help others who are in need. We work not only to have enough for ourselves but also to have something to give away, and all who engage in good acts of mercy never have to fear that they will be unproductive. And so it does not matter whether it is someone in the church or someone outside of the church, we should be ready and willing to help them in any way that we can that is productive.

For a final scripture please turn to Philippians 4, verse 8. Now Paul again emphasizes the practical side of Christianity. The words "to meet urgent needs" add a clarification that puts maintaining good works in a clear light.

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me [that is, Paul], these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

By continually persevering in good works to family and brethren, we ensure that when an urgent need arises, we will already be in the right mind to aid and relieve the urgent need. It does not pass us by unnoticed.

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