Sound Doctrine
by Raymond Sloan
November 19, 2020 · Cornerstone Apostolic Church
Kind: teaching
Scripture: Titus 1, Titus 1:1-4, Titus 1:5-9, Titus 1:10-16, Titus 2, Titus 2:1-5, Titus 2:6-8, Titus 2:9-10, Titus 2:11-15, Titus 3, Titus 3:1-3, Titus 3:4-7, Titus 3:8-9

Source: https://acts238.life/repository/sermons/raymond-sloan--sound-doctrine
Published by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon transcript on that page.
Free to copy and share with attribution.

------------------------------------------------------------
hello and welcome everyone to our midweek bible study here at cac glad that all of you have joined with us on this wednesday evening every week we gather together for a time of looking into the scriptures learning uh what we can from the um churches the church letters uh the direction and guidance that the apostles have given to the church and over the last several several weeks if you'll recall we have gone through many of the letters at the hand of paul and we're going to continue that this evening as well we learn from each of the authors from each of the the groups that they've been written to we learn different aspects of christian life how men women children servants how you should work how you should interact with others how you should carry yourself and basically uh we are learning even for 2020 how that we should be uh living as christians every day so it's been an enjoyable time we're going to continue tonight and get your bible out get your pen paper notepad whatever you use to take notes make sure that everybody can hear and see it's a good thing as i say often that kids get their bibles out so they can follow along and learn something there's a good chance for parents to invest into your children all right so of course before we start we get uh we get time for prayer and uh the lord is blessing and moving in our day and so thankful for that so when we pray we're going to pray for the needs that you're aware of job needs physical maybe you know someone that's sick somebody that's in need of financial blessing emotional whatever it is pray for them okay also uh pray for our community pray for the city of chattanooga surrounding areas pray for the united states of america pray for our leadership uh pray that the protection of the lord will be upon our nation uh pray for our first responders and our military men and women out there protecting us and and taking care of us daily and let's pray for our missionaries around the globe that the lord will give them revival in this day amen let's pray together lord jesus we love you and we are thankful for another opportunity to gather together online lord to study your word thank you for the promises in your word for the great good and wonderful things that you do and have done and are going to do in our lives we love you for that lord i pray tonight for your hand of mercy and grace to be upon our lives as we go into your word help us to learn to mature and to grow i pray lord god for those who are sick those who are hurting those that have needs emotional financial physical spiritual whatever it is god i know that you're a waymaker and you can answer prayer i pray tonight for our city god bless chattanooga bless our nation the united states of america bless our leadership lord we pray tonight as a church for our military men and women our first responders that take care of us day in and out we pray for our missionaries lord around the globe god be with them and protect them we love you lord and we honor you and we are so indebted to you god thank you for this time together in your word help us to learn and to grow to understand to comprehend give us the wisdom we need and the knowledge to know it in the name of jesus bless our time together tonight amen all right well tonight we are going to look at yet another letter that the apostle paul wrote this one he wrote to a gentile preacher by the name of titus all right we are going to look at the book of titus tonight it's not very long there's three chapters but they're very short so we are going to spend our time this evening in in the book of titus now a little bit of history here is before we get going titus was the pastor that was left if you will on the island of crete by paul and the brethren he was raising up a church there a place where they were very steeped in old laws mosaic law especially those who were understanding it also keep in mind that uh there was a lot of greek mythology and and idol worship and stuff on this island of crete and in fact um that the people of the island of crete they were very strong in the traditions of old if you will it is stated that the greek god zeus was buried there on that island so there was some of course religion wrapped around that and so titus was tending to that trying to bring bring people away from that into the jesus name church if you will uh also because of the specifics of the gentiles and where they had come from they were trying to marry into the jewish law and so one of the uh the big topics of discussion that you'll find here is the circumcision and how that they were forcing people although they didn't need to be physically because of the the covenant that was made and so there were there was these things that were going on and so paul again this is titus's place to work paul left him there great great task that he faced here now this letter to titus of course is is a lot like the two letters that were written to timothy paul is writing specifically to the preacher and trying to help him as he in turn of course helps the church all right it's a real basic uh foundation if you will of where we are here in the book of titus but a lot of great information here as i said it's a short letter so it won't take a lot of time tonight to go through this let's begin at titus 1-1 the bible says this paul a servant of god an apostle of jesus christ according to the faith of god's elect and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness in hope of eternal life which god that cannot lie promised before the world began but hath in due times manifested his word through preaching which is committed unto me according to the commandment of god our savior verse 4 to titus mine own son after the common faith grace mercy and peace from god the father and the lord jesus christ our savior all right this is the salutation the greeting but there's also some specific things that paul is putting here establishing some foundations number one as he does many times he serves jesus and i think make sure that's stated here in this letter knowing that the preacher titus is going to read this to the people also that when you seek after truth you are seeking godliness okay and god uses men of course men and women to establish the communication between man if you will now when when you look to for an example on the isle of crete where where this is uh focused to at that point the greek gods for an example and goddesses they have no voice they have no power all right this is mythology these are these are lesson stories these are things that people thought up if you will fabricated and of course they were very wise and smart people but there was a lot of unknowns in that time way back when greek mythology started and so uh although even in 2020 there is still that influence from the greeks if you will the writings and the books and plays and so forth that you can read about the fact is is that the walk with god that every christian christ-like person follows is because of what paul mentions here grace mercy and peace okay it's not like the idol worship of the ancient days you know it's not like zeus or or apollo or these others if you will that were gods and goddesses of of huge deities and huge places like the air the water and so forth if you're if you're really going to know the god then you have to understand it's all about grace all about his mercy and all about the peace that he gives you knowing your relationship with him is moving you forward on this island of crete paul he wastes no time in establishing this sound doctrine notice what he says here in verse five okay after the greeting paul establishes you know there's i'm i'm coming to you i want you to know titus that it is grace there's things happening but it's because of the power of jesus christ that you're able to even follow him but notice what he says for this cause left iv in crete again talking to titus that thou should have set in order to things that are wanting things lacking if you owe and ordain elders in every city as i had appointed thee if any be blameless the husband of one wife having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly for a bishop must be blameless as the steward of god not self-willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker not given to filthy looker but a lover of hospitality a lover of good men sober just holy temperate holding fast verse 9 says the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers now interesting here uh almost a repeat you notice of the letter that was written to timothy all right again this is for the preacher and so he speaks of that here talking about the bishop the ministry and so forth an elder a minister deacon in whatever of those you'd like to call here he specifically says don't call them elders you know that are working in the cities blameless steward of god husband of one wife faithful kids not riotous not unruly not self-willed if you will not angry quickly not a drinker not a fighter somebody that hits people if you will not taking taken in by dirty money or gain not a person who who just tries to make a filthy if you will lucrative gain by being a preacher or something also this person needs to be hospitable needs to love good men surround himself with good people be sober and in his right mind be just and holy temperate with attitudes and actions okay holding on to the faithful words of teaching all of this is so hear this so that the preacher can convince others that there is truth in the spirit the word the presence of the god okay again notice where titus is working he's working on the island isle of crete which is basically uh old school if you will there's a whole lot of traditions and false idol worship that he's having to overcome all of these things is this instruction is for titus to realize when these people come out kind of like he was telling timothy come out of this false doctrine they can't just jump right in to serving god but they have to establish themselves through the grace and the mercy of god as being faithful and able to be men of god or preachers elders deacons okay so notice what he continues here in chapter 1 and verse number 10. notice how this continues through after he goes through this whole list of things verse 10 for for there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers especially they of the circumcision whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things they ought not for filthy luke or sake one of themselves even a prophet of their own said the christians are always liar always liars evil beasts slow bellies notice what they're called here this witness is true wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith not giving heed to jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth verse 15. unto the pure unto the pure all things are pure but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their mind and conscience is defiled for 16 they profess that they know god but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate wow very strong words here paul reminds titus that there are a lot of people out there that they just want to uh to gain other people's money gain other people's confidence in order to hurt them in order to lift themselves up if you will and the truth is is what what paul tells titus to do is stop them that's what he says you stop those guys that are doing that and what they're going to try to do is they're going to try to water down they're going to try to change or they're going to try to alter what is the truth and in doing so they're going to deceive people okay notice how that the creations if you will these people on crete notice how they were thought of by others always lying evil beasts and slow bellies now those aren't very uh convincing words that somebody loves you or thinks a whole lot about you are they no in fact they're not very kind at all but that's what other people thought of those people living on the isle of crete titus is working with them and he's trying to address those issues by helping them to realize the reason that they're considered that nobody else wants to be around or connected to is because they're following false gods they're following deceit they're following the lust of their own flesh instead of the things of god therefore they they have a this reputation if you will with others that are not from that island now when they profess that they have a relationship with god the truth is their fruit shows otherwise they deny god and they're only simply trying to get gain out of it that's what paul says here in chapter one paul is teaching titus listen you can't fall into that trap you have to stand firm on what i've taught you stand firm upon what your relationship with god is and you may have to be very strong on these points but whatever you do titus don't give in you stay firm stay connected to the things of god instruct all of those that will hear instruct them on the good things of god and they will flourish okay even in that perverse country they're living in they can flourish and have revival now in chapter number two here of titus notice this is what he's telling the young preacher okay you see these people they're trying to deceive they're trying they're slow you know they're trying to uh they're considered to be unwanted if you will in many ways because of the way they carry themselves in that notice what he says to him in verse number one chapter two but speak thou the things which become sound doctrine good teaching that the aged men be sober grave temperant sound in faith and charity and patience the aged women likewise that they be in behavior as becometh holiness not false accusers not given to much wine teachers of good things that they may teach the young women to be sober to love their husbands to love their children to be discreet chaste keepers at home good obedient to their own husbands that the word of god may not be be not blasphemed titus this is what he's telling him listen teach the people the pure word of god sound doctrine will save them sound truth will get them through the difficulties and the challenges it's the same as where we are today right and all the stuff happening in our world if we'll stick to the sound doctrine teachings of the word of god it'll see us through the challenges of life amen older men you need to carry yourself in a certain way older women you need to conduct yourself your activities in a certain way because that is passing on generational to generational things okay the men and women have to teach the younger ones how to live according to the word of god knowing this what paul is telling titus is that in the growth process there are stages and there are levels that you're going to get through it's not going to happen overnight not going to happen in the snap of a finger what's going to do is going to take time it's going to take simply just weekend week out day in day out month year whatever you continuously do the things of god in your teaching and in the the truth of the word of god people will change a little at a time some may and then walk away from it but you stay true to it titus for us in 2020 for an example there's a mess surrounding the church if you will so we too we must have a desire for truth otherwise the lies and the trickery if you will of the evil one will pull you away we see it often and it's a heartbreak when somebody who loves god serves god they begin to listen to the law the lies of the enemy uh they get distracted by the the day in and day out or something comes against them and they have a hard time next thing you know they begin to listen to the lies of the evil one and and then they quit listening to sound doctrine and truth their worship gets less and less their their commitment their accountability their submission to the things of god begins to wane and go away and next thing you know they fall away from god all right it's nothing new paul spoke of this to several of the churches he spoke about this to timothy and now to titus okay we have to want truth more than anything else that's why it's important to get into the word on our wednesday night studies for an example or on your bible study that you do personally and dig out the truths of the word of god okay in this second chapter paul is talking to the elder men women trying to help them to realize that they have an influence on the next generation notice what verse 6 says listen to this young men likewise exhort to be sober minded in all things showing thyself a pattern of good works and doctrine shoeing an uncorruptness gravity sincerity sound speech that cannot be condemned that he that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed having no evil thing to say of you young men okay he talked to the elders he talked about the the men and women and now he's talking about the young men he's saying you have to place importance on the things of god and the things that people say to you concerning your life and those around you young men you need to carry yourself in a way that god is instructing you the spirit of god is leading you sound teaching that means it's established it's been tried tested and true you can't get any more established than the word of god you can't get any more founded than the word of god notice now as he continues and he's he's helping the preacher here elders now young men now notice verse 9 exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters and to please them well in all things not answering again not poor poor lonely lord lo perloining excuse me but showing all good fidelity that they may adorn the doctrine of god our savior in all things all right kind of like uh timothy was trying to do in ephesus same thing here you're facing this as well titus i want to help you with it men women children servants they're all mentioned here in this writing in this letter because you have to whatever state position you are in life wherever you are in your family in the church in the church body all right you have to do all that you do as unto the lord desiring to please god more than man god has a plan and a purpose for your life so you have to be able to understand that every generation is going to come and go but it is the things of god that's going to last the things the word the truth of god notice how he says it here verse 11. this is very powerful for the grace of god that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men verse 12 teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lust we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great god and our savior jesus christ who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works these things verse 15 says speak exhort and rebuke with all authority let no man despise thee that's how he ends chapter number two here paul emphasizes to titus the work of grace in a person's life all men can find salvation but they first have to understand the power of grace all right grace is not some flippant word or topic that you can simply pass over you can't just expect everything to fall into place because of grace you have to understand is that favor of god it's part of his plan god wants to help you and god is going to allow you to fall in love with him to know him to have a relationship with him but you got to understand the principles and the doctrine of this grace that is mentioned here paul confirms with titus that salvation is right and it's real and it is only because of the thing the work the establishment that jesus christ did while here on planet earth okay he tells titus not to allow any to despise him to reject him to to say to him that doesn't mean anything it has no value titus if you're sure of it and you've got this understanding of the grace and the mercy the patience of god working in your life then you can help others as well okay it's like when you yourself 2020 when you witness to someone what do you tell them you give them your testimony right and the first thing you talk about when you remember and think of the love of god and how he showed that to you is you understand that he had grace that worked in your life he showed you mercy the ability to to come to him and to have a changed life through repentance that's exactly what titus was being taught by this letter that paul wrote to him in this short letter paul is simply enforcing to titus the power of the word of god to be able to change a degenerate group like there was there on crete all right it's the same thing we can do today we can take this word and we can indeed invest it into this world and we can see the move of god all around us every day and what god is doing now this last chapter is real short here of titus notice here put them in mind verse 1 says to be subject to principalities and powers to obey magistrates to be ready to every good work to speak evil of no man and to be no brawlers but gentle showing all meekness unto all men for we ourselves also were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy uh hateful and hating one another verse four says in chapter three but after that the kindness and love of god our savior toward men man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing and of regeneration and renewing of the holy ghost which he shed on us abundantly through jesus christ our savior that being just about justified by his grace we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life what the christians those on the island of crete what they had to be aware of was that they were connected to the plan and purpose of god and that they as individuals in the church body they had to obey the laws and the powers of the land because that was the witness that the people in the land were looking at okay they couldn't speak evil for an example paul was telling them titus this is what you teach them this is what i taught them is don't speak evil of the things going on around you the evil don't speak evil of the people working or the magistrates or the rulers of the city officials if you will we can all make mistakes we all understand that we can all fall and falter that's what he's saying here to titus but jesus his grace his mercy and love changed us his mercy reached to us and gave us a place where we could be forgiven of our sins washed and cleansed and we could be filled with his glorious spirit and every day we could live a life that's overcoming we are washed and we are regenerated if you will we are given a clean start in the holy ghost and then we become heirs to the promises that god has and this this is how he ends it here in titus chapter 3. notice verse 8 this is a faithful saying and think and these things i will that thou affirm constantly that they which have believed in god might be careful to maintain good works those things are good and profitable unto men but avoid foolish questions genealogies contentions and strivings about the law for they are unprofitable and vain fame paul brings this letter down of course then at the end he's got some statements he's making to titus of course uh but this is this is how he this whole reason for this letter to titus on this very difficult uh island that he was working he was basically telling titus titus avoid the foolish thoughts and doctrines and teachings of the things around you that would have been on the island creek keep the main thing the main thing and that is the grace the mercy and the love of jesus christ focus on that and then focus on the death the burial and the resurrection as you begin to develop an understanding of these things that jesus did for us as humans then you can begin to realize there is sound teaching that helps you on monday tuesday wednesday all week every hour of the day and it will help you to become longer and longer living for god continuously growing and maturing isn't that what we all want even today in 2020. salvation doesn't come from man it comes from god it comes from the work that he done they come from the work that he's accomplished on calvary and every day living in our lives evil men is going to try to distract you all right but this whole letter as we're bringing this bible study to a close tonight this whole letter to titus is for even us today stay true to the doctrine of the word understand grace mercy and love let the work of jesus christ be in your life now we're going to close this study tonight by prayer i want you to pray specifically that god will help you help us to understand his grace to understand his mercy what he's done for us so that we could share that with others and that witness can allow them to fall in love with jesus pray that would you lord thank you for our time together in this study for your word for the ability to understand and grasp it thank you lord i pray god for each one of us that we would take it to heart lord and that we would comprehend with all that we can lord and do our due diligence to dig into the word to understand your grace to understand your mercy to understand what you did on calvary and how that it applies to us today lord we want to know more about you our desire desires to draw closer to you to understand you i pray right now that you would bless each one that's tonight in this study let us learn and grow and mature and draw closer to you will love you forever because you're god in jesus name we pray amen amen