Titus 3

B1 This is a list of rules that reflects God’s kingdom, worldview, plan, and lifestyle for all Christians

B2 Some rules to live by

C1 To obey secular authorities as much as possible. God must be first. Acts 5:29 NIV Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings!

C2 Not to speak evil of anyone.

D1 Speak the truth. We can name names and notify others of their deeds. See 2 Timothy 4:13, 1 Timothy 1:19-20, and Matthew 12:34.

D2 The truth might be to name someone as a thief, thug, liar, narcissist, etc.

D3 We are not to lie, slander, cover up, verbally abuse, gaslight, etc.

C3 Not to be a brawler, a fighter. The opposite of a brawler is one who tries to be peaceful. The opposite of brawler does not get face to face and start yelling.

C4 To have meekness. This is not being a wimp, but rather one who yields, that is, picks their fights carefully, instead of pushing and bullying.

D1 Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. Proverbs 16:19 NLT

D2 See Matthew 5:5 (gentleness), Matthew 11:29, 1 Peter 2:21-23, etc.

B3 Our past. May have included:

C1 Foolishness—as opposed to wisely. Foolish people don't care if they sin, but good people want to be forgiven. Proverbs 14:9 GNB. See Matthew 7:26-28.

C2 Disobedience—This has the idea of refusing to be persuaded. This Lord Jesus faced this. Matthew 23:37 NIV Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

C3 Deceived—doing foolishness or sin because of being tricked, seduced, lied to, etc. Pride will let us be deceived; see Obadiah 1:3. Persuasive speech, see Colossians 2:4.

C4 Slave to various desires and pleasures. Before trusting into Jesus, people are enslaved to sinful pleasures. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 2 Peter 2:19 NLT

C5 Malice—this is intense ill will, wishing hurt on others.

C6 Envious

C7 Hateful—hate is in the heart then in actions and words. Consider sarcasm, verbal abuse, etc.

C8 Hating—this is the emotion, the feeling that arises towards unlikable things. People naturally do not love God or His ways. Bible Knowledge Commentary has this note:

Far from being peaceable, considerate, and humble, they were characterized by malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. Such is the brutish existence of people apart from God. While a veneer of civilization often obscures the bleak truth, the slightest crack in the surface of society reveals the reality behind the facade. The painful truth is that apart from God people degenerate into little more than animals wrangling over bones.

B4 Salvation 4-7

C1 God our Savior who shows by thoughts, desires, words, and deeds the opposite of the above.

D1 Kindness Compare Romans 2:4.

D2 Love See an example in Acts 28:2.

C2 Salvation is not what we do religiously

C3 Salvation is by HIM, by His grace

C4 Salvation by

D1 God's Grace

D2 Washing of regeneration

E1 Not baptism

E2 Being born again.

F1 Regeneration means reborn, not baptizing.

F2 Greek word means bath, not baptism

F3 It is a regeneration and renewing done by the Holy Spirit which results in salvation.

D3 Renewing by the Holy Spirit

E1 Renewing is not by us, a church, a man, a prophet, a teacher, etc.

E2 Renewing means a complete change. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

D4 Justified—just as if I'd never sinned

D5 Make heirs—joint heirs—with His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. See Romans 8:17.

D6 Given eternal life as opposed to eternal death

B5 Bearing fruit for God, verse 8. Now being saved, it is expected for us to bear fruit. God defines this—living the fruit of the Spirit:. Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

B6 Some things to avoid, verse 9-11

C1 Stupid questions

C2 Genealogies (“I’m related to...”)

C3 Arguments

C4 Fighting over the Law—the Ten Commandments. The Jews would like to start a fight over following the Law.

C5 Heretics (verse 11)—after two times dealing with them, showing them the truth, and counseling them, disfellowship them from the church. Their actions show they are condemned. We can be a heretic in what we believe, live, or both.

D1 Convinced that wrong doctrine is true.

D2 Convinced that some sin is OK. Sins by following a lie

B7 Verse 12-13. Instructions concerning some people and the need to help them.

B8 Verse 14-doing good things that God would approve of and that would glorify Him. It is easy to get caught up in life that we often forget living the faith.

B9 Say “Hi” to all—a sign of our all being in the fellowship with the saints and God himself. 1 John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

B10 Application

• We need to get smaller, humbler, and serving God.

• It is growth.

• The Lord Jesus needs to be glorified by our lives.

• It is growth.

Titus 2

B1 Titus, all pastors and teachers, are to teach what are the truths of Christianity including lifestyle and worldview. Here, in context, it refers to character of those who are Christians. It is our standard of behavior. Even though men and women are listed separately, the characteristics apply to all.

C1 Characteristics of the elderly (over 50-60)

D1 Men

E1 Sober—instead of drunk, further, not acting like you’re drunk

E2 Grave—to have an honorable life, instead of silly and foolish life

E3 Temperate—being self-controlled

E4 Sound in faith—knowing what the truth is, living it, and teaching it

E5 Sound in love—having a real love for God and the saints, but also for the lost. It is also showing compassion.

E6 Sound in patience

D2 Women

E1 Holy behavior—holy as defined by God

E2 Not false accuser—not making up lies, twisting the truth, embellishing

E3 Not addicted to much wine—not drunk or acting like a drunk

E4 Teachers of good things—a ministry of teaching others by word and life.

C2 Young (roughly between 20-49)

D1 Men

E1 Sober minded—instead of silliness

E2 1 Peter 5:5 NCV In the same way, younger people should be willing to be under older people. And all of you should be very humble with each other. “God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.

D2 Women

E1 Discreet—instead of letting passions control your life

E2 Chaste—in dress, actions, words, and thoughts

E3 Keepers at home—instead of running the countryside

E4 Willing to get along, not fight with husbands—there must be order in the family. The husband must have the same attitude.

C3 Pastor

D1 A life lived knowing that people are watching. It is living a life that others will want to imitate (living the way God wants us to live).

D2 Good works—to glorify our Father in heaven. This is our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds in public and private.

D3 Incorruptible doctrine—The Bible is our ONLY source of what is true and false. Other things may or may not be true.

D4 Grave—honorable, our word must be good and honest. What we say must be true, and what we promise, we must keep.

D5 Sincere—a type of truth. This is revealed in our lives as true compassion, true interest in helping, etc.

D6 Sound speech—instead of running at the mouth, angrily arguing, etc.

C4 Servants—even employees

D1 Following the rules and directives

D2 To please them—by doing a good job

D3 Not arguing with them to such as not to do what was requested

D4 Not embezzling

D5 Good faith—trustworthy to complete was requested

D6 The motivation for living in this manner is to glorify God and give witness to those who do not believe of God’s goodness in order for these unbelievers to be saved.

C5 Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all people.

D1 For the grace of God

E1 Grace is receiving what we DO NOT deserve.

E2 This grace comes from God.

D2 A grace that brings salvation

D3 This grace of God has appeared to all people

C6 Titus 2:11 The application of God’s grace teaches us to

D1 Deny

E1 Ungodliness

E2 Worldly lusts (Compare Galatians 5:19-21)

D2 Living

E1 Soberly—showing self-control

E2 Righteously

E3 Godly

E4 Looking for return of Lord Jesus

C7 Redemption

D1 From all iniquity

D2 To purify us

E1 A special people for being zealous to do good as God defines it and to glorify God. Glorying God is showing others how great His worldview and lifestyle is.

E2 A psalm of David. Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 4 Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts. 5 Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever. Psalm 15:1-5 NLT

E3 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 AFV

B2 Things all believers are to look for expectantly

C1 The return of the Lord Jesus.

D1 He is God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are three persons who are one god. They are not separate gods. They are NOT one god who fills different roles. The oneness of God is nature and essence, which is the stuff that God is. There is only one in the God class—Yahweh. There are many in the spirit class. There are many in the human class. There are many in the animal class, etc. Jesus is one person. He has the nature of God and the nature of humanity. He is the Son of God and the Son of Man. See the Athanasian Creed.

D2 Jesus is the only Messiah. He always has been Messiah, is Messiah, and always be Messiah.

E1 He redeemed us. All before belief and trust in the Lord Jesus only are sold to sin. Jesus suffered for our sins. He is the voluntary, qualified substitute. Either we get the just penalty for our sins or a qualified substitute.

E2 He has a purpose for those who believe. This is to be zealous for good works, that is, a godly worldview and lifestyle.

C2 Pastors who are diligent. Paul encourages and urges Titus to continue. Pray for your pastor.

Titus Chapter 1

B1 Titus 1:2 ...in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

C1 God cannot lie.

D1 What an awesome description. The Greek word is ἀψευδής apseudḗs and means non-lying. It is an adjective modifying the word God, so it means the non-lying God. When compared to humans—Romans 3:4, God is truly a blessing.

D2 Not only is every individual a liar, but there is satan (his hordes also)— You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you desire to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar, and the father of lies. John 8:44 EMTV

C2 We can safely live our lives. He will not change.

B2 Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

C1 These are qualifications of elders, yet are good, godly characteristics for anyone. What a better society all would have, if all thought and lived God’s way.

D1 Blameless

E1 This is not sinless. Blameless has the idea of living the lifestyle and having the worldview aligned with God’s. When we sin, we confess our sins, ask forgiveness, and He forgives, thus blameless.

E2 It is God’s desire and goal for us. Would to God more pastors would teach the Christian life. in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach before Him—Colossians 1:22 EMTV

D2 Monogamist

E1 I understand this to mean one wife at a time.

E2 Also, I understand that this does not mean that a pastor must be married.

D3 Faithful Children—these are children still at home.

D4 Blameless steward of God—steadfast and true to God’s doctrine, lifestyle, and worldview.

D5 Not self-willed—they are God-willed. Success as a pastor is not in numbers but in faithfulness to God. Noah had essentially no numbers from his ministry. Jonah had vast numbers. God judged them to be faithful. Discouraging as it might be, we should not give up because we are serving God, not committees or the need for greatness.

D6 Does quick tempered

D7 Not a drunkard

D8 Not violent—this is the abuser, sex molester, and cheat. These things are usually done in private, because they want to look good to the public for money and influence.

D9 Not greedy for money—too many pastors are, even though they appear very humble.

D10 Hospitable—this isn’t just hosting people at their home. It includes listening, giving them time when needed, and helping others in what we are able.

D11 Lover of good things (People and otherwise. Good is what God defines as good).

D12 Self-controlled

D13 Just (fair and not biased)—true justice treats all people the same.

D14 Holy—Devout, pure, following God's way.

D15 Disciplined—having time and knowing how to use it. This is also having right priorities as God first, spouse second, children third, other believers fourth, then the rest of people

D16 Holding on to the truth as one has been taught, that is, faithful to Bible teachings. Doctrine is important.

D17 Apologist for the faith—We must know what we believe and why. We must study the Scriptures and know them well. Reading and studying the Bible is more important than reading and studying theology.

C2 The need for truth—there were lots of liars, distorters, heretics who were causing all kinds of troubles in the church, the family, and in individuals. There is only one truth—the Bible.

B3 Titus 1:12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

C1 Three things we need to avoid

D1 Lying—liars

D2 Evil beasts—acting like an animal—Rude, cruel, and brutal

D3 Lazy gluttons

C2 If we are like these Cretans or not believing and living the truth, we need to be told.

B4 Two Groups All things indeed are pure to the pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience have been defiled. They profess to know God, but in their works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. Titus 1:15-16 EMTV

C1 The pure—in heart and conscience

C2 The impure—in heart and conscience

D1 Defiled

E1 Mind (thinking, intelligence, attitude)

E2 Conscience (a poor sense of right and wrong)

E3 In body, soul, and spirit

E4 Both in public but especially in private

D2 Unbelieving—this is not believing what God says

D3 Deceived—think they know God, but don't (empty religion)

D4 False fruit (works, what they do) is

E1 Denying God—by being a hypocrite. They know, or should know, but will not think and live according to God’s rules.

E2 Abominable—shockingly vile. Compare Job 15:16.

E3 Disobedient—to God’s lifestyle, worldview, beliefs, and laws.

E5 Reprobate—this is not meeting God’s standards and thus rejected.

C3 I don't want to be like this; do you?

C4 I read this in the Biblical Illustrator: I laid aside a coin one day but did not remember just where I had put it, till one day I found it in a comer, encrusted with rust. At first, I thought it was copper, but careful examination proved it to be silver. It had lain there so long that it was tarnished and unrecognisable. Just as many Christians, alas I are so covered with the grime and filth of this world that it is no wonder that the unconverted and Christians look upon them as copper instead of being good silver.

A Few Thoughts on Titus 2:13-14

Titus 2:13-14 NIV while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

A reason to come.

The gift of all gifts.

The past gift—His birth in Bethlehem.

The coming gift—His return for His church

It is a blessed hope.

B1 Hope is the expectant fulfillment of promise.

B2 Blessed is the happy, joys, relieving, satisfaction of God’s joy.

It is the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ

B1 Jesus is God

B2 Jesus is Savior

B3 Glory is the majesty, the admiration, the beauty of character and wisdom that is God’s. The one who will, in wisdom, holiness, and love, destroy evil and make all things new.

It is a giving of Himself.

B1 He is the propitiating sacrifice, that is, our Passover Lamb, the volunteer who is fully qualified to be the substitute.

B2 He did not have to this, He volunteered.

It is a redeeming of us.

B1 We were sold to sin.

B2 He paid the price to redeem us. This price was we would be sentenced to death. He died for us.

It is a redeeming of us.

B1 From the sin nature.

B2 To freedom to live the life God wants for us.

It is a purifying.

B1 From sin

B2 From sin’s guilt

It is a for a purpose.

B1 A people who are His own.

B2 A people to serve.

C1 Eager

C2 To do good

B3 A people whose lives bear much fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)

These blessings are eternal.

He is the best gift.

Merry Christmas.

1 Year Bible—Titus and Philemon

Titus Outline

B1 Chapter 1

C1 Titus 1:1-4 Salutation

C2 Titus 1:5-9 Church leaders

C3 Titus 1:10-16 Rebuke

B2 Chapter 2

C1 Titus 2:1-2 Older Men

C2 Titus 2:3-5 Older Women

C3 Titus 2:6-8 Young Men

C4 Titus 2:9-10 Slaves and Masters

C5 Titus 2:11 God Wants All to Be Saved

C6 Titus 2:12-15 Preach Godliness

B3 Chapter 3

C1 Titus 3:1-2 Dealing with non-Christians

C2 Titus 3:3-8 What We Were, and How God Changed Us

C3 Titus 3:9-11 Avoid

C4 Titus 3:12-15 Final Greetings

Philemon Outline

B1 Salutation Chapter 1:1-3

B2 Thankfulness for Philemon’s Faith Chapter 1:4-7

B3 Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus Chapter 1:8-22

B4 Final Greetings Chapter 1:23-25

Titus and 1&2 Timothy are similar. Both are written to pastors. Both are instructions to young pastors. Both give qualifications of church leaders.

The first chapter of Titus has this:

B1 Titus 1:16 ESV They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

B2 We learn

C1 There are fake believers

C2 There are fake church leaders

C3 There is a test. Do their words and live in private and public match?

C4 These fakes are describes as detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

D1 The Greek word for detestable is βδελυκτός bdelyktós. It means something hated, loathing something, entirely disgusting. God has a poor view of these creeps.

D2 God says this about these people: Isaiah 65:5 GW They said, "Stay away! Don't touch me! I'm holier than you are." They have become like smoke in my nose, like a smoldering fire all day long.

D3 The Greek word for disobedient is ἀπειθής apeithḗs. It means impersuasible, uncompliant, contumacious [A. V. disobedient] (Source is Strong’s). It has the idea of being obstinate and rebellious.

D4 The Greek word for unfit is ἀδόκιμος adókimos. It means worthless after being tested. It does not meet the standard. God is the one who does the testing. His standard is what is used to judge. These fail the test.

D5 Hebrews 6:8 GNB But if it grows thorns and weeds, it is worth nothing; it is in danger of being cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire.

C5 The Greek word for deny is ἀρνέομαι arnéomai. It means contradict, reject, disavow.

D1 Peter did repent and restored, but he did deny (same word) Christ. Peter spoke his denial. These in our passage speak correctly but what they do shows their denial.

D2 Mark 14:69-71 NIV When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about."

D3 Matthew 23:2-3 NIV The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

C6 We must not imitate them. God help us.

The second chapter of Titus has this

B1 Teach sound doctrine

C1 Sound doctrine is the teachings of Jesus and His Apostles.

C2 Consider the opposite: 2 Timothy 4:3 GNB The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear.

B2 Sound rules for our actions in society

B3 Salvation is offered to all people: Titus 2:11 WEL For the saving grace of God has appeared to all people,

B4 Titus 2:13-14 GNB as we wait for the blessed Day we hope for, when the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will appear. 14 He gave himself for us, to rescue us from all wickedness and to make us a pure people who belong to him alone and are eager to do good.

C1 Jesus is going to return.

C2 We are to be excited that He will. We are to look forward to seeing Him.

C3 He gave Himself. He did not have to do this.

C4 He rescued us from our wickedness, the wickedness of society and the world, and the sin nature.

C5 His desire is that we be pure Christians, that is, Christians who believe what He taught and live the way He instructed us.

The third chapter of Titus teaches us

B1 The contrast between who and what we were to who and what we are.

C1 What and who we were: Titus 3:3 ESV For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

C2 What and who we are: Titus 3:4-7 ESV But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

D1 The Greek word for kindness (goodness) is χρηστότης chrēstótēs. It means 1. moral goodness, integrity 2. benignity, kindness (Source is Thayer’s).

D2 The Greek work for loving kindness is φιλανθρωπία (philanthrōpía. It means benevolence, kind-heartedness, humane feeling, or, in a weaker sense, kindliness, courtesy (Source is Liddell/Scott/Jones Greek-English Lexicon).

D3 Note: these are characteristics of God, so they must be our characteristics, too.

D4 The washing of regeneration might refer to baptism but only in the sense of

E1 Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it. (Source is Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament).

E2 Conversion is really a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17), and here that new creation is presented under the figure of a bath. It is the same figure used by the Lord Jesus when He taught the disciples that there is only one bath of regeneration but many necessary cleansings from defilement (John 13:10). That bath of regeneration has nothing to do with baptism. It is not a bodily cleansing by water, but a moral cleansing by the word of God (John 15:3). Baptism is not even a symbol of this bath; it rather depicts burial with Christ into death (Romans 6:4). (Source is Believer's Bible Commentary by MacDonald).

E3 Also note Titus 3:7 ESV so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [Emphasis is mine]. We are not justified by baptism.

D5 Titus 3:9-11 teach us

E1 To avoid arguments in stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law (NRSV).

E2 MacDonald (Believer’s Bible Commentary) gives good advice:

The man who majors on these minors is a divisive heretic. He usually has one note on his violin and plays it to death. Soon he gathers around himself a coterie of people with a negative outlook, and the rest he drives away. He will divide an assembly rather than abandon his doctrinal hobbyhorse. No church should put up with such nonsense. If after one or two warnings, he refuses to desist, he should be expelled from the fellowship of the local church and the Christians should refrain from having social contact with him. Hopefully, this ostracism will bring him to repentance and to a more balanced handling of the word of God.

Philemon is a personal letter to an owner of servants/slaves. Onesimus, a slave, ran away, became a Christian, and is helping Paul in the ministry. Paul makes an appeal to Philemon to forgive Onesimus and if willing release him to help me (Paul). We learn how to make an appeal, a reason for making an appeal, helping our brother/sister, and how to forgive.

Psalms 13:5 GW But I trust your mercy. My heart finds joy in your salvation.

Psalms 31:7 GW I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy. You have seen my misery. You have known the troubles in my soul.

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of Titus Part 10

Titus 3:12-15 Final Greetings

Final Greetings

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.

13 Help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos in any way you can, so that they are lacking nothing.

14 Also, let ours learn to keep up good works for essential needs, so that they won’t be unfruitful.

15 All that are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Notes

B1 Paul doesn’t mind asking for assistance. Asking God for assistance is the first thing we do, but asking help from fellow believers is good and right.

C1 Acts 18:27 NIV When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

C2 It is fellowship.

D1 God desires fellowship: 1 John 1:3 NLT We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

D2 United into one family: 1 Corinthians 10:16-18 NLT When we bless the cup at the Lord's Table, aren't we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren't we sharing in the body of Christ? 17 And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body. 18 Think about the people of Israel. Weren't they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?

D3 The whole church: Philippians 4:14-15 NLT Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. 15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this.

D4 In suffering: Hebrews 10:33-34 NLT Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

D5 In hospitality: 1 Peter 4:9 NLT Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

D6 In prison: Colossians 4:10 NLT Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas's cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way.

D7 Financially: 1 Timothy 6:17-18 NLT Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.

D8 Brothers and sisters in the congregation: 1 Corinthians 14:26 NLT Well, my brothers and sisters, let's summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.

D9 Help when tempted, in sin, and/or other burdens (spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical, financial, etc.): Galatians 6:1-2 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

D10 We need each other: Romans 1:12 NLT When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

D11 Our brother or sister should be a very high concern:

E1 1 Corinthians 10:24 NLT Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

E2 Philippians 2:1-4 CSB If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

D12 Praying for one another. Many, many of our brothers and sisters are suffering in every area of the world. Come, Lord Jesus: James 5:14-16 CSB Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

B2 Verse 13 is to help our brothers and sisters in any ministry they have:

C1 Acts 18:27 CSB When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers and sisters wrote to the disciples to welcome him. After he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

C2 Romans 16:1-2 WEL I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a deaconess of the church at Cenchrea, 2 So you may welcome her in the Lord in a worthy manner as saints and assist her in whatever matter she has need of you, for she has been a helper to many including me.

B3 Verse 14 Encourages us to not quit doing good works to honor God.

C1 Matthew 5:16 CSB In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

C2 Praying for each other that God will encourage and strengthen us to do them: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 CSB May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

C3 God’s grace enables, provides, and strengthens us: 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

C4 We do these because we love our God and our brothers and sisters: Hebrews 6:9-10 CSB Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints—and by continuing to serve them.

B4 Verse 15 deals with greeting one another and encouraging in the faith.

C1 When we meet in a foreign place or a familiar place, let us greet one another and assist as needed.

C2 In the faith is the Gospel, doctrine, and life God wishes for us to be consistent. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 CSB Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of Titus Part 9

Titus 3:9-11 Avoid

Some Things To Avoid

9 Avoid foolish questions, genealogies, big arguments and battles over the law, for they are not beneficial and useless.

10 Reject a heretic—after the first and second warning—

11 Knowing that such a person is twisted and sins, being self-condemned.

Notes

B1 Actions to avoid

C1 The actions

D1 Foolish questions

E1 Some cross references

F1 2 Timothy 2:23 WEL Avoid foolish and stupid questions, knowing that they breed hostilities.

G1 The Greek word for foolish is μωρός mōrós. It means imprudent, without forethought or wisdom, useless, impious, godless.

G2 The Greek word for stupid (unlearned KJV) is ἀπαίδευτος apaídeutos. It means questions that are without instruction, and disciple, uneducated, ignorant, rude.

G3 To avoid means to decline to answer.

G4 Some examples:

H1 Who is 666? Whose name can be reduced to these numbers?

H2 Could Jesus have sinned? A brief answer would suffice, but to prolong an answer to this or get in an argument over it, would be foolish.

F2 1 Timothy 4:7 CSB But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness.

F3 1 Timothy 6:4 CSB he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions,

F4 Dealing with foolish questions

G1 Proverbs 26:4-5 NLT Don't answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. 5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.

H1 A strange pair of verses. Are we to answer or not?

H2 My opinion is that there are fools with different attitudes. Some you can discuss and deal with questions. Others you cannot, for they become angry or abusive. We need to answer the former and decline to answer the latter.

H3 We must state the truth. We must state truth calmly, not as an abusive bully.

H4 We are not to use the same method of argument as a foolish person.

G2 Listen. Really listen, so that we understand what the other person is saying.

H1 If they criticism me, just be quiet and don’t respond. Do not defend yourself. We may need to clarify what we believe, but to angrily argue to defend myself, is wrong.

H2 If they criticize God, we must tell them the truth.

H3 If they blaspheme, we must warn them that it is dangerous to do so.

G3 Christians are not to have blind faith; we have a reasonable faith. Thus, we need to study the Bible and know philosophical basics to have an answer to seekers or challengers.

D2 Genealogies.

E1 This mainly deals with Jewish genealogies, but certainly other groups place a great importance on their heritage.

E2 Titus 1:10-11 CSB For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. 11 It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn't in order to get money dishonestly.

D3 Arguments

E1 How is this for arguing? Instead of corporate worship, they fight: Isaiah 58:4 NET Look, your fasting is accompanied by arguments, brawls, and fistfights. Do not fast as you do today, trying to make your voice heard in heaven.

E2 Hebrews 13:9 NET Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings. For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not ritual meals, which have never benefited those who participated in them.

D4 About the Law. This deals with Judaizers who felt that Christians had to keep the Law or at least the feasts, etc. This was answered at the Jerusalem Council. See Acts 15.

C2 The reason

D1 God wants reconciliation not revenge, nevertheless He is just and will judge and sentence. Ezekiel 18:23 NET Do I actually delight in the death of the wicked, declares the sovereign LORD? Do I not prefer that he turn from his wicked conduct and live?

D2 2 Peter 3:9 NET The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

D3 We Christians want to reflect the character of God to enemies and friends. Arguing, issues about Mosaic law, genealogies, and/or foolish questions are not important. These things to not reflect God’s character. Often we see the Lord Jesus ignoring these questions.

E1 Matthew 26:62-64 CSB The high priest stood up and said to him, "Don't you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you? " 63 But Jesus kept silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." 64 "You have said it," Jesus told him. "But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.

E2 Luke 23:8-9 NET When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some miraculous sign. 9 So Herod questioned him at considerable length; Jesus gave him no answer.

B2 People to avoid

C1 Heretic

D1 Christianity has a gospel, a set of beliefs, and a lifestyle (worldview).

D2 Many claim to be Christians but have non-biblical beliefs.

E1 Revelation 2:6 NET But you do have this going for you: You hate what the Nicolaitans practice - practices I also hate.

E2 Revelation 2:14 NET But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

E3 2 Timothy 2:17-18 NET and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. 18 They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people's faith.

E4 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NET For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.

D3 How to deal with what is false

E1 Remain calm: Colossians 4:6 CSB Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

E2 Pray for wisdom

E3 Know the truth

F1 Bible knowledge:

G1 Colossians 3:16 CSB Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

G2 2 Timothy 2:15 NET Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

F2 Bible theology

F3 Answers to people’s questions. This is apologetics.

E4 Correct Bible interpretation

C2 Reason

D1 Twisted

E1 The Greek word is ἐκστρέφω ekstréphō. This has the idea of turning something inside out.

E2 Redefining words

E2 Explaining away the plain, normal sense.

E3 You can read more here and here.

D2 Sins

E1 The sin is mainly lying. Lying in the sense of misrepresenting what the text actually states.

E2 Proverbs 19:3 NLT People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.