Titus: Ordering the Church for Faithfulness and Fruitfulness

1. An Introduction to Titus (Titus 1:1-4)

July 9, 2023 • Ben Purves • Titus 1:1–4

Dear OBC Family, Did you ever watch one of those reality tv shows where a nanny or “parenting expert” enters a chaotic household and works to bring order to the chaos? As painful as those scenarios can be, there were some parallels with the churches in Crete. This Sunday we will begin a new sermon series in the book of Titus, and much like these dysfunctional homes, the churches of Crete were in need of significant attention. False teachers and the influence of Cretan culture were harming churches, and there was a lack of the fruitfulness of good works which follows faith. Paul’s letter to Titus provides a template for ordering the Cretan churches so that they might be more faithful and fruitful, and these words have great importance for us today as faithfulness to the truth brings about fruitfulness in God’s church. I invite you to read all of Paul’s letter to Titus, and come join us this Sunday as we begin this new series. I look forward to gathering with you to worship our Lord this Sunday! As a reminder, the County Center Community Group is in overflow this Sunday. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Ben --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions Titus 1:1-4 Who is Titus? What is his background with Paul? (Search for other appearances of Titus in the New Testament) What does verse 1a teach us about Paul and his authority? How should we respond to this? To what end is Paul preaching and serving? (vv. 1-3) What should we understand when we read “God’s elect”? What is the relationship between knowledge of the truth and godliness? What goes wrong when these are decoupled from one another?  What does Paul teach about “the hope of eternal life” being promised and manifested? How does Paul speak about God in relationship to time? Why state that God “never lies”? Consider the context of Crete with 1:10-16. How is the “grace and peace” extended in this greeting from Paul to Titus more than ordinary? How does Paul provide a template for us for the preaching of the gospel and ministry to fellow believers? How ought we to respond to this text?

2. Elders for the Ordering of the Church (Titus 1:5-9)

July 16, 2023 • Ben Purves • Titus 1:5–9

3. Come to Order (Titus 1:10-16)

July 23, 2023 • Jeff Dionise • Titus 1:10–16

This Sunday we’ll continue in our sermon series in Titus and consider how God's Word brings order to the church for faithfulness and fruitfulness. Specifically, we're going to look at Titus 1:10-16 and consider how rebuke can bring bring us to soundness of faith. By way of reminder, the Mapledale Community Group will be in overflow downstairs this Sunday.   Blessings in Christ,   Pastor Jeff Dionise ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions Titus 1:10-16 As you read these verses (vv. 10-16), how would you describe the disorder that’s present in the churches of Crete? What is the desired outcome from Titus’ ministry in addressing these situations? What are the marks of false teachers in this text? Practically speaking, how are false teachers to be silenced? How do the elders’ qualifications (vv. 5-9) equip him for the tasks that are required (vv. 10-16)? What are the consequences of failing to rebuke? What emboldens one to rebuke? What kind of works flow from unbelief? (vv. 15-16) What should be brought about from true knowledge of God? After seeing all the negative examples in this text, how ought the churches of Crete to look? Positively, what vision for church health are we given if all these negatives are reversed to positive realities? What practical applications might you draw from this text for ordinary church members?

4. Who Teaches Who, and How (Titus 2:1-10)

August 6, 2023 • Ron Comoglio • Titus 2:1–10

Since coming through the pandemic, chaos seems to reign in so much of contemporary life. Our information age has not proven itself the "end all, be all" we were told it would be and progress does not universally impress us like it once did. What is missing? For all our desire for excitement, we actually crave order. We expect the sun to rise and set at the right times, for the ocean tides to come in and out as prescribed. Order gives us security. Our God is a God of orderly processes and demands to be worshipped according to HIS declared ways. In the church we should find this Godly, well-ordered environment a refuge from the worldly, chaotic sea of human self-rule. We know the Creator God of the universe, and he has called us by name to be his own new creations, yet still struggling amidst the fallen old creation. On Sunday, join us as we continue our study of Titus in our sermon series entitled, "Titus: Ordering the Church for Faithfulness and Fruitfulness". Please read the second chapter in preparation for a lesson on the first ten verses as we examine how God has ordered how we instruct each other. As a reminder, the Montclair Community group is in our overflow downstairs this Sunday.  Blessings in Christ, Grace and peace! Pastor Ron ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions: Titus 2:1-10  What is sound doctrine? What purpose does sound doctrine play in Titus 2:1-10? Consider the traits of each group (older men, older women, younger women, younger women). What do we learn about each from Paul’s instruction? What is similar? What is distinct? What role do men have in the household of God? See also Titus 1:5-9. What role do women have in the household of God? See also 1 Timothy 2-3. What does it mean for older women to teach younger women to love their husbands and children and workers at home? Why was that needed in Crete (see Titus 1:10-16; 3:1-3)? How does this apply today? How do good works gain an audience for God’s Word? See Titus 2:5, 8, 10. How do we apply Titus 2:9-10 today? What is the hardest word for you in Titus 2:1-10? What do you need the most help with?  Where is the source of that change? Hint: it is not a list of rules to follow, it is a Spirit-given conformity to Christ. See Titus 2:11-15.

5. The Epiphany of Grace Orders the Church (Titus 2:11-15)

August 13, 2023 • Rod Fillinger • Titus 2:11–15

Epiphany is a holiday that occurs on January 6th in our calendars. It is one that in evangelical circles we tend to overlook because we do not follow a liturgical church calendar. But this Sunday as we continue our series in Titus and look at “Ordering the Church for Faithfulness and Fruitfulness,” we will find a reason to celebrate Epiphany, not necessarily on January 6th, but every day.   The text we will be considering is Titus 2:11-15 as we consider how the epiphany of grace orders the church. Our text deals with salvation past, present, and future. It is a text rich in Christology, the person and work of Christ, and Pneumatology, the person and work of the Spirit. But as we saw last week in Titus 2:1, sound doctrine is not simply theoretical but has practical ramifications for the gracious working of God on behalf of all people. In the process of developing the theme of God’s gracious work on our behalf, this passage sets forth the reasons why believers in Christ can and should live a godly Christian life.   In preparation, please read Titus 2:11-15. Join with us to consider this passage which so beautifully and vividly points us to the transforming power of both the first and second epiphanies (appearances) of Christ.   For His glory and your growth in grace, Pastor Rod --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions: Titus 2:11-15  What does Paul present as being “revealed” or “appearing” in Titus? (See 1:2-3; 2:11; 3:4)? What is grace? How is grace distinct from mercy and reward? What does Paul teach us about the function of grace? What does grace do—negatively, and positively? What does gospel transformation look like? Look for parallels between 2:12 and 2:14. How are these related? Practically speaking, what does it look like for grace to train us? Do you see yourself as needing training? Have you lost the ability to say “no” to your compulsions and desires? Have you lost the concern to say “no”? Do you cite grace and Christian liberty to excuse your lack of concern to say no? Have you lost the zeal to say “no” or do you only say no grudgingly or when you fear you would be caught, embarrassed, shamed? In considering these verses, what do you see God doing? What is God accomplishing by his grace? What is the role of the believer? What is the believer to receive vs to do? What does it look like to wait (2:13)? How should we apply these truths about grace?

6. Ready for Work (Titus 3:1-8)

August 20, 2023 • Jared Bridges • Titus 3:1–8

There's no shortage in the Bible of urging God's people to do good works. In the letter to Titus alone, we've seen the theme of good works applied to the church, the household, and as we will see this Sunday -- the outside world. But so often our good works leave us asking "What have we accomplished?" Perhaps we're asking the wrong question.  The simple message of Titus 3:1-8 unveils to us that the foundation of our work is not rooted at all in our accomplishments, but in what God's goodness and love for mankind has done. Read and meditate on Titus 3:1-8 in preparation to be reminded of the good news that makes our work good.   For His glory and your growth in grace, Pastor Jared ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions: Titus 3:1-8 1. Consider the seven reminders for the saints in 3:1-2. How does the gospel and God’s grace motivate us in these good works? 2. Why does Paul provide the reminder of who they used to be (3:3)? 3. Consider the relationship between the reminders in 3:1-2 and the believer’s past identity in 3:3. 4. What are the many ways that God is described in this text? 5. What does 3:4-7 teach us about the basis of our salvation? 6. What is the “washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit”? What are the implications of this reality? 7. What is the basis of our justification? What does justification make possible? 8. Why emphasize that a “saying is trustworthy”? How should we understand this in Scripture? 9. What does devotion to good works look like? 10. What is the relationship between our salvation and our good works? 11. How does the fact that our works are established by God's work in our lives change the way we think about obedience? 12. How should we respond to this text? 

7. Two Kinds of Teachers - Ordering God's Household for Faithfulness and Fruitfulness (Titus 3:9-15)

September 3, 2023 • Rod Fillinger • Titus 3:9–15

This week we conclude our series from the book of Titus where we have considered “Ordering the Church for Faithfulness and Fruitfulness.” This week we will consider Titus 3:9-15. Paul brings the body of the letter to a close by returning to the subject of false teaching that he opened with in Titus 1:10-16. In verses 1-8 of chapter 3 he sets forth what should be taught and done, and in verse 9 he contrasts the first part of the chapter with what should be avoided in teaching and action. He also gives the reasons such teaching and actions should be avoided. He creates a contrast between two kinds of teachers, and the two kinds of fruit each produces.   This is a theme that we see repeatedly throughout Scripture. There are two kinds of humans – those who are in Christ and walk by the Spirit, and those who walk by the flesh. Those who are alive and those who are dead. Those who produce fruit in keeping with repentance, and those who produce only chaff. The righteous and the wicked. We also see that the fruit that is produced flows from the teachers that one follows.   In preparation for our time together, read Titus. As you do, reflect upon the instructions Paul gives Titus as to how the church should be ordered and how her members should conduct themselves. This letter is as relevant today for us in our local church as it was for the churches of Crete in the first century. May God give us strength and courage to walk in obedience.   May we be found faithful to the glory of God, Pastor Rod ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions: Titus 3:9-15 As we have concluded the book of Titus, how would you summarize its message? What are its main themes? How does vv. 9-11 serve to bring order to the churches of Crete? As “sound doctrine” (1:9; 2:1) and what is “excellent and profitable” is to be taught, so also that which is “unprofitable and worthless” must be avoided. How does one avoid such things? Can you think of situations, past or present, that have parallels to the problem the churches in Crete were encountering and to which Paul’s counsel to Titus applies? How does Titus and the rest of the Scriptures speak about division in the church? How do we serve and guard the unity of the church? What are some distinctions between Titus 3:9-10 and Matthew 18:15-17? Consider the closing instructions in vv. 12-14. What characterizes their ministry partnership? What contrasts do you see between teachers who bring division and teachers who benefit the church? What is the reason (repeated three times in Titus) for filling proper roles in the church? How does this role clarification apply to relationships in the church? How does this closing exhortation in v. 14 help us think about the good works that the Lord has for us? Also review how Paul speaks about work throughout this letter (1:12, 16; 2:5, 7, 14; 3:1, 8). What might be learn from the closing greetings and characterizations of their fellowship in v. 14? How ought we to respond to these truths? How have you been encouraged or challenged by Titus through this series?