• Paul is responding to Titus based upon the word he had received while in Macedonia.

SOUND TEACHING AND CHRISTIAN LIVING
TITUS 2
1 But you are to proclaim things consistent with sound teaching.

• The sound doctrine of which Paul was a minister is the Gospel of grace.
• The New Covenant is our foundation (2 Corinthians 3:6-7).
• Anything that violates this is not sound doctrine no matter how popular the teaching.

2 Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.

• Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. [1]Paul seems to be equating older age with Christian maturity assuming that sound doctrine is held as one ages.
• Older men - In Paul’s first-century ad context, this refers to men over age 50.[2]
• This is why he encourages older men to behave in a loving manner.
• NASB – “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.” [3]
• Sober, sober-minded.
• Old men with time on their hands could linger too long over the cup.
• The older men should know what they believe, and their doctrinal convictions should accord with God’s Word.[4]
• Titus was young and Paul was encouraging Titus to not overlook the older men and women in discipling the younger generation.
• Youth Ministers come to a point where they realize the impact of parents is greater than their own ministry.

3 In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered.

• The Christian home was a totally new thing, and young women saved out of paganism would have to get accustomed to a whole new set of priorities and privileges.
• Those who had unsaved husbands would need special encouragement.[5]
• Similarly, older women are to be examples for younger women of how to love their husbands and children.
• Christ breeds love in His children.
• The greatest priority in a home should be love.
• If a wife loved her husband and her children, she was well on the way to making the marriage and the home a success.
• In our Western society, a man and a woman fall in love and then get married; but in the East, marriages were less romantic.
• Often the two got married and then had to learn to love each other.[6]
• The more we know sound doctrine, the more we will see this love come forth.
• Also, important to note: According to this verse women were teaching in the early church.
• They are teaching younger women about godliness.
• So, evidently, Paul assumed that women were fully capable of teaching in the ministry context.
• Paul consistently encourages husbands and wives to submit to one another (See also Ephesians 5:21).
• Here the wife is in focus.
• The wife shows love to her husband by submitting to his needs and desires.
• This prevents the dishonoring of the word of God, or the Gospel, in a public atmosphere.
• People can see Christians living in unity with one another and consequently being attracted to the Gospel.
• So, the marriage is not to be a place of oppression for women or men. Rather, a place of submissive love and servitude.

6 In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled 7 in everything.

• Just as older men and women are to be of sound doctrine and love, so also are young men and women.
• Paul does not allow age to discount someone’s value and effectiveness in God’s kingdom.
• He is more concerned with spiritual maturity than age.

Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.

• Good deeds are not synonymous with legalistic practices.
• Good deeds, or good works, always arise out of our new identity in Christ.
• Good deeds are Christ’s work within His children.
• As we allow Him to express fruit through us, we produce good works in the world.
• This is Paul’s consistent message to his readers.

8 Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.

• Paul encourages Titus to instruct people to live at peace with one another while maintaining pure doctrine.
• This puts to shame those who are antagonistic to Christians and the Gospel message.  

9 Slaves are to submit to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back 10 or stealing,

• Paul likely has the employee in mind.
• In Greek culture slaves referred to those who were manual laborers, tutors, and other jobs often held for a family or individual.
• Paul does not have in mind an oppressive system of slavery.

but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

• The good works being encouraged by Paul are decorating sound doctrine.
• As we express Christ to people light is shined on the sound doctrine of the Gospel.
• People will see the fragrant aroma of Christ amongst Christians and inquire about the source of their joy.
• Christ’s life within us is attractive to the world.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

• God, through Jesus, did not die for some people or a select group.
• Jesus died for the whole world because He wants all people to believe.

12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,

• God’s grace teaches people to live godly lives.
• This, in contrast, to the Old Covenant law which is a ministry of condemnation and death.
• So, Paul’s point is that grace saves us and teaches us.
• As we rest in grace, we will see Christ’s life shine through our own lives in beautiful ways.

13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

• Paul has an incredible optimistic view of Christ’s Second Coming.
• There is no room in Paul’s theology for the believer’s fear at Christ’s return.
• There is no movie of our bad works to be played. Instead, we will step into the full reality of our salvation.

14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.

• “redeem” - The Greek word used here, lytroō, (lay-troe-o) means “to release” or “set free,” especially from slavery.[7]
• “lawlessness” - In our unsaved condition, we were rebels against God’s law; but now all of that has been changed.[8]
• Because Christians have a new heart, they are eager for good deeds.
• These good deeds are the fruit of the Spirit produced within us and through us.
• Christians are eager and zealous to live righteously.
• This is reality regardless of what we feel or experience.

15 Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.[9]

• Paul is not speaking of being combative with people but rather standing confidently in the Gospel of grace.
• He wanted Titus to bolster the church in their identity so that they would be confident during persecution and rejection.[10]

Be confident in who you are what you know… you have been entrusted with the Gospel… the Good News!

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update (Tt 2:2). (1995). The Lockman Foundation.
[2] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Tt 2:2). Lexham Press.
[3] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update (Tt 2:2). (1995). The Lockman Foundation.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 264). Victor Books.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 265). Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 265). Victor Books.
[7] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Tt 2:14). Lexham Press.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 266). Victor Books.
[9] Christian Standard Bible (Tt 2:1–15). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[10]  Farley, Andrew. www.BibleCommentary.com. Titus 2.

• Paul continues discussing "submission" from 5:21 - "submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."

CHILDREN AND PARENTS
EPHESIANS 6:1-9
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right.

• Here is harmony in the home:
• the wife submits to the husband “as unto Christ”;
• the husband loves his wife “even as Christ also loved the church”;
• and the children obey “in the Lord.”[1]
• "Children" - Not only a reference to young age but referring to those living in the same household with the parents having authority over them.
• "obey" - listen, pay attention, answer, respond and submit.
• "in the Lord" - Godly parents with godly behavior. This defines the sphere in which the obedience is to move
• In context. - It is not required or expected for a child to obey when the parental wishes lead to a sinful behavior.
• "right" - agrees with God's design for family and the relationship between the parent and child.

2 Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise,

• "honor" - respect, courtesy and obedience. This comes from being placed in a God-given position.
• A child's response to their parents is typically directly reflective of how they respond to all relationships.
• If they have a learned behavior as a child it will be one they will potentially struggle with in their flesh as an adult.
• The only way to overcome that is through spiritual maturity and walking by the Spirit.
• The "promise" is mentioned in verse 3.

3 so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.

• Exodus 20:12 - Commandment #5 - 12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. [2]
• "go well" - God designed the world with a working order... if you work inside that order... things have a tendency to go well... percentages are higher than those who oppose the God-ordained system and have to deal with consequences.
• "long life" - not a guarantee for longevity but a promise that your obedient life is less likely to bring death because of logical consequences from sin.
• All parties must be filled with the Spirit so that the relationships can work as designed.

4 Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

• Many times, one's relationship with their earthly father is a reflection of the person's thoughts on their heavenly Father which can be both good or bad.
• This is why it is necessary for the Truth to shape your perspective of God.
• 1) No performance-based acceptance (Titus 3:5; Romans 3:20)
• 2) Makes sacrifices for them and makes them feel special (John 3:16).
• 3) Never condemns their person (Rom 8:1) but corrects their behavior with a tear in His eye rather than a scowl on His face (Heb 12:5-11)
• 4) Never shows favoritism (Gal 3:28)
• 5) Makes decisions on how it will help... not hinder his children (principle of the cross).
• When you leave the hospital with your first born... "Where is the instruction manual?" Same as when they become a teenager or enter high school...
• "bring them up" - nourish toward maturity, to rear up.
• "training/discipline" - physical punishment (Prov 13:24)
• We can't rescue our kids from logical consequences.
• Everyone learns the hard way... take your lumps...
• Allow them room to fail and suffer the outcome within the season they are under your roof.
• "instruction" - Training by the Word, by both encouragement and reproof.
• Discipline without instruction can create an angry and confused child.

 
SLAVES AND MASTERS
5 Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as you would Christ.

• History of Master/Slave relationships:
• Before Acts 2, the Romans treated slaves as animals.
• The Master/Slave relationship had greatly changed at the time of writing of Ephesians and was widely accepted in society.
• Kent Hughes: "Ephesians" - The fact is, by the time of the Christian area and writing of this Ephesians, sweeping changes had been introduced which radically improved the treatment of slaves. Slaves under Roman law in the first century could generally count on eventually being set free. Very few ever reached old age as slaves. Slave owners were releasing slaves at such a rate that Augustus Caesar introduced legal restrictions to curb the trend. Despite this, inscriptions indicate that almost 50 percent of slaves were freed before the age of thirty. What is more, while the slave remained his master's possession he could own property - including other slaves! and completely controlled his own property, so that he could invest and save to purchase his own freedom.
• We also must understand that being a slave did not indicate one's social class. Slaves, regularly were accorded the social status of their owners. Regarding outward appearance, it was usually impossible to distinguish a slave from free persons. A slave could be a custodian, a salesman, or CEO. Many slaves lived separately from their owners. Finally, selling oneself into slavery was commonly used as a means of obtaining Roman citizenship and gaining an entrance into society. Roman slavery in the first century was far more humane and civilized than the American/African slavery practiced in this country much later. This is a sobering and humbling fact!
• Slavery was never condemned in the New Testament and was even affirmed by Jesus through His teachings.
• It was necessary to prevent economic disaster for all.
• It nowhere resembled what we think of when we hear the word "slavery".
• The Master/Slave relationship is very similar to our Employee/Employer relationship today.
• Believers (who know who they are) have a huge impact on the work society.
• They are the ones who truly understand the role of submission.
• They are filled with the Spirit unlike nonbelievers.
• They understand there is an intentional authority order to things.
• Mutual submission is the goal in such relationships, not a dictatorship.
• "fear & trembling" - respect and responsibility.
• "sincerity" - Singleness, purity and uprightness.

6 Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart.

• Not by "eyeservice" - Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you (NLT)
• 1) Some employees like to just check off a list.
• 2) Some like to do things as if they were doing it for themself.
• 3) Others like to do it as if they are trying to impress their boss.
• 4) Paul is saying, "Do your work as if you are doing it for Jesus". Jesus came to serve.
• Of the 4 types of employees, which one would you want to work for you?
• Which one would you have to consistently check up on?
• Work from the perspective of what the employer will receive rather than what you will receive.
• Do you ever notice good workers... "I'd hire that person in a heartbeat."

7 Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,

• Many times you will not be recognized for your work...
• That is why it is important to have the attitude of rendering your service to the Lord rather than to your employer.

8 knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.

• Paul is saying that "good deeds never go unnoticed by God."
• Even if the employer does not reward you, God will!

9 And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.[3]

• As the Christian masters of Paul's day interacted with the slaves, they were to display the same respect they expected in return.
• Again, only employers with the Spirit of God in them will understand this concept.

Submission is the key to relationships... As the body of Christ, we are called to a life of submission (not weakness) to one another.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 53). Victor Books.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Ex 20:12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 6:1–9). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Lamentations

• Like the Book of Job, the Book of Lamentations addresses human suffering.
• Unlike Job, Lamentations focuses on national suffering—specifically, the suffering of Judah.
• Along the way, the book tackles some of the toughest questions faced by God’s people:

1) How can God’s love and justice be reconciled with our pain?
2) Where was God during His people’s unhappiest hour?
 
Remember the difference between Old Covenant & New Covenant…

• Don’t just read all this into your own life.
• Old Covenant – God based everything on their behavior:

1. Good = Blessed
2. Evil = Cursed

• New Covenant – We have a Spirit inside of us.

1. We walk by the Spirit = Adventure
2. We walk by the flesh = Logical consequences

The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple occurred in 587 BC.

• National disaster

 
Lamentations 1 – Suffering of Jerusalem
2 She weeps aloud during the night, with tears on her cheeks.
There is no one to offer her comfort, not one from all her lovers. 
All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.
 
Lamentations 2 – Suffering of the Temple
6 He has done violence to His temple as if it were a garden booth, destroying His place of meeting.
    The LORD has abolished appointed festivals and Sabbaths in Zion. He has despised king and priest in His fierce anger.
7 The Lord has rejected His altar, repudiated His sanctuary; He has handed the walls of her palaces over to the enemy.
They have raised a shout in the house of the LORD as on the day of an appointed festival.
8 The LORD determined to destroy the wall of Daughter Zion. He stretched out a measuring line and did not restrain Himself from destroying. He made the ramparts and walls grieve; together they waste away.
9 Zion’s gates have fallen to the ground; He has destroyed and shattered the bars on her gates. Her king and her leaders live among the nations, instruction is no more, and even her prophets receive no vision from the LORD.

• 1) Jehovah was far more concerned with his people’s lives than the material trappings of the temple. Hence, he had his temple destroyed as a part of Judah’s punishment.
• 2) God can work through a wicked nation (e.g., the Babylonians [cf. Jeremiah 25:9f]) to accomplish a greater good.
• 3) Judah’s destruction was a fulfillment of earlier prophecy.

 
Lamentations 3 – Suffering of Jeremiah

• Every truly spiritual person will be concerned for the welfare of God’s people as a whole.
• The faithful Christian must never isolate himself and ignore the condition of the church as it exists everywhere.

22 Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.
23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
24 I say: The LORD is my portion; therefore, I will put my hope in Him.
 
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.
26 It is good to wait quietly for deliverance from the LORD.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young.

28 Let him sit alone and be silent, for God has disciplined him.
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust — perhaps there is still hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with shame.
31 For the Lord will not reject us forever.
32 Even if He causes suffering, He will show compassion according to His abundant, faithful love.
33 For He does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind.
 
Lamentations 4 – Suffering of the Siege

• 1) When children suffered, some doubtless wondered, “Where is God?” But we must remember this, in a world that is plagued with evil, sometimes even the innocent suffer.
• 2) Apostasy sometimes begins among those who should be the safeguards against it—the religious leaders. There is great responsibility in leadership (cf. James 3:1).

10 The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children; they became their food during the destruction of my dear people.
11 The LORD has exhausted His wrath, poured out His burning anger; He has ignited a fire in Zion, and it has consumed her foundations.
12 The kings of the earth and all the world’s inhabitants did not believe that an enemy or adversary could enter Jerusalem’s gates.
13 Yet it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous within her.
 
Lamentations 5 – Penitent Plea from Judah
16 The crown has fallen from our head.
Woe to us, for we have sinned.
17 Because of this, our heart is sick;
because of these, our eyes grow dim:
18 because of Mount Zion, which lies desolate
and has jackals prowling in it.
19 You, Lord, are enthroned forever;
Your throne endures from generation to generation.
20 Why have You forgotten us forever,
abandoned us for our entire lives?
21 Lord, restore us to Yourself, so we may return;
renew our days as in former times,
22 unless You have completely rejected us
and are intensely angry with us.

• It is a truism beyond dispute that when men turn away from God, he will turn away from them.
• His holy nature cannot tolerate rebellion (Habakkuk 1:13).
• His justice demands punishment (Psalm 89:14).
• Happily, though, Jehovah is a God of tender compassion, and he is anxious to forgive those who yield to his divine will.
• God did remember the Hebrew people.
• A half century later, the restoration from Babylonian captivity was begun.
• The people came home again and the temple was rebuilt.
• But preliminary to that, many hard—though-valuable lessons had to be learned by the Jews.[1]

 
 
Let’s talk about parenting…

• Keith asked me a question if a child’s behavior could be the result of parenting.
• Keith Tyner: Was there any correlation between a parent's pursuit of Jesus and their child's behavior?
• Keith Tyner: Or would my pursuit of Jesus protect my family from rebellion?
• Reactive parenting vs proactive parenting.
• Logical negative consequences
• What do you do when you have done everything you can do for your child?
• Can you make decisions for them?
• How painful is it to watch them make bad decisions and there is nothing you can do?
• Sometimes you even have to make hard decisions to get them to hopefully change their ways.
• What is the biggest thing you can do to help your helpless child?
• Pray
• Love
• Trust
  ​
  

[1] Jackson, Wayne. "Lessons from Lamentations." ChristianCourier.com. Access date: March 12, 2016. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1493-lessons-from-lamentations