"THE EPISTLE TO TITUS" Adorning The Doctrine Of God (2:9-10) INTRODUCTION 1. Instructing Titus to "speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine" (Tit 2:1)... a. Paul described conduct becoming those of different ages and genders b. Older men and older women, young women and young men, including Titus himself 2. He also prescribed conduct becoming those who were slaves - Tit 2:9-10 a. Which we can easily apply to ourselves as workers b. Conduct which Paul said enabled them to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior" 3. What is meant to "adorn the doctrine of God"? As expressed in other translations... a. "they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive" (NIV) b. "they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior" (NRSV) [The idea is "to show the beauty of the teaching of God" (NET). Christian workers have the opportunity to show the beauty and value of following God's doctrine. That such may true with us, let's take Paul instructions to those who were servants and apply them to us as workers...] I. CONDUCT BECOMING WORKERS A. OBEDIENT TO THOSE OVER THEM... 1. Other translations use the words "submissive" (ESV) and "subject" (NASB) 2. Such obedience is further qualified in other epistles: a. "with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;" - Ep 6:5 b. "not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart," - Ep 6:6 c. "with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men" - Ep 6:7 d. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men," - Col 3:23 e. "knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. - Col 3:24 -- Christian workers should offer sincere obedience to their employers out of devotion to Christ B. WELL-PLEASING IN ALL THINGS... 1. As expressed in other translations: a. "trying to please them" (NIV) b. "to give satisfaction in every respect" (NRSV) c. "to do what is wanted" (NET) 2. Assuming that what is asked is legal and morally right a. We may think it stupid or unsound business-wise b. But our task is to do what is asked of us -- Christian workers should seek to make their bosses' ideas successful C. NOT ANSWERING BACK... 1. As found in other translations: a. "not argumentative" (ESV) b. "not to talk back to them" (NIV) 2. Unless, of course, the boss or employer looks for constructive feedback -- Christian workers should avoid arguing with those in authority over them D. NOT PILFERING... 1. That is, not stealing that which belongs to the owner or company 2. Stealing, embezzling their master's substance, taking away, and making use of what is their property, keeping back part of money or goods committed to their trust: the word is used in the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Ac 5:2). - Gill -- Christian workers should not take that which does not belong them E. SHOWING ALL GOOD FIDELITY... 1. "to show that they can be fully trusted" (NIV) 2. Approving themselves to be faithful servants in everything they are entrusted with - Gill -- Christian workers should be those that any boss or company can trust completely! [Whether errand boy or company president, sound doctrine calls for Christian to be the best workers a company could want. Imagine the impact on productivity and employee relations if all Christians would take such teaching to heart and life. To encourage us to do so, here are some...] II. EXAMPLES TO INSPIRE WORKERS A. JOSEPH... 1. Though a slave, a successful worker because the Lord blessed him - Gen 39:1-5 2. Blessed because of his fidelity to the Lord and his master - Gen 39:6-9 3. Even in prison blessed by Lord with success - Gen 39:21-23 4. Demonstrated humility and was honored by Pharaoh - Gen 41:28-46 -- Despite trying circumstances, Joseph adorned the doctrine of God with his example of fidelity and humility as he served those over him B. DANIEL... 1. Though a captive, and tempted by the king's delicacies, he was determined to be true to God - Dan 1:3-6,8 2. The Lord blessed his efforts to be faithful to Him - Dan 1:9 3. Daniel showed respect to those over him - Dan 1:11-13 4. In his old age, he continued to put God first though it was at great risk a. Daniel was distinguished by the quality of his work - Dan 6:1-3 b. His enemies could find no fault in him - Dan 6:4-5 c. Despite their attempts to kill him, Daniel continued to serve God - Dan 6:6-10 d. His service and fidelity resulted in the praise of God and prosperity - Dan 6:26-28 -- In youth and old age, Daniel adorned the doctrine of God with his dedication to putting God first, even over those who employed him E. MODERN DAY EXAMPLES... 1. Men and women who excel in their professions because they put God first 2. Workers who are highly valued for their service, often retained and even promoted while others are let go -- Who will God bless and businesses promote today? Any worker who dares to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior! CONCLUSION 1. Again we see that "sound doctrine" is not limited to "church issues"... a. Though certainly we need to be sound on issues related to the Lord's church b. But it goes far beyond, reaching to how we raise our families and conduct our business 2. Remember that "sound doctrine" is that which is spiritually healthy, wholesome... a. What can be more "sound" than to "adorn the doctrine of God"? b. What can be more "spiritually healthy" than to "make the teaching of God attractive"? May God's grace empower us to be the kind of men, women, and workers that will make us "ornaments" illustrating the value of serving God. As Paul wrote to the Romans... I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Ro 12:1-2 Are we living in such a way as to prove that God's will is good, acceptable, and perfect...?
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
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