"THE EPISTLE TO TITUS" Sound Doctrine For Young Men (2:6-8) INTRODUCTION 1. Once more our text deals with "things which are proper for sound doctrine" - Tit 2:1 a. Doctrine that is spiritually healthy, wholesome b. In this case, exhortations related to godly conduct 2. We have already considered... a. Conduct becoming older men, older women, young women - Tit 2:2-5 b. Examples to inspire each to be fruitful in their service to the Lord [Now we turn our attention to...] I. CONDUCT BECOMING YOUNG MEN A. SOBER-MINDED... 1. The Greek word is sophroneo a. To be sane, in one's right mind a. By implication to be sober-minded, to think and act soberly, discreetly, to use sound judgment and moderation, to be self-disciplined - TCWD 2. A related trait (sophron) enjoined upon: a. Older men (where it is translated as 'temperate') - Tit 2:2 b. Young women (where it is translated as 'discreet') - Tit 2:5 3. As translated by other versions: a. Self-controlled - ESV, NASB, NIV, NRSV b. Sensible - HCSB -- Young men are to have their minds and passions in control, exercising self-discipline B. IN ALL THINGS A PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS... 1. Pattern (tupos) a. A prototype; particularly of a pattern or model after which something is to be made (cf. He 8:5) - TCWD b. Figuratively an example, pattern to be imitated, followed (cf. 1Ti 4:12) - ibid. 2. Good works (kalos ergon) a. Good deeds, noble deeds, useful deeds b. In which Christ intends for us to be zealous - cf. Tit 2:14; 3:1,8,14 -- Young men with their natural strength and zeal should set the pattern for good works C. IN DOCTRINE SHOWING INTEGRITY, REVERENCE, INCORRUPTIBILITY... 1. Doctrine (didaskalia) a. Teaching, instruction - Thayer b. The art or manner of teaching, as well as that which is taught, may be under consideration 2. Integrity (adiaphthoria) a. Incorruptibility, integrity, freedom from corruptible mixtures or adulterations - TCWD b. Titus was advised not to mix in his teaching anything that would in any way deprive Christian teaching of its eternal value and cause it to be relegated to second place - ibid. 3. Reverence (semnotes) a. Gravity, honesty - Strong b. The manner in which a preacher delivers his message, should be such as to command respect. He should evince good sense, undoubted piety, an acquaintance with his subject, simplicity, seriousness, and earnestness, in his manner. - Barnes 4. Incorruptibility (aphtharsia) a. Purity, sincerity, incorrupt - Thayer b. This word is omitted in some manuscripts, likewise in more recent translations -- Young men who teach are to be concerned with purity of doctrine and presentation D. WITH SOUND SPEECH THAT CANNOT BE CONDEMNED... 1. Sound speech (hugies logos) a. Sound speech or doctrine, wholesome, right - TCWD b. To use language that would be spiritually "healthful" - Barnes c. Similar to "sound doctrine" in verse 1 - Tit 2:1 d. Using speech that imparts grace to the hearers - cf. Ep 4:29; Col 4:6 2. That cannot be condemned (akatagnostos) a. Blameless - Strong b. Irreprehensible, not worthy of condemnation, not to be condemned or blamed - TCWD c. Especially by those who seek to oppose us and speak evil of us - cf. Tit 2:5 -- Young men are to also set the pattern in the kind of speech they use [Such is conduct becoming of young men. Youth is no excuse for loose conduct or careless speech. On the contrary, young men are to set the pattern for all Christians (cf. 1Ti 4:12). As done previously, let's now consider some...] II. EXAMPLES TO INSPIRE YOUNG MEN A. JOSEPH... 1. A young man betrayed by his brothers, sold as a slave in Egypt - Gen 37:1-36 2. Maintained his integrity despite his circumstances - Gen 39: 1-12 -- God used such a young man to save the nation of Israel from famine B. DAVID... 1. In his youth, his faith in God overcame giants! - 1Sa 17:37, 45-51 2. His integrity illustrated by his unwillingness to kill King Saul - 1Sa 24:1-15 -- God made such a young man to be king over the nation of Israel C. DANIEL... 1. In his teens, Daniel was honored to be trained for service to a king - Dan 1:3-6 2. Yet he determined not to defile himself, even at the risk of his life - Dan 1:8-9 -- God used such a young man to influence the most powerful man in the world! D. TIMOTHY... 1. He assisted Paul as a young disciple - Ac 16:1-3 2. His youth was to be no excuse - 1Ti 4:12 3. He served Paul as a son, even to the last days of Paul's life - 2Ti 1:1-2; 4:6-9 -- God used such a young man to help Paul spread the gospel and establish churches E. MODERN DAY EXAMPLES... 1. Young men who serve the Lord and His church with whatever abilities they have 2. Young men who teach, preach, lead singing and prayers in the public assemblies 3. Young men who resist temptation, seek the Lord's will in their life first -- Who will God use today? Any young man who dares to follow the Lord! CONCLUSION 1. Young men can do so much to benefit a local congregation... a. By their example, by their words b. By their zeal, by their strength 2. Let us be careful not to despise their youth... a. Just as Timothy was told not to let others despise his youthfulness - 1Ti 4:12 b. Especially when they are engaged in the work of the Lord - cf. 1Co 16:10,11 While we should long to have elders in every church (cf. Tit 1:5), so we should be thrilled to have young men who are just as dedicated in their service to the Lord...!Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
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