"THE EPISTLE TO TITUS" Sound Doctrine For Older Men (2:1-2)

 "THE EPISTLE TO TITUS"

Sound Doctrine For Older Men (2:1-2)

INTRODUCTION

1. The task given to Titus was to "set in order the things that are
   lacking"...
   a. Which involved appointing elders to shepherd the local churches
      - Tit 1:5-16
   b. It also including speaking things which are proper for sound
      doctrine - Tit 2:1-10

2. The word "sound" (hugiaino) means...
   a. Literally to be well, to be in good health - Thayer
   b. Sound doctrine is therefore that which is spiritually healthy,
      wholesome

3. Sound doctrine includes many things...
   a. Spiritual truths related to the gospel, the church, etc.
   b. But also exhortations related to godly conduct

[Such is certainly the case in our text, where "things which are proper
for sound doctrine" include how Christians are to be and act.  In this
study, we shall focus our attention on...]

I. CONDUCT BECOMING OLDER MEN

   A. SOBER, REVERENT, TEMPERATE...
      1. Sober (nephalios)
         a. Sober, temperate, self-controlled, especially in respect to
            wine
         b. Used metaphorically, meaning sober-minded, watchful,
            circumspect
         c. It is that state of mind which is free from the excessive
            influence of passion, lust or emotion - The Complete
            WordStudy Dictionary
      2. Reverent (semnos)
         a. Venerable, reverend, reputable, dignified
         b. It represents not only earthly dignity (kosmios), but that
            which is derived from a higher citizenship, a heavenly one,
            which is the possession of all believers
         c. There lies something of majestic and awe-inspiring qualities
            in semnos which does not repel but rather invites and
            attracts - ibid.
      3. Temperate (sophron)
         a. Discreet, sober, temperate, of a sound mind
         b. Self-disciplined in one's freedom, self-restrained in all
            passions and desires - ibid.
      -- Older men are to set the tone of a congregation by their
         sobriety, reverence and temperate nature

   B. SOUND IN FAITH, LOVE, PATIENCE...
      1. Faith (pistis)
         a. Subjectively meaning firm persuasion, conviction, belief in
            the truth, veracity, reality or faithfulness (though rare)
         b. Objectively meaning that which is believed, doctrine, the
            received articles of faith - The Complete WordStudy
            Dictionary
      2. Love (agape)
         a. Love, affectionate regard, goodwill, benevolence
         b. Spoken more especially of good will toward others, the love
            of our neighbor, brotherly affection, which the Lord Jesus
            commands and inspires - ibid.
      3. Patience (hupomone)
         a. A bearing up under, patience, endurance as to things or
            circumstances
         b. This is in contrast to makrothumia, long-suffering or
            endurance toward people
         c. Associated with hope (1Th 1:3) and refers to that quality
            of character which does not allow one to surrender to
            circumstances or succumb under trial - ibid.
      -- Aged men may be unhealthy in body due to physical infirmities,
         but they are to be spiritually sound through an ever-increasing
         faith, love, and patience

[Older men often think their age is an excuse to let younger ones take
over in regards to the service of Christ and His church.  Yet God's Word
reveals otherwise.  Consider some...]

II. EXAMPLES TO INSPIRE OLDER MEN

   A. MOSES AND AARON...
      1. They were chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage
      2. At the ages of 80 and 83 - cf. Exo 7:7
      3. When they were already past the normal life span 

          - cf. Psa 90:10 (written by Moses)
      -- Who did God chose to lead His people?  Men past their prime!

   B. JOSHUA AND CALEB...
      1. Joshua was given the charge of leading the conquest of Canaan,
         during the last thirty years of his life (he lived until he was
         110) - cf. Josh 24:29
      2. Caleb was also very much involved, and he was in his eighties
         - cf. Josh 14:6-11
      -- Who did God use to fight His battles?  Aged men willing to take
         a stand!

   C. DANIEL...
      1. Served God from the days of his youth, for over 70 years! - cf.
         Dan 1:21
      2. Was well over eighty when he...
         a. Served as one of three governors over the kingdom of Babylon
            - Dan 6:1-3
         b. Was thrown into the lions' den - Dan 6:4-27
         c. Prospered in the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian
            - Dan 6:28
      -- Who did God use to stand as a beacon to the world?  A man who
         could have said, "Haven't I done enough?"

   D. PAUL, THE AGED...
      1. As he refers to himself in Phm 1:9
      2. Yet we know at this time in his life, he was busy
         a. Writing letters (Ep, Co, Ph, Phe), while under house arrest
         b. Traveling, visiting, encouraging churches, after he was
            released
      -- Who did God use to reveal half the New Testament?  A man who
         refused to retire!

   E. MODERN DAY EXAMPLES...
      1. Evangelists, elders, missionaries, ministering into their
         eighties and beyond
      2. Other dedicated Christian men I have known, active in local
         church work
      3. Men who would rather wear out than rust out
      -- Who does God use today?  Aged men who refuse to stop working
         for the Lord!

CONCLUSION

1. It is not enough to be considered "sound" (healthy) just because...
   a. We stood for the truth in the past
   b. We served in the church for many years in the past

2. An aged man who is spiritually sound continues to be...
   a. Sober, reverent, and temperate
   b. Healthy in faith, love, and patience
   c. Willing to serve whenever and wherever His Lord gives him the
      opportunity!

Yes, sound doctrine calls for aged men to "bear fruit in old age", as
David described in his psalm....

   The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow
   like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house
   of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They
   shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and
   flourishing, To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my
   rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. - Ps 92:12-15

And as Paul wrote in his epistle...

   Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man
   is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
                                                    - 2Co 4:16

Do not let our age excuse us from continuing to grow and serve...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016