CHAPTER 3

This chapter is a continuation of Chapter 2, where the exhortation is to
"speak ...things which become sound doctrine," or, reflect in
speech, those things which exhibit sound doctrine.

Then, the Scripture launches into specific things to teach the church.
And, here in chapter 3, those teachings are continued.

The Scripture will include:
1) being subject to lawful authority (vss 1-8),
2) avoid foolish questions and arguments about God's law (Vs 9),
3) a request for Titus to travel to Nicopolis and bring Zenas and Apollos.
(vss 12-14)

Then, there is a closing statement.

Vss 1-2
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates,
to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness
unto all men.

"...Be SUBJECT to" these:
1) principalities..(Greek arche (ar-khay')) = judges,
2) powers..(Greek exausia (ex-oo-see'-ah)) = those in authority,
3) majistrates (Greek peitharcheo (pi-tharkh-eh'-o) = rulers.

THEN, be "ready to do every GOOD work."
For instance:
1) speak evil of no man,
2) be gentle, which is explained in the following part of the verse:
"shewing all meekness."
That means to be self-disciplined in your words and actions toward others.

((At the county fair, Bill & Helen (70 & 68 years old) asked to ride the
helicopter. The pilot told them $100! Helen said, "What can you do for
$50? He said, "Well, if you will guarantee that neither of you will make a
sound, I'll agree." The pilot thought he'd have some fun with the old couple.
After they landed, the pilot asked, "Well what do you think?" Bill handed
him $50, and said, "I almost said something when Helen fell out, but
$50 is $50!"))

Vs 3
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving
divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

As Christians, we surely can say that "WE" have been GUILTY of
the seven sins mentioned!
Most of those are understandable.
Let me just mention two.

Malice, in particular, comes from the Greek kakia, pronounced
kak-ee'-ah.
It means to be bad, have wickedness, or even malice.

Hating comes from the Greek miseh'o, pronounced mis-eh'-o.
It means to detest, and would include prejudice.
The song says Santa KNOWS!
But Jesus REALLY knows!!

Vss 4-7
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy
he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the
hope of eternal life.

> Verse 3 began with "We ourselves were...." SINNERS!

Verse 4 begins with "BUT after that the kindess and love of God our
Saviour toward man appeared," HE CHANGED us!
He changed our MINDS, our HEART, and our ACTIONS!
(See 2Cor. 5:17)

God's kindness and love are SHOWN in JESUS' LIFE!

Verse 5 teaches us that we don't receive salvation by EARNING it;
we receive salvation through God's MERCY and GRACE!
AND, when we receive salvation, He "washes" by His Holy Spirit,
and GIVES us REGENERATION - NEW life!!
Effectively, genuine salvation takes us from being "dead in trespasses
and sin" to being reconciled to, and in relationship with God!

Verse 6 teaches us that salvation is GIVEN to us THROUGH Jesus Christ!
(See Eph. 2:8-9)

Verse 7 teaches us that God JUSTIFIES us by His grace when He ACQUITS
us of our sin-guilt!
AND, He GRANTS us that we become joint-heirs with Christ in ETERNAL
life! (see Eph. 2:1)

We WERE black with SIN!!
BUT, when we surrender to Jesus as Lord of our lives, He washes us CLEAN
and we appear to God in JESUS' robes of bright glory!!

What a LOVING and MERCIFUL God!!

Vs 8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,
that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.
These things are good and profitable unto men.

A "faithful saying" is always true.
It is faithful to say that those who ARE saved, should be "careful to
maintain good works."
That's because we can be of no heavenly mind if we are of no
earthly use!
And, if we MAINTAIN the life of being saved, we are profitable to others!

Vs 9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings
about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

AVOID - stay AWAY from these things:
1) Foolish questions,
2) genealogies,
3) contentions,
4) strivings about they law.

Foolish questions, like "where did Cain get his wife," are not answered,
in the Bible; therefore something we were not meant to know.

Genealogies may be important to us, but WHO you ARE GENUINELY,
is defined by how you are related to CHRIST!

Contentions routinely lead to strife and even prejudice.
They are not "profitable" to evangelistic lifestyles!

And, striving about the Old Testament law is unprofitable because,
as Christians, we are living by GRACE through FAITH in Jesus!
YES! The law is important, because generally it is our schoolmaster,
to teach us godly behavior.
But, let us remember, Jesus died to WASH us from our sins, and to
CHANGE us into DIFFERENT beings!

Vss 10-11
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned
of himself.

Heretick - schismatic - one who seeks to DIVIDE the church!
After admonishing this one twice, REJECT them.
BECAUSE, after the second admonition, he/she has ALREADY
condemned him/herself because he/she is NOT abiding by verse 2!!

12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come
unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing
be wanting unto them.
14 And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they
be not unfruitful.

Here are some instructions for Titus.
When Artemas, or Tychicus and Zenas and Apollos comes to Titus, he is to bring
them to Paul at Nicopolis.
AND, Titus is to provide them with their needs.

Obviously, these men were important to Paul.
He probably even had specific plans for their work in the ministry.

It is important that we cooperate with others, even providing for them
if necessary.

Verse 14 tells us that we should strive to make sure our ministry team
"maintain(s) good works," and DO that wherever there are
"necessary uses," so they will not be "unfruitful."
THIS is a Christian WORK ETHIC!

15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.

Paul assures Titus that those who are with him, send greetings.
And, Paul requests that Titus convey Paul's greetings to those with Titus.

Then, a short prayer.
"GRACE be WITH you all! AMEN!"

Short joke here to exhibit a point.
(The Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding throgh the prairie.
All of a sudden they were surrounded by treacherous warriors
swinging and slinging arrows.
The Lone Ranger said,, "Tonto, it looks like we have a fight on our hands!"
Tonto said, "WE? What you mean pale-face?"))

Be diligent in ministry, especially when working with others.
Be sure to maintain good works, and encourage others to do the same.
Be confident in the Lord Jesus, and do as HE would!