Scripture: Titus 1:1-4

I. You need God for a wonderful life.

A. Paul uses the word God ___ times in the first four verses of his letter to Titus. Paul is obsessed with God. If you want a wonderful life, God needs to be at the center of your heart. God is called Savior twice in this passage. In verse 3 God the Father is called God our Savior. Then in vs. 4 we read about Christ Jesus our Savior. We were in danger of suffering God’s judgment and death, but God chose to save us.

B. Titus 3:5: “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus died for our sins, and we were saved. How then do you feel about God and Jesus who saved you? We in the church have been chosen to be saved by God. We are God’s elect (Titus 1:1). How does it make your heart feel to know that you have been chosen by God for salvation?

II. You need faith in God for a wonderful life.

A. The first purpose of Paul’s ministry in vs. 1 was for the sake of the faith of God’s elect. Paul would preach (vs. 3) to everyone, confident that those God had chosen would respond with faith. All of us have been commanded to tell other people the good news about Jesus. Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

B. To be saved then you need to have faith. But this faith is not faith in faith. Our faith has definite content to it. Our faith is based on knowledge of the truth (vs. 1). Faith is based on knowledge of the truth about God. Faith in God gives you hope of eternal life (vs. 2). Life on this earth is not all that there is. Beyond this world is another world. What you do today on this earth has eternal implications for the world to come. What a wonderful life!

III. You need godliness for a wonderful life.

A. The second purpose of Paul’s ministry according to vs. 1 was godliness. It was for the purpose of the church knowing the truth about God. But this knowledge was not an end in itself. Knowledge about God must lead to godliness. A godly life is a life of mature Christian character. A godly person lives in a close relationship with God through prayer and Bible reading and worship and fellowship, and a godly person lives a moral and righteous life that pleases God. A godly life will necessarily be a changed life.

Application:
Eternal fates are sealed through your witness and your godly lives.

Sources:
The letter to Titus
Commentaries by Andreas Köstenberger, Tim Chester and Robert Yarbrough

Sermon Discussion Questions

1) You are what you love. Do you agree or disagree? How will love for God affect the way that you live?

2) Where does the power come to share your faith in Jesus? Who are you praying for to put their faith in Jesus?

3) Who is growing in godliness through your life and ministry? Who are you praying for that he/she will grow in godliness?