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Living a Wonderful Life

Scripture: Titus 2:1-10

I. You live a wonderful life by discipling other Christians.

A. Paul ends Titus 1 by talking about the rebellious false teachers in Crete (Titus 1:16). Paul opens chapter 2 by writing to Titus, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” This is teaching that leads to spiritual and emotional health and to a wonderful life.

B. Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” We are to make disciples as we teach by word and by example (vs. 7). Who do we disciple? People at all ages and stages of life (vs. 2-8). Older people in the church are to disciple younger people. Find someone to disciple you, and find someone to disciple.

II. You live a wonderful life by self-control.

A. Did you notice how often Paul mentions self-control in Titus 2? See vs. 2, 5, 6 and 12. When Christians mature in their faith in Jesus, fickleness, rash passion and impulsiveness become things of the past. What does self-control look like for a Christian? It looks like being able to keep your emotions under control rather than being under the control of your emotions.

B. What are the temptations that cause men and women to lose their self-control? Old men can be tempted to be grumpy rather than steadfast (vs. 2) in faith. Old women can be tempted to use their words to be slanderers (vs. 3) rather than building other women up. Young women can lose self-control by being discontent with working at home (vs. 5). This does not mean women can’t work outside the home (See Prov. 31). But young women must not be frustrated or feel worthless if lacking a career. Young men can lose their self-control (vs. 6) in lust, ambition and impatience.

III. You live a wonderful life by submission.

A. Twice in Titus 2 Paul tells certain people to submit. In verse 5 Paul writes that wives are to be submissive to their own husbands. And in verse 9 we read that bondservants or slaves are to be submissive to their own masters. In marriage, submission for a wife means living in line with a husbands’ loving leadership. Submission does not mean that husbands have a license to suppress or oppress or abuse their wives. Employees are not slaves, but they should follow Paul’s direction to slaves to be faithful in their work and honor authority (vs. 10).

Application:
A wonderful life means discipling other Christians into the likeness of Jesus.

Sources:
The Bible
Commentaries by Andreas Köstenberger, Denny Burk, Tim Chester and Robert Yarbrough

Sermon Discussion Questions

  1. Who are you discipling? Who are you being discipled by?
  2. In which areas of your life do you need greater self-control? What would self-control look like for you?
  3. How can submission to others be a beautiful thing? How can submission be an ugly thing?