Titus 2:1-10 (Day 4)

Godly Behavior

2:1 You should actually be "As for you" Titus teach what is in accord with sound doctrine, "Healthy Teaching."

2:2 - Older Men
Characteristics of Maturity:

• Temperate - "Well-Balanced" 
• Worthy of respect "Serious-minded" ie not clowns
• Self-controlled

Marks of Godliness

• Faith
• Love
• Endurance - closely aligned with "hope" especially for those who have lived  long lives. 

2:3 - Older Women
Behave Reverently

• Not to be Slanders (1 Tim 3:11) - the verb slander comes from the noun "devil" the chief of slanders. 
• Not addicted to much wine (1 Tim 3:8)

- Both were real possibilities for women whose families were grown and have have had too much idle time on their hands (cf 1 Tim 5:13-15).

Develop a Ministry of teaching Younger Women 
What is good. Younger women with children were to keep their primary focus at home, but the older women would do well to reach outside their homes and share what they had learned with those who would profit from it most.
By setting an example, young women can imitate and get advice from strong, Christ-like women. I have been extremely blessed in this area: God sent me Mrs. Simpson. Throughout my older teenage years, through dating Nathan, entering into marriage and being a married woman, Mrs. S has been there for me 100%! Every phone call, every conversation, every word of understanding and each time she listened to me has been so valuable I will never forget it. Sometimes the conversation would reach 3 hours, I remember one week I called her close to every day. While preparing for the wedding, she would take me to McDonald's every Thursday and we would talk, bible study and pray. I have learned SO much from her and even the fact that I had someone to help me through some of the darkest times in my life and be there for all the others has made a tremendous difference and I don't ever want to think about where I would be without her. I pray that God blesses her for all she's done for me - not only that, but she was kind, gracious, considerate and trustworthy every time. She never made me feel like I was a burden to her and with her personal stories of life experience I could cope and later rejoice in my situation. I pray that every girl has a woman like her in their lives, and that I can one day be that woman for someone else. 


* Green = Jeremiah Bolich
2:4-5 - Younger Women
The proper priorities for a young wife and mother:

• Lovers of their hubbys! - Love = "Phileo" neighborly love ie - as yourself.
• Lovers of their children - Love = ""
• Self-controlled - Not as in Galatians 5:23 but "Sober-minded. Fixed, focused, dwelling upon Christ."
• Pure - "hogious" = holy/sacred. Same world for the the instruments in God's temple = we are for His use only!
• Busy at home "domestic" - Wherever God has you, be productive.
• Kind - Distinguishable among others = Set-apart.
• Subject to their husbands - to a man who "Looks like Jesus." You do not want to be marred to a man who treats you less that Jesus would treat you. Like He treated the Church. 

If Christian wives and mothers can be sure that if they value what the Lord values he will ultimately vindicate both His Word and those who are faithful to it.

I just finished a study on Proverbs 31 through Revive our Hearts and I think that everything mentioned her can be produced when Fear of the Lord is involved. When reading God's Word we develop a deeper and deeper sense of awe for God that allows us to live in greater reverence to Him. As we read the Word and are convicted by the Spirit, Jesus can change our hearts and that will flow through to our actions. O Jesus, I pray this will happen in my life. May it be true of me!

2:6-8 - Younger Men 

• Self-Controlled - Not Gal 5 = "Sober-minded fixed, focused, dwelling upon Jesus (like he would a football game).
• "Show himself" an example to all in every good work (cf 1 Tim 4:15-16 watching your private life and your public ministry closely). -Hold out in:
• Integrity - Character. Reputation. Trust worthy. ("That's not my husband" Ex of a wife being told that her husband was at a bar with another woman.)
• Seriousness - "Gravity" in Greek. Sustenance : What I say is what I mean. Doesn't just say what you want to hear. 
• Soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. - Clear in your speech 1) speaks in a way that he knows how to communicate with his wife. In a way she understands. 2) Vulgarity and Profanity = Gross and unintelligent "Aww, are you retarded?"
• Good (all of it) Parable of the Sower - Good Soil: Everyone planted in his life is effected by his relationship with Jesus Christ. They are changed. Closer to Jesus because of his walk with Him.

So as to not provide opposing forces with ammunition for their attacks.

This list may seem overwhelming - and you may not be able to even think of a guy who fits this description. When I read this message (probably 16) I felt the same kind of hopelessness. Don't limit God! He's so big and great sometimes I think He gets tired of the box we put Him in because He wants to wow us! O how He's done that for me. I had in my mind and heart what I wanted and God had to brake that - seriously, one of the most painful times in my life (Thank God for Mrs. S!). I had resolved myself to think I might get married at 40 if I was lucky. About a month later He brought Nathan into my life. I wish I could describe to you what this has meant for my life. You should read about the 47 things I love about Nathan on areidlybeginning.blogspot.com ; ) 


I am daily thankful for Nathan in my life; how God has blessed me and how Nate goes above and beyond my expectations for a good husband: he loves Jesus, has enormous integrity and has a persistent resolve to do what is right. He understands me so well and makes every effort to communicate with me. Yesterday, while driving, I told him that I felt like he was playing a certain computer game too much and when he asked me what he could do differently, I told him that I was probably just being too jealous and making it to big of a deal. He persisted and said "No, I can't have my wife being discontent. I thrive on you feeling loved and happy. What can I do?" Man, my heart melted all over again. I told him that if every woman was married to a guy like him, there'd be no such thing as divorce. 


I'm not sure how much he's effected others, but I have heard stories that he wouldn't share with me - so modest - from family and friends that leave me feeling blown away. And I know he has changed me. I am so much better of a person and closer to Christ because of him. He truly shows me Jesus.

*Self-control was present in all four groups: Showing the importance of moderation, sensibleness, and self-restrain for all Christians.

2:9-10 - Slaves
As a significant part of the congregation Christians who found themselves serving others were to

• Be subject to their masters in everything
• Try to please them
• Not to talk back to them
• Not to steal from them
• Show that they can be fully trusted

-From the world's perspective a slave should not owe any of these things to his master, but from a Christian's perspective, a Christian slave is not working for his earthly master, but the Lord who will vindicate him in the end (Col 3:23-24).
-In the meantime he was to avoid giving offense, and must concentrate on following Chris' example in every way (1 Peter 2:18-25). In this way his life will prove to be an adornment to the teaching about God our savior.

I think this is applicable to our situations with work or teachers as well. The Bible is very clear on how we are to respect authority - which is why I took off any groups or pages that felt disrespected Obama as a person. I disagree with his politics, but I need to respect him as a man God is allowing to remain in authority over us.

A believer's behavior should be in accord with or befitting sound doctrine.