SPIRITUAL OXYGEN IN A POLITICAL CESSPOOL Titus 3:1-8
Pastor Dennis Bone
11-6-16
There is a story of a wealthy man who was critically ill and the doctor told him that the only thing that could save him was a brain transplant. The man said, “Money is no object; can you get a brain?” The doctor said “Yes, there are three available. The first is from a university professor, but it will cost you $10,000; and the second is from a rocket scientist but that will cost $100,000. The man said, “I have the money for that and it might make me smarter too. But what about the third.” The doctor said, “O, it’s a government bureaucrat but that one will set you back a half a million dollars. The man was somewhat shocked and asked, “Why so much for the bureaucrat’s brain?” The doctor said, “Never been used.”
When we look at our system of government, and so many of our politicians and candidates for office, it’s so easy for us to be cynical, sarcastic and pessimistic. One TV commentator last week said, “President Obama should make an executive order to install showers at every polling place.” As Christians, it’s as if we have to hold our nose and vote. I wondered if my sermon title was a little too edgy or provocative, but we all need some spiritual oxygen to navigate through this political season and beyond. The cesspool will not be drained any time soon, no matter who wins, thus as Christians we need to put on our biblical oxygen masks in order to live in a very messy, and spiritually stinky world.
It’s very providential that this Sunday, right before an election, we come to a passage which talks about our responsibility as Christians to leaders in authority over us, as well as unbelievers who live among us as our neighbors.So as we move into Titus chapter 3 this morning, I trust that we will be reminded of the things we need to know and do in order to be good citizens of this country as we eagerly await the heavenly one to come.
Turn with me then to Titus chapter 3; and follow along as I read verses 1 – 8:Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
In chapter 2 Paul talked about how to live and behave as good citizens of God’s family, and now in chapter 3 he speaks about how to live and behave as good citizens in the world’s family. Paul is teaching us that if we do what is right and good, according to God’s Word, it will benefit us and everyone around us. The principles that Paul sets forth in this passage, are based on this highest of principles: Glorify God in all areas of your life. It’s this fundamental biblical principle that will provide us with the spiritual oxygen necessary to live effectively as Christians in this world. The first point to consider is the duty to be good citizens. In the first two verses, Paul gives us instructions to be subject to rulers and to be gracious towards our neighbors. There are two main categories of people in view here: those we live under – rulers or leaders who have authority over us – and those we live with – that is, our neighbors, or the rest of the people around us.
The way we fulfill our duty to be good citizens as Christians is first: Be obedient to government unless it requires you to be disobedient to God. Paul didn’t know anything about our political system or our country; and he probably could have never envisioned the kind of freedom and opportunity there is for us as Christians, especially in contrast to first century Rome. We think we have corruption and chaos, and we do, yet Paul writes these words to Christians in a pagan culture where corrupt tyrants made bad laws, persecuted and often killed people who broke them, and in which the majority of people had no choices. Yet the command is simply this: submit and obey.
Is Paul crazy? Is Paul wrong or misguided? No, because he believed the principle was bigger than the persons who ruled; and that God established governments for His glory, not our glory; and not for our convenience but for His sovereign purposes. Do we really believe this? God is doing something far greater than just giving us two lousy choices for president this time around; He is reminding us of our duty no matter who is elected or appointed to office. Does this mean we shouldn’t vote or care? No, of course not, but it may mean that we need to change how we think and act after the vote.
I find it significant that neither Paul, Peter nor Jesus ever spoke out against the government of the day, although at times they disobeyed it and expected Christians to do the same if necessary, but the clear principle taught by the New Testament as well as the Old, is to submit, respect and obey the government. Not because it is always right or just or fair, but because it is our duty as Christians to be good citizens. I want to make it clear that the principle does not mean that we cannot speak out against what the government does or imposes, or stand up for God’s truth; rather it’s the approach and how we do it. Daniel gives us a great example of how you can strongly disagree, even in the midst of the government, yet does it with respect and graciousness. As Christians we can do the same if we follow Paul’s clear instructions.
In verse two Paul tells us what it means to be good citizens, not only towards rulers but towards all people. It’s true that we often don’t have good rulers and it’s also true that we don’t always have good neighbors. Yet as Christians we are called to submit to our rulers (whether we like them or not and whoever they may be) and we are called to love our neighbors (which is everyone, whether we like them or not). Thus we see a second point: speak against sin, both beliefs and behavior, but respect people; and seek peace without being contentious. In order to do what is good towards both categories of people Paul has in view he says in verse 2:“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men.”
Our approach towards people should not be to speak or think the worst or to totally distance ourselves from those who disagree with us. Look at the polarization of our country because of this, but it’s not our job to change the country, it’s our primary job to change ourselves, and to be the kind of people God calls us to be. Rude haters don’t convince anyone and certainly don’t glorify God, yet passive, withdrawn Christians don’t do much good to advance the glory of the gospel. Some Christians in an attempt to get out of the world’s cesspool create their own, by complaining, criticizing and condemning the world around them and most of the people in it, rather than seeking the spiritual oxygen they need to be good neighbors, and influence change in this world. Of course this is harder because it might smell bad and you might get some trash on you, but isn’t this one of the main reasons that God keeps His people in this world?
Thus a third point about our duty to be good citizens: show people kindness and fairness, even towards those we disagree with, because Christians are called to be humble. It’s so easy to call people “clueless” and to be hyper-judgmental about the things people support or do, especially in an election season.
We should want to be right and help people whenever possible to see their errors, but God wants us to be gracious as well as bold. Our first duty is not to dismiss people but it’s to be gracious towards them; it’s not first to judge them, but to figure out how to do good, so as a Christian we can demonstrate to our neighbors what it means to be a good citizen for their sake, but even greater for the glory of God.
In the next section of this passage Paul gives us the reason for being a good citizen. Why should we want to live this way? The reason is simply, yet profoundly, the kindness and love of God our Savior. Jesus Christ has rescued us from the cesspool; He has pulled us out of the muck of our sin, has resuscitated us and given us the spiritual oxygen mask to put on, so that we can live for Him is this world. In verse 3 Paul tells us to remember that at one time you were just like the people you complain about and that make this world hard to live in. In other words get some perspective in your life, and be grateful, and get back in the pool with a new life in Christ, and a new message of hope for the world.
Paul says,“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” Look at what God has done for you! How can you for even one minute question the responsibility you now have as a sinner saved by God’s grace and mercy, to respect your rulers and be gracious to all your neighbors? Yet we do, and for far longer than one minute, which again reminds me of the Martin Luther quote from last week: “I remind people of the gospel every week, because every week they forget it.”
Paul knew that what he was instructing people to do was not easy, but he also knew that if we look at ourselves, and our circumstances, it’s always easy to be discouraged or discontent; and we will find reasons or excuses not to be good citizens.
The reasons are never found in us or our circumstances, they are always found in the grace of God through Christ our Savior. Thus the reason for being good citizens is three-fold: First, we are no longer slaves to sin, but now free to serve. God has given us the ability to now live differently in this world, and to not have to default to fear or anxiety or envy or selfishness; and to not be stuck making excuses for our disobedience. In Christ we have been given the Holy Spirit, thus the one who has cleansed us from our sins in our conversion or new birth as a Christian is the one who renews us day by day so that we can serve God in this world as good citizens.
Second, we are called to demonstrate our spiritual transformation by the way we live in a pagan culture. This spiritual re-birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, that Paul refers to in verse 5, is not only designed to make us acceptable to God – it’s an essential part of our justification as Paul refers to in verse 6 – but also it’s what gives us the ability to influence our culture and people around us. We are to be salt and light by being subject to our rulers and be being gracious to our neighbors. Peter says in I Peter 2 that we were once not God’s people – we too lived in sin and darkness – but we are now God’s people; and as such we are to live such good lives among the pagans that although they may accuse you of doing wrong they will glorify God. You see, the reason for being good citizens is not only to glorify God, but so that others may glorify God as well.
Spurgeon said, “I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps don’t talk but they do shine.” And then third, our desire to do good and be holy is not based on our rulers or our neighbors, but on God’s grace and our status in His kingdom. In verse 7 Paul writes:“so that, having been justified by grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”God did not save us or make us heirs based upon the way we treated Him; His grace gave us what we didn’t deserve.
Thus Paul’s point is that our requirement to be doing good to all people should be based upon the way God treats us. We shouldn’t be saying, “If you respect me than I will respect you” as if our obedience to God’s Word is conditional or based upon how other people act. Instead, we seek to treat other people in the same way that God treats us. And we see that this is the case in verse 8 as Paul makes a third point, which is the practice of being a good citizen:“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”
Paul goes back to the point of verse 1, and really the theme of the passage: doing what is good on the basis of God’s Word. This is what those who have trusted in God through Jesus Christ will do. We will focus on what is beneficial and useful for believers and unbelievers. As Paul says in Galatians 6:“Let us do good to all people, especially the family of believers.”This passage in Titus 3 is reminding us specifically of our focus on unbelievers and the purpose of us being good citizens as Christians. Through our words and actions we are pointing people to God our Savior Jesus Christ. As such we must first be confident in God’s Word of truth and stay consistent in applying sound doctrine. Doing good to all people must never be defined apart from the truth. Our actions are not “good” if not aligned with God’s Word. We are not to just be “good-doers” who are not grounded in God’s Word, because it might not be excellent and profitable if not right and true.
Second, don’t expect unbelievers to act like Christians; but act like they know you are. Sometimes we expect unbelievers to be moral and rational and get surprised when their actions don’t support it. Unbelievers are rarely consistent when it comes to clear morals and values, but as Christians we must strive to be very consistent.
If we are not clear and congruent in our lives matching our beliefs, what we say may not be beneficial or useful to others. And third, in order to do this we must be consistent and diligent in putting off worldly habits and behaviors, and putting on the fruit of the Spirit. We live in this world but we are not to live like the world, thus there is always a need for the spiritual oxygen that comes from God’s Word and breathes into us the truth; and that enables us to change what is not beneficial and useful in our lives in order to practice more consistently the ways of Christ and the Christ-like behaviors in our lives.
I have heard so many people say over the past few weeks how much they can’t wait until this election is over. Although some things may change temporarily – some good, some bad – the substance or essence of what we are called to do as Christians doesn’t change. What should change is our ability to better fulfill our calling as Christians to be the best citizens we can be, for the sake of Christ’s gospel and to the glory of God.
©You’re welcome to recycle these resources for your church free of charge. However, if you find them useful, please consider making a donation to the ministry of GCC.
Pastor Dennis Bone
11-6-16
There is a story of a wealthy man who was critically ill and the doctor told him that the only thing that could save him was a brain transplant. The man said, “Money is no object; can you get a brain?” The doctor said “Yes, there are three available. The first is from a university professor, but it will cost you $10,000; and the second is from a rocket scientist but that will cost $100,000. The man said, “I have the money for that and it might make me smarter too. But what about the third.” The doctor said, “O, it’s a government bureaucrat but that one will set you back a half a million dollars. The man was somewhat shocked and asked, “Why so much for the bureaucrat’s brain?” The doctor said, “Never been used.”
When we look at our system of government, and so many of our politicians and candidates for office, it’s so easy for us to be cynical, sarcastic and pessimistic. One TV commentator last week said, “President Obama should make an executive order to install showers at every polling place.” As Christians, it’s as if we have to hold our nose and vote. I wondered if my sermon title was a little too edgy or provocative, but we all need some spiritual oxygen to navigate through this political season and beyond. The cesspool will not be drained any time soon, no matter who wins, thus as Christians we need to put on our biblical oxygen masks in order to live in a very messy, and spiritually stinky world.
It’s very providential that this Sunday, right before an election, we come to a passage which talks about our responsibility as Christians to leaders in authority over us, as well as unbelievers who live among us as our neighbors.So as we move into Titus chapter 3 this morning, I trust that we will be reminded of the things we need to know and do in order to be good citizens of this country as we eagerly await the heavenly one to come.
Turn with me then to Titus chapter 3; and follow along as I read verses 1 – 8:Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
In chapter 2 Paul talked about how to live and behave as good citizens of God’s family, and now in chapter 3 he speaks about how to live and behave as good citizens in the world’s family. Paul is teaching us that if we do what is right and good, according to God’s Word, it will benefit us and everyone around us. The principles that Paul sets forth in this passage, are based on this highest of principles: Glorify God in all areas of your life. It’s this fundamental biblical principle that will provide us with the spiritual oxygen necessary to live effectively as Christians in this world. The first point to consider is the duty to be good citizens. In the first two verses, Paul gives us instructions to be subject to rulers and to be gracious towards our neighbors. There are two main categories of people in view here: those we live under – rulers or leaders who have authority over us – and those we live with – that is, our neighbors, or the rest of the people around us.
The way we fulfill our duty to be good citizens as Christians is first: Be obedient to government unless it requires you to be disobedient to God. Paul didn’t know anything about our political system or our country; and he probably could have never envisioned the kind of freedom and opportunity there is for us as Christians, especially in contrast to first century Rome. We think we have corruption and chaos, and we do, yet Paul writes these words to Christians in a pagan culture where corrupt tyrants made bad laws, persecuted and often killed people who broke them, and in which the majority of people had no choices. Yet the command is simply this: submit and obey.
Is Paul crazy? Is Paul wrong or misguided? No, because he believed the principle was bigger than the persons who ruled; and that God established governments for His glory, not our glory; and not for our convenience but for His sovereign purposes. Do we really believe this? God is doing something far greater than just giving us two lousy choices for president this time around; He is reminding us of our duty no matter who is elected or appointed to office. Does this mean we shouldn’t vote or care? No, of course not, but it may mean that we need to change how we think and act after the vote.
I find it significant that neither Paul, Peter nor Jesus ever spoke out against the government of the day, although at times they disobeyed it and expected Christians to do the same if necessary, but the clear principle taught by the New Testament as well as the Old, is to submit, respect and obey the government. Not because it is always right or just or fair, but because it is our duty as Christians to be good citizens. I want to make it clear that the principle does not mean that we cannot speak out against what the government does or imposes, or stand up for God’s truth; rather it’s the approach and how we do it. Daniel gives us a great example of how you can strongly disagree, even in the midst of the government, yet does it with respect and graciousness. As Christians we can do the same if we follow Paul’s clear instructions.
In verse two Paul tells us what it means to be good citizens, not only towards rulers but towards all people. It’s true that we often don’t have good rulers and it’s also true that we don’t always have good neighbors. Yet as Christians we are called to submit to our rulers (whether we like them or not and whoever they may be) and we are called to love our neighbors (which is everyone, whether we like them or not). Thus we see a second point: speak against sin, both beliefs and behavior, but respect people; and seek peace without being contentious. In order to do what is good towards both categories of people Paul has in view he says in verse 2:“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men.”
Our approach towards people should not be to speak or think the worst or to totally distance ourselves from those who disagree with us. Look at the polarization of our country because of this, but it’s not our job to change the country, it’s our primary job to change ourselves, and to be the kind of people God calls us to be. Rude haters don’t convince anyone and certainly don’t glorify God, yet passive, withdrawn Christians don’t do much good to advance the glory of the gospel. Some Christians in an attempt to get out of the world’s cesspool create their own, by complaining, criticizing and condemning the world around them and most of the people in it, rather than seeking the spiritual oxygen they need to be good neighbors, and influence change in this world. Of course this is harder because it might smell bad and you might get some trash on you, but isn’t this one of the main reasons that God keeps His people in this world?
Thus a third point about our duty to be good citizens: show people kindness and fairness, even towards those we disagree with, because Christians are called to be humble. It’s so easy to call people “clueless” and to be hyper-judgmental about the things people support or do, especially in an election season.
We should want to be right and help people whenever possible to see their errors, but God wants us to be gracious as well as bold. Our first duty is not to dismiss people but it’s to be gracious towards them; it’s not first to judge them, but to figure out how to do good, so as a Christian we can demonstrate to our neighbors what it means to be a good citizen for their sake, but even greater for the glory of God.
In the next section of this passage Paul gives us the reason for being a good citizen. Why should we want to live this way? The reason is simply, yet profoundly, the kindness and love of God our Savior. Jesus Christ has rescued us from the cesspool; He has pulled us out of the muck of our sin, has resuscitated us and given us the spiritual oxygen mask to put on, so that we can live for Him is this world. In verse 3 Paul tells us to remember that at one time you were just like the people you complain about and that make this world hard to live in. In other words get some perspective in your life, and be grateful, and get back in the pool with a new life in Christ, and a new message of hope for the world.
Paul says,“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” Look at what God has done for you! How can you for even one minute question the responsibility you now have as a sinner saved by God’s grace and mercy, to respect your rulers and be gracious to all your neighbors? Yet we do, and for far longer than one minute, which again reminds me of the Martin Luther quote from last week: “I remind people of the gospel every week, because every week they forget it.”
Paul knew that what he was instructing people to do was not easy, but he also knew that if we look at ourselves, and our circumstances, it’s always easy to be discouraged or discontent; and we will find reasons or excuses not to be good citizens.
The reasons are never found in us or our circumstances, they are always found in the grace of God through Christ our Savior. Thus the reason for being good citizens is three-fold: First, we are no longer slaves to sin, but now free to serve. God has given us the ability to now live differently in this world, and to not have to default to fear or anxiety or envy or selfishness; and to not be stuck making excuses for our disobedience. In Christ we have been given the Holy Spirit, thus the one who has cleansed us from our sins in our conversion or new birth as a Christian is the one who renews us day by day so that we can serve God in this world as good citizens.
Second, we are called to demonstrate our spiritual transformation by the way we live in a pagan culture. This spiritual re-birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, that Paul refers to in verse 5, is not only designed to make us acceptable to God – it’s an essential part of our justification as Paul refers to in verse 6 – but also it’s what gives us the ability to influence our culture and people around us. We are to be salt and light by being subject to our rulers and be being gracious to our neighbors. Peter says in I Peter 2 that we were once not God’s people – we too lived in sin and darkness – but we are now God’s people; and as such we are to live such good lives among the pagans that although they may accuse you of doing wrong they will glorify God. You see, the reason for being good citizens is not only to glorify God, but so that others may glorify God as well.
Spurgeon said, “I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps don’t talk but they do shine.” And then third, our desire to do good and be holy is not based on our rulers or our neighbors, but on God’s grace and our status in His kingdom. In verse 7 Paul writes:“so that, having been justified by grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”God did not save us or make us heirs based upon the way we treated Him; His grace gave us what we didn’t deserve.
Thus Paul’s point is that our requirement to be doing good to all people should be based upon the way God treats us. We shouldn’t be saying, “If you respect me than I will respect you” as if our obedience to God’s Word is conditional or based upon how other people act. Instead, we seek to treat other people in the same way that God treats us. And we see that this is the case in verse 8 as Paul makes a third point, which is the practice of being a good citizen:“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”
Paul goes back to the point of verse 1, and really the theme of the passage: doing what is good on the basis of God’s Word. This is what those who have trusted in God through Jesus Christ will do. We will focus on what is beneficial and useful for believers and unbelievers. As Paul says in Galatians 6:“Let us do good to all people, especially the family of believers.”This passage in Titus 3 is reminding us specifically of our focus on unbelievers and the purpose of us being good citizens as Christians. Through our words and actions we are pointing people to God our Savior Jesus Christ. As such we must first be confident in God’s Word of truth and stay consistent in applying sound doctrine. Doing good to all people must never be defined apart from the truth. Our actions are not “good” if not aligned with God’s Word. We are not to just be “good-doers” who are not grounded in God’s Word, because it might not be excellent and profitable if not right and true.
Second, don’t expect unbelievers to act like Christians; but act like they know you are. Sometimes we expect unbelievers to be moral and rational and get surprised when their actions don’t support it. Unbelievers are rarely consistent when it comes to clear morals and values, but as Christians we must strive to be very consistent.
If we are not clear and congruent in our lives matching our beliefs, what we say may not be beneficial or useful to others. And third, in order to do this we must be consistent and diligent in putting off worldly habits and behaviors, and putting on the fruit of the Spirit. We live in this world but we are not to live like the world, thus there is always a need for the spiritual oxygen that comes from God’s Word and breathes into us the truth; and that enables us to change what is not beneficial and useful in our lives in order to practice more consistently the ways of Christ and the Christ-like behaviors in our lives.
I have heard so many people say over the past few weeks how much they can’t wait until this election is over. Although some things may change temporarily – some good, some bad – the substance or essence of what we are called to do as Christians doesn’t change. What should change is our ability to better fulfill our calling as Christians to be the best citizens we can be, for the sake of Christ’s gospel and to the glory of God.
©You’re welcome to recycle these resources for your church free of charge. However, if you find them useful, please consider making a donation to the ministry of GCC.
