Titus 3:3 - 8 (NLT) ³. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. ⁴. But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, ⁵. he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. ⁶. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” ⁸. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

1. We need to remember we once were sinners – end result: HUMILITY

2. God revealed His love for us –

a. He SAVED US because of His mercy

b. He WASHED AWAY our sins

c. He has given us a NEW BIRTH

d. He has given us a NEW LIFE

e. He has given us His SPIRIT

f. He declared us RIGHTEOUS

g. He gave us confidence that WE WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

Titus 3:3 - 8 (NLT) ^3. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. ⁴. But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, ^5. he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. ⁶. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” ⁸, This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

1. We need to remember we once were sinners – end result: HUMILITY

2. God revealed His love for us –

a. He SAVED US because of His mercy

b. He WASHED AWAY our sins

c. He has given us a NEW BIRTH

d. He has given us a NEW LIFE

e. He has given us His SPIRIT

f. He declared us RIGHTEOUS

g. He gave us confidence that WE WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

REMEMBER...

Titus 3:3 - 8 (NLT) 3. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4. But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5. he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

1. We need to remember we once were sinners – end result: HUMILITY

2. God revealed His love for us –

a. He SAVED US because of His mercy
b. He WASHED AWAY our sins
c. He has given us a NEW BIRTH
d. He has given us a NEW LIFE
e. He has given us His SPIRIT
f. He declared us RIGHTEOUS
g. He gave us confidence that WE WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

REMEMBER!

REMEMBER...

Titus 3:3 - 8 (NLT) 3. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4. But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5. he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

1. We need to remember we once were sinners – end result: HUMILITY

2. God revealed His love for us –

a. He SAVED US because of His mercy
b. He WASHED AWAY our sins
c. He has given us a NEW BIRTH
d. He has given us a NEW LIFE
e. He has given us His SPIRIT
f. He declared us RIGHTEOUS
g. He gave us confidence that WE WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

REMEMBER!

REMEMBER...

Titus 3:3 - 8 (NLT) 3. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4. But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5. he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

1. We need to remember we once were sinners – end result: HUMILITY

2. God revealed His love for us –

a. He SAVED US because of His mercy
b. He WASHED AWAY our sins
c. He has given us a NEW BIRTH
d. He has given us a NEW LIFE
e. He has given us His SPIRIT
f. He declared us RIGHTEOUS
g. He gave us confidence that WE WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

REMEMBER!

REMEMBER...

Titus 3:3 - 8 (NLT) 3. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4. But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5. he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

1. We need to remember we once were sinners – end result: HUMILITY

2. God revealed His love for us –

a. He SAVED US because of His mercy
b. He WASHED AWAY our sins
c. He has given us a NEW BIRTH
d. He has given us a NEW LIFE
e. He has given us His SPIRIT
f. He declared us RIGHTEOUS
g. He gave us confidence that WE WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

REMEMBER!

REMEMBER...

Titus 3:3 - 8 (NLT) 3. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4. But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5. he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

1. We need to remember we once were sinners – end result: HUMILITY

2. God revealed His love for us –

a. He SAVED US because of His mercy
b. He WASHED AWAY our sins
c. He has given us a NEW BIRTH
d. He has given us a NEW LIFE
e. He has given us His SPIRIT
f. He declared us RIGHTEOUS
g. He gave us confidence that WE WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

REMEMBER!

Yeah, like totally!

I found this really cool definition of a Christian in the book of Titus:

11. For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13. while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 2:11 - 14 (NLT)

He gave his life to make us “His very own people.” Christ’s very own people! Christians! Bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19) and totally committed to doing good deeds.

That last phrase “totally committed to doing good deeds” is translated as:

Zealous for good deeds (NASB)
Eager to do right (CEV)
Eager to do good (TEV)
Zealous for good works (NKJV)

That description fits us, right?

I mean, who wouldn’t turn from godless living and sinful pleasures to please somebody that died for them?

Well aren’t all the Christians that you know living a life filled with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God? And they’re totally committed to doing good deeds, right? I’m sure you can say that about yourself, right?

Think about it…Better yet, PRAY ABOUT IT!

Hebrews 3:13 - 14 (CEV) 13. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called “today.” If you don’t, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. 14. We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let’s hold tightly to our faith until the end.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD….

Sing a new song…

1. Sing a new song to the Lord!
Everyone on this earth, sing praises to the Lord,
2. sing and praise his name.

Day after day announce, “The Lord has saved us!”
3. Tell every nation on earth, “The Lord is wonderful and does marvelous things!
4. The Lord is great and deserves our greatest praise!
He is the only God worthy of our worship.

Psalms 96:1 - 4 (Contemporary English Version)

I believe we are told to “sing a new song” because we sometimes get so used to singing the same one(s) over and over that we often forget what the words mean. This can happen if the song is a hymn or a worship song written last year.

All too many of us can sing the words of our favorite country song or rap or rock or ________________ from memory and with passion. Do we do the same when it comes to the songs that we sing in praise of the Creator of the Universe?

God wants our praise to be fresh and meaningful. When we sing, we need to think about the words. Those words are our praise of God and what he has done. The Lord doesn’t need to be entertained. He needs to hear our heart of love for Him. And, remember too, other people will see you when you sing. Do they see joy on your face as you praise God? Or do they see someone who is just going through the motions?

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
at the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of your hands
Forever I’ll love you forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

© 1996 Darlene Zschech and Hillsong

Psalm 33:3, 40:3, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1
Isaiah 42:10
Revelation 5:9, 14:3

Do you want to believe that the Bible says its ok to:

Engage in homosexual acts
Embezzle money from a company
Have an affair with your neighbor’s wife
Not give any money to the church
Think of yourself first
Or ___________________(you fill in the blank)?

Then perhaps the time has come…

3. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 2 Timothy 4:3 - 4 (NLT)

But, if you believe in the WHOLE Word of God then you should pay attention to Paul’s words to Timothy that surround the two verses above:

1. I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2. Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 5. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Timothy 4:1-2, 5 (NLT)

What are we to hear from the pulpit of our churches?

THE WORD OF GOD.

The Word of God if taught properly will…

CORRECT, REBUKE (or reprimand), and ENCOURAGE
(not just one or the other!)

2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 (NLT) 16. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

[notice it doesn’t say “some” scripture!  lol ]

Do you want to believe that the Bible says its ok to:

Engage in homosexual acts
Embezzle money from a company
Have an affair with your neighbor’s wife
Not give any money to the church
Think of yourself first
Or ___________________(you fill in the blank)?

Then perhaps the time has come…

3. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 2 Timothy 4:3 - 4 (NLT)

But, if you believe in the WHOLE Word of God then you should pay attention to Paul’s words to Timothy that surround the two verses above:

1. I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2. Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 5. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Timothy 4:1-2, 5 (NLT)

What are we to hear from the pulpit of our churches?

THE WORD OF GOD.

The Word of God if taught properly will…

CORRECT, REBUKE (or reprimand), and ENCOURAGE
(not just one or the other!)

2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 (NLT) 16. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

[notice it doesn’t say “some” scripture!  lol ]

Hot Pursuit

You may have pursued a girl friend or boy friend.
You may have pursued an “A” in a class at school.
You may have pursued a specific job that you wanted…

Or a career you desired
Or a house you wanted to purchase
Or something else like (you fill in the blank) _____________

You went after these things with all the determination, energy and focus that you could muster. But, let me ask you, have you pursued the things that God wants you to?


But flee from these things (foolish and harmful desires, greed, etc.), you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11 (NASB)

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB)

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification (separation from worldly things) without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (NASB)


SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM….

I was talking with a friend about life and the subject of “tomorrow” came up. When I was younger I thought “there’s always tomorrow.” I could put off things indefinitely, because, in my mind anyway, I had at least 50 more years to do stuff.

I think when my cousin died several years ago it brought home to me the reality of “we’re not promised tomorrow.” My cousin and I were the same age.

We always want to put off the more serious and important things until later because we want to have fun now. But for many people, tomorrow will never come. Whether it’s sickness or a freak accident, people of all ages, your age and my age, die every day.

Is there something that God has been telling you to do and you’re just putting it off? Don’t wait! Listen to Paul’s words to the church at Corinth,

1. As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.”Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NLT)

A lot of times that verse (the last half of verse 2) is only quoted to show people who have not yet accepted Jesus that they may not have tomorrow to do it, they need to accept him now while they are still here on this earth.

But…I want you that know Jesus as your Savior to notice verse 1 and Paul’s admonition not to take God’s wonderful gift (Salvation – Rom. 6:23b) for granted. We are cautioned not to accept the gift and ignore it. In other words, if you accept Christ as your Savior and say you are a Christian, you need to live every day AS a Christian, following the ways of God.

Yes we will all make mistakes but “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 (NASB)

Check out this passage by James, Jesus’ brother on the same subject.

James 4:13 - 17 (NLT) 13. Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16. Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans and all such boasting is evil. 17. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM….

Does everybody that uses a computer understand how a processor chip is made or that when you turn it on, why or how it does what it does?

Do you know the pilot of the airplane that you flew on last time and that he or she was qualified?

How do we really know that when we sit down in a chair it will hold our weight?

Basically the answer we could all agree with is that we trust the source. We trust that the people that make the computer chips know what they are doing and we simply accept it. We trust the people that check the qualifications of the airline pilot and that the pilot is keeping up on his or her skills. We can confidently sit in a chair because our experience has shown us that it won’t collapse (most of the time!).

We trust or have faith in many things. As I was reading chapter one in 2 Timothy this morning the word “faith” jumped off the page. Here are a few verses:

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:1, 5, 13 (NLT)

• Through faith, Paul reminds us we have LIFE, eternal life.
• He points out that faith in Christ is nothing new but was held by those who came before us. We are not alone.
• Paul then points out that we are to live in the faith and love that we have through our relationship with Christ Jesus.

Trusting (having faith) in God ought to be easier for us than trusting pilots, or computers or chairs. After all, God made the pilot. He made the air through which the plane flies. God made the materials that planes, computers and chairs are made from and gave man the wisdom to create them.

Trusting God is simply believing what He says in the Bible is true. The writer of the book of John in chapter 20, verses 30-31 tells us his whole reason for writing the book in the first place was that we might believe or have faith in Christ.

30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Won’t you trust Him today? You’re not alone and He has promised that you will live with Him forever when you take that step. Simply talk to God aloud or silently and say something like,

Dear Jesus, I realize that I am in need of you in my life. I need and want your help. I have tried to be a good person, but I know I fall short of your perfection. Please come into my life and help me. I want to trust you today. Thank you, Jesus…thank you.

Romans 10:9 (NASB) …if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;