Profitable Ministry

25 September 2011; Titus 3

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, WA

Adult Outline

Introduction: Ch. 1: Leadership conduct; ch. 2: Conduct within church; ch. 3: Outward conduct

I. The Reminder (vv 1-3)

A. Submission to authorities

B. Be hard workers – What do your coworkers think of your work? It’s a testimony.

C. Be kind to other people – Developing an attitude of service

II. The Redemption (vv. 3-7)

A. We were once vile sinners (vs. 3), but Christ came to us and transformed us (vs. 4 ff.)

-Notice the brushing away of human works (vs 5) – emphatic position (ESV reverses)

B. Baptism and regeneration

1. Washing of regeneration

-Washing (bathing) loutron – same as Eph 5:26

-Regeneration – paliggenesia – means: new birth, renewal, recreation (used only here of *individual* regeneration (Mt 19:28 – cosmic regeneration)

2. Renewal of the Holy Spirit

-Renewal – anakainosis – renovation, complete change for the better, same as Rom 12:2 (ongoing renewal), but here more definitive

3. Two errors:

i. Separation of sign from the thing signified (baptistic-type error)

ii. Uniting the sign and thing too tightly (sacramentalist-type error)

Calvin: ‘God does not sport with us by unmeaning figures, but inwardly accomplishes by his power what he exhibits by the outward sign; and therefore, baptism is fitly and truly said to be “the washing of regeneration.” The efficacy and use of the sacraments will be properly understood by him who shall connect the sign and the thing signified, in such a manner as not to make the sign unmeaning and inefficacious, and who nevertheless shall not, for the sake of adorning the sign, take away from the Holy Spirit what belongs to him.’

5. By the Spirit's work, believers receive God's testimony both in word and sacrament.

6. Note the richness of Christ's redemption: new life, justification, hope of eternal life

III. The Profitable Ministry (vv 8-11)

A. Insist: those who have believed should be careful to devote themselves to good works (vs 8)

B. Foolish controversies are unprofitable and worthless

C. Divisive persons (stirring it up) – causing problems and divisions (habitually)

Profitable Ministry

25 September 2011; Titus 3

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, WA

Worksheet for the younger saints

Introduction: Complete this simple outline of Paul’s letter to Titus:

I. Chapter 1: Conduct of the ________________ of the church

II. Chapter 2: Conduct of the believers ____________ church

III. Chapter 3: Conduct of the believers ____________ the church

I. The Reminder (vv. 1-3) – Christian living in the world

-What’s your motivation? Is it good enough, as Christians, that you keep the rules?

-Why not? What’s the correct reason to keep the rules?

II. The Redemption (vv. 3-7)

A. What’s Paul’s attitude toward good works as a basis for our being reconciled to God?

B. Baptism and regeneration

1. Two errors:

i. _____________ of sign from the thing signified (baptistic-type error)

ii. Uniting the sign and thing too _____________ (sacramentalist-type error)

2. Note the richness of Christ's redemption: new life, justification, hope of eternal life

III. The Profitable Ministry (vv. 8-11)

A. What is Titus to insist upon (vs. 8)?

B. ________________________ are unprofitable and worthless (vs. 9).