King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024
Chapters: The Book Titus
Message: Godly Works
Hello My Friend,
Well, I finally got a decent amount of sleep and it has done wonders, I am a little more focused, got my husband off to work and almost ready to get the day started. As I began reading the chapters for today, something that Jesus said came to mind, [John 13:15-18 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.]
God, knew when He put this world together that sin would enter and destroy it in the worst way, but had a plan to save those who would truly believe in Him even before He created it. And while He could have just made everyone fear Him to begin with He wanted all to have a choice in the matter. Why? Ask yourself this question and you will have your answer. How do you react whenever someone tries to force something on you? [Joshua 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.]
The book of Titus is the seventeenth book of the New Testament, and the fifty-sixth book of the Bible. The author of this epistle (letter) is Paul, and was written to a man named Titus. What we are to learn from the book is that Christ’s ministers should follow divine order for the Church. The work must be established and organized according to the principles of God’s Word, [Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;]
Titus, was a Greek convert and traveled with Paul on several of his mission trips, he was sent by Paul to Crete to correct doctrinal issues that were going on in the churches. He begins the letter with some insight as to why we have preachers and teachers of God’s Word to begin with.
[Titus 1:1-5 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:]
[in due times manifested his word through preaching,] As much as we are encouraged to read our Bibles, we also need the preaching, it not only gives us more understanding of what we are reading, but helps us discern and know that what we are reading lines up with what they are reading. Now, God did design His Word so that we get something new out of it so that we never stop learning, but the overall concept ought to be the same, which is why anyone who preaches or teaches His Word ought to be not only reading and studying it for themselves, but living by it as well, which Paul goes on to explain.
[Titus 1:7-11 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.]
[a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;] We ought to be associating ourselves and seeking like minded Godly friends. Take it from someone who has been burned a few times, you cannot conform yourself into someone that someone else wants you to be for the sake of leading them to a Godly life, they will lead you to an ungodly one, [Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.]
Boy, is that not the truth! It use to be an honor for one to be called a Christian, even the world would have some respect for them because they were consider honest and faithful, but things have changed dramatically as vain talkers and deceivers have crept in the Church and they are so corrupt that they will even stoop to the level of using God and the people who believe in Him to make money off of, and low and behold, we have religion. This is why we have these letters in the Bible, there is nothing new today that we are seeing that God has not already seen. Paul, goes on to point out who true witnesses are.
[Titus 1:13-16 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.]
[that they may be sound in the faith;] We should take note that during the time that Paul wrote these letters they did not have the New Testament yet, so what they were preaching the Gospel with was the Old testament and what they learned from the Apostles about Jesus. With that said, there is plenty of Scripture in the Old Testament that can lead someone to Christ, in fact, it is called the Jerusalem Road and I have a page that teaches you how, [https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus-ot/]
God, expects pastors and those who lead the church to be more accountable than the congregation. After all, they are the ones who are teaching us His Word, and if they are not living through it, then the people are not going to trust them. Paul, goes on to give some advice on how all professing Christians ought to be.
[Titus 2:1-7 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,]
[shewing thyself a pattern of good works:] Even though I am not a preacher, I am a teacher and also have this ministry, if I am not showing myself as a pattern of good works I will answer to God also. This has nothing to do with our salvation, it is about our being a little bit unselfish and giving up the things that our flesh desires so that we can show Christ to those who need Him. It does not matter if we are serving God in church, we are the examples that lead others to Christ, wherever we go.
[Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.]
[purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.] [Peculiar; Appropriate; belonging to a person and to them only.] Once you accept Christ as your Saviour you belong to Him, but before you get all offended and start saying you belong to no one, this works both ways, Christ also belongs to you, and that ought to be the greatest incentive to live soberly and righteously, [John 17:21-23 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.]
We need to teach the truth, not some watered down, sugar coated half truths that makes them and us feel all snugly inside. They may not like to hear the truth, but in the end, they will be grateful, and thankful. Yes, we come to church to be lifted up, and encouraged, but we also need conviction and spiritual healing because we are all sinners saved by grace who need to be taught right from wrong as God sees it. Paul, continues to instruct Titus on how Christians ought to live, but also must realize that we are all human so we need to be kind to those who are attempting to get their lives in Godly order.
[Titus 3:1-6 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;]
[by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;] Even those whom have been saved a while and well knowledgeable of the Scriptures and living their lives through Christ need a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit sometimes. While no one can lose their salvation they do need a renewing every now and then. In fact, it is quite often that I ask God for a renewing of my spirit, [Psalms 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.]
When David wrote that Psalm he was thinking about Saul who once was Godly, but turned on Him and God took His Spirit away from him as a result, [1 Samuel 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.] and feared the same thing happening to him. Whenever we sin, if it is unrepentant, it can feel as though God took His Spirit away from us because the affliction we face becomes almost unbearable because He lives inside us. However, those who are not really saved, but played the part for a while become more corrupt than they ever were if they turn.
[Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.]
It is by the grace of God that we are not punished for all the things we have done in our flesh or continue to do. But grace is more than that, it is the favor of God, and is His commitment to us for believing in His Son, and accepting Him. It is His assurance of eternal life, and His promise to be there for us through the good and bad times. The least we can do to show our love and gratitude to Him is by living our lives in a way that reflects Him, which is why we learn from the Scriptures and apply them as we see fit to please God.
[Titus 3:8-11,14 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.]
[let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses,] This is why we are careful to maintain good works, not to keep our salvation, but to show that our love for God is true. We are born again, meaning, have been birthed with the Spirit of God in our soul the second we received Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and we are not only saved from death and hell, we are given eternal life. That ought to be enough for us to turn away from dead works and learn of and maintain the works that are necessary to please God.
[John 3:18-21 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for using me to be a witness of the Gospel, I know I mess up every day, but also know that You do a great work in me. I do want to live a life that is pleasing to You, help me to learn Your will for every area of my life. Let me not be deceived by those who use Your name for filthy money, and keep me grounded in Your Word so I can be the Godly witnesses You need me to be to reach the lost. Lead us, guide us, and give us Your power, wisdom, and understanding so that our good works reflect Your Son. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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