Titus 2:11-14
As never before the Christmas message needs to be translated into shoe leather as we witness terrorism on all fronts, the bombings in Iraq, hatred mounting against America. The world needs to see the Grace of God in action. In our passage today God shows us two glorious appearings of our Lord Jesus Christ:
• The appearing of His GRACE (verse 11) and
• The appearing of His GLORY (verse 13).
The appearing of His grace extends from His incarnation throughout the church age – or the age of grace. The appearing of His glory terminates the age of grace with His second coming.
The Manifestation of the Grace of God in History (v.11)
1. The
Manner in which the Grace of God Appeared.
The word “appeared” means “to bring to light” – “to uncover” – “to fully
make known” - “the dawning of light in darkness.” The Greek text says the Grace of God has appeared to all men. This means all classes of men. The Grace of
God is personified in Jesus Christ. God
uses a variety of expressions to declare this historic event (Galatians
4:5; John 1:14; Luke 2:11).
Perhaps the Grace of God is the most significant of all the terms He
uses. This truth defined man’s greatest need which is seen in the record of the
appearing of the Grace of God in John 1:17.
2. The Motive in the
Appearing of the Grace of God (2 Timothy 1:9, 10) which is to bring salvation
to all men. Salvation is not
universally applied to all men, but universally available to all men - salvation
sufficient to save any and all, but efficient to save only those
who come to Christ by faith (Isaiah 55:1).
In our preaching and sharing let’s keep the main thing the main
thing. The desire to be sophisticated
and hyper-intellectual is the bane of the age (I Corinthians 2:1).
The Manifestation of the
Grace of God in Human Lives (vs.12-14)
1.
In
Imparting True Education (v.12). The
grace of God that brought salvation is also
presently educating us who are saved as to how to conduct ourselves in this
world.
• What we should deny: Ungodliness & worldly lusts. These terms are self-explanatory.
• How we should live: Soberly = sensibly, with soundness of
mind. A mind set in proper
balance. A mind that has gained mastery
over self through the salvation that frees from the shackles of sin. A believer should have control of himself
(Proverbs 16:32; 25:28). When the Holy
Spirit has control of you, you have control of yourself (Galatians 5:23). Righteously = outward conduct that
complements the righteous character of God – conduct that evokes God’s
approval. Godly = reverent. Christians should be the closest view of God
the ungodly see. The phrase “in this
present evil age” implies that this world is our playing field; our battleground;
our arena. This is where living takes
place. This is where testimonies are
accepted or rejected.
2.
In Instilling True Expectation (v. 13). We run into hope all over the New
Testament. Hope is everywhere. God will not let us avoid it nor should we
want to (John 14:3; Matthew 24; Colossians 3:1-3; Romans 8:18-25; I John
3:3). The grace of God instills the
expectation of the return of Jesus Christ in the hearts of Christians. Paul closes many of his exhortations to
quality living with the incentive of hope.
3. In Providing Emancipation (v. 14a). Emancipation/Redemption touches all areas of life. “Redeem us from every lawless deed.” Sin is like quicksand. The harder people struggle to free
themselves from the hard core of life, the deeper into its deadly mire they
sink (drugs, alcohol, sex, etc.). Jesus
Christ is the only true emancipation.
4. In Providing True Sanctification (v.14b). How does God purify us? He uses two sanctifying agents: The Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 3:18)
and The Holy Scriptures (Ephesians 5:25-30). However, the believer is to participate in this purification
(I John 3:3).
5. In Promoting True Representation (v.14c). Good works emanate from
a life that is pure before God. Good
works are the result of sanctification – not an aid to sanctification. Good works are a true representation of God
in a hostile world (Matthew 5:14-16;
Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:8).
At Christmas time, the fence
is down – the gate is open. This season
becomes the opportunity for all restraints to be thrown off. Lets exemplify the Grace of God. God bless each one of you and have a blessed
Christmas season.
Love in HIM who made it all
possible,