Instructed by Grace

Instructed by Grace
Titus 2:11-3-11
November 1, 2026

Today we are concluding our study of Titus. We have seen that Paul was instructing them to stop living like Cretans. Our lives are supposed to reflect our salvation.

Last week we saw Paul giving specific instruction to those in the church; older and younger men, older and younger women, and also servants and masters.

He focused on specific practical things that should be a reflection of our salvation, and in this section, He continues with a few more.

It is easy to read this list and simply create a checklist to work on very hard to try and be a better Christian.

The pitfall of this is that it can lead you right back into religion; trying to be acceptable before God because of your works, and then every time that you fail, you feel like a failure and a bad Christian.

So directly after, he gave them warning not to walk in their old life, he reminds them again that their lives become ornaments and reflections of what God has done in their lives.

How were they to change? How will they get their training and what will make them these beautiful ornaments? This is what we will be looking into tonight as it also becomes relevant to us.

I. Grace brings Transformation

Paul is also called the apostle of grace. He was tasked by God to preach the revelation of the unmerited favor of God which He bestows on us because of the cross of Jesus. This is the foundation of the good news, the Gospel, that he preached and taught to the gentile churches.

This is more than just a religious viewpoint. Here Paul makes it clear that it is the foundation of what changes us.

Grace has come forward, in other words was revealed, “stepped up to the plate” to work towards a specific result. It is a living, active power that transforms the inner man.

A.   Salvation to all men

• Verse 11 – Firstly, grace appeared for the deliverance from sin and eternal salvation of all mankind.
• God’s agenda is that all men would be saved. We have established before that this word used for salvation is the word Soterios in the Greek, which means to make fully whole in all aspects.

Illus – There is a genre of movies that has become very popular over the last 20 odd years, and that is the Zombie – movies genre. Many of these start off with a highly infectious virus that there is no cure for. As you sit gripped at the edge of your seat, the movie normally plays out with someone finding the antidote that kills the virus, and miraculously sometimes even brings people back to original health.  

• Humanity is infected with a deadly sin virus. In some it corrupts slowly, in others it ravishes their spiritual health quickly. Whatever the timeline, it ultimately leads to death.
• Jesus become the medicine, the answer to this deadly spiritual infection. His blood became the antidote that stops the deadly effect of sin in its tracks. Not only that, it becomes the “fountain of youth” that those who has it applied to their lives can never die, but lives eternally.
• Unfortunately, many only see it as arresting the “sin-virus” at what ever stage of destruction the man is, but leaves the person broken and handicapped for life.
• The blood of Jesus does so much more.

Illus – Let’s say it was flesh-eating virus, like leprosy. It can be stopped, but the person has an arm that is gone, or a face that is deformed. Now, let’s say that the cure is miracle drug that not only stops the virus, but regenerates whatever was destroyed. Arms, noses, ears, fingers growing back.

• This is what Soterios You are saved from death, but then also systematically made whole.
• Paul says this regeneration and renewing is done by the Holy Spirit who is “poured out upon us richly.”
• The same word is used for the blood of Christ that was poured out on the cross at Calvary.
• The same word is used for the love of God.

Romans 5:5, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Illus – But some people have spiritual umbrellas, not wanting fellowship with God.

• Why would some people not want fellowship with God, because he wants to talk about areas in their life they don’t want to talk about.
• Some people are open and God just pours out His Holy Spirit – richly – lavishly, continuously.

Illus – If you leave a big container out in the rain here in Oregon, you will be amazed at how quickly it fills up.

• It brings transformation. Imagine a ‘good virus’ that makes people more loving, more peaceful, more joyful, more whatever is good. It is about more than just being saved. It is about being made whole.

B.    Grace trains us

• We are in training, but maybe not in the way you might think.

Verse 12 –  It (grace) has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world.

• As we have established before, when we come to Christ for salvation, we are not forced to do it. The heart that truly comes to God does it because it has had revelation of its sinfulness the effect of sin which leads to death.
• It has also had revelation of the love of God that loved us when we didn’t deserve it, choose to forgive, and draws us to a new life.
• Such a heart has made a decision to not want to live in the broken death and lies it used to be in.
• In other words, grace ( having revelation of the favor of God), trained our souls to reject and renounce ungodliness.
• Souls that have seen the effect of passionate desires that does not align with God’s will.
• But how does grace train us?

Illus – There are many stories and testimonies of people who have grown up in horrific situations, but were then rescued by a benevolent person or organization. We all know stories of such people who then got scholarships to study, loving support from a mentor, being brought into a loving family environment that made them understand that they are loved, cared for, someone’s in their corner, and they don’t have to walk this alone. When they have that foundational security and don’t have to worry about being secure in the situation, it frees up their mind and soul to pursue greater things not having to worry about the core foundational needs.

• Testimonies like this stand as an example of what Christ has done for all of us.
• Moving forward effectively and in victory happens by first having the deep foundational understanding that Jesus died for you personally and He loved, loves, and will forever love you not because of your ability or effectiveness to be good on your own.
• Grace shows us the picture of how God sees us because of the blood of Jesus Christ.
• He sees you justified. He sees you righteous. He sees you as His son and daughter. He wants to provide for all you need. In fact, He has already provided all that you need and will need in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

• He has got your back, always. He is the one strengthening you on the inside. He is the one protecting you on the outside. He is the one calling you forward towards life. He is the one convicting and ushering you from behind you towards life.
• Grace, looking to the FINISHED work of Jesus, teaches us that a better life is possible and we are called to walk in it by faith in Jesus.
• Verse 14 – He purified us for HIMSELF to run after a life with good, beneficial deeds.

C.    Deny ungodliness and worldly desires

• If you are a friend of world, you are an enemy of God.

James 4:4, You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 

• It is important to note that the CHOICE is yours. God doesn’t choose to be your enemy. You choose if you want to be His enemy.

Illus – People wonder if God is on their side. God always sides with His word, because it is His will and who He is. His will is that you put faith in Jesus, and follow Him. God is always aligned with His word and truth. The question is: who are you aligned with?

• You cannot serve two masters. If you want to go out and do the world thing, you can go do it, but it will destroy you.
• God came to save us.
• We are now called to live righteously; in and from our right standing, and godly; aligned with His character.
• Many people aren’t set free, because deep down, they don’t want to be free. They don’t “see” the prison, the destruction, the death… They are still toying with the sin.
• Grace will cost you something. It will cost you everything. But it will restore exponentially.
• God takes what it is tainted by sin, and redeems it and uses it for His glory. Talents, Gifts, etc.

D.    Spend your life in kindness

• The theme is “spending your life.”
• If you had $10,000 to last the rest of your life, and knew you wouldn’t get more, you would be careful how you spent it.
• Our life is basically the same, we have a limited amount of time, and we don’t even know how much. How will we spend it?

II. God is Preparing You     

• Paul then again gives them examples and directives on how to practically do this in our interaction with others. Paul says to be ready for every good deed by these things.

A. Maligning no one

• The word in the Greek is “blaspheme.” It’s not a word that we think about in relationship to other people. It means to defame, to speak of someone.
• Our English word comes from the same root as malignant.

Illus – Like when a cancer is malignant it is spreading evil in the body.

• There is something “purposeful” in the word. In other words, to malign someone is to know that your words are destructive.

I Peter 2:1-3, Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

B. Not being contentious

• You’ve got to love the Greek word here, it is so helpful in understanding the meaning of Paul’s thoughts. It is “a-macho.”
• In other words, it means, “not macho.” The idea of being macho is exaggerated manliness, like pride.
• The context is found in verse one where Paul tells Titus to remind people to be subject to rulers, to authorities.

App – People who “contend” with authority in their heart, are often the same ones who will contend with the Lord.

          The root of it comes from the concept of being “self-willed.” The opposite is being under authority.

• The root of the word, “self-willed” is self-pleasing.
• The opposite of self-willed is “Spirit-willed.” This means choosing to do things because you know that God has addressed this and His way is clear.

C. Showing every consideration

• It means thinking about others. “Consider” of consideration means to think about what they may be feeling, how will this affect them?

App – The “Golden Rule” is based upon this principle exactly. How do you want to be treated?

Matthew 7:12, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” 

Illus – There is too often a “distance factor” in relationships. They farther you are from someone, the less you carry their concerns. I.e.)for example……

          But the closer you are, the more you carry their concerns as your own.

Philippians 2:3-4, Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

James 3:16-18,  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

• Verse 8 – So, Paul says to be careful to engage in good deed, because it is profitable to all men. In other words, be aware, be sensitive to the Spirit of God’s leading. ‘Good deeds’ mean being commendable, precious, surpassing expectations, genuine and approved.

Illus – You get something in the car industry as certified and approved. That means it has been tested, checked, and approved by the dealer and they are willing to put their name on the line to back their product.

• God has put His “grace” stamp of approval on you. Walk worthy of it. Let His grace keep training and renewing you to walk worthy of His name.