ANSWERING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Titus 3:1-9
Titus 3:9, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”
Introduction:
Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether. We should observe the apostle’s precept to be careful to maintain good works, Titus 3:8, 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.”
If we do this we shall find ourselves far too occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.
Then we can concentrate on questions of great value:
I. WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH JESUS?
A. Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Acts 16:31, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
1. Have I put my faith in Him as my PERSONAL SAVIOR? John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
2. Have I followed Him in Baptism as an OBEDIENT believer? Acts 10:47, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”
B. Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Ephesians 4:22-24, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23-And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24- And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
1. Our minds are no longer darkened, Ephesians 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”
2. Our lives are no longer alienated from God, Colossians 1:21, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled”
3. Our hearts are no longer hardened and impure, Nehemiah 9:16-17, “But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, 17- And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.”
C. Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Romans 8:5, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
D. Am I growing in grace? Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
1. Other people see the grace of God in us by the way we speak, James 3:13, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
2. Our testimony proves our faith in Christ,1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
II. AM I ANTICIPATING THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST?
A. Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, Titus 2:13, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
B. Am I watching, as a servant should do who expects his master? James 5:7-8, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
1. Look ahead to the Lord’s coming, Romans 8:24-25, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”
2. Looking ahead with established hearts, Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
CONCLUSION
Ask yourself, “what more can I do for Jesus?” We are saved. We know the truth. We are members of one of the Lord’s Churches. Are we sharing it with others?
Let’s determine to rebuild by the grace of God what some have tried to destroy. Satan would love to see this church and others die.