We are in a sermon series called “Transformed by Grace.”
The book of Titus has been about the amazing grace of God and its transformative work in our lives, changing who we are and how we live.
Transformed by Grace
Outline in Titus
Titus 2:1-10 is about how we live – righteous living and good works
Titus 2:11-15 is about what we believe – the grace of God and its effects
Titus 3:1-2 is about how we live – actions towards others
Titus 3:3-8a is about what we believe – the Gospel changing everything
The effects of grace: our salvation, our transformation, and our hope.
Be submissive and obedient to governing authorities.
Be ready to do good deeds.
Be peaceable and kind to everyone.
We want our lives to (a) reflect Christ; and (b) reflect well on Christ.
THE GOSPEL CHANGES EVERYTHING
Titus 3:3-8a
For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy.
A. Our lives before Christ
Titus 3:3
For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
This description is/was us!
Romans 3:10-18, 23
There is no one righteous, not even one. 11 There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one… 14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, 17 and the path of peace they have not known. 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes… 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
This is who we were, but not who we are! Because the Gospel changes everything.
B. God loves us
Titus 3:4
But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…
The arrival of Jesus on earth was the appearing of the grace, the kindness, and the love of God.
John 3:16
For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
C. God saves us
Titus 3:4-5
But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
In His love he sent his Son which provides our salvation.
John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.
Salvation is not by our works, but by His mercy.
Romans 3:23-24
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Regeneration is the idea of new life, new birth, being born again.
John 3:3
Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
Ezekiel 36:25-29
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances. 28 You will live in the land that I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness.
D. God blesses us
Titus 3:6-7
He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
1. God blesses us by giving us the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.
2. God blesses us by justifying us by his grace.
Romans 3:23-24
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Timothy Keller in Gospel in Life
“We are justified, made right with God, by faith alone through the work of Christ alone.”
3. God blesses us by making us heirs – with the hope of eternal life.
Titus 2:13
…while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Being called “heirs” means that we are children of God.
Romans 8:14-17
For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Galatians 4:6-7
And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.
As heirs we receive an inheritance.
Colossians 3:24
…knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord.
1 Peter 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.