Change Agents (Titus 2:1-5)
Introduction: People make the difference
And in the Bible you don't have to be someone great to make the difference. Biblical history does emphasize certain groups of people, judges, prophets, priests, and kings in the OT, and apostles in the NT. But who were these people? Moses-a man without the greatest gifts. David-a shepherd's son. Esther-an exiled orphan. Amos-a bruiser of figs. Matthew-a tax collector. Peter-a fisherman (see, e.g. Exod 3:12, 1Sam 17:26, 45).
Exposition: We need show-and tell agents of change.
We need people who'll not only know sound doctrine, who'll not only teach the doctrine, who'll not only exemplify the doctrine, but (verse 10), those who will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things-who will make it beautiful.
So much of real Christianity is caught and not taught.
Examples: Some examples of exemplified teaching
(a) Jesus
(b) Paul
(c) Titus
(d) Timothy
Obstacles
It takes time and emotional commitment. The culture is against us. We have a stratification of age and class and race and social status that is difficult to overcome. There's the "generation gap," etc. But this is the change agency that we desperately need.
1Thess 2:7-8, "But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us."
Conclusion: 1Thess 2:10-11 |
