7/14 Sermon

Hold Firmly to the Trustworthy Message

Titus 1:5-9

A group of children are playing on a swing set, but there’s too many kids. One impatient boy, who’s not on a swing, walks up to his sister and says, “Get off, it’s my turn!” The sister comes back with, “Says who?! Did mom say that?! Then NO!”

It’s another Monday at the office. You’re chipping away at your job. Just then, your bossy co-worker, who is NOT your boss, walks over and tries telling you what to do. Then they walk away and you mutter to yourself, “Uh, who died and made them king?”

None of us like to be bossed around, right, to be under someone else’s authority?  

But our culture kind of has a problem with authority, doesn’t it? All the time, people complain about the president, about their boss, about parents, about anybody who is over them.

In fact, we kind of have a problem with authority. We don’t like to listen to others. It doesn’t matter if it’s a president, a governor, a mayor, a boss, our parents, or a sibling, we do not like it when others boss us around.  

This is especially true of God’s Word. Look again at Titus 1:7-8. God’s Word says: Don’t be overbearing, or stubborn and selfish. Don’t be angry and quick tempered. Don’t be given to drunkenness. Don’t be violent and a bully, and try and force your opinion on others. Don’t be greedy and stingy with money.

I see this list, and I dismiss it. “I don’t do that stuff.” But the real issue is that I don’t like God telling me what to do. I don’t ‘like being under God’s authority. I don’t like God point out my sins and mistakes. I’d rather imagine that life was just a walk in the park and I was doing fine!

And the honest truth is that I fall into those sins all the time. As a pastor, reading a list of qualifications for pastors, if I’m honest, I can’t help but think, “I fail.” Often, I am overbearing and stubborn, quick-tempered, a bully, demanding MY way, and greedy.

This list of qualifications doesn’t just apply to pastors. It applies to every Chrisitan too. As much as we bristle and push against those in authority, as much as we don’t like others telling us what to do, we have to admit: We fail this list. We are stubborn, selfish, quick-tempered, we can be bullies especially to those closest to us, and we can be greedy. Lots of people are turned off by Christians because of hypocrisy. They have a vague idea how we should act, and we don’t do it. I think they have a point. We are hypocrites. We are sinners.

When you value something, you hold it firmly, right? If you’re swimming in a pool, you hold your ring tight. In a large crowd, you hold your purse or wallet in your pocket. When you’re walking by a busy street, you hold your little child’s hand tight. If we value something, we hold it firmly, sometimes to our chest, with hands held tight.

So Paul, after giving us this exhausting list that places us under God’s authority, under God’s Word, encourages us to hold firmly to God’s Word. “Hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught.” Why? If I don’t like authority, if I bristle when God’s Word tries to boss me around, if I fail God, why should I value God’s Word, why hold it firmly? What is so good about God’s Word?

Why? Because of what it gives. Let me read Titus 3:4-7, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal in the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Why hold firmly to God’s Word? Why listen to God? Because of what God gives us. Jesus, savior from our sin. Mercy and love that led Jesus to die in our place. The Spirit that creates life in our hearts. Justification, that declares us holy. Grace, that gives us salvation. Heirs of eternal life, a blessed hope of eternal paradise.

We hold firmly to God’s Word, the trustworthy message, we even place ourselves under God’s authority, because of all the wonderful promises that God gives.

Sometimes, parents do leave and they hire a babysitter, right? Our manager at work does have authority over us. Police can enter a house if they have a search warrant. Authority exists in this world. We have to admit, that’s a good thing. Police protect, leaders give order and rules, bosses manage so we get paid.

God does have authority, the highest authority as king of kings. He gives that authority to pastors and church leaders. That’s part of what Paul charged Titus to do, appoint elders. God-willing, pastors and church leaders hold firmly to God’s word, encourage, teach, and refute those who don’t live according to God’s Word. God gives pastors and other servants as blessings to you, to his people, to help you grow in your faith.

Would you trust anybody to perform heart surgery? What if a doctor’s only credential was a note written in crayon calling himself a doctor? No! My dentist in town has his doctor’s diploma framed in his entry way. When we find pastors or churches, we want to make sure they are giving us the Word of God.

But God also gives his authority to you, brothers and sisters, to every single child of God.

- When you share the message of Jesus with others, whether with a neighbor or a friend, you aren’t sharing your opinion, but God’s own inspired Word. You bring the word of the King on high to people. It’s not our message, it’s God’s message.

- We give a life-giving gospel. We aren’t just sharing our opinion or another topic on the news, but the message that gives eternal life.

- Our lives matter. Our lives are powerful witnesses to our message. Let’s embrace that! Imagine that Jesus is always on the front of your shirt. That leads us to rethink our interactions, right?

> If politics comes up, let’s not bash this president or that one, let’s convey our peace that whoever if is in office, God is in control.

> if the topic of health problems come up, let’s not express our fear or terror, but the hope we have in eternal life.

> If we’re out with our family or friends, let’s show our love for Jesus by being patient, kind, and easy-going, not wrapped up in ourselves or trying to bully others. 

> If those we’re with start talking bad about other generations, co-workers, parents, neighbors, or whoever it might be, let’s encourage them to love all people. 

> In effect, everything we like is an opinion. Politics, sports teams, retirement strategy, favorite bands, best places to eat. The only thing that really matters is God’s Word, is Jesus Christ. Only there do we have life and peace.

God gives you authority to speak and live his Word. Let’s hold firmly to the Word of God, and the Word of God alone.