Doctrine for Older Men

2 August 2020 AM – Titus 2.1-2 – Tit20 – Scott Childs
Introduction: As chapter 2 begins, Paul charges Titus to speak things that become (i.e., distinguish) sound (i.e., healthy) doctrine. Bible doctrine is not just something we are to learn; it is something we are to live in our daily lives.
Transition: This morning I want to show you several doctrines that we need to incorporate into our daily lives.
  1. God addresses men first
a.         God created male and female
1)         The first words in the Bible read, “In the beginning God created.” God is eternal.
a)         Only God existed before the beginning of time.
b)         It is far easier to believe that an eternal, intelligent, all-powerful God spoke everything into existence than to believe the evolutionary tale that nothing exploded and from that chaos, evolved the incomprehensible diversity, complexity and order we see all around us.
2)         God created humans as distinctly male and female. (Genesis 1:27) “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.“
b.         God has the right to set the rules
1)         God created man first, properly equipped him for labour and ordained that he was to be a loving leader. He created woman from man and properly equipped her to bear children and be her husband’s completer. Men are not higher than women. God simply designed and created both male and female with distinct roles.
2)         Being the Creator of all that exists, God has the right to set the rules. Man is to lead.
2.        Men have God-given roles
a.         God first targets older men
1)         The Holy Spirit had Paul address men, particularly aged (older) men first (v.1).
2)         Because the young women mentioned in verse four are caring for their children, perhaps we can assume that when your children leave home, you are no longer young. Men if your children have left home you are an old man.
3)         God is calling on older men to set a good example for their wives and the younger generation.
b.         Men have four basic God-given roles
The Bible identifies at least four basic God-given roles of men.
1)         Men are to be leaders. Men are to lead their homes as outlined in the Bible. That is no small task. It takes Bible study, example, self-discipline, humility and sacrifice.
2)         Men are to be lovers. God commands husbands to love their wives as Christ loved us when He died for us. Love focusses not on self, but on meeting the needs of others.
3)         Men are to be providers. Repeatedly the Bible admonishes us not to be lazy. We read in (1 Timothy 5:8) “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Illness or accidents sometimes hinder this role, but laziness is no excuse.
4)         Men are to be protectors. In Bible days, the men went into battle, never the women. God has placed within men instinct to protect his loved ones.
5)         As Christians, we must beware of the secular philosophies of our day that are undermining these God-given roles for men. The devil wants men to be soft, lazy, passive, effeminate, game-playing, addicted, couch potatoes. Men, be the man God wants you to be!
3.        Older men must be sound in doctrine
a.         God identifies six ways men are to be sound in doctrine.
1)         Older men must be sober.
a)         On the one hand, sober refers to abstaining from alcohol. However, in the Bible it describes general restraint in indulging desires. (Rogers) Being sober is not allowing any vice to control you.
b)         Many men today are controlled by pornography, lust, immorality, games, gambling, TV, Internet, drugs or alcohol. If some vice controls you, you are not sober as God commands.
c)         (2 Timothy 2:22) “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.“
2)         Older men must be grave.
a)         A grave man is one who is honourable or respected for his character.
b)         A sober man is not necessarily dull and boring, but he is one who is serious and dignified rather than always chasing foolishness or seeking a thrill.
3)         Older men must be temperate.
a)         Temperance is curbing one’s desires and impulses, or being self-controlled. The word comes from two words “to keep safe” and “the mind”. Thus, it is keeping the mind safe.
b)         Temperance has to do with being moderate, prudent, modest, restrained and disciplined. (TDNT)
c)         While being sober focusses on not BEING controlled by a vice, being temperate focusses on CONTROLLING your mind. Men, the devil is out to get your mind. Someone wisely said, “You are not what you think you are but what you THINK you are.” Guard your mind carefully.
d)         (Psalms 101:3) “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.“
e)         (2 Timothy 1:7) “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.“
4)         Older men must be sound in the faith.
a)         Remember, sound means healthy.
b)         To be sound in the faith is to be healthy in the doctrines of Christianity. It is knowing what the Bible says we are to do and then faithfully doing it.
c)         Men, we need to be spiritually healthy. Do not leave it to your wife to be the spiritual leader in your home. Ground yourself in the Bible faith.
5)         Older men must be sound in the charity.
a)         Charity refers to God’s sacrificial love. Love is giving of yourself to meet the needs of another expecting nothing in return. Jesus said that love is to be the distinguishing mark of Christians. (John 13:35) “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.“
b)         Men, we are to have healthy love beginning at home and extending to fellow Christians. If you do not sacrificially love your wife and family, you do not have a healthy love.
6)         Older men must be sound in the patience.
a)         This word describes our steadfastness or endurance, particularly during difficulties.
b)         Many men today lack grit. They are quitters. When the going gets tough, the tough keep going.
c)         We find a similar challenge in (1 Corinthians 16:13) “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.“
b.         This is addressed to Christian men
1)         Being the man God wants you to be is a difficult task for any Christian man. However, God would never ask you to do something that you could not do. The Lord can give you victory. He can build your character. He can make your faith, love and endurance healthy if you will truly seek his help.
2)         Being the man God wants you to be is impossible if you are not truly a Christian. If you have not yet admitted your sinfulness to God and trusted Christ to save you from judgment, I urge you to do so today.
Conclusion: We have talked to the older men, but many of the applications apply to all of us. If God has identified areas in your life that need change, let Him have His way today. If you are not sure you are a true Christian, come and see me. I would be happy to help you.
Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337