Doctrine for Young Men

23 August 2020 AM – Titus 2:6-8 – Tit20 – Scott Childs

Introduction: We have been learning here in Titus chapter two ways that we must flesh out the Bible doctrine we believe in our daily lives. We are to live doctrine not just learn it. Today’s section is addressed to young men. If you are a male, younger than an aged man, then this is for you. Actually, this section has applications in it for every one of us.

Transition: God’s doctrine for young men includes an exhortation, an illustration and a motivation that we need to examine this morning.

The Exhortation

a. Note the phrase “likewise exhort”

1) Likewise, shows us that the young men were no exception. They needed to live biblical doctrine as much as the three former groups.

2) Exhort is the common word which means to call to one’s side in order to give instructions or encouragement. It can even mean to beg someone to do something.

3) We find the same word back in Titus 1:9 where Titus was to exhort the gainsayers. We will see it again in Titus 2:15 where Titus must exhort and rebuke those who may try to despise him.

4) The fact that Paul did not tell Titus to exhort the older men, older women and young women may indicate that young men can be more commonly addicted to the vices of this world and harder to persuade to change.

b. Examine the exhortation

1) Young men must be sober minded.

2) Though similar to other words translated “sober”, this word emphasises being in a sane mind. The word described the mind of the demoniac after Jesus healed him. (Mark 5:15) “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.“

3) The mind of the demoniac had been controlled by the demons, but it was now free from them and thinking clearly. Thus, the word describes one who is not controlled by the devil, addictions, or vices.

4) Titus must seek to persuade Christian young men to keep their minds free from the corruption of this world. Young men, take this to heart. Do not let the things of this world dominate your lives. Daily pray as David, (Psalms 19:14) “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.“

2. The Illustration

a. Titus was to be an example to young men

1) Titus was one of the young men. They would be watching his life more than his lips.

2) Titus was to be a pattern. This word describes a mark left by a blow. Years ago, lumbermen cut large trees and floated them down streams to sawmills. Before the log was floated, the end of the log was struck with a large hammer that had the logo of the logging camp on it. The powerful blow left the exact imprint of the logo on the end of the log. It left an exact pattern.

3) Titus’ life was to leave a clear print of how God wants a young man to live and talk. He was to exhort the young men to live just as he was living for God’s glory. Wow!

4) God gave young preacher Timothy a very similar charge. (1 Timothy 4:12) “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.“

5) This is a great challenge to each of us. Is your life an example of a godly life that honours the Lord? If others lived just like you, would God be pleased?

b. Titus was to be an example in works and words

1) First, he was to be a pattern of good works.

a) We must remember that no one will go to heaven by doing good works. Nor is a person KEPT saved by doing good works. Rather, once a person becomes a Christian, he should do good works to please the Lord. (Ephesians 2:8-10) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.“

b) Good works are the opposite of bad deeds. Our actions and deeds must honour the Lord. Our works include our hobbies, our habits, our entertainment, our service for the Lord, as well as how we treat our family.

2) Second, he was to be a pattern in doctrine. We learned back in Titus 2:1 that sound or healthy doctrine is not just what we believe, but what we live because of what we believe. Christian doctrine is not just information; it is application. Christian doctrine is God’s instructions for our beliefs and our practice.

a) Our doctrine must have uncorruptness. The idea here is that is must not contain any corruptness or decay. Decay is the loss of wholesomeness. Just as a decaying apple soon becomes useless, so decaying doctrine will become useless for God’s glory.

b) Our doctrine must have gravity. It must be worthy of esteem or respect. If your belief and practice are not worthy of esteem or respect, your light is not shining for the Lord.

c) Our doctrine must have sincerity. This word describes that which is genuine and enduring. Both a paper plate and a stainless steel plate may work find for serving food, but the stainless steel will far outlast the paper plate. It is more enduring. The doctrine that young men live and speak must be the genuine article that will endure.

d) Our doctrine must include sound speech. This is healthy speech. The things we say must be health-giving, especially if we are instructing others. Our doctrine includes what we believe, what we live and what we say.

3. The Motivation

a. Others are always observing us.

1) There is always someone watching the way you live and talk. If you have children, they are watching. Your neighbours are watching. Your friends are watching. Your workmates are watching.

2) Those who are against your faith are especially watching. They are those of the contrary part.

b. Our example must prevent legitimate criticism.

1) The phrase, “that cannot be condemned”, may describe the pattern Titus was to set, but more likely it describes the sound speech he was to display. It is not easy to keep our life and lips so guarded that they cannot be condemned by critics, but that is to be our goal.

2) Young men, if the way you live and talk matches what you claim to believe, those who are against you will be ashamed. They will have no evil thing to say of you.

3) Sometimes God’s standard seems so high that it is impossible to reach, yet that is to be our goal. Though we are living in the world, we are not to be of the world. The Holy Spirit had the Apostle Peter put it this way, (1 Peter 1:14-16) “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.“

Conclusion: Young men, the doctrine God has for you includes an exhortation to guard your mind, an illustration in Titus’ life to follow in good works and in the doctrine you live and speak, and a motivation to prevent legitimate criticism.

The way to fulfil this huge challenge is to surrender your life to the Lord, to spend time daily in His Word and to seek to live for God’s glory.

If Jesus Christ has not yet forgiven your sin and given you eternal life, you are not yet a Christian. You cannot expect to live like a Christian until you become one. If this is your need, please come and talk with me about it.

Song: I Am Resolved – 389

Doctrine for Young Men

23 August 2020 AM – Titus 2:6-8 – Tit20 – Scott Childs

Transition: God’s doctrine for young men includes an exhortation, an illustration and a motivation that we need to examine this morning.

The Exhortation

a. Note the phrase “likewise exhort”

1) Likewise, shows us that the young men were no exception. They needed to live biblical doctrine as much as the three former groups.

2) Exhort is the common word which means to call to one’s side in order to give instructions or encouragement. It can even mean to beg someone to do something.

3) We find the same word back in Titus 1:9 where Titus was to exhort the gainsayers. We will see it again in Titus 2:15 where Titus must exhort and rebuke those who may try to despise him.

4) The fact that Paul did not tell Titus to exhort the older men, older women and young women may indicate that young men can be more commonly addicted to the vices of this world and harder to persuade to change.

b. Examine the exhortation

1) Young men must be sober minded.

3) The mind of the demoniac had been controlled by the demons, but it was now free from them and thinking clearly. Thus, the word describes one who is not controlled by the devil, addictions, or vices.

2. The Illustration

a. Titus was to be an example to young men

1) Titus was one of the young men. They would be watching his life more than his lips.

3) Titus’ life was to leave a clear print of how God wants a young man to live and talk. He was to exhort the young men to live just as he was living for God’s glory. Wow!

4) God gave young preacher Timothy a very similar charge. (1 Timothy 4:12) “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.“

5) This is a great challenge to each of us. Is your life an example of a godly life that honours the Lord? If others lived just like you, would God be pleased?

b. Titus was to be an example in works and words

1) First, he was to be a pattern of good works.

b) Good works are the opposite of bad deeds. Our actions and deeds must honour the Lord. Our works include our hobbies, our habits, our entertainment, our service for the Lord, as well as how we treat our family.

a) Our doctrine must have uncorruptness. The idea here is that is must not contain any corruptness or decay. Decay is the loss of wholesomeness. Just as a decaying apple soon becomes useless, so decaying doctrine will become useless for God’s glory.

b) Our doctrine must have gravity. It must be worthy of esteem or respect. If your belief and practice are not worthy of esteem or respect, your light is not shining for the Lord.

d) Our doctrine must include sound speech. This is healthy speech. The things we say must be health-giving, especially if we are instructing others. Our doctrine includes what we believe, what we live and what we say.

3. The Motivation

a. Others are always observing us.

1) There is always someone watching the way you live and talk. If you have children, they are watching. Your neighbours are watching. Your friends are watching. Your workmates are watching.

2) Those who are against your faith are especially watching. They are those of the contrary part.

b. Our example must prevent legitimate criticism.

1) The phrase, “that cannot be condemned”, may describe the pattern Titus was to set, but more likely it describes the sound speech he was to display. It is not easy to keep our life and lips so guarded that they cannot be condemned by critics, but that is to be our goal.

2) Young men, if the way you live and talk matches what you claim to believe, those who are against you will be ashamed. They will have no evil thing to say of you.

Conclusion: Young men, the doctrine God has for you includes an exhortation to guard your mind, an illustration in Titus’ life to follow in good works and in the doctrine you live and speak, and a motivation to prevent legitimate criticism.

The way to fulfil this huge challenge is to surrender your life to the Lord, to spend time daily in His Word and to seek to live for God’s glory.

If Jesus Christ has not yet forgiven your sin and given you eternal life, you are not yet a Christian. You cannot expect to live like a Christian until you become one. If this is your need, please come and talk with me about it.

Song: I Am Resolved – 389