Faith Baptist Church

                             Things That Matter Most
                                            Titus 1:9-16 (#4)In the world of country music, Alan Jackson has achieved superstar status. Among more than 60 awards and honors, he was named Entertainer of the Year in 1995 by the Country Music Association and twice the Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.

In the world of country music, Alan Jackson has achieved superstar status. Among more than 60 awards and honors, he was named Entertainer of the Year in 1995 by the Country Music Association and twice the Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.In a seven-year period, an amazing twenty of his songs reached number one on the country music charts. He has sold more than 25 million records and amassed a fortune of more than $40 million.

He lives in a 30,000 square feet mansion. Any reasonable accounting would have to consider Alan Jackson a successful man.

But appearances can be deceptive.  In 1998, Jackson found himself in deep personal trouble. His marriage to his high school sweetheart was on the rocks, and for the first time in his life he found himself in what he told a reporter from USA Today was “an almost suicidal depression…I kept trying to let everything else make me happy. Maybe that’s why I’m successful. I worked so hard to get all the stuff to make me happy. Then that didn’t do it. I actually got worse.”

I’m happy to report that the Jacksons managed to work through their marital problems and renewed their vows as a special 19^th-anniversay celebration.

Alan Jackson wasn’t the first, and he won’t be the last, to discover that in the midst of public success, he was experiencing private failure in the things that mattered most.

Public image and personal reality may be planets apart.

That’s this man’s experience…Jack Whitaker.

On the day after Christmas, 2002, Mr. Whittaker won what was at that time “the largest undivided lottery prize in U.S. history,” $113 Million after taxes.

On that occasion, flanked by his family, Whittaker announced, “I’m not luck, I’m blessed.”

No longer.  Whittaker told 20/20 in a program that aired just before Easter, “It certainly has been a curse to me.”

…Divorce
…the death of a beloved grand daughter
 …Rehab
…More than 400 legal claims

Mr. Whittaker has learned the hard way—What matters most.

Writing to his protégée, Titus, serving on the Island of Crete, Paul’s introduction sounds like wartime orders barked by a general to his commanding officer.  Like personal hardship, war has a way of relegating things to what matters most.

Crete was a spiritual war zone.  The Cretan’s infamous reputation had preceded Paul and Titus by 600 years!  The quotation in verse 12, from a 6^th century BC prophet named Epimenides, “one of their own.” Every nation and culture has a reputation, and Paul wants the Cretans to know that he wasn’t buying into mindless stereotypes—a critical mistake in ministry and missions)

By the way, what is America known for positively around the world? It’s generosity.

“One of their own” said, “Cretan’s are…

Liars…”Always liars…”— Lying became ingrained in the national psyche
            and social relationships.

Lawless…”evil beasts”—People became cruel, vicious, brutal to one another. 
            Common respect and civility were rare. They said mean things to and
            about each other.

      Epimenides wrote jokingly, “

             “
Lazy—“…slow bellies”— denotes inactivity and is associated with
            unfruitfulness and barrenness.  Unproductive.

Lustful— “slow bellies”— The Greek gives us our word “gastric” and used
            here metaphorically to denote living by the physical senses (sensual).

John MacArthur notes;

     “The Cretans hated to work but loved to eat. They were self-indulgent,
      greedy, lustful, overfed, and perhaps in poor physical condition.”

Greek scholar, Kenneth Wuest says the word conveys the idea of gross obesity. They were 1^st century couch potatoes. 

Any parallels come to your mind?  In case you are drawing a blank…

A national survey of 16,000 college students has been published under the title “Generation Me.”  The author, Jean Twenge, a professor at San Diego State University talks about (quote) “the burst of self-love” (called narcissism) that dominates US culture, (quote) “and its likely side effects of depression, anxiety, and cynicism.”

Twenge writes:

   “I saw a MySpace page that had all these vaguely sexual, somewhat
   disturbing pictures, and then on the left side it had this little icon that says,
   ‘I love me.”

She points out that the slogan of YouTube is (who can say it?) “Broadcast Yourself.”

The survey is very disturbing in every respect.  And by the way, Professor Twenge, also calls this “Generation Crude.”

Crete was a culture in deep trouble.   

Isn’t it striking that Paul doesn’t say, “Get out of there, Titus…Isolate yourself…who needs that.”  No, he says, “God loves Cretans; Jesus died for them. No Cretan is beyond the reach of God’s saving grace.”

In times like these, if you aren’t’ going to get sweep away with the current, you have to be rock solid on what matters most—Values, convictions, priorities.

In the opening chapter, God says, “In times and places like Crete, that chews up people and families and spits them out, you must have a battle-ready, war-time attitude.  Keep focused on things that matter most.

In chapter 1, there are five things that matter:First, in 1, Know Who You Are In Christ.

That will help you keep your eye on the big picture. It will give you stability, confidence and hope.

Second, in times like these, It Matters That You Keep Your God-Given
     Purpose Clearly In View.In verse 5, Paul says, “Titus, this is why you are in Crete.”

What is your raison deodar—Your purpose for being?  “Generation Me” reports on a study by a group called The Pew Research center that asked young people, “What are your generation’s most important goals?”  8 in 10 (80 percent) said, “Getting rich.”

In verse 5, Paul says, What is your raison deodar—Your purpose for being?  “Generation Me” reports on a study by a group called The Pew Research center that asked young people, “What are your generation’s most important goals?”  8 in 10 (80 percent) said, “Getting rich.”What is your first priority as a Christ-follower?  The Glory of God.  (I Cor 10:31).

If that’s unclear to you…If that’s not your over-arching goal, God has nothing to say to you. You are wasting your time by being here in this morning.

Third, Leadership Matters.

In verses 6-9, you find the qualifications for elders. There are two arenas: the home and the church.  It’s true that ultimately everything rises and falls on leadership.

What do you suppose the leaders in Crete were like? Take the list for qualified leaders, turn it inside out, and you know.

A nation excels in what it values.  In America, athletes and entertainment are worshipped.

Leadership expert Aubrey Malphurs (of Dallas Seminary) defines Christian leadership like this:

   “Christian leaders are godly people (character) who know where they’re
    going (vision) and have followers (influence).”

      Character + Vision + Influence

That’s apply to you if you run a business, supervise one person or a workforce of a hundred, lead a family; head a class or a ministry.

Number 4:  In War Time, Truth Matters

Let me give you a Pastor Larry literal paraphrase of verse 9:

       “The leaders, and the people they lead, stay focused on things that
       matter because they cling tenaciously to the trustworthy (worthy of trust)
       Word (Scripture) as it has been handed down since the time of the first-
       century Apostles. They—and individual leaders and followers— know
       the Word well enough to encourage others with it, and convince those in
       error of their shortcomings.”

One writer says,

      “Truth is not a playground, it is a battleground.  That’s why the watershed
       issue in every generation rest upon the inspired word of God.  Either it is
       or it isn’t. And if it is, it represents the standard; and if it is the standard, it
       is that standard that we set in our lives; we bow to its authority.

Underscore the phrase, “by sound doctrine…”  The word translated “sound”—hugianino— is a medical term from which we get our word “hygiene” “or hygienic.”  It’s teaching that promotes good health; that makes people well.

The Principle is: Truth (doctrine) is to life what antibiotics are to infection.
Truth is both preventive and curative.

The corollary  is:  Damaged doctrine damages people.

No one ever said it better than C.S. Lewis in his fine work, “The Weight and the Glory.” 

   “If all the world were Christian it might not matter if all the world were
   uneducated. But as it is, a cultural life will exist outside the church whether
   it exists inside or not. To be ignorant and simple-minded, not be to able to
   meet the enemy on his own ground, would be to throw down our weapons
   and betray or uneducated brethren, who have, under God, no defense but
   us against the intellectual attack of the heathen.  Good philosophy must
   exist if for no other reason than bad philosophy needs to be answered.  The
   cool intellect must work, not only against cool intellect on the other side, but
   against the muddy, heathen mysticism of those who deny intellect all
   together.  The learned life, then, is for some a duty.”

Christian pollster, George Barna, did a basic life-view survey; listen to his conclusion:

    “Most Christians have plentiful exposure to God’s truth…but few have
    actually been pierced by the truth and meaning of their Christian
    faith…Even though most believers acknowledge that their blessings come
    from God, they further contend that the primary purpose of God’s blessing
    is to make them happy.”

    Only a relative handful of believers in the survey understood that concept
    that (quote), ‘God blesses me so I can bless others.’  When asked to
    describe the top reasons for which they live, born-again Christians on the
    whole reported that they were living for health, a successful career, a
    comfortable lifestyle, and a functional family.    The average born-again Christian wrongly assumes that ‘when I am happy,
    God is happy.’  The average born-again Christian spends more time
    watching television in one evening than he or she spends reading their
    Bible in a whole week.”  (“I Really Want To Change…” 122).

The average born-again Christian wrongly assumes that ‘when I am happy,    God is happy.’  The average born-again Christian spends more time    watching television in than he or she spends reading their    Bible .”  (“I Really Want To Change…” 122).It is the responsibility of every believer to grow up in Christ, to mature. Not simply relying upon someone else to teach us everything we believe. It is our job to take truth seriously, and to know that some day it will our repsnsb9ility to fix our own meal and to eat the food that has been prepare before God.

You need to know, if you were overheard using the “T” word (“truth”) in the market place, the schools, in government buildings on Crete, you would have been laughed out of town!

Truth was relative…defined by the individual, a ‘my truth—your truth” proposition.

But you know, the consequences of that the depressing, debilitating attitude of that view hung like a deep, chilling cloud over Cretan life and society.

It’s no accident that Professor’s Twenge’s book is subtitled:  “Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled—and More Miserable Than Every Before.”

Fifth, In times like these,  Discernment Matters.

If you had visited a house church in Crete on a Sunday morning, no one would have stood out—No one had a sneer or a red suit with a forked tail.
But Paul mentions some in the church (!) who contradict sound doctrine.  They were divisive and dangerous.  The opening words tell a story, “there are many…” Always have been… Paul said to the Ephesian elders, “when I am gone, wolves will emerge in your midst.”  Be careful!

John Calvin put it this way:

   “A pastor needs two voices; One for gathering the sheep, the other for
   driving away wolves and thieves.  The Scripture supplies him the means for
   doing both.”

That’s why Paul says, “Be careful when you select elders.”

Let me point out the three categories, in verses 10-16, Three wrongs that false teachers commit…

1. They say wrong things.
2. They have wrong motives.
3. They do wrong deeds.

All three are illustrated in the verses we are looking at. 

First, They say wrong things—Verse 10.
“rebellious”— The word has in mind spiritual and moral insurgents. Tucked away in the Greek term is the idea of subordinate.  They are a law unto themselves. One of the characteristics of the rebel is he or she is not accountable.  They do not recognize the authority of others or Scriptures.
They are not submissive to the truth as it is brought to their attention by Godly men and women.

“rebellious”— The word has in mind spiritual and moral insurgents. Tucked away in the Greek term is the idea of subordinate.  They are a law unto themselves. One of the characteristics of the rebel is he or she is not accountable.  They do not recognize the authority of others or Scriptures.They are not submissive to the truth as it is brought to their attention by Godly men and women.They resist correction or reproof.  They are marked by pride.  They are there to tell YOU.

Second, they are “empty talkers.”  They often have charisma, and gather a little group that listens to them. But they distort the truth.  They quote it, but they quote it free of its context; the true meaning of its interpretation.

But to the undiscerning, it seems so right!  It sounds so good! 

The 3^rd word we come across is “deceivers.”  This word has in mind the idea of not leading people to the truth but away from the truth.

In verse 11 we learn that they upset whole families, teaching things they should not teach.  Stop right there.  Teaching that results in upset people, causing doubt and confession. If the teaching is dividing your family stay away from it.  If the teaching is designed to win a family over, but isn’t authorized by the church, stay away from it.

The second thing I mentioned:  They have wrong motives.  Look at the end of verse 11. Reads.  “sordid gain.”  The Greek says, “fake gain.”  It’s the idea of ill-gotten financial profits.  WE say today, “They line their own pockets.”  Oh, they may hide that, but not for long because false teachers are brash and blunt about supporting them.  Their unspoken demand is, “show me the money.” Never doubt it.

Two prominent demands emerge from people of greed.  The first is an over-emphasis on size; an intense interest in a large following.  Second, is the building of a broad financial base for them personally.  The emphasis is upon  money.  They flaunt size and they flaunt cash…without shame.

Max Lucado gives wise counsel:

   “Listen carefully to the television evangelist.  Analyze the words of the radio
   preacher.  Note the emphasis of the message. What is the burden?  Your
   salvation or your donation?  Monitor what is said. Is money always needed
   yesterday?  Are you promised health if you give and hell if you don’t. If so,
   ignore him.”  (The Angels, 63)

There is a second motive in verses 13 and 14; there is the absence of character.  When you have a hidden motive of greed coupled with an absence of character, you have found disaster in the making. 

There are two commands.  The first one is up in verse 11. “They must be silenced.” Let me pause and let that sink in.  “That sounds pretty harsh. Maybe that’s not what the original word means.” The original word means, “muzzled.”  “Stop that kind of information flow, Titus.”  Deal with it. If you don’t, it will tear the church apart.

The most powerful organ in the body…the tongue.  The church is supposed to be a place of protection, of safety, and when the tongue runs loose…the safety is lost and the protection is gone…

In case you wonder how far they had gone…Verse 14, they had paid attention to Jewish myths, commandments of men who turn away from the truth in their lives.   They are religious but are, in fact, absent from God.  When I read about their doing wrong deeds, I put in three categories. 

First, They pay attention to that which is erroneous…man-made commands, ancient myths. 

Second, they have a twisted understanding of purity.   Verse 15 is a proverb; it may be an unrecorded statement by Jesus.  It is often twisted to accommodate sin.  You hear it stated like this:  “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

A teenager was warned about a certain kind of literature he was reading.  He said,  “If you see anything wrong with what I’m reading, it means your heart is dirty.”

It’s often used in the pornography argument.  “If you think it’s pornographic it’s because of your narrow mind and black heart.”

The point is:  Nothing outside can corrupt one who is internally pure; but someone who is internally impure corrupts everything he touches.

You know people like that: In everything there is an innuendo, something suggestive.  You get around them and you want to go home and take a bath.

The false teachers took the pure Word of God and contaminated it.

Third, they profess to know God but their lifestyle denies that profession.

I want to draw three timeless principles from the passage. I call this, “Three responses that God honors.”  These principles will work:

1. Let’s all commit to living in a real world.

The last time I checked it isn’t getting better. If you think things are getting better, you are dreaming.  There are more charlatans now than their have ever been.  There are more who will abuse you spiritually than ever been…

Stay in a real world when it comes to truth; be discerning. 

2. Second, Let’s carry on a courage strategy.

Some are to be muzzled; some are to be stopped in their tracks.  Ideally, can be done privately, but the work of the church includes this kind of disciplined thinking. A pastor worth his salt won’t run from it.  Some must be reproved severely.  That’s a tough call; you need assurance that a work like this is being done in the church.  The goal is never condemnation but resolution and restoration, as verse 13 concludes, “that they may be sound in the faith…”

3. Let’s hold the standard high.

Let’s demand a high standard in the choosing, and the conduct, of our leaders. And don’t be memorized by a preacher or teacher because he is a good speaker, and funny.  

Let’s be careful that we don’t dumb it down.

Walter Mondale wrote of him, “[he is] an inspiration to us all.”  The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare cited the pastor’s outstanding contribution.  It was said:

    “He knew how to inspire hope. He was committed to people in need, he
     counseled prisoners and juvenile delinquents. He started a job placement
     center; he opened rest homes and homes for the retarded; he had a
     health clinic; he organized a vocational training center; he provided free
     legal aid; he founded a community center; he preached about God. He
     even claimed to cast out demons, do miracles, and to heal.”

Eventually, the pastor  and the church commanded national and international attention.

Where is the congregation today?  Dead…literally.  All 780 of them.

The church?  The People’s Temple.
The pastor?  The Rev. Jim Jones.

Mark it down and beware:  There are hucksters in God’s house.