What Is It?
0 Amens
His
Titus 1:1-4
Intro: It has sold 5 million copies. It is a #1 NY times bestseller and it’s the first book the author ever wrote. It’s considered Christian fiction and Christians all over are heralding it as the best book since Pilgrim’s Progress or maybe even the Bible. If you haven’t heard of it yet – you will. Maybe you’ve read it or been told to: The Shack by William P. Young.
One review on Amazon: "The BEST work of Fiction I have read in Years. . . . THE SHACK has changed my life. I don't want to say it has a power second only to the Bible, but others have said it and I feel that is true. . . . We now buy 'em by the case, and pass them out—much more fun than tithing . . . Right behind the Bible; this is at the top of my reading list. As soon as I finished, I wanted to read it again."
The book is about a man who goes into a shack in the woods and talks to the Triune God: Papa-A black woman, Jesus – a middle eastern carpenter, and the Holy Spirit is Sarayu who is an Asian woman.
One of the book’s central theme is a rejection of church – otherwise labeled organized religion. Listen to the words Young gives Jesus: "I don't create institutions; that's an occupation for those who want to play God. So no, I'm not too big on religion . . . and not very fond of politics or economics either. . . . And why should I be? They are the man-created trinity of terrors that ravages the earth and deceives those I care about."
In an interview with World Magazine, Young, who is no longer a member of a church, said "(The institutional church) doesn't work for those of us who are hurt and those of us who are damaged.”
92% of Americans believe in God. Only 29% look to their religion to help them determine right and wrong. It is popular today to be against organized religion. “I’m not religious I have a relationship.” “I don’t believe in denominations.” “I am the church.”
The church has been beaten up, stepped on, mocked, and left out in the cold. But what is the church? It is the glorious bride of Christ!
Proposition: The church is made up of chosen and faith-filled servants of God who are dedicated to and united by His teachings and living like Christ. The first part of Titus is Paul giving his greeting to a letter about the church. While these verses are not meant to define the church - we can learn a lot about the church from what Paul wrote.
Paul calls himself a “bond-servant of God”, and he calls all Christians people of “faith” that are the “chosen of God”. What is the church? First and foremost we need to understand the church is people – not a building.
A man was answering questions for a national poll. When asked for his church preference, he responded, 'Red brick."
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Romans 16:5
All the early churches met in homes. That home was only the church when people gathered there. The same can be said of this building.
Ex. Abigail – I’m going to the church building.
What kind of people? Chosen and faith-filled servants of God.
- Chosen – “chosen of God”
Lit. “according to the faith of the elect ones”. The church is the elect people of God.
You did not choose me, but I chose you. John 15:16
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:11
What about free will?
- Faith-filled – “for the faith of those chosen of God”
God’s sovereignty never negates our free-will. You must have faith. God doesn’t make you have faith. You must believe.
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. Acts 13:48
If you are a Christian than you were appointed for eternal life – but you must believe.
- Servants – “bond-servant of God”
All three of these terms are connected. A true Christian is one who has been chosen of God, has faith in the gospel, and lives out that faith in service. You were chosen to serve! And faith works itself out in service to God and others.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. John 15:16
- Dedicated to and united by His Teachings. (1-4)
Paul is mentioning his apostleship to take the word of God to God’s people. And when he mentions Titus he speaks of a common faith. The early church was committed to the teaching of the apostles and found their unity in that knowledge.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
This is the description of what the church should look like: people who have united around and dedicated their lives to living out the teachings of Scripture.
“I’ve never seen a church like that.” Why don’t you help it become like that?
Ex. Visiting a guy who was made from the past. Mad no one visited him. Who did you go visit? How many upset people have you visited? How many hospital visits have you gone on? If we would commit to living this book out my how we would shine as the glorious church!
After attending church one Sunday morning, a little boy knelt at his bedside that night and prayed, 'Dear God, we had a good time at church today, but I wish you had been there!"
No one should leave here feeling that Christ was not here. They should see Him in each one of us.
How do you get dedicated to His teachings? Personal reading – and expectation at the preaching of His word. Come every Sunday ready to be changed.
Ex. Clay will always be moveable at the hands of the master. As soon as it comes off the wheel it begins to harden. Never leave the hands of the master.
- Living like Christ. (1)
Part of the reason Paul wrote letters was to combat false teaching. At the time he dealt both with legalists and Gnostics. Gnostics thought there was special knowledge that would get you to heaven that had nothing to do with how you lived. Holiness was not required. Paul’s use of the word “knowledge” here is a Greek word which implies a full experiential knowledge – one that is lived out every day with godliness or Christlikness.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you. Galatians 4:19
It is God's will that you should be sanctified. 1 Thessalonians 4:3
Ex. We’d all fight and dad would yell at us in the car to straighten up for church.
As the church we are always to live like Christ. Sadly most church members either ignore each other or hurt each other. We are to be family that works through stuff.
A young child in church was standing up on the pew, looking around and smiling. His mother grabbed him, shoved him back down into the pew, and walloped him on the legs. His mouth dropped open and he started to cry. She said, 'That's better; remember that you're in church."
Live like Christ in the church – don’t live like Pharisees. This should be a place of joy, love, and freedom.
Conclusion: Abigail and the cup in her arms she didn’t see. Cried and complained.
We are missing what we already have. Be what you are looking for.
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