TVCC Students,
It was such a blessing to get to worship and study God's Word with you tonight. We got to take an in-depth look at Titus 2:11-14 and unveil how much the Gospel actually does. It was encouraging to be reminded that the Gospel's work does not just end with our salvation but is the continuing force that is chiseling us into the image that the Lord desires so that we might bring Him glory. Here is a recap...
Titus 2:11-14
~Titus 2:11: The grace of God brings salvation. What is this grace of God? Titus 3:4-5 reminds us that the kindness of God (grace) is the fact that Jesus came to bring us salvation- The Gospel given to us is the grace of God- Jesus came and died for us, not because of our good works but because of His great mercy. Jesus is everything. Jesus is the Grace of God. Jesus is the Kindness of God. Jesus is our freedom. Jesus is salvation.
Q: Do you live your life in such a way that you are declaring to the world that Jesus is everything? When people look at your life, what/who would they say that you live for?
~Titus 2:12: The Gospel instructs us. This word for "instructs" is the same word often used for being in training or something/someone being "shaped" for something else. Just as an ice sculptor takes a block of unshaped ice and makes something beautiful out of it, so too Jesus wants to take us and shape and chisel us into someone who reflects His glory. The gospel is what does this. Remembering that we are loved and that Christ died on our behalf while we were yet in our sins... this is the power that can take us from being hard blocks of ice and making us beautiful works of the Lord.
Q: How have you seen the Lord shaping you lately? Remember that those that the Lord loves He shapes and disciplines (Hebrews 12). If you are not being changed by His gospel continually, we encourage you to check your faith to see if it is genuine or see if there is any sin that is keeping you from being sanctified by Him. He longs for you to believe His gospel and return to Him. Also remember that sometimes this process is not easy but it is what's best for us. The Lord is the Master Artist and He knows exactly what chiseling needs to be done so that we can display His glory.
~Titus 2:12-13: The Gospel also teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldliness and live sensibly in this present age. The word "deny" used here is the same word that was used to describe the denial of Jesus by the Jews- the denial that had Him murdered to the cross. The Gospel calls us to deny with the utmost intensity things that are contrary to the nature of God. After denying these things, we are called to live sensibly. We know how to live sensibly by living under the truth of God's Word remembering that Jesus is coming again soon to take us to our real home for eternity with Him. Nothing else will lead us to living sensibly though the world will promise daily that it's ways are right.
Q: Are you letting the Gospel lead you to denial of ungodliness or are you living the way the world tells you to live? Are you letting God's Word shape your life and your thoughts? Are you living sensibly- keeping your focus on eternal things and not living for the pleasures of this world? What changes do you feel the Lord calling you to make so that the Gospel can be shaping you more on a daily basis?
~Titus 2:14: Christ redeemed us from the penalty of our sins through His death on the Cross. This was just the beginning. He not only redeems (salvation) but is continuing to purify us during our time on earth (sanctification) that we might be more like Him. We need to be reminding each other often that the Gospel did not stop its work on us when we believed but that it is daily working on us.
Q: In what ways are you letting the Gospel change you daily?
~Titus 2:14: He redeemed us for Himself for a purpose- that we might live in such a way that He is glorified. We were saved for a purpose. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we were created to do good works for His glory. Our lives tell others who He is- that He is the Great Savior who redeemed His children. Even when we struggle and fail, He is continually calling us to return to the Gospel, believe what He has done on our behalf and live lives of thankfulness to His sweet mercies that are poured out on us everyday.
Dear students,
We pray that you will continually mediate on the fact that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He knows that we fail continually and stands daily ready to forgive and shape us into His image. We pray that you will let His Word shape and encourage you this week and that you will have sweet times of fellowship with Him and with the body of Christ. We love you and are praying for you!
With hope,
~Sonny and Casi
Augustine of Hippo stated this truth...
"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you."
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