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Behavior Befitting the Gospel: Mentoring Younger Men

October 13, 2024 Preacher: Jeff Griffis Series: Titus

Scripture: Titus 2:6–8

Behavior Befitting the Gospel: Mentoring Younger Men – Titus 2:6–8

PRAY & INTRO: Have you ever had someone come up to you and thank you for something you didn’t know you had done? Or thank you for something that definitely felt like no big deal and just the right thing to do, the appropriate kindness to demonstrate? And have you ever had somebody express how influential you were in their lives, someone they looked up to, even though you had no idea?

If we sometimes can have this kind of impact just because we have Christ in us, imagine how God might be pleased to use us if we realize his design for expanding the church to work this way. What if we focus on living for him, and intentionally set an example for others and even intentionally mentor some?

That’s our emphasis in Titus chapter 2:

All Christians are to lead lives befitting the gospel, for the health of our homes and churches and for projecting the life-changing truth of God’s grace to the world. (Titus 2)

From that point we understand the flow of the chapter:

- The instructions for different groups (by age, gender, and station in life) offers wisdom for gospel living based on our God-given situations.

And then also the text begins to sharpen toward a mentoring focus that we find in vv. 4-8:

The more mature (in faith & life experience) are to mentor younger saints to lead lives befitting the gospel, so that God’s word & Christ’s church may not be slandered because of our unbecoming conduct. (vv. 4-8)

In our previous lesson from this section, we mined through the details and implications for younger women being mentored by older women in the body of Christ. Now we turn our attention to younger men and those who should actively mentor them, and how.

Older men should intentionally  model  and  teach  the younger men faithfulness to Christ with our whole lives. (vv. 6-8)

By young men (in v. 6) Paul could mean any male from age 12 up, and likely has in mind especially men in their 20s and 30s. And although it seems there’s only one verse directed at them, the subsequent verses to Titus about setting an example for them clearly has further implications for the growth and development of younger men.

I find it intriguing and enlightening that in this text Paul chooses to emphasize that…

One particular need for young men is  self-control , σωφρονέω (sōphroneō), a wise prudence of mind that leads to healthy balance in our desires, passions, and pursuits.

An overarching area where young men need particular attention is in self-control (a wise prudence of mind that leads to keeping in check ones physical desires, an ability to keep in check our passions, such as ambition, and even passion for fun pursuits, and for affluence and influence. … Self-control produces a balance of life that leads to moderation.)

So even the phrase “in all respects” or “in everything” at the beginning of verse 7 actually is likely intended to be the modifier here rather than there. Urge the younger men to be self-controlled in everything.

- Why does “self-control” encapsulate a primary need for young men?

Self-discipline for younger men is evidently in contrast to what was normative in Roman society, and Cretan culture in particular. Our inclination and culture as young men is completely relatable to the situation faced in Crete. The examples of our need as young men to grow in self-control are so numerous that we could camp out here for too long! Here are just a few:

-Control over our minds in terms of sexual desire [We know this applies to more than just men, so everyone should be attentive here.] ***

-Moderation in the things for which we develop a passion. (sports, video games) - Corresponding to this is learning the wisdom of getting sleep to be more clear-headed an effective when we are busy with essential pursuits.

-Control over our ambition. - ***

So discipline in the area of self-moderation, of keeping passions and desire and ambitions in check, is a fundamental need for young men to learn.

- How will we grow in self-control?

The legalists, the Judaizers in Crete, did not have an answer for this because asceticism doesn’t work from the inside out, like the gospel does. The change in us through Christ is what leads to conduct befitting the gospel (there is a gospel basis—a theological, right relationship to God reason for us changing our behavior: Titus 2:12

Titus 2:12 ESV

12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

If we have truly repented and put our whole trust in Jesus, let me explain a little more specifically and practically how we can grow be trained in this area.

  1. The first thing that must exist in us to make any progress is at least the beginnings of humility and teachability. - Arrogance and resistance to correction are the twin voracious predators of true learning and growth in maturity. If you already know it all, what’s the point of learning? If you’re already the wisest (most astute and clear thinking, and most experienced) person in the room, what’s the point of listening? No, you must first begin to develop some measure of humility and teachability.
  2. To grow in self-control, we must also understand our youthful tendency to not be humble, moderate, sober-minded, and sensible, but that we are inclined to be arrogant, passionate, overzealous, and ambitious.

Paul isn’t a young man anymore (almost certainly now at least in his 60s), and neither is Titus, although certainly younger than Paul (but seems to not be as young as Timothy). The point is, Paul has lived it and he knows what he’s talking about. Was Paul not ambitious as a young Pharisee, and overzealous and passionate in pursuit of something that turned out to be persecuting Jesus himself? Older men know and have begun to develop self-control over these youthful inclinations.

  1. So, besides admitting and recognizing the wrong tendency, we must, thirdly, look to Jesus as the supreme example of being a man who was obviously zealous for God’s glory, clear about his purpose and where to direct his passion, but who also practiced self-control in all things. Coupled with this, then, we follow the example and teaching of other men who are following Jesus well.

That pretty much leads into the next section, where Paul speak to Titus about setting an example, etc., with a clear implication in the context that he is doing so for everyone and for young men in particular.

Titus is to set an example in his  conduct  and  teaching  for younger men (and for everyone). (vv. 7-8)

Show yourself to be a type, a pattern, an example of good works. Other places in the NT we have clear statements from Paul about setting an example. One is in Phil 3:17

Philippians 3:17 ESV

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Specifically here in Titus 2:7 he is meant to be a model of good works, of morally good deeds. This is the conduct that replaces selfish and uncontrolled pursuits and passions and desires. It is the good works that are a benefit to others and draw attention to the gospel of Jesus.

- In context, what’s the big deal about a life marked by good deeds?

In the overall passage this has two key emphases: 1. It is a deliberate contrast to the way of life of the false teachers. (SEE 1:16)

  1. Secondly, the theological basis makes clear that this is the way of life that we are designed for in Christ: Titus 2:14

Titus 2:14 ESV

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

These good works are the associated duty and purpose of our new design in Christ. Of what value is a steam cleaner that doesn’t clean?

Really, Titus is setting an example in this for all believers and for the elders in the church as well, just as Peter says the elders themselves must be doing: 1 Pet 5:2-3 (esp v. 3)

1 Peter 5:2–3 ESV

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

And again, even younger men (especially those growing in leadership) can and should be doing this as well: 1 Tim 4:12

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

The obvious point is that we all need to be learning to live more like Jesus, which in turn helps others to see the difference Jesus makes, and it give them a pattern for learning to lead lives changed by him.

[Main sub-header again - “Titus set example”]

The second aspect of Paul’s expectation on Titus is to set an example in his teaching. - We have elsewhere explained, in a sermon on Titus 1:9, why healthy teaching that is gospel-centered and Bible-based is so central to the responsibility of leaders in the local church. (Authority for this kind of teaching only comes from consistency with the meaning of the text, so we can say, “this is what God says.” In essence, such teaching is letting God speak.)

But specifically here…

- What three characteristics, and why these three, are used to describe a healthy model for teaching?

These three things draw a stark contrast to the false teachers, and they set an example for a right motive, right seriousness, and right message in our teaching.

First, the teaching that sets a proper example is marked by Integrity (or purity) - With the way that all of these instructions are intended to contrast the false teachers, what Paul most likely means here is a purity of motive, as opposed to those who have corrupt motives. Titus’s goal must be the glory of God through the good of those receiving the teaching, and not any personal gain or praise for himself. The false teachers are motivated by personal recognition and monetary gain, while Titus’s teaching needs to set the example for everyone of integrity before God.

Second, model teaching is marked by Dignity (seriousness, respectability, gravity) - We might apply this today as teaching that is careful and precise, serious and persuasive, without being vulgar or silly or shallow. There’s nothing wrong with a good sense of humor and some hearty laughter; those are probably part of being a healthy human. The Lord Jesus undoubtedly had a sense of humor. But do you get the sense that his teaching is silly or shallow or vulgar, or far from it?

What about Paul, Peter, Stephen, the author of Hebrews? No. Even with bits of humor, there is a weight and depth and seriousness to the teaching. - Do we need a comedian or a life coach (as a preacher or a mentor), or do we need the self-indulgence-shattering declaration of the worth and glory of God, and the life-giving proclamation of his truth… all of which leads to faith in Christ, and to that person gaining a relationship with the almighty, all-satisfying God.

-Furthermore, although we can all grow more in strength of public speaking and clarity of presentation—Paul doesn’t negate the value of strong rhetoric—but the main thing is far from being erudite in rhetoric. The main thing is the gravity of the gospel message. (That leads into our final characteristic.)

The third aspect seems to shift from the activity of teaching to the content of teaching: Irreproachably Sound in Message (in the word - logos) - Irreproachably sound in terms of the clear gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Apostles; irreproachably sound in handling the word of God. - By teaching observation of rituals for salvation, the false teachers in Crete (and everywhere Paul battled against this) were literally undermining the true gospel. The law no only shows you how to walk before a Holy God, it also shows you just how unholy you are, driving you to your knees to recognize your need for his mercy and grace to offer you a relationship to him.

The false teachers would further dredge up “extra information” from Jewish myths about historical people in the Bible, to sound like they had more knowledge, special insight. - By contrast, Titus is to set an example of remaining tethered to the text, to do the hard work of showing what God says, but not to get off on tangents that cannot be verified or proven. And what’s more, he must be absolutely certain that the true gospel message is clear. 

What seems to be the goal of this third emphasis, being irrefutably sound in the Biblical message?

At least one goal of this, Paul says, is to not give the false teachers and any other opponents a rightly deserved reason to say bad things about Christ and his people. “… so that an opponent may be put to shame.” Opponent, here singular, is representative of any and all opponents, inside the church and outside the church.

Is their shame meant as judgment against them, or is their shame meant to bring them to repentance? Probably both, depending on how they choose to respond.

-So it isn’t that Titus’s teaching wouldn’t be slandered; no doubt Paul’s teaching was already being slandered. But if we declare God’s truth with integrity (purity of motive), and with the gravity that it deserves, and if we proclaim the message with a soundness that is irrefutable, then the opposition is indeed slanderous and it doesn’t stick. Most of all, it doesn’t stick in the sight of God.

In closing this for today, I want to return to a question we asked earlier and broaden it even further for the purpose of this context overall.

Conclusion: WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

(So Young adults - Teens, and 20s and 30 somethings) What’s the big deal about learning self-control and to be a model of good works and of healthy teaching? What’s the big deal if I watch porn in private, or sleep with my girlfriend (the whole world is doing it)? What’s the big deal about whether I swear or get a little drunk or do a little drugs (the whole world is doing it)? - Totally aside from just how harmful these things truly are to your life and character, and to the lives of others around you being impacted by them… (That really is a major reason not to do them!) But besides that, Christ didn’t redeem us and purify us so that we can go on being “detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

-The good news is that Jesus really did pay for the forgiveness of our sins, so that if we repent, he will restore. There is always grace enough for you to repent now, be forgiven, and start making things right and living differently.

-Notice too that being a people of good works is especially significant in connection with our mission of proclaiming Christ, the goal of being his witnesses to the world.

(Older men, older adults) What’s the big deal about what kind of example we set in our conduct and teaching, and about being intentional with this in relationships to younger men (and women)?

Hey, well it’s only the Bride’s faithfulness to Christ that’s at stake. It’s only the health of individuals and households and local churches truly living for Jesus and proclaiming the true gospel in the world.

-Seriously though, if you do NOTHING else in the Christian life, you should model and teach the gospel (and how Jesus changes us) to those closest to you in your circle of influence.

And may God rightly receive all the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:21)

PRAY