Sunday Worship Service (August 09, 2020)
THE HEAVENLY PATTERN OF GODLINESS FOR RAPTURABLE SAINTS
Titus 2:7-10; Hebrews 8:5,6; Acts 3:22; 1 Corinthians 9:25; 11:2; Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 3:20,22,23; 1 Timothy 3:11; 1 Peter 4:11
God has given us a heavenly pattern of godliness to follow in order to remain rapturable. As new creatures in Christ who have been transformed by the Spirit of God, the blood of the Lamb, His word and the personality of Christ, we are to show ourselves a pattern of good works “IN ALL THINGS”. The Lord wants us to leave no part of our behaviour, character or lifestyle to chance, personal or societal preference.
As we begin our Christian journey with salvation and progress towards maturity and mastery, we must be “temperate in all things”, controlled and guided by the Spirit of God. As such, leaders in the church must influence their listeners by “speaking the truth in love, [that they] may grow up into him in all things”. In all things, children (without age limit) must obey their parents, servants their masters, and wives must be faithful. Saints who have tasted of God’s grace must live according to His will “that God in all things may be glorified”.
- THE GODLY PATTERN FOR CONVERTED SOULS IN ALL THINGS
Titus 2:7,8
Shepherds are to lead by example and show a godly pattern for the children of God to follow. They do these in three ways:
(i). Incorruptible doctrine for saved souls
Titus 2:7; Deuteronomy 32:2-4; Matthew 7:28,29; Acts 2:40-42; 1 Timothy 4:6,15,16; 6:3-5; 2 John 1:9-11
The people in Christ’s day were “astonished” at the incorruptibility, sincerity, life transforming power and convincing nature of His doctrine. The doctrines we believe and hear, as the leaders set the example, must be incorruptible. As Christ laid the example, His apostles followed suit and became patterns of incorruptible doctrine. Likewise, preachers and pastors must “Take heed unto [themselves], and unto the doctrine; [and] continue in them.”
(ii). Indisputable demonstration of selfless sincerity
Titus 2:7; 1 Corinthians 5:7,8; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2:17; Philippians 1:10,11
Christ wants us to be sincere from the depth of our hearts. The pastor must demonstrate selfless sincerity in order to lay down a godly pattern for every member to follow. His family, comportment and conduct must be a godly pattern. In addition, he must be sincere with himself, the Scriptures, the Saviour and almighty God in his commitment, utterances and consecration.
(iii). Inculcated dedication to sound speech
Titus 2:8; Colossians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 3:12; Ephesians 4:29,30; Matthew 12:34-37
The dedication of pastors, shepherds and leaders must be inculcated into the rest of the members. The minister must commit himself to “Sound speech, that cannot be condemned”. ‘Sound’ in the original translation means ‘healthy’. He must promote health through his emotion and utterances. Speech reveals our lives because “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”. We identify a child of God through his converted speech and utterances. He will not hurt others by what he says. “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”.
- THE GUIDING PATTERN FOR CIVIL SERVANTS IN ALL THINGS
Titus 2:9,10a
Servants are exhorted “to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things”. Civil servants are to serve, obey rules and do the work the way it ought to be done. They are to be at their best and be productive. The masters, on the other hand, should dictate the rules, supervise, set goals and direct servants in a way that brings maximum benefit to the place of work. While masters are to remain faithful to their responsibilities, servants are to be obedient and please them well in all things. There are three things to note here:
(i). Blameless faithfulness in civil service
Titus 2:9; Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6;1,2; 1 Peter 2:18-20
Faithfulness will help you, as a believer, to follow the right pattern in service. Whatever you do in your profession or occupation must be “with fear and trembling”, and according to the will of God. You must also do your work “in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ” so that His will for your life and profession will be fulfilled.
(ii). Beneficial features in Christlike servanthood
Titus 2:9b; Matthew 20:26-28; Luke 17:10; Romans 15:2,3; Philippians 2:3-5
Christians must emulate Christ’s example of servanthood and do their work professionally, with proper knowledge and understanding, pleasing their masters well in all things. Masters should transfer their experience to servants by showing them the proper way to do things. Masters must show good example because they also serve.
(iii). Befitting fidelity without concealed stealing
Titus 2:10a; Romans 13:9,10; Zechariah 5:3,4; Isaiah 61:8; Ephesians 4:27,28
“Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things”. People who steal give place to the devil in their career, life and destiny. As believers, we are not to steal our employer’s time, tools, people, customers or treasure. Also, we must not do things that will erode the good work another person does in order to steal his position and authority in the workplace. We must do our work heartily and sincerely.
- THE GLORIOUS PATTERN FOR CONSCIENTIOUS SAINTS IN ALL THINGS
Titus 2:7,10
When conscientiousness, zeal and passion are lacking in other people, God can make you a star by letting your light shine and becoming a pattern of godly, glorious work “in all things”. There are three things to note:
(i). Spirit-strengthened conscience admonished to glorify God
Titus 2:7,10; Hebrews 9:14; 10:22; Romans 8:14,16; Philippians 1:10,11; Matthew 5:13-16
In everything you do, your goal must be to glorify God. In the community where you are, people should see your good intention, practice, skill, life and ministry, and glorify God. Saved and sanctified, the Spirit of God must bear witness in your heart that you are a child of God. As a conscientious believer, you must “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.
(ii). Seared conscience addicted to godlessness
1 Timothy 4:2; 1:19; Titus 1:15,16; Ephesians 4:18,19; Micah 7:2,3; 2 Peter 2:22
A believer who is not careful might follow the people of the world who have “their conscience seared with a hot iron” and want others to be like them. They are people who were once committed to the faith with good conscience but have now backslidden and made a “shipwreck” of their faith. Christ warns us not to follow them but be sensitive to His will and Word at all times.
(iii) Sanctified conscience adorning godliness
Titus 2:10b; Acts 24:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:10; Romans 13:5-7; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Timothy 1:5; 3:9; 1 Peter 3:16
Saved and sanctified believers are shining examples. They make restitution of things done in the past, which were not according to the will of God. In our families and places of work, we must have a purified conscience that is passionate to do things rightly. Our conscience must not condemn us whether in the secret or open. To remain rapturable, we must “exercise [ourselves], to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”
GHS: 52, 49 & 254