October 14, Reading 3 – Titus 2:9-3:15

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Chapter 3 contains much valuable advice for practical Christian living. Genuine practice and not hypocrisy should be our hallmark as Christians.

SJA Notes

* Good and Holy God, thank You for this day and for Your word. Please teach us from it.

“As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

This is a hard word to the leadership of God’s people, and to all of us.

Are we one who stirs up division?

Then let us come to the feet of Jesus in repentance, casting our cares on Him, devoting ourselves to good works.

Are we in a church where there are those who stir up division?

Let us pray for the leadership, wisdom and grace, mercy and courage. To be strengthened in the Lord.

And let us be warned to stay away from any hint of being led stray into pursuing division (stirring it up like a pot of stew).

If God has placed into power (lifts up and casts down) the secular powers, then most certainly He has placed into authority those in our churches.

Let us wrestle with what this means, what true submission looks like.

And let us stand firm against those who stir up division.

* Loving God,

We come before You in prayer, please help us dwell on and implement Your word as You write it on our hearts.

Please help us stand firm against division in Your people.

And please Lord, mark us as a people who devote themselves to good works.

Amen.

October 13, Reading 3 – Titus 1:1-2:8

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The hope of eternal life! Hope is the sure expectation of a good outcome. This hope is not a pipe dream because it is founded on two facts. They are in verse 2. How can we apply Paul’s words to older and younger men and women today?

SJA Notes

* God in Heaven, please write Your word on our hearts, that we might not sin against You.

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

This is an exhortation for us all.

In whatever spheres the Lord places us in, in whatever situations we come into – We are to teach what accords with sound doctrine.

Do what God tells us!

Obedience is such an important word, yet often seems so put aside. We like the idea of the freedom that Christ brings from the chains of our sin, but can shy away from the idea of walking obediently under the will of God.

Jesus says in John 14,

“If you love me, keep my commands.”

If Jesus is God’s word become flesh, old and new testaments in full, then the entirety of God’s word is for us to pour over, to read and prayerfully work to comprehend – So that we may teach what accords with sound doctrine.

How do we know what Jesus’ commands are?

God’s word tells us (the whole thing).

How do we know what sound doctrine is?

God’s word tells us (the whole thing).

Let us be encouraged to have an always-growing view of God’s word, and His impact in our lives.

* God Above,

Your word to us is living and active, a two-edged sword.

Please cut through to the marrow and heart of our selves, reveal to us who You are, who we are (our need for You), the depths of our sin, and the far greater depths of Your love.

Amen.