The Irreducible Pattern of Life Together

Speaker: Pastor Marty Voltz
Scripture: Titus 3:9-15
Series: The Irreducible Gospel

The least read and least appreciated portions of Paul’s letters to the churches are his closings. Yet these lists of strange-sounding names and highly personal instructions have an important truth hidden in them.

1. We share a common responsibility to strive for unity among our brothers and sisters (vv. 9-11).
2. We share a common need for one another (vv. 12-13).
3. We share a common calling to do what is good for one another (v. 14).
4. We share a common affection for one another (v. 15a).
5. We share a common experience of grace (v. 15b).

Conclusion: The church Christ desires is a “mutual community.” It is God’s chosen ones enjoying all the present benefits of life together.

The Irreducible Gospel

Speaker: Pastor Marty Voltz
Scripture: Titus 3:3-8
Series: The Irreducible Gospel

In one of the most complete yet succinct statements of the gospel in all Scripture, the Apostle Paul spells out the who, what, when, and where of our salvation.

1. What was our condition before God intervened? (v. 3)
   foolish, disobedient, decieved, enslaved, living in malice and envy, hated and hating
2. What did God do about this? (v. 5)
   saved us
3. Who saved us? (vv. 4-6)
   God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit
4. By what means did He accomplish this? (v. 5b)
   washing, rebirth, renewal > the Holy Spirit
5. Why did He save us? (v. 5)
   not because of righteous things we have done but because of His mercy
6. When did He do this? (v. 4)
   when the kindness and love of God appeared
7. How was our position before God altered? (v.7)
   we have been justified by His grace
8. To what end has He saved us?
   that we might become heirs of God
9. Who are the recipients of this great gift? (v. 8; see also Ephesians 1:4-5,11)
   those who have trusted God
10. What is the evidence of our salvation? (v.8)
    our devotion to doing what is good

This is a trustworthy saying!

The Church’s Irreducible Pattern of Behavior towards the World

Speaker: Pastor Marty Voltz
Scripture: Titus 3:1-2
Series: The Irreducible Gospel

Among the frequent reminders found in the letters to the churches is a call to behave in a Christlike manner toward unbelievers.

1. Who we were before Christ (v. 3):
1. Foolish
2. Disobedient
3. Deceived
4. Enslaved
5. Living in malice and envy
6. Hated and hating
2. What He did to transform us (v. 5):
1. He saved us!
3. How we are to behave in our relationships with the world (vv. 2-7):
1. We are to be subject to rulers and authorities.
2. We are to be ready to do whatever is good.
3. We are to refrain from striking out against unbelievers.
4. We are to be considerate of others.
5. We are to demonstrate humility in our dealings with unbelievers.

Personal application: Where does my life fail to measure up to the pattern of behavior taught here in Titus 3:1-2? How can I access the transforming grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in this area of my life?

The Irreducible Duties of Various Groups within the Church

Speaker: Pastor Marty Voltz
Scripture: Titus 2:1-10
Series: The Irreducible Gospel

As we look about the church, we can see not only individuals but also various groups. Each of these groups must be taught to observe their God-given duties.

1. Within every local church, one may observe various groups of believers who are gathered around one or more common denominators:
1. Age and/or gender (vv. 2-6)
2. Social or cultural factors (v. 9)
3. Special needs or interests (1 Timothy 5:3ff)
2. Each of these groups must be taught to understand its special duties in the life of the church:
1. Older men: maturity and practical godliness
2. Older women: reverent, training the younger women
3. Younger women: “home lovers”
4. Younger men: self-mastery
5. Slaves: subject to their masters in everything
3. When each group is fulfilling its God-given duties, the result will be transformational:
1. In the church
2. In the home
3. And in the watching community
4. Both the motive and the enabling for such godly behavior has been provided by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1. His grace teaches us how to live (v. 11).
2. His grace redeems us from slavery to sin (v. 14).
3. His grace purifies us (v. 14).
4. His grace motivates us to do His good will (vv. 13-14).

Personal application: Where did you find yourself in today’s message? What special duties are yours as a result of the group(s) that you are part of? Are you seeking and finding God’s grace in Christ to sustain you in your daily walk?

The Irreducible Theme of the Church's Proclamation

Speaker: Pastor Tim Bruns
Scripture: Titus 2:11-15
Series: The Irreducible Gospel

It’s all about grace!

1. Receiving Christ’s gracious gift enables believers to have:
1. past salvation from the penalty of sin (v. 11).
   John 3:18, Ephesians 2:4-5
2. present salvation from the power of sin (vv. 12, 14).
   Romans 6:11-14, Galatians 5:16
3. future salvation from the presence of sin (v. 13).
   1 John 3:2, Revelation 21:3-4
2. Celebrating the Lord's Supper leads believers to be:
1. humbled in remembering the past—that Jesus gave His life for us.
   Ephesians 1:7-8, 13-14
2. thankful for our union now with Christ and fellow believers.
   Ephesians 4:1-5
3. emboldened to share the Good News as we anticipate the future coming of Christ.
   1 Corinthians 11:26, Revelation 19:6-9

The Irreducible Limits of Tolerance in the Church

Speaker: Pastor Tim Bruns
Scripture: Titus 1:10-16
Series: The Irreducible Gospel

1. Someone has crossed over the line of truth and tolerance when:
1. they disregard authority.
   Titus 1:10
2. they teach what is contrary to truth.
   Titus 1:11, 14; 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:6-7; 6:3-5; 2 Peter 2:1
3. the fruit of their ministry is spiritual disaster.
   Titus 1:11, 16; 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:23
2. Someone has rightly set boundaries for truth and tolerance when they:
1. define and defend their core beliefs.
   Titus 1:9; 1 Timothy 1:10b-11, 6:11; Hebrews 5:14-6:1a; Ephesians 4:11-14
2. correctly confront false teaching.
   Titus 1:11, 13; 3:10; 1 Timothy 1:18-19, 6:12; Romans 16:17; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
3. encourage and extend grace toward others.
   Jude 17-23

The Irreducible Qualifications for Leadership in Christ's Church

Speaker: Pastor Marty Voltz
Scripture: Titus 1:5-9
Series: The Irreducible Gospel

It is an almost unheard of thing that a local church should rise above the level of her leadership. This being the case, God's people should give special attention to the selection of their leaders.

1. With regards to reputation before the community, church leaders should be blameless (vv. 6-7).
2. With regards to their leadership in their own families, church leaders should be:
• faithful to his wife (v. 6).
• in control of his own children (v. 6).
3. With regards to vices to be avoided, church leaders must not be under the control of any one of the five strong temptations:
• pride: overbearing (v. 7).
• temper: quick-tempered (v. 7).
• drink: given to drunkenness (v. 7).
• power: violent (v. 7).
• money: pursuing dishonest gain (v. 7).
4. With regards to virtues to be pursued, church leaders should show themselves to be:
• hospitable (v. 8).
• those who love what is good (v. 8).
• self-controlled (v. 8).
• upright in their dealings with others (v. 8).
• holy—devout in their relationship with God (v.8).
• disciplined (v. 8).
5. With regards to doctrine, church leaders must:
• hold firmly to the inspired message (v. 9).
• encourage others by sound doctrine (v. 9).
• refute those who oppose sound doctrine (v. 9ff)

Implications
Once we have determined the scriptural qualifications for leadership in Christ's Church, we may give our attention to several important implications growing out of Paul's teachings on leadership.

1. The character of church leaders is more important than the word used to designated their roles in the church.
2. The character of church leaders is more important to our Lord than their gifts, experience, training, or past successes.
3. The maturity of church leaders is more important than their age.
4. The past indiscretions of church leaders are less important than evidence of present holiness.
5. The godliness of church leaders is more important than their gender.
6. The ability of church leaders to control their own family and themselves is more important than their ability to control others.

Action Steps

1. Know and apply these criteria for leadership when selecting or affirming church leaders.
2. If you have a concern about a church leader, take your concern directly to him.
3. If you still suffer from a past hurt at the hands of a church leader, actively seek personal healing.
4. Seek to make the work of your church leaders an occasion for joy rather than burden (Hebrews 13:17).

The Irreducible Truth about Our Service to Christ

Speaker: Pastor Marty Voltz
Scripture: Titus 1:1-4
Series: The Irreducible Gospel

In Paul’s opening statement about his role as a servant of God, each and every follower of Christ may find an apt description of his or her own responsibilities as a servant.

1. The purpose of our service to Christ is to bring men and women to _________ ______ _________ and thus to ________ (vv. 1-2).
2. The result of our service to Christ is to be _________ __________ (v. 2).
3. The method of our service to Christ is ________________ (v. 3).
4. The effectiveness of our service to Christ depends upon ________________ (vv. 3-4).

Personal application: How would you evaluate your own service to Christ?