"Building for the Future"

Berean Bible Church, March 12-13, 2005

It's very easy for churches to get off-track and off-task. Not all activities accomplish the true mission God has for us. So we have to examine our church at the level of both mission and activity.

Ford has an ad campaign where they declare: “Built for the road ahead.”

What will it mean for us to be “built for the road ahead”? What will it mean of our activities and projects and investments right now for us to be ready for the future God has for us as a church? All the time and energy and money and people resources that we are investing in this church – what's the point?

Well, we first have to ask, what does God have in mind for the church, including this one? First look with me at Matthew 28:18-20. We are charged with the responsibility of “making disciples.” Followers of Christ invite others to be followers of Christ, and they learn together to obey Christ and live for him as they serve him. We seek to help people Belong to the family of God, Grow in their relationship with Christ, and then Make a Difference in the world for Christ.

Today we want to talk about the “teaching them to obey” part. Turn with to Titus 2:1-15.

We want to ask and answer three questions today.

I. What is it that God wants us to become?

He wants us to be different in our character (in contrast to, for example, the Cretans, 1:12). Morally, we are to be like Christ rather than like all those who are around us. God sets the standard for this morality, not us.

Verses 2-10 describe older men, older women, younger women, younger men, slave, all of whom are self-controlled, living wisely, and practicing kindness and godliness. Verse 14 is a summary statement that describes a people that belong to God, eager to do what is good (that which is pleasing and honorable to him).

II. How is it that God transforms into what he wants us to be?

A. We are transformed as we learn truth from God (vss. 1, 7b, 15).

Bill Mounce wrote that in Paul's view, "Correct behavior is based on correct theology" (The Pastoral Epistles, Word Biblical Commentary, 408). We need to know and understand the truth and why it matters before we can live the truth.

B. We are transformed as we exercise self-control (vss. 2, 5, 6).

Self-control is a fundamental trait, one that enables you to develop better habits. Transformation does not happen just because we receive new information, but also when we go into training to adopt new habits.

Spiritual growth is like learning any new skill, like learning to read, learning a new language or math, playing an instrument, playing golf, or some new job skill – it takes time for most people to get the hang of these things. No one masters it the first time they try it. And that is true in the spiritual life as well.

C. We are transformed as we learn together in community (vss. 3-5, 7).

III. Why should we let God transform us?

A. We are motivated by the grace of God (looking back; vss. 11-12).

B. We are motivated by the imminent return of Christ (looking ahead; 13).

C. We are motivated by God's plan and intention for us as his people (vs. 14).

D. We are motivated by the desire to invite others to believe in Jesus themselves (vs. 5, 8, 10).

What are we doing about it as a church? What are you doing about it in your family? What are you doing about it in your own private life?

- Worship and teaching together as a congregation. (vss. 1, 15)

- Community groups / Bible studies.

- One-to-one discipleship / mentoring.

- Personal study of the word and prayer.

Your doctor is not responsible to make you healthy – he or she is supposed to help you take responsibility for your own healthiness. In the same way, ultimately you must take responsibility for your own spiritual growth, and then to help others along the way in their journey of growth.