Reminded
Titus 2:15-3:2
Pastor Jerry Koller

Titus was to address, or speak, about the things mentioned in verses 1-10 guided by two important principles.
· He is to exhort those to whom he is speaking. The NIV uses the word encourage.
· The second guideline deals with reproof (reprove) or rebuke. They have to do with presenting evidence that something is false or wrong.
See Titus 1:9

These things speak and exhort and reprovewith all authority.

Authority has to do with having official permission or approval.
· It has to do with the power and right to give orders and make decisions.
· It also has to do with the right to act in a specified way, delegated from one person or organization to another.

Titus was given permission, power and the right to carry out his mission.
· This word (authority) has to do with following a mandate, an instruction, or a command.
· Titus was authorized or better, commanded to carry out certain functions.

Let no one disregard you. In other words, he was to not allow anyone to look down upon him with a lack of respect.

Just as Titus was not living in a Christian environment, neither are you and I living in a Christian environment today.

Verses 1-2 are cautions against responses Christians may have toward those who are opposed to Christianity or toward kingdom principles.

We need to remember that God expects us to be subject to rulers, to authorities.

There are three areas of responsibilities all who are in Christ Jesus are expected to fulfill.
· The first is subjection or submission which means we line up under their authority. (see Romans 13:1-2)

Closely connected to this is the responsibility to be obedient.

We are to be ready for every good deed.
· It is our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ

When it comes to all who oppose the kingdom of God, we are to malign no one.
· The word malign comes from the same word from which we get our word blaspheme.
· It is attacking the name and reputation with the intent of doing someone harm.

Not only are we to malign no one, we are to be peaceable people.
· Peaceable people abstain from fighting.

When it comes to flesh and blood, we must be peaceable people who are gentle.
· Gentleness seems to be the ability to mercifully go beyond justice for the sake of someone else.

Those in Christ are to be people who show every consideration for all men—especially when it comes to those who oppose God and His kingdom,
· Another translation would be the word meekness which has to do with mildness, kindness, and gentleness.

We know we are to:
· be subject to rulers, to authorities
· to be obedient
· to be ready for every good work

We know we are to:
· to malign no one,
· to be peaceable,
· gentle,
· showing every consideration for all mankind

· Renee Goff is recovering from a procedure to have an injectable heart monitor inserted.
· Caroline Bocock has been terribly ill as she is dealing with a Lyme Disease outbreak. She has begun a treatment regimen that looks promising. Please pray that it is effective and that she will be feeling better soon.
· The Marshall Family: Tracy has requested that we specifically pray for the following: "Nolan is signed up for Boys and Girls Club (BGC) this summer. It's every day from 12-5 and we desperately need him to hold it together well enough to attend. We tried BGC during school and he lasted three days before he was asked to not come back. But since he punched his friend and now is not allowed to play with anyone in the neighborhood, if he can't handle this, then we are in for a verrrrrry long summer while we are trying to work . Daniel is getting a lot of pressure from his boss to come back into the office and HR is involved...please pray they grant this flexible work arrangement and also that Nolan will be successful at the BCG."
· Chris Tragna (Kristen Schultz' mother) is recovering from a stroke, and they are working through her healing as well as looking at options for 24 hour care. Please keep her and her family in prayer as she recovers and decisions are made.
· Leslie Robinson (friend of Bruce & Vasha Ferguson) is home and using a walker. Thank God for His mercy and faithfulness, and please continue praying for her full recovery.
· Sadie (29 year-old friend of Steve & Lisa Follman) had a liver transplant shortly after birth and is now having a lot of health complications. She is receiving palliative care. Also keep her family in prayer.
· Terry Buckley (father of Keith Buckley) is being evaluated for heart issues.
· Joyce Bocock has completed chemo and radiation; praise God that both tumors have shrunk significantly more than expected; evaluating additional treatment options.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com