We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

MESSAGE TEXT
Titus 3:1-8
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INTRODUCTION
“Dear Titus” - It’s a very short letter to a church leader named Titus to whom Paul is passing the baton.
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Titus 1 focuses almost entirely on the church itself and the need for leaders to lead in the church. Titus 1 is a blueprint for the type of leadership that is necessary for a healthy and thriving church.
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Titus 2 focuses on the people of the church and how both men and women should live in their homes and communities. Titus 2 is a blueprint for living out our roles and gender-based assignments.
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Titus 3 focuses on what it means to live as a Christian outside the church in the community and more specifically in the workplace. Titus 3 is a blueprint for public engagement.
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Things were disordered all over the island and in the fellowships. A church without qualified leaders guiding it is disordered. A home without a bible influencing it is disordered. A community without a believer engaging it is disordered.
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PROPOSITION
“Dear Titus” series. If week one was “Walk in your authority.” Week two: “Get your life in order.” Week three: “Tend to your attraction.” Week four: “Allow grace to be your teacher.” Week five: “View all of life as an act of worship.” Paul is going to talk about some REMINDERS. There are FOUR GREAT ACTS OF WORSHIP that Titus is to remind the Cretans of.
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SERMON POINTS
Reminder #1: Being a good citizen in your community is an act of worship (v.1-2). While I find speaking, exhorting, and correcting to be challenging work, living the truth through my actions is far more difficult—yet far more effective. Let’s face it; the world has no lack of convincing talk and noteworthy spokespeople. But people need to see your life.
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Reminder #2: Being humble in your approach to people is an act of worship (v.3). Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future. Even though the words are strong in this verse, the fact that we once were in the same condition will help us to approach life with humility.
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Reminder #3: Being baptized because God’s great salvation plan has been personally applied to your life is an act of worship (v.4-7). Paul drops in a baptismal creedal hymn. More than likely, the Cretan believers chanted this while they baptized new believers in the Mediterranean Sea. It is an authentic summary of the early Christian faith.
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Reminder #4: Being intentional in acts of service and meeting needs is an act of worship (8). Anne Herbert’s quote “Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty” is a powerful reminder of the impact that small, gracious gestures can have on those around us. It suggests that we should strive to be intentional in our actions, actively seeking out opportunities to be kind to others.
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CONCLUSION
Titus 3:5 says "He saved us."

I can hear the rebuttal from the world: “Saved us from what?”

“You Christians always talk about being saved, being found, being rescued.” “Rescued from what?”

“I’m saved. I go to my psychologist or counselor and they save me from my convoluted thinking.” “I’ve got crystals and tarot cards and divinations and rituals and they save me.” “I even have a good job and family and that saves me.” What do you mean “he saved us”?

Verse 2 is our universal story. We are sinners by nature and by act. In the very core of who we are, we are rebels who have turned our back on our Creator. This means that we will perish unless God does something to heal our hearts. Because of Jesus and His work, we fallen and depraved sinners can now stand before a Holy God and have fellowship with Him. You may have a lot of money, so you’re a wealthy sinner. You may have stunning good looks, so you’re a beautiful or handsome sinner. You may be a really in-shape and physically fit sinner. You may have political connections so you’re a powerful sinner. But at the foot of the cross, we all a forgiven sinner and this is our greatest need.

Giving your life to Christ is the greatest act of worship! Do it today.