Sermon Notes – May 11, 2014
Sorting Wheat From Chaff - Titus 3:3-14
Series: The Call to Godly Living
Pastor Dick Shaw
I.
Connect the dots between correct doctrine & godly behavior. (8)
A. The doctrine of salvation in verses 3-7 must be emphasized, even
with believers, along with all the other truths in the book.
i. All people of all time are lost apart from Christ.
ii. God saves sinners by grace alone through faith in Christ.
iii. Everyone in Christ is assured of an incredible future.
B. Those who genuinely believe must be encouraged to live in a way that
demonstrates what they claim to believe.
C. This principle is universal, excellent, & valuable.
II.
Don’t waste your time on meaningless disputes, which in contrast, are
empty & valueless, & include: (9)
A. foolish controversies.
B. genealogical fantasies.
C. religious arguments.
D. fights over what the law teaches.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you are godly just because you like to
have religious discussions.
III.
Learn to handle divisive people Biblically. (10-11)
A. Apply the three-strike rule: reprimand, rebuke, reclaim/ignore.
B. Refusal to accept correction exposes the root issue of a person’s
problem.
i. The individual is spiritually twisted.
ii. The issue is sin, not a thinking error.
iii. Failure to respond to clear instruction of the truth leaves the
person in question self-condemned. John 3:18-20
C. Be aware of two critical exceptions, which require specific &
deliberate action, & include:
i. Those who expound critical doctrinal error –
1 Timothy 1:19b-20.
ii. An unrepentant, plain breach of morality by a member of body
- 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 13.
IV.
Personal notes & a final encouragement (12-14)
A. Winter plans: “Come & see me.”
B. Traveler’s hospitality: “Take care of Zenas & Apollos.”
C. One final practical reminder: doing the right thing always has a
productive outcome in the end.