by Senior Pastor Denis Beausejour

Series: HEALTHY FAMILIES IN HECTIC TIMES

Message: A Recipe for a Healthy Family Lifestyle
Text: Titus 2:1-15

Introduction and Background
 

• "Titus" is Paul's letter to a disciple and "son" in the faith entrusted to build churches Paul planted
• see also 2 Corinthians 2:13, 7:6-14, 8:6-23, and 12:18, Galatians 2:1-5, 2 Timothy 4:10
• It is also addressed to the leaders (elders) that Titus chose
• It is also addressed to the people in the churches of Crete (and Mariemont!)
• The context of the letter was the disturbance being created by many false teachers
• Those that warped the Gospel and added legalistic rules confused many people
• This letter reasserts the right teaching or "recipe" for producing a healthy life 

 
What is your "life recipe"? What are you "measuring"?
 
Today's text gives us a great recipe for a healthy family lifestyle: Titus 2:1-15

1. It starts with the right source of knowledge (Verses 1 and 15)

• What did Paul mean by "sound doctrine"?
• "Sound" = healthy, health-producing
• "Doctrine" = teaching, body of teaching
• Health-producing teaching - teaching that God supernaturally uses to produce good fruit
• Teaching that guides people (by the Spirit) to make better choices and live wisely
• Teaching that does not imprison and impair people or distort the Gospel of Jesus
• Teaching that is centered on the cross and resurrection of Jesus (life is not easy)
• Teaching that explains the truths of the Scriptures consistently and understandably
• Teaching based on the delegated authority of God, not that some look down on you
• Doctrine example: MCC Statement of Faith

• Analyze the sources of advice in your life
• Analyze your situation - what are you like to be with? What's it like to be in your home?
• What is your "recipe" for a successful life?
• Where does God and his word fit in - central or accessory?
• Seeking out scripture-centered "sound doctrine"
  

2. It focuses on character growth within community (Verses 2-10)

• There is a teaching for everyone, and it is less about doing and more about being!
• Older men - sober, respectable models (gravity), self-controlled, faithful, loving, enduring
• Older women - holy way of life, speaking well, sober, teaching/modeling
• Younger women - loving, self-controlled, pure, orderly homes, kind, respectful
• Younger men - self-controlled
• Very practical: life-long learning, seeking/giving help, good relationships, homes that work
• There is order, a common bond of self-control, a life of love and good words, good deeds, integrity
• The teacher/pastor/elder is no exception - being an example, integrity, gravity, healthy communication
• Reading between the lines - interaction, mutual encouragement and transformation

Application:

• Pray for a godly "older man" or "older woman" to be in your life
• Seek them out! Build friendships ask for their counsel
• Be on the lookout for younger men and women to invest in
• Seek out relationships with people who want to put these things into practice
• Be accountable to another who is on the journey - or join a small group

3. It produces a lifestyle of godly integrity that is full of grace (Verses 11-14)

• Walking the talk – integrity - honoring God by making our lives reflect our faith
• The Word of God would not be "blasphemed" (v. 5)
• There won't be anything bad to say about our lives (v. 8)
• Our lives make the teaching about Jesus attractive (adorn, cosmetic) (v. 10)
• There is His Grace, that empowers us to self-control, purity, and good works
• There is also His second coming, which motivates us to be ready, holding things lightly

Application:

• Practicing the Spirit-filled life - rivers of living water
• How can I learn more?
• Do I experience God's grace? Do I dispense it to others?