About the government

• 1^st – Attitude towards the government… vs. 1-2
  • 1^st – REMIND (imperative) them to be SUBJECT… vs. 1
    • SUBJECT (present) – hypotassō – to be under the authority of another…
      • We are to be under the authority – RULERS and AUTHORITIES…
      • Because all authority comes from God – no government is there by accident!
      • Roma 13:1 – “Ang kada isa sa inyo dapat magmatinumanon sa mga nagadumala sa gobyerno, kay ang tanan nga paggobyerno halin sa Dios kag ang mga manugdumala ginbutang sang Dios sa ila puwesto.” 
      • We have a hard time with this concept – we might think – not our government
      • We look at the corruption – poor policies – the injustice all around us…
      • And what about evil governments – Muslim / Communist / Iran / North Korea…
      • Surely God cannot approve of these governments – much less be responsible!
    • Paul wrote this during the time Caesar Nero was the emperor of Rome…
      • The ruler who clothed Christians in animal skins – then fed them alive to the lions…
      • Who rode his chariot down the road lined with burning Christians for light…
      • This was the Government of Paul – the one he was saying to SUBMIT to!
      • If we want all people to have a rich and easy life – all governments should be PERFECT…
      • But if we want people in heaven – BAD governments work best!
      • If governments were PERFECT – we would never learn to look to and trust in God…
      • It is in the imperfections of our governments we see our NEED for the Lord!
      • It is NOT that all the governments are good – God just USES them all for our GOOD!
  • 2^nd – OBEY – to follow the commands of a RULER… vs. 1
    • We OBEY – because God has given the Government authority over us …
      • If we RESIST the government – we RESIST God – and will be judged… 
      • If we do evil – we will be in danger of being judged by the law…
      • The government carries the sword of God – the authority to judge – even death penalty!
      • As a general rule – if we do bad things – steel / cheat / NOT pay taxes…
      • We have good reason to FEAR the government – because we are going to get caught…
      • And when we are caught – the government has the authority to punish us!
        
    • If we obey the law – do GOOD – we will instead receive praise from the government…
      • Therefore we should obey out of fear of consequence and for conscience sake…
      • Someone who has done nothing wrong does NOT FEAR a police officer…
      • Someone who only does what is GOOD – does not jump at the sound of a siren…
      • Good motivation to live a good life with a clear conscience – no reason to FEAR!
      • Roma 13:2-5 – “Gani dapat magpasakop kita sa aton gobyerno; indi lang tungod sa kahadlok naton sa silot, kundi tungod nga nahibaluan ta nga amo ini ang dapat naton nga himuon.”
    • This INCLUDES paying taxes…
      • Roma 13:7 – “Gani bayaran ninyo ang inyo nagkalain-lain nga klase sang buhis. Kag tahura ninyo kag padunggi ang mga may awtoridad.”
      • Again we might have a hard time with this – we know where those taxes go…
      • We might think – the money will only go to the pockets of corrupt politicians…
      • We are not responsible for what the government does with our taxes!
      • When asked by the religious leaders if Jews should pay taxes to Rome…
      • Jesus answered whose FACE and words are on the coin – Caesar…
      • Then give back (restore) to Caesar what is his – Mateo 22:19-21
      • Should we pay taxes – look at a peso – whose picture…
      • Give back to the government what is theirs – but give to God what is His…
      • We were created in the image of God – we carry His writing – the WORD…
      • We are to give our lives back to the Lord – they are His anyways!
    • Is there a time when we should NOT obey…
      • In China today it is Illegal to go to church – to own / read a Bible!
      • We are to obey the Law of God – BEFORE we are to obey the laws of MEN…
      • When the laws of MEN contradict the Law of GOD – we obey God!
  • 3^rd – Be ready for every GOOD work… vs. 1
    • ALWAYS be (present) ready – our life is to be defined by…
      • Every GOOD work – agathos – emphasizes the moral goodness of something or someone…
      • It is NOT external works – but genuine GOOD works from a transformed heart!
      • If we as believers are known for committing crimes / getting in trouble…
      • What kind of example would we be giving to a world that does not know Jesus…
      • Come to church / learn about the Bible – so you can end up in prison!
      • We as believers should be ready to do GOOD works – obey the LAW / pay TAXES…
      • Being a good citizen – helping out those in need – being an example for Jesus!
      • Tito 3:14 – “ Tudlui ang aton mga utod dira nga magtinguha nga mag-obra sing maayo agod indi sila pagkulangon sa ila mga kinahanglanon. Sa sini nga paagi indi sila magakabuhi nga wala sing pulos.”
    • We are equipped to do GOOD works – by the power of the WORD…
      • If we are unsure ourselves about the Truth of Word of God…
      • We are not going to be very effective in sharing that Truth with others…
      • But as we grow in our faith – are strengthened by reading the Word…
      • We will have the answer when others question us – tell them the Truth of Jesus!
      • 2 Timoteo 3:16-17 – “Ang bug-os nga Kasulatan ginsulat paagi sa gahom sang Dios…agod nga ang tawo nga nagaalagad sa Dios matudluan sa paghimo sang tanan nga klase sang kaayuhan.”
  • 4^th – Do not SPEAK EVIL of anyone… vs. 2
    • SPEAK EVIL – blasphēmeō – to talk about in a negative way… 
    • It is REALLY easy to talk BAD about those who are in the government…
    • It can be easy to get frustrated with the decisions of our leaders / politicians…
    • We can judge them for their foolish rules – blame them for our problems…
    • But we need to remember they are ultimately NOT in control – God is!
    • And we need to remember they are just men – who also NEED Jesus!
      
  • 5^th – Be PEACEABLE… vs. 2
    • PEACEABLE – 2x NT – avoid getting into a FIGHT…
    • That does not mean we are just to accept whatever a government does…
    • We are not to idly stand by and do NOTHING when faced with EVIL leaders…
    • BAD people are allowed to rule – because GOOD people do NOTHING about them!
    • When a government stops listening to obeying the commands of God…
    • It is our responsibility as Christians – is to PEACFULLY stand up to the government!
  • 6^th – Be GENTLE – showing all HUMILITY to all men… vs. 2
    • GENTLE – 5x in NT – from the root word – to be LIKE them – we UNDERSTAND them!
    • HUMILTY – 9x in NT – most often translated as MEEK – POWER under control…
    • We represent GOD – we have POWER – but we UNDERSTAND all men are sinners!
    • It is not our harsh words / or convincing arguments that will bring people to Jesus…
    • It is possible for us to win a battle – only to lose the war…
    • Our harsh words can close the ears of people to the message of the Gospel!
    • So we need to be gentle / humble as we reach out to a lost world!

• 2^nd – Where our attitude comes from… vs. 3-8
  • 1^st – Because of who we were… vs. 3
    • Before we knew Jesus – we ALSO were (imperfect) – continually were…
      • FOOLISH – to literally NOT THINK – we acted without thought of consequence…
      • DISOBEDIENT – the opposite of TRUST – we did not TRUST God…
      • DECEIVED – planao – to be led away from the TRUTH – wander from God…
      • SERVING (doulos) various lusts and pleasures – we were SLAVES to our sin…
      • Living in MALICE / ENVY – living an EVIL life – ENVYING what everyone else had…
      • HATEFUL / HATING one another – a life of HATE for God – HATRED for others!
    • We ONCE were – but NO longer are…
      • In order to really appreciate what God has done – we need to look at who we were…
      • Placed on the black backdrop of our past – with the light of Christ shining on us…
      • We see the magnificence of what God has transformed us into!
      • Efeso 2:4-5 – “Pero maluluy-on gid ang Dios, kag dako ang iya paghigugma sa aton.  Bisan patay kita sa iya panulok tungod sang aton mga sala, ginbuhi niya kita upod kay Cristo.”
    • It is easy to forget who we were before Christ…
      • If we do not remember what we were saved from – we might want to go back…
      • We think back on all the GOOD times we had – all the FUN – before we knew Jesus…
      • But forget about the hangovers / the conviction / the lack of purpose in life…
      • When we remember what we were saved from – sin and death – power of satan…
      • We hold on all the tighter to Jesus – determined never to go back!
    • If we do not remember – we think we are better than others…
      • There is also the danger of forgetting we are no better than any other sinner…
      • We become judgmental of others – HOLIER than others – super spiritual…
      • Forgetting we were just as much a sinner – but have been redeemed from the world!
  • 2^nd – Because of who we are… vs. 4-7
    • When the KINDNESS and LOVE of God toward man APPEARED …
      • KINDNESS – most often translated GOODNESS – the GOOD thing God did because of the…
      • LOVE of God – philanthrōpia – phileo anthropos – friendship with man…
      • APPEARED – speaking of the crucifixion of Christ on the CROSS!
    • NOT by WORKS of righteousness we have done…
      • According to His MERCY – not giving us what we deserved – He SAVED us!
      • NO ONE else could save us – there was NOTHING we could do to save ourselves…
      • It was ONLY God who could step in and change our fate – SAVE us from our sin!
      • Our old man – our old sinful nature – was crucified and buried with Jesus! 
      • Galatia 2:20 – “Napatay ako kaupod ni Cristo sa krus. Indi na ako ang nagakabuhi subong, kundi si Cristo na ang nagakabuhi sa akon…”
    • SAVED – through the WASHING and REGENERATION and RENEWING of the Holy Spirit!
      • WASHING – literally to take a bath – we are washed by His Word…
      • Ephesians 5:26 – “…agod batunon ini sang Dios, pagkatapos nga natinluan paagi sa pagbautiso nga kaupod sang pulong sang Dios.”
      • REGENERATION – compound word – NEW GENESIS – a new beginning!
      • RENEWING – a COMPLETE change for the better!
      • In prisons the goal is to rehabilitate SINFUL men – and make them BETTER…
      • Yet statistically within five years of release – more than 75% end up BACK in prison!
      • Because REHABILITAION does NOT work – we need REGENERATION!
      • The Holy Spirit does NOT improve our sinful nature – He crucifies it!
      • We are CLEANED from our PAST sins – given a NEW start – CHANGED for the better…
      • All by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT – who transformed our lives!
      • We were given NEW LIFE – freed from sin – so we can live for God!
      • 2 Corinto 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
• “Ang bisan sin-o nga ara kay Cristo bag-o na nga tawo. Wala na ang iya daan nga pagkatawo, kundi bag-o na siya.” 
  • Whom He POURED out on us ABUNDANTLY…
    • We did not just get a little bit of the Holy Spirit – He was POURED out on us! 
    • The Baptism of the Holy Spirit / the baptism of fire – Mateo 3:11
    • On the day of Pentecost – the Holy Spirit was POURED out on the church…
    • Making a group of fishermen – an unstoppable force for Jesus in a lost world!
    • We are called to be a light in a dark world – Mateo 5:14
    • God POURS us His Holy Spirit to give us the POWER to SHINE!
    • Not just once – we need Him ABUNDANTLY – daily filling us so we have His Power!
  • HEIRS to eternal life…
    • Having been (passive) JUSTIFIED by His GRACE – we should become (subjunctive) HEIRS…
    • HEIRS – LEGAL term describes our INTERITANCE – according to the HOPE of Eternal Life!
    • Roma 8:15-17 – “…Kag tungod nga kita mga anak na sang Dios, mga manunubli kita sang mga butang nga ginatigana sang Dios para sa aton. Mga manunubli kita kaupod ni Cristo…”
    • Roman culture – adoption was a very common practice…
    • The adopted child became an HEIR of his new Father!
    • We have become heirs to all that God has – joint heirs with Jesus Christ!
    • That means God desires to give us EVERYTHING – His KINGDOM – Lucas 12:32
    • To the extent we will even sit on the throne of Jesus with Him – Pahayag 3:21
    • Often times we are left to wonder if God can/will take care of our needs…
    • God does not just want to provide for our needs – we are heirs to His Kingdom! 
  • 3^rd – Faithful saying… vs. 8
    • Paul told Titus to CONSTANTLY affirm these things – how to interact with Government…
    • Those who have BELIEVED (perfect) in God – new creations – heirs of eternal life…
    • Should be (subjunctive) careful to maintain GOOD (kalos) works…
    • Not speaking EVIL about our government – instead being an EXAMPLE to them!
    • So that the CHURCH has a HEALTHY relationship with the GOVERNMENT!

• 3^rd – Things to Avoid… vs. 9-11
  • 1^st – FOOLISH questions… vs. 9
    • In light of maintaining GOOD works – Paul gave Titus FIVE things to AVIOD…
    • FOOLISH (mōros) questions – there are GOOD and BAD questions…
    • More often than not when people do not understand something – they ASSUME…
    • And more often than not their ASSUMPTIONS are WAY OFF!
    • There are always going to be things in the Bible / about God we do not understands…
    • If we have a hard time understanding the Word of God – it is GOOD to ask questions!
    • ASSUMPTIONS will only get us into trouble – answered questions give us the truth!
    • But there are GENUINE questions – then there are FOOLISH questions… 
    • People will try and get you to argue over silly things – that are a waste of time…
    • The important questions we should be answering – how can we get to heaven!
  • 2^nd – GENEOLOGIES… vs. 9
    • GENEOLOGIES – prioritizing family lineage – I am the son of so and so…
    • I am saved because of who my family is – or because of my country!
    • God has NO grandchildren – and only ONE citizenship counts – belonging to heaven!
    • Therefore – we are told to avoid both of these – because they focus on MEN!
    • And the ideas and pedigree of men have NO POWER to save us from our sins!
  • 3^rd – CONTENSIONS – those who want to cause STRIFE / looking for a DEBATE… vs. 9
  • 4^th – STRIVINGS about the law… vs. 9
    • This is not talking about the LAW of God…
    • This is talking about the RULES people make up – arguing their STANDARDS!
    • Can we watch movies – what rating – can we listen to secular music!
    • All of these RULES are UNPROFITABLE and USELESS – they do NOT change the heart!
    • People STIVE over RULES – rather than pointing people to the answer – Jesus!
  • 5^th – DIVISIVE men… vs. 10-11
    • DIVISIVE – hairetikos – someone who teaches of follows FALSE doctrine…
      • We are to ADMONISH them – SHOW them the TRUTH from the Word…
      • But if they do NOT listen – after the SECOND time – REJECT (imperative) them!
    • KNOWING (perfect) such a person is WARPED and sinning…
      • WARPED – only here NT – to be twisted and bent out of shape!
      • And is SELF CONDEMNED – only here NT – already JUDGED!
      • We ADMONISH them NOT to be mean – but to CORRECT their FALSE doctrines…
      • To bring him back to the simplicity of the Word – point them to Jesus!
      • Warn them the FIRST time – but if they continue to cause division – REJECT them!
      • Because they do NOT want to hear the TRUTH – they are only there to DISTRACT…
      • We know they do NOT want to listen – because they REJECT the Word!

• 4^th – Closing instructions… vs. 12-15

Paul closes his letter to Titus – the GRACE of God be with you all – Amen!

1^st – Good Examples… vs. 12-13

Paul concludes his short epistle to Titus by giving instructions to FOUR men…

Artemas – gift of Artimus – only mentioned here in the Bible…

Presumably from Ephesus – were the temple of Artimus / Diana stood…

Perhaps a convert to Christianity from one of the missionary journeys of Paul

Tychicus was from the province of Asia – where Ephesus was the capital – Binuhatan 20:4

He carried the letter to the Colossians – Colosas 4:7

It also delivered the second epistle to Timothy – 2 Timoteo 4:12

Paul would send EITHER – Artemas or Tychicus to help Titus on Crete…

So Titus could come (imperative) to come Nicopolis where Paul would spend the winter!

Nicopolis – City of VICTORY- city in western Greece named by Caesar Augustus…

Commemorated the Battle of Actium – Augustus victory over Mark Anthony and Cleopatra!

In the place the Roman Empire was forged – Paul was planning how to send out men…

Three of whom were named after Greek Gods – Artimus / Zeus / and Apollo…

But now SERVED the one TRUE God – going out to forge His KINGDOM!

Zenas the Lawyer – gift of Zeus – like Artemas is only mentioned here in the Bible…

Apollos is the powerful speaker Paul met in Ephesus – Binuhatan 19

He became an important and much loved pastor in the church at Corinth…

Titus was to send (imperative) these two men on their JOURNEY – so they lacked nothing!

2^nd – LEARN to maintain GOOD (kalos) works… vs. 14-15

LEARN (imperative) – to learn by using or practice…

To meet URGENT need of others – that they may not be (subjunctive) UNFRUITFUL…

Get the whole picture – we are to be SUBJECT to the government…

Not saying BAD about them – instead being an EXAMPLE of GOOD works for them…

HELPING others – so that we can be FRUITFUL…

BECAUSE we have been SAVED – given a NEW LIFE by Jesus…

And now God wants to USE us – like Artemas / Zenas / Apollo…

To go out and be a part of setting up His KINGDOM – bring SALVATION to a lost world!

Greet (imperative) those who love (phileo) us in the faith…