Lessons For Groups – Part 4
(And Lessons About Goodness For Young Men)

(Titus 2:6-10)

Introduction:

Ch. 1		Leadership Lessons
				Intro.  “Acquainted With Titus”
				1. Acknowledging Some Principles						vs. 1-4
				2. Appointing Some Pastors							vs. 5-9
				3. Ascertaining Some Problems						vs. 10-16
Ch. 2		Laity Lessons
1. Lessons For Groups
a. The Demanded Characteristics Of Aged Men		vs. 1-2
b. The Desired Conduct Of Aged Women			vs. 3
c. Educating The Young Mother					vs. 4-5
					d. Exhorting The Young Men						vs. 6-10
				2. Lessons Of Grace									vs. 11-15
Ch. 3		Life Lessons

This part of chapter two presents lessons for various groups in the church.  These age specific and gender specific lessons are applied first to those at an elderly stage of life, and then we find principles pertaining to younger adults, or those at an early stage of life.  Having dealt with the principles of Educating The Young Mother in verses 4 and 5, Paul now urges Titus to Exhort The Young Men in verses 6 thru 10.

I. A Young Man Should Have A Good Heading For His Mind
(Titus 2:6)  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

A. The Similarity Of His Instruction
likewise - in the same way; after the same manner as the young women.
	1. The “Likewise” Reminds Us That This Lesson Is For A Similar Age As The Previous Instruction
	2. The “Likewise” Reminds Us That This Lesson Has A Similar Approach As The Previous Instruction

B. The Strength Of His Instruction
exhort – means to urge by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice, or appeal. [Greek parakaleo] - to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, exhortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray.
	1. This Suggests The Idea Of Calling The Young Man
	2. This Suggests The Idea Of Convincing The Young Man

C. The Substance Of His Instruction
sober minded - of sound mind, moderate; self-restrained.
	1. The Young Man Should Be Rational And Clear In His Thinking
4993. sophroneo, so-fron-eh'-o; from G4998; to be of sound mind, i.e. sane, (fig.) moderate:--be in right mind, be sober (minded), soberly.
	2. The Young Man Should Be Restrained And Controlled In His Thinking
4998. sophron, so'-frone; from the base of G4982 and that of G5424; safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion):-- discreet, sober, temperate.
“Nothing is so hard at this age as to overcome undue pleasures.”  (Chrysostom)
Having a good head on his shoulders.
You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.
II. A Young Man Should Have A Good Heart For The Ministry

A. He Should Have A Heart For The Ministry In His Deeds
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works…(Titus 2:7a).
	1. Consider What Is Included Here
In all things – should be rather considered in reference to the above persons, and the behaviour required in them: showing thyself a pattern of good works to all these persons – being, in sobriety, gravity, temperance, what thou requirest others to be.
(Adam Clarke)
In other words, “in all these groups” show yourself a pattern of good works.
	2. Consider What Is Imitated Here
pattern – [Greek 5179. tupos], too'-pos; from G5180; a die (as struck), i.e. (by impl.) a stamp or scar; by analogy a shape, i.e. a statue, (fig.) style or resemblance; spec. a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning):--en- (ex-) ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print.

B. He Should Have A Heart For The Ministry In His Doctrine
In doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity (Titus 2:7b).
	1. Notice The Exhibition Of Doctrine
“Showing” is added by the translators here, but it is used earlier in the verse – a word (showing) which means “to hold near, i.e. present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion:--bring, do, give, keep, minister, offer, shew, + trouble.”
	2. Notice The Excellence Of Doctrine		uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity
These three qualities literally mean purity, honesty, and genuineness.

C. He Should Have A Heart For The Ministry In His Dialogue
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you (Titus 2:8).
sound – healthy, true
speech - 3056. logos, log'-os; from G3004; something said (including the thought); by impl. a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive.  Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says that the word used here in Titus 2:8 indicates “instruction.”
Cf. (Regarding not only speech but thoughts…)  (2 Corinthians 10:5)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
	1. Sound Speech Cannot Be Refuted
That cannot be condemned – can’t find fault with / “There’s nothing wrong with that.”
	2. Sound Speech Can Be Respected
ashamed – [Greek entrepo] to invert, i.e. (fig. and reflex.) in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound:--regard, (give) reverence, shame.
Our speech should be such that it gives no ground and grants no opportunity to those who oppose Christianity to nullify your testimony.

III. A Young Man Should Be A Good Helper For The Master

A. Notice The Marks Of A Good Worker
(Titus 2:9)  Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
	1. Paul Mentions The Servant’s Submission To Authority
obedient – Greek 5293. hupotasso, hoop-ot-as'-so; to subordinate; to obey – be under obedience, put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.
please – Greek 2101. euarestos (yoo-ar'-es-tos); fully agreeable – also translated as acceptable (-ted), wellpleasing.
(Strong’s Numbers and Concordance)
	2. Paul Mentions The Servant’s Silence In Action
not answering again – Greek 483. antilego, an-til'-eg-o; from G473 and G3004; to dispute, refuse:--answer again, contradict, deny, gainsay (-er), speak against.

B. Notice The Morality Of A Good Worker
Not purloining (means embezzling), but showing all good fidelity ... (Titus 2:10a).
	1. This Morality Is Exhibited In Finances
purloining – Greek 3557. nosphizomai, nos-fid'-zom-ahee; mid. from  nosphi (apart or clandestinely); to confiscate for oneself, i.e. embezzle – keep back.
	2. This Morality Is Exhibited In Faithfulness
fidelity – Greek 4102. pistis, pis'-tis; persuasion, i.e. credence; conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; constancy in such profession – assurance, belief, believe, faith.

C. Notice The Motive Of A Good Worker
... that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things (Titus 2:10b).
	1. The Adorning Aspect
adorn – Greek 2885. kosmeo, kos-meh'-o; to put in proper order, i.e. decorate (lit. or fig.); to trim a wick – garnish.
doctrine – Greek 1319. didaskalia, did-as-kal-ee'-ah; from G1320; instruction (the function or the information):--doctrine, learning, teaching.
	2. The “All” Aspect
Men will write, fight, and even die for religion; but how few live for it!
(Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)

He compels me to go, When I would rather stay.
He sent me a valley, Once again today.
My self-determined will, He keeps tearing it apart...
But when His work’s completed, I will have a servant’s heart.

More and more Lord I find, There’s a work that I must do,
And Father may you find me faithful, Trusting only in you,
Take all that I have been, And let Your will start,
And I will serve no other master, With my servant’s heart.

I want a servant’s heart.  And I will gladly bear the markings,
Of one, held captive, yet free.  Not my will but thine,
Oh Lord in your own time, Only you, can make a servant’s heart.

Conclusion:  In love, in leadership, in labor, and in all of life, goodness and godliness summarizes the positive qualities that Paul advocates.  Therefore, young men: Be good!

14921. Go Forth To Life
Go forth to life, oh! child of Earth.
Still mindful of thy heavenly birth;
Thou art not here for ease or sin,
But manhood’s noble crown to win.
Though passion’s fires are in thy soul,
Thy spirit can their flames control;
Though tempters strong beset thy way,
Thy spirit is more strong than they.
Go on from innocence of youth
To manly pureness, manly truth;
God’s angels still are near to save,
And God himself doth help the brave.
Then forth to life, oh! child of Earth,
Be worthy of thy heavenly birth,
For noble service thou art here;
Thy brothers help, thy God revere!

– Samuel Longfellow