The old sexual codes of celibacy outside marriage and chastity within it are considered ridiculous and oppressive, and their advocates wicked or stupid or both. The sexual revolution is truly a revolution in that it has turned the moral world upside down. Carl Trueman
Scripture
Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticised. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
Observation
Titus is to teach older men to exercise self-control and to live wisely. Similarly, the older women must not slander others or drink heavily. They are to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, and to submit to their husbands.
Titus should encourage the young man to also live wisely. He should be the good example to them by doing good deeds, and teaching the truth so that nobody can criticise him or Paul.
Application
Nowadays, teaching truth does not guarantee freedom from criticism. Preachers (and others) who point out that the Bible condemns homosexuality or that women are biologically different to men are likely to get roasted.
Nevertheless, as followers of Jesus, who is the way, the Truth, and the Life, we must commit ourselves to following and proclaiming the truth wherever we are.
The gospel has never been popular because it threatens those whose status and income are dependent on either their own sins or the sins of others. When we tell people that their lifestyle is not acceptable to God and they need to repent, then we can expect hostility.
Being unpopular does not make the gospel wrong. In the end, it is only God’s opinion that matters.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to keep my eyes fixed on you, the source of all truth. Amen
A milder, almost balmy, morning at 7 deg. C. Good morning for riding.
What marks the modern sexual revolution out as distinctive is the way it has normalized these and other sexual phenomena. It is not therefore the fact that modern people look at sexually explicit material while earlier generations did not that constitutes the revolutionary nature of our times. It is that the use of pornography no longer carries the connotations of shame and social stigma it once did and has even come to be regarded as a normal part of mainstream culture. The sexual revolution does not simply represent a growth in the routine transgression of traditional sexual codes or even a modest expansion of the boundaries of what is and is not acceptable sexual behavior; rather, it involves the abolition of such codes in their entirety. Carl Trueman
Scripture
Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
Observation
There are many rebellious people who deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision.
Paul says Timothy should reprimand them sternly, so they will stop believing Jewish myths and stand firm in the faith.
Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure, but nothing is pure to those who are corrupt. They claim to know God but their lifestyles show that they are far from Him.
Application
If your heart is pure before God, nothing will take you away from him. It is only when we are impure or less than completely sold out to Him, that we can be deceived and turn from His truth.
The problem is that many of us have mixed motives. We want enough of God to be sure that we are saved, but we still want to enjoy the worldly way of life that leads to destruction.
To move on with God, we need to decide that everything is about Him. Our heart and mind must be surrendered to God alone.
Prayer
Grant me a pure heart, Lord Jesus, a heart that is 100% for you and you alone. Amen.
First bike ride in a week, due to being away from home. Cold and frosty, but no wind.
In his 1983 Templeton Prize address, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn offered this summary explanation for why all the horrors of Soviet communism came to pass: “Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened. Carl Trueman
Scripture
This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God – who does not lie – promised them before the world began
Observation
Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Christ, has been sent to proclaim faith to God’s people. This truth gives us confidence that we have eternal life. God promised this before the world began.
Paul is writing to Titus, his true son in the faith. He instructs Titus to appoint elders in every town on Crete. Elders must be blameless with exemplary families. They must not be arrogant, quick-tempered, nor a heavy drinker, violent or dishonest. They must enjoy giving hospitality and be deeply convicted of the gospel message.
Application
The truth of the gospel gives us confidence of eternal life. God has given us this amazing gift which nobody deserves or could earn.
We will live with God for ever .
It is this amazing message that Jesus died for our sins that gives us confidence. I have nothing that I could offer God. But when I received His gift, He called me holy and righteous.
This is an eternal promise that God made before the world began. Before He made us He saved us. He saw my sin before the world began, but still He provided a way for me to be brought back into His family.
Surely, I am not worthy of this love. That is what love does- it puts itself out regardless of the worthiness of the recipient.
Prayer
Lord, I thank you for your amazing, unfailing love. Amen.
Scripture
Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
Observation
Paul requests Timothy to come to him soon. Demas has abandoned the Lord because of the world. Of his close friends only Luke is still with him.
Even though Paul was alone when brought before the judge, God was with him, and He will bring him safely to His heavenly kingdom. The Lord gave him the opportunity and the strength to preach the gospel.
Application
The great assurance of the faith is that we will overcome every enemy. God will bring us through the attacks of the evil one. If we stand firm in Christ, He will carry us through to the heavenly Kingdom.
There is no fear in Christ. His perfect love drives out all fear. He has conquered death and promises that we will share in that victory.
When we are under threat to our lives we must remember that this life is not the end. There is a reward awaiting us in heaven. The worst the world can do is destroy our body. Christ will recreate our body and soul for heaven.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for this wonderful promise. I know that when I die, I will rise to be with you for ever. All glory to you forever and ever. Amen.
The Call To Serve God
Abraham – go to a place you do not know.
Joseph – dreams, beaten up, sold into slavery.
Moses – burning bush. He didn’t want to go
David – minding sheep, prophet comes looking for him.
Jeremiah – you have a job to do. No choice!
Disciples – call comes out of the blue. “Come and follow me.”
Paul – “You will be told what you are to do.”
Five-fold ministry an anointing to receive directions from the Lord and to represent Him before the church.
Elders – five fold ministers with heart for the church in city or region.
Galatians 1:1. The call is from God, not man.
New Life Narrabri 