TITUS 1:10-16 – THE CONTRADICTORS
GODLY LIVING IN THE CHURCH #3 – A COMPLETE LESSON
- If you could silence anyone in America today, who would you silence and why?
- Why is it a shame that some people we want to be silenced can’t be?
- Why is it good for America that some that we would like to silence legally can’t be silenced?
- When should people be silenced in the local church?
- What right do we have within in the church to silence people?
- Why are false teachers within the church so dangerous?
False teachers have always been a threat to the church. They are “contradictors” who oppose sound doctrine. Paul demanded some strict responses to those who spread lies and threaten the flock of believers found in the church. For our own edification and spiritual well being we need to answer some questions about these contradictors.
REVIEW:
- Who was Titus and what was he doing on the Isle of Crete?
- What are some of the qualities of an elder that especially stick out to you?
- Why are the qualities mentioned in verse 9 important in dealing with contradictors?
- Let’s answer some important questions about contradictors.
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? – Vs. 10
- Paul begins by saying there are “many”! How many false doctrines and cults within Christianity can we name?
- Why are there so many different false teachings out there?
- “Unruly” – They were rebellious, rebelling against the doctrine and moral teachings that God gave in his word! God hates rebellion.
1 Samuel 15:22-23 – …Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…
- “Vain talkers” – Fictitious stories were evidently told by these people. Their talk was empty and worthless.
- “Deceivers” – They were playing with the minds of the Cretans. Their purpose was to trick and to fool. The worst ones were of the “circumcision”. What did Paul mean by that term?
WHY MUST THEY BE STOPPED? – Vss. 11-12
- 11 – Paul was very emphatic. The mouths of these people must be closed. Why was he so adamant?
- What did Paul mean when he said whole houses were subverted? Do you know of any group(s) that take this approach today?
- According to verse 11, what is the real motive of many false teachers? Can you think of any examples of this happening?
- 12 – A certain philosopher by the name of Epiminides, who lived about 600 B.C., made these statements about the Cretans. These comments would have also been true of the Jews who lived on the Isle of Crete all their lives.
- They were liars. “To play the Cretan” meant to lie. Lying is common today. Why? Are Christians any better than anyone else?
Ephesians 4:25 – Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
- They were “evil beasts” because they lived to please their sensual appetites. They lived like a bunch of animals! They were savage and cruel.
- When it says they were “slow bellies”, it means that they were “lazy gluttons”.
- Paul agreed with the opinion of their ancient prophet. And notice the solution is a sharp rebuke. When is a sharp rebuke necessary? What should be the motive behind a sharp rebuke?
WHAT MUST BE DONE? – Vss. 13-14
- Vs. 13 – When give in love a sharp rebuke can be very effective. What should be our response if a sharp rebuke is not heeded?
2 John 1:7-11 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. [8] Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. [9] Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.
He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. [10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: [11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
- 14 – The Jews were known for their fanciful myths about their ancestors, and their man-made laws. The Jews added many rules and regulations to God’s law.
- According to verse 14, what is the tragic result of these teachings? Why should this concern us?
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THEIR PROBLEM? – Vss. 15-16
- 15 – All things are pure to the pure, but when a person is not pure, nothing is pure.
Luke 6:45 – A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
- What makes a person pure?
- What makes a person impure?
Matthew 15:18-19 – But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. [19] For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
- 16 – False teachers claim to know God, but by their very acts they deny Him.
- What does verse 16 say about the type of people false teachers are? What should we be ready to do?
