Sunday Sermon Starter 5-6-13

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Did you know that most people believe that there is something required of us in order for us to be saved?  Sure, a lot of folks deny it.  They say there is nothing you have to or can do in order to be saved because God has done everything that needs to be done.  But what they teach and what they do tell a different story.  No, mostly the disagreement amongst the religious world isn’t about if there are requirements of redemption.  The disagreement most often is about what those requirements are.

However, the debate is pointless because the Bible clearly answers the question.  Countless passages throughout the Bible indicate the responsibilities God has placed on man in the obtaining of redemption.  And not only is the Bible clear about whether there are requirements but it is also clear as to what those requirements are.  Starting with today’s sermon starter the next four weeks are going to be devoted to a study I did last year through the book of Titus detailing some necessary ingredients, not only in the obtaining of redemption but in the retention of it as well.

Title:  The Requirements of Redemption

Text:  Titus 1:1-4

Main Point:  After Paul left Titus on the island of Crete he was tasked with organizing those new Christians into local congregations.  In an effort to encourage him Paul shared some practical wisdom with Titus regarding God’s divine pattern for the church, its faithful workers, and its ultimate reward.  Titus’ purpose as an evangelist would be to articulate the purpose of the Bible and the Bible ultimately has only one purpose – REDEMPTION!  Thus it is no surprise that as we read the first few verses of Paul’s letter to Titus that he quickly outlines his reason for writing.  Paul wrote with a singular purpose and that was to help Titus to help the Cretians to understand what were their requirements for redemption.  Contrary to popular belief there are personal requirements for the reception and retention of redemption in our lives.  But as an initial offering Paul, in saluting the brethren, identifies himself as a redeemed servant and apostle and then states the terms by which he received his redemption.

Discussion Points:

  • Redemption Must be According to Faith – A 2008 Pew Research Poll showed that 65% of all adult Americans believe that there is no one way that leads to redemption – they take a universalistic viewpoint (http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1062/many-americans-say-other-faiths-can-lead-to-eternal-life).  This is a result of the idea that one’s allegiance to faith is all that matters and that anything else is invalid.  If one’s own personal faith is a general belief in God then many believe that’s all that’s important.  But it is important to understand that the Bible does state one’s allegiance to faith is a requirement of redemption, but the Bible speaks of faith in two ways.  In Romans 1:3-8 Paul wrote with regard to “the faith” (vs. 5) and “your faith” (vs. 8).  There is an obvious distinction between the two as “the faith” refers to a standard system (the gospel) and “your faith” refers to their personal conviction.  Paul said their personal faith was known to the world, but their faith was in the faith (a standard system to which all had a responsibility to submit).  Yes, redemption requires personal faith, but it must be according to the faith as determined by God.  In Titus 1:1 Paul stated his identity as a servant of God “according to the faith of God’s elect.”  Yes, he was a servant because of his personal faith but only because his personal faith reflected the faith of God.  In fact, our allegiance to the faith is so important that Paul told the Corinthians to “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  To receive and retain our redemption in Christ it must be according to the faith.
  • Redemption Must be Acknowledged by Truth – Redemption is freedom – freedom from sin and the sorrows that accompany sin.  Man can and does look into any number of areas in life to find the freedom and joy that they want.  Man has even been willing to lay down his own life in an effort to gain his freedom, but God simply asks us to do one thing – know and accept the truth.  Jesus, however, revealed that there is only one thing in life that can provide that freedom.  We must acknowledge God’s truth in our lives (John 8:31-32).  Twice in the Psalms David discussed the connection between truth and eternal preservation (Psalm 40:11; 61:7).  Back in Titus 1:1, a second condition of Paul’s servitude before God was the acknowledgement of truth.  This included not only acknowledging that truth exists and is unchangeable, but also acknowledging that we are subject to that truth.  We rely on the truth of God as the absolute standard for all things to do with life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).  In order to receive the redemption we so desperately desire we are required to acknowledge truth.
  • Redemption Must be After Godliness – Godliness is a life of piety, full devotion to God.  As David wrote it involves beings set apart for God (Psalm 4:3).  It is that concept of being set apart that is articulated in the New Testament as being sanctified.  A sanctified life is a transitioned life, transitioned from sin and guilt to salvation and godliness (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).  Paul stated back in Titus 1 that a third requirement of his servitude and thus his redemption was that it was after godliness.  How could a person who hopes to be blessed by God not at the same time feel the need to resemble God in every conceivable way?  And being sanctified involves more than just avoiding what needs to be avoided, it involves doing what needs doing (2 Timothy 2:19-21).  Knowing the connection James makes between good works and redemption (James 2) a proactive approach to godliness makes even more sense in view of our redemption.
What an opening to a great book regarding what requirements we have to obtain redemption!  Now as Paul has opened our eyes to the terms of obtaining redemption the remainder of this great epistle is devoted to what requirements there are for preserving that redemption in our lives so that one day we can stand before God as redeemed souls awaiting our reward!

-Andy Brewer

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