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I'm kind of excited this morning.
Not that I'm not excited every morning, but I got a little double
encouragement this morning through the scripture that Brother Kratzer
pointed out in Hebrews, and I'll tell you about that in a moment.
And I was mauling about this morning. There's a lady who really
encouraged me. She said, if nobody else is listening,
and I know there are. This is what she said. I'm paraphrasing
because I don't completely remember what she said, but she said something
to the effect that if nobody else is listening, and I said,
I know there are other people listening. She said, I'm listening,
and there are other people in here who are gravitating and
getting so excited about the Word of God. Can I get an amen?
Amen. And you and I, we ought to get excited about the Word
of God. And I'm not going to tarry too
much with that, because I have to be done by 1145 this morning,
and I plan to stick to my guns. But this is what my brother in Christ, Bruce Crosser,
said. And maybe he thinks nobody else
is listening, but he know there is, but this is what he said
from the word of God. Now the God of peace that brought
again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of
the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Let me read that again. Now the
God of peace. That's the absolute God, the
only real God. that brought again from the dead
our Lord Jesus Christ. That's right, Jesus Christ was
brought again from the dead by God the Father. That great shepherd
of the sheep, that's Jesus Christ. Through the blood of the, I like
these last two words, the everlasting covenant, not a temporary covenant. And I'm not going to go into
it, but I'd just like to say that. That great shepherd of
the sheep through the blood, what kind of blood was it? It's
the blood of the everlasting covenant. Can I get a witness? If you're part of the body of
Christ, If you've been accepted into
the beloved, if you've been redeemed by the
blood, it's an eternal blood. Can I get an amen? If you and
I can't get excited about people encouraging us just out of the
blue. It's not out of the blue, but
the Hebrew message of 1320, I don't know what else can stir you up.
And speaking about stirring you up, I'm not going to labor that
point because it's going to be repeated in the scriptures here
today. And I'm so glad for people rallying
around, not just me, but other people. So without further ado,
I'm going to just proceed with the sermon. Right now, I am asking
you to go along with me and reflect upon only three words that are
in our message today. Now let me get myself focused
here. I'll open this up later. Our opening text in today's message,
Titus 3.9, reads as follows, or avoid Foley's controversies
and genialities and strife and disputes about the law for they
are unprofitable and worthless. Let me repeat this again. I know
I'm going to need to slow down and several people told me to
slow down. But sometimes, ladies and gentlemen,
And I'm not boasting, so don't even think I'm boasting. When God the Holy Spirit gets
a hold of your spirit, you just feel like shouting.
And I'm going to say this, and I didn't I'm not picking on anybody
because there's no one to pick on but myself. When you go to
a football game, to a basketball game, you don't feel like shouting,
can I get a witness? So why not shout for the Word
of God? Paul said, I'm not ashamed. But avoid foolish, I'm at the
bottom, but avoid, notice the asterisks, foolish controversies
and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law because
these are unprofitable and useless. Number three. Miss Cheryl's right
on time. She's running the control booth,
and I thank Miss Cheryl for that. And although the following verses
also is not directly connected with today's message, that's
right, these words are not really, they're indirectly, I better
stop trying to explain myself too much. Just preach the gospel. Please listen to these words
of Solomon. Guard your steps as you go to
the house of God. And draw near to listen rather
than to offer the sacrifice of fools for they do not know that
they are doing evil. That's the NASB, New American
Standard Bible. Here's the King James or in this
sense, I'm sorry, NIV. Guard your steps when you go
to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than
to offer the sacrifice of fools who do not know that they're
doing wrong. So you say, Brother Bruce, I
like to say that. Not Pastor Bruce, but if you
were born again Christian, and I know this is off the cuff,
you are a brother and sister in Christ. I'm not just a pastor, so-called. I'm your brother and sister in
Christ. That's more important to me than
some kind of title. So you say, what connection do
you hope we can put you by pointing out the words of Lord Shun, citing
the Guardian Steps passage? Here's my point. I've been thinking
about this all week. Avoid using or answering your
cell phone during the service. Can I get a witness? Avoid it. This is God's house. Shut off
that cell phone. Give God the reference he deserves. When Moses was on Mount Sinai, I've got to slow down. When Moses
was on Mount Siloam, Yahweh said, take off your shoes. You're on
holy ground. When you come into the house
of God, do God the reverence that he deserves. That's the first one. Here's
the second one. Avoid visiting the grocery tables
during the service. If it's you, stop it. Tell it, get a witness. Give
God some reference. You're on holy ground. Ecclesiastes. Guard yourself
when you go to God's house. For to dwell near it, to listen,
it's better that you give the sacrifice of fools, for they
don't know what they're doing evil. And number three, and can we not all, I know I'm
repeating myself, can we not all guard our steps when we go
to the house of God? And I'm going to say this again
and I mean to say it. When Moses went up to Mount Sinai
and saw that burning bush, Yahweh, Elohim, God, said, take
off your shoes. You're on holy ground. Number five. Now, I have a blank
here. I'm going to show it to you. Between number five, keep it
on number five. I have a blank here. This blank represents your heart. I don't mean the pumping heart,
I mean the real you. What's in there? Examine yourself from what was
just said. Examine yourself. And if you need to repent of
some of these things that have already been said, why don't
you take time to repent? Can I get a witness? Tell God
you're sorry and you repent of your slighting the Lord Jesus
Christ and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. I'm going to say this again,
and this is not in your notes. This is off the cuff. How shall
we escape? if we neglect so great salvation. This is just not some salvation.
This is so great salvation, purchased by none other than the Lord Jesus
Christ with his own blood. I don't want to get into this
too much, but I can't help can't help to think what a great cost it was to shed his blood and
suffer separation from his father for you and me. And I'm going
to get into that later. And you're going to be answering
some questions that are not difficult questions. now for reading Titus chapter
2 verse 9 through 13, New American Standard Bible, but shun foolish
controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about
the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. You just have
to bear with me while I read the text. Reject a praxis man
after a first and second warning, number 11, knowing that such
a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned, When I
send Artemis and Tychicus to you, to people who I shall identify
later on, making every effort to come to me, to Decapolis,
where I have decided to spend the winter there, this is ball
talking. Diligently help Xenos or Xenos,
the lawyer, and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking
for them. And let our people also learn
to engage in good deeds, to be pressing these that they may
not be unfruitful. I hope I get to that. All who are with me greet you.
Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. I'm going to comment on verse
15 right now, because I might not get that far. All who are
with me greet you, greet those who love us in the faith. Say love. Can you say that? One
of the first, not one of, yes, it is the first fruit of the
Holy Spirit, but I'm saying one of the fruits, fruit of the Holy
Spirit is love. The first thing that God does
to a Christian, now I know I need to slow down. The first thing
that God puts in the heart of a Christian is, I'm gonna spell
it, L-O-V-E. Can I get a witness? Do you have
love in your heart? I'm gonna say this, I have the
slightest idea who I'm talking to. And I'm not trying to embarrass
anybody, and I'm not trying to be harsh. I'm going to preface
it again. The first thing, the first quality,
if I may say, that God puts in a Christian through the Holy
Spirit is love. Do you have love? Are you so
embittered, a Christian, that all you have is criticism, hatred,
and all the other ingredients of the old sinful nature? But
God, say, but God. But God. Nuni Dei. God has poured out in your heart
love. And I saw some people walking
and talking to people today trying to help them out. Or you are
an embittered Christians. Things haven't been in your way
and you're blaming God for everything that happens. God help you. God help me. And I won't go into that any
further, but some of you probably, including me, need it. Number seven. Now let's begin
with our opening verse nine. But shun, avoid foolish controversies
and genealogies and strife and disputes about the law, for they
are unprofitable. Hang on. Comments. In these, the Jews particularly
delighted, they abounded in the most frivolous or silly questions. And as they had little piety
themselves, they were solicitous, invited to show that they had
descended from a godly source. They're so religious, they're lost. Can I get a witness? Let me ask you, and I'm not picking
on anybody, and I probably should stop saying that because I'm
not picking on anybody. Are you religious but lost? You
want to tell everybody else how to live, but you yourself, you're
lost. And I'm going to say this for
someone in here or some people in here. It's about time you
get saved. Stop walking around in the world
like you know it all and have it all together and get yourself
saved. Can I get a witness? One of these
days, God's going to give up on you, if I can put it that
way. I know that's the wrong terminology. God has given you
enough time to get saved. He's pointed out enough Christian
people. He's helped you as much as he
can. And you're still walking in darkness. It's appointed unto man once
to die. And after this, the judgment. Pastor Jack and I were talking
again. He keeps saying that same verse. It's a fearful thing to
fall into the hands of the living God. Can I get a witness? God's
given us time. Notice I said us. In these, the Jews particularly
delighted, they abounded in the most frivolous or silly question,
and as they had little piety to themselves, they were solicitous
to show that they had descended from the godly ancestors. Number eight, of their frivolous
questions and the answers given to them by the wisest and most
reputable of their teachers, the following is a specimen.
Yes, I'm going to give you an example of their frivolous questions.
It's okay to laugh. Why have the Babylonians round
heads? That's the kind of question,
a silly question, nothing to do with godliness. to which the rabbi said, this
is a difficult question. But I will tell you the reason.
Their heads are round because they have little wit. How frivolous. Here's another one. Here's another ancient and modern
day one. Why have my people broad feet? Because they inhabit a marshy
country. Can I get a witness? How stupid. Here's a modern day one. Which
came first, the chicken or the egg? All those kind of frivolous
questions, instead of centering on the King of Kings and the
Lord of Lords, they're all these kind of not effective questions. Let's go back to Paul's day. There were those who were arguing
and striving about the law, that is, over the Old Testament scriptures.
The false teachers of Paul's day were just like the false
teachers of today and down through the centuries. They professed
Christ, but Christ was not enough to save them. It took both the
law and the Christ to save them. To be saved, the person had to
believe in Christ, yes. But he also had to undergo the
basic ritual of the law. Circumcision, baptism, church
membership, confirmation, and commit his whole life to keeping
the law, including the thousands and thousands of roles surrounding
the law. Can I get a witness? I need to slow down right here.
Take your time. Thank you. but he also had to
undergo the basic ritual of circumcision. Oh, I gotta get circumcised before
I get saved. You had to be baptized. If you're
here, and I'm gonna challenge you, if you
think that you have to get baptized before you get saved, let me just say, you're on the
wrong path. Can I get a witness? Yesterday,
I'm just going to come out and say it. Yesterday, a person walked into church while
I was here cleaning up, supposedly cleaning up. And she brought out the fact
that she was a Seventh-day Adventist. And God the Holy Spirit told
me to tell her, Seventh-day Adventists can't save you. this church can't
save you, only Jesus can save you. I don't care what church
you go to, if you're not born again, if you don't know the
Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you're lost. No church can save you. The proclamation
of the death, the burial, the resurrection, and who Jesus is,
that'll save you when you put your trust in Him. We ought to be jealous for Jesus. I'm gonna say it again. This church can't save you. Seventh-day
Adventist church can't save you. The Mormon church can't save
you. No church can save you, only
the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. That's who'll save
you. And when you get saved, you'll
know it. What do you say to that, Brother
Bruce? These things, I'm off track. These things I have written
unto you, who believe, say believe. That word means trust. Have you
trusted him? And I'm going to get to that
soon. Paul is saying that believers,
including preachers and teachers, should not become embroiled in
controversies about scriptures. They are unprofitable and vain,
useless and empty, of no value whatsoever. Christ is all that
is needed. Can I get a witness? He's all. He and his word are to be proclaimed
and controversies turned away from. The proclamation of Christ
and His Word is the occupation of the believer, the very purpose
of the believer's existence. Did you get that last sentence? The proclamation of Christ and
His Word is the occupation of the believer, the very purpose of the believer's
existence. Can I get a witness? The Bible
says in Colossians, all things were created by Him. Colossians
chapter 1, and for Him. You were created for Jesus and
you exist for the King of Kings and the
Lord of Lords. I'm going to turn to it so you
don't think I'm operating on half-blast. Excuse us for a moment. For by Him Let me start with
verse 15. Christ is the image of the invisible
God, the firstborn of every creation. For by him were all things created
that are in heaven. Did you get that? Everything
in heaven was created by the Lord Jesus Christ. And that are
in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions,
or principalities or powers, all things were created by Him. I can't get over this last part,
and for Him. Can I get a witness? But you
better look out for the next verse. and He is before all things,
and by Him all things consist. The whole entire universe, and
I know I've said it before, but I'm getting excited for Jesus,
the entire universe was held together by Almighty Jesus. And if I may add this tidbit,
this universe would explode into a billion pieces if Christ wasn't
holding it together. And not only is he holding it
together, he's before all things. And I know this is out of place.
He said this to a group of false teachers, before Abraham was,
I am. Number 13, but I'm still commenting
on very first verse, but shun foolish controversies and genialities
and stripes and disputes about the law. Titus 3.13, instead of your and
my focusing on foolish things, 14, Instead of you and me focusing
on foolish things, I'm not saying it's okay to have fun. How about you and my focusing
on, let me slow down. How about your and my focusing
our attention on looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing. I
know I changed it. Looking for the blessed hope
and the appearing of the glory of the great God and Savior,
Christ Jesus. Church, He's coming back. And He's coming back for you
whether you're ready or not. And you're not going to say,
here I come. He's coming back for you to give
you a reward. And for many of you, he's going
to say, well done, thy good and faithful servant. How about focusing on this since
Christmas is coming? for a child will be born to us,
a son will be given to us, and the government will rest
upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God. Eternal Father. I want to clear
this up right away. Jesus is not the Father. This means He's the Father of
Eternity. He who created all things created
time. And Jesus is the Son of God. I'm going to say this again because
there's many who try to diminish who He is. He's before time. I'm going to say it again. Before
Abraham was, I am. He's the Father of eternity.
He created time. And He's the Prince of Peace. And for Christians right now,
whom He rules, I'm just going to say it, there's
an awesome overwhelming peace that passes all understanding,
even in the midst of tremendous turmoil. Can I get a witness? And I'm hoping and praying that
you have experienced a peace that passes all understanding. No, and we're not so heavenly
bound that we're no earthly good. Can I get a witness? Yes, I said I had a non-foolish
question for you. Pastor, you have to stop me.
Somebody's got to stop me at 11.45. people who go to just a modern-day
church. I don't know who you are. Who
placed all your personal sins upon Yeshua? Do you know? Somebody said it. And for you who don't know, I'm
going to ask that question again. who placed all your personal
sins upon Jesus. Say it again. God the Father. You ought to know. I said, brother.
Isaiah 53, 6. Isaiah 53, 6. Did you know that? If you or I would have placed
them on the Lord Jesus Christ, it'd never be done. But it was
God the Father who took all your sins, whether people know it
about it or not, he's the one that placed all your sins on
his son. You're talking about a non-trivial
question that's the most important question you will ever answer. Am I angry this morning? No. I can say, hallelujah! What a savior! He took all Brother Carter's
sins. He took all Joey's sins. I don't
know who Joey is. He took all Sandy's sins. I don't
know who she is. And placed them on his And I'm just going to just go
along with it. He was despised and forsaken
of men, a man of sorrows acquainted with sins. And like one from
whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed
him not. Surely our griefs he himself
bore, and our sorrows Help me. Thank you, sister. You know what? Ever so now and
then, a brother or a sister needs help. Can I get a witness? You
and I need help. Yet we ourselves esteem him stricken. Who is he stricken by, brother
Bruce? Smitten of God and afflicted. But he was pierced through for
our transgressions. He was crushed. I didn't get anything out of
that sermon. I'm going to walk out of here
the same way I left. Someday, God's going to call
you into judgment for hearing His Word, not because Brother
Bruce spoke it, but because it's the Word of God. Can I get a
witness? He was crushed for our iniquities, that chastening for
our well-being fell upon Him. No wonder Jesus would say, my
God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And by his scourging, say
scourging. Maybe I can help you think about
something. Don't you dare say it. That ain't nothing. What
do you think it was like? to have his back lacerated at least 39 times by
sun loss, and some think it was more. And why'd he do it? He did it. I like the way she
said it. He did it for me. All of us, like sheep, have gone
astray. Each of us has turned to his
own way. The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall
on him. That's just what my brother in
Christ just said, Isaiah 53, 6. I got to close in five minutes,
and I'm going to do it. If any man teach or hold erroneously... I'm on 22. If any man teach or hold erroneously
concerning the main points of Christian... Since I've got to finish in five
minutes, what's the main points of Christianity? I'm going to say it again and
try to add just a little bit more. the death, the burial, the bodily, did you
get it? The bodily resurrection of Jesus
Christ. Hell. Oh, hell is nothing but
the grave. You leave here with, I'm threatening
you. Can I get a witness? I'm threatening
you. You leave here without the Lord
Jesus Christ, you'll believe that hell is more than just a
grave. But it'll be too late then. That's
what they were trying to teach. Hell's just a grave. When you're
dead, you're dead. I advise you to read the Word
of God yourself and get the main principles. What else is the
main principle? You must be born again. Why? Because we're all dead in trespasses
and sins, or were all. But you've been made new. Can
I get a witness? You've been made new in Jesus
Christ. Stay with me, Miss Cheryl. 25, Miss Cheryl. I want to end on
a happy note. But now there are many members
but one body. Ladies and gentlemen, that's
right, elegant. Ladies and gentlemen, if you've
been born again, but now there are many members but one body.
We're all a body of Christ. part of the body of Christ. Stay
there, Miss Cheryl. I hope this is not you. Second Corinthians 1220, but
I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I may find you about
to be, which I wish not. I know I'm misquoting. Strife. If you don't think there's
some strife in this church, you're mistaken. However, we're covering
it by the blood of Jesus Christ and praying about it. Can I get
a witness? Jealousy, angry temper. Is that you? Is that me? How
about gossip? I'm doing my best. I'm not going
to talk about, and you should not talk about people behind
their back. Can I get a witness? Idolatry. Say idolatry. What is that? Oh, I like that car. It's OK. But do you like it more than
Jesus? Disputes, jealousy, outbursts of anger. I'm going to keep my word. I'm
on number 27. Artemis and Tychicus and Zenos
or Zenos were helping Paul in his ministries. Who are you helping? Who are
you? Are you helping anybody? Are
you reaching out to anybody? Are you praying with anybody?
Are you asking people? Don't be so proud that you can't
ask for help. Can I get a witness? I'm always
asking for help because I certainly need it. I'm just going to end
because if I don't end, I'm not going to keep my
Avoid & Encourage
Series Titus
| Sermon ID | 124221659355622 |
| Duration | 43:30 |
| Date | |
| Category | Sunday Service |
| Bible Text | Titus 1 |
| Language | English |
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