Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(Tit 3:9) “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”  “Contentions”: quarrels, strife. At the heart of most struggles is pride: “I am right and must prove I am right”. Sometimes it is: “I am wrong but cannot admit I am wrong.” There is only one thing I know we are to contend for: the truth of God’s Word – doctrine. Even that, is to be done in a way what will honor Him.

(Tit 3:9) “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”   I once heard a person say a genealogy was wrong, for it didn’t allow enough time. No, you missed something. God’s Word is always true. If you think you have found an error (take it from a person who has read it over 80 times), mark it down that you have missed something. To trust God’s Word is trust the Lord!

(Tit 3:9) “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”  “Foolish questions” are those offered for the sake of argument – stumping the Believer: “Can God make a rock so big He cannot move it?”  Insincerity regarding the things of God are not worthy of your time.

 (Tit 3:8) “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”    Did you notice these things are “good and profitable” to do? The saved life is the Lord living and working through you to give testimony of a Holy, yet loving God, Who desires men everywhere to repent and be saved! That is done by actions done in His Name. Everyday actions. One says, “Thank you”. Our response, “Jesus wanted me to do it.” 

(Tit 3:8) “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”    Most of the time, when you see the word “careful” (full of care) it means, “Don’t worry, the Lord is in control.” Here is means, “be full of care”, “worry about doing this”, for this is how the Lord is glorified in you!  

(Tit 3:8) “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”  I wonder if “This is a faithful saying” is not simply saying, “This is a saying regarding faithfulness.”  Faithfulness, dedication unto, continual action, aim of one’s life, should be to bring glory to He Who suffered in our place. Is that your focus, your ultimate reason for living? 

 (Tit 3:7) “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  “Hope”: an expectant looking for a sure coming event. God Who cannot lie speaks; we look for what He has said to take place. In the case of the Born Again: God bestowed and we thus expectantly look for the glory of the resurrection and all our Father has waiting for us in eternity!

(Tit 3:7) “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  We have been made heirs of God. How? The New Testament. Testament means “will” (Heb 9). Those who come by faith were named in Jesus’ will to be inheritors. He died, activating the will. He rose again alive from the dead and shares the inheritance with the saved. Read Hebrews Chapter 9.  

 (Titus 3:5) “…..He saved us…(6) ….through Jesus Christ our Saviour;  (7)  That being justified by his grace,….” Yesterday we singled out two important words, “justified” and “grace”. “Grace”: favor given, received, but not deserved. Salvation is not given because of any merit on your part. In fact, you have no merit – for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. (Rom 3:23) My old nature could not earn it; and that old nature has no power to keep it! It is all “grace”!