Key Truth: The leaders of the church are called to help God’s elect grow in faith and knowledge which results in godliness based on the assurance of eternal life from God in Christ.

Introduction:

Q: What most affects how you live?

Titus 1:1-3: For the Sake of the Faith of God’s Elect:

“The sequence of these three significant terms Paul used in this first verse—faith, knowledge, godliness—suggests a pattern of true Christian growth. Saving faith that opens one’s eyes to the knowledge of the truth should result in a transformed life characterized by godliness.”

Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, Jr., The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Timothy, Titus

Q: How is your faith and knowledge of God growing and changing how you live in godliness?

Titus 1:4: A Common Faith in God Our Savior and Christ Jesus Our Savior:

“The Father is Savior because he has redeemed us by the Son’s death so that he might make us heirs of eternal life; but the Son is our Savior because he shed his blood as a pledge and price of our salvation. Thus the Son brought us salvation from the Father, and the Father bestowed it through the Son.”

John Calvin, 1&2 Timothy & Titus

Q: Do you celebrate the work of both God the Father and Jesus the Son in your salvation? Do you recognize that God is the author of our salvation and sent Jesus to restore us to Him?

Titus 1:1-4 teaches us that:

-the goal of church is to help us grow in faith and knowledge of the Gospel that is displayed in a transformed godly life

-the basis of this goal is God’s promise of eternal life as accomplished in Christ alone