Scripture Reading: Titus 2:6-8

Exhortations to Young Men

(Titus 2:6-8)

Intro.

1. The strength and exuberance of youth is a blessing when it is directed by the wisdom of truth, Prov. 2:1-9 (1:4).

2. Youthful overconfidence (pride) combined with lack of experience can lead young men (and women) into spiritual danger, Prov. 1:10-19.

3. Titus is instructed to exhort (call near) the young men to help them mature in Christ, Titus 2:6-8.

I. GIVE ATTENTION TO THE WAY YOU THINK.

A. Be Sober-minded, Titus 2:6. (cf. 1:8, temperate, 2:2)

1. “Sound, sane, moderate” (Strong’s Concise Dict.).

2. “to be able to reason and think properly and in a sane manner—‘to be in one’s right mind, to be sane, to think straight, to reason correctly’ (Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon of the NT, I:351).

3. Not driven by internal (emotion) or external forces in one’s thinking. To be balanced, moderated by the truth, cf. 2 Cor. 11:3.

4. Sober-mindedness equips you to serve, Rom. 12:3.

5. Serious (sober-minded), watchful approach to life, 1 Pet. 4:7.

II. GIVE ATTENTION TO YOUR PATTERN OF INFLUENCE.

A. Be a Pattern of Good Works, Titus 2:7; 1:16; Eph. 2:10.

1. Youth are tempted to reject being concerned with influence when making decisions in your life. (Couched in the rationale that “I don’t live my life for others, I live for myself.”)

2. Fact: You are to be an example, 1 Tim. 4:12.

a. Your family, your brethren, in the world.

b. If unconcerned with doing so you damage your credibility and forfeit respect from others.

3. Timothy’s proven character, Phil. 2:19-22.

III. GIVE ATTENTION TO THE DOCTRINE (TEACHING) YOU FOLLOW.

A. The Teaching (Gospel) You Profess, Titus 2:7 (1 Tim. 4:6, 16; 6:3).

B. Godly (True) Doctrine is Characterized by (1 Tim. 6:3):

1. Integrity: Doctrine that is without contamination (sound, 2:1).

2. Reverence: Honorable; gravity, honesty. Gospel teaching is not to be used dishonestly, or to pursue dishonest objectives, 1 Thess. 2:1-5.

3. Incorruptibility: Genuineness, sincerity (Eph. 6:24), not liable to decay, cf. 1 Pet. 1:23.

4. Your relationship to the word of God must be pure, honest, and genuine, 1 Tim. 4:13, 15-16; 2 Tim. 2:15.

IV. GIVEN ATTENTION TO YOUR SPEECH.

A. What You Speak, Titus 2:8.

1. Sound speech: Healthy, wholesome, true words, Eph. 4:25; 5:4.

-Cannot be (properly) condemned, cf. 1 Pet. 2:12; 4:4-6.

2. Impart grace and you will gain opportunities for righteousness, Col. 4:5-6.

B. How You Speak, 1 Tim. 5:1-2 (chastise, upbraid, too familiar).

1. Respect (older men): Can call older people to account, but do so with respect, or you lose the advantage of truth, Lk. 2:46-47.

2. Brotherly (younger men): Closeness as brethren in Christ.

3. Gentleness (older women): Meekness, Eph. 4:1-2.

4. Purity (moral cleanness) (younger women), As sisters.

Conclusion

1. Young man’s strength and stamina is his advantage and glory (beauty), Prov. 20:29.

2. Young men must learn to couple physical vigor with spiritual strength, for that is where great gain is found, 1 Tim. 4:7-8.

3. By doing so you are a great asset to the body of Christ.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: September 2, 2019