Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7

Titus 3:9-10 Seeking the Peace and Purity of God's Church Summary: Today as we’re back in Titus, listen for two really important words: peace and purity. Do you know what each means? God wants us to guard both in his church. Keeping the gospel of Jesus at the center means that we want to honor him in our speech, our relationships and with what we believe. Let’s think about it: Outline: 1. Seek the peace of the church in your speech and relationships 2. Seek the purity of the church through decisive action 3. Keep the Gospel the main thing! Verse: James 1:19 … let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger… Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What are the controversies in this passage that we should avoid? Why might it be tempting to engage in such controversies and debates? How do we know which controversies are necessary and which are fruitless? 2. Why are these debates, “unprofitable and worthless” as Paul says? Where might you be tempted in this? 3. How does Paul command us to deal with a divisive person in the church? Why is this so vital to the health of our congregation? 4. To put it positively, how does focusing on Jesus and his gospel help promote the peace and purity of the church? How can you be involved in that today?

Titus 3:1-8 Grace for a Whole New Life Summary: No matter how old we are, we could all look back on our life and remember where we failed to love and obey God. The older we get, the more we see it! But there is great news, because God's great salvation for us is not based on how well we have done. It is based on how well Jesus did when he lived, died and rose again for us. This great news gives us the power for a whole new life. Let's listen as God speaks to us today: Outline: 1. To put on a new life, remember the emptiness of the old 2. To put on a new life, the Gospel is our hope 3. The power of our new life is shown by our good works Verse: Titus 3:4-5a But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How does Paul describe the character of this new life to which we are called (Titus 2:1-2). Why do you think he goes on to describe all of his past failures in verse 3? 2. How does Paul describe God's great salvation in 3:4-7? What makes this salvation so great? Discuss or think about words such as

Titus 2:11-14 Grace Changes Everything Summary: Have you ever thought about how you can find the strength to obey God? Does the strength come from some power inside of you? From a list of rules? Fear of punishment? Or does the power to live a godly life come from somewhere else? Today, let's think about how God's grace in Jesus changes everything and gives us the power to please God. Outline: 1. Grace saves us 2. Grace trains us for godliness 3. Grace builds our hope 4. Grace fuels our good works Verse: Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What are the

Titus 2:9-10 Noble Service Summary: Have you ever decorated something? Maybe a cake? Or your house for a party? Why do we decorate things? To make them look nice, more beautiful, or more attractive than they were before. Today, Paul talks to those who are under authority - that's all of us- (teacher, parent, boss) and tells us that when we do our work and submit to them joyfully, we

Titus 2:7-8 The Charge of a Young Pastor Summary: Pastors in God's church aren't perfect people. They are sinners too, but God does call them to live in such a way that people might follow their example of godliness. But what does that mean? Let's listen to God's Word in Titus 2 to find out: Outline: 1. A faithful pastor is to be a model of good works 2. A faithful pastor is to be a teacher of sound doctrine 3. A faithful pastor is a witness to the world 4. A faithful pastor is a mirror of the Savior Verse: Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How would you describe the picture of a godly pastor/leader in this passage? How does it differ from how the world might define a leader? 2. Paul highlights a pastor's actions (good works) and his teaching as two main qualities that are needed for godly leadership. How might this influence how we choose elders and pastors in the church? Why are both qualities so vital for faithful ministry? 3. How does the description in this passage show us a reflection of Jesus? 4. How might this passage lead you to pray for pastors and leaders in God's church?

Find these words that relate to our lesson today

Sermon title: Too Far Gone The topic is how we believe some people have travelled too far down a path of sin for God to reach them. Sermon text: 2 Kings 21:1-18 along with 2 Chronicles 32:33-33:20 Outline: Bloody resume of Manasseh Consequences of Manasseh's sins Repentance and restoration of Manasseh Memory Verse: Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. (2 Chronicles 33:13b)

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 NRSV

Sermon Text: Philemon 21-25 Sermon Title: The Unrealistic Hopes of Missionary Paul Kids Summary Do you know how many kinds of rooms there are in a hospital? There are many different kinds: a reception desk, an administrative office, a room for taking X-rays, a room for examining patients, a room for surgery, a room for patients' wards, a nurses' station, and so on. How would you feel if a hospital said,

Numbers 6:22-27 The Blessing Sermon Outline: A. Aaron B. Israel C. Us Memory Verse: The LORD bless you and keep you; (Numbers 6:24)

Proverbs 3:1-8 NRSV

Titus 2:6 Portrait of a Godly Young Man Summary: Do you know what

Titus 2:3-5 Portrait of a Godly Young Woman Summary: Last week we saw in Titus that God has blessed us with godly spiritual mothers. But God has also given us young women as a gift to the Body of Christ. What is their role in God's kingdom? Let's listen to Titus today and think about their important calling. Outline: To younger women: you can love because God first loved you: 1. You can love your family 2. You can love godliness 3. You can love your role 4. You can love to represent your Savior Verse: Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What is the main family-centered calling of younger women? What do you think it means to be

Titus 2:3-5 Spiritual Mothers Summary: Take a look around and the ladies in our church. God has blessed us with so many godly spiritual mothers! But what is their role in our lives? Let's listen to Titus today and think about their important calling in our church. Outline: 1. The godly older woman and her church 2. The godly older woman and her God 3. The godly older woman and her character 4. The godly older woman and her ministry Verse: Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How should the church be equipping the spiritual mothers of our church for their work? 2. The phrase

Portrait of a Gray Headed Saint Titus 2:1-2 Summary: Take a look around the worship center this morning and what will you see? You will see people who are young, old, men and women, boys and girls, and people from all over the world. God's Word calls people to live out the Gospel in every stage of life. Today, let's listen as God's Word instructs older men to pursue godliness: Outline: 1. Our doctrine and our behavior are deeply related 2. The portrait of a godly older man: a. A man with self-control b. A man of spiritual health Verse: Titus 2:2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How is our doctrine (what we believe) and our behavior related? How does your set of beliefs and the way you live match up? Is there a disconnect between the two? 2. How does Paul exhort older men in this passage? Why are they particularly called to these set of virtues? Why is it so powerful to have such godly men among us? 3. Since these qualities ought to be pursued by all believers, how does a love for Christ and resting in his grace cultivate these things in us? In which of these areas do you need to pursue growth?

Scriptural Reading: Psalms 1 &2 Main Point: What is the surest path to God: Study or Prayer?” Memory Verse: But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night (Psalms 1:2)

Satan wants to hurt God's church! Sometimes he will use false teachers to bring harm. Today let's hear God's Word teach us about how to spot lies and how Jesus protects his church. What does a false teacher look like? Their character Their errors How do we deal with them? Godly leadership Godly confrontation Verse: Titus 2:1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How does Paul describe the character of false teachers? How does he describe their teaching? How might these be helpful for us as a church today? Where might you need to be on guard against false teaching today? 2. How does Paul exhort us to deal with false teachers? What part do godly leaders play in protecting Christ's church? 3. How does the teaching of sound doctrine and the purity of the Gospel protect God's church? How can you commit yourself to know and love this sound teaching in the Word?

Stewards of God's House Titus 1:5-9 Summary: God has given many gifts to the church, and one of them is her leaders. Being an elder in the church is a big job, but it is also a joy to serve God's people. Let's remember to pray for them! Let's listen today to learn what God thinks of elders: Outline: 1. God wants us to choose our leaders wisely 2. The characteristics of God's stewards (elders): a. Godly family life b. Personal character c. Godly in relationships d. Sound doctrine Verse: Titus 1:7a For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why do you think Paul gives such a detailed set of criteria for those who serve as elders in the church? What is at stake? 2. What should this set of qualifications do in YOU, even if you are not called to be an elder? 3. With such a high set of qualifications, how should this shape our search for elders at NCPC? Will you commit to pray for this process at our church?

Stewards of God's House Titus 1:5-9 Summary: God has given many gifts to the church, and one of them is her leaders. Being an elder in the church is a big job, but it is also a joy to serve God's people. Let's remember to pray for them! Let's listen today to learn what God thinks of elders: Outline: 1. God wants us to choose our leaders wisely 2. The characteristics of God's stewards (elders): a. Godly family life b. Personal character c. Godly in relationships d. Sound doctrine Verse: Titus 1:7a For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why do you think Paul gives such a detailed set of criteria for those who serve as elders in the church? What is at stake? 2. What should this set of qualifications do in YOU, even if you are not called to be an elder? 3. With such a high set of qualifications, how should this shape our search for elders at NCPC? Will you commit to pray for this process at our church?