Sermon: Glimpse
by Chris Cumming
Recently we have been in a series of Bible studies on Titus and chapter
two. Let me read the first ten verses.
Titus 2:1-10
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in
charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh
holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good
things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their
husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own
husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine
shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the
contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please
them well in all things; not answering again;
10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn
the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
The passage begins with the admonition to speak things which become
sound doctrine. The following verses continue this admonition as it
relates to older men and women, younger men and women and finally
servants. In our study, we heard some profound statements coming from
explanations of these scriptures.
The first one came from the Matthew Henry Concise, which covers verses
1-10. Here is an excerpt.
Old disciples of Christ must behave in everything agreeably to the
Christian doctrine. That the aged men be sober; not thinking that the
decays of nature will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from
nearer communion with God, not from any undue indulgence.
~Matthew Henry Concise
In speaking to things which become sound doctrine, it states that the
aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in love and in
patience. Doing these things put us, "in nearer communion with God."
The commentary actually says, "seeking comfort from this nearer
communion with God.
In this sermon, we will explore the meaning of these verses as I
encourage all of us to seek nearer communion with God.
Seek nearer
communion with God.
As you are going to see, if we seek this communion with God, we will get
a glimpse of the Kingdom of God.
Where in the Bible do we read about getting closer to God?
James 4:8
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye
sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
This is one of the best verses in the Bible about getting closer to
God. He says that He will draw nigh to us. If we want God close to us,
whom would we want to be the most distance away? See the verse just
before this one:
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you.
From verse 7, take a closer look at the phrase, "submit yourselves
therefore to God."
Submit yourselves therefore to God - That
is, in his arrangements for obtaining his favor. Yield to what he has
judged necessary for your welfare in the life that is, and your
salvation in the life to come. The duty here enjoined is that of entire
acquiescence [agreement without objection] in the arrangements of God,
whether in his providence or grace. All these are for our good, and
submission to them is required by the spirit of true humility. The
object of the command here, and in the succeeding injunctions to
particular duties, is to show them how they might obtain the grace which
God is willing to bestow, and how they might overcome the evils against
which the apostle had been endeavoring to guard them. The true method of
doing this is by submitting ourselves in all things to God.
~Barnes Notes
I found a couple of things in the Biblical Illustrator on this phrase.
Submission to God
I. EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF THE SUBMISSION HERE ENJOINED.
1. We should submit to God in His authoritative sway.
2. We should submit to God in His gracious influences.
3. Submit yourselves to God in His providential dispensations.
II. URGE THE REASONS FOR REDUCING IT TO PRACTICE.
1. We urge it from a consideration of the greatness and goodness of the
Being to whom you are called to submit.
2. We urge it on the ground of relationship and obligation.
3. We urge it for the salve of your personal happiness. [see
sermon, "Unguent"
where we talk about salves and unction of
the Holy Spirit]
4. We urge it from a consideration of the punishment which inevitably
follows the crime of non-submission to God.
~Biblical Illustrator
The duty and
advantages of submission to God
I. SOME PARTICULARS IN WHICH WE ARE TO EXERCISE SUBMISSION TO GOD.
1. We are to submit to God with respect to His providential
dispensations towards us.
2. We are to submit to His commands. We may object; we may try to find
excuses for disobedience, but till we thus unreservedly submit to God,
He will treat us as rebels against His authority.
II. A FEW OF THE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD THUS SUBMIT TO GOD.
1. We must submit, because we can make no resistance to any of His
appointments.
2. It is good for us to submit ourselves unto God, because He knows what
is best for us.
3. The consequences of thus submitting to Him are— [and
remember this first one as we go along]
(1) Peace in this world.
(2) Happiness in the world to come. ~Biblical Illustrator
The People's New Testament makes a simple statement of meaning on this
phrase:
Submit yourselves therefore to God. To
secure his grace abundantly. ~People's
New Testament
Back to verse 8 now and the phrase, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw
nigh to you."
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you
- Compare 2 Chronicles 15:2. This declaration contains a great and
important principle in religion. If we wish the favor of God, we must
come to him; nor can we hope for his mercy, unless we approach him and
ask him for it. We cannot come literally any nearer to God than we
always are, for he is always round about us; but we may come nearer in a
spiritual sense. We may address him directly in prayer; we may approach
him by meditation on his character; we may draw near to him in the
ordinances of religion. We can never hope for his favor while we prefer
to remain at a distance from him; none who in fact draw near to him will
find him unwilling to bestow on them the blessings which they need.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
2 Chronicles 15:2
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all
Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if
ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will
forsake you.
Draw nigh to God - Approach Him, in the
name of Jesus, by faith and prayer, and he will draw nigh to you - he
will meet you at your coming. When a soul sets out to seek God, God sets
out to meet that soul; so that while we are drawing near to him, he is
drawing near to us. The delicacy and beauty of these expressions are, I
think, but seldom noted. ~Adam Clarke
Now other verses speaking to getting closer to God
Isaiah 55:1-3
1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath
no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without
money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your
labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and
eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live;
and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies
of David.
Isaiah 55:6-7
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is
near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:
and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and
to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Psalm 145:18
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon
him in truth.
Zechariah 1:3
Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto
me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of
hosts.
Note: Are we beginning to get the message here? We make the first move.
"Turn ye unto me" AND I will THEN turn unto you.
Psalm 100:2-4
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not
we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with
praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Hebrews 7:19
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a
better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Here is the commentary on the last three parts of this verse:
But the bringing in of a better hope did
- Margin, “But it was.” The correct rendering is, probably, “but there
is the bringing in of a better hope, by which we have access to God.”
The Law could not effect this. It left the conscience guilty, and sin
unexpiated. But there is now the introduction of a better system by
which we can approach a reconciled God. The “better hope” here refers to
the more sure and certain expectation of [The
Kingdom] introduced by the gospel. There is a better
foundation for hope; a more certain way of obtaining the divine favor
than the Law could furnish.
By the which - By which better hope; that
is, by means of the ground of hope furnished by the gospel, to wit, that
God is now reconciled. and that we can approach him with the assurance
that he is ready to save us.
We draw nigh unto God - We have access to
him; see Romans 5:1-2. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
Romans 5:1-2
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Note: Verse one says we have
peace with God
Question: Does God state to us that it is good for us to draw
near to God?
Psalm 73:28
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the
Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
Notice the commentary:
But it is good for me to draw near to God
- That is, It is pleasant; it is profitable; it is the chief good. For
myself, happiness is to be found in that alone; there I find what my
nature pants for and desires. Others find, or attempt to find, happiness
in other things; my happiness is found in God alone. This is the result
to which the psalmist came after all his perplexity. With all his doubts
and difficulties, his real desire was to be near to God; his supreme
happiness was found there. ~Barnes Notes
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with
pure water.
Note: It says, "full
assurance of faith." Remember this concept of assurance of God.
Psalm 65:4
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto
thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the
goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
In our study of Titus, chapter 2, we finally came to verse 10 which
reads:
Titus 2:10 [see
Lesson]
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the
doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
In the study of this verse, our focus came to the concept of, "Adorning
the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." What does it mean to
adorn the doctrine of God in all things? We were directed to a passage
in the Biblical Illustrator where it said, in part, "To 'adorn the
doctrine of God our savior' is to advance the credit and reputation of
Christian religion in the world." Later in the same commentary we read
this:
III. The reasons which oblige us, and the encouragements which may
persuade us, to the practice of it.
1. To adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour by such a faith and practice
as I have now described is the most infallible assurance, both to
ourselves and others, that our principle is sincere and perfect.
2. To live such a life as shall cause our religion to be esteemed and
honoured in the world, is the greatest blessing, as well to ourselves as
to others, that we can either imagine or desire.
3. Another encouragement to such a profession and practice of our
religion as shall adorn it are the particular promises which are made to
those who shall attain unto it.
4. The particular peace and satisfaction which will arise from such a
faith and life. ~Biblical Illustrator
Let me attempt to put all this and these 4 points into plain language:
We adore the doctrine/gospel of God when we:
1] Conform our actions, character, conversation and conduct to that of
Jesus Christ.
2] Invoke the power of the Holy Spirit in the form of Godly principles
or fruits of the Spirit.
3] Are a light to the World by these actions, words, thought and
principles of Christ.
What makes or compels us to and what spiritual encouragements
persuade us to adorn the doctrine/gospel of God?
1] Our faith is made strong and our adorning of the doctrine/gospel of
God by the assurance we have in the infallible and perfect principles of
God.
2] When we invoke the power of the Holy Spirit in the form of the fruits
of the Spirit, a blessing is released to us, to those affected/benefited
by our words, conduct or actions and to those who witness these things.
3] The specific promises of God.
4] The peace and satisfaction we have in these Godly actions and
thoughts. This peace and satisfaction comes from our ever-increasing
faith. This peace and satisfaction comes from the knowledge and wisdom
we apply to all aspects of this life. We accel knowing how life works
according to the principles of God.
Let me do this one more time with even shorter phrases that act as
shortcuts or links to the 4 statements I just gave you.
We are moved to adorn the doctrine/gospel of God by:
1] Faith in the perfect principles of God.
2] The blessings we know will come.
3] The promises of God.
4] The feelings of peace and satisfaction we have.
Are there any scriptures to support these points? And is there another
point we could add to this list? What else could possibly compel us to
adorn the doctrine/gospel of God?
1] Faith in the
perfect principles of God.
2 Samuel 22:31 [stated
in Psalm 18:30]
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a
buckler to all them that trust in him.
Psalm 12:6
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of
earth, purified seven times.
Psalm 19:7-8
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of
the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the
commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalm 25:8a
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the
way.
Psalm 93:5a
Thy testimonies are very sure:...
Psalm 119:138
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very
faithful.
Psalm 119:140
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust
in him.
Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect.
Romans 7:12
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Note: For the phrase,
"against such there is no law" the John Gill says that this means they
are perfect agreeable with the Law of God.
2] The blessings
we know will come.
Psalm 5:12
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass
him as with a shield.
Proverbs 10:6a
Blessings are upon the head of the just...
Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with
it.
Proverbs 28:20a
A faithful man shall abound with blessings.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always
having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Notice the commentary on the phrase, "all grace."
All grace - All kinds of favor. He is
able to impart to you those things which are needful for your welfare.
~Barnes Notes
In the Adam Clarke we read this:
God is able to make all grace abound -
God is able to give you, in his mercy, abundance of temporal good; that,
having a sufficiency, ye may abound in every good work. This refers to
the sowing plenteously: those who do so shall reap plenteously - they
shall have an abundance of God’s blessings.
~Adam Clarke
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down
from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow
of turning.
3] The promises of
God.
Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not
afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is
the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all
their troubles.
Psalm 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou
shalt glorify me.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Isaiah 40:29
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he
increaseth strength.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I
will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee
with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:13
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear
not; I will help thee.
Isaiah 54:10
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my
kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my
peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Note: What is this "covenant
of my peace" all about? The Jamieson, Fausset, Brown states this as,
"The covenant whereby I have made thee at peace with Me.
~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
4] The feelings of
peace and satisfaction we have.
Psalm 29:11
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his
people with peace.
Psalm 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalm 119:165
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
Notice the commentary
In perfect peace - Hebrew as in the
Margin, ‘Peace, peace;’ the repetition of the word denoting, as is usual
in Hebrew, emphasis, and here evidently meaning undisturbed, perfect
peace. That is, the mind that has confidence in God shall not be
agitated by the trials to which it shall be subject; by persecution,
poverty, sickness, want, or bereavement.
~Barnes Notes
Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our
learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might
have hope.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to
comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of God.
Philippians 4:7 ...this verse
following by a list of things we should think about.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are
called in one body; and be ye thankful.
2 Thessalonians 2:17
Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
What verses put this all together for us?
1 John 3:3
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he
is pure.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
All these scriptures are about us seeking and having nearer communion
with God.
Earlier I asked, is there another point we could add to this list? What
else could possibly compel us to adorn the doctrine/gospel of God?
Here are the short version of that list again
We are moved to adorn the doctrine/gospel of God by:
1] Faith in the perfect principles of God.
2] The blessings we know will come.
3] The promises of God.
4] The feelings of peace and satisfaction we have.
Turn to Matthew 5.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Just when shall they see God? Remember the lady asking how she could
put a face on God? Remember all our talks about Assiduity praying and
putting all things in our life into His hands? We said that you will
see God daily as He manifests Himself in each one of the things you are
putting in His hands. Notice the commentary as we close now on Matthew
5:8:
For they shall see God - in this life,
enjoying communion with him, both in private and public, in the several
duties of religion. ~John Gill
Add to this the
Bible study we are soon to have on Titus 2:13:
Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
If you hold the perfect principles of God, see His blessing, claim His
promises and experience continual peace, satisfaction and joy, you are
seeing God and therefore the Kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says
we see the Kingdom through a glass, darkly which means that by doing all
these things of the salvation process, we get a glimpse of that
Kingdom. Let us complete the list:
We are moved to adorn the doctrine/gospel of God by:
1] Faith in the perfect principles of God.
2] The blessings we know will come.
3] The promises of God.
4] The feelings of peace and satisfaction we have.
5] Continually getting a glimpse of the Kingdom of God.
So, go now and continue seeking nearer communion with God.