Titus was serving on the island of Crete, which was famous for courrupt living. The moral conditions in which they lived was not very different from our own. This is a timely text for today. In times of great immoratlity it is imperative for Christians to live distinctive Christian lives, and not let the old ways intrude into the new ways. Let's look at the old and the new.
I. Verse 3 - The old way of life A. We were foolish, senseless and disobedient in regard to God and people. Like many today their lives were their business and what they did was their business, not God's. B. We were enslaved to lust and pleasures. Much like today, pleasure had become an idol, and "if it feels good do it" was the prevailiing philosophy. C. We were malicious, holding grudges against people and intent on doing them harm. The Christian aim should be to do good to people and not say or do things that would do them harm. II. Verses 4-8 - The new way of life A. Vss. 4-7 - Something happened that changed our lives and gave us a new perspective on life. These verses will tell us why we are not the same....... B. Vs. 8 - Our new lives should be characterized by good works. This means that we are to witness to other people, live a life that shows how different Christ can make life, and we should minister to people in the name of Jesus. C. It should be our goal to hate the old way of life and love the new way of life. The devil will certainly try to bring the pleasures of the past life back into our minds and hearts. This will demand staying in the Bible and in prayer. Each of us should ask: "Am I living the new life to the fullest extent? Am I making a difference where I am?" If everybody in the church lived like us, what kind of church would it be? We need to ask ourselves if we are making a difference?
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