First Baptist Lenoir City

I. The Presence of Grace - 2:11a “For the grace of God has appeared”

II. The Purposes of God’s Grace - 2:11b-15

1. The Primary Purpose - Salvation

2. The Secondary Purposes - These 7 discipleship dynamics are consistently mentioned in the New Testament. We all need an ongoing commitment to each of these doctrinal convictions. There is a diverse audience in Titus chapter 2: Older men, Older women, young women, young men. All should be passionate about prioritizing Titus 2:11-15. Today, I want to focus on the wonderful role of mothers. The primary place where discipleship is worked out is the HOME. The CHURCH and CHRISTIAN SCHOOL are secondary places where discipleship is worked out.

3. The 7 Motivations for Godliness:

a. Training - v. 12a

b. Living - v. 12b

c. Waiting - v. 13a

• Luke 2:25 Simeon was “waiting” for the consolation of Israel

• Luke 2:38 Anna was “waiting” for the redemption of Jerusalem

• I Thessalonians 1:8-10 • Hebrews 9:27-28 • II Peter 3:11-15 • Jude 1:20-21

d. Appearing - v. 13b

e. Redeeming - v. 14a

f. Purifying - v. 14b

g. Declaring - v. 15

I. His Name - Matthew 1:18-21

II. His Mission - John 3:16-17

III. His Impact - Mt 27:54; John 20

IV. His Focus - May THE FORCE BE WITH YOU - Acts 1:6-8

V. His Church - Acts 2 - 16

1. Acts 2:38 - 3,000 in Jerusalem

2. I want to be in a church…

3. that responds to the commands of Christ

4. that speaks of the greatness of God

5. that relies on the promised prophecies from the sacred Scriptures

6. that is centered on Jesus and His gospel

7. that calls people to commitment

8. that expects people to be saved

9. that expects people to be baptized

10. that expects people to continue

1. Acts 4:4 - 5,000 in Jerusalem

2. Acts 6:7 - Priests in Jerusalem

3. Acts 8:27-38 - African Ethiopian on the road to Gaza

4. Acts 9:10-19 Saul becomes Paul on the road to Damascus

5. Acts 10:24-29 - Cornelius (Centurion)

6. Acts 16:13-15 & 25-31 - The Jailor & Tailor in Europe (Philippi)

7. Acts 22 & 26 (3 Phases of every testimony)

8. Acts 28:28-31

It's a big deal because Jesus rescues us from sin, fear, and death. 3:1-2

 Its a big deal because Jesus was sent by God.

- Apostle and High Priest - 4:14-16

It's a big deal because Jesus gives us mercy and grace in time of need. - 5:1-10

v. 1-4 Old Testament High Priests descended through Aaron are appointed to serve but they are imperfect men.

v. 5-6 Its a big deal because Jesus was appointed by God.

Psalm 2:7–8 “I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.”

Psalm 110:4 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

v. 7-8 It's a big deal because Jesus, the Son of God, obeyed the Father perfectly and suffered willingly. This qualifies Jesus as High Priest and demonstrates his humanity.

v. 9-10 It's a big deal because Jesus is perfect and therefore, the source of our salvation.

It's a big deal because he is not from Aaron, but from Melchizedek. Genesis 14:17-20

6:19-20

It's a big deal because Jesus is the anchor of our souls.

It's a big deal because Jesus entered the Holy of Holies.

It's a big deal because Jesus is eternal. - 7:1-22

Now, let’s try to understand Melchizedek -

Genesis 14:17–20 “After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was a priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

•      A mysterious but important individual.

•      King of Salem - would become Jerusalem.

•      A King and Priest, but not from Abraham or Aaron.

•      No genealogy and no birth/death recorded.

•      He blessed Abraham and Abraham gives an offering.

v. 11-14 It's a big deal because Jesus isn’t from the line of Aaron (Levitical) but from the eternal line of Melchizedek.

v. 15-19 It's a big deal because Jesus is a better hope so we can draw near to God.

v. 20-22 It's a big deal because Jesus guarantees a new and better covenant!

 HE IS THE FINAL PERFECTION, THE EFFECTIVE SACRIFICE.

(“What does a Savior & Lord do”?) Acts 2:14-40

I.  Jesus at His Birth - Matthew 1:18-21    

•    Jesus as the Savior will save sinners

II. Jesus and His Verse - John 3:16-17    

•    Jesus came the first time to save    

•    John 13 Jesus declares 11 of His disciples saved (“clean”). 

III. Jesus at His Cross - Mt 27:24 - Roman Centurions (Mt 8; Luke 7)

III.  Jesus after His Cross & Before His Church - 40 days (many encounters)    

1.    Met the women    

2.    John & Peter ran to the tomb    

3.    Met 2 men on the road to Emmaus    

4.    Met 10 men inside a locked house    

5.    Met Thomas inside a locked house    

6.    Met Peter after he went fishing    

7.    Taught the 11 for 40 days    

8.    Ascended into Heaven

IV.  Jesus in His Church - Romans 10:17 - Scriptural sermons produce spiritual fruit. 

 The Bible must be the basis for every class in the church (without exception). 

 Let’s use biblical language for our worship - for our discipleship - for our evangelism    

1.    Acts 2:38 - 3,000 in Jerusalem    

2.    Acts 4:4 - 5,000 in Jerusalem    

3.    Acts 6:7 - Priests in Jerusalem    

4.    Acts 8:27-38 - African Ethiopian on the road to Gaza    

5.    Acts 9 - Saul becomes Paul on the road to Damascus    

6.    Acts 10 - Cornelius (Centurion)    

7.    Acts 16:13-15 & 25-31 - The Jailor & Tailor in Europe (Philippi)

The Joy of Jesus is a Joy for the Journey!

• Luke 10:20 - Starts with, “do not rejoice”. That ought to catch your attention; Jeremiah 9:23-24

• Luke 15 - Three times “more joy”

• Hebrews 12:2 - Joy in the will of God

(1) There was great joy in His Birth - angels, parents, shepherds, Magi,

(2) There was great joy in His Death - crazy love mixed with amazing grace - Hebrews 12:2

(3) There was great joy in His Life - Resurrection - angels, women, disciples

(1) The About Face - didn’t start well; didn’t see this coming; didn’t see Him coming; The Bible is brutally honest when addressing the failures of faith; The women had some faith

(2) The Right Place - Galilee

(3) The Wrong Case - Fake news (liars gonna lie; the things people do for money)

(4) The Starting Base - where you are; Acts 1:6-8

(5) The Human Race - “all nations” 3,000 would soon be saved - but not this day. Not even after the resurrection of Jesus. 50 days later, here’s what happened - Acts 2

(Good Friday probably better stated as Bloody Friday.

Good News Friday works as well. So does Amazing Grace Friday.)

Blood is mentioned almost 400 times in the Bible, 291 times in the Old Testament, and 91 times in the New Testament. Leviticus and Ezekiel mention blood more than any other OT book, and Hebrews and Revelation mention blood more than any other NT book.

1. Pre-Passover Blood - Leviticus 17:11

2. Passover blood - Exodus 12:21-27 (An action preceded the passing over)

3. Jesus speaks of His blood - THIS IS MY BLOOD - Matthew 26:28

4. Jesus sweats drops of blood - Luke 22:44

5. Judas declared - I HAVE BETRAYED INNOCENT BLOOD - Matthew 27:4

6. Pilate declared - I AM INNOCENT OF THIS MAN’S BLOOD (no you are not - man cannot cover his own sinfulness - Genesis 3)

7. The People declared - HIS BLOOD BE UPON US - Matthew 27:25; Acts 5:28; Genesis 4:10-11

• Hebrews 9 & 10

• Revelation 1:5; 5:9; 7:14; 12:11; 19:13

• John 6:53-55; 19:34

“Being a Sound Senior Saint”

(Sound doctrine produces sound faith)

Titus 2:1-5

I. The Army of the Aged - 2:1-5

1. “Older men”… The essential examples of pastors and senior adults!

• Being temperate - moderate, balanced, sober-minded

• Being dignified - depth of character, worthy of respect

• Being sensible - rational, wise, calming influence, avoids extremes

• Being sound in faith - trusting in God, relying on God’s Word, through thick and thin, in the ups and downs

• Being sound in love - a patient love, a kind love, a humble love, a selfless love, a truthful love, a hopeful love, an enduring love

• Being sound in perseverance - don’t let go, don’t give up, don’t stay down after getting knocked down - Matthew 24:14