September 08, 2025

Sermon: Purity Cult (Titus 1:15)

44 minutes

Purity Cult

Sunday, September 7th, 2025

Christ Covenant Church – Centralia, WA

Titus 1:15

Prayer

O Lord, Who may abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? Only he who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart. So grant us now such truth, such justice, such uprightness of faith, so that with pure hands and a clean heart, we may ascend into thy loving presence, and find rest there for our weary souls. Grant us this through Christ Jesus our Lord who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end, and Amen.

Introduction

It says in Proverbs 11:22, He that loveth pureness of heart, For the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. He who loves purity of heart, and has grace upon his lips, the king shall be his friend.

Do you have King Jesus for a friend? Do you love purity of heart? Do people say about you what God says about the Proverbs 31 woman? She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And in her tongue is the law of kindness (Prov 31:26).

Friendship with God, the King of all creation, is the ultimate end for which Christ suffered, died, and rose again the third day. Jesus Christ came to this earth to reconcile sinners to God. To make us who were enemies into friends of God, who like Moses may speak with Him face to face, even as a man speaks to his friend (Ex 33:11).

It says in Ephesians 2:14-17, For he [Christ] is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And [he] came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

The world in its sin and perversity was not clean in the eyes of God. Both Jew and Gentile alike were not friends of God, we were not friends of one another, we were as pigs in a pen wallowing in the mud, as irrational animals pursuing our own sinful desires. That is who God says we all were and are apart from grace. There is none righteous, no, not one (Rom 3:10). Some people acknowledge that, while others still live in denial.

Of such sin-deniers it says in Proverbs 30:12, There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, And yet is not washed from their filthiness.

The deception of sin is that we don’t know how sinful we really are. We can get so used to smelling bad that we become nose deaf. We can get so used to our own foul stench and body odor, that we have no idea how offensive our lives are to God and to other people.

And while God could have justly left us in that defiled state, He chose instead to pity us, when no one else would.

God says to His people in Ezekiel 16:4-7, On the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you; you were not rubbed with salt nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. No eye pitied you, to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you; but you were thrown out into the open field, when you yourself were loathed on the day you were born. And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful.

This is what God desires to do for you. To make you not only clean, but beautiful. To regenerate you and to wash you by His Holy Spirit. It says in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, For this is the will of God, even your sanctification. And it is that sanctifying grace alone that makes us capable of friendship with God the king.

Now this morning we come to a text in Titus that is all about purity and defilement. And I have titled this sermon Purity Cult, because just like there were many rival religions and cults pursuing purity in the 1st century, so also today. Just like there were Jewish Cretans and Hypocritical Pharisees who prized purity in external matters, but were filthy in their hearts, so also is America today.

And so I have outlined our sermon according to two important questions that arise from our text.

Outline of the Sermon

Question #1 – Why are all things pure to the pure?

Question #2 – How can a Christian maintain purity of heart before the Lord?

Q#1 – Why are all things pure to the pure?

Recall that this statement from Paul in verse 15, Unto the pure all things are pure, is the reason why Titus is to give the Cretans a sharp rebuke.

There were two dominant errors leading the Cretan church astray, and both of these errors made purity a matter of external bodily things, whereas Jesus taught that purity is a matter of internal spiritual things.

Jesus says in Matthew 15:17-20, Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.

And so contrary to this teaching of Christ, there were two major errors being taught in Crete.

1. The first error denied that grace alone was sufficient for salvation, and that Jewish legal ceremonies, circumcision, observing the Levitical food laws and so forth, was still necessary in addition to faith in Christ.

Elsewhere Paul calls such false teachers Judaizers, dogs, evil workers, the mutilation (Phil 3:2). In Titus 1:10 he says they are, insubordinate, idle talkers, deceivers, especially those of the circumcision.

So this first error was a uniquelyJewish error that wanted to impose Jewish customs on Gentile converts.By doing this they were denying the efficacy of Christ’s work on the cross.Paul’s letter to the Galatians and his letter to the Hebrews were both written to refute this error in particular.

He says very forcefully in Hebrews 10, For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Therefore, when He [Christ Jesus] came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God’…He takes away the first [the old covenant] that He may establish the second [the new covenant]. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

So while Paul and the apostles were preaching this once-for-all complete atonement and cleansing through Christ, the Judaizers tried to add works of the law to grace, and in doing so, they ended up nulliying the graciousness of grace.

For as Paul says in Romans 11:6, And if it is by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.

And Jesus says of such hypocrisy in Mark 7:7-8, In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

So this first error was a denial of Christ’s power to justify and sanctify the human soul apart from circumcision, apart from any works of the law. And the Apostle Paul says that anyone who teaches that Judaizing doctrine (requiring circumcision for salvation), has fallen from grace (Gal 5:4).

2. The second error that was circulating in the 1st century, was a denial of the inherent goodness of God’s creation. And this error was more a problem of bad philosophy. Against this idea we have the testimonies of Scripture:

It says in Genesis 1:31, And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

Paul says likewise in 1 Timothy 4:4-5, For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

So contrary to this truth, there were and are a whole host of different errors that amount to saying things like, “the physical world is evil, while the spiritual realm is good.” Or, “God only cares about the soul, what you do with your body doesn’t really matter (so sleep with whoever you want).” Or, “there are two equal and opposed forces in the world, the light and the dark. And there are particles of the divine light in certain foods and actions, whereas in other foods are malevolent forces, and therefore avoid these and eat those if you want to be enlightened.” And there are all kinds of variations on these themes.

These are all ultimately heresies about Creation and the Goodness of God. Moreover, because God the Son, took to Himself a true human nature born of the virgin Mary, any heresy about the created physical world, also becomes a heresy about who Christ is and what Christ has done to redeem His good creation, not to mention that Christ still has a physical, glorified, resurrected body. It says in Acts 1:11, this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

One of the earliest heresies about Christ was called Docetism, which taught that Christ only appeared to have a human body.

Another major heresy was called Manichaeism, which St. Augustine spent much of his career refuting. Manichaeismwas a combination of Jewish myths, Christianity, and paganism. And as with all false religions, it taught a works-based form of salvation.

To give you an example of what they taught I’ll read you a quote from the Manichee’s, “It is incumbent upon him who will enter into the religion that he prove himself, and that if he sees that he is able to subdue lust and avarice, to leave off the eating of all kinds of flesh, the drinking of wine, and sexual intercourse, and to withhold himself from what is injurious in water, fire, magic and hypocrisy, he may enter into the religion; but if not let him abstain from entering.”

And so notice you have prescribed here almost exactly what Paul says in 1 Timothy 4 is a doctrine of demons. Paul says there, Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

And so against the lie that marriage and sex are unclean or defiling. God says in Hebrews 13:4, Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

And against those who would forbid various foods as being unclean or defiling. It says in Acts 11:9,What God has cleansed you must not call common. And Paul says in Romans 14:14, I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself.

To Summarize the answer to our question: “Why are all things pure to the pure?” we can give three biblical responses:

1. Because everything that God created is good according to its very nature. Nothing God made is evil in itself. Evil in fact does not have any being properly speaking but is only the privation or lack of what is good.

2. Because the old covenant ceremonies were fulfilled by Christ, and before Christ they were only ever a sign and pre-figurement of things to come (as a shadow to its substance). And therefore, when Christ is said to make all foods clean, he makes known to Peter by a threefold vision that by foods is meant the Gentile nations. And if the Gentiles have now received the Holy Spirit, then the unclean animals that used to signify unclean peoples is no longer true or applicable. The same goes for circumcision, new moons, animal sacrifices and the like. Christ has come and fulfilled them all.

3. Because faith in Christ purifies our mind, and in baptism (the sacrament of faith) God cleanses our conscience (he forgives all our past sins). It says of this cleansing in Hebrews 11:22, 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. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).

So because faith makes us pure, and because a pure heart does everything for the glory of God, whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we believe what Paul says here in verse 14, to the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

And of the unbeliever it says likewise in Romans 14:23, But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

So where there is a true and living faith everything is pure. But where there is unbelief, nothing is pure.

This principle explains so much of American culture and politics. Remember covid. Our government imposed all kinds of rules and regulations to keep us “pure” from the virus. We spent billions of dollars trying to contain the virus and vaccinate against the virus. We had our own American version of the Levitical ceremonial laws, social distancing, masking and the like. That is how much Americans are concerned about physical (and social) purity.

Now imagine if we cared half as much about moral purity, about keeping the actual commandments of God. We are a nation of apostate and backslidden Christians who like the Pharisees boast about tithing our mint, dill, and cumin, but we neglect the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faith.

When a formerly Christian land, like America, abandons the faith, it loses its spiritual purity. But because it still has the remnants of a Christian conscience, it cannot help but seek to assuage that now dirty and defiled conscience through all kinds of new purity cults with their fake days of atonement, scapegoating, and externalized acts of cleansing. That is what modern identity politics is, a counterfeit religion that promises purity or justice of some kind, but cannot ever deliver.

We tell ourselves that if we can just clean up the environment, no plastics, no fossil fuels, all electric everything, that maybe we can become clean again. But what is this but cleaning the outside of the cup, when the inside is still filthy. All such purity cults, no matter the sacrifice, can succeed.

And this brings us to our second and final question which is…

Q#2 – How can a Christian maintain purity of heart before the Lord?

The answer to this question is simply by renewing and maintaining your faith in Christ. Or as Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:15, continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Recall that faith is an instrument that God graciously gives to us, and like most instruments/tools, our faith needs routine maintenance to keep in good working condition.

It says in Ecclesiastes 10:10, If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.

So if faith is like an axe that cuts down unbelief, how do you keep your faith sharp?

There are two means of grace I want to highlight for us that purify and renew our faith.

1. The first is the Word of God, through which faith comes to us in the first place (Rom 10:17).

It says in Proverbs 30:5, Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

It says in Psalm 12:6, The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.

It says again in Psalm 19:8-10, The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Do you know this sweetness, this purity, the surpassing value of God’s holy word? Have you as Hebrews 6:5 says, tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come?

Whereas men are liars, God is not. Whereas falsehood defiles, the truth cleanses and liberates. So are you keeping yourself pure and unstained from this world by washing yourself daily in the word of God?

It says in Romans 12:2, And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Unlike every other book authored by man, however wise or godly he may be or have been, nothing surpasses the purity and power of Holy Scripture.

This Word is a lamp to our feet, a light to our path. In it is contained all that you need for life and godliness. Everything necessary for salvation is found in this book. By it our faith is nourished. By it our sins our exposed. By it we receive comfort and hope and assurance. By it we hear the very loving voice of God.

And so while the world in its unbelief refuses to hear, refuses to abandon their broken cisterns, we are those sheep who love the Shepherd’s voice, we follow the Good Shepherd, and it is He who says to us, man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt 4:4).

So are you as James 1:27 says, keeping yourself unstained from the world?

Because God Himself has told us the path to purity. As it says in Psalm 119:9,How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

2. The second means of grace follows from the first, and that is regular prayers of repentance.

Paul exhorts us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to, Pray without ceasing.

And in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to ask our Father in heaven, forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

The Psalms likewise give us multiple prayers of repentance (Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143)

And so recall what makes something pure. Paul says, it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. That principle applies not only to external things like food and drink, but also to internal things like our very soul. We are sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Prayer is where our conscience is cleansed through confession of our sins. Or as we quoted from the WCF 15.5 last week, “Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins particularly.” So how you are doing with that?

The church father St. Augustine says, “Once for all we have washing in Baptism, every day we have washing in prayer.”

Meaning, the effects of our baptism extend throughout our whole lifetime. As often as we forsake our sins and return to Christ who is our laver of cleansing, we renew the spiritual reality that baptism signifies. God always says to a truly repentant heart, “I forgive you.”

It says in Psalm 34:18, The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

And so when you are sorrowful over your sins with a godly sorrow, the outcome is salvation.Jesus says of the woman in Luke 7 who washed his feet with tears, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.

Conclusion

And so I close where I began with this question: Do you have King Jesus for a friend? Do you love purity of heart? Because purity is what Jesus died to give you, and by the purity of His life, by the grace of His lips, perfect purity is held out for all who believe. May God grant you this purity forever, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

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