In this sermon we look at how it's grace, not law, that trains us to say 'no' to sin, and 'yes' to Jesus. Since Jesus is better than sin, we are free to say 'yes' to a beautiful life. And it's in this freedom in Christ that Jesus teaches over our lifetime to desire Jesus over our sin.

Titus must silence the false teachers and sharply rebuke the Cretan Christians who are deceived by false teachings. The attractive yet deadly legalistic teaching of the "circumcision party" has crept into the churches causing destruction. Paul reminds the church that they are made pure by Christ, not by what they put in their body, nor by what the do to their body.

In part 2 of this series we find Paul instructing Titus to appoint elders/pastors for the various churches in Crete. Titus is to look for men of Christ-like character rather than type-A, executive leadership gifts. Above all, they must hold to the gospel in order to instruct and to rebuke. Because Jesus loves his church, he gives her elders/pastors as undershepherds.

The Dash represents the time we have between our birthday and our death-day. How do we make the most of our Dash? Paul writes to Titus and exhorts him and the Cretan churches to live an excellent (or beautiful) life of good work toward others. However, a beautiful life isn't for good works sake; a beautiful life is powered by the gospel, and it promotes the gospel.