Christian Living in Expectation of Jesus’ Return

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

• For The Grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to ALL men.

1. The Incarnation of the Lord Jesus. The grace of God appeared bodily in Christ and also as an action from a loving and merciful God.

2. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)

3. All have sinned. (Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23)

4. He came to save all men. (Romans 5:8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The message of grace arrived in Crete with Paul and Titus. When the Gospel light is turned on in a place of darkness, changes are inevitable. Those who respond are transformed; but those who resist and reject the message can do so, but must face the consequences.

• Instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.

1. Say “NO!” to the attractions of the world (Use # 243, Great Songs of the Church). All of Paul’s instructions in Titus 2:1-10 can be summed up in this 11th verse: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Believers must refuse any action that lacks reverence for God. Ungodliness mean a lack of love or total disregard for God. (Rom. 1:18) We live in an age when many totally reject God’s influence in any are of life. Christians must renounce that attitude.

2. Seek His Kingdom First. (Matt. 6:33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

3. Worldly passions are desires for the pleasures and activities of this world.

• And to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.

1. Live in the world but not of the world (I John 2:15-17) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Christians live “in this present age” but do not live like it or for it.

2. We must not be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:1-2)

3. Christians must not only renounce ungodliness and worldly passions; they must replace these desires with positive characteristics. To fight against lust, we must say no to temptation, but we must also say yes to service for Christ.

4. ‘Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” (I John 4:4). The power to live as a Christian comes from the Holy Spirit.

5. God’s salvation by grace directs our lives in “this present age.”

• Looking for that Blessed Hope” (NIV –“while we wait for the Blessed Hope.”)

1. Paul gives us a wonderful motivation for all this righteous living—believers are waiting for a hope that is already a certainty; the Second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can look forward to Christ’s return with eager anticipation and hope.

2. “Blessed Hope” Paul brings out 2 aspects of Christian Living that must be stressed today. (1) waiting with anticipation and (2) hoping for Christ’s glorious appearing. The waiting is good for us: it builds our character, endurance and perseverance. The hoping makes the waiting bearable.

3. C. S. Lewis wrote: “It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have been ineffective in this. Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither.”

4. In the tern “wait,” we find the tension of an eager expectation.

5. Jesus is the only hope this world has.

6. The world has many anchors, but Jesus is the only one that holds. Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?

7. He is returning for His bride (John 14:1-3) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

8. Live your life expecting His return soon!

• “And the Appearing of the Glory of Our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

1. This passage stresses the teaching of the Deity of Christ.

1. Christ’s appearing is meant to be a comfort (I Thes. 4:18) “Therefore, encourage one another with these words.”

2. We will receive the “Crown of Righteousness.” (2 Tim. 4:6-8” “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not to me only, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

• “Who Gave Himself.”

1. Jesus came to “seek and to save the lost.” He came to bear our sins. He came to die in our place.

2. The “Great God and our Savior” (Titus 2:13) whose return believers await, is the same Jesus who came to earth and died for us. Christ’s act of sacrifice is summed up in the words “gave Himself.” He gave Himself voluntarily.

• “That He Might Redeem Us from Every Lawless Deed.”

1. All are lost (Rom. 6:23) ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

2. We need a Redeemer! He gave Himself on our behalf. First that He might redeem us. It means to purchase our release from the captivity of sin with a ransom.

3. “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.”

4. ‘years I spent in vanity and pride caring not my Lord was crucified, knowing not it was for me He died, at Calvary.”

5. “O, the love that drew salvation’s plan, O, the grace that brought it down to man, O, the mighty gulf that God did span, at Calvary.”

6. “Mercy there was great and grace was free; pardon there was multiplied to me; there my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.”

• “And To Purify For Himself a People For His own Possession, Zealous For Good Works.”

1. His own people, the church (Matthew 16:13-18) When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” o they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

2. We are a Royal Priesthood. (I Peter 2:9-11) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

3. We work because we are saved. Grace says you get the privilege to work.

4. We should live according to God’s will, zealous for good works. Then, when Christ returns, He will find us ready, watching, waiting and working for Him.

Praise be to God

Thank you God for the Love and Blessings you have given us. Every year, month, week, day, minute and second we breathe because you have allowed us to. You give us families so we could belong, Oh what a mighty God we serve.
We do not thank you enough Almighty God. For those who have eyes but cannot hear, they also need to thank God that they are alive and still have a chance to be born again.

Lord, I praise you with all my heart. I sing songs of praise to you before the gods. I bow down towards your holy Temple, and I praise your name for love and loyalty. You are famous, and doing what you promised will make you more famous! When I called to you for help, you answered me and gave me strength.
Lord, all the kings on earth will praise you when they hear what you say. They will sing about what the Lord has done, because the Glory of the Lord is very great. The Lord has the highest place above all others, but he still cares for the humble. Even from there, so high above, he knows what the proud do. If I am in trouble you keep me alive. If my enemies are angry, you save me from them. Lord, I know you will do what you have promised. Lord, your faithful love will last forever. You are the one who made us, so please don't leave us!


Psalms 138

The Way We Should Live

I have something from the Lord to tell you. I warn you: Don't continue living like those who don't believe. Their thoughts are worth nothing. They have no understanding, and they know nothing because they refuse to listen. So they cannot have the life that God gives. They have lost their feeling of shame and use their lives to do what is morally wrong. More and more they want to do all kinds of evil.

Ephesians 4: 17-19

When you talk, don't say anything bad. But say the good things that people need-what ever will make them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you. And don't make the Holy Spirit sad. God gave you his Spirit as proof that you belong to Him and that He will keep you safe untill He makes you free. Never be bitter,angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.

Ephesians 4: 29-32