Society and the church Jesus, Continued Pastor Kile Baker April 21st, 2024 You can’t be close to God, and distant from the Church, Because Jesus is the head, and the church is His body. Jesus Continued: Jesus gave the church a beginning, and He invites people to help Him build it. For Christians then and now: Transformation: Receive eternal life from God through Jesus Christ. Participation: Live for Jesus Christ in your temporary life. Restoration: Live with Jesus Christ as King, and in a restored creation. The Book of Titus Godly living - We must live as if our lives belong to God, rather than ourselves. Good works - We must separate good works from earning salvation, but not as an effort from salvation. Titus 1:5-16 The reason I (Paul) left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town. An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it. For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This quote is accurate, those guys are jerks. This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth. Titus 2-3 But you are to proclaim things consistent with sound teaching. Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good… so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered. In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. Next Steps If you are older: Prioritize passing down your faith, modeling integrity and wisdom. Volunteer in the kids Ministry Volunteer the Youth Ministry Mentor and help young families If you are younger: Prioritize leaning into your faith, acting with self-control and doing good works. Attend on Sundays & join a group Say no to worldly pursuits Volunteer and be visible