"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSED HOPE OF CHRIST'S RETURN"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSED HOPE OF CHRIST'S RETURN"

Titus 3:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Titus 3:14 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.

Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:

1. Paul is speaking to a young pastor named Titus, who was living in the area of Crete, and area known of it's immoral and wicked ways. And, here in this verse, Paul is encouraging Titus, to be looking for Jesus and His return.

2. Please notice what Paul had said to Titus about the world around him just prior to this verse.

Titus 3:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Titus 3:12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

These verses tell us two things.

(1) That God's grace which has brought salvation, referencing the Lord Jesus has appeared to all men. The first coming of Christ, and the grace of God that has been given through conscience, and God's law written in our hearts, see Romans 2

(2) Grace teaches us a number of things. One, what we are to deny, and two what we are to pursue. Titus 3:12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

3. But, back to "looking at Titus 3:13-14. Here we are instructed what to look for. Or should I say, "Who" to look for. Here's how the NLT says it.

"while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed."

We are looking forward to this wonderful event. Can you think of anything more wonderful then seeing Jesus when He comes again? I can't. Jesus is going to revealed, only this time, it will not be as a humble servant, but He will be coming as the ruling King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. And, this is where we are to be looking, and this is what we are to be looking for. It's what we are to keep in mind. The savior who died, and rose again, who is currently sitting in heaven, at God's right hand, is just waiting till it's time to come again, back to the earth for His people.

4. But, please notice, we are not to as those who might just be gazing up into the heavens all day, but we are to be walking on the earth while we wait for Him, and look for Him, we are to walk, or conduct ourselves in a certain way.

Titus 3:14 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.

Here in 3:14, we are given one of the main reasons Christ came the first time. Through His death, His burial, and His rising from the dead, and our turning to Him, and our being born again, saved, justified, and set apart to Him, we are to conduct ourselves according to His purposes. and here they are.

(1) That he might redeem us from every lawless deed. Or, to say it another way, He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin. Yes, that's right, the Lord gave Himself for us at the cross, that we might be set free from every kind of sin. Christ's life in us, is designed to free us from living in sin, from living as law breakers.

(2) And, here's another reason He came. It's purify our lives. Or to cleans us. Though saved, we do fall into sin, and He has provided a way for the child of God to be cleansed. This cleansing takes place as we confess our sins to Him, and He faithfully forgives us, and cleanses us from all unrighteousness, 1st John 1:9

(3) And, here's the final thing in these verses. It really a two fold statement. He cleanses us for Himself, as His own special people, that we would be zealous for good works. Or that we might be totally committed to doing what is right. Isn't that a wonderful truth to ponder. Especially when You think about the fact that we were living the wrong way before salvation, and by being saved, we can live the right way. Wrong living brings destruction, right living brings great blessing, protection and preservation from evil. And, it makes us useful vessels in the hands of God.

A prayer:

Father, the Bible is all about Jesus Christ. About the fact that He was going to come, and the fact that He did come, and the fact that He is coming again. And, it's all about how You Lord, through Christ have called us to live as we wait for His return. We want to say thank You for all You have done, and we want to testify that we have found looking for Jesus, and living for Jesus as being the absolutely best way to live. It's not only good for us personally, but, it's good for us in the sense we can be used to help others find Christ. We can serve You as we wait for Jesus. Thank You for all of those things Lord.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.