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提多书［第3章］
Book of Titus 3

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提多书3章|Book of Titus 3

【基督徒当尽的本分】

主讲：陈惠菁传道

22/02/2024


引言：行善

一、作顺服权柄的好公民（v1-2）

使徒保罗要提多提醒教会里的信徒们，在面对声名狼藉的暴君尼禄，依然要作顺服权柄的好公民。因为对外界活出合宜、温柔的生命，是基督徒吸引周遭的人对真理产生渴慕，被吸引来信主，当尽的本分。更重要的是，顺服在上掌权的，是神的旨意，因为所有权柄都是出于神。顺服神所设立的权柄体制，便是顺服神。

二、超越世俗的生命见证（v3-8）

除了当尽好公民的本分，在非信徒的圈子里或世人的面前，基督徒要有活出：

1.悔改更新的生命（v3-7）

使徒保罗要提多提醒信徒，虽然克里特人的道德水平低下，若不是神的恩慈，把我们从过去的绝望光景中拯救出来的，我们其实与他们是没有两样。所以不可藐视尚未得救的罪人。靠着内住的圣灵，活出超越世俗的生命吸引人成为神的後嗣。

2.留心行善作主工（v8）

基督徒要留心做正经事业。就是传福音、作神施行救恩的管道。也要留心的去建立门徒、团队，将信仰一代代的传承下去。

三、远避虚妄无益的恶事（v9-11）

当时的教会，有许多异端假教师以家谱高举个人的谱系。对旧约律法的曲解和误用，也引起争竞。保罗要提多提醒传道人、领袖和信徒们，不但要远避这些在属灵方面没有丝毫建设性的恶事，更当尽本分的熟读圣经，认真的明白真理，叫我们不容易被误导。此外，也不要浪费时间和精力在那些固执不悔改的人身上，试图纠正改变他们。

四、结出生命果子的本分（v12-15）

1.彼此相爱同心行（v12-13）

不同种族、不同专长、不同事工、不同禾场的主内肢体、同工，在服事上都活出了互相补位、彼此配搭、同心同行，是基督徒当活出的美好生命果子。也当甘心乐意在经济上资助有需要的肢体和宣教团队。

2.努力工作不嫌懒（v14-15）

‘学习正经事业’ 代表基督徒要努力工作不嫌懒，不成为社会的寄生虫。更不是等退休了才来事奉神，也不当以工作很忙没时间，所以就不参与任何事奉。

总结：尽本分不虚度此生

让我们竭力尽本分，热心为善，不虚度此生。让我们的信仰，在身体力行中，荣神益人。


Titus 3 The duty of a Christian
GK611 Morning Devotion
22 Feb 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deborah Tan

Introduction: Do good works

1. Good Citizen in Submission to Authority (v1-2)

The apostle Paul wanted Titus to remind the believers in the church that in the face of the infamous tyrant Nero, they were still to be good citizens in submission to authority. For living a life of appropriateness and gentleness to the outside world is the Christian’s part in drawing those around him to hunger for the truth and to be drawn to faith in the Lord. More importantly, it is God’s will to submit to those in authority, for all authority is of God. Submitting to the system of authority established by God is submitting to God.

2. Life testimony beyond the world (v3-8)

In addition to doing their duty as good citizens, Christians are to live out in the circle of unbelievers or in the presence of the world:

(1) A life of repentance and renewal (v3-7)

The Apostle Paul wanted Titus to remind the believers that although the Cretans were of a low moral standard, we are in fact no different than they would have been had it not been for the goodness of God who saved us from the despairing light of the past. So do not despise unsaved sinners. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, living beyond the worldly life attracts people to become heirs of God.

(2) Be intent on doing good works (v8)

Christians are to be intent on doing serious works. That is, to evangelise and be the channel of God’s salvation. They should also be intentional in building disciples and teams to pass on the faith from generation to generation.

3. Far from vain and unprofitable wickedness (v9-11)

The churches of the day were full of heretical false teachers exalting personal genealogies by genealogy. Misinterpretation and misapplication of the Old Testament Law also caused contention. Paul wanted Titus to remind preachers, leaders and believers not only to stay away from these evils, which are not the least bit constructive spiritually, but also to do their part in familiarizing themselves with the Scriptures, and in earnestly understanding the truth, so that we may not be easily misled. Furthermore, we should not waste time and energy on those who are stubborn and unrepentant, trying to correct and change them. 4. The Fruit of Life (v12-15) (1) Love one another and walk together (v12-13) Members and co-workers of the Lord of different races, specialties, ministries, and harvest fields, in their ministries, are living out their complementary roles to each other, matching up with each other, and walking together with one heart, which is the good fruit of life that Christians should live out. We should also be willing to financially support the needy members and missionary teams.

(2) Don’t be too lazy to work hard (v14-15)

The phrase 'learning a proper career' means that Christians should work hard and not be lazy, and not become parasites in society. It does not mean that we should wait until we retire to serve God, and we should not think that because we are busy with our work, we do not have time to participate in any ministry.

Conclusion: Do your part and don't live your life in vain!

Let us try our best to do our part, be zealous for good, and not waste this life. Let our faith glorify God and benefit others through action.