Avoid Useless Controversies

 

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Sermon Eleven – Avoid Useless Controversies (Titus 3:8-10)

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Introduction

Last week we spoke about an issue that has caused great controversy in the Church and society. Being good citizens. We are called to be good citizens of two kingdoms, we are told to obey earthly authorities and seek to be good neighbours and citizens, and we are also told to honour God with our conscience and obey him above all else as citizens of heaven. Because of this there are going to come times where we clash with earthly authorities. For some people this is a hard situation, because they grew up in an Australia that rarely tested their faith. But even this is only true from one perspective. We actually grew up in an Australia that was making us spiritually fat, lazy and complacent, and lulling us with prosperity and shiny things. Our faith was always being tested, it was just tested with ease, going forward, I think it will be tested by the taking away of these things. 

This change has caused a rough culture shock for many Christians, because we always thought we were part of mainstream society and just grew up with the belief that government could never be against us. But in history this happens often, even in the Christian West, and therefore we need to build new faith muscles that prepare us for the hard times coming. Australia is becoming increasingly anti-Christian and more and more coercive, and because of this, conflict with government commands is going to happen. If you are commanded to call a boy a girl, or a girl a boy, and therefore lie and blaspheme the image of God, will you do it? If you are told that the Bible is hate speech will you stop sharing its words? Such ideas and events are increasing, and the fat happy days of excess are fading, and more and more your conscience is going to be tested by the sword of government, and you need to be prepared for this, and for a peaceful and firm response like the Apostles, “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).  

We should not seek this trouble out, we should not go looking to be difficult. What we should really want is a quiet life, “aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you…” (1 Thess. 4:11). But though we are to desire this, we are not promised it. However, there are ways that we can make our lives easier for ourselves, ways that we can help ourselves avoid unnecessary controversy, and that is what we are going to look at today. Jesus told us this, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16). We want to be bold, but we don’t want to be unnecessarily obnoxious, we want to be wise like Jesus told us to be.

So, what we are going to do is explore what Paul says about avoiding foolish or useless controversies, so that we can get an understanding of where he, and the Lord Jesus, want us to focus our priorities. Let’s begin.  

Devote Yourself To Good (v.8) – Paul has told Titus to remind the Cretans to be good citizens, he has reminded them what they are saved from, and he has reminded them how they were saved, not by works, but by the mercy and grace of God, and now he reminds them about what they should focus on: good works, “8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”

Now when Paul says “The saying is trustworthy”, is he saying what he says next is trustworthy, or what he just said in verse 7 is trustworthy, “so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Is he referring to what comes before, or what becomes next? What is he referring to?

What Paul actually says here is “the Word (the logos) is trustworthy”. The word he has given to Titus is trustworthy and reliable, and therefore everything he has said in this letter he wants Titus to insist upon.

Several times Paul makes this same point in this letter:

-       Titus 1:13, “This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,…”

-        Titus 2:1, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

-        Titus 2:15, “15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

-        Titus 3:8, “8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things…”

In many ways in this letter, Paul is saying that what he is telling Titus is the reliable word of God, the logos, that you can trust in, and you can base your life on. This might seem odd that Paul is asserting the trustworthiness of his own writings, but he is reflecting on the truth of God’s scriptures, and they are also proven true by their application.

Paul insists on the trustworthiness of his writings, because he wants “that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works…” He is encouraging Christians to base their lives on the trustworthiness of God’s teaching. The most powerful weapons that Christians have, are the Word of God and loving action. Jesus put it this way, “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

Sometimes in the busyness and bustle of life, people can forget this. We can forget that Jesus wants the distinguishing mark of Christians to be how we love one another and how we love others.

It’s so basic and simple, we can forget how important it is.

I believe Christianity is the true and most superior philosophy. It holds the most true and correct understanding of this world and how to navigate it. It properly explains why evil hurts this world and how to deal with it. It correctly understands and defines the nature of manhood, womanhood, and how humans can flourish best. All this I believe, and more.

But the truth is that people have their ears closed to truth. We should still declare it, absolutely, but sometimes our actions break through barriers and help us share the news better.

Paul did say the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all people who believe, but Jesus also tells us good works help the world know who we are. Especially if we love one another.  

There is one thing that is constant about this world, and that is that people are in constant and desperate need. But what is also constant about this world, is that God places his people in and around those people in need, so that we can be ready to help them and reach out to them. 

It is cliché, but also true, that the Church is God’s hands and feet in this world. I was watching a movie the other day, and the character reflected on why everything was so bad in the world, and he said, “It is not God’s fault, its our fault. We bring the evil.” But you know what, we also bring the good. The more good we bring, the better the world gets, in real and tangible ways.

Like the generosity that you guys have shown to the community fund, to the Fijian community, to the family who lost their son a couple of weeks ago and more. This is the sort of thing that Paul wants us to be devoted to.

Being devoted to good works is not just a strategy to reach people, it is not just an activity we engage in. It is a command of the almighty God and a sign that God is truly at work in your life.

-     If you have been saved by his mercy,

-     If you have been regenerated, and made new, by the Holy Spirit’s application of Jesus Christ’s saving work in your life,

-    Then the natural result of this is good works to your brothers, and sisters and neighbours.

-        “…These things are excellent and profitable for people.” People might hate what you think, believe or say, but rarely will they hate the good you do for them.

Avoid Foolish Controversies (v.9) – Focus on good works and avoid foolish controverses which will just cause division - “9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” If we go back to chapter one, Paul gives us a little bit of the context of what he is talking about here. There he tells us,

“10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.”

The circumcision party are the Judaizers. Jewish Christians who believed you had to be Jewish to be truly saved. These people did not deny Christ, they did not deny his work of salvation on the cross, they did not deny faith. They simply added to these things. They said, faith + Jewish works of the law. Which undermines the whole thing. They said,  

-        Faith + circumcision.

-        Faith + no pork, no lobster and no prawns on Christmas day.

-        Faith + Jewish decent is a bonus. 

In other words they taught confidence in the flesh. Paul was furious at these guys, and he notes in Philippians 3:4-7 that no one had more reason to trust in the flesh than him, yet he refuses to do so –

“4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.”

This shows us that Paul is likely talking about avoiding the foolish controversies of the Judaizers, who with their vast Old Testament knowledge, would have been trying to tie the Christians down with all sorts of nonsense about:

Genealogies – The Old Testament is filled with genealogies? From just a few pages in, across every period of the Old Testament you find genealogy after genealogy. Then we find a couple of genealogies in the New Testament, and then they just end in the Bible. Why?

Because the ultimate theological purpose of these genealogies was to protect the genuine and real Jewish identity of Jesus, as a member of royal family of the tribe of Judah, Genesis 49:10 – “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”

There are a lot of songs and ideas that we can’t know the race of Jesus, but this is untrue. He was a real man of Jewish ethnicity. We can’t know what he exactly looked like and we don’t need to. But we know he had a real ethnic identity traced carefully in his genealogy back to Abraham. Real ethnicity is part of human identity.

This Genesis prophecy was fulfilled in Christ. The genealogies served their purpose and now that the king of Judah, the king of Jews, the King of kings, has come, and because genealogy has no bearing on salvation, Christians stopped putting them in a place of primary importance.

“11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:11-13).

Therefore, getting bogged down in genealogies in the context of church teaching is pointless. Who cares if your great uncle was a cousin of King Josiah, even a pagan king like Nebuchadnezzar can believe.

Dissensions – Paul is a big believer in unity in the Church context,

Philippians 2:1-3 – “2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

There comes a time for many believers when you have to make a principled stand. Sometimes you have to do this in your family or church context. I know friends going through this right now. There are some things that you just cannot abide. I get that.

But the overall perspective of the believer is one who is not thinking of their own interests, but of others. It is often hard to know when to make a stand, and over what. One of the keys to avoiding making mistakes here is to simply and practically think, “what are the other person’s interests?”

We tend to ascribe bad motives to others, when they are not always warranted. Thinking through the situation, talking with the other person, can often help us know whether or not this is a time to make a stand, or a time for love to cover a multitude of sins.

I once sent an email to someone and got back a really harsh response that I was not expecting. It took me by surprise. I was completely misunderstood. Instead of emailing them back, I waited till Sunday, and went straight up to them, and said, “Mate, what happened, I think you misunderstood my email.” We talked and the situation calmed down instantly.

If you ever get a response from me saying, “I won’t talk about this via text or email”, this is not me palming you off, this is me wanting to talk to you in person or on the phone. Because I have learnt this always works better than written text does for dissensions.

We also often need to be willing to give the other person the benefit of the doubt. This is not always easy. But here is an important principle, if divisions and strife follow you everywhere you go, maybe it is you. Maybe it is not. But we should all be humble enough to at least consider our role in the process.

Most things we can all just agree to disagree on, and when we do this, it is much easier to have great fellowship. This is not always possible. Sometimes you need to confront. But dissensions should not be our focus, they should only be brought about when absolutely necessary. 

Quarrels About the Law – Paul’s approach to those who tried to bring Christians back under the yoke of the ceremonial or priestly laws that were finished with, was to avoid them. The circumcision party saw submitting to the law as of first order importance, Paul, who we know personally still followed the law, did not.

Acts 21:26-22:3 – “26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them…3 I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.”

Paul was dedicated to following the law of God. He loved the law of God. When the Jewish Apostles told him to publicly go and purify himself, so as to highlight his love for God’s law, he did not hesitate.

Paul was a Jew, who loved the ways of the Jews. As he should, they were his national customs. Yet he had zero time for people who wanted to argue with him about Christians having to follow the Jewish customs.

Don’t even give it the time of day in biblical teaching he is saying, don’t entertain their ideas, because they are unprofitable and worthless. What does it matter for salvation what your genealogy is? What does it matter if you sacrifice a pigeon and two turtle doves? What does it matter if you are circumcised? Avoid such concerns.

Paul was adamant here in Titus, and in many other places, that people avoid unnecessary controversy. He stressed it again and again. But what does this look like in practice?  

How Do We Apply This? (Romans 14) – We touched on this a bit last week, but I want to look at Romans 14 in a little bit more detail to help us apply this sermon today, we read there,

Romans 14:1-12 - “1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

How we apply this is we give each other latitude on secondary matters. We agree to disagree on the things that are non-essential.

We see things differently - This is not always easy, because there are things we love and hold dear and we do to honour God, that are secondary in nature, but which we think are no brainers and are almost primary.

The key is to have the wisdom to recognize that just because we believe or even know that God wants us to do something, does not mean he wants someone else to do it.

There are many ways of life that we think are necessary or good: what we read, what we watch, how we order our homes, how we teach our kids, etc, etc that some people really disagree with or just see differently, “5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” But if it does not transgress a command of the Bible, we extend charity. 

If we can live in this realm of charity we create grace for each other.

We are all fallen - Next we should understand that we all are fallen and will not get stuff perfect,

“10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

We answer to God and his standard, not to each other. We will all be held by God to his standard, from which he saves us by his grace. When we humbly admit that we get things wrong, this helps us extend even more grace to our brothers and sisters in the faith.

If the Scriptures are silent about it, then we should probably not judge people for doing it. If the Scriptures say we are free from it, this is doubly true.

At Different Stages of Faith - Recognize that not everyone is at the same stage in their faith as you are, Romans 14:1-2 - “1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.”

No one wants to think of themselves as weak in the faith, in some way. But I would argue that in some way everyone is weak in their faith and needs to be accommodated by their brothers and sisters in the faith at some point.

None of us has perfect faith. Even Paul failed to have faith that Mark could change and be relied upon, at first. Even Peter fell back into just eating with Jewish Christians, because he feared the circumcision party.

We should both recognize that not everyone is at the same stage of their faith as us, and that God reveals things to different people at different stages in their walk with him. Paul said it this way,

“12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you” (Phil. 3:12-15).

God is sanctifying all of us, and he is doing it at different rates, in different ways, in relation to how we respond to his grace in our lives. Sometimes we need to allow for God to reveal something to someone, rather than seek to bring them around to it.

Who knows it might be you or I that God is seeking to bring around to that other believer’s perspective. The mature Christian recognizes how much growth they still need.

The Troublemakers (vv.10-11) – So what about the trouble makers? If people cannot show this kind of charity, Paul says this, “10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” I have found it rare that this has been necessary, though maybe that is because we Baptists allow a little more freedom on these issues than most.

But some people live to cause trouble. They take it with them wherever they go. They struggle with all authority. My encouragement is just to not be this person. I say that knowing full well that some people find me intense and hard to handle. But in most situations I am just there to get along.   

Some good advice I have heard is if you catch yourself talking too much just be quiet and listen for a bit. I’m not saying I practice this perfectly, just that when I do it helps.

There is a line between someone who boldly speaks the truth, not caring about offense, and someone who loves controversy. We won’t always get it right but lets aim to.  

Conclusion – To sum up our message today is simple: let loving one another be the priority and the focus, let controversy only be over what really matters, the essentials, and let’s all build a focus on looking to other’s interests.  Let’s pray.