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The Book of Titus: Doctrine and Godly Living ROUTE 66

Content Creation Date: 2026-09-27 12:10:23

Sermon Series and Context

  • Sermon Series: The Book of Titus

  • Date Preached: September 27, 2026

  • Preacher: Unnamed Pastor

  • Setting: A pastoral study through Titus emphasizing sound doctrine that produces godly living and order in the church and at home.

Introduction to the Book of Titus and Sermon Flow

The Mission and Context of Titus

  • Titus is a personal letter from Paul to his coworker and “son in the faith” (see Titus 1:4).

  • Paul left Titus in Crete to address disorder and appoint leaders (see Titus 1:5: “set in order the things that are wanting” and “ordain elders in every city”).

  • The cultural challenge: Crete’s reputation for moral disorder (see Titus 1:12: “The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.”).

  • Key summary: Sound doctrine must be paired with godly living; learning the Bible is pointless if it doesn’t change how you live.

Who God Is and How He Responds

  • God is a God of order and truth; His Word is given to transform lives, not merely inform.

  • Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works; yet true faith produces good works.

  • God equips and sends the right people (e.g., Titus for Crete) and offers redemption and new value, giving believers a new identity and family.

Who We Are and How We Live

  • We are recipients of a “common faith” (see Titus 1:4)—the Gospel is for ordinary people.

  • God calls believers to live in order and truth, taking ownership of personal and household leadership and modeling good works.

Part 1: Titus—Character, Calling, and Leadership

Titus’s Character and Role

  • Trusted partner and helper (see 2 Corinthians 8:23): Paul calls Titus his “partner and fellow helper,” demonstrating trust and reliability.

  • Source of comfort and crisis manager (see 2 Corinthians 7:6): Titus’s arrival brought comfort amid Corinthian distress; he was a finisher who restored peace.

  • Financial integrity (see 2 Corinthians 12:18): Titus’s conduct was unimpeachable; Paul leveraged Titus’s reputation to defend his own.

  • A desired and valuable person (see 2 Corinthians 12:18): Paul “desired Titus”—illustrating the human need to be valued; contrasted with 2 Chronicles 21:20 (“died without being desired”). In Christ, believers receive new worth and family.

  • Self-starter (see 2 Corinthians 8:16-17): Titus went “of his own accord,” acting from earnest care without micromanagement.

  • Deep affection and emotional connection (see 2 Corinthians 7:15): Titus’s inward affection abounded—true leadership blends strength with compassion (see John 11:35).

Titus vs. Timothy: Conviction and Context

  • Titus: Greek believer not compelled to be circumcised (see Galatians 2:1-3), demonstrating conviction in Gospel freedom for Gentiles.

  • Timothy: Circumcised for ministry context among Jews (see Acts 16) to avoid hindrance.

  • Application: God sends the right leader for the right context; Titus was suited for Crete’s disorder.

Ordination and Discipleship

  • Command to ordain elders (see Titus 1:5): Leaders raise leaders; discipleship includes imitation of godly examples, crucial in a fatherless culture.

  • The pastor’s example: Story of ordaining Pastor Bo Green; leadership is recognized by people who witness faithful shepherding.

Part 2: Sound Doctrine Changes Behavior

Salvation, Grace, and Good Works

  • Salvation is by grace, through faith—no “good-bad scale” in heaven.

  • Good works are not the requirement for salvation but the byproduct of genuine faith.

  • Come to God as you are; His Word cleanses and transforms.

  • Pastor’s illustration: A vase of muddy water became clear as clean water was poured in—God’s Word cleanses over time.

The Book of Titus in Ten Words or Less

  • Core principle: “Sound doctrine must be paired with godly living.”

  • God’s Word is a lamp for every step, not a light post to lean on.

  • Summary statement: “Sound doctrine plus good works will produce an orderly and a godly church.” Learn the Bible, then live the Bible.

The Common Faith and Accessibility of the Gospel

  • “Common faith” (see Titus 1:4), “common salvation” (see Jude), and “the common people heard Him gladly” (see Mark 12)—the Gospel is for everyone, not just intellectual elites.

Part 3: Putting Life in Order—Home, Church, and Personal Leadership

Key Mandate for Christian Men (from Titus 1:5)

  1. Set things in order.

  2. Provide leadership.

  • Leadership begins at home (see 1 Timothy 3): If a man cannot manage his household, he is unfit to lead God’s church.

  • Disorder in life reflects spiritual disorder; establish routines for spiritual disciplines.

  • “Let all things be done decently and in order” (see 1 Corinthians 14:40)—principle extends from worship services to personal life.

Practical Order in Daily Life

  • Examples of disorder: cluttered homes/cars, piles of dishes/laundry, no meal planning, procrastination with bills, constant rushing and lateness.

  • Application:

    • Create systems: Weekly meal plans, family cleanup routines.

    • Lead by initiative: Don’t ask “What’s for dinner?”—plan it.

    • Use the “5-second rule”: Count down and act immediately to avoid procrastination (e.g., put needed items in the car at night rather than hoping to remember).

Self-Leadership before Household Leadership

  • The hardest person to lead is yourself; without self-leadership, home leadership collapses.

  • Establish predictable rhythms to reduce stress and increase efficiency:

    • Wardrobe management: Simplifying to reduce decision fatigue.

    • Household chores: Monday-night ironing tradition during football to create family rhythm.

    • ADHD example: External order (clean office) helps internal focus—customize systems that work for you.

Controlling Inputs—Media and Mind

  • Technology (e.g., TikTok) aims to capture attention; without discipline, it leads to time-wasting rabbit holes.

  • Application: Order your media consumption; use platforms for education with boundaries. Prioritize reading God’s Word.

Part 4: Titus—Outline, Leadership Standards, and Hope

Simple Outline of Titus

  1. Chapter 1: Qualities of a Man of God (leader qualifications).

    • “Not self-willed,” “not soon angry,” “not given to wine” (see Titus 1:7).

    • Higher leadership demands stricter standards; avoid substances or behaviors that impair judgment.

    • Application: Set these qualities as goals; grow into them.

  2. Chapter 2: Doctrine of a Man of God (sound teaching for various groups).

  3. Chapter 3: Challenges for a Man of God (final instructions and practical Christian living).

Who God Is: Jesus Christ, Our Hope

  • “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (see Titus 2:13).

  • Without hope, people live in sorrow (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13).

  • Application: Seek Jesus, the true “Hope Dealer.” Access hope daily through Scripture; let God’s Word light you up.

Part 5: Themes Repeated in Titus—Soundness and Good Works

“Sound” (Wholesome and True)

  • Appears five times in Titus; means solid, healthy, true.

  • Contrast with modern American culture: individualistic, unanchored, self-branded realities that erode truth.

  • The church’s role: “Pillar and ground of the truth” (see 1 Timothy 3:15).

  • Application in Titus: Be sound in doctrine, faith, and speech to exhort and convince opponents; rebuke falsehood and maintain a clean testimony.

“Good Works”

  • Appears four times in Titus: sound teaching produces sound works.

  • Be a pattern of good works (see Titus 2:7); live so others—especially children—can follow your example.

  • Pastor’s father illustration: Patterns (good or bad) imprint on families; establish patterns of Scripture intake and obedience.

Part 6: Order and Leadership Applied to the Home

Two-Fold Purpose Applied

  1. Put things in order.

  2. Ordain/raise leaders.

  • Fathers (“pops”) lead by delegating and training:

    • Teach children to mow the lawn rather than merely complaining about tall grass.

    • Delegate chores (e.g., taking out the trash) and reinforce responsibility with appropriate consequences.

    • Example: If the cat’s litter box is neglected, move it to the child’s room until cleaned—creating practical accountability.

Read God’s Word—It’s Doable

  • Public reading of Titus 1:1–16 timed at 1 minute, 48 seconds (even slow reading may be ~4 minutes).

  • Overcome “chore” mentality by structuring life and reading earlier in the day.

  • Intake over exhaustive study: Daily reading cleanses, shifts behavior from bad works to good works, and brings clarity.

Closing Prayer and Final Application

Who God Is and How He Responds

  • God is a God of order, not chaos.

  • Through Jesus Christ, He offers salvation: Jesus took our sin, died, and rose again; salvation is found only in Him.

Who We Are and How We Should Live

  • We are all born in sin; none begin with their “act together.”

  • With God’s help, take ownership and leadership in personal life and home.

  • Put order and structure in place; be a shining example—a pattern to the world of Christian living grounded in sound doctrine and good works.

Key Points (Numbered)

  1. Sound doctrine changes behavior; salvation by grace produces good works.

  2. God sends the right leaders; Titus exemplifies integrity, initiative, and affection.

  3. Christian men are mandated to set things in order and lead—beginning with self-leadership at home.

  4. Establish practical systems: plan meals, create chore rhythms, control media inputs, and simplify routines.

  5. Leadership standards in Titus 1 call for sober-minded, disciplined life—avoid what impairs judgment.

  6. Jesus Christ is our blessed hope; access hope daily through Scripture intake.

  7. Be “sound” in doctrine, faith, and speech; the church upholds truth amid cultural disorder.

  8. Show a pattern of good works; model a life others can follow—especially your children.

  9. Reading Scripture is achievable and transformative; structure your life to prioritize God’s Word.

  10. Live as a redeemed, orderly, godly example—learn the Bible, then live the Bible.