Memory Verse: “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” (Titus 1:15)
Scripture Reading: Titus 1:1-16
Introduction: Not only in the Bible but in the world, great stress is placed on purity. The soap manufacturer may advertise his product to be 99% pure. Milk processors are expected to sell “pure” milk. One of the great occupations in the world today is the raising of animals for sport or as pets. Dogs, for example come in a large assortment of colors, sizes and shapes. The dog fancier who buys a French poodle doesn’t expect or want his purchase to be as large or even resemble the greyhound next door. One thing he does expect, however, is that his dog be all French poodle. The seller will attest to the fact that it is a pure-bred French poodle and will give “papers” with the purchase. While any mongrel dog is a “pure” dog, not having any cat mixed in, the dog people are not usually interested in dogs who straddle a genealogical fence. If you desire to have a “pure” French poodle you do not want one that is half greyhound and half poodle.
Very little of anything is needed to taint very much of something. A few drops of kerosene in a quart of milk render it unfit to drink. A long testimony containing 90% truth and 10% lie is worthless. What good would Christ have been to us, the Father, or Himself, if His life had been tainted with a dash of deceit, or one or two fouled habits? Everywhere, and in all things, it was demanded of Christ that He be pure.
Everywhere and always the trumpet has sounded the call to be pure. The Lord pleaded with Israel to purify her-self from idolatry. The call today is the same. God would rather have us cold than lukewarm. God would rather we were pure atheists than lukewarm, muddy-water, Christians.
There is a lovely verse in Philippians 4:8, it begins with the word “finally” and lists a number of things to “think on.” One of them is “whatsoever things are pure.” Above all, our “thought life” should be “pure,” so that our robes might be also, when He comes.
Lesson Questions:
- How does Paul, the author of this book designate himself? Titus 1:1. What had God promised before the world began? Can we depend upon that promise, if we fulfill the conditions? Titus 1:2.
- How had God manifested His word? To whom, in due time, had this been committed? Titus 1:3.
- With what salutation does Paul begin the epistle? Titus 1:4.
- Why had Titus been left in Crete? Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23. What word expresses Paul’s standard for an elder? Should this person’s family be considered also? Titus 1:6; 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 7:6-7, 13-15.
- Discuss what further characteristics are mentioned. Titus 1:7-8.
- What should the elder hold fast and why? Titus 1:9-10. Among these “gainsayers,” who are especially mentioned? Acts 15:1; Colossians 2:11-12.
- Why should their mouths be stopped? Why did they teach things which they should not have? Titus 1:11. What had a Cretan prophet said of his own people? Titus 1:12. According to the A.S.V. these people were not only liars and evil beasts, but idle gluttons also.
- Did Paul accept the testimony of the Cretan prophet as true? Why should Titus rebuke these Cretans’? Titus 1:13. What instruction did Paul give concerning Jewish fables and commandments of men, and why? Titus 1:14.
- What determines the real essence of everything as far as we are concerned? Titus 1:15; Luke 11:39; Proverbs 23:6-7a; Matthew 5:8.
- What do the defiled and unbelieving profess? How do they deny their professions and what do these thus become? Titus 1:16. How may they become clean and pure again? 1 John 1:9; 1 John 3:1-3; Isaiah 1:16-20; 2 Corinthians 7:1.