We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

MESSAGE TEXT
Titus 2:11-15
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INTRODUCTION
“Dear Titus” - It’s a very short letter to a church leader named Titus to whom Paul is passing the baton.
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Titus 1 focuses almost entirely on the church itself and the need for leaders to lead in the church. Titus 1 is a blueprint for the type of leadership that is necessary for a healthy and thriving church.
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Titus 2 focuses on the people of the church and how both men and women should live in their homes and communities. Titus 2 is a blueprint for living out our roles and gender-based assignments.
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Titus 3 focuses on what it means to live as a Christian outside the church in the community and more specifically in the workplace. Titus 3 is a blueprint for public engagement.
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Things were disordered all over the island and in the fellowships. A church without qualified leaders guiding it is disordered. A home without a bible influencing it is disordered. A community without a believer engaging it is disordered.
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PROPOSITION
Our passage today is the fulcrum passage of the Book of Titus and this “Dear Titus” series. If week one was “Walk in your authority.” Week two: “Get your life in order.” Week three: “Tend to your attraction.” Week four: “Allow grace to be your teacher.”
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SERMON FOCUS
So, what I want to do is outline what Paul has to say by giving you three different words or expressions determined by and governed by, the grace of God. Grace teaches you three main words: No. Yes. Maybe. (S. Davey help here). To use a phrase from Brene Brown, grace teaches you to have a… “Strong Back (No). Soft front (Yes). Wild heart (Maybe).” A past (to say “No” to – strong back), a present (to say “Yes” to – soft front), a future (to say “Maybe today” to – wild heart).
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SERMON NOTES
The Greek word charis (χάρις) is often translated as "grace" in the New Testament. This word brings a picture of kindness, showing favor, often with a focus on a benefit being given and even to the undeserving. Grace is not about God looking the other way and pretending everything is okay. Biblical grace is God looking directly at us and seeing every good work that his Son has done in our behalf. Paul’s hope is that our unexpected windfall of grace would change us and that we would live our lives in gratitude.
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APPLICATION
Are there things you need to say "no" to? Works of the flesh. Are there things you need to say "yes" to? The fruit of the spirit. Are there things you need to say "maybe" to? Not ready for yes or no. But I will not stop living, knowing, or expecting Jesus to show up and this makes anything possible. And this relationship with Him can morph my indecisiveness into bold action and change. Think of all those times you said "no" when a "yes" was in order; you said "yes" when a "no" would have saved you so much heartache. We will always need grace. Grace to accept life as it is; grace to change and live differently.
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CONCLUSION
Three summaries of the incarnation dot the pages of Titus, providing a framework within which the Christian can view the work of God in the world and in individual lives (Titus 1:1–4; 2:11–14; 3:4–7). All three passages involve the manifestation, or appearance, of God in Christ, rooting the Christian faith in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate Servant-Leader. Invite Him to lead your life today by being his "Bond-servant"