The Foundation of Worship Titus 3 3-8
Past – ‘I was saved’ ‘For it is by grace you have been saved….’ Ephesians Present – ‘I am being saved’ ‘For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.’ 1 Corinthians 1 v18. Future – ‘I shall be saved’ ‘Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!’ Romans 5 v9
V3 – some uncomfortable truths. ‘Foolish’ – darkened ‘disobedient’ – deliberately refusing to be persuaded ‘deceived’ – wandering here and there ‘enslaved’ – mastered by desire ‘live in malice’ – wishing bad things for others ‘envy’ – wishing good things didn’t happen to others ‘being hated and hating one another’ – hatred becomes a way of life
We are called by His kindness and love v4. We are saved by His mercy v5a. We experience His new birth v5b. We are renewed by His Spirit v5b-6. We are justified by His grace v7a. We become His heirs v7b. Never tire of reciting God’s plan of rescue for His people v8a. Gospel ‘results’ – live a life of love v8b.