Good Citizen - Good Neighbor Graphical sermon notes by, Rev. Ed Whitman Sunday, May 3, 2015 Evangelical Congregational Church in Dunstable Massachusetts © Copyright 2015 by the author, Rev. Ed Whitman, with permission to freely redistribute.

Good Citizen – Good Neighbor Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3: 1-2 ESV

Forgetting Things Happens

Titus: the Letter Chapter 1 Orderliness in Church life Chapter 2 Godliness in Home life Chapter 3 Relationships in the World

Let’s Pray

Remember Ministry

“Remind them…” Pastors regularly need to review: Basic Beliefs Basic Behaviors

Good Citizen Reminder # 1 Be Law-abiding

Good Citizen Reminder # 1 Be Law-abiding  Submissive to rulers and authorities

Good Citizen Reminder # 1 Be Law-abiding  Submissive to rulers and authorities  Obedient … prayers … be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority. I Tim 2:1-2

Good Citizen Reminder # 1 Be Law-abiding  Submissive to rulers and authorities  Obedient … prayers … be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority. I Tim 2:1-2 We must obey God rather than human beings ! Acts 5:29

Good Citizen Reminder # 1 Be Law-abiding  Submissive to rulers and authorities  Obedient  Ready for every good work

Good Citizen – Probing Questions Do you have an attitude of submissiveness?

Good Citizen – Probing Questions Do you have an attitude of submissiveness? Are you obedient with your actions?

Good Citizen – Probing Questions Do you have an attitude of submissiveness? Are you obedient with your actions? Do you have a positive public spirit?

Good Citizen – Probing Questions Do you have an attitude of submissiveness? Are you obedient with your actions? Do you have a positive public spirit? Do you pray for those in authority over you? I urge, then, first of all … that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority … I Timothy 2: 1-2

Good Neighbor Reminder # 2

Good Neighbor Reminder # 2 Develop a positive attitude and actions  Speak evil of no one

Good Neighbor Reminder # 2 Develop a positive attitude and actions  Speak evil of no one  Avoid quarreling

Good Neighbor Reminder # 2 Develop a positive attitude and actions  Speak evil of no one  Avoid quarreling  Be gentle

Good Neighbor Reminder # 2 Develop a positive attitude and actions  Speak evil of no one  Avoid quarreling  Be gentle  Show perfect courtesy

Good Neighbor – Probing Questions  Do you tear down anyone? “No Knock Policy” TRUE ? NECESSARY ? KIND ?

Good Neighbor – Probing Questions  Do you tear down anyone?  Do you have a chip on your shoulder? If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone. Hebrews 12:14

Good Neighbor – Probing Questions  Do you tear down anyone?  Do you have a chip on your shoulder?  Are you a gentle-man? Gentle-woman?

Good Neighbor – Probing Questions  Do you tear down anyone?  Do you have a chip on your shoulder?  Are you a gentle-man? Gentle-woman?  Are you courteous?

“…toward all people” verse 2 Some People! : ) All people? : (

“…toward all people” Some People! : ) All people? : ( MISSION IMPOSSIBLE!!! Doing what comes naturally Doing what comes Super-naturally!

“…toward all people” Being a good citizen…a good neighbor is only possible for the man /woman in whose heart Christ dwells.

Connecting Stories

Good Citizen – Good Neighbor Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward ALL people Titus 3: 1-2 ESV