In Him: God’s Transforming and Training Grace • 08.16.26
Nick Lees   -   August 16, 2026

In Him: God’s Transforming & Training Grace

Titus 2:1-15

Embracing God’s plan for our good and his glory

  1. Receive God’s grace to save
  2. Hear and obey God’s training plan
  3. Adopt the right heart motives

Manuscript:

 

Good morning, church family! Welcome guests + introduce self

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve had the privilege of opening God’s Word with you and I’m excited to have the opportunity of doing so today. Today we are wrapping up our summer sermon series In Him. Because of that, before we dive into our study for this morning, I wanted to share with you what is coming next in the preaching calendar.

For those who have been here all year, you may remember that we shared that we would occasionally drop an Overview of one of the Minor Prophets throughout our preaching calendar. Back on June 21st, Pastor Brent preached an overview of the book of Micah as our first sermon of that series. Well, next Sunday, I will be preaching an overview of the book of Malachi. Malachi was sent by God to confront people who are complacent, even after exile! I believe it will be a sweet study on its own but will also serve as a great transition back into our study of the book of Luke the following week, where we see Jesus also confronting people who are complacent to prepare them for the kingdom of God. This study is our primary sermon series for this year and will carry into 2027 – The Gospel of Luke: the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ. We will be picking back up at Luke 11:1-28 in two weeks. I’m looking forward to returning to systematically working our way through a book of the Bible together!

Ushers + Bibles (Titus 2; page 1184)

As I mentioned a moment ago, today is our final sermon in this series In Him. I hope it has been a blessing to you to spend time considering this incredibly rich truth that we are united with Christ by grace through faith in Him. If your faith is in Jesus, you are no longer your own but have been bought with a price – the precious blood of Jesus.

I have been delighted to spend this summer remembering what this means for my identity and life in Christ. As we have studied through passages in Ephesians and Romans, we have unpacked beautiful truths that have very real significance for our daily lives! In fact, I thought it would be helpful to summarize each sermon in a sentence to jog our memories of these wonderful truths. And I am woefully aware of how inadequate a single sentence is to capture the beauty of these texts!

Recap of each sermon:

  • Ephesians 1 – God has provided redemption through His Son and lavished his glorious grace upon us
  • Ephesians 2 – God has transformed our identity and purpose through Christ
    • “Because I am in Christ, I can _______”
  • Ephesians 6 – God has provided protection from our enemy and a path for holiness through his gospel armor
  • Romans 6 – God has rescued us from slavery to sin and made us alive to righteousness in Christ
  • Romans 8 – God, through Christ, has provided immense hope for this life and the one to come by giving us his Spirit and actively conforming us to his Son
  • Romans 12 – God has called us to mature by his mercies into living sacrifices, who die to everything else so that we might live for Christ

There is so much more to be said about each of these amazing chapters in Scripture, so I would encourage you to go back and read them again or even listen to the sermons again too. May we never tire of such wonderful gospel realities! (In Him graphic)

Today we are closing out the series in Titus 2, as we continue to look at how our union with Christ leads us to maturity. In this section of Scripture, we are going to see a call to counter-cultural living because we have been made new in Jesus! And along with that counter-cultural living, there is an expectation of modeling holiness for others – Titus setting the example for the pastors he raises up, older men leading the way for younger men, older women investing in younger women, and, more generally, Christians modeling holiness in an unbelieving world in a way that shows how beautiful God and his ways truly are!

Because we are dropping into a new letter, I want to provide some context for what we are going to be reading today. The Apostle Paul is writing this letter to one of his disciples, Titus, who was a leader in the early church. Titus has been left in Crete (map), which you can see on the map behind me is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. In chapter 1, Paul explains that Titus is there so that he might put what remained into order, which includes appointing for the churches elders who are of godly character and holding firm to the trustworthy word of God, able to teach sound doctrine and to rebuke those who contradict it. Unfortunately, there were false teachers in Crete who were insubordinate and using their influence and speech to deceive others and upset whole households. On the whole, the culture of Crete was a very ungodly one. Drunkenness was considered a societal virtue. Their women were known as gossips. Both men and women were often undisciplined and lazy. The secular Roman writer Cicero states, “Moral principles are so divergent that the Cretans … consider highway robbery honorable” (Republic 3.9.15; see Comment on 1:12–13a). The Greek historian Polybius (Po-lyb-ius) wrote in his Histories that it was “almost impossible to find… personal conduct more treacherous or public policy more unjust than in Crete.” (Hist. 6.47.5)

In fact, Paul even quotes one of their own people about the immorality of their culture:

Titus 1:12–14 (ESV)

12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

“This testimony is true.” Paul is laying it out there. These people are far from God and need rebuked so that they may have sound/healthy faith that leads to eternal life. There is a real danger for the Christians in this society to be led astray, so Paul wants Titus to model how to believe, teach, and live to the Cretan leaders/pastors. These leaders are then expected to turn around and model and teach this faithful lifestyle to the Christians in their local churches! We’re going to hear some very practical teaching that speaks to each age demographic in a household and church, as well as to bondservants/slaves.

But why are we studying this today to close out our summer series? Great question! I’m glad you asked.

In this series, we’ve been focused on our union with Christ and how that reality shapes our identity and life/lifestyle. This text will help us understand that Christ has called Christians to live differently than the world around us! There is a call to Christian maturity here and a very detailed explanation of what that looks like – what we are to be and do as men and women, young and old. I believe we will gain some clear direction to help us evaluate our answer to the final question in this series – “Do I make disciples?”

With that in mind, let’s turn our attention to the reading of God’s Word in Titus 2.

Titus 2:1–15 (ESV)

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

*Read verse 15 again*

It’s safe to say that Paul views these teachings as incredibly important for the Cretan Christians to understand and obey. He uses multiple commands to drive home just how seriously Titus must take this calling. Declare them out loud to the people. Exhort/urge/implore them. Rebuke or convict them with all authority (as a representative of God). Do not let anyone disregard or despise you. I believe that last one is tied to the way Titus conducts himself – to be above reproach. The point being that these teachings are that important! They are so fundamentally for our good that we must not ignore them or disregard the messenger! I hope to convey the same urgency in our time together today.

As we approach this study, we are going to work backwards in the argument. We started with verse 15, but from there we are going to look at verses 11-14. I want to start here because these are the foundations, the reasons for the ethical teachings that Paul provides in verses 1-10. I want us to start with the WHY before we talk through the HOW.

And, as we go, our aim is…

Embracing God’s plan for our good and his glory

This is God’s Word revealing his plan which is ultimately for our benefit and his glory! So, let’s enjoy studying it and applying it as his church. I think it would be remiss of me not to start with what we see taught in verse 11, which is that God’s grace has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. Paul is referring to God’s grace as revealed in Jesus Christ, who is identified as our great God and Savior in verse 13.

This assumes that humanity is sinful and in need of a Savior. That should not surprise anyone who is familiar with the teachings of the Bible. That is a fundamental truth that undergirds everything else. You see, the teachings of Scripture reveal a perfectly Holy God who is without fault or flaw. He has zero imperfections. He is the source of righteousness. And even though the first humans were created without sin, they had an untested character. When it was tested, they gave into temptation and chose sin. This is captured for us in the book of Genesis in the very first 3 chapters of the Bible. As the representatives of the human race, Adam and Eve’s sin (rebellion against God) plunged our entire race into the curse of sin. Whether or not you’re intellectually willing to admit that we are all born sinners, you experientially know it to be true. No one must teach us to be selfish or desire to do what is right in our own eyes; that comes naturally to us! And, as we grow, we continue to choose selfishness and desires that are contrary to God’s will and ways. It is safe to say that no one is perfect, none are sinless. This is a big problem for us! A perfectly holy and righteous God must address our sin/rebellion. How can we ever be at peace with God if we are guilty and condemned by our treason against him? The answer to that question is what the entire Bible unpacks. On our own merit, we will never be able to have peace with God. We cannot make up for our sin against an infinitely holy God. However, God can make a way for peace in a most unexpected way! He sent Jesus, who we just heard is “our great God and Savior” – aka God the Son – to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. As Paul explained in verse 14, “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness…” God the Son willingly entered into his creation, taking on flesh and dwelling amongst us, so that he could live the perfect, sinless life that we could not live and die in our place, facing the wrath of God for us. He gave himself for us. So that we could be redeemed from our lawlessness! He has provided salvation for us! This is a gracious gift of God, not something that we can earn or deserve. And what must you do with a gift? You must joyfully receive it!

In embracing God’s plan for our good and his glory… you must…

  1. Receive God’s grace to save

This grace has been revealed in Jesus Christ, as we’ve been hearing throughout this summer series. It is only by grace through faith in Christ that we are saved. This is a work of God that we receive and from which we benefit.

How incredible is that?! Can you believe that God would do this for you? For me? It ought to humble us this morning. The Lord of glory willingly left that glory to take on the frailty of human form and to be treated horribly during his time on earth, all so that he could die on the Cross and bear the wrath of God for our sins! Who could conceive of God the Son dying and bearing the wrath meant for us so that we might live? We ought to be shouting “Hallelujah, thank you, Jesus!” right now!! This is GOOD NEWS this morning.

Have you believed it? Have you received God’s grace to save? For many of you the answer is, “Absolutely! Yes, I have. By God’s grace I have been convicted of my sins and need for a Savior. I believe in Jesus!” Praise God for that. Rejoice in your salvation.

For some in the room, the answer is, “No. Not yet.” Can I ask you… what are you waiting for? What else do you need to hear to receive this gracious gift of salvation? What fear, doubt, or matter of unbelief is keeping you from receiving Christ? There are compelling answers to whatever it is you’re holding onto. You’ve heard many of them this summer. I am imploring you to pray and ask God to give you a heart to believe and receive Christ. In fact, I would like to pray for you, right now.

Pray for them

I want to point out that the emphasis in Paul’s teaching is not only that God’s grace has provided salvation, but also that it is actively training us in sanctification or “growing in holiness”. Let’s read it again in verses 11-12.

Titus 2:11–12 (ESV)

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

God’s grace is not simply a “get out of hell” free card; it transforms our desires and direction for the rest of our lives. Grace is our tutor or, if you prefer a more physical analogy, our personal trainer! We are saved by grace through faith in Christ, but then each day we are schooled/trained by grace on how to live the godly life for which we have been created! God’s plan for our good and his glory is comprehensive and complete.

Yet this requires us to forsake our plans to follow his. This teaching is a call to live in light of what Christ has already done through his death, burial, and resurrection AND in hope, perhaps better stated as the settled certainty, of what he will do when he comes again to usher us into his glory. Our present lives as Christians are carried out considering these two wonderful realities. We look back and see what Christ HAS done, and we look ahead and behold what he WILL do. This is the beauty of our union with him!

Putting this back in its original context – Titus was to be teaching and speaking sound doctrine – what is right and true according to God’s Word – to these Christians on Crete. Their calling was to hear and obey what God had said. To embrace their tutoring or training sessions with God’s grace.

The word translated “training” in verse 12 is a very rich word in the Greek. It is παιδεύω (paideuo) which conveys both the idea of positive instruction and corrective discipline. God’s grace is going to gently instruct and persuade Christians of ways they need to grow and change, but it will also confront and convict when there is sin that needs to be put off! In fact, the rest of verse 12 is informed by this – God’s grace trains us “to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions” – it confronts us in where we need to put off sin, the things of the world. Yet it also positively trains us “to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age”. There is a reformation of our character and conduct as we…

  1. Hear and obey God’s training plan

For the Cretan Christians, there was a lot of reformation needed! They were rescued and redeemed out of a past life and a society that was quite immoral. They were surrounded by family and friends who still celebrated sinfulness. The pressure they faced would have been immense, not to mention the false teachers who were trying to lead them astray, making it all the more confusing!

Isn’t it a shame that this is totally unrelatable to our society and day and age? It’s too bad that we’ve come so far and are such a godly society who joyfully submits to God’s ways! That is clearly sarcasm, in case you didn’t pick up on it. Sadly, about 2000 years have passed since this was written and our society is nearly as immoral and filled with false teachers as theirs. These teachings are not irrelevant or culturally outdated. They are the timeless word of God, and they are applicable to Christians everywhere, throughout history. So do not dismiss what you hear in the text today!

We too need to hear and obey God’s training plan. We need to be trained to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. In fact, underneath this bullet point, I’d like you to write:

  • Put off ungodliness

 

God’s grace confronts and convicts us when wes are in the wrong. If you are a Christian, are you embracing this refining grace of God? Or are you hardening your heart to it?

This process occurs as God convicts you through His Word and by His Spirit. We heard about this from Pastor Jack last week. It assumes that, as a Christian, you are regularly opening God’s Word to study and apply it. Prayerfully asking God to teach you truth that will lead to life change.

I have found these daily disciplines to be perhaps the most important things for my walk with Jesus. If I am not prayerfully in the Word, I will not grow. It’s that plain and simple. If I cut myself off from the Words of life, then I will die. I will turn inward. I will make foolish or downright sinful choices. Maybe not today, but it won’t take long.

But regular, ongoing, prayerful pursuit of God through his Word allows the grace of God to train me to put off ungodliness! That’s why Titus was commanded to teach sound doctrine. It is the truth of God’s Word that convicts and equips us for the way that leads to life!

If you go back up to verses 2-10 now, you will see that there are ways Titus was to teach them to put off ungodliness and worldly desires. Let’s survey the different categories spoken to here.

  • Older men
    • Put off unrestrained living
    • Put off activities that bring dishonor
    • Put off an apathetic, unhealthy relationship with God that does not lead you to love him or stand firm for him
  • Older women
    • Put off behavior that does not show respect or reverence for God
    • Put off making false and malicious statements about others
    • Put off drunkenness
    • Put off abdicating your role to teach younger ladies what is good in God’s sight
  • Younger women
    • Put off loving your own pleasures/desires over loving your husband and kids
    • Put off unrestrained living
    • Put off the things that make you unholy
    • Put off laziness about carrying out household responsibilities
    • Put off treating others poorly
    • Put off a defiant attitude and actions towards your husband
  • Younger men
    • Put off unrestrained living
  • Bondservants
    • Put off an argumentative spirit
    • Put off taking goods from your master for your own gain

Please note that the number of items addressed to each category does not imply that younger men have little to grow in. This is not an exhaustive list. It is assumed that the older men would also have been expected to train up the younger men into their role.

The point being that God’s grace trains us to change. To be transformed. Which begins with putting off ungodliness and worldly passions! Perhaps it is helpful to think of it in terms of clothing. Before you put on clean clothes, you first remove or take off the dirty ones.

If you are a Christian, have you embraced this training plan of God for your good and his glory? Are you actively putting off ungodliness as necessary for your role(s) and life?

This is the biblical pattern. And this kind of teaching is the very same conversation we are often having in the counseling room when we are helping people grow in their walk with God. You must realize that Christians are always in the process of being transformed and trained by God’s grace. This is God’s plan and process to conform us to the image of His Son. A plan and process that is only complete when Christ returns or calls us home! So Christian brother or sister, learn to embrace it and love it!

Please do not make peace with sin in your life. Do not allow laziness or hard-heartedness to lull you to spiritual apathy. These are dangerous places to be! They are no place for a Christian to remain! That is more akin to the world than Christ and you have been unified with him. Live like it!

Ask yourself – Where do I need to put off ungodliness in my life? I want to encourage you to write something down in answer to that question. Perhaps one of these teachings in Titus resonated with you. Where is God’s grace training you to change?

As you consider this process of putting off ungodliness, I want to encourage you to keep your eyes on your eternal hope. That is where Paul directs Titus’ attention in verse 13. We are waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ… Remember what God has done and will do. And do not forget his call to be zealous for good works. Christians throughout the ages have an incredible privilege to represent and reflect our Holy Creator to the world around us as we put off ungodliness.

But it doesn’t stop there, does it? God’s grace not only trains us to put off ungodliness, but it also trains us to…

  • Put on holiness

I want you to write that on your bulletin, if you’re taking notes.

Or, as Paul put it, to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. You may have noticed that theme of self-control comes up often in this text. Not being ruled by your passions but exercising control over them. Restraining and directing your conduct in a way that pleases Christ. God’s plan for Christians is to conform them to holiness as they live righteously and conduct themselves as people who fear God.

If you slow down and think about this, it is incredible. Who are we that God would be mindful of us? That he would work in and through us? What an incredible privilege to be rescued and redeemed by God and to have the opportunity to grow in holiness so we can dwell with him in glory forever!

These Cretan Christians needed to understand that they were no longer the same! They are no longer slaves to sin, as we learned in Romans 6. They are dead to that and slaves of righteousness! And, as we see in verses 2-10, there are specific ways they are called to put on holiness. Let’s talk through them.

  • Older men
    • Put on restrained, controlled living and thinking
    • Put on conduct that is worthy of honor
    • Put on a healthy relationship with God that loves and stands firm for him
  • Older women
    • Put on behavior that shows respect or reverence for God
    • Put on teaching younger ladies what is good in God’s sight
  • Younger women
    • Put on loving your husband and kids
    • Put on restrained living
    • Put on the things that make you holy
    • Put on a joyful commitment to carrying out household responsibilities
    • Put on treating others well
    • Put on a willingness to affirm and follow your husband’s leadership
  • Younger men
    • Put on restrained, controlled living and thinking
  • Bondservants
    • Put on a willingness to affirm and follow your master’s leadership
    • Put on a desire to please your master
    • Put on a visible integrity that guides all you do

If the Christians in Crete will hear and obey God’s training grace in their lives in these ways, then they will radiate the glory and majesty of God in their immoral society. And so will we, if we do the same in ours. We are talking about living a holy and godly life that is visibly different from the world around us. That our character and conduct would be above reproach, as we embrace God’s plan for our lives. So that God’s glory would be made known to the watching world around us! (Main Points)

Contrast that with the self-focused narrative of our culture. A narrative that tells you to live however you want and that no one gets to claim the only way of being right. (Except those who are opposed to your way, of course! No one said it had to make logical sense…) We live in a day and age that screams a message of unrestrained, uncontrolled desires ruling our lives. Do what you want. Feel how you want. Live how you want. Say what you want. And no one gets to tell you otherwise.

And do you know what that produces when an entire society embraces it? Chaos. Unmitigated chaos, just like we see in the world around us. A society that tears itself down by its own hands. That undermines its stability at every turn, in the name of progress. That calls evil good and good evil. The very things the Bible warns us about have been happening for generations and continue to happen before our very eyes.

But God has made a way for us to live differently. To be made new through our union with Christ. To experience creation the way it was intended; not living for self, but for God and others. Experiencing the joy of a disciplined life that is zealous for good works. Tasting the sweetness of serving others and being a blessing. And having the hope of eternal glory when Christ returns.

It is entirely possible to experience this kind of life now, as a Christian. You do not have to settle for something less. Through faith in Christ, you can be transformed and trained by God’s grace. You can be a godly man or woman, boy or girl. One whose character and conduct is righteous, who invests in the next generation. Who obeys and fulfills Jesus’ command to make disciples.

I spoke earlier to the necessity of personally studying God’s Word to see his grace convict and equip us. Are you faithfully studying God’s Word? Have you ever studied it with someone else? That is a fantastic way to disciple the next generation towards godliness. How else can older men and women teach what is good to the younger men and women? You must open the source of what is good – the Word! Who will you study the Word with this Fall?

And beyond simply studying the Word, are you seeking to apply it for life change? God does not intend to leave you where you are. His training is in session. His grace will transform you as you prayerfully apply it to your life. Perhaps something from this text today has struck a chord with you.

  • Maybe you’ve not been self-controlled in your thinking or desires or actions…
  • Maybe you’ve been running your mouth too much and dishonoring God/others…
  • Maybe you’ve neglected or despised your role in the home…
  • Perhaps you’ve not been setting an example of godly faith for your family and friends…
  • Or you have shrugged off your Christian duty to disciple others…
  • Or in the workplace, you’ve not joyfully submitted to your employer
    • Perhaps you like to argue with you co-workers or are stealing time from your company…

Wherever you are being hit between the eyes by God’s Word, allow that to happen. And then prayerfully consider how you can take the next step of growth! What is the next thing that you need to do to grow in that area? Write it down and then commit to doing it this week. And, even better, share what you’re learning and growing in with someone else as a way of encouraging them in their faith! This is part of discipleship.

Speaking of growth and discipleship, if you’d like to receive some more formal training in counseling others from God’s Word, I want you to know that we are launching a biblical counseling training cohort next month. There is a lot more information about this online, but if you’d like to become more adept at helping others from God’s Word, then this 30 hours of video training will be a great way to do so. There is no cost to the training, however it is a commitment of 1 Saturday a month from 8a-4p for 5 months. This training counts towards ACBC’s certification process as well, if you are interested in pursuing formal certification. If you’d like more information, please chat with me after the service or visit the website! (Main Points)

How awesome would it be to have a church filled with men and women, young and old, who are taking their faith seriously? Who study the Word together? Who encourage one another to apply the truth? Who are faithful to pray for one another? Who are even willing to confront sin and be confronted?

This would make for an incredibly healthy and holy church filled with healthy and holy households. That’s the kind of church I want to be a part of! Don’t you? Then embrace God’s plan for your good and his glory by hearing and obeying his training plan! And, it is worth repeating, this is fueled by God’s grace, the eternal hope that we have in Jesus, and as we…

  1. Adopt the right heart motives

This whole section of Scripture is tethered to some important motives. This is not just a run-on section of moralistic teaching of dos and don’ts. Paul links it with the goals of:

  • Agreeing with sound doctrine (1)

 

This whole discussion has been about agreeing with what God says. He has revealed what is right and true and the way to the good life. Will you agree with God or not?

  • Adorning God and His Word in the public eye (5, 8, 10)

 

Multiple times Paul points out that living in these holy ways, removes reasons for people to mock/scorn Christ/Christians. Godly conduct commends the Gospel, whereas ungodly conduct defames the Gospel. What kind of Gospel ambassador do you want to be? One who brings disrepute to the name of Christ or one who lifts high the name of Christ?

I hope we would all agree that we want to adorn God and his word in the public eye by the character that we cultivate and the ways that we live. So, let’s close in prayer and ask God to continue his good work in us and that we would cooperate with that good work.

Pray