1. In Romans 6:3-4 the Bible explains how we experience a likeness of the Lord's resurrection when we are saved from our sins. 2. In our lesson we are concentrating on the point made in vs.4b -- when we are raised from baptism, we are to "walk in newness of life." 3. In Titus 2 we are given some general guidelines and some specific guidelines that will help us to walk this way.
Discussion:
I. SOME GENERAL GUIDELINES THAT RELATE TO WALKING IN NEWNESS OF LIFE (Titus 2:11-14)
A. To know how to walk in newness of life, we must go to the right source. B. We learn from vs.11-12 that God's grace teaches us how to live. 1. A misunderstanding about God's grace is cleared up in Romans 6:1-2, 14-15. 2. God's grace teaches us: a. to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts b. to live soberly, righteously, and godly. C. According to vs.13-14, we are to be looking for the Lord's return. 1. We are reminded of the Lord's suffering in vs.14a -- He "gave Himself for us." 2. We are reminded in vs.14b of the blessings that Jesus provides because of His suffering [in other words, we are able to walk in newness of life].
II. SOME SPECIFIC GUIDELINES THAT RELATE TO WALKING IN NEWNESS OF LIFE (Titus 2:1-6)
A. (vs.2) The aged men are to be: 1. sober: free from excess 2. grave: honorable, worthy of respect, dignified 3. temperate: self-controlled 4. sound (incorrupt) in "faith," "love," and "patience." B. (vs.3) The aged women are: 1. to be in behavior as becometh holiness: reverent 2. not to be false accusers: slanderers 3. not to be given to much wine: free of addiction 4. to be teachers of good things: teachers of what is right. C. (vs.4-5) The aged women are to teach the young women: 1. to be sober: self-controlled 2. to love their husbands: to be suitable helpers and companions 3. to love their children: to care for children and be a companion to them 4. to be discreet: temperate, controlling the desires and impulses 5. to be chaste: pure, modest 6. to be keepers at home: taking care of household affairs 7. to be good: upright, virtuous 8. to be obedient to their own husbands: in subjection 9. to follow these guidelines so God's Word will not be blasphemed. D. (vs.6) Young men are to be sober-minded: having the passions and impulses under control.
Conclusion:
1. Walking in newness of life is a privilege and responsibility for those who have been baptized into the Lord's death and raised with Him. 2. Thankfully, we have these guidelines [and many others] to show us how to walk in newness of life. 3. An appropriate request for us to make is found in Psalm 143:8.
