Jump Start # 1105

Titus 1:10-11 “For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting who families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.”

One of the hymns we sing begins with the line, “Troublesome times are here…” Paul’s words to Titus remind us that in the early years of the church was not all wonderful and peace. Things were not a paradise as we may idolize ancient history. There were many huge obstacles. There was an aggressive assault by the Jewish leaders to undermine and even destroy the church. These attacks were sometimes verbal, other times physical. Later, the heavy hand of Rome came upon the church. Those were not the time for fair-weather Christians, those who rode the fence, nor those who stood on the side lines of their faith. Weak Christians didn’t make it. The pressures were too much. Many quit. Many considered survival more important than faith.

In our verse today, Paul, warns Titus, a young preacher, about such verbal assaults. There are a series of expressions Paul uses here.

First, in describing these Jewish attackers, Paul says they are:

• Rebellious men: they are not obedient. They are not following Christ. They are rebels. Lawless. Contrary to the way of Christ.

• Empty talkers: nothing to what they are saying. Useless arguments. Shallow thinking.

• Deceivers: verbal con men. Liars. Twisting words and ideas. Confusing people.

Second, Paul reveals the impact these rebellious men are having:

• Upsetting whole families. People are buying into their lies and deceit. People are getting confused. Faith is being shattered.

• Teaching things they should not teach: they are not pursuing truth. They are teaching doubt, speculations, opinions, rumors, doubt. Faith is built upon the word of God. Doubt is built upon confusion.

• They are doing these things for sordid gain: profit is their goal. They are committed to evil to make money. The destruction that they leave behind bothers them little because of the fame and fortune that it brings them.

These were serious matters. Paul’s words to Titus was that these false men must be stopped. He says, “their mouths must be silenced.”  This wouldn’t be easy nor pleasant. This work would fall upon the elders who were given the responsibility to watch and feed God’s people. Any one disrupting that would have to be dealt with.

How would they silence their mouths? In a Godly fashion. They would not stoop to counter violence. They would not use force, but with two main things.

First, error is not given a platform. God is not in the tolerance business. If it is not truth from God’s word, then it must be not be heard. Such thoughts would cause the political correctness crowd to run in horror today. You mean, not everyone’s opinion counts. That’s right. You mean, not everyone can be heard. That’s right. You mean, some do not get to state what they think is right. That’s right. The reason is, God has already stated what is right. There is nothing to vote upon, decide, amend or declare.  God has spoken. When someone wants to present radical ideas, upset what the Bible teaches, no, they do not get a platform. They do not get to be heard. No their voice is silenced.

Sometimes, often times, this trouble comes from preachers. They get filled up with fanciful ideas in a college class or they read some hot shot new book and without thinking things out they are off advancing new ways, new ideas, and a new look at the old, old Gospel. Some call it a “new perspective.” They have found some secret and new way to look at the Scriptures that no one else has known for centuries. This new look changes everything. Books are published. Lectures are given. A new excitement takes place. These bright new scholars have finally found what no one has ever known. Without these new discoveries in ancient language and in archaeology and in the culture of ancient times, Bible verses would be hopelessly misused, and misunderstood.

These very things are happening right now. What bothers me about this is the consequences that it leads to. This means that some family living in Europe in the 1300’s could not have known God’s truth. These scholarly discoveries were not known until recent times. Without them, God’s word was misunderstood. Is that the conclusion that is acceptable? Maybe, these new discoveries are deception and empty talk. Maybe it’s a bunch of nothing.

The other way those empty talkers would be silenced is by using the word of God. Nothing trumps truth. God’s word is what stopped Satan in his tracks. God’s word is what Jesus used to get around the trap of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Error is stopped by truth. These mouths would be stopped when Godly men stood up to these deceptive ideas with the truth of God’s word.

There is no need for anything else. Upset families can be rescued by the truth of God’s word. Look into what God said. Establish that solid foundation. Return to what is known. Stand upon the absolutes. God’s word is a rock. It will stand the test of time.

Some things should not be said. That’s what Paul is saying to Titus. These empty talkers were teaching things that they should not have been. Bible classes are a platform to teach God’s word. It is not a platform to air agendas, complain about things, float ideas that have never been thought out, suggest prejudicial ideas, or quote the last author someone read. Bible classes are to teach the Bible. They are to be faith building.

Our hope is built upon Jesus Christ. Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard. Those are more than lines from classic hymns, they are what the New Testament teaches.

Strong leaders in God’s church will protect the sheep, even from each other, when one gets a wild hair and wants to test new ideas and new ways.

Our look is backward—to the old, old Gospel.

Roger