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DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS

Titus 2:11-12

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.               Christianity is not just a blessing to be received; it is a life that is to be lived.

1.               If we tried to live it on our own, we could not (Jer. 10:23).

 

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself:  it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

 

2.               Those who trust in the Lord, seek their direction from Him (Prov. 3:4-5).

 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 

B.               How we are to live is taught us by the grace of God.  It involves negatives and positives (Tit. 2:11-12).

 

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

 

C.              In this lesson, we want to focus upon the negative aspects of this text, that is, “Denying Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts.”

 

I.          CHRISTIANS ARE “THE CALLED OUT ONES”

 

A.               The meaning of the term “church” is “called out.”

1.         ek – out of                   klesia – to call

2.         We have been called by the gospel (II Thess. 2:14).  It calls us out of the world and into a holy, spiritual environment (Col. 1:13).

 

B.               A child of God is not of this world.

1.               We have been crucified to the world (Gal. 6:14).

 

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

 

2.               We were raised from the waters of baptism and were made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:6).

3.               We became citizens of the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col. 1:13).

 

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

 

4.               Our citizenship is now in heaven, not on earth (Phil. 3:2a).

 

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

5.               We are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:13).

6.               Christ is living in us (Gal. 2:20).

 

I am crucified with Christ:  nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

 

 

7.               We are led by, that is, governed by the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:16).

 

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

 

8.               We study God’s Word (II Tim. 2:15).  This seed abides in us, and we cannot sin (I John 3:9).

 

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him:  and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

 

D.              To walk worthy of this calling, grace teaches us that we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, the very things we were removed from at our conversion.

 

II.         DEFINITIONS OF UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS

 

A.               Ungodliness (763).

1.               Definitions:

a.         Strong:  impiety

b.         Thayer:  want of reverence toward God

c.         Pulpit:  impiety, blasphemy, infidelity

d.         One described ungodliness with these four characteristics:

                                                1)         When one fails to live for God.

                                                2)         When one has an indisposition to live by God.

                                                3)         A lack of desire to live with God.

                                                4)         When one does not live in God.

                        2.         Biblical examples:

                                    a.         Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-6).

                                    b.         The children of Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exo. 32:1-6).

c.         The Pharisees exaltation of human tradition over the commandments of God (Matt. 15:1-9).

                                    d.         Peter’s denial of Jesus Christ (Matt. 26:69-75).

                                    e.         Herod’s acceptance of praise as a god (Acts 12:21-23).

3.         Modern day applications:  idols, witchcraft, false religions, atheism, modernism, post-modernism, unity-in-diversity, denominationalism, and “practical atheism.”

 

B.               Worldly (2886) lusts (1939).

1.               Definitions:

a.         Worldly:

            1)         Having the character of this present world

            2)         Corrupt

b.         Lusts:

            1)         A longing, esp. for that which is forbidden

            2)         Desire, craving for that which is forbidden

c.         Worldly lusts are described by the apostle John in I John 2:15.

 

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 

d.         Another description of worldly lusts is the impulses of sensuality, selfish-ness, and ambition.

e.         Another element of worldly lusts involves inordinate desires for worldly things, which may be lawful in themselves.

                        2.         Biblical examples:

                                    a.         Achan’s desire for the spoils of Jericho (Josh. 7:20-21).

                                    b.         David’s desire for Bathsheba that led to adultery (II Sam. 11:1-5).

                                    c.         Gehazi’s desire for the goods of Naaman (II Kings 5:20-24).

d.         Ananias and Sapphira when they kept back part of the price of the land and lied about it (Acts 5:1-11).

3.         Modern day applications:  smoking, gambling, alcohol, drugs, pornography, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, dancing, cursing, homosexuality, and covetousness.

 

III.        THE CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSE TO THESE THINGS:  DENIAL

 

A.               Definition (763):

1.               Strong:  to disavow, reject, abnegate

2.               Thayer:  to deny, not to accept, to reject

 

B.               NOTE:  Grace does not say combat ungodliness.  Grace does not say to gradually progress away from our worldly lusts.  Grace teaches us to reject and deny these evil things.

 

C.              Two examples:

1.               Denial of ungodliness:  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (Dan. 3:1-30; esp. vs. 16-18).

 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

 

2.               Denial of worldly lusts:  Joseph (Gen. 39:10-12).

 

And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.  And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his busi-ness, and there was none of the men of the house there within.  And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me:  and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

 

D.              These two examples prove that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts is possible.  Some, however, seem like they cannot do it.  Why? 

1.               They love their sin more than they love God.

2.               They have rationalized and justified their transgressions in their minds (e.g., “It is not hurting anyone).

3.               They are caught in the clutches of sin and have become addicted.

4.               They have a desire to please others more than pleasing God.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.               Numerous passage exhort us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts:

1.               Romans 12:2a

 

And be not conformed to this world…

 

2.               James 1:21

 

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness…

 

3.               I Peter 2:11

 

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

 

B.               Two closing points:

1.               We must deny evil before the good can occupy us (e.g., rid the weeds before the seeds, remove the bad tenant before putting in the good tenant).

2.               If we do not deny these things, they will eventually deny us (I John 2:17).

 

And the world passeth away, and the lusts thereof…

 


 

DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS

Titus 2:11-12

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

A.                 Christianity is not just a blessing to be received; it is a life that is to be lived.

1.                If we tried to live it on our own, we could not (Jer. 10:23).

2.                 Those who trust in the Lord, seek their direction from Him (Prov. 3:4-5).

B.                How we are to live is taught us by the grace of God (Tit. 2:11-12).

C.                In this lesson, we want to focus upon the negative aspects of this text, that is, “Denying Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts.”

I.             CHRISTIANS ARE “THE CALLED OUT ONES”

A.                 The meaning of the term “church” is “called out.”

1.                ek – out of                                        klesia – to call

2.                We have been called by the gospel (II Thess. 2:14).  It calls us out of the world and into a holy, spiritual environment (Col. 1:13).

B.                A child of God is not of this world.

1.                We have been crucified to the world (Gal. 6:14).

2.                We were raised from the waters of baptism and were made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:6).

3.                 We became citizens of the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col. 1:13).

4.                 Our citizenship is now in heaven, not on earth (Phil. 3:2a).

5.                 We are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:13).

6.                 Christ is living in us (Gal. 2:20).

7.                 We are led by, that is, governed by the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:16).

8.                 We study God’s Word (II Tim. 2:15).  This seed abides in us, and we cannot sin (I John 3:9).

C.                To walk worthy of this calling, grace teaches us that we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, the very things we were removed from at our conversion.

II.            DEFINITIONS OF UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS

A.                 Ungodliness (763).

1.                Definitions:

a.                 Strong:  impiety           

b.                 Thayer:  want of reverence toward God      

c.                 Pulpit:  impiety, blasphemy, infidelity

d.                 One described ungodliness with these four characteristics:  1) When one fails to live for God; 2) When one has an indisposition to live by God; 3) A lack of desire to live with God; and 4) When one does not live in God.

                                        2.                Biblical examples:

                                                            a.                 Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-6).

                                                            b.                 The children of Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exo. 32:1-6).

c.                 The Pharisees exaltation of human tradition (Matt. 15:1-9).

                                                            d.                 Peter’s denial of Jesus Christ (Matt. 26:69-75).

                                                            e.                 Herod’s acceptance of praise as a god (Acts 12:21-23).

3.                Modern day applications:  idols, witchcraft, false religions, atheism, modernism, post-modernism, unity-in-diversity, denominationalism, and “practical atheism.”

B.                Worldly (2886) lusts (1939).

1.                Definitions:

a.                 Worldly:  having the character of this present world, corrupt

b.                 Lusts:  Longing, desire, craving for that which is forbidden

c.                 Worldly lusts are described by the apostle John in I John 2:15.

d.                 Another description:  the impulses of sensuality, selfish-ness, and ambition.

e.                 Another element of worldly lusts involves inordinate desires for worldly things, which may be lawful in themselves.

                                        2.                Biblical examples:

                                                            a.                 Achan’s desire for the spoils of Jericho (Josh. 7:20-21).

                                                            b.                 David’s desire for Bathsheba that led to adultery (II Sam. 11:1-5).

                                                            c.                 Gehazi’s desire for the goods of Naaman (II Kings 5:20-24).

d.                 Ananias and Sapphira when they kept back part of the price of the land and lied (Acts 5:1-11).

3.                Modern day applications:  smoking, gambling, alcohol, drugs, pornography, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, dancing, cursing, homosexuality, and covetousness.

III.           THE CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSE TO THESE THINGS:  DENIAL

A.                 Definition (763): 

1.                Strong:  to disavow, reject, abnegate             

2.                Thayer:  to deny, not to accept, to reject

B.                NOTE:  Grace does not say combat ungodliness.  Grace does not say to gradually progress away from our worldly lusts.  Grace teaches us to reject and deny these evil things.

C.                Two examples:

1.                Denial of ungodliness:  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (Dan. 3:1-30; esp. vs. 16-18).

2.                Denial of worldly lusts:  Joseph (Gen. 39:10-12).

D.                Some, however, seem like they cannot do it.  Why? 

1.                They love their sin more than they love God.

2.                They have rationalized and justified their transgressions in their minds (e.g., “It is not hurting anyone).

3.                They are caught in the clutches of sin and have become addicted.

4.                They have a desire to please others more than pleasing God.

CONCLUSION

A.                 Numerous passages exhort us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (Rom. 12:2a; James 1:21; I Peter 2:11).

B.                Two closing points:

1.                We must deny evil before the good can occupy us (e.g., rid the weeds before the seeds, remove the bad tenant before putting in the good tenant).

2.                If we do not deny these things, they will eventually deny us (I John 2:17).

DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS

Titus 2:11-12

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

A.                 Christianity is not just a blessing to be received; it is a _____________ that is to be lived.

1.                If we tried to live it on our _____________, we could not (Jer. 10:23).

2.                Those who trust in the Lord, seek their _____________________ from Him (Prov. 3:4-5).

B.                How we are to live is taught us by the __________________ of God (Tit. 2:11-12).

C.                In this lesson, we want to focus upon the negative aspects of this text, that is, “Denying Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts.”

I.             CHRISTIANS ARE “THE CALLED OUT ONES”

A.                 The meaning of the term “church” is “called out.”

1.                ek – __________ of                       klesia – to ____________

2.                We have been called by the _____________ (II Thess. 2:14).  It calls us out of the world and into a holy, spiritual environment (Col. 1:13).

B.                A child of God is ________________ of this world.

1.                We have been crucified _______  __________  ________________ (Gal. 6:14).

2.                We were raised from the waters of baptism and were made to sit together in ________________ places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:6).

3.                We became citizens of the __________________ of God’s dear Son (Col. 1:13).

4.                Our citizenship is now in ___________, not on _______________ (Phil. 3:2a).

5.                We are __________, and your life is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:13).

6.                ___________________ is living in us (Gal. 2:20).

7.                We are led by, that is, __________________ by the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:16).

8.                We study God’s Word (II Tim. 2:15).  This __________________ abides in us, and we cannot sin (I John 3:9).

C.                To walk worthy of this calling, grace teaches us that we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, the very things we were removed from at our conversion.

II.            DEFINITIONS OF UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS

A.                 Ungodliness (763).

1.                Definitions:

a.                 Strong:  ____________________                  

b.                 Thayer:  want of ___________________ toward God      

c.                 Pulpit:  impiety, blasphemy, infidelity

.                   One described ungodliness with these four characteristics:  1) When one fails to live _____ God; 2) When one has an indisposition to live ______ God; 3) A lack of desire to live _______ God; and 4) When one does not live ______ God.

                                        2.                Biblical examples:

                                                            a.                 Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-6).

                                                            b.                 The children of Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exo. 32:1-6).

c.                 The ________________ exaltation of human tradition (Matt. 15:1-9).

                                                            d.                 Peter’s ____________ of Jesus Christ (Matt. 26:69-75).

                                                            e.                 Herod’s acceptance of praise as a ____________ (Acts 12:21-23).

3.                Modern day applications:  idols, witchcraft, false religions, atheism, modernism, post-modernism, unity-in-diversity, denominationalism, and “practical atheism.”

B.                Worldly (2886) lusts (1939).

1.                Definitions:

a.                 Worldly:  having the character of this ____________  ____________, corrupt

b.                 Lusts:  Longing, desire, __________________ for that which is forbidden

c.                 Worldly lusts are described by the apostle John in I John 2:15.

d.                 Another description:  the impulses of sensuality, _______________________, and ambition.

e.                 Another element of worldly lusts involves inordinate desires for worldly things, which may be ____________ in themselves.

                                        2.                Biblical examples:

                                                            a.                 Achan’s desire for the ________________ of Jericho (Josh. 7:20-21).

                                                            b.                 David’s desire for Bathsheba that led to adultery (II Sam. 11:1-5).

                                                            c.                 Gehazi’s desire for the goods of _______________ (II Kings 5:20-24).

d.                 Ananias and Sapphira when they kept back part of the _________ of the land and lied (Acts 5:1-11).

3.                Modern day applications:  smoking, gambling, alcohol, drugs, pornography, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, dancing, cursing, homosexuality, and covetousness.

III.           THE CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSE TO THESE THINGS:  DENIAL

A.                 Definition (763): 

1.                Strong:  to disavow, reject, abnegate             

2.                Thayer:  to deny, not to accept, to reject

B.                NOTE:  Grace does not say _________ ungodliness.  Grace does not say to ______________ progress away from our worldly lusts.  Grace teaches us to reject and deny these evil things.

C.                Two examples:

1.                Denial of ungodliness:  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (Dan. 3:1-30; esp. vs. 16-18).

2.                Denial of worldly lusts:  Joseph (Gen. 39:10-12).

D.                Some, however, seem like they cannot do it.  Why? 

1.                They love their _______________ more than they love God.

2.                They have rationalized and ________________ their transgressions in their minds (e.g., “It is not hurting anyone).

3.                They are caught in the clutches of sin and have become _____________________.

4.                They have a desire to please _________________ more than pleasing God.

CONCLUSION

A.                 Numerous passages exhort us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (Rom. 12:2a; James 1:21; I Peter 2:11).

B.                Two closing points:

1.                We must deny evil __________ the good can occupy us (e.g., rid the weeds before the seeds, remove the bad tenant before putting in the good tenant).

2.                If we do not deny these things, they will eventually ___________ us (I John 2:17).