Making Your Testimony Slam-Dunk Convincing

In this message centering on the practical instructions found in Titus 2:4–10, Chuck Swindoll emphasizes the critical importance of authenticity in the Christian life. He argues that the world is constantly watching believers to see if their conduct matches their creed, asserting that there is “no more powerful testimony of a changed life than authenticity” [6–7]. Swindoll explains that Paul’s letter to Titus moves beyond theory to address specific groups of people—young women, young men, and workers—demonstrating that sound doctrine must result in a lifestyle that silences critics and honors God.

Swindoll breaks down Paul’s counsel into three categories. First, younger women are to be mentored by older women to love their husbands and children, maintaining the home as a priority so that the Word of God is not dishonored. Second, young men, who are naturally prone to being impulsive, are urged to be “sensible” (self-controlled) and to serve as examples of good deeds. Finally, Swindoll addresses employees (applying the text regarding bondslaves), challenging them to work without arguing or stealing, thereby “adorning” the doctrine of God with their behavior [13, 19–20, 25].

The sermon concludes with a call to integrity in the workplace and the home. Citing alarming statistics about the lack of ethics in modern culture, Swindoll pleads with believers to stop “pilfering” and lying, warning that a lack of integrity creates a scandal that turns people away from Christ. He illustrates this with the story of St. Francis of Assisi, reminding the church that the most effective sermon is often one that is lived rather than spoken, summed up by the poem: “I’d rather see a Christian than hear one any day” [29–34].

Message Key Facts:

• The “Watching” World: Swindoll notes that while cynics watch Christians to find faults, many others watch to see if the faith is real. He quotes Joe Bailey’s “Psalm of Single-mindedness” as a prayer for authenticity: “Lord of reality, make me real… I don’t want to sing as if I mean it, I want to mean it” [6–8].
• Mentoring Young Women: The text instructs older women to encourage younger women to be “workers at home” and to love their families. Swindoll clarifies that this is not a condemnation of career women, but a specific instruction for women in the season of rearing children to ensure the home is not neglected [13–14].
• The Spouse’s Delight: Swindoll quotes Charles Haden Spurgeon’s description of his wife, Susanna, who delighted in her husband and sought his honor above her own. Swindoll uses this to illustrate the beauty of a loving, supportive marriage.
• Instructions for Young Men: The core instruction for young men is to be sensible (self-controlled). Swindoll notes that young men tend to be “impetuous, rash, and unrestrained,” and therefore need to put the “brakes” on their ambition, greed, and sexual impulses [19–20].
• Frank Loesch: Swindoll shares a powerful story about a church usher named Frank Loesch. While he appeared to be just a modest man collecting the offering, he was actually a courageous citizen who stood up to Al Capone and the Chicago crime syndicate. This illustrates that true heroes are often those faithfully living out their faith in their daily duties.
• Pilfering in the Workplace: Addressing Titus 2:10, Swindoll defines “pilfering” as everything from petty theft (taking office supplies or using company postage) to padding expense accounts. He warns that believers who steal from their employers destroy their testimony and give people no reason to follow their Lord [27–28].
• Ethical Statistics: Citing the book The Day America Told the Truth, Swindoll reveals that 91% of Americans lie regularly and 50% call in sick when they are well. He also cites Keeping Your Ethical Edge Sharp, noting that sadly, the ethical conduct of Christians often varies only slightly from non-Christians [29–30].
• St. Francis of Assisi: The sermon closes with the legend of St. Francis taking a novice to “preach” in a village. After performing acts of kindness and greeting locals, they returned home without delivering a formal sermon. Francis explained, “Every step we took… has been a sermon” [32–33].

Message References:

• Titus 2:4–5: Instructions for young women to love their husbands and children, be sensible, pure, and workers at home, “so that the word of God will not be Dishonored”.
• Titus 2:6–8: Instructions for young men to be sensible and an example of good deeds “so that the opponent will be put to shame having nothing bad to say about us”.
• Titus 2:9–10: Instructions for bondslaves (employees) to be subject to masters, well-pleasing, not argumentative, and not pilfering “so that they will Adorn the doctrine of God our savior”.
• John 6:68: Peter’s declaration: “Lord to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life”.
• Job 32:9: (Implied reference regarding age not always equaling wisdom).

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll