Series Details
Paul’s straightforward letter to a younger church leader is a treasure of wisdom and practical guidance. The relevance of the book of Titus resonates today!
In fact, this three-chapter book has been termed a “veritable miniature manual for ministers.” Pastor Chuck Swindoll unwraps important lessons vital for Christlike living and sustaining a healthy church body.
Let the timeless message of Paul’s letter to Titus fuel your faith and transform your life!
The book of Titus may be short, but it is a “miniature manual” packed with enormous wisdom for the church. Writing to a young leader in the difficult cultural environment of Crete, the apostle Paul provides a straightforward guide for establishing order and maintaining integrity. In this series, Chuck Swindoll unwraps the essential lessons of Titus, showing how a combination of sound doctrine and disciplined living produces a “tough grace” capable of transforming lives. Whether you are a leader or a layperson, these messages will fuel your faith and help you live convincingly before a watching world.
Message 1: A Little Letter of Enormous Importance
Sermon Summary Small but detailed, the letter to Titus packs a punch with practical takeaways. In this opening message, Chuck lays out the significant lessons that Christians still need today. We explore the historical context of Paul’s writing and the overarching theme of the letter: that true grace results in good works. This study sets the stage for understanding how the church can thrive even in the most challenging and ungodly environments.
Key Facts & Themes
- Sound Doctrine: The necessity of grounding the church in biblical truth.
- Cultural Contrast: How the church is called to stand out in a difficult society.
Primary Scripture Reference
- The Book of Titus (Series Introduction)
Message 2: Two Men on a Mission, with Us
Sermon Summary Paul and Titus were partners in a critical mission to “set in order what remains.” This message examines the relationship between the mentor and his protégé. We learn that ministry is not a solo endeavor but a collaborative mission. Chuck discusses the qualities of Titus that made him a trusted leader and how we can apply those same principles of faithfulness and mission to our own lives today.
Key Facts & Themes
- Mentorship and Partnership: The importance of healthy spiritual relationships in the church.
- Ordering the Church: Recognizing the need for structure and leadership to protect the flock.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Titus 1:1–5
Message 3: Looking for a Few Good Men
Sermon Summary Leadership in the church is not about popularity; it’s about character. Paul provides a specific list of qualifications for elders that focuses on their homes, their hearts, and their habits. In this message, Chuck explores these requirements, emphasizing that a leader’s public effectiveness is directly tied to his private integrity.
Key Facts & Themes
- Leadership Qualifications: The biblical standard for those who lead God’s people.
- Private Integrity: Why the home is the primary testing ground for a leader’s character.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Titus 1:6–9
Message 4: Dealing with the Difficult and Dangerous
Sermon Summary Every church faces the threat of “difficult and dangerous” people who speak rebellious and deceptive things. This message addresses the unpleasant but necessary task of confronting false teachers and divisive individuals. Chuck teaches us how to protect the body of Christ by identifying and silencing those whose primary goal is personal gain or theological distraction.
Key Facts & Themes
- Confronting Error: The responsibility of leadership to silence false teaching.
- Protecting the Flock: Identifying the traits of those who disrupt the health of the church.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Titus 1:10–16
Message 5: Older Men and Women: Listen Up!
Sermon Summary The health of the church depends on every generation playing its part. Paul gives specific instructions for older men and women, focusing on their role as mentors and examples to the younger generation. Chuck discusses the beauty of spiritual maturity and how the wisdom of those who have walked with God for years provides the stability the church needs.
Key Facts & Themes
- Intergenerational Mentorship: The vital role of older believers in teaching the younger.
- Disciplined Maturity: The character traits that should define a life well-lived for Christ.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Titus 2:1–5
Message 6: Making Your Testimony Slam-Dunk Convincing
Sermon Summary A believer’s life should be an “adornment” to the Gospel. This message focuses on the younger men and those in the workplace. Chuck explores how a life characterized by self-control, integrity, and dignity makes the message of Christ “slam-dunk convincing” to those who are watching from the outside.
Key Facts & Themes
- Adorning the Doctrine: How our behavior reflects on the reputation of God.
- Workplace Integrity: Living out faith in a way that silences critics.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Titus 2:6–10
Message 7: Tough Grace
Sermon Summary Grace is often viewed only as a soft concept, but biblical grace is “tough.” It “trains us” to deny ungodliness and worldly desires. In this message, Chuck explores the active, disciplinary side of grace that empowers us to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age while we wait for the return of our Savior.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Training of Grace: How God’s favor empowers us to say “no” to sin.
- The Blessed Hope: Anticipating the return of Christ as the motivation for purity.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Titus 2:11–15
Message 8: Living before a Watching World
Sermon Summary How should Christians relate to the government and to those who do not share their faith? This message provides practical guidance for living as a citizen of heaven while residing on earth. Chuck discusses the importance of submissiveness, gentleness, and kindness as we represent the “kindness and love of God our Savior” to a world in need of mercy.
Key Facts & Themes
- Civic Responsibility: The believer’s role in relation to authority.
- Modeling Kindness: Why our attitude toward non-believers matters for the Gospel.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Titus 3:1–7
Message 9: The Tough Side of Ministry
Sermon Summary Ministry involves more than just encouragement; it often requires hard choices. Paul warns Titus to avoid “foolish controversies” and to reject a “factious man” after several warnings. Chuck addresses the “tough side” of leading, reminding us that maintaining the unity and purity of the church sometimes requires the courage to walk away from unproductive conflict.
Key Facts & Themes
- Avoiding Distractions: The danger of getting bogged down in “minor” theological debates.
- Maintaining Unity: How to handle divisive individuals with biblical wisdom.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Titus 3:8–11
Message 10: When Doing What’s Hard Is Best
Sermon Summary Sometimes the most loving thing a leader can do is the hardest thing. This message looks at the practical applications of church discipline and the necessity of focusing on “good deeds.” Chuck explains that doing what is hard—confronting sin and demanding fruitfulness—is ultimately what is best for the individual and the church.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Fruit of Faith: Why a lack of good works is a serious spiritual issue.
- Courageous Leadership: Prioritizing the health of the body over the comfort of the individual.
Message 11: Covering All the Final Bases
Sermon Summary The series concludes with Paul’s final greetings and instructions. These “final bases” remind us that ministry is about people, not just principles. We see Paul’s heart for his coworkers and his desire for the church to be “unfruitful no longer.” Chuck summarizes the core message of Titus: that grace is the power that enables us to live for the glory of God.
Key Facts & Themes
- Spiritual Legacy: The importance of finishing well and investing in others.
- Grace Be With You: A final look at the theme of grace as the anchor for the believer’s life.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Titus 3:12–15
