HEB 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

God truly sees all.  He is all knowing and all powerful.  You can sin in the deepest darkest cave on earth and God would still see it. 

Many will put on a good act on Sunday or when other Christians are around but they are not fooling God.  They might talk against alcohol but God sees that booze hidden in their  refrigerator. 

You might do some sin  and think that you got away with it.  You might go 6 months and nobody knows.  But God knows.  You might go several years and not see any consequence come your way from it.  And you might think that God has forgotten about it, but He has not. 

We all sin, that is just a fact.  And God sees everything.  Our sin does not escape His eye.  So what are we to do?

1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What are we to do?  Confess our sins to God and we have His promise that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.  He can and will cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

Have you confessed your sins to God today?  You might as well because God already knows all about them. 

HEB 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

HEB 3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

HEB 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

This section of Hebrews is pointing back to the journeys of the children of Israel on their way to the promised land. 

The primary type of the promised land of Canaan is the victorious Christian life.  They still had wars and trouble when they got to Canaan.  So in that way Canaan is not a picture of heaven.  What was pictured in Canaan was a life where God was doing the leading and where God was providing the victories thru the trials of life.  That is the victorious Christian life.  A life where we enter into His rest by letting Him do the leading and give the victory in His power and not our own.   

There are some places in the Bible where Canaan is a picture of our promised land to come. 

In both cases the same is true, you can not enter in because of unbelief. 

If you do not believe in Christ Jesus, you will not be allowed to enter into heaven.  No amount of works will change this.

It also takes belief to enter into the victorious Christian life.  To have victory you must follow His leading.  To follow His leading you must believe that what He tells you to do is for your best. 

There is a connection between belief and obedience.  Many Christians don't obey Christ like they should,  and the reason is that they really don't believe that His commands are for the best.  More belief will lead to more obedience.  

To enter into His rest (for eternity and for this life right now) it takes belief.

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HEB 2:6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?

How can anyone doubt the love of God when He went to the cross and paid that awful price to take our sin upon Him that we might be saved. 

What is even more amazing is to consider who He died for.  He died for vile sinful man.  In verse 6 is a rhetorical question, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?"  The answer to that question is nothing.  Man is nothing that God should be mindful of him. Man is nothing that the Son of God should have visited us.  Man has nothing good in and of himself.  The Bible says that all have sin, and that all our righteousnesses  are as filthy rags.  Man has nothing to offer God in exchange for his soul. 

It is the love of God and NOT anything in man that made him be mindful of us.   It is His love that made Him mindful of man.  It is because of His love that He visited us. 

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

O the wonderful love of God!  Amen and Amen.

HEB 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

In this verse you have God the Father calling the Son God.  God the Father is declaring here that Jesus is God. 

This is yet another place in the Bible where we see one God manifested in different personalities.  In the case of this verse we see two.  God the Father and God the Son.  In total there are only 3. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  These 3 are one. 

This is a concept that is hard for our little minds to grasp.  But nevertheless it is true.  Truth does not require our understanding to be truth.  This goes for the entire Bible.  Everything that the Bible teaches is true regardless of what you or I think of it. 

There is only one God who is manifested to us in 3 distinct personalities.  Understand it or not it is true. 

This means that it was God who left the glories of heaven to die on the cross to pay for your sin and then rose 3 days later. 

Christians need to do some serious thinking right there. 

A firm grasp of this will change the way that you serve Him. 

PHILEM 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

This is a good example for us to follow.  Paul remembered this brother always in his prayers.  You will find Paul mentioning many people that he prayed for daily.  It becomes obvious that Paul had to spend much time in prayer. 

PHILEM 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

Paul starts out in verse four saying, "I thank my God".  Then he adds some information in between commas and then in verse 5 we have what Paul was thanking God for.  Paul was thankful for hearing about this mans love and faith toward the Lord and all the saved.  (If you are saved, you are a saint according to the Bible definition).  We should also be thankful for the faith and love of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we should not neglect thanking God for it.  We should also tell them about it like Paul is doing here.

When reading the book of Titus look for:

Good works in the House of God.

Good works in the Home.

Good works in the heathen world.

In this book we see that there can be fakers in the church and that they are to be rebuked and stopped.
 
 Outline for Titus Ch 3.

• I. The man of God is to teach Christians to be:

•  A. Subject to authorities

•  B. Ready to every good work

•  C. Speak evil of no man

•  D. Not to be brawlers

•  E. Gentle

•  F. Meek

• II. Deal with others on the basis of how God dealt with you.

•  A. In times past we were

•   1. Foolish

•   2. Disobedient

•   3. Deceived

•   4. Serving lusts

•   5. Serving pleasures

•   6. Living in malice

•   7. Living in envy

•   8. Hateful

•  B. God loved you in spite of this and you were:

•   1. Saved by His mercy

•   2. Washed clean

•   3. Regenerated

•   4. Renewed

•   5. Justified by Grace

•   6. Made heirs

• III. Maintain good works because:

•  A. They are good unto men

•  B. They are profitable unto men.

• IV. Avoid unprofitable things:

•  A. Foolish questions

•  B. Genealogies

•  C. Contentions

•  D. Striving about the law

• V. After second admonition of an heretick:

•  A. Reject him

•  B. Recognize him as subverted

•  C. Recognize his sin

•  D. Understand that he condemned himself

• VI. Conclusion vs. 12-15

•  A. Be diligent to come

•  B. Be diligent to take care of Zenas and Apollos

•  C. Let our's maintain good works

•   1. For necessary uses

•   2. So they are not unfruitful

The theme is we need to blend sound faith and good works.

The book of Titus teaches us that it is not enough to found a good work.  That work must be organized and established according to the principles of God's Word.

Paul wrote this letter to Titus who was a Greek convert and fellow worker.  At this time Titus was serving on the island of Crete.

Titus was left in Crete by Paul to complete the work of establishing and organizing churches. 

This book was written to instruct Titus concerning qualifications for elders in the church, to fortify Titus in his work, and to warn him against false teachers.
 

Outline for Titus Ch 2.

• I. Sound Doctrine is to be taught

•  A. So that older men should be.

•   1. Sober

•   2. Grave

•   3. Temperate

•   4. Sound in faith

•   5. Charitable

•   6. Patient

•  B. So that older women should be.

•   1. Same as above

•   2. Holy behavior

•   3. Not false accusers

•   4. Not given to wine

•   5. Teachers of good things

•   6. Teachers to young women

•  C. So that young women should be

•   1. Sober

•   2. Lovers of their husbands

•   3. Lovers of their children

•   4. Discreet

•   5. Chaste

•   6. Keepers at home

•   7. Good

•   8. Obedient to their own husbands

•  D. So that young men should be

•   1. Same as above

•   2. Sober minded

•  E. He is to show forth these qualities vs. 7-8

•   1. Good works

•   2. Sound doctrine

•   3. Grave

•   4. Sincere

•   5. Sound speech

•  F. Teach Servants to be

•   1. Obedient

•   2. Please their masters

•   3. Don't talk back

•   4. Not stealing

•   5. Showing fidelity

•   6. Adorn doctrine

•  G. Teach all believers to

•   1. Deny ungodliness

•   2. Deny worldly lusts

•   3. Live soberly

•   4. Live righteously

•   5. Live godly

•   6. Look for Jesus' return

•   7. Live holy life vs. 14

•   8. Align with God's people

•  H. God's man is to speak with

•   1. exhortation

•   2. rebuke

•   3. authority

The book of Titus stresses doctrine and a godly life.

The key words are good, and works.

The key verses are: 

Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Tit 3:8 [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

 Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Outline for Titus Ch 1.

• I. Intro vs 1-4

•  A. From Paul

•  B. To Titus

• II. Purpose vs. 5

•  A. Set things in order

•  B. According to Paul's direction

• III Church Leaders vs. 6-16

•  A. Their qualifications

•   1. Blameless

•   2. Husband of one wife

•   3. Obedient children

•   4. Not soon angry

•   5. Not given to wine

•   6. Not self-willed

•   7. Not a striker

•   8. Not after money

•   9. Loves hospitality

•   10. Loves good men

•   11. Sober

•   12. Just

•   13. Holy

•   14. Temperate

•   15. Doctrinally sound

•   16. Knows The Word

•  B. Necessity for qualifications vs. 9-16

•   1. To reprove people in error vs. 9

•   2. Erring people described. vs. 10-16

•    a. Unruly

•    b. Vain talkers

•    c. Deceivers

•    d. Subverters

•    e. Teach for money

•    f. Liars

•    g. Evil beasts

•    h. Slow bellied

•    i. Not doctrinally sound

•    j. Heed commandments of men

•    k. Turn men from the truth

•    l. Defiled in mind

•    m. Defiled in conscience

•    n. Unbelieving

•    o. False professors

•    p. In works they deny Him

•    q. Abominable

•    r. Disobedient

•    s. Reprobate

Thought on this Chapter

Reading this list of the characteristics of some of the people that a Pastor has to deal with should make it very plain as to why the Pastor needs to meet God's qualifications.

2TIM 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

If there ever was a day when this has been true, it is today.  Many people will not endure sound doctrine.  It is not just that they don't like it.  No they will not endure it at all.  They will even ridicule men who preach sound doctrine.  Doctrine is simply  teaching from the Word of God.  Instead of hearing preaching and teaching  that convicts and demands a decision and a change in their life, they want feel good messages. 

2TIM 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

They will turn their ears away from the truth.  This results in them being turned unto fables.  That is fables plural.  There are more than you can count.  Two common ones today are they believe the fable that God is ok with Satan's heavy beat flesh feeding rock-n-roll music in the church house.  Another is the fable that God is ok with changing His Holy Word.   

What are we to do about it?  We need to realize that we are not going to stop it.  God said that this day would come.  We cannot change everybody else.  You cannot force anyone to embrace sound doctrine.  All you can do is be true to God's Word.

2TIM 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

We are to preach the Word.  It does not matter if people like it or not.  In fact in this day and age more people are going to hate it than like it.  Most are not going to endure it.  Do not let that get to you.  It is to be expected in the age in which we live. 

Preachers need to keep reproving people, rebuking them, and exhorting them.  He is to do it with all longsuffering and with doctrine. 

He needs to stay true to the calling of God.  Do not let your preacher give in to the pressure to preach feel good messages.  Do not let your preacher give in to the pressure for entertainment.  Encourage him to keep on reproving, rebuking, exhorting with doctrine.

2TIM 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

At the time that verse 15 was written much of the New Testament was still being written.  And Paul writes that from a child Timothy has known the holy scriptures.  It is an obvious reference to the Old Testament. 

2TIM 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Verse 16 says that all scripture is given by inspiration of God.  (and from verse 15 we know this includes the O.T.)

All scripture is profitable for doctrine.

All scripture is profitable for reproof.

All scripture is profitable for correction.

All scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness. 

We are not to pick and choose what parts we like or what parts we think are wrong.  All scripture is given by inspiration and God gave all of it for a reason. 

2TIM 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The Word of God was given to change us.  It is to furnish us unto all good works.  Nothing else will accomplish this task.  It always amazes me that many think that they can build a church without the Word of God.  O they might get numbers with their entertainment. 

But entertainment is NOT profitable for doctrine.

Entertainment is NOT profitable for reproof. 

Entertainment is NOT profitable for correction. 

Entertainment is NOT profitable for instruction in righteousness. 

Only the Word of God is!

Entertainment does not furnish us unto all good work.  It just feeds the flesh.

So stop entertaining and start preaching if you truly want people to grow and be furnished unto all good work. 

This furnishing does not happen overnight.  You do not read a few chapters and hear just a few sermons and your furnished unto all good works.  It is a continual growth process.  And no one has arrived yet.  We all have more growing to do. 

That is why no matter how long you have been a Christian and no matter how much you have read the Word of God, you still need to be in The Book.  

2TIM 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This verse is good for more than just pastors.  All Christians need to be studying the word of truth.  The sad truth is that too many Christians spend more time watching TV commercials than reading the Word of God.  Notice I did not say watching TV shows.  They spend more time just on the commercials than they do reading God's Word. 

The result is that we have a large proportion of anemic, worldly, non-separated, non-witnessing Christians today.  The Bible says that we grow by the Word.  1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:   Christians do not grow as they should because they are not in the Word as they should.

The Bible says that the Word of God has a cleansing effect.  Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  Christians are not as clean as they should be because they are not in the Word as they should be. 

If you want to grow more as a Christian, then be in God's Word more. 

If you want to live a more separated life, a life more pleasing to God, then be in God's Word more.

2TIM 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul suffered many things for the cause of Christ.  He was stoned and left for dead, he was ship wrecked, he hungered, he was betrayed, arrested, and in the end was killed.  And none of that deterred him from serving Christ and witnessing to others.  Paul says, "I am not ashamed". 

Compare that with most Christians today who are too ashamed to leave a gospel track on a park bench or on someone's door.  It does not take a door slammed in their face to get them to stop.  All it takes is the thought that someone might slam a door in their face.  Just the thought of what might happen stops them. 

I am NOT saying that people who do not witness are bad people.  They are not.  They just do not have a good grasp of what Jesus has done for them.  Look at what Paul writes right after he says I am not ashamed.

"for I know whom I have believed,"  Paul knew Christ.  Paul had a close walk with the Lord.  Listen, the further you walk from Christ the less witnessing you will do, and the closer that you walk to Christ the more witnessing you will do.  If you are walking close to Christ, you WILL have a heart like His.  A heart for seeing souls saved.  A close walk with Christ will result in you not being ashamed.

Next Paul writes, "and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."  Paul absolutely knew that his salvation was not kept by himself.  Paul knew that his salvation rested in the hand of God and that He is able to keep it.  What a wonderful thing to know that you are saved and that you CANNOT LOOSE your salvation. 

Paul knew that God had saved him from hell.  He knew that no matter what happened he would never spend one second in hell.  He fully realized just what a wonderful thing that God had done for him.  The result of really understanding the depth of that truth will result in you wanting others to get saved also. 

If you have a good grasp of what God has really done for you, then it will result in you not being ashamed.

1TIM 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1TIM 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

O how we all need reminded of this truth from time to time!  It is godliness with contentment that is great gain, and not money.  A big house is not great gain.  A new boat is not great gain.  Why?  Because in the end they will rot.  The things of this world are not great gain because you cannot take them with you.  You only have them for a very short time.  Really for no time at all in comparison to eternity.

You cannot take the things of this world with you.  Verse 7 says, "It is certain we can carry nothing out."  How many pharaohs have gotten  buried with all their stuff.  People were even killed to keep the burying place secret so no one would take their stuff before they got it to the other side.  And all for nothing because you cannot carry anything out of this world. 

We are to be content with what we have and we are to set our affections on things above.

Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

1TIM 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

I have seen men abuse this scripture to teach that a church cannot give a dime out of the church to help a widow in need. 

I have seen men give money to total strangers and bums.  They will spend money on all kinds of wasteful things but not help a widow.  They will give money to a young single mom even though she has family, but not give a dime to another because she is a widow.  Talk about not judging righteous judgment.  Read the Bible very long and you will find that God cares for the widow.  It is NOT ok to help a bum but not an elderly lady simply because she is a widow.

You need to understand the culture of that day.  A widow had no social security check.  She had no way to take care of herself.  A younger widow could marry again.  She could work some and even glean during harvest.  But an older widow was in dire straits unless someone took her in.  Someone needed to provide her with a place to live and daily provision.  Day in and day out.  An older widow in those days needed someone to take her on as a ward.  She needed all of her expenses met.

Verse 16 says, "and let not the church be charged;"  There is a big difference between giving a gift and being charged.  Being charged carries the idea of being responsible.

This verse is not talking about helping a widow with a one time gift out of the benevolence fund.  What is being talked about here is totally supporting her.  What is being taught here is that the church is not to totally support her if she has any family or if she is young.  The age of 60 is specified in verse 9.   

It is ok to help a widow.