In the third chapter of Titus, Paul exhorts the people of God to devote themselves to good works unto the glory of God. This morning, we will examine the repeated emphasis on good works in the Christian life being grounded in the finished work of Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5). The hymns we will sing will cause us to reflect on the loving kindness of God in salvation, and exhort us to fruitful labor by grace. We will sing “The great salvation wrought by Him, Jehovah has made known” (O Sing A New Song To the Lord—Psalm 98), and “He lives to bless me with His love; He lives to plead my cause above” (I Know My Redeemer Lives). As we come to communion, we will be encouraged that it is only in the work of Christ alone that we stand, singing, “Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul,” (Not What My Hands Have Done), and “Though as I live, may fruitful labor glorify His name” (To Live Is Christ). In our closing hymn we will sing, “O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be; Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee” (Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessings). This will be an intentional reminder that it is by grace alone that we are saved, and it will be by grace that we will live unto the Lord each day. —Brian Phillips
Key Words: Works, Good, Justified, Grace, Devote
Keystone Verse: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. (Titus: 3:4-5)