God is Making You a New Creation: Lessons from Titus

Devotional

Day 1: God Is Making You a New Creation

God desires to transform you into a new creation, not just for your own benefit but so that your life can testify to His power and goodness to those around you. No matter your past or what you’ve been through, God’s plan is to make you new, to give you a fresh start, and to use your story as a testimony of His grace. This process may not always be easy, and it may require letting go of old habits, relationships, or ways of thinking, but God’s promise is that He has the best in store for you and those connected to you. Trust that even if things look bleak now, God is working to bring about something new and beautiful in your life. [08:01]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God calling you to let go of the old and embrace the new He has for you? How can you take a step toward that today?

Day 2: Lead Differently as a New Creation

As a new creation in Christ, you are called to lead differently—in your family, your workplace, your community, and your church. This means your actions, decisions, and influence should reflect the hope and truth found in Jesus, not the patterns of the world or your past. God’s promise of eternal life and His faithfulness set the foundation for a new way of living and leading, one that is marked by integrity, self-control, and a desire to serve others rather than seeking personal gain. Let your leadership be a testimony to the transforming power of Christ in you. [19:10]

Titus 1:1-3 (ESV)
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior.

Reflection: In what specific way can you lead differently this week—at home, at work, or in your community—so that others see Christ in you?

Day 3: Listen Differently to God’s Instructions

Being a new creation means listening to God and godly leadership with a heart ready to obey, not just to hear. Sometimes God’s instructions challenge us to confront difficult people or situations, or to make changes that are uncomfortable. True listening is shown in how you avoid sin, treat your family, and steward your body and resources. Don’t filter God’s commands through your preferences; instead, be willing to follow even when it’s hard or inconvenient, trusting that His way leads to life and order. [29:53]

Titus 1:5-9 (ESV)
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Reflection: Is there a command or prompting from God you’ve been hesitant to obey? What would it look like to listen and act on it today?

Day 4: Reflect Christ’s Luster, Not the World’s

God calls you to shine—not to reflect your own achievements or status, but to reflect the light and goodness of Christ. The world may tempt you to seek recognition, wealth, or approval, but as God’s handiwork, your purpose is to do good works that point others to Him. Let your life’s “luster” be about showing off Christ, not yourself, so that when people see you, they see the love, humility, and generosity of Jesus. [40:09]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: When others look at your life, what do they see shining most brightly—your accomplishments or Christ’s character? How can you intentionally reflect Jesus today?

Day 5: Let Your Christianity Outshine Your Culture

While it’s good to appreciate your heritage and culture, your identity in Christ should shine brighter than any cultural influence. The challenge is to ensure that your faith shapes your actions, values, and relationships more than the surrounding culture does. Don’t let the world’s standards define your Christianity; instead, let your walk with Jesus transform how you engage with your culture, so that your faith is unmistakable and attractive to others. [42:35]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: In what ways has your culture influenced your faith, and how can you make sure your Christianity shines brighter than your cultural identity this week?

Sermon Summary

When life feels overwhelming and the world around us seems chaotic, it’s easy to lose sight of God’s purpose for our lives. Yet, God is always at work, shaping us into new creations through Jesus Christ. No matter what we face, God’s desire is to bring out the best in us—not just for ourselves, but for everyone connected to us. Even when things look bleak, we can trust that God’s plans are good and that He is making us new.

Looking at the book of Titus, we see how Paul entrusted Titus with the difficult task of bringing order to the churches in Crete—a place known for its corruption, violence, and moral confusion. The culture of Crete had seeped into the church, causing believers to act more like the world than followers of Christ. Paul’s instructions to Titus were clear: the church must be different. God calls us to be transformed, not just in name, but in how we live, lead, and love.

Being a new creation means leading differently. Our leadership—whether in our families, businesses, or communities—should reflect the hope and truth found in Christ, not the broken patterns of the world. We can’t cling to old habits or cultural norms that contradict God’s character. Instead, we are called to embrace faithfulness, integrity, and truth, letting go of what once defined us so that Christ can shine through us.

Listening differently is also essential. Titus was challenged to appoint leaders who lived with integrity and self-control, standing in contrast to the corrupt culture around them. True listening means not just hearing God’s commands, but obeying them—even when it’s uncomfortable or difficult. Our willingness to listen and obey is revealed in how we avoid sin, treat our families, and steward our lives.

Finally, as new creations, we must “luster” differently. Our lives should reflect the light of Christ, not the empty shine of worldly success or material gain. The goal isn’t to impress others with what we have, but to point them to the goodness of God. Our Christianity should outshine our culture, so that when people see us, they see Christ.

God is making us new, and while the process isn’t always easy, it’s always worth it. If we’re willing to let Him work, He will transform us into people who lead, listen, and shine for His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. Lead Differently as a New Creation God calls us to lead in ways that reflect His truth and character, not the patterns of the world. This means letting go of old habits and cultural norms that don’t align with Christ. True leadership in Christ is marked by faithfulness, integrity, and a hope that points others to eternal life. [18:23]
2. Listen and Obey God’s Direction It’s not enough to simply hear God’s word; we must listen with a heart ready to obey, even when it’s difficult or challenges our comfort. Obedience is revealed in how we avoid sin, treat our families, and steward our responsibilities. Listening differently means allowing God’s voice to shape our actions, not just our thoughts. [26:02]
3. Let Your Life Reflect Christ’s Light Our lives are meant to shine with the light of Christ, not the fleeting luster of worldly success or material gain. The way we live, what we value, and how we use our resources should point others to God’s goodness. When our Christianity outshines our culture, people see Christ in us, not just our achievements. [39:14]
4. Embrace the Process of Becoming New Transformation is a process that requires humility and willingness to let go of the past. God uses our experiences, even our mistakes, to shape us into new creations. The journey may be challenging, but God’s desire is always to bring out the best in us for His glory and the good of those around us. [41:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:12] - Trusting God in Difficult Times
[06:50] - Introduction to the Book of Titus
[08:01] - God Is Making You a New Creation
[08:46] - The Role of Titus and Armor Bearers
[09:58] - Titus’ Mission in Crete
[12:12] - The Challenge of Crete’s Culture
[13:31] - Guarding Against Outside Influence
[14:53] - The Need for Order in the Church
[16:12] - Living as a New Creation
[18:23] - Leading Differently Through Christ
[26:02] - Listening and Obeying God’s Commands
[33:34] - Lustering Differently: Reflecting Christ
[41:08] - Embracing the Process of Transformation
[43:10] - Prayer and Invitation to Salvation
[44:47] - Closing and Final Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Titus 1:1-9 (ESV) — 1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Observation Questions

According to Titus 1:5, what specific task did Paul leave Titus in Crete to accomplish?
What are some of the character qualities Paul says are necessary for leaders in the church (Titus 1:6-9)?
In the sermon, what was the main problem with the culture in Crete and how did it affect the church? ([12:12])
What does the sermon say is the difference between the way the world leads and the way God calls us to lead? ([18:23])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul was so concerned about the influence of Crete’s culture on the church? How does culture shape the way we live out our faith? ([13:31])
The sermon says being a new creation means “leading differently.” What does it look like to lead your family, business, or community in a way that reflects Christ instead of the world? ([24:32])
Paul tells Titus to appoint leaders who are “blameless” and “self-controlled.” Why do you think these qualities are so important for Christian leadership? ([26:02])
The sermon talks about “luster”—shining with Christ’s light instead of worldly success. What does it mean for your Christianity to “outshine your culture”? ([39:14])

Application Questions

The sermon says God is always at work making us new, even when life feels overwhelming. Is there an area of your life right now that feels chaotic or out of control? How might God be using this to shape you? ([06:12])
Paul challenged Titus to bring order to a messy situation. Is there a place in your life—at home, work, or church—where God might be calling you to help bring order or positive change? What’s one step you could take this week? ([09:58])
The sermon says we can’t cling to old habits or cultural norms that contradict God’s character. Are there any habits or attitudes from your past that you’re struggling to let go of? What would it look like to surrender them to God? ([21:34])
Listening differently means not just hearing God’s word, but obeying it. Is there something you sense God has been asking you to do, but you’ve been hesitant to obey? What’s holding you back? ([28:19])
The sermon challenges us to let our lives reflect Christ’s light, not just material success. In what ways do you find yourself tempted to “shine” for the wrong reasons? How can you point others to God’s goodness instead? ([39:14])
Transformation is a process that requires humility. Can you share about a time when God used a difficult experience or even a mistake to help you grow? How did it change you? ([41:08])
The sermon says our Christianity should outshine our culture. What’s one practical way you can let your faith be more visible in your daily life this week? ([42:35])

Sermon Clips

We as churches are great at delivering but but we as the church are not great at leading and shepherding let me say that again we are great at getting people out but we are not great at leading and shepherding them into their necks come on we're good but we're not great and what was happening in the Crete church is that people were trying to leave their culture but they couldn't embrace the next culture so they were reverting to the next culture and back to their old ways come on for many churches we're getting people out of the clubs we're getting them to stop drinking alcohol we're getting them to stop smoking stuff but we are not getting them to have that true contact with Jesus to where they sit there and say Jesus is replacing what it is that I used to have. [00:22:55] (69 seconds) #EmbraceNewTruth

Titus had to listen to brothers and sisters even when he didn't want to do it not just here Paul he needed to listen and how many people here but we don't listen or we only listen when we like to listen come on for some of you God don't need to tell you your next steps why because you ain't gonna listen anyway uh-oh for some people you sitting there saying God tell me what to do next well if he tell you are you gonna do it come on are you gonna listen are you gonna listen and obey or are you just gonna hear him saying words giving direction and you're not following come on. [00:28:08] (62 seconds) #LiveChristLike

How does the outside know that you've listened to God uh-oh or godly leadership is how you stay away from sin how people know that you're listening is how you stay away from sin uh-oh how do people know that you are listening to God or godly list leadership how you treat your family and lastly how you contain your body. [00:31:33] (30 seconds) #ConfrontWithLove

You can't be like everybody else sometimes you can't stay down like four flat tires you're gonna stay down like three come on sometimes you can't stay down like four flat tires you can't be out there getting drunk like everybody else that ain't you can't be violent like everybody else you can't be out there for dishonest gain like everybody else nope you can't be down with some stuff no more why because you're trying to be a new creature a new creation and Paul was telling Titus to tell them folks hey it's time to be a new creation. [00:33:08] (42 seconds) #GodlyLeadership

Do you have that house to show off your net worth or to show off the goodness of God? Do you have those clothes to show off your net worth or to show off the goodness of God? Do you have that relationship, dear brothers and sisters, to show off your net worth or to show off the goodness of God? Paul is sitting there saying, hey, no dishonest gain, no all this stuff. We are doing what it is that we need to do to change people's lives for the kingdom of Christ. But making money or getting money from it is just the byproduct. Come on. [00:37:37] (40 seconds) #ServantsFirst

Luster, dear brothers and sisters, is shining so that we reflect Christ. The Bible says in Ephesians chapter two, verse 10, says this, for we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared, in advance for us to do. We are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works. [00:40:38] (29 seconds) #KingdomOverWealth

God is making you a new creation. Even though it's a process, even, and it's a desire, and it might seem to be impossible, he's trying to make you a new creation because he has the best in store for you. And he used Titus to tell these folks, hey, this ain't who we are. This ain't who we represent. And for many of us, dear brothers and sisters, if you're trying to be something better, just look at the book of Titus. Look at this word and you'll see how he's trying to make you new. [00:41:09] (39 seconds) #ShineForChrist

Ain't nothing wrong with being down with the culture. You just have to be careful that the culture, dear brothers and sisters, doesn't sign your Christianity. I love being from Atlanta. I love being black. I love being a Falcons fan. I love golfing, all this stuff. But I don't want the culture, dear brothers and sisters, to outshine my Christianity. [00:41:49] (27 seconds) #NewCreationProcess

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