Titus 2:11-15 | How to Live the Christian Life

Today’s passage from Titus 2:11-15 draws us into the heart of the Christian life: the grace of God that has appeared in Jesus Christ. This grace is not distant or abstract, but personal and present—God Himself stepping into our world, into our story, to bring salvation to all people. The vastness of the universe, the intricacy of the smallest cell, all point to a God who is both infinitely powerful and intimately involved. Yet, the most astonishing truth is that this God chose to appear among us, not because we deserved it, but because of His love and desire for relationship.

God’s grace is not just a one-time event; it is an ongoing reality that trains us. Just as learning a new skill requires time, mistakes, and guidance, so too does growing in Christlikeness. The Holy Spirit, given to every believer, is our trainer—teaching, correcting, and empowering us to renounce ungodliness and live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. But this training is not meant to be done in isolation. God’s design is for us to grow together, in community, learning from those who have walked the path before us and encouraging those who are just beginning.

We live in a world that is broken, marked by pain, exhaustion, and longing. Yet, we are not without hope. We wait for our “blessed hope”—the return of Jesus, when He will make all things new, wipe away every tear, and dwell with us forever. In the meantime, our lives are to be marked by a passion for the things that last: the eternal work of God, the making of disciples, and the restoration of people to relationship with Him.

This grace compels a response. It calls us to examine whether we have truly received it, to identify areas where we need further training, and to orient our lives around what matters for eternity. The grace of God is not just a doctrine to be believed, but a reality to be lived—together, in community, as we become a people zealous for good works, not out of obligation, but out of love for the One who first loved us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s grace is personal and present. The Creator of the universe did not remain distant but appeared among us in Jesus Christ, offering relationship and salvation to all. This is not something we could ever earn or deserve; it is a gift that reveals both God’s majesty and His intimate love for each of us. [49:21]
• 2. Grace is the foundation and the ongoing trainer of the Christian life. Just as we need time and help to learn any new skill, so too does spiritual growth require the ongoing work of God’s grace. The Holy Spirit is given to guide, correct, and empower us, and we are called to embrace the process of being trained into Christlikeness, even when it is slow or difficult. [58:28]
• 3. The Christian journey is meant to be lived in community. God’s grace not only restores us to Himself but also places us in a family—the church—where we are shaped, encouraged, and challenged by others. Spiritual maturity is not a solo endeavor; it flourishes in relationships where we both receive and give, learn and teach, as part of God’s people. [59:46]
• 4. Our hope is anchored in the future return of Christ. Life in this world is marked by brokenness, but we are not left to despair. We wait for the “blessed hope”—the day when Jesus will return, make all things new, and dwell with us forever. This hope sustains us in hardship and motivates us to live with eternity in view. [60:30]
• 5. True response to grace is passionate participation in God’s eternal work. The gospel is not just about personal salvation but about being transformed into a people zealous for good works—works that matter for eternity. Our lives are to be oriented around what lasts: making disciples, loving others, and investing in the kingdom of God, knowing that these things endure beyond this life. [66:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [33:13] - Introduction and Housekeeping
• [34:38] - The Purpose of Response Cards
• [35:45] - The Value of Taking Notes
• [36:15] - Recap of Titus So Far
• [37:03] - Titus: Living the Christian Life
• [38:32] - Discipleship and Relationships in the Church
• [39:22] - The Central Theme: Biblical Community
• [40:16] - Theological Foundation: The “Meat” of Titus
• [41:23] - Reading Titus 2:11-15
• [43:03] - The Vastness of Creation and the Nearness of God
• [48:28] - God’s Intimate Knowledge and Creative Power
• [49:21] - The Grace of God Has Appeared
• [51:33] - Salvation for All People
• [54:15] - Grace Trains Us for Godliness
• [59:46] - The Role of Community in Spiritual Growth
• [60:30] - Waiting for Our Blessed Hope
• [64:14] - The Gospel: God Acts First
• [66:16] - Zealous for Good Works: Our Response
• [68:10] - Everything Revolves Around Grace
• [70:22] - Three Ways to Respond
• [74:24] - Responding in Worship and Community
• [76:05] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Respond

Bible Reading

Titus 2:11-15 (ESV) — For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Observation Questions

1. According to Titus 2:11, what has the grace of God done for all people?
2. In verse 12, what does God’s grace train us to do, and how is this described in the sermon? ([54:15])
3. What is the “blessed hope” that Paul says we are waiting for in verse 13? ([01:00:30])
4. In verse 14, what does it mean that Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, who are zealous for good works”?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon describes God’s grace as both a gift and an ongoing trainer. How does this understanding of grace challenge the idea that grace is just a one-time event? ([58:28])
2. The pastor said, “Spiritual maturity is not a solo endeavor; it flourishes in relationships where we both receive and give, learn and teach, as part of God’s people.” What does this suggest about the role of community in our spiritual growth? ([59:46])
3. The “blessed hope” is described as the return of Jesus, when he will make all things new. How does this future hope affect the way Christians are called to live in the present? ([01:00:30])
4. The sermon says that our response to grace is to be “zealous for good works—not out of obligation, but out of love for the One who first loved us.” What is the difference between doing good works out of obligation versus out of love? ([01:06:16])

Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that God’s grace is personal and present—God stepped into our world to offer relationship and salvation. Have you ever struggled to believe that God’s grace is really for you, personally? What helps you accept this truth? ([49:21])
2. The pastor compared spiritual growth to learning a new skill, saying it takes time, mistakes, and guidance. What is one area of your life where you feel you need more “training” in godliness right now? Who could you ask for help or accountability in this area? ([54:15])
3. The sermon highlighted that the Christian journey is meant to be lived in community. Are you currently learning from someone further along in their faith, or encouraging someone who is newer to faith? What is one step you could take to build these kinds of relationships? ([59:46])
4. The “blessed hope” of Jesus’ return is meant to sustain us in hardship. When you face pain, exhaustion, or disappointment, how do you remind yourself of this hope? Is there a specific practice or habit that helps you keep eternity in view? ([01:00:30])
5. The sermon challenged us to orient our lives around what matters for eternity—making disciples, loving others, and investing in God’s kingdom. What is one practical way you could shift your time, energy, or resources this week toward something that will last? ([01:06:16])
6. The pastor asked, “Have you accepted that grace through the gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time?” If you have, how do you continue to live in that grace day by day? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have? ([01:10:22])
7. The sermon said, “True response to grace is passionate participation in God’s eternal work.” What is one “good work” you feel God is calling you to be zealous for—not out of obligation, but out of love? ([01:06:16])