Titus_2__9-10_Sermon.pdf

Devotional

Day 1: Facing Our History with Gospel Honesty

The Gospel calls us to look unflinchingly at the ways Scripture has been misused, especially when it comes to the painful legacy of slavery. Rather than ignoring or excusing the failures of those who came before us, we are invited to confront them with humility and repentance. This honest reckoning is not a sign of weakness, but a powerful testimony to the truth and grace of Christ—a way of showing the world that God’s love is bigger than our mistakes.
As followers of Jesus, we must be vigilant in how we interpret and apply Scripture, always seeking God’s heart rather than our own interests. When we acknowledge the wrongs of the past, we adorn the Gospel with integrity, demonstrating that Christ’s truth is not diminished by human failure. This posture of humility opens the door for healing, reconciliation, and a deeper witness to the world around us.

Ezekiel 18:25-28 (ESV):
“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.”

Reflection:
Is there a part of Christian history or your own story that you tend to avoid because it’s uncomfortable? What would it look like to bring that into the light before God today, asking Him for humility and a heart of repentance?

Day 2: Seeking God’s Heart Through Context

Understanding the context of Scripture is essential for faithful living. Paul’s words about bondservants were written into a world very different from our own, where servitude often meant debt repayment and could include hope for freedom. Recognizing this helps us avoid shallow or harmful readings of the Bible and challenges us to dig deeper, seeking God’s heart behind every command.
Faithfulness to Christ means doing the hard work of understanding both the text and the world it addresses. This guards us from using the Bible as a weapon and instead invites us to let it shape us in truth. When we approach Scripture with humility and a desire to understand, we open ourselves to transformation and a more authentic witness to those around us.

Nehemiah 8:8-10 (ESV):
“They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”

Reflection:
Is there a passage of Scripture you have struggled to understand or have avoided because it seems difficult? Take time today to read it in its context, asking God to reveal His heart and truth to you.

Day 3: Living as Grateful Debtors to Grace

The New Testament’s language of debt and servitude points to a deeper spiritual reality: every person owes a debt to God that cannot be repaid. Yet, in His mercy, Jesus pays that debt for us, inviting us into a new kind of servanthood—one marked by gratitude, freedom, and love.
This changes everything about how we relate to God and to others. No longer striving for self-justification, we are free to serve humbly, knowing our worth is secure in Christ. Our lives become a living testimony to the One who set us free, and our gratitude overflows in acts of love and service to those around us.

Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV):
“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”

Reflection:
Where do you find yourself trying to earn God’s approval or pay back what you feel you owe Him? How can you rest today in the freedom and gratitude that comes from knowing your debt is fully paid?

Day 4: Making the Gospel Beautiful in Everyday Life

To “adorn” the doctrine of God means to make the beauty of the Gospel visible in how we live. This isn’t about putting on a show, but about letting Christ’s lordship shape our actions, our words, and our relationships. The way we treat those in authority, handle conflict, and build trust all become opportunities to display the transforming power of Jesus.
This calling is lived out in community, where our character is tested and refined. When Christians live with integrity, humility, and faithfulness, the world takes notice. These are the “garments” that make the Gospel attractive, inviting others to see the hope and love found in Christ.

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV):
“Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Reflection:
Think of one relationship or situation today where your actions could either hide or highlight the beauty of the Gospel. What is one practical way you can “adorn” the Gospel in that context?

Day 5: Transformation Happens in Grace-Filled Community

Every instruction in Titus, including those to bondservants, is given in the context of relationships. Spiritual growth and Gospel witness are not solo projects; they require us to be deeply involved in the lives of others. Community is where the Gospel takes root and bears fruit, as we are discipled, disciple others, and live out our faith together.
Authentic, accountable, and grace-filled relationships are the soil in which transformation happens. When we commit ourselves to community, we open ourselves to encouragement, correction, and the joy of seeing God at work in and through us. The journey of faith is meant to be shared, and it is in community that we most fully experience the love and power of Christ.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV):
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Reflection:
Who in your Christian community can you encourage or support today? Reach out to them with a word, a prayer, or a practical act of love, and ask God to deepen your commitment to authentic relationships.

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

This morning’s sermon continued our journey through the book of Titus, focusing on Titus 2:9-10—a passage that addresses bondservants and has a complicated history, especially in North America. We began by acknowledging the painful misuse of these verses by past generations of Christians to justify the African slave trade, making it clear that God does not condone slavery. The sermon then explored the different types of servitude in biblical times, highlighting how the “bondservant” Paul refers to is not the same as the chattel slavery of American history. Instead, it was often a system of debt repayment that included security and the hope of freedom.

We then looked at how Paul’s instructions to bondservants are deeply connected to the Gospel. Just as bondservants were called to honor their earthly masters, all believers are called to adorn the doctrine of God—meaning, to live in such a way that the beauty of the Gospel is visible to others. This is not just about individual behavior, but about living in community, where our submission, respect, and faithfulness can be seen and experienced by others. The sermon closed with a call to respond: to accept Jesus’ payment of our debt, to submit to His lordship, to repent where we have failed to adorn the Gospel, and to take our next step deeper into Christian community.

**K

Key Takeaways

1. The Gospel Demands Honest Reckoning with Our History The misuse of Scripture to justify slavery is a sobering reminder that even God’s Word can be twisted when we seek to serve our own interests rather than God’s heart. As followers of Jesus, we are called to confront these painful parts of our history with humility and repentance, not to ignore or excuse them. This honesty is itself a form of adorning the Gospel, showing the world that Christ’s truth is bigger than our failures. It also calls us to be vigilant in how we interpret and apply Scripture today.
2. Understanding Context Deepens Our Faithfulness Paul’s words about bondservants were written into a world very different from our own, where servitude was often about debt repayment and could include security and eventual freedom. Recognizing this context helps us avoid shallow readings of Scripture and challenges us to seek God’s heart behind the commands. It reminds us that faithfulness to Christ means doing the hard work of understanding both the text and the world it addresses. This approach guards us from using the Bible as a weapon and instead invites us to let it shape us in truth.
3. We Are All Debtors to Grace The metaphor of debt and servitude in the New Testament is not just about economics or social status—it’s about the spiritual reality that we all owe a debt we cannot pay. Jesus, in His mercy, pays that debt for us, inviting us into a new kind of servanthood: one marked by gratitude, freedom, and love. This changes how we relate to God and to others, moving us from self-justification to humble service. Our lives become a living testimony to the One who set us free.
4. Adorning the Gospel Is a Visible, Relational Calling To “adorn” the doctrine of God is to make the beauty of the Gospel visible in our everyday lives. This isn’t about putting on a show, but about letting the reality of Christ’s lordship shape how we treat those in authority, how we handle conflict, and how we build trust. It’s a calling that can only be lived out in community, where our character is tested and refined. The world notices when Christians live with integrity, humility, and faithfulness—these are the “garments” that make the Gospel attractive.
5. Community Is the Context for Transformation Every instruction in Titus, including those to bondservants, is given in the context of relationships. Spiritual growth and Gospel witness are not solo projects; they require us to be deeply involved in the lives of others. Whether it’s being discipled, discipling someone else, or simply living out our faith in the presence of others, community is where the Gospel takes root and bears fruit. If we want to adorn the doctrine of God, we must commit ourselves to authentic, accountable, and grace-filled relationships.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Titus 2:9-10 – Adorning the Gospel in Community**

---

### Bible Reading

- **Titus 2:9-10**

---

### Observation Questions

In Titus 2:9-10, what specific instructions does Paul give to bondservants?
According to the sermon, what was the main difference between the “bondservants” Paul was talking about and the slavery that happened in American history?
What does Paul say is the purpose behind the way bondservants are to act toward their masters?
How does the passage connect the behavior of bondservants to the “doctrine of God”?

---

### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul addresses bondservants directly in this letter, and what does that say about their place in the early church community?
The sermon mentioned that Scripture has been misused in the past to justify things like slavery. What does it look like for Christians today to honestly reckon with painful parts of our history?
The idea of “adorning the doctrine of God” is central in these verses. What does it mean to “adorn” the Gospel, and why is it important that this is visible to others?
The sermon talked about all believers being “debtors to grace.” How does understanding our own spiritual debt change the way we relate to God and to other people?

---

### Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to confront the misuse of Scripture in our history with humility and repentance. Is there a part of church history or your own story that you find hard to face honestly? What would it look like to bring that into the light?
Paul’s instructions to bondservants were given in a very different context than ours, but the call to “adorn the Gospel” still applies. What are some everyday situations where your actions could either make the Gospel more attractive or less attractive to others?
The sermon said that “adorning the Gospel” is not about putting on a show, but about letting Christ’s lordship shape how we treat those in authority, handle conflict, and build trust. Which of these areas is most challenging for you right now, and why?
The message emphasized that spiritual growth and Gospel witness happen in community, not in isolation. Are you currently involved in relationships where you are being discipled or discipling someone else? If not, what is one step you could take to move toward deeper community?
The metaphor of debt and servitude was used to describe our relationship to God’s grace. Is there an area of your life where you are still trying to “pay your own debt” instead of accepting Jesus’ payment? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him?
The sermon called us to repent where we have failed to adorn the Gospel. Can you think of a recent situation where your words or actions did not reflect the beauty of the Gospel? What would repentance and change look like in that situation?
The final challenge was to take a next step deeper into Christian community—whether that’s joining a group, serving, or seeking accountability. What is one specific next step you feel God is inviting you to take this week?

---

Sermon Quotes

For generations, these two verses were abused and used to justify the establishment of the African slave trade. Church leaders and members sinned against our fellow humans, all while using the Bible to justify it.

The one phrase that each week has been tied back to is that we as believers are a servant of God, sent by Jesus Christ for the sake of God’s salvation of the world, who is being sanctified by the Gospel.

The Gospel says this: we were created by God for his workmanship, for good works that he gets to pick. But due to our sin, we decided to make our own decisions apart from God and turned away from him.

When we adorn God’s doctrine, people can tell. That word “adorn” means to put on the exterior, the same way we put on a coat or a jacket. It’s the thing that people see when they look at us.

In order to adorn God’s doctrine so people can tell, you have to be around people. You can’t show good faith, be well-pleasing, or avoid being argumentative unless you’re living in community with others.

The reason bondservants did all of these things is because they were striving to adorn in everything the doctrine of God. Their earthly debtors weren’t the highest authority—they were answering to God first, and this was how they worshipped him.

Pretty much everyone on this planet has someone who has authority over them, whether it’s a boss, a parent, a police officer, or just someone in your life who helps keep you on track. We all have earthly authority as well as God’s authority.

Do you see how we are in Jesus’ debt even more so than what these bondservants were in? The doctrine of the Gospel is the basis for why these bondservants could strive to live in submission to their earthly debtors.

We’re not argumentative people. We’re not pilfering, also known as those who steal. We’re showing good faith, we have trust in our faith in God, and we have trust in our relationships with others. These things adorn the doctrine of God.

All of these things show us how we are servants of God, sent to the world to show God’s salvation to them, and they focus on how we are being changed, or sanctified, to look more like Jesus.

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Give me some sermon illustration ideas

Create a fill-in-the-blank worksheet

Sermon structure and transition feedback

Sermon application ideas