Titus 3:1-8 | How to Live the Christian Life

Today’s gathering centered on the profound truth that God’s heart beats for the most vulnerable among us—widows, orphans, and all who are overlooked by society. From the earliest days of the church, as seen in Acts, caring for those in need has not been a side project but an essential part of our worship. We are called not just to sing songs or attend services, but to embody the love and mercy of Christ in tangible ways, especially toward those who cannot repay us. This is not a task for governments or organizations alone; it is the unique calling of the church.

We reflected on James 1, where God defines “true religion” as caring for widows and orphans. In our context, this means recognizing that, despite social systems and safety nets, millions remain vulnerable—14 million widows in the U.S., 5 million children in orphanages worldwide, and 100 million children living on the streets. The call is not just to feel compassion, but to pray, to act, and to ask God how He might use us. Our church has responded by supporting foster and adoptive families, setting up funds to remove financial barriers, and praying by name for those in our midst who are often forgotten.

But the call to care for the vulnerable is just one expression of the deeper transformation that Jesus brings. In Titus 3, we see that following Christ means being made new—radically, from the inside out. We are not simply improved versions of ourselves; we are regenerated, justified, and adopted as children of God. This new life is marked by a changed heart: gentleness replaces harshness, courtesy replaces quarreling, and our words—spoken and typed—become instruments of grace rather than harm.

This transformation is not something we achieve by our own effort. We are saved, not by our works, but by God’s mercy. Like a drowning person rescued by a life jacket, we are brought from death to life by Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. Our past, no matter how “mild” or “wild,” is washed away, and we are given a new identity and a new purpose. The only fitting response is to trust Jesus fully—putting all our weight on Him—and to get to work, serving others and sharing the hope we have received.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True Worship Includes Caring for the Vulnerable Caring for widows and orphans is not an optional add-on to faith; it is at the very heart of what it means to follow Jesus. God’s definition of “true religion” is not about rituals or attendance, but about loving those who are most easily forgotten. This challenges us to examine whether our worship is merely words, or if it overflows into sacrificial action for those in need. [17:12]
• 2. New Life in Christ Means a New Heart When Jesus saves us, He doesn’t just clean us up—He makes us new. Our desires, our speech, and our posture toward others are transformed. Gentleness, courtesy, and a refusal to speak evil are not just moral upgrades, but evidence of a heart that has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. This is not self-improvement, but a miracle of grace. [53:41]
• 3. Our Testimony Is God’s Miracle, Not Our Resume No one is born a Christian; we are all born needing to be born again. Whether our past is dramatic or ordinary, it took the same sacrifice of Jesus to save us. Our story is not about how bad we were or how good we became, but about how God’s mercy rescued us and made us His children. Every testimony of salvation is a miracle, worthy of celebration and sharing. [63:21]
• 4. Trusting Jesus Means Surrendering All Faith is not just intellectual agreement or religious activity—it is putting all our weight on Jesus, trusting Him with every part of our lives. Like sitting in a chair without hesitation, we are called to rest the full weight of our hopes, fears, and future on Christ alone. Only then do we experience the freedom and purpose He offers, and only then are we truly ready to serve others. [81:58]
• 5. We Are Saved to Serve, Not to Sit Salvation is not the finish line, but the starting point for a life of good works. God has prepared opportunities for us to bless our city, serve our neighbors, and advance His kingdom. If we have been made new, we are called to get to work—using our gifts, our resources, and our stories to bring hope to a world in need. [84:05]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [15:22] - Go Time: Local Outreach & Missions
• [16:35] - Widows and Orphans Sunday
• [18:23] - The Church’s Call to the Vulnerable
• [19:34] - Foster Care and Adoption at Impact
• [20:01] - Global Orphan Crisis
• [21:44] - Prayer for Widows and Orphans
• [32:17] - Introduction to Titus 3
• [33:26] - The Allure of New Things
• [36:58] - Jesus Makes Us New
• [39:58] - Submitting to Authority and Heart Posture
• [46:07] - Barriers to Good Works
• [52:14] - New Life Changes Our Words
• [59:33] - The Power of the Gospel
• [63:21] - Every Testimony Is a Miracle
• [66:10] - Jesus, Our Life Jacket
• [69:37] - Regeneration and Renewal
• [72:43] - Justified by Grace
• [75:12] - The Uniqueness of Jesus’ Sacrifice
• [78:49] - Trusting and Responding to the Gospel
• [84:05] - Saved to Serve
• [95:31] - Announcements and Next Steps
• [98:35] - New Meeting Location and Time
• [102:38] - Benediction and Closing

Bible Reading

Titus 3:1-8 (ESV) — Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 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, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

James 1:27 (ESV) — Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Observation Questions

1. According to Titus 3:1-2, what are some of the specific behaviors Paul tells believers to practice and avoid?
2. In James 1:27, how does God define “true religion”? What two main actions are mentioned?
3. The sermon mentioned that caring for widows and orphans is not just a side project for the church. What evidence did the pastor give for this from both Scripture and the church’s own practices? [[17:12]]
4. In Titus 3:3-7, what does Paul say about our past and what God has done for us through Jesus?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul connects being “ready for every good work” with a changed heart and attitude toward others? How does this relate to the idea of being made new in Christ? [[39:58]]
2. The sermon said, “True worship includes caring for the vulnerable.” Why is this so central to following Jesus, according to both James 1 and the sermon? [[17:12]]
3. The pastor described salvation as being like a drowning person rescued by a life jacket. What does this illustration teach us about our need for God’s mercy and the nature of salvation? [[01:06:10]]
4. The sermon emphasized that our testimony is about God’s miracle, not our own resume. Why is it important to remember that no one is born a Christian, and how does this shape the way we view our own story? [[01:03:21]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to examine whether our worship is just words or if it overflows into sacrificial action for those in need. In what ways does your current worship (singing, attending church, etc.) lead you to care for the vulnerable? Is there a gap between what you say and what you do? [[17:12]]
2. Our church has set up funds and support for foster and adoptive families, and prays by name for widows and orphans. What is one practical step you could take this month to support or care for someone who is often overlooked in our community? [[19:34]]
3. Titus 3:2 calls us to “speak evil of no one” and to “show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Think about your recent conversations or social media posts. Is there a specific relationship or situation where you need to change your words or attitude? What would it look like to be gentle and courteous in that context? [[53:41]]
4. The sermon said, “Trusting Jesus means surrendering all.” Is there an area of your life where you are still trying to be in control instead of putting your full weight on Jesus? What would it look like to surrender that area to him this week? [[01:21:58]]
5. The pastor said, “We are saved to serve, not to sit.” What is one way you can use your gifts, resources, or story to serve others in the next two weeks? Is there a specific need or ministry you feel drawn to? [[01:24:05]]
6. The message highlighted that millions of widows and orphans remain vulnerable, even with social systems in place. How does this reality affect the way you pray or act? Is there a specific group or individual you feel called to pray for or reach out to? [[20:01]]
7. The sermon described new life in Christ as a miracle of grace, not self-improvement. How does this truth encourage you when you struggle with old habits or feel like you’re not changing fast enough? [[01:09:37]]