Titus 2:11-14

Zealousfor good works

Zealousfor good works

Titus 2:11-14

• Literally, “a zealot [Gk zēlōtēs] for good works” − Vine’s – “an uncompromising

partisan” a fervent proponent of any given person or thing; one who does not concede position when he believes he is right

Zealousfor good works

Titus 2:11-14

• Literally, “a zealot [Gk zēlōtēs] for good works” − Vine’s – “an uncompromising

partisan”− History – first applied to a strict sub-sect of the Pharisees, they were radicalized by Judas of Galilee, violently opposing foreign rule over Jews [Acts 5:37; Mt 10:4; “Cananite”]

Zealousfor good works

Titus 2:11-14

• Literally, “a zealot [Gk zēlōtēs] for good works” − Vine’s – “an uncompromising

partisan”− History – a violent, radical sub-sect of Pharisees− Other New Testament uses:

Acts 22:3 – Paul, Jews toward God 1 Cor 14:12 – Corinthians toward Spiritual Gifts Gal 1:14 – Paul toward Jewish tradition/religion

Jesuschose both

Simon and Paulin their zeal!

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

What are you ZEALOUS for?

According to how you live your life,where is your ZEAL?

“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to therighteousness of God.” Romans 10:2-3

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for works?

‘Faith’ Healers/Snake Handlers

PicketersThe Taliban

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for works?• “Religious” Zealots:

“Gay Rights”PETAGreenpeace

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for works?• “Religious” Zealots: Taliban, Picketers, ‘Healers’• Non-Religious “Activists” [Zealots]:

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for works?• “Religious” Zealots: Taliban, Picketers, ‘Healers’• Non-Religious “Activists” [Zealots]: Greenpeace, PETA, “Rights” Activists

Many in these groups have become ‘radicalized’; would not see it as wrong to kill for their beliefs!Sincere Christians, labeled

‘fundamentalists’ by media and outsiders, often get negatively lumped together with these activists. What makes them [us!] different?

Noah

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for GOOD works!• Mt 5:10-12 – “Persecuted for righteousness’ sake”

2 Pt 2:5 – “a preacher of righteousness”

Noah

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for GOOD works!• Mt 5:10-12 – “Persecuted for righteousness’ sake”

Hb 11:33 – “who through faith…wrought righteousness”

Daniel

Noah

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for GOOD works!• Mt 5:10-12 – “Persecuted for righteousness’ sake”

Daniel Jesus Christ

John 2:13-17John 5:18

Isaiah 53:5

Paul’s Rebuke

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for GOOD works!

• Titus 2:11-14 – God expects righteous “zealots”!

• Mt 5:10-12 – “Persecuted for righteousness’ sake”

Gal 2:3-5 [11-21] – “to whom we did not yield… even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you…”

Paul’s Rebuke

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for GOOD works!

• Titus 2:11-14 – God expects righteous “zealots”!

• Mt 5:10-12 – “Persecuted for righteousness’ sake”

1 Pt 3:15 – “…always be ready to give a defense…”

Peter

Paul’s Rebuke

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for GOOD works!

• Titus 2:11-14 – God expects righteous “zealots”!

• Mt 5:10-12 – “Persecuted for righteousness’ sake”

Peter Jude 3

“…contend earnestly for the faith…”

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for GOOD works!

• Titus 2:11-14 – God expects righteous “zealots”! • Ephesians 2:10 – God created us in Christ Jesus for the purpose of walking in the good works HE prepared

• Mt 5:10-12 – “Persecuted for righteousness’ sake”

We have been literally created new, in order to do good works!cp. 2 Cor 5:17

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

ZEALOUS for GOOD works!

• Titus 2:11-14 – God expects righteous “zealots”! • Ephesians 2:10 – God created us for good works• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – He has thoroughly equipped us for every good work by means of His word!

• Mt 5:10-12 – “Persecuted for righteousness’ sake”

Only by His word can we know how to

work righteousnessMatt 7:21-23

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

Are YOU ZEALOUSfor the GOOD works of God?

• Many Christians not in danger of being labeled • Are you more zealous for world than for God?

• On a radio program: a “zealot” was mimicked as being someone who could quote scripture appropriately

Zealous for good works

Titus 2:11-14

Are YOU ZEALOUSfor the GOOD works of God?

Why not let ZEAL for GODmove you to good works TODAY?

John 6:28-29 -- “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”