Summary

Drawing from Paul’s letter to Titus, this sermon examines kindness as a fruit of the Spirit that flows from remembering our own depravity before Christ and God’s merciful salvation. Believers are called to submit to authorities, speak evil of no one, and show perfect courtesy to all people. These actions are not to earn salvation, but rather are a response to the sovereign, triune rescue of God who saved us by mercy alone.

Key Points from the Sermon

• The default posture of the Christian toward civil authorities is submission, recognizing God’s providential ordering of human government (Titus 3:1; Romans 13:1-7), except when commanded to sin or forbidden from obeying God (Acts 5:29).
• Christians are called to active kindness in public spaces. Believers are to speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, and show perfect courtesy toward all people (Titus 3:2).
• We must keep the rearview mirror of our own depravity in view, remembering we were once foolish, disobedient, and enslaved to passions. We are no more deserving of grace than anyone else (Titus 3:3).
• Salvation is entirely the sovereign, triune work of God; it’s not by works of righteousness but according to His mercy, through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit poured out through Jesus Christ (Titus 3:4-7).
• Though good works contribute nothing to our salvation, those who have believed should devote themselves to good works as the fitting response of the redeemed (Titus 3:8; Ephesians 2:8-10).
• We must protect the unity of the church by avoiding foolish controversies and divisive disputes that are unprofitable and worthless (Titus 3:9-11).

Scripture Readings

Titus 3:1-11 - The primary passage showing how gospel-transformed people live in a hostile culture.

Ephesians 4:31-32 - Paul’s parallel command to put away bitterness and be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

Romans 13:1-7 - The foundational text on Christian submission to governing authorities as God’s servants.

Discussion Questions

Read Titus 3:1-2

1. What specific behaviors does Paul command Titus to remind the church about? Why would these behaviors have stood out so starkly in Cretan culture?

Read Titus 3:3

2. How does Paul describe our life before Christ? Why do you think he includes himself (‘we ourselves’) in this description?

Compare Titus 3:4-7 with Ephesians 2:8-10

3. What do these passages together teach about the relationship between God’s saving grace and the good works believers are called to? How do they guard against both legalism and license?

Read Romans 13:1-7

4. How does Paul’s teaching on submission to authority shape the way we should engage with government leaders we disagree with? Where are the biblical limits to that submission (see Acts 5:29)?

5. Pastor Orrin warned against being ‘marked mainly by the things we are resisting’ in the culture. In what ways might your own social media, conversations, or interactions be more defined by what you’re against than by the kindness of the gospel?

6. Who in your life is hard to show kindness to? How does remembering that you were once ‘foolish, disobedient, led astray’ change the way you view and pray for that person this week?

7. In what ways can we support each other as we seek to glorify God through treating others with kindness?

Application

This Week’s Challenge: This week, remember that you are no more deserving of grace than anyone else and take the time to thank God for His mercy. Ask the Holy Spirit to develop kindness in you and to help you encourage others in the church to kindness as well.

Prayer Focus: Ask God to soften your heart toward those you’re tempted to look down on. Pray that He would continue to develop kindness in you individually and corporately within our congregation for His glory.

Memory Verse

“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.” — Titus 3:4-5

Resources

• Commentary on Titus by John MacArthur
• Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
• Morning and Evening Devotional by Charles Spurgeon