{"id":75,"date":"2009-04-15T17:00:22","date_gmt":"2009-04-15T22:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=75"},"modified":"2009-09-02T10:54:16","modified_gmt":"2009-09-02T15:54:16","slug":"their-mouths-must-be-stopped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=75","title":{"rendered":"Their Mouths Must Be Stopped"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\" align=\"center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\" align=\"center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Titus 1:1-16<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\" align=\"center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Preached Wednesday April 15, 2009<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\" align=\"center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Introduction:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Today we begin studying the last of the Pastoral Epistles.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Titus was also an assistant to Paul.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>We will find some similar thoughts in this letter as we found in those written to Timothy. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Why do we need preachers?<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>There are those that advocate a pooling of opinions from a group of believers and studying the Bible in a forum setting rather than hearing an authoritative sermon.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Our passage gives us the answer to this question.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>There will always be false teachers, driven by lust and money, who seek to deceive the masses for their own personal gain.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>There will always be trusting and ignorant people who will follow these spiritual predators. The seasoned veteran, the Apostle Paul, warns Titus about these enemies of the truth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>It is important that pastors be trained, ordained and ready to stand against lies and for the truth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>When it comes to these clever false teachers, their mouths must be stopped. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The Minister of God must understand his divine role.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Titus 1:1-4<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God\u2019s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4 To Titus, <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">mine<\/span> own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">and<\/span> peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 72.75pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 72.75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Servant of God= One who gives himself up to the will of another<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 72.75pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 72.75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">B.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Acknowledging truth<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 72.75pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 72.75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">C.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Anchored on the Hope of eternal life<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 72.75pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 72.75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">D.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Realize that God chose preaching to reveal His word to the world.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Romans 10:17<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">17 So then faith <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">cometh<\/span> by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">1 Corinthians 1:21<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 72.75pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 72.75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">E.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The Word has been committed to God\u2019s servant and he must be a good steward of that revelation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">1 Corinthians 4:1-4<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man\u2019s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">II.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The minister of God must understand his qualifications.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Titus 1:5-9<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Churches need pastors<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">B.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Blameless = that which cannot be called to account<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">C.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Husband of one wife<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">D.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Faithful children = reliable<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">1.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Not accused of riot = wild partying<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Not unruly<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">E.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A good steward<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">F.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Not self willed<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">2 Peter 2:10<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">are they<\/span>, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">G.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Not soon angry<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Proverbs 15:18<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">he that is<\/span> slow to anger appeaseth strife. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">H.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Not given to wine<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Proverbs 31:4-5<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">4 <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">It is<\/span> not for kings, O Lemuel, <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">it is<\/span> not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Not a striker = a brawler<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">J.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Not ruled by a lust for money or material possessions<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">K.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Loves hospitality<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">L.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Companies with good men<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">M.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Sober = of a sound mind<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">N.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Just = doing what is right<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">O.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Holy = pure, unpolluted<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">P.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Temperate = self controlled<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Q.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Holding tenaciously to sound doctrine<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Jude 3<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">you<\/span> that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">III.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The minister of God must deal with the enemies of the truth<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 72.75pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 72.75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Unruly deceivers<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Titus 1:10<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 72.75pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 72.75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">B.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Their mouths must be stopped<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Titus 1:11<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre\u2019s sake<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 72.75pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 72.75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">C.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">They must be rebuked sharply<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Titus 1:12-14<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">12 One of themselves, <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">even<\/span> a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">are<\/span> alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 72.75pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 72.75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">D.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">To the pure all things seem to be pure<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt 72.75pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 72.75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">E.<\/span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">To the unbelieving, nothing is pure<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\">Titus 1:15-16<\/span><\/em><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">15 Unto the pure all things <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">are<\/span> pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">is<\/span> nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">him<\/span>, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 9pt 0.75in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Titus 1:1-16 Preached Wednesday April 15, 2009 \u00a0 Introduction: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Today we begin studying the last of the Pastoral Epistles.\u00a0 Titus was also an assistant to Paul.\u00a0 We will find some similar thoughts in this letter as we found in those written to Timothy. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Why do we need preachers?\u00a0 There are those that &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=75\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Their Mouths Must Be Stopped<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-wednesday-evening-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=75"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":137,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75\/revisions\/137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=75"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=75"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=75"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}