MIND THE GAP 3. CARELESS TALK COSTS LIVES (Titus 1:10-16)

1. TALKERS

a) Their characteristics v10 – insubordinate (rebellious/incorrigible), empty, deceptive

b) Their content v10, 14 – circumcision Acts 15:1; myths and speculation 1 Tim 6:4; commands Col 2:20-23

c) Their cause v11 – shameful gain

2. TACTICS

a) Stopped v11 – silenced; they were “ruining households”

b) Solution v13 – rebuke (convince/convict with sound doctrine v9) sharply (surgical strike)

c) Soundness v13 – with the aim of restoration

3. TEST

a) Declaration v16 – to know God

b) Denial v16 – practical atheism “What is deadly to the Church is when external forms of religion are maintained while their substance is discarded. Practical atheism appears when we live as if there were no God” (R.C. Sproul)

c) Disaster v16 – detestable, disobedient (again), unfit.