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Christian Network

    
 A New Beginning Doing It By the Numbers
Titus 3:3-8
 
Rev. Charles S. Mims
       
      Pastor's Note:  This sermon is not much more than a bare outline.  It is 
      not fleshed out with illustrations and needs more application as well as 
      more in depth exposition.  These are simply my notes for this morning's 
      service.  A service that will undoubtedly have a time crunch.  
 
The Holy Bible, King James Version 


 
Titus 3:3 through Titus 3:8
3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving 
divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one 
another. 4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man 
appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to 
his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy 
Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7That 
being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of 
eternal life. 8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou 
affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to 
maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
 
Today in our services we are celebrating two of the ordinances that show 
publicly our obedience to the Lord.  Not only are we called out to become “sons 
of God” but we are set aside and marked by our obedience.  Obedience is the 
public affirmation of what we know to be true in our hearts.  To be sure one 
does not need to observe either baptism or the Lord’s Supper in order to achieve 
the salvation promised us in scripture.  Our salvation has been secured through 
the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
 
We do, however, need to observe these ordinances to show to the world our 
obedience.  Baptism represents the symbolism of our sins being washed away, 
while the Lord’s Supper reminds us of Christ who washed those sins away.  They 
are vital activities in the life of a Christian for the well-being of our 
relationship.  When we participate, even vicariously as in the case of our 
baptism this morning, we strengthen our resolve, and it seems often we feel a 
little closer to our Lord.  
 
Usually when we talk about a baptism we often refer back to John 3:5 where Jesus 
is discussing the new birth with Nicodemus.
 
The Holy Bible, King James Version 


 
John 3:5
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water 
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
 
The act of baptism in effect symbolizes that new birth.  This new birth gives us 
a feeling of newness, or freshness.  Today’s scripture also imparts that feeling 
of a new life.  When we enter into a relationship with the Lord he changes us in 
ways that are beyond imagination.  Positive changes, changes that can only 
improve the quality of our existence.
 
Often when undertaking a new task it is helpful to have directions, or 
instructions on how to proceed.  This morning we are going to look at beginning 
a new life, and we will go by the numbers.
 
One Change
 
First there is one magnificent change in our life.  We use many different words 
to describe this event, but they are all the same change.  We might say we were 
saved, or washed.  We might say that we have been forgiven, or that Christ has 
renewed us.  Each of these refer to that moment in which Christ changed us.  
 
Oh what a change it was!  Today’s scripture tells us what we were changed from.  
Our sinful reprobate existence is changed forever.  No longer are we foolish and 
disobedient.  No longer are we slaves to sin, living in pleasure, delighting in 
things that are evil.  Our hateful thoughts and angry bearing is forever 
changed.
 
We become justified, sanctified, and glorified.  We who were unholy, become holy 
before the living god.  We go from being as sons of  Satan to become the sons of 
God.  
 
When a change like this takes place, it is incumbent upon us to rejoice.  To 
thank the Lord for the wonders that he has wrought.  Obedience in baptism is but 
one way to say thank you to our God.  
 
Two Important Facts (vv 5-6)
 
Second we find two facts that are important in our relationship.  The first one 
is that our works do not save us.  It is not by our might that we achieve this 
salvation.  There is nothing that we can do on our own that would make us worthy 
to stand before God.  It is not the number of times we darken the doors of the 
church, or the amount of money we place in the offering plate that determines 
our salvation.  It is not good deeds which we have done, nor the people we have 
helped that determines our salvation.
 
Instead our salvation is given to us because of God’s mercy and his grace.  Were 
it not for His intense love for us, we would remain floundering in sin.  But,  
by His grace we are saved!  This is the second fact.  The regeneration, the 
rebirth, it all comes from God.  He chose to give us an option, he chose to 
offer us a solution.
 
By the grace of God we are made victorious over sin.  By the grace of God we are 
made whole.
 
 
 
Three Symbols
 
Third we find three symbols of our relationship in this passage of scripture.  
The first of these three is that we are washed clean.  Our sins are forgiven, 
and washed away.  This is a powerful image of cleanliness. Today’s baptism is an 
outward sign of that washing away.  Baptism symbolizes this cleansing of our 
life.  We are put under the water, and come out clean again.  Only the ordinance 
of baptism can convey this symbolic truth.    There will come a time when we 
realize it is more than mere symbolism though.  While the outward act of baptism 
is simply a symbol, then inward changes are much, much more.  It is these inward 
changes that the ordinance represents.
 
The second symbol we find in our scripture the new birth.  When we accept Christ 
into our lives, we are being reborn.  Just as Jesus was talking to Nicodemus 
about.  It symbolizes a death to the old us, and a rebirth into a new creation.  
The word regeneration in verse five is the same concept found in John 3:5.  We 
are regenerated; brought back to life.  This new birth is symbolized by the 
raising up out of the water in our baptism ceremony.  A new life is born, and we 
are the recipients of this wonderful regeneration.
 
The third symbol we find is the symbolism of a renewal.  We have a new life, a 
new mind, a new attitude, a new self, a new outlook, and even a new promise.  We 
have been renewed.  This new creature that we become is a sanctified creation.  
 
Four Attributes of God
 
Finally we find four attributes of God.  God is described as good, kind, 
merciful, and full of grace.  It is because of God’s goodness that we are able 
to see the direction we should go.  God is so good is so much more than just a 
cutesy little song we sing, it is an actual fact.  God is good.  He defines 
goodness for us.
 
His kindness should inspire us to be kinder to others.  He is the epitome of a 
kind and gentle leader.  His kindness offers to us the option to receive his 
mercy.
 
He is merciful.  We deserve to pay the penalty for our sins, but he grants us 
clemency.  He gives to us what we don’t deserve.  Because He is good and kind.
 
His mercy is extended to us by His grace.  His grace covers our lives and 
delivers us from our sins.  It is by the grace of god that we are made Holy.
 

Rev. Charles Mims    
Copyright ©1999 by Claim The Victory Ministries
South Peninsula Baptist Church
Daytona Beach, FL