November 13, 2016 Dr. Jim Cecy
Equipping Older Women Titus 2:3-4 Introduction Titus 2:1 "But as for you (Titus), speak the things which are fitting for sound (i.e. healthy) doctrine." Titus 2:3-4 "Older women (Greek: presbutis) likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women…”
The Five Qualities of Spiritually Fit Older Women #1 Older women are to be reverent in their behavior. Titus 2:3 "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior…” "behavior that becometh holiness" (KJV) • "…behavior that is fitting for a priest…" Being an older woman is a sacred duty! God is calling older women to be a sanctuary – i.e. so God-like in character and behavior that other women flock to their counsel, just like the women of old would seek after the priest in the Temple. Naomi: The Reverent Woman Ruth 1:16-17 "But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me." Becoming “reverent in behavior” begins on the inside… 1 Pet. 3:3-5 "And let not your adornment be merely external-- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves...” Once there is inward change, it manifests itself on the outside… 1 Tim. 2:9-10 "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness."
#2. Older women are not be malicious gossips. Titus 2:3 "…not malicious gossips…” gossips = Greek: diabolous = gossips, slanderers, false accusers --”devils” cf. Rev. 12:10 The Devil = The Accuser = The Gossiper Prov. 6:16-19 “There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.” cf. I Tim 3:11; 5:13 slander vs. gossip vs. innuendo • slander = telling that which is not true • gossip = telling that which may be true to the wrong person • innuendo = indirect remarks (i.e. hints)
Gossip is so unbecoming of a godly woman… Prov. 11:22 "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion." "Do not associate with a gossip" Prov. 20:19
#3. Older women are not be enslaved to much wine. Titus 2:3 “…nor enslaved to much wine…” 1 Corinthians 6:12 “…I will not be mastered by anything…” Eph. 5:18 "…do not get drunk with wine for that is dissipation but be filled with the Spirit." enslaved = Greek: douloo = to be under the control of someone or something (enslaved)
#4. Older women are to be teaching what is good. Titus 2:3 "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good..." “teaching what is good” = Greek: kalodidaskolos = kalos: good beautiful/balanced/whole + didaskolos = teacher of that which is good or beautiful Inner Beauty Lessons “…let not your adornment be merely external but let it be the hidden person of the heart (1 Pet. 3:3-5)
#5. Older women are to be encouraging younger women. Titus 2:4-5 “…so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” encourage: Greek: sophronidzo = to school/train/correct/bring one to their senses/to make sober-minded
Concluding Challenge:
See you next time for...ENCOURAGING YOUNGER WOMEN (TITUS 2:4-5)
Discussion Questions: 1. Gentlemen, give an example of a woman you know who exudes one of the five qualities of a spiritually fit older woman. 2. Ladies, concerning which of the five qualities of a spiritually fit older woman do you most need to work? 3. What part of this message encouraged you the most?
© 2016 Dr. James M. Cecy, Campus Bible Church, Fresno, CA. 93726 www.campusbiblechurch.com
