Models of Good Citizenship, Part 3

July 5, 2020 Pastor: John Fonville Series: Models of Good Citizenship

Topic: Citizenship Scripture: Titus 3:1-8

In Titus 3, Paul issues four directives to help believers live as models of good citizenship so that they may facilitate rather than hinder the evangelistic mission of the church and thus positively benefit their unbelieving neighbors (3:8).

We begin today in Titus 3:1-2 where Paul lists seven civic duties he desires for believers to remember and model. These seven duties can be divided into two parts: (1) the believer’s duties to government authorities (v. 1) and (2) the believer’s duties to fellow citizens (vv. 1-2). Together, these seven civic duties model what a faithful Christian life looks like in society.

As we consider these seven civic duties we are called to remember and model, it is vital to keep in mind that these exhortations are grounded in a larger gospel-context (3:4-7). The source of godly citizenship (Ch. 3), just as the source of godly church leadership (Ch. 1:9) and godly church membership (Ch. 2:11-14), is the gospel of the Triune God. All of the duties Paul lists in Titus 3:1-2 of good citizenship are the fruit of the gospel and must be understood clearly as such. Otherwise, the alternative is to preach virtue lists and moral imperatives in a legalistic fashion.

More in Models of Good Citizenship

September 6, 2020

The Source of Good Citizenship, Part 5

August 30, 2020

The Source of Good Citizenship, Part 4

August 23, 2020

The Source of Good Citizenship, Part 3