Letters for Life

What We Were, What We Are
Titus 3:1-7

Malcolm Wild
February 16, 2025

This week's message emphasizes humility, gratitude for salvation, and the transformative power of God's grace. It encourages believers to remember their past without condemnation and to live in the fullness of their new identity in Christ.
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What We Were, What We Are

Malcolm Wild

2/16/2025

Titus 3:1-7 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

·         What we were vs. 3

·         What we are vs. 7

·         How we got here vs. 4-6

·         Foolish

Psalm 49:9-13 so that they should live on forever and not see decay. 10 For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. 11 Their tombs will remain their houses[a] forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had[b] named lands after themselves. 12 People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. 13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings

·         Disobedient

·         Deceived

Genesis 3:13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Obadiah 1:3 The pride of your heart has deceived you.

2 Timothy 2:26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

·         Slaves to sin: Serving various lusts and pleasures

Romans 6:16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

John 8:32-34 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

·         Living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another

·         Wicked

·         That is what we WERE. Thank God, that is not who we ARE.

·         What we Are:

·         Saved vs. 5

·         Washed Clean vs. 5

·         Renewed

1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Revelation 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

·         Justified

Acts 13:39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.

·         Heirs and joint heirs with Jesus!

Hebrews 2:11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.

·         How we got here

·         By Kindness and love

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

·         By mercy, not by works.

Romans 11:30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,

·         By grace

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.

·         By the Holy Spirit

·         Through Jesus

John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

·         Call 321.574.6970 if you have chosen to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted. NLT = New Living Translation.

Todas las referencias bíblicas son de la Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI) a menos que se indique lo contrario. NTV = Nueva Traduccion Viviente.

Todas as referências bíblicas são da Nova Versão Internacional (NVI-PT). Nova Versão Transformadora (NVT)
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