Titus 3:1-9; Mark 10:42-45 
March 18, 2018
preached by Doug Cooper
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Time of Reflection Quotations

“Divine grace, the fact that a perfect God truly delights in mistake-prone people like me, is the wet soap of my theology. It’s what compels me toward Jesus, yet it sometimes seems to squirt right out of my grasp.”

~ Lisa Harper, contemporary author and speaker

“The grace of the gospel stirs the chemistry of the heart, igniting a love for God that is our most compelling power for devotion and transformation.”

~ Bryan Chapell, contemporary pastor, author and speaker

“Wherever we go we see divisions among people—in families, communities, cities, countries, and continents. All these divisions are tragic reflections of our separation from God. The truth that all people belong together as members of one family under God is seldom visible. Our sacred task is to reveal that truth in the reality of everyday life.”

“The more you are called to speak for God’s love, the more you will need to deepen the knowledge of that love in your own heart. The farther the outward journey takes you, the deeper the inward journey must be. Only when your roots are deep can your fruits be abundant.”

~ Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian

“God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does.”

~ Martin Luther (1483-1546), German professor, theologian, composer, and author

“Having received such grace, Christians have a compelling reason to be remarkably gracious, inviting, and endearing toward others, including and especially those who disagree with us. Are we known by what we are for instead of what we are against? Are we less concerned about defending our rights—for Jesus laid down his rights—and more concerned about joining Jesus in his mission of loving people, places, and things to life?”

~ Scott Sauls, contemporary author and pastor

“A message of grace will attract people, but a culture of grace will keep them.”

~ Jared Wilson, contemporary author and former pastor

Sermon Passage

Titus 3:1-9; Mark 10:42-45 (NIV)

Titus 3

¹ 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. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 

Mark 10

⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”