Titus 2

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Titus 2

October 20, 2025

Series: Titus

Titus 2
Brian Gollery

Brian Gollery

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Learning on the Way

Sermon Summary

This sermon explores Titus 2, where Paul instructs believers to live lives that showcase the gospel like a Tiffany setting displays a diamond. Just as Charles Lewis Tiffany designed a simple six-prong setting to lift up and celebrate a diamond’s brilliance, believers are called to live healthy spiritual lives that elevate Christ and reflect His glory. Paul addresses every group in the church—from older men to slaves—emphasizing self-control, sound doctrine, and godly living. The passage culminates in verses 11-14, presenting the two “epiphanies” of Christ: the “already” of His first coming bringing grace and salvation, and the “not yet” of His glorious return. Between these two events, Christians live in the “in-between,” empowered by God’s grace to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior through transformed lives. The church fills in relational gaps and models Christ to a watching world, not by attacking systems but by reaching individuals with the gospel.

Key Points

  • Believers are called to live like a Tiffany setting—simple lives that lift up and showcase the brilliance of the gospel
  • Sound (healthy) doctrine includes faith, love, and steadfastness—all three are essential
  • Paul includes everyone from patriarchs to slaves, emphasizing that even the “lowest” can beautifully adorn the gospel
  • Self-control is emphasized repeatedly as crucial for Christian living, especially in a culture marked by excess
  • The gospel is presented through two epiphanies: Christ’s first coming (grace and salvation) and His return (glory and hope)
  • Grace is the continuous catalyst for Christian transformation—we are being “trained” (present tense) by grace
  • We live in the “in-between” of the already and not yet, where grace covers yesterday and hope sustains tomorrow
  • Christ’s approach was to reach the person, not attack the system—changed people change systems
  • The church fills relational gaps and disciples across generational lines, dying to pride and embracing humility

Small Group Questions

  1. The sermon uses the Tiffany setting as an illustration—a simple design meant to showcase the diamond’s brilliance. In what ways can our lives become too complicated or showy, drawing attention to ourselves rather than Christ? Share an example of someone whose simple, authentic faith has beautifully reflected Christ to you.
  2. Paul instructs different groups (older men, older women, young women, young men, slaves) with specific guidance, but emphasizes self-control across all groups. Why do you think self-control is so foundational to adorning the gospel? In what area of your life is the Holy Spirit currently calling you to greater self-control?
  3. Verses 4-5 instruct young women to be “home lovers” who care for their families. How does this differ from cultural stereotypes about women’s roles? How can both husbands and wives prioritize their families in a culture that often demands we prioritize career advancement and personal achievement?
  4. In verses 9-10, Paul uses slaves (the lowest social class) as his primary example of those who can “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Why is this significant? How does this challenge our assumptions about who can most effectively display the gospel?
  5. Verse 11 says grace has appeared “bringing salvation for all people,” but verse 12 immediately calls for renouncing ungodliness. How do we balance the truth that salvation is available to everyone with the reality that genuine salvation produces life change? How have you seen grace both save and train you?
  6. The sermon emphasizes we live in the “in-between” of Christ’s two comings. How does remembering that grace covers your past and hope secures your future change how you face present challenges? What fears or anxieties might you be able to release by embracing this truth?

Key Verses Titus 2, Matthew 22:37-39, 1 Corinthians 13:13

Application On The Way

This week, identify one specific way you can be a “Tiffany setting” that showcases Christ rather than yourself. This might mean:

  • Serving someone without drawing attention to your service
  • Practicing self-control in an area where you typically indulge
  • Reaching out to bridge a generational gap in your church (older mentoring younger, or younger encouraging older)
  • Responding to a cultural issue by focusing on loving an individual person rather than attacking a system
  • At the end of the week, reflect on how this simple act of adorning the gospel impacted both you and others.Want to Go Deeper?

Additional Scripture

Passages On Sound Doctrine and Grace:

On Self-Control and the Christian Life:

On Grace Training Us:

On Living Between the Two Comings:

Personal Reflection Questions

  1. Read Galatians 5:22-25. Which fruit of the Spirit do you most need the Holy Spirit to develop in your life right now? How might growth in this area help you better adorn the gospel?
  2. Reflect on Titus 2:11-14 and write out your own testimony of the “two epiphanies”—how has Christ’s first coming changed your past, and how does the hope of His return shape your future? How does living in the “in-between” change your perspective on today’s struggles?
  3. Consider the relationships in your church. Is there someone from a different generation or life stage you could intentionally invest in or learn from? What specific step could you take this week to build that relationship?
  4. Think about a cultural issue or injustice that concerns you. How might God be calling you to “reach the person” rather than “attack the system”? Who is one individual you could show Christ’s love to in a practical way?