A Church Built on Discipleship (Titus 1:10-16) - 8/13/25

Tabernacle Baptist Church
Aug 13
3 min read

Week 2 – Protects the Flock

INTRO

Most churches say that they want to make disciples, but what kind are we making?
In a world where truth is fuzzy and doctrine is downplayed, the church must remain clear, grounded, and bold.
Paul reminds Titus that discipleship is rooted in truth and shaped by godliness.
If we’re going to be a church built on discipleship, we must take truth seriously.
- We must pay attention to what’s being taught.
- We must consider what’s at stake—our homes, our church, our witness.
- We must handle false teaching biblically and lovingly.
- And we must remember that a changed heart is always the goal.

Pay Attention – v. 10

[10] For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party

Many – false teaching is not rare; expect it. Matt. 24:4–5, 2 Peter 2:1–3
Insubordinate – rebellious, refusing godly authority.
Empty talkers– they sound spiritual but say nothing of substance.
Deceivers – mind-corrupting misleaders.

We must fix our attention on biblical truth, especially in a world that no longer sees doctrine as essential.

We live in a culture where feelings often outrank facts, and where many churches trade clarity for comfort. But Paul warns Titus that deception is real—and it often comes cloaked in religious language. If we’re going to be a church built on discipleship, we must be a people who care deeply about truth.

Understand what is at Stake – v. 11

[11] They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

Silenced – to muzzle or gag: urgent action.
False teachers often target families—the heart of the church.
Their motive? Shameful gain, not Christ’s glory.

Biblical discipleship includes protecting the flock from wolves. (Acts 20:28–31) The souls of our families are at stake. This is why sound doctrine matters.

False teaching doesn’t just mislead minds—it tears apart homes. Paul says entire families were being upset and unsettled. This isn’t a minor issue; it’s a gospel issue. If we don’t protect the truth, we won’t protect the people we love.

Handle the Situation Biblically – vv. 12–14

[12] One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” [13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

Sharply – directly, decisively, not harshly.
The goal: restoration
sound in the faith – healthy, spiritually whole).
Avoid Jewish myths and man-made commands—these distort grace.

Discipleship involves loving correction that points people back to the gospel.

True love doesn’t ignore error—it confronts it with grace and truth. Paul instructs Titus to rebuke sharply, not to shame, but to restore. Correction is not optional in discipleship; it’s essential. If we care about someone’s soul, we must care enough to speak up, not to win an argument, but to win them back to Christ.

A Changed Heart is the Goal – vv. 15–16

[15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. [16] They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Pure – morally clean, inwardly transformed.
To the impure, even truth gets twisted.
False teachers speak of God, but deny Him by their lifestyle.
Unfit – disqualified, worthless for good works.

Discipleship is not just about words (theological truth); it must be backed by godly living.

Sound doctrine must lead to sound lives. It’s possible to say the right things and still deny the truth by the way we live. The credibility of our witness depends not just on what we profess, but how we practice it. True discipleship is marked by integrity, purity, and obedience—where belief and behavior align.