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 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY School of Divinity

 

Titus Homiletical Outline

 

Submitted to Dr. Robert Pace, in partial fulfillment

of the requirements for the completion of the course,

 

 

 

Robert R. Crawford

HOMI 601: Foundations of Expository Teaching and Preaching

October 2025

 

 

Series Title:  A God-Designed, One Body, Healthy, Holy Church 

Chapter Themes: Chapter 1 Instruction, Chapter 2 Exhortations, Chapter 3 Reminders           

Homiletical Outline: 1:1-4, 1:5-9, 1:10-16, 2:1-6, 2:7-8, 2:9-10, 2:11, 2:12, 2:13-15, 3:1-3, 3:4-7, 3:8-15

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 Title of Sermon 1: Building a Church That Reflects the Truth of God (Titus 1:1-16) 

Sermon Idea: God calls his elect chosen people to establish order and integrity, providing a foundation for his church through faithful leadership grounded in a sound understanding of doctrine. 

Introduction Theme: Paul’s letter to Titus is written with a divine purpose in mind, to restore direction where confusion had crept in. The church on the island of Crete was faced with moral compromise. Paul shows that a healthy church begins with role models of godly leadership who live out truth and maintain sustained good character.

Interrogative: How can the church maintain order and display God’s truth while living in a corrupt world? 

Transition Sentence—emphasizes the MIS: This passage contains at least three fundamentals for establishing God’s church in an orderly manner.

First Sermon Division that reiterates the MIS: Recognize the Purpose God has for Ministry (1:1-4)

Illustration: When building a house, the builder always starts with a design in mind and a detailed plan to ensure the structure will stand strong, be safe, and serve its purpose. Paul begins in the same way; he lays out God’s design for truth and order in the church. Just as a solid blueprint guides every nail and beam, God’s plan guides leadership and believers, shaping the church into a community that reflects His character and accomplishes his redemptive work.

Transition Sentence: God’s purpose has a way of changing believers, forming them into what he can use for his good purpose. This can create additional leaders who can also be utilized for his purpose. Leaders maintain healthy leadership qualities to establish, grow, and maintain their church.

Second Sermon Division that reiterates the MIS: Appoint Godly Leaders Who Uphold Truth, Restore Order, and Create More leaders (1:5-9)

 Illustration: A car without an engine is not going to take you anywhere, and if it has a poorly running engine, it might leave you stranded; the church also needs leaders whose lives are running correctly and built on truth and integrity.

 Transition Sentence: Where godly order prevails, falsehood is exposed.

 Third Sermon Division: Guard the Flock from Deception and False Teachings (1:10-16)

 Illustration: A shepherd risks his life for his sheep, keeping them safe from wolves and ensuring they know where food is available, just as a leader protecting God’s truth is an act of love, he lays down his life for his followers, providing for their needs.

 Conclusion Theme: Paul’s opening charge to Titus reminds us: the church thrives when its structure is sound and its leaders live the gospel they preach. This truth unfolds in three practical ways. First, we recognize God’s purpose in ministry, understanding that every role in the church exists to advance his redemptive plan and to bring people into a living relationship with Christ. Second, we are called to appoint godly leaders who uphold truth, ensuring that those who guide the flock exemplify integrity, wisdom, and faithfulness, modeling the gospel in both word and deed. Third, we must guard the flock from deception, protecting the church from false teaching and moral compromise so that the body of Christ remains healthy, unified, and vibrant. When these principles are faithfully applied, the church fulfills its mission, and leaders and congregants alike experience the blessing of a gospel-centered community.

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Title of Sermon 2: Sound Doctrine for Everyday Living (Titus 2:1-10)

Sermon Idea: True doctrine transforms character and unites generations in godliness.

Introduction Theme: Doctrine is often seen as only abstract, but for Paul, doctrine is practical. In other words, if we have the right beliefs, our behavior will naturally follow. Paul teaches us that grace can reshape how a variety of people, for example, older men, women, youth, and even servants, as they were called in his time, live in a world that is constantly watching them.

Interrogative: What does sound doctrine look like when it is lived out in daily life?

Transition Sentence- that emphasizes the MIS: Paul gives us three pictures of how God’s truth should shape our lives.

First Sermon Division that reiterates the MIS: Teach What Is Suitable for Solid Faith (2:1-6)

Illustration: When I play and sing with my guitar, the music sounds best when every note and chord is in tune and on time. If I play or sing out of key or out of rhythm, the song loses its harmony and beauty. Likewise, believers live in harmony when we follow sound doctrine, allowing the truth of God’s Word to guide every part of our lives.

Transition Sentence: Just as the quality of the music depends on each note being true, the impact of our teaching depends on the integrity of the teacher.

Second Sermon Division that reiterates the MIS: Model Integrity in Our Spoken Word and in Our Actions (2:7-8)

Illustration: A boat with a crack may stay afloat for a while, but water slowly seeps in, threatening to sink it. Similarly, a minister or believer without integrity may appear steady, but over time, falsehood, hypocrisy, or inconsistency leaks out, undermining trust and effectiveness. Just as a boat must not be full of holes so it keeps water out, a Christian’s character and integrity must be whole to carry the truth of the gospel to others.

Transition Sentence: Right living, even without spoken words, leads others to see the beauty of the gospel.

Third Sermon Division: Doctrine of God is Made Beautiful by Our Good Conduct (2:9-10)

Illustration: Just as a beautiful picture frame highlights a painting’s magnificence, a life lived in a godly way highlights the beauty of the gospel.

Conclusion Theme: Doctrine is not merely abstract theory or intellectual knowledge; it is meant to be lived out in every aspect of daily life. Sound teaching shapes character, choices, and relationships, guiding believers to reflect God’s holiness and love. When Christians live according to the truths of Scripture, they demonstrate the transforming power of grace in practical ways. This is displayed through integrity, self-control, kindness, and faithfulness in family, church, and community. The visible fruit of godly living validates the gospel, showing that grace does more than forgive; it reforms hearts, aligns lives with God’s will, and produces actions that honor him. In this way, sound doctrine becomes both a guide for personal holiness and a witness to the world, proving that God’s truth is not just taught but actively alive, shaping a healthy, holy, and fruitful church.

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Title of Sermon 3: Grace Saves and Trains Us to Live Right (Titus 2:11-15)

Sermon Idea: The same grace that saves us is also the grace that teaches us to live holy, hopeful lives.

Introduction Theme: Grace is not only forgiveness of sin; it is the power to begin to live like Christ. God’s grace appeared in Christ; it redeemed us and reshaped us for good works. Paul reminds Titus that it is grace that trains believers to renounce sin and to live with the hope of Christ’s return in their hearts.

Interrogative: How does grace change the believer’s daily life?

Transition Sentence- that emphasizes the MIS: Paul teaches that the church has three transforming effects of grace, which can change how a believer chooses to live.

First Sermon Division that reiterates the MIS: Grace Saves Us from Sin’s Penalty (2:11)

Illustration: Light from a candle shines through shadows, overtaking the darkness, illuminating hidden things. God’s grace shines in our lives the same way; it reveals sin, lighting the way, and leads us toward the desire to do what is right because we love God and are thankful for what his light has helped us overcome so far.

Transition Sentence: Grace appears through Christ’s redemptive work for all people; it saves and trains believers to live rightly.

Second Sermon Division that reiterates the MIS: Grace Teaches Us to Live Godly Lives (2:12)

Illustration: In martial arts, a student repeats the same movements over and over, blocking, striking, adjusting form, until joints begin to lock into position and precision becomes automatic. Each repetition strengthens muscle memory and sharpens awareness, enabling the martial artist to move with purpose and control. In the same way, grace trains believers through the steady rhythm of truth and obedience, locking our spiritual “joints” into alignment with God’s will and building the discipline needed for a faithful, effective, fruit-filled life.

Transition Sentence: Grace disciplines us to say “no” to sin and “yes” to holiness; it points us forward in hope of our eternal destiny.

Third Sermon Division: Grace Directs Our Hope Toward Christ’s Return (2:13-15)

Illustration: In the Bible, the wise virgins kept their lamps filled with oil, ready for the bridegroom’s arrival (Matt. 25:1-13). Their lamps stayed lit because they had prepared in advance, watching and waiting with faithfulness. Likewise, the church must keep its spiritual lamps burning, filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:1-6), living in constant readiness for Christ’s return. Holy living is the flame that keeps the light shining, testifying that we belong to the bridegroom (Rev. 19:7).

Conclusion Theme: Grace makes us a people enthusiastic for good works, living lives that reflect the character of God while we await the return of Christ. It is not only the power that saves us from sin, but also the power that transforms, trains, and sustains us. Grace is both our foundation and our instructor; it teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldly desires. It frees us from the chains of sin. It makes us desire to do what is pleasing to God.

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Title of Sermon 4: Living a Transformed Life in Christ

Sermon Idea: Those who have received God’s mercy must learn to emulate his mercy through humility, good works, forgiveness, and unity.

Introduction Theme: Paul concludes the letter to Titus by reminding believers that they have a responsibility to be public witnesses of God’s work in them. The world watches how Christians live, speak, serve, and respond to conflict. The gospel that saves us must also become what shapes our relationships and our zeal for doing what is good.

Interrogative: How can we display grace in our daily conduct and community life?

Transition Sentence- that emphasizes the MIS: Paul gives three reminders for living as transformed believers.

First Sermon Division that reiterates the MIS: Remember Who You Were and Where You Came From (3:1-3)

Illustration: A person pulled from a burning fire is not going to forget the hands that saved them. The memory of that rescue reminds them of their gratitude and humility. In the same way, remembering how God saved us from the flames of sin keeps our hearts humble and grounded in grace (Jude 1:23).

Transition Sentence: Our past points to destruction, but Paul points to God’s mercy in the present; humility grows from remembering our past rebellion.

Second Sermon Division that reiterates the MIS: Remember What God Has Done for Us (3:4-7)

Illustration: A mechanic can restore an engine; what once failed can be restored to run smoothly in the expert’s hands. In the same way, God, through the Holy Spirit, renews our hearts, repairing what sin broke and restoring us to live by his power (Ezek. 36:26-27).

Transition Sentence: Salvation is the result of God’s mercy, not our merit, so grace received must now become grace lived.

Third Sermon Division: Devote Yourself to Doing What is Good (3:8-15)

Illustration: Like a fig tree flourishing in rich soil, a believer deeply rooted in Christ naturally bears the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23), and produces good works (Eph. 2:10). Just as the tree draws life from its roots, our spiritual growth and faithful actions flow from our connection to God the vine (John 15:4-5).

Conclusion Theme: Titus closes where it began: with a call to order, grace, and faithful living. The letter reminds us that the gospel is not just a message to believe, but a power to live by. God’s people are called to reflect his character in every aspect of life, in humility toward one another, unity within the body, and diligent devotion to good works. Just as Paul instructed Titus to appoint godly leaders and teach sound doctrine, so the church today flourishes when its members submit to God’s design, resist falsehood, and embody the transforming power of his grace. The gospel that saves us also equips and sends us, shaping our conduct so that others may see God’s glory through our lives. In this way, the church becomes both a faithful witness to the world and a community marked by holiness, love, and fruitful service, fulfilling God’s purpose as a God-designed, one-body, healthy, and holy church.

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