Titus 1: 1 ¶ But as for you, continue teaching the things that go hand in hand

with sound doctrine:2 That the older men be sober, serious-

minded, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in patience.

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much

wine. They are to teach what is good,4 and so teach the young women to love

their husbands and children,5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own

husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show

integrity, dignity,8 and sound speech that cannot be

condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

9 Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-

pleasing, not argumentative,10 not stealing, but showing all good faith,

so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

11 ¶ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

12 teaching us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

13 waiting for our blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus

Christ,14 who gave Himself for us, that He might

redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special

people, zealous for good works.

Please Pray

Are You a Thermostat or a Thermometer?

Mt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your

Father in heaven.

“People are either thermometers or thermostats. They either reflect the climate around them, or

they set it. Leaders develop values and principles to live by and set the tone for others.”

Thermostats influence the culture. God’s plan for us is to be Thermostats

Christians who establish and live by precepts and principles become

thermostats in and out of the church. They have a moral and

spiritual compass that guides them in their lives.

When these precepts and principles are not governing in our lives, we become merely

Is 3: 16 ¶ Moreover the LORD says: "Because the

daughters of Zion are haughty, And walk with outstretched

necks And wanton eyes, Walking and mincing as they go, Making a jingling with

thermometers reflecting the culture around us. This is exactly what happened in ancient

Israel time and time again.

their feet, 17 Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab The crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, And the LORD will uncover their secret parts.” 18 In that day

the Lord will take away the finery: The jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents; 19 The pendants, the bracelets, and the … 24 And so it shall be: Instead of a sweet smell there will be a

stench; Instead of a sash, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, baldness; Instead of a rich robe, a sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty.

N.T. Warning “be not conformed to this world,”Do not become thermometers!

You are called to be Thermostats

Illustration of Christians who do not govern their lives by

precepts and principlesA young girl and her dad

were visiting an amusement park one Saturday. They

walked up to a booth where a man was guessing people's weight. A large, heavy-set

man stepped up, and the employee attempted to guess his weight. Then, the man stepped up on the

scale only to find out it was broken. The scale reported the man weighed just twenty-five pounds.

The little girl said "Look dad! A hollow man.”Some Christian Principles

1. Mature Christians are to bear the burdens of weaker ones or defer to them. Even if it

requires us to limit our God-given liberties.

Ro 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak. 15:1

Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please

ourselves.2. Christians, if necessary, are to suffer

themselves to be taken advantage of, for God’s glory.

1Co 6:7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one

another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 3. Christians are to do everything to the glory of

God and the advancement of His kingdom. 1Co 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or

whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks

or to the church of God,

4. Christians are to behave modestly in all situations and at all occasions.

a. Placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth b : neither bold nor self-assertive c :

observing the proprieties of dress and behavior : decent

5. Christians are to have homes where Christ is exalted at all times.

Ps 101:3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; Parable of the Prodigal Son,

Eli’s Sons “Phinehas & Hophni “6. A Christian's entertainment and recreation

should have Christ's honor as their first priority.

7. Christians are to abstain from all appearances of wrongdoing.

1Th 5:22 Abstain from every appearance of evil.A. Barnes- “There are many things which, in

themselves, may not appear to us to be positively wrong, but which are considered so

many in the community; and for us to do them would be regarded as inconsistent and improper. A great variety of subjects, such as

those pertaining to dress, entertainment, drinking alcohol, and various business

practices, come under this general class; which, have much the "appearance" of evil, and will be so interpreted by others. The safe rule is to lean always to the side of virtue.”

If in doubt throw it out.

8. Christians are to exhibit Biblical love in all situations.

Pr 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; Mt 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless

those who curse you,9. Christians are not to have double standards. i.e.

Not going to the movies, yet renting videos Modesty vs. Beach Attire

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 <THERMOMETER THERMOSTAT>

Lets Get PersonalTake a moment to do an honest evaluation on

whether you "act" or "react" more often in life. Are you a thermostat, who acts based on

principles and values you embrace, or do you react to situations like a thermometer, reflecting

the temperature in the room?

Rate Yourself Below

Conclusion- Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?

Remember, God’s plan is for His people to be Thermostats.

Mt 5:13 ¶ "You are the salt of the earth;14 "You are the light of the world… 16 "So let

your light shine before men…Lead! Set the Moral & Spiritual tone of the

culture around you.

De 18:10 "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 "or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 "For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. 13 "You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. 14 "For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you.

Lu 6: 46 "But why do you call Me ’Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?

How can we call Him "Lord" but not live by the values He lays out for us? Why is there a gap

between what we say and what we do?