In Bruce Crabtree's sermon titled "Deceived," he addresses the theological doctrine of human depravity as evidenced in Titus 3:1-7. The preacher emphasizes the state of humanity before salvation, describing them as "foolish, disobedient, and deceived," thus mirroring the Reformed understanding of total depravity. Crabtree supports his arguments with scriptural references, particularly from Titus, Jeremiah 17:9—illustrating the heart's deceitfulness—and Hebrews 3:12-13, focusing on the danger of unrecognized sin. He shifts the focus to God’s mercy, demonstrating that it is by grace alone, not through human actions, that one is saved and regenerated. The significance of this sermon lies in its call for introspection regarding the deceptive nature of the human heart and the necessity of relying wholly on divine grace.
Key Quotes
“We were sometimes deceived. If you had to ask me the chief characteristics of a lost person, I would tell you it's this, deceived.”
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?”
“The heart presents sin under the notion of pleasure... but it hides from him the reality that these pleasures are only for a season.”
“Satan labors to keep people from hearing the gospel... if God allows him, he'll continue that until you perish.”
The Bible indicates that our hearts are deceitful and can lead us astray, as noted in Jeremiah 17:9.
In Jeremiah 17:9, we learn that 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?' This means that human hearts have an inherent tendency to deceive themselves, which is a key characteristic of fallen humanity. The Apostle Paul echoes this in Titus 3:3, where he describes our past state as being foolish, disobedient, and deceived—showcasing the severity of our condition without divine intervention. True understanding of this nature is crucial for recognizing our need for salvation and liberation from such self-deception.
Jeremiah 17:9, Titus 3:3
God's mercy is emphasized in Titus 3:5, stating we are saved not by our works, but by His mercy.
Titus 3:5 reminds us that salvation comes not through our own deeds, but 'according to His mercy.' This highlights the sovereign grace of God, affirming that our attempts at righteousness are inadequate for salvation. Instead, it is God's mercy that saves us and this mercy is realized in regeneration and the washing of our sins. This creates a reliance on Christ's sacrifice and leads us to an understanding that our only hope rests in His kindness and grace, underscoring the foundational Reformed principle of salvation by grace alone.
Titus 3:5
Recognizing our past state as deceived and lost fosters gratitude for God’s mercy in our salvation.
Acknowledging our past state of being deceived, as outlined in Titus 3:3, allows Christians to fully appreciate the magnitude of God's grace in their lives. Paul categorizes himself and believers as having once lived in foolishness and disobedience, which serves both as a humbling reminder and a cause for gratitude. This recognition cultivates a deeper understanding of God's kindness and the process by which we are saved—by His mercy and not our own merit. Ultimately, it leads believers to live lives marked by humility rather than pride, recognizing they achieved salvation entirely through God's free grace.
Titus 3:3
Sin gradually hardens our hearts and deceives us into thinking it leads to pleasure, as noted in Hebrews 3:13.
Hebrews 3:13 warns, 'But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.' This passage illustrates how sin does not present its true nature at first; instead, it appears attractive and pleasurable. This gradual hardening leads individuals to disregard their spiritual condition, creating a false sense of security. Acknowledging this deceit helps believers maintain vigilance against sin, encouraging continuous fellowship and exhortation within the church. It promotes an understanding that sin is a subtle enemy that can cause eternal harm if left unchecked.
Hebrews 3:13
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