September 14, 2025
The Teaching: Legit Level Grace | Brian Ebel
Big Idea:
One of the most misused quotes in the past few years comes from St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is quoted as saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary. One problem. St. Francis never said it. The closest scholars can find to this is this quote: “No brother should preach contrary to the form and regulations of the holy Church nor unless he has been permitted by his minister … All the Friars … should preach by their deeds.” This is Paul’s point in 2:1. Paul says to “speak what is fitting for healthy teaching.” Healthy teaching or healthy doctrine shapes our values which in turn should shape our behavior. What we believe affects who we are becoming. God didn’t give us his grace to do whatever we wanted with it. He gave us his grace to be different in the world, to be free from sin and bondage, and to live counterculturally as salt and light to others.
Key Points
- The Misquote of St. Francis
- “Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words” isn’t from Francis.
- Paul tells Titus to “speak what is fitting for healthy teaching.”
- The gospel is both character (how we live) and content (what we share).
- Character Leads to Content
- Titus 2 emphasizes self-control, integrity, and godly living across all groups—men, women, young, old, even bondservants.
- Character creates credibility, but content—actually speaking the gospel—is still essential.
- The Hard Work of Self-Control
- Self-control shows up repeatedly in Titus 2 because it’s difficult in every area of life (family, work, culture, even sports or food).
- Grace doesn’t free us to indulge but empowers us to resist ungodliness.
- The Content of the Gospel
- Christ gave himself to redeem us from lawlessness and make us his own possession.
- The gospel must be declared, not just implied. Words matter because eternity is at stake.
- Living and Sharing Grace
- Our everyday interactions—at work, with neighbors, in family—become opportunities to display Christlike character.
- But we must also be ready to speak the hope we have in Christ, simply and clearly.
Application Questions
- What’s the difference between “showing” the gospel by our lives and “sharing” the gospel with our words? How are both needed?
- Where do you personally find it hardest to practice self-control (family, work, online, culture)? How might God’s grace train you in that area this week?
- Who has been an “older mentor” in your life, showing you how to live out the faith? How might you be that person for someone else?
- Could you share the gospel in 30–60 seconds if asked today? How would you put it in your own words?
- This week, what’s one practical step you can take to live as “salt and light” and to look for an opportunity to actually declare the hope of Jesus?
