Adorn the Doctrine of Christ

Cornerstone Baptist Church welcomes Dr. Tony Hutson for our Fall Revival and Old Fashion Sunday.

Titus 2:1-15

Scripture Reference

Read Titus 2:1-15. This passage is the foundation for our message tonight: the charge to “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:10).

Introduction

Dr. Tony Hutson preaches from Titus 2 because this chapter addresses both doctrine and daily life. It connects cardinal truths of the gospel—Christ’s substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and visible return—with the practical way Christians are to live in homes, churches, and communities. The Scripture teaches that sound doctrine must be lived out so that it attracts others to Christ. Tonight we will look at what it means to adorn the doctrine of Christ: to be faithful in belief and winsome in life so that the gospel is honored and effective.

“Thank you so much. Y’ all can be seated. Take your Bibles and turn to Titus. And I believe that’s where I need to go tonight. It’s good to be in the house of the Lord. It always is, isn’t it?”

Quote from Preacher

This opening line sets the tone: humble, direct, and Bible-centered. Dr. Hutson roots the sermon in Scripture and in the gathered church, calling us to attention and to God’s Word.

Outline

Sound Doctrine as the Source
1. Cardinal Truths: gospel bedrock
  Titus places doctrine and duty together. Cardinal doctrines—Christ’s deity, virgin birth, substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection, and visible return—are non-negotiable. These truths give the church its identity and its hope (Titus 2:13; Romans 1:16).
2. Scripture’s sufficiency and authority
  Dr. Hutson affirms the inspiration and preservation of Scripture and the necessity of a Bible-centered faith. The Bible furnishes doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Adornment through a Consistent Walk
1. Immutability and steadfastness
  The Lord does not change (Mal. 3:6); therefore our convictions should not be fickle. A consistent walk—steady attendance, faithful living, and moral clarity—makes doctrine believable. People watch whether we keep meeting times, maintain scriptural standards, and act with integrity.
2. Motive and perseverance
  Christian service must be motivated by love and faithfulness, not novelty or popularity (1 Cor. 13; Col. 1:23). The church that endures and holds to truth adorns the gospel.
Adornment through Compassionate Witness
1. Weeping and burden for souls
  Dr. Hutson calls Christians to regain a pastoral compassion—tears for the lost, burden for family members, and sacrificial concern for missionaries. Compassion demonstrates gospel reality. Jesus wept (John 11:35) and sent us as witnesses (Acts 1:8).
2. Sacrificial giving and zealous works
  Adornment includes tangible acts—supporting missions, helping the hurting, and giving sacrificially. Titus 2:14 speaks of a people “zealous of good works.”
Adornment through Compelling Worship
1. Worship that proclaims the gospel
  True worship is gospel-centered: it sings of Christ, preaches salvation, and moves hearts to respond (Romans 10:14-15). Dr. Hutson insists worship services should draw people to the Lord, not repulse them with confusion or gimmicks.
2. Order, reverence, and intelligibility
  Worship must be intelligible and reverent, so seekers and saints alike can see the glory of God and the power of the gospel (1 Cor. 14:33, 40). This does not mean legalism about incidental matters, but careful stewardship of how we present worship.
Adornment through Attractive Lives (Not Attractive Gimmicks)
1. Garnish vs. Garbage
  Using the preacher’s illustrations: some Christians are a “garnish” that makes doctrine attractive; others are like a “hair in a biscuit”—a hindrance. The church’s lifestyle, speech, and example should appeal to the lost because they display gospel reality (Titus 2:10).
2. Practical holiness in home and public
  Titus 2 gives explicit counsel for different ages and roles—older men, older women, young men, servants. When these roles are lived out, doctrine is adorned. A godly home and godly public conduct authenticate our message.
Guarding Doctrine by Clear Boundaries
1. No new recipe for salvation
  Dr. Hutson warns against altering gospel distinctives for popularity. The gospel is not improved by cultural accommodation that compromises truth. Adorning doctrine does not mean changing it.
2. Vital distinctives—church, pulpit, gender roles, and authority
  He emphasizes scriptural roles: the local New Testament church as the center of spiritual life, male pastoral leadership, and family order (Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Tim. 3:1-7). These are part of the doctrine that must be lived and defended.

Summary

Titus 2 calls Christians to live out true doctrine so that the gospel is seen and honored. Dr. Hutson urges consistent lives, compassionate hearts, compelling worship, and attractive holiness—all anchored in Scripture. Adorning the doctrine of Christ means not inventing new ways to “sell” the gospel but beautifying and displaying the eternal truths we have been given. When doctrine is believed with the heart and practiced with integrity, people see the gospel’s power and are drawn to Jesus.

“That they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior in all things.”

Quote to Ponder

This is the central refrain of the sermon and the challenge to every believer: make your life a praise to the doctrines of Christ so that others might be saved and God honored.

Application for the Week

Practical steps to adorn the doctrine of Christ this week. These are doable for young adults and all members, designed to help spiritual growth and mature Christian living.

Daily Scripture and Prayer
Read Titus 2:1-15 every day this week. Pray for conviction where the passage exposes you. Ask the Lord for the Holy Spirit’s power to live out what you read (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Consistency Check
Make a list of your regular spiritual habits (church attendance, daily devotions, family worship). Pick one habit to restore or strengthen—show up for an extra service, join a Bible study, or start a daily 10-minute quiet time.
Compassionate Outreach
Identify one person in your circle who is lost or backslidden. Pray for them daily, call or visit them, and invite them to church. Consider sending a short note or scripture text this week to show you care.
Worship Preparation
Prepare your heart for corporate worship—set aside time beforehand to pray and read a Psalm. Come eager to sing, to hear the preaching of the Word, and to invite friends. If you’re a leader—usher, musician, teacher—practice your role with reverence and excellence.
Guard the Home
If you are married, follow Titus 2 counsel: love your spouse, be faithful, and keep the home a place of godliness. If single, pursue purity and godly relationships. Let your home reflect the gospel so visitors see the beauty of Christ.
Give and Serve
Make a small sacrificial gift to missions or begin serving in a church ministry this week. Even modest sacrifice shows zeal for good works and decorates gospel truth with love in action (Titus 2:14).
Confess and Repent
If the Lord convicts you for inconsistency, compromise, or pride, confess it to a trusted believer or your pastor. Repentance restores beauty to the doctrine and strengthens your witness (1 John 1:9).

These steps are not a checklist to earn God’s favor but means by which the Holy Spirit adorns Christ’s doctrine through transformed lives. Begin small, be consistent, and trust God to multiply your faithfulness for His glory.