Category: Authority
Subject: Authority
The Patternists: Lent is NOT Christian
I was watching FOX News late Wednesday night, and noticed a mark on Laura Ingraham’s forehead. At first glance I thought she had a bruise, but quickly realized she was sporting an ash cross. Ash Wednesday is really not on my radar, and you don’t typically see people walking around with ash on their foreheads, so it was the first indication I had that the Lenten season has started.
I took to the internet to jog my memory about this observance. Some who are unaware might think my ignorance of the observance to be peculiar. Since I am a professed Christian, and gospel preacher, some might think it obvious that Lent would be an important “season” for me to observe. Consider the following quote from an article written by an Episcopal priest named Scott Gunn, “This Wednesday, Christians around the world will begin their observance of the season of Lent.”
Sermon: Faulty Assumptions
The Sadducees were wrong in denying the resurrection. Their doctrine, as revealed in Matthew 22:23-33 was based on two faulty assumptions. Religious people today make the same mistake. Never base your doctrine on an assumption, it may too be faulty!
The Patternists: Does Jesus Condemn Judging?
The answer to the question before us? Jesus certainly does condemn judging! Note Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” The problem is that people think the question to be simple, when it is actually more complex.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 are not a blanket condemnation of judging, or else we would have Him contradicting Himself. In John 7:24 he told the people “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
The context of Matthew 7 shows that the judgment condemned is hypocritical judgment. I look for the speck in my friend’s eye, when there is a plank in my own eye (vs. 3). We are to remember that any standard of judgment we use will “measured back” to us (vs. 2). Judging another in a small thing when I stand condemned in a greater thing is to be a hypcocrite, and brings God’s judgment upon me.
Consider however, the Christian needs to judge every day! Look at the very context of Matthew 7. Jesus told the people in verse 6, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine.” His admonition requires that one judge which men are dogs and swine. He also requires such judgment to be righteous.
In verse 15 Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets.” He went so far as to say that they “come to you in sheep’s clothing.” How can we identify them without judging? We can’t! Again, our judgment must be righteous. Remember Jesus’ words, “Do not judge according to appearance.” Instead, Jesus said in verse 20, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
Jesus requires obedience from His disciples. Judging others when you yourself are not living in accord with His will is to act the hypocrite. When we of necessity do judge, we are to judge actions (as they relate to God’s will), not appearance or hearts.
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Investing, Divesting & Usurping
Numbers 20 records a rather significant event in the early history of the nation of Israel. Aaron and his sons were appointed by God to be priests of the people at the establishment of the nation. “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest” (Exodus 28:1-3). Continue reading “Investing, Divesting & Usurping”
Sermon: God Breathed
Most are ignorant of God’s word, and its great importance. The concept of inspiration demands a knowledge of, and respect for God’s law.
What Does it Mean to Submit?
The call to be submissive is made constantly in scripture. In 1 Peter 5:5, the apostle wrote, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”
The term submit is defined by Thayer: to subject one’s self, obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice; to obey, be subject.
This term teaches us two things: First, authority exists. Second, you are not that authority! The idea that men are free to do what they wish, without consequence, is flawed. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
As Peter indicated earlier in our text, even those who have been delegated positions of oversight must realize their position as servants. “nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (3).
Ultimately, submission becomes natural when humility is present. Humility in turn comes from a sense of selflessness. It is not about you, it is about others. Paul used Jesus as the ultimate example of such selflessness, and admonished the Philippians, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Be definition, any departure from the Biblical pattern, any presumption that God is accepts our innovations, denies this concept of submission. It is not our place to make the rules. It is our place to humbly obey (submit to) the rules that have been established by our Lord.
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Sermon: God’s Pattern for Benevolence
An examination of 2 Corinthians 8, and similar passages helps to establish God’s pattern for the benevolent work of the local church.
Are You A Legalist?
The term “legalist” is used quite often in religion, and always in a negative sense. If someone calls you a legalist, they are not giving you a compliment.
The term is not used in scripture, so we must go to secular sources to define it. Dictionary.com does so:
- strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit.
- Theology
- the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.
- The judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.
Looking at the definition above, it would be inappropriate for Christians to ascribe to any of the definitions, save perhaps the last. Let me explain. Continue reading “Are You A Legalist?”
Sermon: The Controversy Over Institutionalism
Lesson 3 of 5 in Lecturshipe Series: Controversy Among the People of God
Speaker: Brantley Gallman
This lesson examines the Institutional issues that divided the Lord’s church in the middle of the 20th century. Such division remains today.
Sermon: 150 Years of Controversy
Lesson 2 of 5 in Lectureship Series: Controversy Among the People of God
Speaker: Stan Cox
This lesson examines controversies that have troubled God’s people in the last 150 years. This is especially an examination of the Lord’s church in recent history, here in America. Issues discussed include the Missionary Society, Instrumental Music, Premillennialism & the Grace/Unity movement.
Sermon: Church of Christ FAQ Sheet
A number of Frequently Asked Questions about the Lord’s church, answered in this sermon.
Sermon: Some Identifying Marks of the Lord’s Church
The description given of the Lord’s church in the New Testament differs markedly from the denominations today. His church, however, exists and is identifiable in our time.
Constantly Affirm!
Consider the following words by Paul, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men” (Titus 3:8).
We will leave aside for a moment whether a failure to “maintain good works” will have an impact upon the salvation of the negligent Christian. My question is this… If Paul wanted Titus to “affirm constantly that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works” why do men today speak evil of those who do just that?
Men trumpet the joy and release they feel when they stop worrying about obedience, and just trust in the “finished work of Jesus.” They disparage their “destructive” upbringing, among a group of legalists who constantly emphasized, “OBEY, OBEY, OBEY!” They call such “patternists” destructive and evil.
It seems the American version of “Christianity” will not put up with men like Titus, especially as they diligently follow Paul’s instructions.
Nevertheless, Paul contends that such constant calls to faithfully obey God are “good and profitable to men.” As such, the diligent evangelist will endeavor to remind men “to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1).
Remember Paul’s words, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
