Category: Defense/Truth
Subject: Defense of Truth
Mining the Scriptures: 2 Peter 2:15-17
Peter continues his description of the character and actions of the false teachers troubling the church by noting their actions as being like Balaam.
Balaam was a prophet during the days of Moses as the children of Israel were in the wilderness of Judea. Balaam’s greed and desire for glory led him to initially disobey God, as the King of Moab wanted him to curse God’s people (Numbers 22). On the way, a dumb donkey kept him from such an evil task (cf. 22:22-34).
The false teachers addressed by Peter have the same motivation, leaving truth for personal gain. In verse 3, “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words…” Such actions can rightly be described as “madness” – they go against God!
Just as a well or storm clouds promise water, but disappoint us when they are dry or pass by without rain, these false teacher’s disappoint. Their words are useless and corrupt.
They are condemned and will be punished by God in eternity.
It Takes All Kinds
This important lesson is illustrated in 1 Kings 18. The prophet Elijah was in conflict with King Ahab. The conflict had led Elijah to proclaim a drought in the land which lasted for several years. “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1). This was in response to Ahab’s sin.
During the drought (just before Elijah’s prayer brought it to an end, and before Ahab knew it was about to end), the Lord told Elijah to go and present himself to Ahab. Continue reading “It Takes All Kinds”
Sermon: How to Handle the Gospel
Neither the religious world, not our secular society have any real idea how to correctly handle the word of God. This lesson establishes 7 truths on the matter.
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Sermon: Positive VS Negative
Stan Cox preaches on the importance of declaring the whole counsel of God (cf. Acts 20), without straying to solely positive preaching or solely negative preaching. Jesus, Stephen and Paul are all used as examples to follow.
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Mining the Scriptures: 2 Peter 2:1-3
There were false prophets in Israel, and Peter promised that false teachers would exist in the church. What is the difference between a false prophet and a false teacher? In reality, nothing at all. A prophet is one inspired of God. A false prophet may claim to be inspired, but his message is his own. A preacher of truth is not inspired, but speaks in accord with inspiration. A false teacher claims to preach truth, but his message is his own. Such men may evidence characteristics that are worldly and evil, but they are known by their fruit (their doctrine, cf. Matthew 7:15-20), which does not accord with righteousness.
Peter warns about such men because some would follow their teaching, contradicting truth. They would exploit Christians, convincing some that their message was from God when it was not.
It is obvious that such men will come into judgment. However, their doctrines destroy those who follow them as well. This is why Peter warns of them, and why we must as well.
Our Warfare
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:4-6).
How many wars have been fought in the name of God? In the new covenant ratified with the blood of Jesus Christ, the concept of warfare changed. It has nothing to do with swords, chariots, horses, or bullets, missiles and ships. What does that mean? It means that the eight crusades, battles fought between the Catholics and Muslims from 1096 — 1291 were misguided. The Kingdom of Christ had no possessions or land to guard or reclaim.
It means that Medieval Catholic tortures as a part of the Inquisition, and the conversions at sword point of the indigenous population in the Americas were likewise egregious examples of the corruption of the Christian faith.
Our method of battle is persuasive. It is the casting down of arguments, not the blowing up of city walls. Our purpose to save is accomplished through the gospel, “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
All accounts will be settled in judgment. Rewards and punishments will occur after our time on earth is over (2 Peter 3:14), with Christ as our judge (Romans 14:10-12).
Militance in the Faith
The term militant is defined in the English language as—1) engaged in warfare or combat : FIGHTING; 2) aggressively active (as in a cause) : COMBATIVE. (Merriam-Webster).
Interestingly, the term has a bit of a negative connotation in our day and time. To be militant in anything is frowned upon. That is why militance is paired with words like extremism, dogmatism, radicalism, and intolerance. Today a large section of our society looks askance at full devotion to any cause. Continue reading “Militance in the Faith”
Poisoning Minds
In Acts 14, we are told that Paul and Barnabas were in Iconium, preaching in the synagogue. Their preaching was effective among Jews and Gentiles. But, the unbelieving Jews “stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren” (14:3). Many believed, but the opposition was strong and active, and they eventually had to flee for their lives.
We will always emphasize the need for defending the faith, and the capability of truth to stand and convict men of sin. But, we also realize that it is possible for the minds of men to be poisoned. And, when it happens there is often nothing that can be done.
When men call light darkness and darkness light, they can poison the minds of some. When they state with extreme conviction and flattering words a false doctrine that has appeal to the masses, they can poison the minds of some. When they make false accusations about the faithful, characterizing their faith as extreme or irrelevant, they can poison the minds of some.
Such poison minds can make life more difficult for the servant of God. Not only does such opposition confuse the innocent, it emboldens the enemies of the cross to persecute the faithful. What do we do in response?
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ” … “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:1a,2).
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The Patternists: Wage the Good Warfare
I would like to share a few thoughts regarding Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18-20:
“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
First, what does it mean for Timothy to wage the good warfare? It is evident that we are at war with Satan. There is the responsibility that each has to fight personally against Satan. This is why we don the armor of God (cf. Ephesians 6), that we may be able, “to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).
Guard the Faith
As an evangelist, Timothy had a wonderful teacher, who instructed him in the gospel of Christ. The great apostle Paul took a personal interest in the young man, and called upon Timothy to “Guard what was committed to your trust” (1 Timothy 6:20).
The Greek word translated “Guard,” (or “Keep” in the KJV), means to guard or preserve. An evangelist is certainly not to guard the faith in the sense of keeping it from others. Rather, he is to guard or preserve the integrity of the faith that is committed to his trust.
In fact, the phrase “committed to your trust” indicated that Timothy had a responsibility to pass on to others the exact message of truth that he himself had received. As we consider the extant dangers listed by Paul in the context, “profane and idle babblings”, “contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge”, we see that such corruptions of the truth lead to a disciple straying.
One of the primary responsibilities of the child of God is to, “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Jude speaks of “certain men”, “ungodly men”, who corrupt the truth of God, and in so doing defile themselves, and those who hear them.
As an evangelist, Timothy had a special burden in defending the truth. No man who claims to be an evangelist is worth his salt if he does not stand up to the error that is present in every generation. Not only is a preacher to be a proclaimer, he is to be a guardian of the truth!
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Sermon: Questioning Convention
Jesus came to earth, and was radical in His teaching. He constantly questioned the conventional thinking of His age, and turned society on its head. We will too be countercultural if we follow His teaching.
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“Holding Fast” the Faithful Word
In Titus 1:9, there is a phrase used to describe a qualification for elders, which should be present in every Christian. The elder must hold fast the “faithful word.” Though they are not alone in the requirement, it is especially important for an elder to be able and willing to defend the truth.
The phrase “hold fast” is taken from a single Greek word. Vine defines that term — to hold firmly to, cleave to.
The word that is to be cleaved to is the “faithful” (pistos) word. Vine’s says that in the context of Titus 1:9, this word is — faithful, to be trusted, reliable.
The “word” (logos) is a common word here used to refer to the sayings of God. In effect, the doctrine delivered by the Holy Spirit. This is why it can be trusted, or relied upon. As Peter states, “…no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
This defense of God’s word is possible when one “has been taught.” This emphasizes the needed teaching in our churches, and the importance of any man who would be an elder to be familiar with the doctrine of Christ.
The reason for this is seen in the phrase, “that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” No man should occupy the office of elder who is not able both to correct the misunderstandings and actions of the flock, and to protect against false teachers.
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Sermon: Fall 2021 Gospel Meeting (Dennis Scroggins)
All lessons preached by Dennis Scroggins, October 2-7, 2021
Lesson 1 (Saturday, October 2, 2021)
By Faith Noah Condemned the World
Dennis uses the example of Noah (and the text of Hebrews 11:7) to show that as he condemned the world by his righteous life, we as Christians are to shine as lights in the world as well.
Lesson 2 (Sunday @ 9am, October 3, 2021)
The Sin of Unforgiveness
Too often Christians harbor resentment and anger in their hearts when they have been offended. Such anger is self-destructive and sinful.
Lesson 3 (Sunday @ 10am, October 3, 2021)
Bitterness: The Devil’s Distraction
Bitterness of heart can destroy the spiritual well-being of the child of God. It is one of the Devil’s most successful tools in derailing the Christian walk.
Lesson 4 (Sunday @ 11am, October 3, 2021)
Spiritual Cannibalism
When Christians attack one another, it is a form of spiritual cannibalism. (Galatians 5:15), “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”
Lesson 5 (Monday, October 4, 2021)
Friendship – Fellowship
The basis for Christian fellowship has never been friendship. It revolves around obedience and faithfulness to the Word of God. Too often in the world today, Christians forget this truth.
Lesson 6 (Tuesday, October 5, 2021)
Why Does the Holy Spirit Speak to You, and Not to Me?
Many religious people believe the Holy Spirit speaks directly to them. The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit guided the apostles into ALL truth, and now we have it in written form. So many, though sincere, are misguided in their feelings on the matter.
Lesson 7 (Wednesday, October 6, 2021)
Who is the Greatest Among You?
Greatness in the kingdom is the product of service. We must humble ourselves before God and man to serve Him as He desires.
Lesson 8 (Wednesday, October 7, 2021)
Progressive Church Movement Found in the Churches of Christ
A progressive attitude is present as a part of an ecumenical movement in many evangelical denominations. Progressive in the sense of a depature from the standard of God’s word. Unfortunately, such attitudes can be found in the Lord’s church as well.
Sermon: Taught and Established
Peter wrote in 2 Peter 14-18 that untaught and unstable people may twist the scriptures to their destruction. This shows us how important it is to be taught, and established in the faith.
Sermon: The Sovereignty of God
An explanation of the Bible doctrine of God’s sovereignty, together with a refutation of false teaching regarding the same. (Specifically, the erroneous view espoused by Calvinists).
