OceanSide church of Christ




Click here to see all of the YouTube videos belonging to OceanSide
(opens in a new browser)

 Previous Return to Sermons Next  Click to download Audio

THE SAME BATTLES OVER AND OVER (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     Battles have always been fought within the body of Christ.

 

B.      Sadly, it seems that the same battles are fought over and over again.  It is as if one generation cannot learn from the previous generation.

 

C.     In last week’s lesson, we looked at three battles the church has waged in the past and continues to wage today.

1.       Immorality

2.       Disregard of divine authority

3.       Man-made methods of growing the church

 

D.     Today, we want to look at three other battles that are fought over and over and over in the church.

 

I.                    FELLOWSHIP OF ERROR

 

A.     Error exists in two main forms:

1.       One form is moral sin (NOTE:  We dealt with this in our first point).

2.       Another form is doctrinal sin.

 

B.      The Bible teaches that there is a body of teaching that has been revealed to man that is “sound,” that is, healthy and wholesome.  It is truth.  It is the will of God for man.

1.       II Timothy 1:13

 

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

 

2.       Titus 2:1

 

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.

 

C.     It is this sound doctrine, the doctrine of Jesus Christ, that forms the basis of all fellowship (II John 9).

 

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

 

D.     Those who do not adhere to the doctrine of Christ are not to be fellowshipped (II John 10).

 

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:  for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

 

1.       Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for their fellowship of false teachers (II Cor. 6:14-16a).

2.       Jesus commended the church at Ephesus for hating the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which He also hated (Rev. 2:6).

E.      There are some who do not hesitate to fellowship those who teach doctrines contrary to the doctrine of Christ.

1.       Denominational groups

a.       Joint worship services

b.      Support their works financially

c.       No condemnation of their false teaching

d.      Immediate fellowship granted when individuals come from these groups

2.       World religions

3.       Secular groups

 

II.                 MATERIALISM

 

A.     Materialism is defined as the preoccupation or over emphasis on material goods, especially to the neglect of spiritual things.

 

B.      Two examples of materialism in the past.

1.       OT example (Amos 6:1, 4-6)

 

Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria…that lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; that chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music like David; that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with chief ointments:  but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

 

2.       NT example:  the church at Laodicea (Rev. 3:17a)

 

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing…

 

C.     Materialism is a deceptive thing for those of us who live in the United States, especially those who are considered middle class.

1.       We like to think of ourselves as poor.

2.       We do not like to think of ourselves as being materialistic.

3.       In comparison to the rest of the world we are extremely rich.

4.       We have lots of things that fulfill both needs and wants.

5.       We can be somewhat wasteful.

6.       We provide for self, but God’s work sometimes goes wanting.

7.       If we are asked to give up our material goods for the cause of Christ, we can get upset and cynical.  (See the account of the Rich Young Ruler, Matt. 19:16-22).

 

D.     The Bible warns us of wealth and riches.

1.       I John 2:15

 

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 

2.       I Timothy 6:17-19

 

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

 

a.       Riches make us proud.

b.      Riches cause us to trust in them rather than God who gives them

c.       Riches make us stingy and greedy.

d.      Riches keep us from eternal life.

 

III.              HOW TO BE SAVED

 

A.     For some reason man has never been satisfied with God’s simple plan of salvation. 

1.       The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 22:46-49).

2.       It was preached plainly on the Day of Pentecost following our Lord’s resurrection and ascension to God’s right hand (Acts 2:37-38, 41).

 

B.      Past:  Circumcision (Acts 15:1, 5)

 

And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved…but there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That is was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

 

C.     Present:  Faith only

1.       Faith only is a very common doctrine among many denominational churches:  Baptist, Methodists, Presbyterians, Evangelicals, and Community Churches.

2.       There have been several preachers within the churches of Christ who have embraced this teaching. 

a.       They tell individuals to believe and be saved.

b.      Then, they are to be baptized and find a church that teaches the Bible.

3.       This is false doctrine.

a.       The word “only” rules out everything else in God’s plan of redemption, including the blood of Christ and the grace of God. 

1.       If salvation is by faith only, it is not by the blood.

2.       If salvation is by faith only, it is not by grace

3.       NOTE:  Not one person, not even those who advocate the doctrine of faith only believe this.  All would say:  Salvation is by grace and the blood of Christ and faith.  If so, it is not by faith only.

b.      Salvation involves numerous elements and not just one thing.

1)      Repentance (Luke 13:3).

2)      Hope (Rom. 8:24)

3)      Confession of Jesus’ name (Rom. 10:9-10)

4)      The Word of God (James 1:21).

5)      Baptism (Mark 16:16).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     Until mankind studies the truth, learns the truth, and applies the truth, we will fight the same battles time and again.

 

B.      It is good that we can be associated with a sound congregation with sound elders who are aware of these battles from the past and who stand strong so they do not have to waged among us.

 

C.     My friends, let us never grow discouraged and give up.  Let us fight the good fight of faith (I Tim. 6:12).