Staying the Course in Winds of Change

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:11-15

I. Losing our bearings

A. Changing world

B. The cry for political correctness and multiculturalism has thrown our world into confusion; people believe certain things but feel they cannot speak with conviction or say that another person’s practice is wrong. Author Phil Sanders: “People are hesitant to make ethical, moral, or theological stances because they have lost their frame of reference.” 1 Robert L. Simon, professor of philosophy at Hamilton College reported in The Chronicle of Higher Education (June 27, 1997): “[Students] accept the reality of the Holocaust, but they believe themselves unable morally to condemn it, or indeed to make any moral judgments whatsoever. …they themselves deplore the Holocaust and other great evils, but then they wind up by suspending moral judgment.”2 Kay Haugaard of Pasadena City College said “No one in the whole class of more than 20 ostensibly intelligent individuals would go out on a limb and take a stand against human sacrifice.”3

C. Changing attitudes among Christians

D. The church has not been immune from the pluralistic politically correct attitude pervasive in the world.

E. Some Christians will not hold nor tolerate dogmatic views even on matters clearly taught in Scripture. Brethren who will confidently defend practices with scriptural authority are accused of being narrow-minded legalistic traditionalists.

F. Ignorance of the truth may lead one to look around at the variety of opinions or interpretations and conclude that one cannot know the truth nor call other opinions error.

G. A variety of opinions does not mean there is no settled truth but tells us some people are correct, some are confused, and some are ignorant. John 7:12; 25-27, 31 – confused opinions but there was a true answer John 7:24 – Judge not by appearance but by true judgment (investigate)

H. The reluctance to take a stand on clear teaching of Scripture arises not from misunderstanding the text but a desire not to offend or appear superior.

I. For example, Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21 command baptism in order to have the remission of sins and salvation yet some doubt this. They will admit baptism is for the removal of sins but when asked whether an unbaptized believer is saved from sins, they will not deny it. The passages are not hard to understand or obey but the person does not want to admit that some who claim to follow Christ are not saved. Luke 16:15 – What is highly esteemed by men is abominable to God

II. Problems with the Core Gospel theory

A. Some say that all who claim to be Christians should unite on the core gospel and that doctrine does not matter.

B. Max Lucado: “I submit myself to the Word and there are core beliefs. However, for too long we have allowed our differences to divide us instead of our agreements to unite us.”4 It is ironic that those who push for unity on the core gospel cannot agree on what the core gospel is!

C. What about simple truths taught in the scripture?

D. Charts on Barna research on the percentage of self-proclaimed “born again” Christians who believe these truths Additionally, only 19% of “born again” Christians and 51% of Protestant pastors claimed to have the “Biblical Worldview” We cannot compromise the truth in order to find common ground and unity with the 81% of Christians and 49% of the Protestant pastors who reject these basic truths!

E. Most insist that the “seven ones” of Ephesians 4:3-6 are essentials and that other matters are nonessentials and opinion; not part of “the faith.”

F. However, no scripture exists that binds these on Christians to the exclusion of other commands; it is a man-made distinction.

G. Even the New Testament teaches that some things are matters of faith but are not included in the Ephesians 4 list.

H. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 – departures from the faith not related to Ephesians 41 Timothy 5:8 – Not taking care of family is against the faith Since some matters of faith are not on the Eph. 4 list, this view is invalid.

I. Some wish to unite only on the facts of Christ but this provides no anchor.

J. Efforts to unify religious bodies claiming to follow Christ run into problems with respectable denominations that claim Jesus was not resurrected in body, deny the virgin birth, believe He was just a good teacher, and He is not the exclusive way to salvation. The greatest problem is that one cannot separate Christ from His teachings.

K. To say one will unite on the “facts of Jesus” sounds good but is wrong and those who advocate it cannot even practice it!

III. True gospel

A. Can we know the true gospel and obey it?

B. Critics say the old way of interpreting Scripture is too dependent on logic and human reasoning.

C. “I believe it is extremely dangerous to elevate human reasoning to the level of God’s command.”5 Such a statement requires human reasoning and logic. Those who advocate new ways of interpreting scripture must use reasoning and logic to establish the method of interpretation; they must use the very things they condemn in others!

D. The problem is not human reasoning but incorrect reasoning.

E. Elmer Thiessen: “[Relativism] rests on a fundamental confusion—a failure to distinguish between truth and our search for the truth. It is obvious that our search for truth is subjective and relative…but this in no way suggests that truth itself is relative.”6 Relativists like to use the example of the blind men and the elephant and their imperfect descriptions to support pluralism; however, it fails to take into account that the story is told from the perspective of the king and his courtiers who can see the elephant and that there is a real elephant that they can describe fully. The recognition of error presupposes truth.7

F. The gospel is that truth and it is absolute truth (some points from Sanders).

G. The gospel is universal – Matthew 28:19-20 The gospel is final – John 16:12-13 (culture does not change it) The gospel is unchangeable – Galatians 1:6-8

H. The gospel is logical, reasonable, and understandable

I. Ephesians 5:17 – we can understand God’s will1 Thessalonians 5:21 – how can we prove without standard?1 John 4:1 – prove the true to avoid the false Acts 26:25 – words of truth and reason

J. One can know the gospel and obey it.

K. Proverbs 30:5-6 – His word is proven and should not be altered

L. 2 John 9 – not go beyond what is written John 8:31-32 – abide in the words of Jesus There are things that we need not agree on to remain in fellowship with one another—eating of meats offered to idols is a Scriptural example—provided we do nothing that would be divisive or cause a brother in Christ to sin.

M. There are some things that are non-negotiable.

N. Acts 2:42 – apostle’s teaching Colossians 1:22-23 – not moved from the gospel2 Thessalonians 2:15 – hold fast the traditions delivered (v.11-12) Titus 1:9 – sound doctrine establishes truth and defeats error.

O. If God’s word cannot be understood then it is the fault of God who could not or would not give us an understandable message.

IV. Conclusion

A. Men may reject, dilute, or twist His word

B. Remember 2 Peter 3:15-18 Will you be tossed on the waves by every wind of doctrine that blows along or will you let God’s word guide you through confusion and error.

C. Many are seeking the true word, not a diluted message.

D. Dave Shiflett, writer for publications such as the Washington Post, National Review, and The Wall Street Journal, wrote a book, Exodus, about the trend of Americans leaving liberal religions to find the true message of God. Author Dean M. Kelley noted, “Successful churches are not ‘reasonable,’ they are not ‘tolerant,’ they are not ecumenical, they are not ‘relevant.’ Quite to the contrary! They often refuse to recognize the validity of other churches’ teachings, ordinations, sacraments…”8 Churches that desire to be true to God’s word are growing those who are pluralistic and try to accommodate societal values are shrinking

E. “Buy the truth and do not sell it.” Be like a tree planted by the waters.

F. The winds of change are all around us threatening to blow us off course, confusing us, and distracting us; trust God’s word to guide you safely home.

V. -------------------------

A. 1 Sanders, Phil. Adrift. Nashville, Gospel Advocate Company: 2000. p. 20.

B. 2 Ibid, p. 26-27.

C. 3 Ibid, p. 27.

D. 4 Cloud, David. Internet: http://www.wayoflife.org. “Max Lucado’s Ecumenical Confusion”

E. 5 Miller, Dave. Piloting the Strait. Pulaski, TN: Sain Publications, 1996. p. 114-115

F. 6 Sanders, p. 53.

G. 7 Ibid, p.53

H. 8 Shiflett, Dave. Exodus. New York: Penguin Publishers, 2005. p. xiv

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J. Finding the North Star