THE FUEL FOR CHANGE
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
Keeping the church pure and true to the Book is taught often in the New Testament
Keeping the church pure and true to the Book is taught often in the New Testament
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; 26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, 27 that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.
13 This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
1 But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:
But there are those who are trying to restructure the church
But there are those who are trying to restructure the church
Trying to change the church to fit modern culture and their own desires
These are sometimes called “Change Agents”
In our last lesson we discussed the “Roots of Change”
In our last lesson we discussed the “Roots of Change”
We discussed cultural, theological, political and scientific currents that are the roots of the present “Change Agent” movement.
In this lesson we will discuss “The Fuel for Change”
One of the fuels for change is…
DISCUSSION
REBELLION
REBELLION
Israel had survived centuries of slavery and oppression at the hands of Egypt.
Israel had survived centuries of slavery and oppression at the hands of Egypt.
They had escaped by the hand of God and now found themselves in the Paran Desert anxiously awaiting news from the spies sent to scout out Palestine
30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 31 But the men that went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. 32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
The entire nation stayed up all night weeping - they thought their national hopes and dreams were dashed, and by morning they were making alternate plans to appoint them new leaders who would lead them back to Egypt
Joshua and Caleb spoke up...
7 and they spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceeding good land. 8 If Jehovah delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it unto us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. 9 Only rebel not against Jehovah, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is removed from over them, and Jehovah is with us: fear them not.
Their hesitation to comply with God’s instructions amounted to rebellion
During the final year of his life, Moses, at the age of 120, he delivered a farewell address to the nation whom he had served as leader for forty years
During the final year of his life, Moses, at the age of 120, he delivered a farewell address to the nation whom he had served as leader for forty years
He wrote a song that was to serve as a sort of national anthem to remind the people that their future disobedience would inevitably bring them trouble
27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against Jehovah; and how much more after my death?
Their inconsistent compliance with God’s words amounted to rebellion
God instructed Saul to engage Amalek in battle
God instructed Saul to engage Amalek in battle
They were to be completely annihilated
Saul complied with the order to go to war, but he made some modifications to God’s instructions
God considered the compromise a failure to follow Him
On the other hand Saul insisted that he had obeyed
13 And Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of Jehovah: I have performed the commandment of Jehovah.
20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of Jehovah, and have gone the way which Jehovah sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
He even presented his efforts as giving honor to God
15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto Jehovah thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice unto Jehovah thy God in Gilgal.
Notice Samuel’s assessment
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Saul’s failure to comply completely with God’s instruction was an act of rebellion
While Zedekiah was king over the southern kingdom of Judah, a prophet named Hananiah arose
While Zedekiah was king over the southern kingdom of Judah, a prophet named Hananiah arose
The message he presented to the remaining inhabitants of Jerusalem was a positive message optimism, encouragement and reassurance
He assured them that within two years the Babylonian oppressions would come to an end
There was great excitement, even Jeremiah was excited
However, God informed Jeremiah that Hananiah was a false prophet, and was informed to make the following pronouncement
15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah: Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. 16 Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will send thee away from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast spoken rebellion against Jehovah.
Hananiah died within two month. Why? Because he promoted rebellion against God’s will
Looking back to the 1960s, one is surely struck by the fact that rebellion was a central feature of what took place
Looking back to the 1960s, one is surely struck by the fact that rebellion was a central feature of what took place
Many of that younger generation created the generation gap, anti-Establishment, antiwar
All this is nothing more than open rebellion against authority
Presently we are seeing the fruits of the 1960s decade of rebellion against authority
Presently we are seeing the fruits of the 1960s decade of rebellion against authority
A full-scale breakdown of authority is in effect
America has more crime and more criminals than ever before. What are criminals? People who refuse to submit to the authority of the legal system
This lack of respect for authority is even seen in many of our lawyers...always looking to beat the system/technicalities/loop holes
Teachers retiring early because of uncontrollable classrooms
It is crystal clear that the fuel for change in churches of Christ is simply an extension of the widespread refusal to submit to authority?
It is crystal clear that the fuel for change in churches of Christ is simply an extension of the widespread refusal to submit to authority?
THE SHIFT TO EMOTION
THE SHIFT TO EMOTION
Another factor which is fueling the push for change is the extent to which emotion and feeling affect doctrine and religious practice
Another factor which is fueling the push for change is the extent to which emotion and feeling affect doctrine and religious practice
Care must be taken to refrain from justifying religious practices by confusing spirituality and emotional sensation
The “Change Agents” equate emotion and feeling with being spiritual
Many today are fashioning worship to suit what man thinks and feels is spiritual.
Many today are fashioning worship to suit what man thinks and feels is spiritual.
But, my friends, the starting point is all wrong!
The “Change Agent” begins with human preferences and builds his entire case on the need to cater to human preferences so people can “experience” religion
The true meaning of spirituality
The true meaning of spirituality
Biblical spirituality is not so much what one feels as what one comes to know and do.
The “spiritual” person in the Bible is the one who earnestly seeks to come to an understanding of God’s will and then diligently obeys that will
Spirituality occurs through our response to Biblical teaching
13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words. 14 Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man.
37 If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
2 as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;
Spiritual worship entails responding rationally to God’s will - with worship that is approved by Him
Many are suggesting that our worship would be more spiritual if we would “hold up holy hands,” have dramatic presentation, etc.
They may create more excitement - but not more spirituality
Those who wish to revolutionize worship practices need to realize that this leads to ruin
1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put fire therein, and laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them. 2 And there came forth fire from before Jehovah, and devoured them, and they died before Jehovah. 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that Jehovah spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
9 For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Jehovah; 10 that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits, 11 get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. 12 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and rely thereon; 13 therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly in an instant.
13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 14 They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. 15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith Jehovah. 16 Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein. 17 And I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken. 18 Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. 19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.
The interplay between emotion, reason and behavior
The interplay between emotion, reason and behavior
The conversion Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39) provides a good example…
26 But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Notice first that Christianity is first and foremost a cognitive experience
Intellectual awareness, mental comprehension, must occur first and must take priority over every facet of religious experience
31 And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? 35 And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Notice that the second facet of religious experience is an obedient response
Compliance with the stipulation of God
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
Here is the proper place of emotion in Christian religion
Here is the correct balance between human reason, divine doctrine, and human emotion
Human emotion is to be brought under the control of the human mind as that mind is governed by the words of God
Emotion must be rooted in rationality
Rationality must take priority over emotion
PSEUDO-EVANGELISM
PSEUDO-EVANGELISM
A third key item that is being used to fuel change in the church is the unfortunate and misplaced emphasis upon church growth and the desire to be relevant
A third key item that is being used to fuel change in the church is the unfortunate and misplaced emphasis upon church growth and the desire to be relevant
It seems there is no end to the lengths that some will go for church growth
Many are like those of Samuel’s days who want to be like the nations around them (1 Sam. 8:20) - many are trying to copy the denominations in evangelism
It is incredible to think that many, like Israel, have not learned that seeking help outside of God’s word amounts to foolish disloyalty
3 Put not your trust in princes, Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit: and when Jehovah shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall stumble, and he that is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together.
Does it really seem possible that God would require numerical growth but then fail to tell us how to accomplish it?
Do we really need to pay for a “church growth expert”?
Do we really need to glean from denominationalism?
Too many times our “progress” amounts to nothing more than the subtle abandonment of biblical truth in exchange for “something new” (Acts 17:21) or the latest popular fads derived from the “latest studies”
Under the guise of “growth” and “progress” many are straying from biblical truth
9 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.
The term “onward” or “transgresseth” (KJV) comes from a word from which we get our word “progress”
Such is an apt description of much of the gimmickry being set forth today as “progress”
This mindset is completely contrary to the biblical prescription for achieving our God-ordained tasks
This mindset is completely contrary to the biblical prescription for achieving our God-ordained tasks
If we want the church to grow and be insulated from apostasy we must use the Bible as our guide
God’s truth alone as the “power” (Rom. 1:16) and the “energy” (Heb. 4:12) to simulate God’s people.
Only God’s truth can make people free (Jn. 8:32; 17:17)
11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
That is precisely why it is not our burden and responsibility to produce the numbers
That is precisely why it is not our burden and responsibility to produce the numbers
God gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6-7)
It is our duty to plant and water in God’s way
21 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
So instead of using the latest gimmicks we must “desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2)
DELICATE ISSUES
DELICATE ISSUES
Many churches are trying to create an atmosphere of non-qualifying acceptance by avoiding anything negative and remaining strictly positive
Many churches are trying to create an atmosphere of non-qualifying acceptance by avoiding anything negative and remaining strictly positive
We need to be positive, we cannot dwell constantly on the negative
But there is a growing tendency to preach only positive so everyone always feels convertible - big numbers…
What is our ultimate goal?
What is our ultimate goal?
To provide the Lord with obedient believers
Our goal is not to amass numbers, but save souls
If all we do is make people “feel good about themselves,” we might as well abandon our churches and become psychologists
We need to encourage, but we must also deal with sin
We need to encourage, but we must also deal with sin
1 Behold, Jehovah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear.
23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
15 but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;
CONCLUSION
To put out the fire of the restructuring of the church we must eliminate the fuel of...
Rebellion
Pseudo-Emotion
Pseudo-Evangelism
The refusal to deal with sin
We do this by respecting the authority of the Bible and faithfully obeying its precepts