Controversial Week 1
The purpose of this series
- So many things are changing in our country and world right now.
- The worlds perspective has changed and many believers have followed.
- There is much misinformation/misinterpretation. Historical revisionism is rampant.
- What was not controversial before is now. There have been seismic shifts in our culture.
- The dilemma with this series? To be strong within the Family and speak wisely to those outside of it.
- We are going to look at some of the changing views. What should the churches response be?
Jesus warns His disciples about the future
• Jesus said those who stand firm will be saved – Matthew 24:10-14 (NIV)
Jesus made it clear that Gods Word was reliable (protected)
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- Jesus quoted Old Testament scripture and gave credit to God for it – Matthew 15:3–7
- Jesus made promises about His own words – John 12:48–50 (NIV), Matthew 5:18 (NIV), Matthew 24:35 (NIV)
- What Jesus said about His Disciples Words: Jesus gave His disciples – the Holy Spirit to lead and protect what He taught – John 14:26 (NIV), Luke 10:16 (NIV)
- What the Apostles said about their own words-1Thessalonians2:13(NIV), 2Timothy3:10–17(NIV), Hebrews 2:1–4 (NIV)
Real Life’s stance on scripture:
We believe the Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, the Bible is infallible, inerrant, and absolute truth. It is the ultimate and final authority for Christian beliefs and living. All scripture is God breathed—inspired by God.
Inerrancy: The historic Christian teaching on the Bible is that the Word is both inerrant and infallible. It is without error (inerrant) because it is impossible for it to have errors (infallible) just as God is. Inerrancy means freedom from error or untruths. It is without error in concept and truth. Infallible is incapable of error. Being infallible denies the possibility of error. Error comes from two things; deceit or ignorance, Scripture tells us God in incapable of either.
- The Gospel – Stand firm on Jesus and the salvation He brings, the gospel – Galatians 1:6–8
- The Faith (sound teaching/doctrine) – The definition of right and wrong
- Teaching them to obey all I have commanded – Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
- Jesus sends His disciples – Jude 3 (NIV), 1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)
3. The right interpretation of scripture leads to the right “faith”
- Historical revisionism is everywhere.
- How can we understand what the scriptures say?
- The historical principle – hermeneutics.
- The principle of time – those who lived at the time of the writers would have the best understanding of the right meaning and practice.
- The book of Acts and the Apostolic Church Fathers – the disciples of the disciples.
- They were there to ask Jesus and the Apostles what they meant.
- Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up –David W. Bercot
Tertullian (140-230)
“I say that my gospel is the true one. Marcion ( a leading gnostic teacher) says his is. I say that Marcions gospel is adulterated. He says mine is. Now, how can we settle this stand-off, unless we use the principle of time. According to this principle, authority lies with the one who is prior in time. Its based on the elemental truth that corruption (of doctrine) lies with the one who is shown to have originated later in time. Since error is falsification of truth, truth must necessarily proceed error.”
David W. Bercot (Historian and author)
Tertullian’s “principle of time” is one of the main criteria modern historians use to evaluate conflicting historical accounts. The one written closes to the actual events is normally given credence over the one written much later…Why then do we choose doctrines that were first taught 1,400 years or more after the deaths of the apostles over ones that were taught within a few decades of their lives?
What do we do?
1. Live committed lives as the Family of God no matter what
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- We are a community that seeks to die to ourselves and follow the King – Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)
2. Live wisely amongst unbelievers
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- We must speak and live out the truth within the Family of God
- We must speak truthfully and wisely amongst unbelievers
- We have all sinned and are saved by grace through faith
- Focus on Jesus and who He is before you speak about the specific sins in someone else’s life
- Right conversations in the right settings – 1 Corinthians 5:9–12, John 8:8–11 (NIV)
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3. Live in unity on issues of secondary importance
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- Romans 14:19–23 (NIV)
For discussion with your small group, family and friends.
Passages: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 119; Micah 6:8; Isaiah 26:8-10.
Questions to discuss:
1. What stood out to you in the sermon? What about it was significant to you?
2. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Hebrews 4:12. What do these passages tell us about God and his word to us?
3. What role does God’s word have in your daily life and understanding of how to live?
A) When you don’t understand something in the bible what do you do?
B) How does God’s word help you make sense of the world you live in?
4. Read Psalm 119:97-112. What do you see about the author’s relationship to God?
A) What role does God’s word play in that relationship?
B) What can you personally glean from this passage?
5. In what way do you want to grow in how you interact with God and his word?
6. Try praying this prayer several times this week:
“God, Creator and Lord of all the world, you who reveals himself through the Bible and displays himself in creation, give me a heart to know you through your word. Give me a hunger to seek truth, give me wisdom to discern your ways, give me humility to seek you and to see the world through your eyes. May your word be a lamp to my feet, guiding me in these times I live in. Amen.”