|
The Truth Once Delivered |
Dear Brethren,
Last weekend we had the opportunity to visit with a number
of the scattered Church of God groups. We found brethren holding
fast to the Truth, fellowshipping in love and praying for each
other. We had a very interesting and informative trip. For a few
decades since the apostasy, the church has remained virtually in a
static condition. The Church is not enjoying great growth – as it
once did. Yes, people have been going “to and fro” as far as
organizations are concerned, but tremendous growth of a dynamic
nature is not taking place in God’s Church.
There was a time – possibly in the 1940s and 1950s when there was a
genuine zeal and love of the Gospel Truth among God’s people. God
called many to the Truth at that time. But after that, we
continually heard the cry go out to “get back on track.” Some have
wondered where we are in the prophetic sequence counting down to the
return of Jesus Christ. Make no mistake about it – the greater
Church of God is slipping dangerously away from the steadfastness in
the Faith we once possessed. It is high time for each of us to make
sure that our own spiritual house is in order.
It was good to be able to observe and survey some of God’s people in
these days when we have been displaced from one another. While it is
true that some of the larger groups that splintered off have become
very comfortable in their present condition, there are smaller
groups, which continue to diligently and earnestly contend for the
faith that was once delivered unto the saints (Jude :3). Brethren,
we need to return to the very basics of Christianity - such as
solving problems in a Biblical way and laying our lives down for one
another.
Jesus Christ warned a number of times that the saints must be
careful to, not only hold on to the basic truths and doctrines which
were once received, but especially in the end-time to beware of
those who hold and teach false doctrines and practices (Matthew
24:4,11, 1John 4:1, 2Corinthians 11:13-15, Matthew 7:15). On our
recent trip, we encountered one such subtle heresy where one of the
larger groups rejected a faithful ordained minister, here to fore in
good standing with that larger group, simply because he was sharing
the Truth with other scattered brethren. Jesus said, "If they are
not against us - they are for us." (Mark 9:40, Luke 9:50) We are
supposed to guide people to God.
That false practice of being exclusivist is exactly what Paul was
speaking of when he said that some were “not discerning the Lord’s
Body” (1Corinthians 11:29). The heresy lies in the fact that such a
snubbing asserts that a minister of Jesus Christ must primarily show
allegiance to a certain organization, before exercising loyalty to
God’s Truth. This is a very dangerous teaching of those who proclaim
that God is working solely through their incorporated establishment.
"That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members
should have the same care one for another." (1Corinthians 12:25)
When Jesus Christ surveys His Church from His throne of glory, He
sees only one body of people – it is the Body of Christ – the Lord’s
Body. All the brethren who are in the Church of God are the "Body of
Christ." There are numerous Biblical examples: "You are the Body of
Christ, and members in particular." (1 Corinthians 12:27) "The
Church, which is His body." (Ephesians 1:22-23) "Ye are called in
one body; and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3:15)
"We, being many, are one Body in Christ, and every one members one
of another." (Romans 12:4-5) "The bread which we break, is it not
the [fellowship] of the Body of Christ? For we being many are one
bread, and one body." (1 Corinthians 10:16-17) "For the perfecting
of the saints…for the edifying of the Body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12)
The brethren who are truly saints are one body and one spirit: “By
one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” (1Corinthians 12:13)
“There is one body, and one Spirit.” (Ephesians 4:4) “Holy Father,
keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they
may be one, as we are.” (John 17:11)
In these last days there are many brethren who are not taking the
occasion to become fully converted Christians as they must. Some are
not capitalizing on their spiritual conception that began at their
baptism. Jesus Christ warns us to renew the enthusiasm that makes
Him fully a part of our being. He stands at the door and knocks to
come in (Revelation 3:20).
Brethren, are we earnestly contending for the Faith once delivered
to the Saints? It seems that we are in the days that Jesus
prophesied of – the days in which His people would be
self-satisfied. Do we think that we are rich and have it all, just
because we've been in the Church for years and have all the
literature (Revelation 3:17)?
True Faith is not only the correct set of beliefs, it is also the
correct way to live that Faith. That Christian way of living was not
only for the first century Church of God – that way of life is for
us in the last century leading up to the return of Jesus Christ.
That is why Jesus said, "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when
he cometh shall find so doing." (Luke 12:43) Brethren, what are we
to be doing now?
There are not many brethren who are holding fast to the Faith of
which Jesus spoke. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith
without wavering.” (Hebrews 10:23) That is why Jesus asked the
question, "Will I find faith when I return," (Luke 18:8) -
indicating that there will not be a large number of brethren at His
return who are both; believing the Faith once delivered to the
saints, and living the Faith once delivered to the Saints. “Be you
doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
(James 1:22)
It is time that we realized that our Church did not fall apart
because God lost control of it. Had God wanted great growth to
continue – there would still be a Worldwide work – and you and I
would be a part of it. But, would we be examining ourselves, as we
should? Now is our opportunity to return to the faith once delivered
to the saints.
If that great work were still going gangbusters – we would still be
thinking, “I’m doing all right.” Thank God, that He is giving us
another opportunity to do a lot of reflecting and putting on of
spiritual growth. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the
traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our
epistle.” (2Th 2:15) “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou
hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
(2Timothy 1:13)
Whenever anyone demonstrates a lack of Godly love for other
brethren, James says that sin will prevent their salvation. Too many
folks in God’s Church think that they can look down on people in
other churches and the world. That is a wrong and dangerous
attitude. We do not esteem others better than ourselves only when we
feel that they are "deserving." It is not showing Godly love to sit
idly by while division is occurring - that is condoning the sin.
Every one of us must be a part of the solution – or we become a part
of the problem. "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and
one convert him; Let him know, that he which converts the sinner
from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall
hide a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)
***
Sermon:
"The Truth Once Delivered"
|