WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.099 I want you to think about this answer and don't answer out loud. 00:00:05.259 --> 00:00:10.019 What is the greatest threat against the church today? 00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:14.580 What's the greatest threat against Christians today? 00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:24.260 Many people would say it's the liberal world around about us, 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:35.359 today's liberal culture, because it seems to be on the attack against what we believe, 00:00:36.039 --> 00:00:42.100 really who we are as Christians who believe that God's word is true. 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:47.960 There's a lot of truth to that, but that's not the answer I'm looking for. 00:00:47.960 --> 00:00:50.600 Let me ask you again. 00:00:50.600 --> 00:00:57.939 Who or what causes the most problems for Christians today 00:00:57.939 --> 00:01:06.439 and does the most damage within local churches and to all Christians in general? 00:01:08.540 --> 00:01:09.400 Well, here's a hint. 00:01:11.159 --> 00:01:13.000 It's been around since the first century. 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:16.799 False teaching is the answer I'm fishing for. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:24.539 False teaching is what causes the most problems in the church today. 00:01:25.140 --> 00:01:30.200 The source of most false teaching is false teachers within the church. 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:37.219 The greatest problems that we as evangelical Christians have today 00:01:37.219 --> 00:01:40.859 is not really coming from the world. 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:50.359 It's coming from within by people who are supposed to be teaching and preaching the truth, 00:01:51.359 --> 00:01:52.519 but aren't. 00:01:53.819 --> 00:02:03.180 I want you to look at something that Christian writer Tim Chalice forcefully points out about this. 00:02:03.180 --> 00:02:11.659 He says, Satan's greatest ambassadors are not pimps, politicians, or power brokers, but pastors. 00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:19.379 His, that is Satan's priests, do not peddle a different religion, 00:02:20.180 --> 00:02:24.860 but a deadly perversion of the true one. 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:28.000 Now that's not only true today. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:31.140 It's been going on since the first century. 00:02:31.139 --> 00:02:38.519 Almost every Christian writer, if you read through the New Testament, 00:02:39.219 --> 00:02:45.439 almost every writer points out repeatedly, 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:48.819 for you as a Christian, for me as a Christian, 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:52.839 be on guard against false teaching. 00:02:53.639 --> 00:02:56.879 Be on guard against false teachers. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:00.960 A lot of you in this room, you're familiar with the New Testament. 00:03:01.060 --> 00:03:02.419 You've read through it many times. 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:10.859 Well, think about how Paul, how John, Peter, Jude, and the writer of Hebrews 00:03:10.859 --> 00:03:15.579 issued strong warnings over and over and over again 00:03:15.579 --> 00:03:23.460 that we've got to be on guard as to what we're hearing, what we're reading. 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:26.740 We've got to be on guard against false teachers. 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:32.159 The gospel writers quote Jesus in saying this on several occasions. 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:35.140 One of the more well-known comes from the Sermon on the Mount. 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:38.200 I want you to look at how Jesus issued a warning. 00:03:39.180 --> 00:03:39.500 He said, 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:43.939 Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, 00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:47.800 but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 00:03:48.460 --> 00:03:50.860 You will recognize them by their fruits. 00:03:50.860 --> 00:03:55.440 When he uses the word fruit, he's talking about the way they live and what they teach. 00:03:56.900 --> 00:04:01.720 We are right now involved in a study of how God wants us to live in this world 00:04:01.720 --> 00:04:04.340 until we see Jesus face to face. 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:10.500 The previous studies, we talked about what's going to happen after a Christian dies. 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:16.340 And in the course of those studies, we learned some things about the second coming of Christ. 00:04:16.339 --> 00:04:24.339 We all in this room, we're going to see Jesus face to face one day. 00:04:25.019 --> 00:04:27.719 If we're alive and he returns to this world, we'll see him then. 00:04:28.039 --> 00:04:33.000 But if not, we're going to see Jesus face to face when we die. 00:04:34.599 --> 00:04:35.939 And we don't know when that'll be. 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:39.599 But we know it's going to happen. 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:46.180 And so I want us to think, God cares about how we live as long as we're in this world. 00:04:47.820 --> 00:04:50.939 The day's going to come when our life's going to be over. 00:04:51.860 --> 00:04:56.540 We're going to have to give an accounting of how we've lived on the day of judgment. 00:04:58.300 --> 00:05:03.500 Today I want us to return to 2 Peter chapter 3, where we've been for the last two weeks. 00:05:03.500 --> 00:05:12.500 And I want us to focus mainly today on his warning that you and I, Christians, people in the church, 00:05:13.079 --> 00:05:17.199 we've got to stand firm in what we believe 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:23.100 and make sure we don't get led astray by false teachers. 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:25.100 Let's read it again. 00:05:26.019 --> 00:05:29.160 2 Peter chapter 3, beginning in verse 13. 00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:43.660 What are we supposed to do until that day? 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:46.760 Well, that's the way he ends this letter. 00:05:47.580 --> 00:05:50.980 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:56.300 be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish and at peace. 00:05:56.300 --> 00:06:00.100 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:04.300 just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you, 00:06:04.540 --> 00:06:06.500 according to the wisdom given him, 00:06:06.980 --> 00:06:10.980 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:14.360 There are some things in them that are hard to understand, 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:20.340 which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction 00:06:20.340 --> 00:06:21.960 as they do the other scriptures. 00:06:21.959 --> 00:06:26.680 You, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:33.759 take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:36.039 and lose your own stability, 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:42.060 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:47.939 To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. 00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:49.199 Amen. 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:54.000 We have, to this point, 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:55.719 gone through the first, 00:06:56.659 --> 00:06:59.099 what I'm going to call the first two points of this passage. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:03.000 I want us to review what we've seen about 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:06.860 it does matter how we live. 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:10.980 God cares how we live day by day. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:14.579 And he wants us to care right up to the day we die 00:07:14.579 --> 00:07:17.240 or the Lord comes back to this world. 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:20.660 First thing we saw about how we ought to be living, 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:21.819 how God wants us to live, 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:23.259 is in verse 14. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:24.100 We call this, 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:25.500 get serious about your character. 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:28.680 And we spent one whole week looking at that, 00:07:28.780 --> 00:07:30.699 and I reviewed it a little bit last week, 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:32.439 so we're going to skip over it completely today. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:35.000 But God cares about our character. 00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:36.620 Number two, 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:38.560 make the most of God's patience. 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:41.259 We looked at this in detail last week, 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:44.259 but I want to hit some of the high spots quickly now. 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:48.019 The reason why Jesus has not yet returned to this world 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:50.759 is because God is being patient. 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:55.219 God is waiting for people to be saved, 00:07:55.539 --> 00:07:58.099 to turn from their sin and put their trust in Jesus. 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:00.740 Peter emphasizes this in two verses. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:03.459 I want you to note verse 15, 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:05.259 the first part from the New Living Translation. 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:06.659 It says, 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:07.219 And remember, 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:11.360 our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved. 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:13.680 And then back up in verse 9, 00:08:14.259 --> 00:08:15.000 The Lord is not, 00:08:15.220 --> 00:08:15.939 excuse me, 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:18.860 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise, 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:20.639 as some count slowness, 00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:22.759 but is patient towards you, 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:25.600 not wishing that any should perish, 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:28.199 but that all should reach repentance. 00:08:29.400 --> 00:08:30.300 God's patience, 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:31.120 Peter's telling us, 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:34.840 it reveals that God does not want to destroy anybody. 00:08:36.300 --> 00:08:37.800 God is a God of grace. 00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:39.899 He does love people. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:40.939 He does not, 00:08:41.059 --> 00:08:41.579 Peter tells us, 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.240 he didn't want anyone to perish, 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:44.139 but 00:08:44.139 --> 00:08:48.720 he wants, 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:50.039 he requires 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:53.480 people to turn from their sin, 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:55.699 from their self-centered way of living. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.299 He requires people to repent 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:59.639 and come to Him 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:02.019 through faith in Jesus. 00:09:03.459 --> 00:09:04.879 That's what God wants. 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:06.199 That's what He's talking about here. 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:08.100 God is patient, 00:09:08.420 --> 00:09:09.100 but His patience, 00:09:09.140 --> 00:09:10.020 but His patience 00:09:10.020 --> 00:09:11.900 has an end. 00:09:13.320 --> 00:09:14.720 His patience will come 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:15.960 to an end one day, 00:09:16.160 --> 00:09:17.980 and the opportunity to be saved 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:19.240 will be no more. 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:22.200 Immediately after the Lord comes back, 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:23.600 or immediately after you die, 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:25.820 your eternity is sealed. 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:28.360 If you're a Christian, 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:29.460 you're going to live forever, 00:09:30.520 --> 00:09:31.960 experiencing nothing but joy 00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:34.000 in heaven. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:36.220 But if you're not a Christian, 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:37.600 and we've seen this already 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:38.320 in another study, 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:41.259 you're going to spend eternity 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:43.420 in the torment of hell. 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:45.960 Now, 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:47.960 God's patience can be seen 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:49.060 in our lives right now 00:09:49.060 --> 00:09:50.180 in several ways. 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:52.620 I want to point out three. 00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:55.700 And I want to stress this 00:09:55.700 --> 00:09:57.300 a little bit differently 00:09:57.300 --> 00:09:58.500 than what I did last week, 00:09:58.500 --> 00:10:01.080 because it is a matter 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:03.620 of eternal life and death. 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:05.379 So, 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:06.320 look with me. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:08.639 God's patience can be seen, 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:09.399 number one, 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:11.379 if you are not a Christian, 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:14.179 God is patiently waiting 00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:15.240 for you to turn 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.860 from your sin 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:19.279 and turn to Him 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:21.320 by putting your faith in Jesus 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:22.279 for your salvation. 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:26.240 If that appeals to you, 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:28.580 if you think to yourself, 00:10:28.680 --> 00:10:29.460 I'm not a Christian, 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:31.700 but I want to be, 00:10:32.180 --> 00:10:33.200 I am interested, 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:34.639 that's a sign of God 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:35.840 working in your life. 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:38.120 And if you will humble yourself 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:39.379 before God 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:40.200 and just be open 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:40.840 and honest with Him 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:41.720 about who you are, 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:42.500 what you are, 00:10:43.440 --> 00:10:44.279 turn from your sin 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:45.259 and trust Jesus, 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:47.139 He will save you. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:47.820 Look at this, 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.580 the Scripture says it 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:50.419 just as clearly and plainly, 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:54.120 for everyone who calls 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:55.019 on the name of the Lord 00:10:55.019 --> 00:10:55.919 will be saved. 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:58.680 that's you 00:10:58.680 --> 00:11:00.560 if you're not a Christian 00:11:00.560 --> 00:11:02.340 and you'll come to faith 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:03.120 in Jesus now. 00:11:04.560 --> 00:11:05.320 Number two, 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:08.039 if you are a Christian 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:10.000 living in willful disobedience 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:10.519 to God, 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:12.980 God is patiently waiting 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:14.360 for you right now 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:16.960 to confess your sin, 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:19.039 to quit living 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:20.200 the way you're living, 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:21.379 to turn from it. 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.480 God's waiting for you 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:25.159 to come back to Him 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:27.120 humbly, 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:28.440 repentantly. 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:30.340 I want you to look 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:31.220 at what the Scripture says. 00:11:33.800 --> 00:11:34.820 God will forgive you 00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:35.399 and cleanse you. 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:35.960 Look at this, 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:38.060 if we confess our sins, 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:39.399 He is faithful 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:40.800 and just to forgive us 00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:41.440 our sins 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:43.279 and to cleanse us 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:43.860 from all unrighteousness. 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:44.659 unrighteousness. 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:46.879 Most everybody 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:47.379 in this room 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:47.919 is a Christian. 00:11:51.300 --> 00:11:51.919 If you, 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:52.379 or at least 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:52.919 most everybody 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:53.220 in this room 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:54.100 claims to be a Christian, 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:54.840 let's put it that way. 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:57.580 If right now, 00:11:57.580 --> 00:12:01.259 you are experiencing guilt 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:03.400 because there's some things 00:12:03.400 --> 00:12:04.940 or a thing in your life 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:06.080 that you know 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:07.280 is not pleasing to God 00:12:07.280 --> 00:12:10.020 but you're just 00:12:10.020 --> 00:12:11.259 continuing on in it. 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:13.840 If you're a Christian, 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:14.740 you feel guilty. 00:12:15.680 --> 00:12:16.879 The Spirit of God 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.560 within you 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:18.820 will not allow you 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:19.900 to be at peace 00:12:19.900 --> 00:12:20.840 with God 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:21.640 or yourself 00:12:21.640 --> 00:12:23.800 as long as you are 00:12:23.800 --> 00:12:25.240 defying Him, 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:26.960 refusing to cooperate 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:27.600 with Him. 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.780 The Spirit of God 00:12:29.780 --> 00:12:31.040 is making you feel guilty 00:12:31.040 --> 00:12:31.580 and some of that 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:32.240 may be coming out 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.040 in depression 00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:35.660 or just frustration 00:12:35.660 --> 00:12:37.379 or anger 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.620 at people around about you. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.500 The problem is not 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:41.180 other people. 00:12:42.420 --> 00:12:43.240 The problem is not 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:43.900 your job. 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:46.340 The problem is 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:47.200 if you're a Christian 00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:48.660 and there's something 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:49.180 that you know 00:12:49.180 --> 00:12:50.100 God's calling you 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:52.060 to do or not do, 00:12:52.300 --> 00:12:53.060 stop doing. 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:54.840 And you just ignore Him. 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:55.639 You just continue 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.920 in your disobedience. 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:59.060 If you are a child 00:12:59.060 --> 00:12:59.940 of God, 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.720 He's not going 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.400 to let you alone. 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.920 If you are a good parent, 00:13:06.580 --> 00:13:08.820 if you were a good parent 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:09.680 when you had children 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:11.040 living at home with you, 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:14.580 when they were willfully, 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:16.259 defiantly 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:18.500 disobeying you, 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:19.680 disrespecting you, 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.740 you didn't let it go, 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:22.100 did you? 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:25.159 You didn't make them 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:26.159 feel good 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:28.740 about their sin 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:29.580 against you. 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:31.639 They're defying you. 00:13:34.040 --> 00:13:36.019 You made their life 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.840 as a good parent. 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:39.139 You can't allow that. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.240 It's not good for them. 00:13:40.300 --> 00:13:41.420 It's not good for the whole family. 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:44.379 You've got to do something. 00:13:45.219 --> 00:13:46.179 And different people 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:47.179 do it different ways. 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:49.039 But you so worked 00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:49.919 in their lives, 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:50.379 maybe, 00:13:51.479 --> 00:13:54.379 to cause them 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:56.419 to experience pain 00:13:56.979 --> 00:13:58.419 physically 00:13:58.419 --> 00:14:00.379 to get their attention 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:02.139 or to miss out 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.000 on something 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:05.199 to get their attention. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:09.240 God works in our lives 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:10.140 as our Heavenly Father 00:14:10.140 --> 00:14:11.120 through His Spirit 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:13.480 sometimes to inflict pain 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.000 on us 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.780 to get our attention. 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:17.360 Sometimes to withhold 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:17.980 blessing 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:18.780 to cause us 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:20.160 to understand, 00:14:20.280 --> 00:14:20.980 to wake up. 00:14:21.900 --> 00:14:22.500 And so what I want you 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.020 to understand is 00:14:23.020 --> 00:14:23.920 if you are a Christian 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:25.400 and you're not right 00:14:25.400 --> 00:14:25.980 with God, 00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:28.440 if you will 00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:30.500 confess your sin, 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:33.100 turn from whatever it is, 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.100 change your mind, 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:37.080 renew your commitment 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:37.580 to Jesus 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:38.420 as the Lord, 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:39.139 the Master, 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:40.139 the boss of your life. 00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:41.800 This verse of Scripture 00:14:41.800 --> 00:14:42.560 is saying that God 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:43.580 will cleanse you. 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.240 He'll give you 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.180 a fresh start. 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:48.120 He will forgive you. 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.700 And you can experience 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:51.759 that release, 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:54.800 that right relationship, 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.279 closeness with Him again 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.180 if you will come to Him. 00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:58.940 But hear this. 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:00.660 If you claim 00:15:00.660 --> 00:15:01.340 to be a Christian 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:02.460 but there's no guilt 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:04.879 about your disobedience 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:06.420 or indifference, 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:07.580 if you claim 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:08.160 to be a Christian 00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:09.040 but there's no sense 00:15:09.040 --> 00:15:10.019 of the Spirit of God 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:10.580 in you 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:12.920 doing anything 00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:15.580 to change you, 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:18.400 that is a great sign 00:15:18.400 --> 00:15:19.900 that you're not a Christian. 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.320 Even though you may be 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:23.420 a member of this church, 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.600 maybe you've been baptized, 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.980 gone through all those things, 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:27.720 but if there's no signs 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:28.500 of the Spirit of God 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:28.920 within us, 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.340 then we learn 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.340 from Romans chapter 8, 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.620 we're not Christians. 00:15:32.280 --> 00:15:33.019 And one of the things 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.980 the Holy Spirit does 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:34.680 in a person's life 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:35.240 who's not a Christian 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:36.960 is He so works 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:37.980 to make their life 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.680 uncomfortable, 00:15:39.060 --> 00:15:39.460 miserable 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:41.440 for the purpose 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.519 of bringing them back 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.240 to the Lord. 00:15:43.300 --> 00:15:44.340 That's God's discipline. 00:15:44.660 --> 00:15:45.519 You can read about it 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:47.240 in Hebrews chapter 12. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.680 But there's a third thing 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.220 I want you to think 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:50.759 about this morning. 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:52.800 And I want all of us 00:15:52.800 --> 00:15:53.160 in this room 00:15:53.160 --> 00:15:53.720 to think of this 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.300 if we're Christians. 00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:56.420 If you have unsaved 00:15:56.420 --> 00:15:57.160 family members 00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:57.840 and friends, 00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:59.780 it may be that God 00:15:59.780 --> 00:16:01.019 is patiently waiting 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:02.000 for you 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.360 to share the gospel 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:04.840 with them. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:08.259 We need to be honest 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.360 as a church. 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.680 Maybe this does not apply, 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:12.780 it wouldn't apply 00:16:12.780 --> 00:16:14.019 to every single person 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.440 in here, 00:16:14.780 --> 00:16:16.340 but all of us 00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:17.800 who are part 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:18.800 of this church family, 00:16:19.280 --> 00:16:20.379 we need to admit 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:22.420 we are not doing 00:16:22.420 --> 00:16:23.759 what we need to be doing 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:26.180 to share the gospel 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:27.620 with people in our lives. 00:16:29.459 --> 00:16:30.699 Because if we were doing 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:31.519 what we needed to be doing, 00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:33.239 we would be bringing 00:16:33.239 --> 00:16:34.199 some new people 00:16:34.199 --> 00:16:35.159 to this church 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.939 who had come to faith 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.459 in Jesus 00:16:37.459 --> 00:16:39.279 and helping them 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:40.759 to grow alongside us 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.519 in this church 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.620 or they would be going 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.539 to some other church. 00:16:45.739 --> 00:16:48.419 We are being unfaithful 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:49.579 in our responsibility 00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:50.740 as Christians 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:54.519 to share the gospel, 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:56.299 to be faithful witnesses, 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.980 to make disciples, 00:16:58.079 --> 00:16:58.919 all the kind of things 00:16:58.919 --> 00:16:59.399 that the scripture 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.240 calls us to do 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.059 as Christians. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.559 And so that's what 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.279 I want us to understand 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:03.740 right now. 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.859 Your family members 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:07.700 and friends 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:09.079 who are not Christians, 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:11.940 they will not be saved 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.940 without hearing 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.920 and understanding 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:15.259 the gospel. 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:16.579 I want you to look 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:17.559 at something Paul said 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:19.000 in Romans chapter 10 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.639 verse 14. 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:22.560 But how can they call 00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:23.840 on him to save them 00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:24.820 unless they believe 00:17:24.820 --> 00:17:25.259 in him? 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.560 And how can they 00:17:26.560 --> 00:17:27.620 believe in him 00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:29.360 if they have never 00:17:29.360 --> 00:17:31.660 heard about him? 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.440 And then one more. 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.180 And how can they 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:36.340 hear about him 00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:38.240 unless someone 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.740 tells them? 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.620 There's no doubt 00:17:43.620 --> 00:17:46.680 that our friends 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.480 and family members 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.300 around here, 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.700 they certainly know 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.639 something about God, 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.240 about Jesus, 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.240 about salvation, 00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:53.299 about heaven and hell. 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:55.659 They most likely 00:17:55.659 --> 00:17:57.799 have some type 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:59.059 of understanding 00:17:59.059 --> 00:18:00.220 about all these things. 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.919 But if they're not 00:18:01.919 --> 00:18:02.339 Christians, 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:03.599 it could be 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:05.119 that they have never 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:06.700 heard a clear 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.879 explanation 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:10.079 of the gospel. 00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:12.419 Who Jesus is, 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:14.019 what he's done 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:14.639 in terms of dying 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:15.059 on the cross 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:15.779 for their sins. 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.700 It could be 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.539 they've never heard 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:18.599 that the way 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:19.379 that they respond 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.079 is to turn 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:20.559 from their sin 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.480 and trust Jesus. 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:26.019 But you know, 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:29.359 you believe this way. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.299 You have responded 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:30.759 this way 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.500 if you're a Christian. 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.279 Most of our families, 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.259 family members 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.359 and friends 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.279 who are not Christians, 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:40.379 they wouldn't be 00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:41.159 more open 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:42.180 to hearing the gospel 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:43.720 from us 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:45.940 because they know 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.559 we love them 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.379 and we care about them. 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:47.859 Now I know 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:48.720 there's exceptions. 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.419 Sometimes there's 00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:52.059 some exceptions 00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:54.339 in family situations. 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.440 But overall, 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.319 most of us, 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.599 our family members 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:01.440 and friends 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.079 who are not Christians, 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:02.899 they know 00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:04.339 that we love them, 00:19:04.399 --> 00:19:05.119 we care about them. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.200 And because we have 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:07.899 that kind of relationship 00:19:07.899 --> 00:19:08.279 with them, 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:10.000 they would listen to us 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.940 share our testimony 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:12.599 of how we became 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:12.940 a Christian. 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:14.539 They would listen 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.320 to us talk about 00:19:15.320 --> 00:19:17.799 what Christ means 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.380 to us. 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:20.480 They would listen 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:21.539 and allow us 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:23.259 to share the gospel 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.820 with them 00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:26.140 out of respect for us, 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.620 out of mutual love 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.620 for us. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.740 So we need to do it. 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:33.620 If we care, 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:34.820 we need to do it. 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:37.480 I want you to ask 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.539 God to help you 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:41.879 share the gospel 00:19:41.879 --> 00:19:43.179 with someone you know, 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:46.139 someone you love 00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:48.259 before Easter Sunday, 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:49.819 April 21st, 00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:52.000 and that's six weeks away. 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.819 We are not, 00:19:54.939 --> 00:19:55.579 as a church, 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.319 being faithful 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.159 because we aren't 00:19:58.159 --> 00:19:58.679 seeing people 00:19:58.679 --> 00:20:00.139 come here with us 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:01.059 to profess their faith. 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:03.839 Most of us, 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:04.819 not everyone probably, 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:05.899 but most of us, 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.579 we have people 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:07.559 in our circles 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.460 of influence. 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.819 If it's not a family member, 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:12.200 if it's not a close friend, 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:12.679 it's somebody 00:20:12.679 --> 00:20:13.279 that you maybe 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:15.179 do something with, 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.359 you fish with, 00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:17.139 you shop with. 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.000 Somebody that maybe 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.720 cuts your hair. 00:20:20.879 --> 00:20:21.379 Somebody maybe 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:22.759 you do some odd jobs for. 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.259 You know some people 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.819 in your life 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:27.339 who are not Christians. 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:29.279 I want to encourage you 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:30.940 to set Easter, 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:31.299 Sunday, 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.259 six weeks away 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.580 as a date 00:20:33.580 --> 00:20:36.259 that between now 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.559 and then 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.080 you're going to pray 00:20:37.080 --> 00:20:37.680 for the person. 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.640 You're going to ask God 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:41.799 to help you 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.640 get prepared 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:43.720 to share the gospel. 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:46.279 And if you want 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:46.759 some help 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.700 doing that, 00:20:47.840 --> 00:20:48.259 ask me. 00:20:48.320 --> 00:20:48.759 I'll be glad 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.640 to help give you 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.259 some resources 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.700 to help you 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.680 get prepared 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.620 to share 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:54.380 the simple gospel message. 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.559 But between now 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:56.779 and then, 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.720 pray for that person, 00:20:57.840 --> 00:20:58.620 pray for yourself, 00:20:59.080 --> 00:20:59.759 get prepared, 00:20:59.759 --> 00:20:59.839 prepared, 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.640 and ask God 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:03.279 to open the door 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.539 to give you 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.160 an opportunity 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.619 to actually talk 00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:08.059 to that particular person 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:08.579 that you're thinking 00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:09.039 of now, 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.440 no doubt, 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.799 about their relationship 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.180 with Him. 00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:14.940 And be able 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.539 to share 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.259 the good news 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:16.759 of Jesus 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:18.720 with them, 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.680 with the prayer, 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.420 that you'll get 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.240 to see them saved. 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:23.000 You'll get to see 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:24.700 God change them 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:26.059 before your very eyes. 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:29.619 Make that commitment 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:32.359 between now 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.819 and Easter Sunday 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:35.000 six weeks from now. 00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:36.179 Now, 00:21:36.419 --> 00:21:37.259 I want us to move on 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.940 very quickly 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.700 at how we need 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:39.299 to be on guard 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:40.179 against being led 00:21:40.179 --> 00:21:41.579 astray by false teachers. 00:21:42.399 --> 00:21:43.039 Number three, 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.839 stay on guard. 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.039 Peter tells us 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.419 how to do this 00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:46.940 by pointing out 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.460 two things. 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:47.980 Number one, 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.319 don't be led astray 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.440 by false teachers 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.480 in the last part 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.179 of verse 16, 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.279 first part of verse 17. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.839 In verse 16, 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.519 Peter describes 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.220 false teachers 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:57.740 who distorted 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:59.240 Paul's teaching 00:21:59.240 --> 00:21:59.940 on the second coming 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.379 of Christ. 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:00.940 Look at it. 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.160 There are some things 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.859 in them that are 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.940 hard to understand 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:05.720 which the ignorant 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:07.480 and unstable twist 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.779 to their own destruction 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:10.200 as they do 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.200 the other scriptures. 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.519 He's saying 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.119 that what Paul 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:13.539 taught about 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.079 the second coming 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:15.460 was hard to understand. 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.619 But instead 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.899 of remaining silent, 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:20.379 these false teachers, 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.420 these people, 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:24.539 they started talking 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.019 about what they 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.860 didn't know. 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.660 Peter describes it 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:29.039 as they twisted 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:30.560 Paul's words 00:22:30.560 --> 00:22:33.860 and taught 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:34.920 what Paul didn't mean, 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.380 what the scripture 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:36.039 didn't mean. 00:22:37.320 --> 00:22:38.039 And he also says 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.640 that false teachers 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:40.100 distort other scriptures. 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.500 Now look in verse 17. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.860 He goes on to emphasize 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:44.940 that we must stay alert 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:47.779 and not be led astray 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:50.060 by any false teaching. 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:51.060 Not just on the second coming, 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.619 but on anything. 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.220 Look at it. 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.279 You therefore, 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:54.740 beloved, 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:56.059 knowing this beforehand, 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.659 take care that you 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:58.980 are not carried away 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.859 with the error 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:01.440 of lawless people. 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.240 Now, 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:04.519 how do you do this? 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.619 If you're a Christian, 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:08.579 you're familiar 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.099 with the scripture, 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.139 you have heard 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:12.059 many times, 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:12.720 you have read 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.480 many times, 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.460 we are to be on guard 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.700 against false teaching. 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:17.440 Well, 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.319 how do you do that? 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:20.539 How do you evaluate 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.939 the Christian teachers 00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:23.200 that you read, 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:25.139 that you listen to 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:27.419 on a regular basis 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:28.740 or at any time? 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.980 How do you evaluate me? 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.720 You're supposed 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.740 to be evaluating me. 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.539 How do you evaluate 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.500 your Sunday school teacher? 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.119 That's going to make 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.819 some Sunday school teachers 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.659 feel sort of bad here. 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:39.980 evaluate them. 00:23:41.360 --> 00:23:42.120 Measure them. 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:45.500 Just like you do me 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:47.180 and any Christian 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:48.800 who claims to be teaching 00:23:48.800 --> 00:23:50.180 or preaching God's word. 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:53.140 Tim Chalice points out 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:54.519 some helpful ways 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.100 to evaluate 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:56.680 all Christian teachers. 00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:57.740 I want to point out three. 00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:58.840 His top three 00:23:58.840 --> 00:24:00.540 that will help us 00:24:00.540 --> 00:24:02.660 to make good evaluations 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:04.740 of those who are teaching us 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:06.200 the things of God. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.779 Number one, 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:08.000 sound doctrine, 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.279 and the word doctrine 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.120 just means teaching. 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.700 Sound teaching 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.799 originates with God. 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:14.059 False doctrine 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:15.400 originates with someone 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:17.059 or something created by God, 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:19.059 something other than God. 00:24:19.840 --> 00:24:20.799 Paul emphasized 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.640 that the gospel he taught 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.880 originated with God. 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:26.220 He wanted the Galatian Christians 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.779 to understand 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:28.840 because they had believed 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.620 his gospel. 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:31.779 Many had been saved. 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.840 The church had been formed. 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.720 All was well, 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.700 and after Paul left, 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:36.340 false teachers came in 00:24:36.340 --> 00:24:38.840 and they changed 00:24:38.840 --> 00:24:39.900 the truth 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:41.680 of God's word. 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:43.100 Here's what Paul says. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.480 I would have you know, 00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:44.819 brothers, 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.660 that the gospel 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:47.279 that was preached by me 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:49.779 is not man's gospel. 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.340 For I did not receive it 00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:52.100 from any man, 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:52.980 nor was I taught it, 00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:53.819 but I received it 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.660 through a revelation 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:56.019 of Jesus Christ. 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.500 Sound Bible teachers 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.200 make it clear 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:00.700 that the message 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.519 they preach 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.660 is not their own. 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:05.700 It is the word of God. 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:08.600 And they will show you 00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:09.140 in the Bible 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:10.900 where they find 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:12.300 what they teach 00:25:12.300 --> 00:25:13.100 as we see next. 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:13.540 Number two, 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.600 sound doctrine 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:16.040 grounds its authority 00:25:16.040 --> 00:25:17.200 within the Bible. 00:25:17.560 --> 00:25:18.259 False doctrine 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.240 grounds its authority 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.300 outside the Bible. 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:21.800 The Bible 00:25:21.800 --> 00:25:24.100 is God's inerrant word. 00:25:25.100 --> 00:25:26.800 It is completely authoritative. 00:25:27.820 --> 00:25:28.300 It is the way 00:25:28.300 --> 00:25:29.320 God's revealed himself, 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.000 who he is, 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.940 how he is, 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:32.100 what we are to believe, 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.440 how we are to live. 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:36.039 Doctrine that originates, 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.980 teaching that originates 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.259 in the mind of God 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:40.100 is recorded 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:41.320 in the word of God. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:42.799 Now I want you 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.519 to look at an example 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.759 we see in Acts 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:47.519 of Christians evaluating 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.360 the teaching 00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:49.320 that they were hearing 00:25:49.320 --> 00:25:50.160 and it was coming 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.100 from Paul 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:53.279 and his associate Silas. 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:55.039 Luke is writing 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.660 the book of Acts. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.759 He tells us 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:58.559 that the Christians 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.320 in Berea, 00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.119 not over here 00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:01.059 in West Greenville now, 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.839 but another place. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.500 But the Christians 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.159 in Berea 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:05.559 received the word 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.799 with all eagerness, 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.539 examining the scriptures 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.399 daily to see 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:10.179 if these things 00:26:10.179 --> 00:26:10.799 were so. 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.659 These Christians, 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.659 these people in Berea, 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.720 they knew, 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:16.299 they were Christians, 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.179 they understood 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:18.500 that sound teaching 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.419 would be consistent 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.619 with all the other scriptures 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:22.519 as we see 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.619 in the next point. 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.299 Number three, 00:26:24.659 --> 00:26:25.319 sound doctrine 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.019 is consistent 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.119 with the whole 00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:28.019 of scripture. 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.219 False doctrine 00:26:29.219 --> 00:26:30.019 is inconsistent 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:31.500 with some parts 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:31.959 of scripture. 00:26:33.479 --> 00:26:34.419 What a biblically 00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:35.000 sound teacher 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.619 will say 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:37.819 about one passage, 00:26:38.719 --> 00:26:39.819 it will be consistent 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.599 with what the Bible 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:41.099 teaches 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:42.699 everywhere else. 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:46.299 Paul told Timothy, 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.000 do not allow 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.939 people to bring in 00:26:48.939 --> 00:26:49.939 strange, 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:51.859 different doctrines 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.559 than what you already 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.439 understand. 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.079 Look at it. 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.799 As I urged you 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.240 when I was going 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.059 to Macedonia, 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.700 remain at Ephesus 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.559 so that you may 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:01.240 charge certain persons 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.539 not to teach 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:05.240 any different doctrine. 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.039 He made the point 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.919 even in stronger language 00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:09.899 toward the end 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.319 of the letter. 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.059 He said, 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:11.619 if anyone teaches 00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:12.440 a different doctrine 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:14.259 and does not agree 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.299 with the sound words 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.079 of our Lord and Savior, 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.919 Jesus Christ, 00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:18.159 and the teaching 00:27:18.159 --> 00:27:18.740 that accords 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.480 with godliness, 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:21.099 he is puffed up 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:21.899 with conceit 00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:23.139 and understands nothing 00:27:23.139 --> 00:27:24.619 if they teach 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.200 something different 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:25.660 from Scripture. 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.420 He has an unhealthy 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:29.039 craving for controversy 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.180 and for quarrels 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.100 about words 00:27:31.100 --> 00:27:32.299 which produce envy, 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:32.880 dissension, 00:27:33.080 --> 00:27:33.480 slander, 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.660 evil suspicions, 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:36.460 and constant friction 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.640 among people 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:38.920 who are depraved 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.580 in mind 00:27:39.580 --> 00:27:40.240 and deprived 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:41.340 of the truth, 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.680 imagining that godliness 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:45.180 is a means of gain. 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:48.580 Scripture 00:27:48.580 --> 00:27:51.799 is all inspired 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.700 by the Spirit 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.180 by the Spirit of God. 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:56.399 So ultimately, 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.700 Scripture has one offer, 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.059 the Spirit of God. 00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:02.500 It will be consistent. 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:04.779 And if what someone 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.559 teaches you 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:07.639 in this passage, 00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.460 for example, 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.339 if it doesn't line up 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:10.879 with the other 00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:12.099 general teachings 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.500 of Scripture 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.579 on this subject matter, 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.279 that's a false teacher. 00:28:15.879 --> 00:28:16.740 Or that is a miss, 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.640 he is, 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:20.259 he's just wrong 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.960 and may not 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:22.299 intentionally be wrong. 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:24.420 We can summarize 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.220 these three points 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.440 with one simple statement. 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.019 Look at it. 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:28.400 Sound Christian teaching 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:29.500 originates with God, 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.460 that's its origin. 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:32.120 Is grounded in the Bible, 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.400 that's its authority. 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:35.359 And agrees with the whole 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:35.880 of Scripture. 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:38.079 Scripture is consistent. 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.000 Now quickly, 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.700 the people that you're 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.359 listening to, 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.839 people that you read 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:46.019 for biblical knowledge 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.659 and help 00:28:46.659 --> 00:28:47.459 and guidance, 00:28:48.459 --> 00:28:49.980 is this true about them? 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:54.059 If you see that it's not, 00:28:54.659 --> 00:28:55.699 throw away their books 00:28:55.699 --> 00:28:56.859 because it's heresy. 00:28:58.939 --> 00:29:00.419 Don't listen to them. 00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:02.599 Don't be misled 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.279 by someone 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:05.720 who is so far off base 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.699 that they can't fit 00:29:06.699 --> 00:29:07.579 this criteria. 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:08.980 Now, 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.240 sound teaching 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:11.399 will not only guide us 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:12.779 to develop right beliefs, 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:14.740 but it'll help us 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.679 to develop the right 00:29:15.679 --> 00:29:16.679 kind of behavior 00:29:16.679 --> 00:29:17.419 because that's the ultimate 00:29:17.419 --> 00:29:18.119 goal of teaching. 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.919 I want you to understand, 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.720 every Christian book 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.799 that you read, 00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:24.220 every sermon you hear, 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:24.879 hear, 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.799 every lesson in Sunday school, 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:28.000 it's all designed 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.740 not to, 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.959 certainly not to entertain, 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.839 not to just inform, 00:29:34.459 --> 00:29:35.319 but it's designed 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.220 to help you 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:38.779 live like a Christian 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:42.019 in every area 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.899 of your life. 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:44.259 It's designed 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.559 to help you 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:44.960 to live 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:46.359 like you're supposed 00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:46.619 to live, 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.180 like God wants you 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.059 to live in your home 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.779 as a husband, 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:50.899 as a wife, 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.660 parent, 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:52.500 as a child, 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.460 as a brother or sister. 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:56.240 Let me ask you, 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.559 what do you believe 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.120 about God? 00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.980 What do you believe 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.519 about Jesus? 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.340 What do you believe 00:30:02.340 --> 00:30:03.140 about salvation? 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.640 What do you believe 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:05.799 about life after death? 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:09.220 Is it biblically sound? 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.940 Are you sure? 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:16.700 You should be 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:18.940 and you can be. 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.299 I want to encourage you 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.360 to make knowing, 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.100 understanding, 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:23.580 and applying 00:30:23.580 --> 00:30:24.299 the truth of Scripture 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:27.700 your lifelong pursuit. 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.580 And as you do, 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:34.519 evaluate your Christian teachers 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:36.580 in light of the clear teaching 00:30:36.580 --> 00:30:37.380 that you have 00:30:37.380 --> 00:30:38.180 of God's Word 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:40.840 and only listen to 00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.539 and follow 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:45.379 those who make it clear 00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:47.399 that what they're teaching 00:30:47.399 --> 00:30:50.119 is biblically sound. 00:30:50.859 --> 00:30:51.559 Let's pray together. 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:52.579 Dear God, 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:55.720 help us right now 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.859 to hear you 00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:59.920 and to clearly understand 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.879 how we need to respond 00:31:00.879 --> 00:31:02.819 to your Word this morning. 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:05.259 For some people, Lord, 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.220 it may be just to simply 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:07.379 wake up and evaluate 00:31:07.379 --> 00:31:08.259 what they're reading, 00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:09.180 what they're listening to. 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.720 Help them to do that. 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:14.240 For some, Father, 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:15.619 it may need to throw away 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.339 some books. 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:19.339 Stop listening to 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:20.859 a false teacher. 00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:25.079 Lord, we also, 00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:25.720 this morning, 00:31:26.879 --> 00:31:28.960 we need to be more 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.799 faithful witnesses. 00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:33.259 Help us 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:34.659 to make the commitment 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:37.160 that we will 00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:40.800 develop relationships 00:31:40.800 --> 00:31:41.660 with people 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:43.380 that's already 00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:43.980 in our circles 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.660 of influence. 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:47.240 And we will seek 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.880 to share the gospel 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.680 with them 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:52.680 before Easter Sunday morning. 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.140 And Lord, 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:55.060 we pray that you'd give us 00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:55.940 the privilege 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:57.980 of bringing them 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:59.340 to church with us 00:31:59.339 --> 00:32:01.639 where they can 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:02.879 confess their faith 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.720 through baptism, 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.759 where they can 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.480 get involved 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.259 in our church 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:09.039 and grow along 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:10.039 beside us 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:11.500 as your children. 00:32:12.899 --> 00:32:13.599 Show us how we need 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:14.480 to respond right now. 00:32:14.919 --> 00:32:15.740 And you just do that. 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.899 Whatever God's calling 00:32:16.899 --> 00:32:17.419 you to do, 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:18.139 you do it. 00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:20.039 If I could pray with you, 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:20.679 I'd be happy to do it 00:32:20.679 --> 00:32:21.099 right here, 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:21.819 right now. 00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:23.859 Just listen 00:32:23.859 --> 00:32:24.699 and obey the Lord. 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:54.680 Thank you.