Many of Our Brethren Are Just Too Unconcerned! Introduction:
A. Disinterest, unconcern, apathy, indifference, tolerance, etc. are not terms that describe a Christian:I. Too Unconcerned About Sin in Their Own Lives1. Christians are concerned enough about themselves to examines themselves (II Corinthians 13:5).B. The idea of being neutral is disgusting to the Lord:
2. God’s people are concerned, and they hate every false way (Psalms 119:104).1. The church at Pergamos tolerated error, the Lord told them to repent (Revelation 2:12-16).
2. The church at Thyatira put up with a false prophetess, the Lord was not happy with them (Revelation 2:20).
3. The church at Laodicea wanted to be neutral in their spirituality, the Lord said that makes Him essentially sick (Revelation 3:15-16; 19).A. Sin has a price (Romans 6:23).II. Too Unconcerned About Error1. Sin is the transgression of God’s law (I John 3:4).B. The word of God says we will be judged based upon our deeds:
2. Sin is - knowing to do right and doing it not (James 4:17).1. II Corinthians 5:10
2. Romans 14:11-12
3. God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11, and Ephesians 6:9), therefore we can conclude that every work of every man will come into judgment with no one being exempt:a. Colossians 3:24-25
b. I Peter 1:17A. Change, we are warned about it in the New Testament:III. Too Unconcerned About Societies Redefinitions of Sin (I John 2:15)1. The Bible warns not to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14).B. The word of God teaches us to zealously [eagerly] contend for the faith, not bend the faith:
2. Many brethren today are like those in the days of Isaiah the prophet, they do not want the straight truth, they want the “smooth things” (Isaiah 30:9-10).
3. Many have a hard time enduring sound doctrine (II Timothy 4:2-5).1. Jude 3C. Should we wait for one to make it a “test of fellowship”?
2. Philippians 1:17
3. Philippians 1:27
4. WE ARE NOT TO BEND the faith [system of faith; gospel, word of God] (II Timothy 1:13).1. Fellowship is determined by walking in the light / truth (I John 1:7; cf. III John 3-4).D. What does the Bible say to do?
2. Fellowship cannot be extended to those transgressing the teachings of Christ or not bringing the teachings of Christ (II John 9-11).
3. How long will some desire to be caught between two opinions (I Kings 18:21)?1. I Timothy 6:3-5E. Going right or left of the truth causes division:
2. Romans 16:17-18
3. Titus 3:9-111. We cannot add or take from God’s word:a. Deuteronomy 12:322. That means we cannot be more strict or more loose in our public teaching as it relates to doctrine:
b. Colossians 3:17
c. Revelation 22:18-19a. Deuteronomy 17:19-20
b. Joshua 1:7
c. I Timothy 4:1-4i. Romans 14 says we can differ on matters of eating meats as long as it is an opinion upon which no condemnation of another who eats meat is made.
ii. These passages (I Timothy 4:1-4) show what happens when one makes their opinion a doctrine.A. They are calling alcoholism a “disease” like is something you catch. Thus, by referring to it this way alcoholics can feel as though it is something they caught and can’t help:Conclusion:1. The Bible calls it unwise (Proverbs 20:1).B. They are calling abortion “a choice”. The woman is told it is her body. The child, which is alive, is called a fetus.
2. The Bible shows that alcohol impairs judgment and is addictive (Proverbs 23:29-35).
3. The Bible says all types of drinking are wrong (I Peter 4:3).
4. The Bible says you will burn in hell for it (Galatians 5:21).1. The Bible shows that God hates the hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17).C. They are calling erring worship “contemporary worship”.
2. The Bible uses the term “babe” when in the mother’s womb, not fetus (Luke 1:40-41).
3. The Bible says murderers will burn in hell (Revelation 21:8).1. The Bible says there is one type of worship (John 4:24-25).D. They are teaching that you can be around anyone you want if you are strong minded enough to be your own person.
2. Those that pervert that worship with be eternally damned (Revelation 22:18-19).1. The Bible teaches that we are to avoid every form of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22).E. They say it’s okay to gamble, because you can do good things with the money (what about those who rob a bank and give to the church, does the result justify the means?).
2. The Bible teaches that we are not to be deceived, that evil companions will corrupt us (I Corinthians 15:33).
3. The Bible teaches that we will fall into the ditch if we follow blind leaders (Matthew 15:14).1. The Bible says covetousness [to desire that which belongs to another] is wrong (Ephesians 5:3).F. They say it is okay to lie, so long as it is only a “little white lie”. They even say it is okay to lie if you are someone like a politician who is expected to lie:
2. The Bible teaches we are to earn our money (II Thessalonians 3:10).
3. Theft is taking something that is not yours; think about these words (Ephesians 4:28).
4. Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished (Proverbs 13:11).1. I wonder what Ananias and Sapphira would advise you to do (Acts 5:1-10)?G. They say that it is okay to be too busy to carry out your work for the Lord or attend every service – Hmm (Matthew 6:33, Matthew 22:36-38, Colossians 3:1-3 and Hebrews 10:25).
2. Does God really approve of lying (Proverbs 6:16-19 and Revelation 21:8)?
H. They are saying “wear what you want as long as you look good and feel good it in it”. The Bible does however specify what is modest and what is NAKED (Exodus 28:42).
I. They are saying that unscriptural divorces are just mistakes:1. Malachi 2:16J. They are saying homosexuality is acceptable in society.
2. Matthew 19:5-6; 91. God’s will, as it relates to homosexuality, from the Old Law (Genesis 18-19 and Leviticus 18:22; 20:13).
2. The New Testament asserting, just as the Old Law, that homosexuality is sinful (Romans 1:26-27 and I Corinthians 6:9-10).A. Tolerance contributes to the spread of sin (I Corinthians chapter 5).
B. Tolerance shows the sinner that they are accepted, but the Bible says works of darkness are not to be accepted (Ephesians 5:11).
C. For Christians to be a light in the world (Matthew 5:16), they must decide to shine – which in itself is an act of aggression, not tolerance.
© 2004 May be used if permission by author is granted and proper acknowledgment as to the authorship of this material is made. In other words, preachers do your own work. Use this as a tool for your own work if such is helpful! – B.A.Y.