Many of Our Brethren Are Just Too Unconcerned

Many of Our Brethren Are Just Too Unconcerned!

Introduction:

This weekend we have the Gay agenda being celebrated in the Tower district

Disinterest, unconcern, apathy, indifference, tolerance, are not terms of a Christian:

Many in the church are being “Tolerant” over many things.

Instrumental music, Women in lead positions, etc:

Christians should be concerned enough about themselves to examines themselves

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
Examine yourselves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

God’s people should be concerned, and should hate every false way

Psalms 119:104 (KJV)
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

The idea of being neutral is disgusting to the Lord:

The church at Pergamos tolerated error, the Lord told them to repent

Revelation 2:12-16 (KJV)
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwells, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holds fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

The church at Thyatira put up with a false prophetess, the Lord was not happy with them

Revelation 2:20 (KJV)
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou suffers that woman Jezebel, which called herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

The church at Laodicea wanted to be neutral in their spirituality,

The Lord said that makes Him essentially sick.

Revelation 3:15-16 (KJV)
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:19 (KJV)
19 as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Christians often are too Unconcerned about Sin in Their Own Lives

Sin has a price

Romans 6:23 (KJV)
23 for the wages of sin isdeath; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sin is the transgression of God’s law

1 John 3:4 (KJV)
4 whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Sin is also - knowing to do right and not doing it

James 4:17 (KJV)
17 Therefore to him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

This sin in my opinion is a really big problem

The word of God says we will be judged based upon our deeds:

2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Romans 14:10-12 (KJV)
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

God is not a respecter of persons

Acts 10:34 (KJV)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

We can conclude that every work of man will come into judgment with no exceptions

Colossians 3:24-25 (KJV)
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

1 Peter 1:17 (KJV)
17 and if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Christians are oftenToo Unconcerned about Error

We are warned about change in the New Testament:

The Bible warns not to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine

Ephesians 4:14 (KJV)
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

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 (KJV)
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

Many have a hard time enduring sound doctrine

2 Timothy 4:2-5 (KJV)
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

The word of God teaches us to eagerly contend for the faith, not bend the faith:

Jude 1:3 (KJV)
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Philippians 1:17 (KJV)
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.

Philippians 1:27 (KJV)
27 Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

We are not to bend the faith, system of faith; gospel, word of God

2 Timothy 1:13 (KJV)
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Should we wait for one to make it a “test of fellowship”?

Fellowship is determined by walking in the light / truth

1 John 1:7 (KJV)
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Fellowship cannot be extended to those transgressing the teachings of Christ

Or not bringing the teachings of Christ

2 John 1:9-11 (KJV)
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 for he that bides him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

How long will some Christians desire to be caught between two opinions?

1 Kings 18:21 (KJV)
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

What does the Bible say to do?

1 Timothy 6:3-5 (KJV)
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising,
5 Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Romans 16:17-18 (KJV)
17 now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Titus 3:9-11 (KJV)
9 but avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Going right or left of the truth causes division:

We cannot add or take from God’s word:

Deuteronomy 12:32 (KJV)
32 what thing so ever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Colossians 3:17 (KJV)
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV)
18 For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

That means we cannot be more strict or more loose in our public teaching

Deuteronomy 17:19 (KJV)
19 and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:

Joshua 1:7 (KJV)
7 only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever you go.

1 Timothy 4:1-4 (KJV)
1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

These passages show what happens when one makes their opinion a doctrine

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.

Christian are often too Unconcerned about Societies Redefinitions of Sin

1 John 2:15 (KJV)
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

They are calling alcoholism a “disease” like is something you catch.

By referring to it this way, alcoholics can feel as though it is something they caught and can’t help:

The Bible calls it unwise

Proverbs 20:1 (KJV)
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

The Bible shows that alcohol impairs judgment and is addictive

Proverbs 23:29-35 (KJV)
29 who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32 At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder.
33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

The Bible says all types of drinking are wrong

1 Peter 4:3 (KJV)
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

The Bible says you will not get to heaven

Galatians 5:21 (KJV)
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

They are calling abortion “a choice”.

The woman is told it is her body.

The child, which is alive, is called a fetus.

The Bible shows that God hates the hands that shed innocent blood

Proverbs 6:17 (KJV)
17 a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Baby or Fetus?

Luke 1:41 (KJV)
41 and it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

The Bible says murderers will burn in hell

Revelation 21:8 (KJV)
8 but the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

They are calling erring worship “contemporary worship”.

The Bible says there is one type of worship

John 4:24-25 (KJV)
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Those that pervert that worship with be eternally damned

Christian often think they can be around anyone you want if you are strong minded enough to be your own person.

The Bible teaches that we are to avoid every form of evil

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

The Bible teaches that we are not to be deceived, that evil companions will corrupt us

1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV)
33 be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

The Bible teaches that we will fall into the ditch if we follow blind leaders

Matthew 15:14 (KJV)
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

They say it’s okay to gamble, because you’re just having a little fun.

This is a very hard one.

The Bible teaches we are to earn our money

2 Thessalonians 3:10 (KJV)
10 for even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished

Proverbs 13:11 (KJV)
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.

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:

I wonder what Ananias and Sapphira would advise you to do

(Acts 5:1-10)?

Does God really approve of lying?

Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV)
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.

Christians often say that it is okay to be too busy to carry out your work for the Lord or attend every service

Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.