Loosed from the Moorings!
The news story used in illustration can be found HERE.
Tonight I told you of this church in Florida not because it’s decisions have direct relevance to us as a church, we are an independent Baptist church. As such we are in no way associated, save by the name “Baptist.” The reason why we are looking at this tonight is to show us a vivid, and REAL illustration of just WHERE A CHURCH CAN BE BLOWN AND DRIVEN WHEN WE ALLOW HER TO BE LOOSED FROM HER MOORINGS!!!
*By examining the two passages in the New Testament that outline the REQUIREMENTS and QUAILIFICATIONS for those that would occupy office in the Local Church (namely bishop, but also deacon) we will not only see that blatant violation of Scripture this church’s folly is, but we will also see that these will also exclude many others from these offices that churches and Christians of today flatly deny and reject. We say, “He is a good man, what is the big deal?” We say, like the lady in the interview, “Everyone deserves a second chance!” In doing so, not only do we DENY the clear teaching of Scripture in favour of some man, but we also UNLOOSE THE MOORINGS that are fastening us to the solid rock of God’s word!
Texts:
1 Timothy 3:1-7 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Titus 1:6-9 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
We as God’s people must come to grips with the fact the the Bible and the sound doctrines taught in the Word of God are the “moorings” that anchor our souls amidst the winds and waves of false teachings and teachers that would drive us away from godly stand in this vile world!
1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit speaketh 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.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 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.
The Fierce Winds that Blow
Ephesians 4:14 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;
The Wild Waves that Ravage
Jude 1:12-13 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
The Lord Jesus said to the Saducees that rejected the doctrine of the resurrection:
Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
The Pharasees that were offended, they were not planted by the Heavenly Father
Matthew 15:13-14 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
The Hypocritical lost religious leadership of Israel
Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
The Warnings of Christ!
Matthew 16:5-6 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Matthew 16:11-12 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Mark 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Leaven of the Sadducees: RELIGIOUS LIBERALISM that denied the doctrines of the Bible!
Leaven of the Pharisees: CONSERVATIVE LEGALISM that taught the observance of religious works for salvation and holiness
Leaven of Herod: POLITICAL PRAGMATISM that stood in the way of the Kingdom of God!
The professing church of our day is FEASTING on these leaven breads of apostasy, hypocrisy, and the vices of democracy and have set aside the true bread of the Scripture!
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->Loosed Mooring<-
