Agree To Disagree
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings...
Began our study this year looking at “God’s Love For Man.”
Then studied “Man’s Response To God’s Love.”
Then began our current study on Satan’s Lies...
Today we will be studying another lie of Satan’s and that is that it is ok to “Agree To Disagree” concerning biblical matters that pertain to salvation.
For far too long people in the “denominational world” have sought to say “it is ok to agree to disagree as long as we are all striving to get to heaven.” However even this is up to their discretion on how it is used.
When Billy Graham came out and said everyone, even non-Christians, would go to heaven his son went on air and said he disagreed with his dad.
So what is this highly misused “creed” or “motto” anyway and how is it hurting the church?
Agree To Disagree
Agree To Disagree
History behind the phrase.
History behind the phrase.
It’s interesting to find out the history or at least the “known history” behind things. Take our phrase “agree to disagree.”
The phrase first appears in print in 1770 from the memorial sermon John Wesley wrote for his friend George Whitefield.
John Wesley is the founder of the Methodist denomination and George Whitefield is said to be a contributor to its start.
In the memorial sermon John Wesley wrote...
“There are many doctrines of less essential nature…In these we may think and let think; we may ‘agree to disagree.’ But, meantime, let us hold fast the essentials...”
As you can see the term “agree to disagree” has always had a connection with “doctrinal matters.”
The lesser known phrase this term “agree to disagree” likely stems from is “agree to differ.”
John Piggott, in his “Sermon on Union and Peace,” on April 17, 1704 preached...
“And now why should we not agree to differ, without either enmity or scorn?”
Summery
Summery
To agree to disagree has been the “go to phrase” for denominationalism as far back as denominationalism goes.
Remember denominationalism grew out of the idea of “we can think doctrinally on different matters and all still go to heaven, i.e. agree to disagree.”
So the idea that we can agree to disagree on salvational issues is what is in play.
However, is this something we can believe as “children of God” and be biblically sound?
Agree To Disagree & The Bible
Agree To Disagree & The Bible
What’s the big deal?
What’s the big deal?
Many in the church use the phrase “agree to disagree” or the other common phrase “you have your interpretation I have mine.”
First, let me clearly and definitively state that there are opinionated points of view that are not biblically wrong to have.
By that I mean there are certain doctrines taught in the Bible wherein there simply isn’t enough information given to say the “outlying” discussions around a doctrine are scripturally correct or incorrect.
We know Satan was create () and that he was created good () but we don’t know when he was created i.e. what day or when he fell.
The problem with the phrase “agree to disagree” in the church is that this far too many use it as an “escape from an actual logical argument or biblical reasoning.”
If you present a strong “scripture lased” argument and I counter with “we can agree to disagree or that’s your interpretation” I have not striven for what the Bible teaches concerning disagreements on Scripture.
It would be like saying “Satan was created
So...
What does the Bible say?
What does the Bible say?
The bible clearly expounds three truths concerning our study today.
One, it is possible for each of us to “know God’s Word” and thus each agree with it.
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth,
1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
2 Jn
Two, there is no doubt concerning how God expects us to commit ourselves to the unity in the Word.
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Cor
6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
3 “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Three, there is equally no doubt that God expects us not to compromise His Word.
There is no doubt that Bible is fu
1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. 4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Three, it is possible for each of us to come to know the truth of God’s Word.
If we are to be united in speech, mind, and judgment for the glorification of God and
Summery
Summery
2 Cor 10:5-6
Because we can know God’s Word and preach an uncompromising doctrine we have no need for the false concept of “agree to disagree” because we ought to be striving to “agree in the Lord” in all things.
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
Conclusion
Conclusion
As God’s people we are two walk in the Lord with each other.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
However, that simply cannot happen unless we agree on God’s Word.
3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
John Wesley quote: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agree_to_disagree
John Piggott quote: Ibid