Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

We have defined fellowship as a partnership and an association with others (God, Christ, Holy Spirit, the church, righteousness, the gospel)

It’s matters of fellowship that become difficult and challenging for congregations

While fellowship questions and matters can be difficult, there is a standard to which we turn that will help us navigate these difficult issues—the truth that God has revealed to us through His word!

Christians have fellowship with the truth and the truth is our arbiter and guide.

First, we must identify God’s relationship with the truth

God’s Relationship with the Truth

Fellowship does not exist unless we first have fellowship with God - cf.

Therefore, we must understand more about God if we are to understand our fellowship with God.

God has revealed His word to us so that we may know Him and believe in Him -

To know God is to know the truth; to know the truth is to know God -

God is the “God of truth” -

Therefore, to be in fellowship with God we must know the truth -

We must continue in the word of Christ to be His disciple - v. 31

We must know the truth to be free from sin - v. 32, 34

The truth becomes the way and means by which God acts to save us and to bring us into fellowship with Him.

If we do not follow the truth, then God is not with us -

The truth/gospel save us from sin -

The truth/gospel reveals our hope of heaven -

The Truth: Gospel and Doctrine

The core gospel approach by Carl Ketcherside and Leroy Garrett:

Gospel contains facts to be believed and establishes fellowship

The gospel was described as essential, core facts that must be accepted: life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, coronation, glorification

Doctrine contains teaching and instructions, commands to obey, but allows fellowship based upon different teachings.

Fundamental to this was also a misconception that as long as someone was sincere, then they could not be out of fellowship with God or with others - cf. ;

Treating the New Testament as a love letter

This view suggests that the NT does not give instructions and commands, i.e., it’s not “an instruction manual”

We should not merely look at the Bible as an instruction manual—that is correct.

We should look at the Scriptures as a message and an announcement of good news and salvation through Jesus Christ!

But Christ says “follow me” and that requires dedication, commitment, and a pattern for us to follow.

We must be faithful to the pattern and follow the words contained in the word of God!

Distinguishing the gospel and doctrine/teaching.

This methodology has led to these conclusions:

the gospel is what saves and brings someone into fellowship with God

doctrine is different than the gospel; it is the basis for fellowship.

Yet, we can have different teachings and still be in fellowship with God.

Unity in diversity is the cry!

The gospel includes doctrine -

The law of God teaches us what is wrong and contrary to sound doctrine/teaching - v. 10

That sound teaching is in harmony and according to the gospel of God - v. 11

Paul wrote to Timothy of the value of the Scriptures.

Doctrine includes the gospel -

The Scriptures led to salvation - v. 15

The Scriptures led Timothy to faith in Jesus - v. 15

The Scriptures are inspired of God - v. 16

The Scriptures are doctrine (even the matters of faith and “gospel”) - v. 16

Doctrine/teaching is to be obeyed -

Notice how the “word of God” is described and the results of the teaching/doctrine from :

Paul was preaching the word of God - v. 7

Elymas tried to turn Sergius Paulus from the faith - v. 8

Paul rebuked him and reminded him that the ways of the Lord are straight and righteous - v. 10

The proconsul believed the word of God and the “teaching [doctrine] of the Lord” - v. 12

[End First Part of this lesson]

The law of God teaches us what is wrong and contrary to sound doctrine/teaching - v. 10

That sound teaching is in harmony and according to the gospel of God - v. 11

Our Fellowship with the Truth

To be Christ’s disciples we must be of the truth -

Some depart from the truth -

Truth

Error

Indifference -

Not a gray area that clouds the subject of what is right/wrong and blending truth and error together

These are matters which are entirely neutral to God

Are We Following the Doctrine of Men?

Questions and disagreements may arise over incidentals and matters of judgment without harming the fellowship unless we let it affect our fellowship through pride and hurtful words and actions

Disagreements over principles of plainly revealed truth does affect our fellowship—this is not to imply that everyone who believes something wrong should be treated as a Diotrophes who is splitting the church; but their actions and beliefs will negatively affect our fellowship

Conclusion

Christians are to have a strong relationship with God, the one who has revealed the truth to us

We are to follow the truth and allow that to guide us

The gospel is what teaches us and gives us doctrine that we are to believe and obey

Lesson 2: