A Church That Stands Against

Introduction:

We have heard great lessons in this series on “A Stand Out Church.”

The church stands out - is unique - because it holds to the pattern of sound words () - Frank Barnes

Stand out men and women are those men and women basing their lives on that God given pattern () - Ben Giselbach

Ben Giselbach

The church stands out by standing in Christ - the one foundation of the church () - Ben Giselbach

The church stands out by standing up for the defense of the gospel - Frank Lyons.

In being the distinctive New Testament church of Christ that we are supposed to be, we must also stand against some things.

Standing against means to oppose and resist some things!

It is a sad state of affairs when churches stand against nothing and accept anything (i.e. GayChurch.org, Church in a bar, etc.).

Passages Exhorting Us To Stand Against Some Things

Romans 1:18–32 NKJV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:28–32 NKJV

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:18-32

2 Cor 10:3-

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 NKJV

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Here’s a good examples of “exalting against the knowledge of God.”

Through the imposition of such "patterns" a type of "Copy Cat Christianity" has been created. For instance, if someone infers that a first century disciple observed the Lord's Supper with only one cup, then you and I had better do the same or face the eternal consequence of hell. Patternism. If there is no verse in the NT writings that says the first century disciples clapped during the singing of a hymn, then God help that poor teenager who dares to violate the "proper procedure" governing praise! Patternism. There is no verse in the NT documents that says any first century disciple used instrumental accompaniment to his/her singing of praises. Therefore, those who use such today are going straight to hell. Patternism. Separate Sunday School classes for the kiddies? Not if you value your soul. Patternism. Eating a meal in the church building? God forbid! Patternism. Making an announcement "from the pulpit" before the "closing prayer" that there will be a pizza party for the church at a member's home ("unauthorized use of the pulpit")? Have mercy!! Patternism. Small group meetings on Sunday nights? Heresy! Patternism. Take money from the church "treasury" to help support an orphan or a widow? Absolute apostasy! Patternism. (Al Maxey).

created. For instance, if someone infers that a first century disciple observed the Lord's

Ephesians 5:11 NKJV

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

To “expose” the darkness means: “to state that someone has done wrong, with the implication that there is adequate proof of such wrongdoing—‘to rebuke, to reproach, rebuke, reproach.’” (Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A.)

Supper with only one cup, then you and I had better do the same or face the eternal

to state that someone has done wrong, with the implication that there is adequate proof of such wrongdoing—‘to rebuke, to reproach, rebuke, reproach.’

Some important points should be noted here:

consequence of hell. Patternism. If there is no verse in the NT writings that says the first

century disciples clapped during the singing of a hymn, then God help that poor teenager

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 435). New York: United Bible Societies.

The only way to have fellowship with darkness is to extinguish our light.

who dares to violate the "proper procedure" governing praise! Patternism. There is no

If we are walking as children of light - those who live by the pattern of God’s word - then we will be standing against the darkness by necessity!

Just as something cannot be both true and false at the same time - it is not possible to be both light and dark at the same time.

verse in the NT documents that says any first century disciple used instrumental accompaniment

to his/her singing of praises. Therefore, those who use such today are going straight

Eph. 6:10-20

Ephesians 6:10–20 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

to hell. Patternism. Separate Sunday School classes for the kiddies? Not if you value your

Hebrews 12:4 NKJV

4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

James 4:7 NKJV

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

soul. Patternism. Eating a meal in the church building? God forbid! Patternism. Making

Revelation 2:14–16 NKJV

14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

an announcement "from the pulpit" before the "closing prayer" that there will be a pizza

party for the church at a member's home ("unauthorized use of the pulpit")? Have mercy!!

Conclusion:

The fact that the church stands out, stands in, stands up, and stands for - means that the church MUST stand against some things.

Patternism. Small group meetings on Sunday nights? Heresy! Patternism. Take money

Anything opposed to the knowledge of God.

from the church "treasury" to help support an orphan or a widow? Absolute apostasy!

Sin

Patternism.

False doctrine

A church that doesn’t stand against these things will stand for anything.

Some have even refused to stand against false patterns for salvation and so stand for people continuing in condemnation - how sad!