What Does God's Word Say?
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Just this past week, I read news that the United Methodist Church, in May, will vote on a plan to split the denomination into at least two different denominations? Why? Because of "fundamental issues” over same sex marriage.
The New York Times wrote:
The plan would sunder a denomination with 13 million members globally — roughly half of them in the United States — and create at least one new “traditionalist Methodist” denomination that would continue to ban same-sex marriage as well as the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy.
This illustrates a very important truth: Doctrine divides. Truth separates.
But it also begs the question: “Will we believe God’s Word or man’s word?”
Turn to and read Matthew 7:24-27.
We should really ask ourselves, “What does God’s Word say?”
A few weeks ago, I referenced an article that had been published on a “Baptist” news site.
Too much of Christianity is built upon absolute certainty and not enough on divine mystery.
Sadly, we have been trained to worship the received interpretation of Scripture rather than the overarching narrative of Scripture embodied in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as we have been trained to worship the Bible as the word of God more than Jesus as the divine Word of God.
https://baptistnews.com/article/3-words-for-the-church-in-2019-we-were-wrong/#.Xhp__RdKg1I
This article was written and published a year ago. The title of the article was “3 Words for the Church in 2019: ‘We Were Wrong.” The writer goes on to list 7 issues that “the church” has been wrong about.
As somewhat of a side note: When most individuals speak of “the church” they are generally referencing every stripe and persuasion of Christianity and lumping all of us together.
However, and I don’t have the time tonight to address this fully, I need to make a some things abundantly clear: South Charlotte Baptist Church is not a Protestant church. South Charlotte Baptist Church is not an evangelical church. We are an independent, Bible-believing, Baptist church.
Now, back to the main message: The writer references no scripture in his article. In this article, too much emphasis is placed upon “Man’s Word.” And, that’s where we get into trouble. We begin to place too much emphasis on man’s word and not enough emphasis on God’s Word!
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
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.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
Now, seven things that “the church” was wrong about along with some what God’s Word has to say about the subject. (We’ll not be able to look at all seven tonight. We’ll only look at the first three.)
We were wrong about race.
We were wrong about race.
Even those of us who believe we are sensitive and thoughtful about race often don’t know how little we know.
Because of our skin color, we were born at least on second base; we have no right to coach others about how to get out of the batter’s box and to first base.
This past summer, the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution that states that they would accept the use of Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality as “Analytical Tools” to better understand our society and the world in which we live.
(Allow me to explain Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality in this way: Because I am white and am a male, I cannot possibly understand what it is like for someone who is, say, black and a woman. Therefore, I need to use these tools, to better understand others before I can possibly share the Gospel with them.)
Both “Critical Race Theory” and “Intersectionality” are liberal, man-made ideas that have no place in the church for any reason!
Where did our modern view and concept about “race” come from? The modern concept of “race” can be traced back to the nineteenth century when Charles Darwin published his book, “The Origin of Species.” However, that is not the full name of the book. The full name of the book, which Charles Darwin wrote and published is
“On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.”
As a result of Darwinian evolution, many people started thinking in terms of the different people groups around the world representing different “races,” but within the context of evolutionary philosophy. This has resulted in many people today, consciously or unconsciously, having ingrained prejudices against certain other groups of people.
The problem is that most people, including many Christians, do not base their worldview and values on the Bible. Instead, they ignore God’s truth and adopt man’s ideas and values.
https://answersingenesis.org/tower-of-babel/how-many-races-did-god-create/
What does God’s Word say? There is only one race - the human race.
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
God’s Word is very clear. There is only one race - the Human Race. All of the inhabitants in the world today can be traced back to two individuals - Adam & Eve.
So, what is the real problem? Sin. Hatred of any kind is sin. Now, while I do not want to trivialize anything, we need to understand that God’s Word is quite simple. Unfortunately, when we begin to rely upon man’s word, things get complicated - very quickly.
What is the answer?
Turn to and read 1 John 4:7-11.
God is love. God loves us. We have been commanded to love others.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
God has even commanded us to love those who hate us.
Turn to and read Matthew 5:43-48.
If we love others in the way that God has commanded us to, it will, I believe lead us to practice the truth of Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
I may not be able to fully appreciate everything about your life and you may not be able to fully appreciate everything about my life but we can, as we strive to love one another, value others as better than ourselves.
This really feeds off of the truth that was presented this morning - the example which Christ has left for us to follow:
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Love others, Value others, Serve others! That is the Biblical way in which we should battle “racism!”
We were wrong about sexual predators.
We were wrong about sexual predators.
The Catholic Church faces a tremendous day of reckoning not only for turning a blind eye to clergy sexual abuse but to knowingly allowing its perpetuation.
…Yet Protestant churches have not been immune. While preaching against sexual sin to the world, the church at large has failed to keep its own house clean.
I want to be cautious in what I say because we do have some little ears in the service tonight.
Yes, independent, fundamental, Baptist churches have also had their fair share of this kind of behavior.
Ladies and gentlemen, we live in a wicked world. Just because we “go to church” does not mean that we are immune to that wickedness. We are surrounded by wickedness on a daily basis. We are subjected to that wickedness on a daily basis.
I am reminded of the example of Lot, Abraham’s nephew.
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
Turn to and read Colossians 3:1-5.
We must guard our hearts and our minds against this -
and any type of wickedness.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
Much of the wickedness that we are subjected to comes by way of our smartphones, computers, tablets, video streaming services, etc.
There are things which we can do to help protect ourselves. I usually recommend Covenant Eyes. It is a filtering and accountability software that can be installed on your devices to help guard our hearts and minds.
Also, We must never assume that it cannot happen to us.
Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
We must protect our children.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
I have often encouraged parents to be aware of their children’s online activity. I was reminded of that fact this past week when I read a story of a 13 year old, here in Mecklenburg county, who had been communicating with representatives from an online “escort” service with a plan to make money as an “escort” with that service.
Again, we live in a wicked world. We must protect ourselves and protect our children.
We were wrong about women.
We were wrong about women.
Just this week I reread an interview with a prominent evangelical pastor from a few years ago where he told the story of his daughter asking why she couldn’t be a pastor. His response: “For the same reason I can’t have a baby.”
That is a perfect example of not looking to God’s Word to explain our faith and practice!
The writer of the article goes on to say:
It is time for the church everywhere to move beyond soundbite theology and take a new look at the gifts of women and to believe them when they say they, too, have been called by God to service.
I read one article that stated:
Our society has a set of ideas about how we expect men and women to dress, behave, and present themselves.
I will say this; “the church” has been wrong about women because they have they have been listening to wrong people! Instead of listening to God’s Word, we have been listening to society and culture! No wonder we’re mixed up and confused!
Back to the original article that I have been referencing...The writer is referring, specifically to women being pastors.
Most mainline denominations have long ago given in to this. You will find women preachers/pastors in most mainline denominations. But...
What does God’s Word say?
Everyone - men and women - has been gifted to serve God in and through the local church.
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Turn to and read Romans 12:3-8.
Everyone has been gifted to serve God in and through the local church.
As it relates, though, to the office of a pastor, Scripture is clear that only men should occupy that position of a pastor or deacon.
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
These passages of Scripture do not, in any way, diminish the value, worth, or importance of women.
What is very clear, though, from Scripture is that God has designed men and women to fill different roles; roles that ultimately bring honor and glory to God.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
What Does God’s Word Say?
What Does God’s Word Say?