STICKS AND STONES
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 22 viewsNotes
Transcript
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
This is the point of this verse: if we want God's approval—if we want to be acceptable to God—we must study, rush and seek to be a true teacher of God's Word.
We must be workmen who study God's Word, workmen who study diligently: who correctly analyze and accurately divide—rightly handle and skillfully teach—the Word of Truth
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Language picturing so much talk that goes on among people.
1. So much talk is "profane": common, that which is not sacred or biblical, and godless talk.
2. So much talk is vain: empty and meaningless.
3. So much talk is babbling: nothing more than empty voices chattering away in empty and godless discussions. The charge is direct and forceful: avoid, shun, keep away from godless and empty talk.
What are some examples of talk that is godless and empty?
There is such talk as...
· false teaching
· worldly philosophy
· cursing
· theological theories
· immoral suggestions
· off-colored conversation
· indecent insinuations
· criticism
· gossip
· suggestive enticements
Note that such talk is not only ungodly and empty, it leads to more and more ungodliness.
Such talk actually increases ungodliness in the heart and life of a person. In fact, the picture could be no more descriptive: ungodly talk eats away at a person just like a cancerous growth.
This is often ignored and neglected by people, for most people want to go about doing their own thing.
And if we took this charge seriously, just think how it would affect the control of...
· television
· films · music
· discussions
· opinions
· differences
· positions (theological, social, political)
· decisions · arguments
This charge affects every form of communication and relationship imaginable.
Imagine—no communication and no talk is ever to take place that is ungodly and empty.
Why?
Because ungodly and empty talk eats like a cancer.
It leads a person into more and more ungodliness and emptiness.
"Here then is the test. If at the end of our talk and discussion, we are closer to one another and closer to God, then all is well.
But if at the end of our discussion, we have erected barriers between each other and we have left God more distant and our view of Him befogged, then all is wrong.
The aim of all Christian discussion and of all Christian action is to bring a man or woman nearer to God."
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin:
But he that refraineth his lips is wise.
ILLUSTRATION: Kids have been known to say the cutest things. Sometimes their mispronunciation of a word will actually bring a clearer meaning.
Here is an example.
"A four-year old boy decided that he'd make an attempt at reciting the prayer which he had heard in church. 'And forgive us our trashbaskets,' he asked, 'as we forgive those who trashbasket against us.'"
Enough said? Godless chatter belongs in the trashbasket!
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
Some may turn away from Christ; the faith of some may be overthrown and undermined by godless teaching and talk.
"Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure." What is meant by the foundation of God?
It means the household of God or the household of faith. It means the great house of believers that God is building.
It is the family and church of God—the true family and true church of God.
Note two facts about the great house of believers.
1. The great house of God has two inscriptions written upon it that seal and guarantee its security.
a. The first inscription is this: "The Lord knows those who are his." There are no false professions and no hypocrites in God's household—not in His real household.
No one fools God.
Within the earthly church, there are both wheat and tares, both believers and unbelievers.
But when God looks upon us, He knows those who are truly His.
He knows those who have really entered into His household and those who are only saying that they have entered. The point is this: if a person is living within the household of God—remaining stedfast and loyal—he is a true believer, a true member of God's household.
And he is secure within God's house. But if a person has forsaken the family of God, he is not of God's household.
God is not taken by surprise by any of us.
God knows those who are His, and those who are His will remain faithful and loyal.
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
b. The second inscription is this: "Let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity [unrighteousness]."
The sign that a person is of the household of God is a pure and righteous life.
A person who follows Christ does not live in sin. If a person lives in sin, he is not following Christ.
Therefore, if we name the name of Christ, we must depart from iniquity. If we continue in sin, then we are only making a false profession. We are not of God's household—not really.
Our sinful behavior proves the fact.
The point is this: the foundation of God is sure; His household is established forever and it is built upon the principle of righteousness:
Þ Everyone that names the name of Christ repents and departs from iniquity (unrighteousness).
This is a fact; it is an eternal principle established by God. His household is built upon righteousness.
Righteousness is the inscription that is written across the face of His household.
Therefore, if a person is a member of His household, they have forsaken and departed from iniquity. They do not live in sin.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,