When Change Is Good & When It's Sin
Notes
Transcript
Change has been a recurring theme for the past few decades.
To some “change” means hope and progress; to others it is a threat against closely held and beloved traditions.
Some think any change would be better than what we have and they’re willing to try almost anything.
Others see the desire for change as very dangerous because we see some of the proposed changers as departures from the pattern of God’s word.
So, should we reject the idea that change is necessary in some area?
We need to recognize where change can be a good thing and, also, where change would be sinful.
The Change We Made To Follow Christ Was Definitely A Good Change!
The Change We Made To Follow Christ Was Definitely A Good Change!
Phil. 3:4-6 describes Paul’s former religion.
Some of us made the change from an unscriptural denomination to the true gospel of Christ.
This should cause us to be very cautious of any changes that would take us back to sinful denominationalism!
Embracing the compromises of denominationalism should be just as repugnant to us as going back to Pharisee-ism was to Paul!
The Motivation For The Change Can Help Determine If It’s Good Or Sinful
The Motivation For The Change Can Help Determine If It’s Good Or Sinful
Paul’s one and only motivation was to please Christ (Phil. 3:7-11).
There is a real temptation to make changes that would be appealing to the world.
Things that can motivate us into changes for the wrong reasons:
An overemphasis on numbers and budgets.
The desire to be an “uptown” sophisticated church.
Pressure to be PC.
To be current and trendy rather than “old fashioned.”
Where There Is Room For Growth There Is Room For Change!
Where There Is Room For Growth There Is Room For Change!
Paul didn’t claim perfection (Phil. 3:12-14).
There is no doubt whatsoever that Northside is the church of Christ, and Jesus established it.
But restoration isn’t a once-and-done type thing.
We must “press on” in our goal of being what God would have us to be.
We mustn’t resist change that is good and helpful just on the basis of tradition!
Sunday school is a positive change that was resisted in the past as an “unscriptural innovation.”
The same could be said of individual communion cups.
However, neither of these are violations of Scripture and are good, positive, changes that have benefited the health and growth of the church.
We Must Never Allow Changes That Would Compromise The Truth!
We Must Never Allow Changes That Would Compromise The Truth!
Phil. 3:16
16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
Our concern for abiding in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9) will cause us to be very cautious about any changes that might even hint at compromising the doctrine of Christ.