"Itchy Ear Syndrome"

"Enduring Sound Doctrine in a time of uncertainty."

Sermon Thrust: If we are going to be influential for the gospel, we must be transformed by the Word of God.

Core Value: Bible Believers: "The Bible is our final authority for all life and practice."

Introduction:

Let's play a game. The is called Wise or Foolish. I will give you a set of situations and tell me if it is wise or foolish. Ready?

Is it wise or foolish to believe God created the universe from nothing?

Is it wise or foolish to forgive others as Christ has forgiven you?

Is it wise or foolish to owe people money?

Is it wise or foolish to believe there is no God?

Is it wise or foolish to pray to God when you have a need?

Is it wise or foolish to attend church regularly?

Is it wise or foolish to hook up with someone outside a marriage relationship?

From where would someone obtain wisdom?

ParentsSchool or EducationFriends and familyReligion or ChurchThe Word of God.

Core Value: Bible Believers

"The Word of God is our final authority for all life and practice."

But what if I said that you only believe as much of the Bible as you practice? Are you still a Bible Believer?

Endure the Word

2 Timothy 4:1–2 ESV

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

"The Word of God holds the power of transformation."

Be Ready: even when it's not popular.

Reprove: Exposing the lie.

Rebuke: Correcting the Action.

Exhortation: Encourage unity in the Spirit.

With Patience and Doctrine: Allowing the Holy Spirit to work.

"When you conform to God's Word, you transform a generation."

Endure the Wandering

2 Timothy 4:3–4 ESV

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

The "Itchy Ear" syndrome

2 Timothy 3:7 ESV

always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

Larry Osborne says we are living in "Echo Chambers." We find people, news, blogs, and podcasts that agree with our perspective and listen only to them.

"We have a bad habit of conforming our teachers to our passions instead of conforming our passions to the truth."

Endure the Work

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

"When the Word transforms you, the work begins."

James 1:25 ESV

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Next Steps: Defining the Process

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. "God's way is the best way for my life."

Be willing to make drastic changes when reproved, rebuked, and exhorted with the truth.

Call to Prayer