Sermon 101396

Phi. 3:1-3                                 Be Aware of True Brethren                                           10/13/96

ABCC

I.   Introduction and Review                                                                                    541

     A. Joy & rejoicing are to be a distinguishing characteristic of Christians (v. 1a)

     B. There is value in repetition & reminders (v. 1b)

     C. Watchfulness is a command to & duty of every Christian (v. 2a) - “Beware”

¨       blepo - to see or discern something physically, mentally or spiritually

     D. There are dangerous people for the Christian (v.2) - False Brethren

¨       Dogs, Evil workers, False circumcision = Judaizers (Ac. 15:1; Gal. 6:12-13)

¨       Christians are often tempted & lured towards works-oriented religions with

              strict rules to please God & misappropriated promises of blessing from God!

              (Mt. 26:41) - Kenneth Hagin, Oral Roberts, Fred Price, Kenneth Copeland,

              Benny Hinn, RH Brown, Marilyn Hickey, 7 promises of a Promise Keeper, etc.

II.  True Brethren/Christians (v. 3) - “we”

Þ     Crosses ethnic & denominational boundaries (not man’s ecumenism, but God’s-1Co. 12:13-14)

Þ     True circumcision is not external (Rom. 2:28-29; Col. 2:11)

     A. Worship/Serve in the Spirit of God

·        Desire, power, fruit = confidence (Rom. 8:16, 26; Eph. 5:18-20; Gal. 5:22-23)

·        Liberty, yet with Godly restraint (Ps. 2:11-12; 1Co. 14:32, 26b, 40; Gal. 5:13)

·        Considerate of others, therefore not distracting (Phi. 2:3; 1Co. 14:15, 32)

You are publicly implying & proclaiming that God is leading you in your actions!

Be Aware of True Brethren, pg. 2

     B. Glory in Christ Jesus

·        Christ is the basis of life, hope & joy (Col. 1:27b; Gal. 6:14; Phi. 1:21a)

·        True brethren boast in Christ alone (1Co. 1:30-31)

     C. Put no confidence in the flesh

·        human efforts, rituals, ceremonies (Rom. 14:17-18; Col. 2:8, 16-23)

·        nationality, genealogy, education, obedience to Law (1Co. 1:26-31)

·        how well I sing, memorize scripture, church attendance, position

·        how poorly I sing, memorize scripture, church attendance, no position

Do you know Christ today?  Can you say with the Psalmist, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee?  And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.”?  Are you alert & watchful for false teachers who attempt to pervert the glory of our Christ & make your life miserable with their twisted lies & perversions of the Holy Scriptures?  Are you thankful for true brothers & sisters who hold to the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ?  Do you have the joy of Jesus in your soul?  Can you say with the Psalmist again, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, ….”

HOMILY for The Lord’s Supper (2Co. 5:11-21)

·        The love of Christ controls us (v. 14), We are new creatures (v. 17), We have been given the ministry of reconciliation (v. 18-19), We are ambassadors for Christ (v. 20) = WE BEG

·        The reason for all this (v. 21)