A Side Order of Church History, PART 2
Snapshots of Jesus and His Kingdom • Sermon • Submitted
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· 7 viewsNothing About Christianity Surprises Jesus.
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10,000 Sermon Illustrations (The Heretic)
I was walking in San Francisco along the Golden Gate Bridge when I saw a man about to jump off. I tried to dissuade him from committing suicide and told him simply that God loved him. A tear came to his eye. I then asked him, “Are you a Christian, a Jew, a Hindu, or what?”He said, “I’m a Christian.”I said, “Me, too, small world. . .Protestant or Catholic?”He said, “Protestant.”I said, “Me, too, what denomination?”He said, “Baptist.”I said, “Me, too, Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?”He said, “Northern Baptist.”I said, “Well, ME TOO, Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?”He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist.”I said, “Well, that’s amazing! Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist or Northern Conservative Reformed Baptist?”He said, “Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist.”I said, “Remarkable! Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region or Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Eastern Region?”He said, “Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region.”I said, “A miracle! Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?”He said, “Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.”I said, “DIE HERETIC!’ and pushed him over the rail.
Since around the age of 7, I have always been in Independent Baptist Churches. Independent churches are not in a “Denomination.”
I have friends and family who are: Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Apostolic, Charismatic, Wesleyan, Nazarene, Non-denominational, and Catholic. I love and value each friendship. All of us today a have some religious background, whether some of these groups or the “nones” which is a growing segment of society. So individuals have no religious affiliation - “Nones.”
6,000 Plus Illustrations for Communicating Biblical Truths (Humor: Baptist Crossing)
When Sara was five, her mother decided it was time to teach her how to cross the street safely. Hand in hand, they waited for a green light at the intersection. Staring at the road, Sara asked, “Mommy, what are those white lines for?”“That marks where the pedestrians cross,” her mom replied.Confused, Sara asked, “Then where do us Baptists cross?”
READ PASSAGE: 13:31-35
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: New Testament ( 9) A Series of Parables on the Kingdom. 13:1-58.)
Consistently interpreted, in each the man symbolizes Christ, the field is the world, and the seed is the Word which tells of Christ and his kingdom.
These parables are pair. THE FOOD PARABLES… A Side Order of Church History…
Nothing About Christianity Surprises Jesus.
Nothing About Christianity Surprises Jesus.
There are Many Branches in Christianity....
There are Some Who “Use” Christianity. 32
There are Some Who “Use” Christianity. 32
The Birds Come and Lodge in the branches of Christianity, living off the branch, taking from the branch, eating the “fruit” or bounty of the Tree.
But as this seed has a hot, fiery vigor, gives out its best virtues when bruised, and is grateful to the taste of birds, which are accordingly attracted to its branches both for shelter and food,
The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 13:32
The idiomatic expression “birds of the sky” refers to wild birds as opposed to domesticated fowl (cf. BDAG 809 s.v. πετεινόν).
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Ten: The King’s Secrets (Matthew 13)
Certainly “Christendom” has become a worldwide power with a complex organization of many branches. What started in a humble manner today boasts of material possessions and political influences.
Some make this parable teach the worldwide success of the Gospel. But that would contradict what Jesus taught in the first parable. If anything, the New Testament teaches a growing decline in the ministry of the Gospel as the end of the age draws near.
God May Trim the Tree to Ruffle the Feathers and Purge the Tree Some.
Many denominational churches are having major issues.
The Lord speaks to Israel and because of their sin “cuts off some of their branches of their “Tree.” Babylon, the Medes and Persians will invade and Rome too.
Religious Pride has to place in our faith, practices, past, or pedigree.
Ezekiel 17:23 (KJV 1900)
In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
God’s people went on to abandon clear OT teaching, trusting and adding works, tradition, and the teachings of men to their faith. Babylon, Assyrians, Medes and Persian, Rome came in and carried them away or took over their nation as a form of judgement for abandoning the Lord. If God trimmed their “Tree” He can do that same today.
Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
God speaks directly to Nebuchadnezzar and says the same thing. His tree would be cut.
It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
Whether a Jew or Gentile; Religion is not a tool to make a living. Using “Religion” for political, economic, or popularity is shameful.
Whether a Jew or Gentile; Religion is not a tool to make a living. Using “Religion” for political, economic, or popularity is shameful.
Religious Pride has to place in our faith, practices, past, or pedigree.
There are many problems in “Denominational Churches” because many of them have abandoned the basic teachings of Scripture. WE see more of that in the next parables of the Leaven in the bread.
Some “united Methodists” are becoming “global Methodists” this year.
This week, I traveled south and picked up some horse water troughs to use for a raised garden. The man I bought them from owned a whole city block including a church that 80 years ago ran 2000 people every Sunday. Somewhere along the way, they left their faith and the church dried up.
Nothing About Christianity Surprises Jesus.
Nothing About Christianity Surprises Jesus.
There are Many Branches of Christianity.
There are Some Who Use Religion.
There is Some Corruption in Christianity. 33
There is Some Corruption in Christianity. 33
Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary (2) What the Mustard Sheltered (13:32b)
Some years ago I was scheduled to hold meetings in a church that I had every reason to believe was fundamental, Bible-believing, and sound in doctrine and practice. However, I discovered that there were people in positions of authority in that church who believed and taught a doctrine that attacked the deity of Christ. When I confronted the church leaders, they hedged as long as they could, and only when they were driven into a corner did they admit that their sympathies were with the false teaching. Here was a branch of the professing church where one would have thought that no error could be found, yet the doctrine of demons had silently flown in and was now roosting comfortably in its new nest. (I did not conduct the meetings!)
If false doctrine can penetrate a church always considered impeccably sound in the faith and true to the Word of God, how much more easily can evil spirits reside in branches of Christendom where the Bible was abandoned long ago as the sole authority and rule of belief and behavior?
The Kingdom of Heaven is PERFECT - In Heaven. The Kingdom is growing NOW on EARTH through God’s Church. The church is imperfect now.
Both of these parables are revealing “the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven that OT saints did not understand about the NT era.
The Parables Shift From the FIELD to a KITCHEN.
Since the Mustard Seed Represents External Growth. The Leaven represents Internal Growth.
Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary c. The Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31–32)
The parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the leaven are a pair. The former deals with the outward development of error in the church; the latter deals with the secret and inward development of error. As in the parable of the sower and the parable of the tares, something seems to have gone wrong, something foreseen and foretold by Christ.
Three measures of meal was used by Abraham and Sarah when the angel of the Lord visited them.
Three measures of meal was used for the “Meal/Meat Offering” in the OT.
And when any will offer a meat offering unto the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:
And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;
The Oil is not measured representing the unending presence of the Holy Spirit. We always have enough of the Holy Spirit. HE is constantly dwelling in us. All or nothing.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary (a) The Activity of the Leaven
The meal offering was made of fine flour because it symbolized Christ in the purity and evenness of His life on earth. He was always the same, never flustered, never in a hurry, never at a loss, never anxious, never afraid, always in control. He stood apart from the greatest of His followers. Peter was impetuous, John was known as a “son of thunder,” and Paul lost his temper on more than one occasion. So the fine flour of the meal offering prefigured the matchless life of the Lord Jesus.
After Baking, they would add salt and some frankincense for flavoring.
In the mix the woman mixes, Leaven was added. Yeast will make the bread rise even faster and larger.
“Leaven” is Biblical Symbolism for “Corruption.”
No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the Lord, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord made by fire.
Jesus is pure and perfect and His teaching, the Bible is pure and perfect, but some within “Christianity” will start to spread false teachings and false doctrine.
Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
Leaven of Pharisees and of Herod, the State - One reason we believe in the “Separation of Church and State” is because we do not want the state to be telling us what to believe. Christian ministers pushed for a state free of “State Sponsored Religion. Religion is not endorsed, nor is it hindered in any way.
Today's Best Illustrations, Volumes 1-4 (Church and State)
One of the great Baptist gifts to the Reformation Heritage is a full awareness that for individual believer priests (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9) to “work out” their “own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) they must be unhindered by governmental interference. Early in the seventeenth century the great English Baptist, Thomas Helwys, penned the first published plea in the English language for religious liberty in his A Short Declaration of the Mystery of Iniquity when he declared in 1612 that the King of England was a mere man and had no authority over men’s souls “for men’s religion to God is betwixt God and themselves.”
Corrupt teachings would also spread in a fast growing church...
To contrast, it is best to lay a straight stick beside a crooked one, so here is TRUTH.
The “Apostles Creed” was not actually written by Apostles, but is the earliest Statement of Faith: (Billygrahm.org)
The Apostles’ Creed, though not written by the apostles, is the oldest creed of the Christian church and is the basis for others that followed. Its most used form is:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
In its oldest form, the Apostles’ Creed goes back to at least 140 A.D. Many of the early church leaders summed up their beliefs as they had an opportunity to stand for their faith—see, for example, 1 Timothy 6:12. These statements developed into a more standard form to express one’s confession of faith at the time of baptism. It is not Scripture, but it is a simple list of the great doctrines of the faith.
The word “catholic” means “relating to the church universal” and was the word used in the original version of the Creed. It does not mean the Roman Catholic Church, but the church, the body of Christ, as a universal fellowship. The phrase, “He descended into hell,” was not part of the creed in its earliest form.
To contrast, it is best to lay a straight stick beside a crooked one, so here is TRUTH.
True Doctrine HERE:
In old times, the Bible was self evident. In AD 397, the Canon, measurements to make a list of what books were the Bible was complete. The earliest 4 century's of Creeds did not include statements about the Bible. Modern Statements of Faith include statements about the Bible.
- The Bible is God’s Plenary (All), Inerrant (no errors), Infallible (cannot fail), and Inspired (God Breathed) Word, authored by God, written to mankind.
THE GODHEAD
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections while executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 15:16, 26; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Timothy 1:17).
THE FATHER
We believe the Father is the one and living God, the infinite and intelligent Spirit. He is perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, and measureless in power. He is merciful as well as just (Exodus 20:2-3; John 4:24).
THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE SON—JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Deity and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the eternal Son of God, Who became man, without ceasing to be God. We believe that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary while she was yet a virgin, and lived a sinless life in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 4:15).
We believe in the blood atonement of Jesus Christ for sin; that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins. He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:22-36; Romans 3:24-25; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 10:12; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:24; 1 John 1:7).
THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Deity and work of the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person Who actively restrains evil and convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ by indwelling them at the moment of salvation and sealing them unto the day of redemption. We believe that it is the privilege and duty of all saved believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18).
THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin, the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and, that man is totally depraved. The consequences of which mankind are now sinners by nature and not by constraint, but by choice, and therefore under the condemnation of God without defense or excuse and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-21; Romans 3:10-23; 5:12, 19; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19).
SALVATION
We believe that before the world began, God had a plan to redeem fallen man. Jesus Christ willingly participated in that plan as He took human form, lived a sinless life, and willingly shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary—dying as our substitute. We believe that any and all who will confess their need of salvation and place their trust completely in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone will be saved (Genesis 3:15; John 1:12-13; 3:3-5, 16).
THE CHURCH
The Church Purpose. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Founder and Builder of the church—the body and the espoused bride of Christ. We believe in the local church as an assembly of baptized believers gathered together for the purpose of carrying out the Great Commission. We believe that the local church is the only agency that properly carries out the great commission and its purpose is to exalt the Savior, evangelize the lost, and edify and equip the saints. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 2:41-47; 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).
The Church Members. We believe that the local church is solely made up of saved (born-again) persons who, at the moment of salvation, are placed into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. We believe that saved persons are to be baptized by immersion and instructed to identify with a local assembly of believers, called a church, and to support it by consistent attendance, prayer, giving, and use of their spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27; Hebrews 10:23-25).
The Church Government. We believe that the local church is autonomous and has the absolute right of self-government, which makes it free from interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations on the outside. We further believe that on all matters of membership, policy, government, or benevolence the will of the local church is final. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of each local assembly and that through the Holy Spirit He seeks to administrate all the affairs of that assembly (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 13:1-4; 14:27; 15:22-31; 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; Galatians 1:2; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
The Church Offices. We believe that Jesus Christ appoints an under-shepherd for each assembly called a pastor, and raises up men for the office of deacon to care for the temporal matters of the church. We believe there are two biblical offices in the church. Pastors (called bishops, elders, or overseers in the Bible) are responsible for the care and feeding of the flock of God, purity of doctrine, and oversight of the operation of the church. Deacons are appointed as servants in the church to help meet the needs of the church, and to free the pastors to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word of God. The church shall also ordain and license men to the Gospel ministry (Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9).
The Church Ordinances. We believe that the two Scriptural ordinances of the local church are baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
(a) Baptism: The only Biblical mode of believer’s baptism is by total immersion; in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, by the command of God. We believe that baptism is only for those who have already trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and is a public testimony to that fact and is not a part of salvation (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; 18:8; Romans 6:4-5).
(b) The Lord’s Table: The commemoration of the Lord’s death, by the bread and the fruit of the vine, is preceded by self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:23-28). We do not believe in closed communion (members only), but in close communion, which is only for those who are saved, baptized by immersion, a member of a church of like faith, and who are currently in obedience to His divine will. The Lord's Supper is open to all who after careful self-examination, and under fear of God's judgment, judge themselves saved, baptized, fit, and willing to participate (Matthew 26:26-30; Romans 6:4-6; 1 Corinthians 10:16-21; 11:17-34).
THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST
We believe in that “blessed hope,” the visible, personal, imminent, pre-tribulational, and pre-millennial rapture of His Church. We believe that Jesus Christ will call up (the Rapture) His bride (the Church) before the seven-year Tribulation. After the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom on earth to rule for one thousand years (Daniel 2:31-45; 9:24-27; Zechariah 14:4-11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10; 4:1; 19:11-16; 20:1-6).
Other Statements include, Satan and Demons, Abortion, Human Sexuality (Male and Female), family relationships, civil government, euthanasia, and missions work.
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Leaven, corruption, can affect any organization or thing where people are present. Humanity, with our sin nature, tends to mess good things up.
While over time humanity drifts away from God and toward religion and works, we can, by God’s grace, know the truth, be set free by the truth, and share the truth with others.
There is no perfect church. In this era of God’s Kingdom, God is building His Kingdom within and through His church. Wilton Baptist is not a perfect church, but we are striving, seeking, following after God as best we know.
IF YOU FIND A PERFECT CHURCH - PLEASE DON’T JOIN IT - YOU COULD MESS IT UP!
Nothing About Christianity Surprises Jesus.
Nothing About Christianity Surprises Jesus.
There are Many Branches of Christianity.
There are Some Who Use Religion.
There is Some Corruption in Christianity.
RESPONSE:
Trust Jesus for salvation, today.
When we see growth in church - rejoice!
When we know of people “using religion” be aware.
When you see corruption, seek the truth.
Since church life is not a surprise to Jesus, we should not be surprised. We should keep being faithful to Him, come what may.