A Biblical Church’s Fellowship
24 November 2013 PM – 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Biblical Church – Scott Childs
Introduction: We have probably all heard the principle, “One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch.” Most of us have watched it happen. Thus, it is wise to spot decay early and separate the good fruit from the bad. While this principle applies to fruit and vegetables, it also applies to Christians and churches.
Identifying error in its early stages takes wisdom but those in error often view it as a critical, judging spirit. Separation from error is never easy and is emotionally painful as it often involves separating from things or friends that we enjoy. However, a biblical church will only remain truly biblical in its fellowship if it separates from erring practices, erring churches, erring people, and erring religious organizations.
Transition: This evening we are going to describe briefly four actions that will help our church remain biblical in its fellowship.
I. We Must Know the Biblical Mandates
A. The Bible is to be our standard
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
B. God demands separation from doctrinal error
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; (Also see 1Ti 6:3-5, 2Jn 1:10)
II. We Must be Aware of the Unbiblical Movements
Not all of those who are part of unbiblical movements are unbelievers. Many are Christians who tolerate error. Others are heading that direction. All are either unwilling or lack the courage to separate from unbiblical doctrine, from worldliness, or from those who are going that direction.
A. Names
1. Liberals: Liberals claim to be Christian but deny one or more of the fundamentals of the faith.
Five Fundamentals of the Faith necessary for Salvation: 1) The Bible is the Word of God. 2) Jesus Christ is God. 3) Jesus bled and died for our sins. 4) Jesus rose bodily from the grave. 5) Only repentance and faith in Christ’s atonement can save us from eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire.
2. New evangelicals: New evangelicals (evangelicals) reject separation and aim at a more positive, pragmatic, inoffensive ministry. They do not always preach error, but they often neglect preaching truth.
3. Conservative evangelicals: These people are more conservative than new evangelicals but are minimising separation and adopting many characteristics of the new evangelicals.
4. Ecumenical: The ecumenical movement promotes cooperation and better understanding among different religious denominations: aimed at universal Christian unity.
B. Popular new evangelical leaders and groups
Billy Graham, Rick Warren, James Dobson, Chuck Colson, Charles Swindoll, Josh McDowell, Philip Yancey, Max Lucado, Campus Crusade, Promise Keepers, Youth With A Mission, are but a few.
III. We Must be Wise to the Enticing Methods
A. Contemporary music
1. Contemporary “Christian” music (CCM) is one of Satan’s most powerful tools to entice biblical Christians to soften the convictions and separation.
2. CCM lyrics are often doctrinally shallow or erring. The composers and singers usually reject biblical separation. The music is patterned after secular rock. It promotes the charismatic type worship and the ecumenical movement. It opens the door to godless secular rock.
B. Casual atmosphere
1. “Come-as-you-are” casual church dress is urged. Dressing to honour God is ignored (1Co 10:31).
2. Preaching is often replaced with a casual Bible lesson chat. God said, “Preach the Word” (2Ti 4:2).
3. The church platform is often converted into a music and drama stage (Psa 29:2).
4. The atmosphere focuses on what works to draw in people rather than on what honours the Lord.
C. Excusing attitude
1. Leaders often excuse, overlook, or make allowances for worldly activities, CCM music, and doctrinally weak, non-separatist speakers (Ro 16:17).
2. Biblical separation is usually condemned as legalistic, narrow, bigoted, and unloving (2Co 6:17).
D. Inoffensive preaching
1. Preachers avoid negative subjects like sin, hell, judgment, and separation (2Ti 3:16).
2. Preachers seek to please the audience. This appealing approach also appears in their books, videos, and websites (2Ti 3:4).
E. Calvinistic doctrine
1. Calvinistic doctrine is often tolerated or adopted.
2. Calvinism appeals to the intellect and weakens man’s responsibility to witness (2Pe 3:9).
IV. We Must Guard Against Dangerous Mistakes
1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
A. Guard against ignorance
1. Understand the doctrine of a biblical church. Doctrine is God’s measuring stick for fellowship, not salvation.
2. Know your Bible doctrine well. Be able to spot false doctrine like a detective.
3. You must be informed about error and on guard.
4. Be able to identify CCM music, even in its weakest forms, and avoid it.
B. Guard against toleration
1. Toleration is allowing or ignoring doctrinal error.
2. Understand that toleration leads to compromise, and compromise leads to apostasy.
3. If you tolerate or overlook bad doctrine like CCM, a casual atmosphere, an excusing attitude, inoffensive preaching, or Calvinistic doctrine it will lead you to compromise in those very areas.
Pastor Buddy Smith describes the tolerant attitude: “We mustn’t be so confrontational in our sharing of the gospel. We must not tell people that they are sinners and on the way to hell. We just need to love them and let God do the work in their hearts, and just be longsuffering with them. After all, what is sin to you may not be sin to them. We must not tell them that certain music is bad or that long hair on men and short skirts on women are sinful.” Quoted in Wayoflife.org Nov/21/13
C. Guard against carelessness
1. Sometimes new evangelicals and conservative evangelicals have good things to say, but listening to their sermons or reading their materials can be very dangerous. They naturally weave their compromising ideas into their materials.
2. Some compromising groups are reaching souls for Christ. We should praise God for any soul they lead to Christ, but we must not support them, work with them, or fellowship with them because of their erring ways. The end does NOT justify the means.
3. Some independent Baptist churches have sound doctrine but compromising practices. They are adopting CCM music and other enticing methods of the new evangelical camp. Though they are our friends, we cannot fellowship with them because of their error (1Co 15:33). This separation is often difficult.
4. Children’s videos often feature CCM music in the background. Such music will cause our children to tolerate CCM. Saying “no” is hard but it is safe.
Conclusion: In Matthew 10:16, Jesus said, Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Maintaining that balance is not easy, but it must be our goal. As a biblical church, we must separate from all compromise no matter how disappointing or painful it may be. You can help our church maintain a biblical fellowship by practicing it in your personal life. Protect your ears and eyes from the enticing methods of new evangelical compromise. Prove all that you hear, watch, and read with the Word of God (1Th 5:21-22).
Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337