THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST (Part 6) Matt. 28:18-20 Avoiding Apostasy Today [By Ron Halbrook]

Which water will you drink: Original spring OR polluted stream?

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST Introduction: 1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority: we must submit to receive salvation

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST Matt. 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. NAME: Divine Nature & Authority

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST Introduction: 2. To understand & apply the authority of Christ: I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture II. Authority of Christ as Savior III. Authority of Christ in Local Church IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ V. Gradual Return to the Authority of Christ VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today A. Warning: When People Obey the Truth, Satan Counterattacks Acts 20:29-32 Constantly teach & warn: Dangers invade from without & arise from within

Acts 20:29-32 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today A. Warning: When People Obey the Truth, Satan Counterattacks Many such warnings: 2 Thess. 2:3 Apostasies come until the final day 2 Thess. 2:3 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Apostasy, depart from truth Lawless spirit of all apostasies personified as one man

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today A. Warning: When People Obey the Truth, Satan Counterattacks Many such warnings: 2 Tim. 4:1-5 Preach the truth until the final day 2 Tim. 4:2 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today B. Tactic of Satan: Tempt with Centralization Israel desired a king: human leader, centralized power 1 Sam. 8:5 “Make us a king to judge us like all the nations” Centralization often part of apostasy: perverts the organization of the church

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today B. Tactic of Satan: Tempt with Centralization Christ made each local church independent, autonomous— no centralized organization Matt. 28:20 Acts 14:23 “elders in every church” Acts 14:23 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today B. Tactic of Satan: Tempt with Centralization Christ made each local church independent, autonomous— no centralized organization Matt. 28:20 Phil. 4:15-16 “ye sent once and again”

Phil. 4:15-16 “ye sent once and again” 15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today B. Tactic of Satan: Tempt with Centralization Christ made each local church independent, autonomous— no centralized organization Matt. 28:20 2 Cor. 11:8 “I robbed other churches” 2 Cor. 11:8 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today B. Tactic of Satan: Tempt with Centralization Christ made each local church independent, autonomous— no centralized organization Matt. 28:20 Acts 11:27-30 “sent it to the elders” where the need existed

Acts 11:27-30 “sent it to the elders” where the need existed 27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today B. Tactic of Satan: Tempt with Centralization Christ made each local church independent, autonomous— no centralized organization Matt. 28:20 Local church all-sufficient to do its work

Divine VS Human Organization Authorized Phil. 4:16 “ye sent once & again” Evangelism 2 Cor. 11:8 “I robbed other churches” Local Church Work Edification Benevolence Local Church Acts 11:27-30 “sent it to the elders”

Divine VS Human Organization Authorized Unauthorized Human Institution: Missionary Society College Orphanage Brotherhood Eldership Evangelism Local Church Work Edification Benevolence Local Church

Pattern of Apostasy in Church Government In History Today Israel Desired a King (1 Sam. 8:5) Evangelism Herald of Truth Gospel Hour Centralized Gov’t Benevolence Institutional Orphanage Catholic Church Pope Christian Church Missionary Society Edification Area-wide work Colleges Entertainment

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church Work revealed by Christ Matt. 28:20 1 Tim. 3:15 Evangelism: “the church…the pillar and ground of the truth” 1 Cor. 14:26 Worship, edification: “Let all things be done unto edifying” 2 Cor. 9:1 Benevolence to saints: “ministering to the saints”

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church To change the work is apostasy Acts 15:24 Divine silence forbids, prohibits: absence of authority S T O P ! S i l e n c e F o r b i d s Acts 15:24 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church To change the work is apostasy 1 Tim. 5:16 Distinguish individual action and local church action 1 Tim. 5:16 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church “Let not the church be charged:” Donate funds to human institutions: missionary society, college, camp, orphanage, hospital, etc. Local church all-sufficient to do its work (Acts 14:23; 20:28)

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church “Let not the church be charged:” Recreation, social activities 1 Cor. 11:34 “if any man hunger, let him eat at home”

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church “Let not the church be charged:” Secular education Eph. 6:4 Fathers’ duty to children: “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (as 4:28) 1 Tim. 3:15 “the church… the pillar and ground of the truth”

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church “Let not the church be charged:” Political, educational, economic, & social reforms 1 Tim. 6:1-2 Instructs masters & servants—can learn to live Christian life in all cultures

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church “Let not the church be charged:” Feed & clothe the world Gal. 6:10 “let every man prove his own work…bear his own burden…. do good unto all men” (vv. 4-5, 10) Individual duty not local church

Benevolence from Church Treasury Limited to Saints ACTS 2:44-45 “all that believed” ACTS 4:32-37 “them that believed” ACTS 6:1-7 “the disciples” ACTS 11:27-30 “the brethren” 1 COR. 16:1-2 “the saints” 2 COR. 8:4 2 COR. 9:1 ROM. 15:26 “the poor saints” 1 TIM. 5:16 “widows indeed” 2 Jn. 9 If Go Beyond God’s Limit, Separated from God

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today D. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Worship of Church Worship revealed by Christ Matt. 28:20 Acts 20:7 Lord’s Supper on Sunday 1 Cor. 16:2 Collection on Sunday Acts 2:42 Pray Acts 2:42 Teach God’s Word Eph. 5:19 Sing

Music in Worship Limited to Singing MATT. 26:30 “sung” ACTS 16:25 “sang” ROM. 15:9 “sing” 1 COR. 14:15 EPH. 5:19 “singing” COL. 3:16 HEB. 2:12 HEB. 13:15 “fruit of our lips” JA. 5:13 2 Jn. 9 If Go Beyond God’s Limit, Separated from God

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST D. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Worship of Church To change the worship is apostasy Jn. 4:24 “worship in spirit and in truth” 1 Tim. 4:1 “some…depart from the faith”

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST D. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Worship of Church “Some…depart from the faith:” Instrumental music Church celebrate “holy” days (Easter, etc.) Solo, choir, praise team Drama, theatre, choreography, dance Lord’s Supper any day Lord’s Supper with social meal Women lead Offer traditional & contemporary worship

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today E. The Spiritual Nature of the Church Prevents Apostasy The spiritual focus of Christ in the work of the church Lk. 19:10 “For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” Work of church: same spiritual focus

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today E. The Spiritual Nature of the Church Prevents Apostasy The spiritual focus of Christ in the worship of the church Jn. 4:24 “God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” Pattern of worship: same spiritual focus

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today E. The Spiritual Nature of the Church Prevents Apostasy The spiritual focus of Christ in the organization of the church 1 Pet. 2:25 Christ: “the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” Heb. 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you… they watch for your souls” Organization: same spiritual focus

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST E. The Spiritual Nature of the Church Prevents Apostasy Keep a simple, sincere, single, spiritual focus on Christ 2 Cor. 11:3 Satan tries to corrupt & pervert our faith 2 Cor. 11:3 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST E. The Spiritual Nature of the Church Prevents Apostasy Keep a simple, sincere, single, spiritual focus on Christ Phil. 3:20 Focus on spending eternity with Christ in heaven! Phil. 3:20 20 For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name 1 Sam. 15:13-14 Not a new problem 1 Sam. 15:13-14 13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. 14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name Matt. 7:21-23 Christ said many calling him “Lord” will be lost

Matt. 7:21-23 Christ said many calling him “Lord” will be lost 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name Slogans of apostasy: Join the church of your choice Preach love not doctrine Preach Christ not baptism or the church Legalism to preach baptism & the church Unity in diversity “Pharisee,” “anti” if expose error Multi-cultural tolerance, pluralism New hermeneutics not Book, chapter, verse Preach The Word! 2 Tim. 4:2

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST Invitation: 1. Matt. 28:18-20 Remedy to all sin & apostasy: submit to the authority of Christ to receive salvation He protects us from all Satan’s attacks He exposes Satan’s tactic of centralization He guides us in the work of the church He guides us in true worship His spiritual focus protects us from apostasy He exposes errors of men professing his name but rejecting his authority

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST Matt. 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.