Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/2005 1

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ Deception – Mat. 24:4 Persecution – Mark 13:9 Overconfidence – 1 Cor. 10:12 Drifting away from the truth – Heb. 2:1; Gal. 1:6-9 Carnality – 1 Cor. 1:10-13 Bitterness – Heb 12:15

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ Legalism ? Liberalism False Doctrine Emotionalism Materialism Worldliness Apathy

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ To Define:To Define:  “the attempt to be justified strictly according to a system of law, without God’s grace.” Could this be a danger today?Could this be a danger today?  Yes!! – Some wish to return to the Law of Moses – (Romans & Galatians)  Yes!! - Some want to make their own rules! – (Mat. 15:7- 9)  Yes!! – Some like to trust in their own goodness - (Luke 18:11,12, 21)  Yes!! – Even the commands of Christ “can be” approached from a legalistic perspective...

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/  Legalism does not pertain to the propriety of the practices themselves.  God has ALWAYS condemned the person who is lifted up with pride because of his obedience, who trusts in his own goodness, and who expects to receive God’s favor on the BASIS of those actions! (Luke 17:10)  Those of the liberal persuasion have redefined “legalism” in such a fashion as to shift the meaning from the attitude of being self righteous, to the ACTION of conscientious obedience to all of God’s word.

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ Were the Pharisee’s guilty of legalism?  They were hypocrites – (Mat. 23:4-7,25- 28)  They gave attention to “SOME” of God’s law and overlooked other aspects of it – (Mat. 23:23,24; Luke 11:42)  They went about binding and enforcing human traditions, laws and doctrines beyond the actual teachings of the Law – (Mat. 15:7-9; Mk 7:1-13)  They anticipated receiving God’s favor BASED upon who they were and The amount of Law they kept – (John 8:33; Gal. 2:16; 3:10,11)

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ Were the Pharisee’s guilty of legalism?  They were hypocrites – (Mat. 23:4-7,25- 28)  They gave attention to “SOME” of God’s law and overlooked other aspects of it – (Mat. 23:23,24; Luke 11:42)  They went about binding and enforcing human traditions, laws and doctrines beyond the actual teachings of the Law – (Mat. 15:7-9; Mk 7:1-13)  They anticipated receiving God’s favor BASED upon who they were and The amount of Law they kept – (John 8:33; Gal. 2:16; 3:10,11) They were NEVER condemned because they were too zealous about strict obedience to God’s revealed will!!

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ Danger of Apostasy (1:6-9; 2 Jn 9-11).Danger of Apostasy (1:6-9; 2 Jn 9-11). Public correction (2:11-21).Public correction (2:11-21). Detailed Argument (3:16).Detailed Argument (3:16). Application of Scripture (3:17-25: 4:21).Application of Scripture (3:17-25: 4:21). Necessity of Water Baptism (3:26-27).Necessity of Water Baptism (3:26-27). Stressing Complete Obedience (3:1; 5:7).Stressing Complete Obedience (3:1; 5:7). Condemnation of sin (5:16-21).Condemnation of sin (5:16-21). Correction of sin privately (6:1, 2).Correction of sin privately (6:1, 2). Walk according to THIS rule – (6:16)Walk according to THIS rule – (6:16) “You Are A Legalist” Conclusion

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ The desire –The desire –  To (unscripturally) broaden the scope of fellowship!  To FEEL more spiritual!  To be liberated... (Jude 1:11) The method -The method -  The charge of legalism!  Liberty by rejecting the pattern!  Necessitates a new hermeneutic, (a subjective standard)! ILoveJesus

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ Cecil Hooks – “Free As Sons” – Chapter 20, ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN Patternism is another facet of legalism, a seeking to find holy, sacramental rituals through which we maintain righteousness and an official, mediatorial organization through which we work our righteousness, and by which we are kept in controlled conformity. It encroaches on our individual freedom in serving God. It would make our individual relationship with God dependent upon an organizational relationship. Disciples are parts of the community of believers, but that fellowship is not an organization.

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ Cecil Hooks – “Free As Sons” – Chapter 20, ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN Our participation in spiritual activities of a corporate group is for mutual upbuilding rather than for a high priestly function of the structure through which we approach God. As I review my teaching in many years of my ministry, I am dismayed to realize the emphasis which I put on following the correct pattern which actually took the focus off of Christ, his grace, and our personal relationship with him. Endless discussion of supposed legal correctness of pattern has dimmed our view of him who saved us from such a yoke of legalistic specifications.

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ ILoveJesus "Because of our tie to the constitutional pattern approach we have grown farther and farther away from the intentions of the writers of the New Testament in our use of some of those writings...and farther and farther away from the legitimate cry of today's human heart." (Randy Mayeau, Nashville 12/88)

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ ILoveJesus (Bill Swetmon, Nashville 12/88) "Over the years our position in churches of Christ has been that if we can restore the pattern of New Testament Christianity there will be unity among our churches. Our basis for restoring that pattern has centered around the three principles of Hermeneutics - These three principles of Hermeneutics have led us into a hard-line, patternistic formalism."

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ –Direct Command or Statement. Must Examine Context –Approved Apostolic Example. Observation of Approved Activity of first Century Christians. –Necessary Implication. a logical and unavoidable conclusion drawn from statements or propositions. –Direct Command or Statement. Must Examine Context –Approved Apostolic Example. Observation of Approved Activity of first Century Christians. –Necessary Implication. a logical and unavoidable conclusion drawn from statements or propositions. Science of Interpretation

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ This method is the compilation of all references to the subject under consideration, including direct statements, approved actions, and necessary implications. When all the evidence is compiled and sifted through using the laws of communication, including contextual considerations, then the true meaning and the current application can be understood. This method is the compilation of all references to the subject under consideration, including direct statements, approved actions, and necessary implications. When all the evidence is compiled and sifted through using the laws of communication, including contextual considerations, then the true meaning and the current application can be understood. The Inductive Method Science of Interpretation

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ –Rules of a game – –Establishing Legal precedent – –Blue Prints in Construction – –Text Books – –English – –Science – –Mathematics - –Rules of a game – –Establishing Legal precedent – –Blue Prints in Construction – –Text Books – –English – –Science – –Mathematics - Science of Interpretation

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/  Do all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN (2 Tim. 1:13; Heb. 8:5)  Do not GO BEYOND (1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn. 9-11)  Do not ADD TO or TAKE FROM (Pr. 30:5-6; Gal. 3:15; Rev. 22:18-19)

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ The Consequences:  Institutionalism  Social Gospel (Recreation/ Entertainment)  Gospel/ Doctrine Distinction – (To Broaden Fellowship)  Our Distinctiveness Ridiculed – (Designation/ Teaching/ Practice/ Plea)  The Destruction of The Local Church –  Rejection of The Lord – (Col. 3:17) ILoveJesus

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ Legalism ? Liberalism False Doctrine Emotionalism Materialism Worldliness Apathy

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/ What Can We Do? Be Aware:Be Aware:  Through Sound Preaching, & Teaching of the Truth! (2 Tim 4:2-4; 2 Pet. 3:17,18) Be Prepared:Be Prepared:  By Watching & Testing – (Mark 13:37; Acts 20:31; 17:11)

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/

Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 5/8/