2 Tim. 1: ) Retain the standard of sound words which you have here from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (NASB) 13) Hold fast the pattern of sound words…(NKJV) 13) Hold fast the the form of sound words…(KJV) 13) Keep as the pattern of sound teaching…(NIV) 13) You have a pattern of healthy words…(Greek) 14) Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. (NASB)

If we do not retain the standard: We will not know the certainty of things – Luke 1:4 We will turn to a different gospel – Galatians 1:6 We will be given to a debased mind – Romans 1:28 We will be destroyed – Hosea 4:6 There are to be no divisions in the church 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgment.

This series will include: God’s Standard for Authority – John 14:6 God’s Standard for Organization – Philippians 1:1 God’s Standard for Worship – John 4:23-24 God’s Standard for Discipline – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 God’s Standard for Evangelism – Matthew 28:18-20 God’s Standard for Modesty – 1 Corinthians 9:27 God’s Standard for Benevolence – 2 Corinthians 9:7 God’s Standard for Marriage – Matthew 19:4-6 God’s Standard for Salvation

RETAINING THE STANARD

Making disciples is the natural, or maybe better yet supernatural, overflow of being a disciple. Proclaiming the love of Christ is the overflow of sharing in the life of Christ. And I’m convinced many people in our churches are just simply missing the life of Christ. And a lot of it has to do with what we’ve sold them as the gospel. i.e. pray this prayer, accept Jesus into your heart, invite Christ into your life. Should it not concern us that there is no such superstitious prayer in the New Testament? Should it not concern us that the bible never uses the phrases “accept Jesus into your heart” or “invite Christ into your life”? It’s not the gospel we see being preached. It’s modern evangelism, built on sinking sand. And it runs the risk of disillusioning millions of souls.

It’s a very dangerous thing, to lead people to think they are a Christian, when they have not biblically responded to the gospel. If we’re not careful, we will take the gospel, the lifeblood, out of Christianity, and put Kool-Aid in its place so that it will taste better to the crowds. It’s not just dangerous, it’s just damning. And then when we think of about making disciples we think, “well it’s just about going out and getting people to pray the prayer”. We spread that. No, let’s give them full picture of the gospel. Let’s show people the greatness of God. Yes, he is a Father who loves us. He’s a loving Father, who will save us. But he is also wrathful judge who may damn us.

All men will die – Hebrews 9:27 Only two verdicts at judgment – Rev. 22: All have sinned – Romans 3:23 God wants all to be saved – 2 Peter 3:9 God gave us His son – John 3:16-18 You must hear before you can believe – Romans 10:14

God sent preachers – Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 4:16 God’s standard is the gospel – Romans 1:16-17 Faith comes by hearing the word – Romans 10:17; John 20:30-31 All men should repent – Acts 26:20

Confess our faith in Christ – 1 John 4:2-3 Be baptized – Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38 Continue to live faithful – Acts 26:20; Philippians 3:8-9 Reward for the faithful – 2 Timothy 3:7-8

Things not included in the Standard Baptism of infants Baptism for the dead Saying a sinners prayer Faith only

Philippians 3:16 16) Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Let us retain the standard! John 8: ) Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32) “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”