Making God’s Word Irrelevant Galatians 1:6-9

Introduction God’s word always relevant –Man’s basic needs unchanged –Problems not new

Introduction Not everyone accepts this as true –Longing for religious expression while denying the power of the Gospel –Truth set aside in favor of a social gospel (Galatians 1:6-9) Some make it irrelevant through …

Trivialization Forgetting the Gospel’s power –Power in the Gospel (Romans 1:16) –Man’s wisdom wrong (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5) –Drawn through Gospel (John 6:44, 45)

Trivialization Example –Episcopal Church Ad campaign

Episcopal Church Poster (1986) Designed to Reach The Young

Trivialization Example –Episcopal Church Ad campaign –Trivialized sin of divorce (Matthew 19:9) –Efforts to get young people back

Trivialization Brethren engaging in similar things –Sermons long on cute sayings, personal anecdotes, and jokes –Short on Scriptures –Invoking popular culture to make a point –Not to fellowship darkness (Ephesians 5:11, 12)

Toleration Always a popular choice –Ongoing fellowship with sin prohibited (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) –Fellowship with God on the basis of walking in the light (1 John 1:5-9)

Toleration Effects of this approach –Love letter from God: “I miss you, I miss the sound of your voice, the late night conversations... I tried to call but there’s no answer, but I’m ready to call again if you are.” –Voice of God in some is that of a woman –Steeped in political correctness

Toleration Brethren affected by such antics –Broadening basis of fellowship by perverting Romans 14 –Fellowship not to be extended to those in sin (Galatians 5:19-21) –Fellowship not to be given to false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 John 9-11)

Timidity God’s people not to be timid –Error to be confronted (Ephesians 6:10-13; Titus 1:9-13; 2:15) –Faithful preachers to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:17-21, 26-28)

Timidity Illustrating the problem –Andy Griffith Bible Series is use by denominations and brethren –Hosted by a “Christian” comedian, Dennis Swanberg –“What would Andy do?”

Timidity Brethren not far behind –Subject of authority seldom discussed –Sermons on worldliness seldom, if ever, preached –Need to imitate Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:9; 26:2) –Paul’s admonition (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Conclusion Real power in the Gospel –No additions or subtractions –Preached in its purity and simplicity Must not make His word irrelevant –Cannot compromise –Souls at stake