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

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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. 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.

7. 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
2:3 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;

8. 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.

9. 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”
From that day until now, centralization often found in pattern of apostasy: perverts the organization of the church

10. 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
Acts 14:23 “elders in every church”
Phil. 4: “ye sent once and again”
2 Cor. 11:8 “I robbed other churches”
Acts 11: “sent it to the elders” where the need existed
Local church all-sufficient to do its work

11. 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: “sent it to the elders”

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

13. 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

14. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST
VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today
C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church
Work revealed by Christ
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”

15. 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
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:

16. 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.

17. 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)

18. 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”

19. 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”

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST
VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today
D. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Worship of Church
Worship revealed by Christ
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

24. 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

25. 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”

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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.

31. 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:

32. VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today
F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name
1 Sam. 15: 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?

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

34. 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.

35. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST
VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today
F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name
1 Tim. 4:1 Departing from the faith professing to serve Christ
1 Tim. 4:1
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

36. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST
VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today
F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name
2 Tim. 4:2-4 Profess the truth but reject it

37. 2 Tim. 4:2-4 Profess the truth but reject it
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

38. F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name
Slogans of apostasy:
Join the church of your choice
We need 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

39. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST
Invitation:
1. Matt. 28: 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

40. 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.