2. For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “ The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:30-31, ESV) And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:23, ESV) if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:12-13, ESV)

3. The way we see things may be tinted by our desire, our upbringing, or our traditions.

4. ó Unique …so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, (Ephesians 3:10-11, ESV)

5. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the L ORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the L ORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the L ORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2-3, ESV

6. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2, ESV) From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17, ESV) And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” (Mark 9:1, ESV)

7. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22, ESV)

8. ó Unique ó Defensive ó Unique ó Defensive

9. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, ESV) Was this a “narrow” salvation? All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV) The gospel was understood to be sufficient!

10. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9, ESV) The gospel was to be unchanged

11. …if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15, ESV) The church continued to hold up the truth, to be a depository for truth.

12. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. (Philippians 1:16, ESV) Gospel teachers stood ready to defend the truth.

13. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27, ESV) Teachers prepared them by holding nothing back.

14. ó Unique ó Defensive ó “Contentious” ó Unique ó Defensive ó “Contentious”

15. Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3, ESV)

16. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. (Acts 20:29-31, ESV) The early church was not so tolerant of different doctrines as we are today.

17. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15, ESV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1, ESV) The early church was not so tolerant of different doctrines as we are today.

18. But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. (Acts 15:1-2, ESV) Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. (2 John 1:9-11, ESV)

19. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10, ESV) The key to contending is knowing who to please !

20. ó Unique ó Defensive ó “Contentious” ó Offensive ó Unique ó Defensive ó “Contentious” ó Offensive

21. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6, ESV) As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. (Romans 14:1-3, ESV) To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22, ESV) NOT IN AN INTENTIONAL, HURTFUL WAY

22. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience— by word and deed, (Romans 15:17-18, ESV) Yet, how often was Paul “run out of town”? Pharisee Essene Sadducee Zealot Jewish denominationalism

23. Jesus, Peter, and Paul are still offending many with truth… 1.Matthew 19:9 2.I Peter 3:21 3.Ephesians 4:4 4.Etc., etc., etc

24. NOT a YMCA a cafeteria a music company an athletic club etc., etc., etc.

25. blood bought where Jesus is head a spiritual house where Jesus is head a spiritual house

26. I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13, ESV)

27. Is “the rock” a cornerstone or a stone of stumbling for you?