1. Defense of the Faith

2. The Texts 2 Timothy 4:1-2 1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

3. The Texts Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Philippians 1:17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

4. The Texts 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; There are 5 important lessons to learn from these passages from our New Testament.

5. Some will never appreciate the truth Atheists, Agnostics, Doubters, Unbelievers Many are unwilling to listen or even consider Matthew 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord

6. Others will preach SOME Truth Philippians 1:12-18 - Some preach with the wrong motive Many preach – Virgin Birth, Death, Resurrection, Parables, Miracles Many preach – Faith, Repentance, Forgiveness, Salvation, Heaven and Hell

7. Some things NO ONE else defends One body – Ephesians 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:20 Plan of salvation – Baptism for the remission of sins – Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16 Music approved of God – Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 Organization of local congregations – Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5

8. Many fail to defend the truth Many congregations – no error taught – BUT: Are they defending the truth? Is anything being taught? You don't get food poisoning in a hardware store – You don't get any food at all! Is truth being taught? The problem is not over emphasis in any area The problem is under emphasis on doctrine.

9. What must we do? Elders must be watchmen Ezekiel 33:7 So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

10. What must we do? Elders must be watchmen Preachers – preach the whole counsel of God Teachers – What is being taught? Members – Be instilled with a love for the truth

11. REMEMBER! Matthew 5:8 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby