Controversy is Inevitable
A. MOST PEOPLE DON’T LIKE CONTROVERSY.
B. “CONTROVERSY” FOUND ONCE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT (1 Tim. 3:16)
1. In this passage “without controversy” is translated from one word.
2. CONTROVERSY (WITHOUT) homologoumenos, "confessedly, by common
consent," akin to homologeo, "to confess" (homos, "same," lego, "to speak"), is
rendered in 1 Tim 3:16 "without controversy"; some translate it "confessedly."
(Vine's)
3. 1 a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views : DISPUTE
2 : QUARREL, STRIFE (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary).
C. ASKED TO SPEAK ON CONTROVERSY, I WILL BEGIN SPEAKING ON
THE INEVITABILITY OF ERROR.
A. PAUL’S STATEMENT TO THE EPHESIAN ELDERS (Acts 20:29-30).
B. HIS WARNINGS TO TIMOTHY (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).
C. PETER (2 Pet. 2:1-2, 17).
D. JOHN (1 John 4:1)
E. JESUS (Matt. 24:11).
F. SOME WILL INSIST THAT THESE WARNING APPLY ONLY TO SPECIFIC
HERESIES, AND DO NOT APPLY TODAY. LET’S LOOK.
A. IN NEW TESTAMENT DAYS.
1. Jude 11. Money (2 Tim. 6:3-5, 9-10).
2. To please men (Gal. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).
3. Carnal Minded (2 Tim. 3:5-7; 2 Pet. 2:1, 18-19).
4. Stubborn and self-willed (Col. 2:20-23; 2 Pet. 2:9-10)
5. Col. 2:8. Human Wisdom (Eph. 4:17-19; 1 Cor. 3:18).
6. A desire for preeminence (3 John 9).
7. Unyielding devotion to tradition (Matt. 15:1-9; Col. 2:8).
8. Some are ignorant (Matt. 22:29).
9. Some are deceived (2 Tim. 3:13).
10. There were some who were just evil (Rom 16:18; Phil. 3:18-19; 2 Thess. 3:2).
B. PEOPLE ARE SIMILARLY MOTIVATED TODAY!
1. Human nature doesn’t change!
2. We could name some who are so disposed.
A. INSTITUTIONALISM. AN ATTACK ON THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH.
B. DIVORCE & DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE (2 Pet. 2:1-2, 17-19).
C. NEO-CALVINISM – ALIVE AND WELL IN THE CHURCH.
D. THE CHURCH GROWTH MOVEMENT AND THE NEW ECUMENICAL
MOVEMENT.
1. New emphasis, philosophy, direction, focus.
a. Numerical growth takes preeminence. Bean Counters in charge.
b. Marketing the church … “We offer these services” vs. “these opportunities to serve.”
c. Naked flattery (1 Thess. 2:5-6). Emphasis on relationships.
d. Open fellowship (2 John 9). Unity Trumps Truth.
2. The Language of Ashdod (Neh. 13;23-25).
a. A new church requires a new language. Examples:
i. Old words, new meanings – Edify, love, truth, etc.
ii. New words – outreach, devotional, house church.
iii. Jargon of apostasy – “harsh,” “negative, “threatening,” “splinter groups.”
Why?
b. New terms not necessarily wrong.
i. May be OK, but indicate a compromising relationship – “revival.”
ii. From whose trough are we eating now?
3. The trashing of the “Restoration Principle.”
a. We can be New Testament style Christians by following the pattern (2 Tim. 1:13).
b. Unity is based on following the same pattern and not deviating(1 Cor. 1:10; 4:7, 6).
c. We can understand the Bible alike (Eph. 3:3-4).
d. One body – spirit – hope – Lord - faith – baptism – God (Eph. 4:4-6).
A. PRIMARY DEFENSE IS EDIFICATION
1. The church’s business (Eph. 4:11-16)
2. The church’s tool? (Acts 20:32) “The word of his grace”
B. TAKE HEED (Col. 2:8)
C. TRUST NO ONE WITH YOUR SOUL BUT JESUS (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1).
D. COMMIT TO OBEDIENCE (1 Pet. 4:19; 3:15).
A. ERROR IS INEVITABLE.
B. WHEN MEN STAND AGAINST ERROR, CONTROVERSY RESULTS (1 Cor. 4:6).
C. MEN DON’T ALWAYS STAND AGAINST ERROR.
D. CONTROVERSY IS NOT INEVITIBLE.