1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:01,280 Morning. It's good to see. 2 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:04,240 All you guys to. Be up here again, it's been a 3 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,640 little while since. I was able to preach and I was 4 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:11,760 excited that I was. Able to fit in right at the end 5 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:13,080 here to the book. Of Titus it's. 6 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:16,280 One of my. Favorites to read and go through 7 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:22,240 personally. And you know, with what we're 8 00:00:22,240 --> 00:00:25,640 going to get into this morning, as I was even telling Cole, it's 9 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:27,440 kind of. Different to preach a. 10 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:29,280 Message like this. To your pastor. 11 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:37,240 To to open and not not because I'm calling him out in any way 12 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:39,600 by any means. Yeah, right. 13 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:42,840 It could. But typically I'd be like, Hey, 14 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:45,160 I want, I want him to preach, preach this to me. 15 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:51,480 So it also like we've been what we're you said 16 weeks. 16 00:00:51,480 --> 00:00:55,320 So it'll be 18 total 18 weeks. Total through Titus. 17 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,760 And really, I mean, as we've been going through this. 18 00:00:58,760 --> 00:01:01,840 It's a really short book. I mean, I, I just got, had to 19 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:05,400 get a new lawn mower and my owner's manual is longer than 20 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:10,280 the book of Titus and I, you know, I zipped through that 21 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:13,040 thing and I'm, well, I didn't read the whole thing, you know 22 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:14,920 that. But anyways. 23 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:18,360 So so it it. Stands out to me how short it 24 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:19,760 is, but how long we've drawn it out. 25 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:23,320 Which is just this picture of when we open God's word there is 26 00:01:23,320 --> 00:01:24,480 just. Immense. 27 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:28,040 Treasure that we can dig through and sift through to get to 28 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:29,840 exactly. What we want to see. 29 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:31,720 What? What is God's picture? 30 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:35,240 And so in the book of Titus, and we're going to be in chapter 3, 31 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:39,400 I'm going to talk about a couple things, then we'll get into it 32 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:43,320 and pray so. Right, so we've got this, this 33 00:01:43,320 --> 00:01:45,960 church in Crete. There's as Cole said. 34 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:48,560 These individual. Like households are churches. 35 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:53,520 Of 10 to 30 individuals and. Paul is writing this letter to 36 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:56,000 Titus because. He knows that these Cretan 37 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,000 Christians had been. Overexposed to. 38 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,560 A number of men who said they were they were representing God, 39 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:07,120 but it wasn't the. Case because they are false 40 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:09,240 teachers, they're. Creating so much chaos and so 41 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:12,840 much confusion in all these. Individual churches with these. 42 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:15,800 Christians that in chapter one verse. 43 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:19,640 Five, he says. He's going to appoint elders in 44 00:02:19,640 --> 00:02:23,280 every city to bring. Order to what's? 45 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,600 What's going on? So he walks through, He tells 46 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:28,520 Titus. He reminds him of the godly 47 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:32,440 character of the men that need to be in the position that to 48 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:33,040 look. Like to. 49 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:36,600 Exemplify the life of an elder and then he says different 50 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:41,360 things to avoid. He lists out all of. 51 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:45,400 The different things in verses 10 through 16 of chapter 1. 52 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,240 Of the false teacher. Sins and he even. 53 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:50,840 Says he he. He hits him in the head and he 54 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:53,640 says. To the pure. 55 00:02:53,640 --> 00:02:55,480 All things are. Pure to the defiled. 56 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:57,840 And unbelieving nothing is. Pure but both their. 57 00:02:57,840 --> 00:02:59,600 Minds and their consciences. Are defiled. 58 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:03,240 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. 59 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:05,960 They're detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. 60 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,320 And so there's this. This picture right he's. 61 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:11,400 We're looking at. A group of people. 62 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:16,520 Who have been under what they're thinking is. 63 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:19,800 The word what they're. Thinking is truth. 64 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:24,880 But it's actually. Wolves in sheep's clothing. 65 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:30,480 These guys were. Unfit for any good work and. 66 00:03:30,720 --> 00:03:34,200 Because good deeds right there. So they're unfit for any good 67 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:36,360 work and when the world. Looks at us. 68 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:40,480 And they look at what we're doing and and. 69 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:42,920 See our good deeds? That's where we're able. 70 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:45,880 To make so much of our evangelistic. 71 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,080 Our our out world world. Appearance impact. 72 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:51,120 Is by our our. Transformed lives. 73 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:55,000 So Paul's concerned because this. 74 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:56,760 Crete in church This church in Crete. 75 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:58,720 Isn't looking. To the outside world. 76 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:01,080 Appealing it's looking. Like the? 77 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:05,480 Rest of the island of of Crete which is full of mercenaries and 78 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:09,200 pirates and people living opposite. 79 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:11,520 Of what God's picture would be like. 80 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:16,279 And so let's read. Out of Titus chapter. 3 verses 9 81 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:20,160 through 11 if you'd stand if you're able to, and get into 82 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:32,900 this morning's text. But avoid foolish. 83 00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:36,300 Controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and. 84 00:04:36,300 --> 00:04:39,300 Quarrels about the law. For they are unprofitable and 85 00:04:39,300 --> 00:04:42,020 worthless. As for a person who stirs up 86 00:04:42,020 --> 00:04:45,500 division after warning him once and then twice have nothing more 87 00:04:45,500 --> 00:04:48,060 to do with him. Knowing that such a person is 88 00:04:48,060 --> 00:04:50,500 warped and sinful, he's self condemned. 89 00:04:51,560 --> 00:04:53,080 So so. Great are the benefits. 90 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:54,920 Of what was. Previously said our knowledge 91 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:56,360 and response. To God's grace. 92 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:59,920 That Paul now wants to make. Clear that there. 93 00:04:59,920 --> 00:05:02,120 Should be no other. Priorities that. 94 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:05,000 Creep in our ministry so you can be seated and. 95 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:09,600 Let me just pray for for us. As we get into this here. 96 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:14,840 Lord. We need your help this morning 97 00:05:14,840 --> 00:05:18,640 to to come to your word in a manner where we're willing to 98 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:22,840 push aside our own thoughts and our own ways of how we think, 99 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:27,960 think necessarily that things should be in order, not only in 100 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:29,920 our own hearts, but in our church and I just. 101 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:31,280 Pray that you. Would help me to. 102 00:05:31,840 --> 00:05:37,520 To be clear here that that the heart of. 103 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:41,120 Wanting to bring unity around the right things to. 104 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:43,240 Look at you clearly. What would be the things that 105 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:44,760 come out of my mouth and that you would just. 106 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:47,800 Allow us to. Abound in love and. 107 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:54,120 Be pure before you so that. Not only is our church 108 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:57,320 functioning healthy, and it's. Beautiful, but also we're. 109 00:05:57,320 --> 00:06:00,280 Seen. To the outside world as 110 00:06:00,280 --> 00:06:03,800 beautiful because of what? You've done for us in Jesus 111 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:08,720 name, Amen. So as I preached through these 112 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,080 verses. This morning I want you to see 113 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:14,160 and feel. Really like how opposite. 114 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:16,160 This is going to. Be to our Western culture. 115 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:19,440 So it it it. Pictures a way of thinking and 116 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:21,920 living that most of our fellow Americans would consider 117 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:26,400 offensive and unloving or fundamentalistic. 118 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:30,160 Or out of date. Because it's mainly a text 119 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:34,400 calling for vigilance and matters of truth and doctrine. 120 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:38,480 But it's not only that, actually. 121 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:41,600 So in an unassuming way. It's also a unity. 122 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:44,080 Text. So the goal of the. 123 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:47,320 Vigilant for right teaching. Is to avoid Christ. 124 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:50,800 Belittling and self exalting dissension. 125 00:06:51,320 --> 00:06:54,240 And so my hope in preaching from verses 9 through 11. 126 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:59,360 Is that? That you'll be freed from any 127 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:01,320 blindness that you have. Or. 128 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:05,560 Being chained to anything that's diminishing the truth in your 129 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,720 life and especially in the period time period that we live 130 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:10,840 in. So I so I pray that. 131 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:15,840 Because of this freedom, you know what it does mean to not 132 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:18,560 only love your brothers and sisters in Christ, but. 133 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:22,440 Also to love your. Enemies and that too. 134 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:26,400 We would have fresh. Power from the gospel to magnify 135 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:30,960 Christ in showing that love and stand firm in the truth. 136 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:34,640 So that. I'm showing my. 137 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:39,680 Cards, that's that's where. I'm coming from this morning and 138 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,480 so in verse 9. He says avoid Foolish. 139 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,760 Controversies, genealogies, ascensions and quarrels about 140 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:47,640 the law for the unprofitable and. 141 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:50,440 Worthless the 1st. Command. 142 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:54,000 Right off the bat is avoid. So the sense here is a continual 143 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,200 turning away from. It's very active. 144 00:07:56,760 --> 00:08:00,800 It mean it literally means turn your back from someone or 145 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:06,080 something and so. See here that the responsibility 146 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:08,520 that we have to false teachers is to turn our back. 147 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:11,800 And walk away from them and shun them because God has something. 148 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:16,480 Greater for us, right, because this is unprofitable and 149 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:23,840 worthless. So Paul gives us four different 150 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:26,600 ways that this false. Teaching is there and in within 151 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:28,720 each one of. These there's actually a tool. 152 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:32,520 That I'm hope, attest, in fact, that I want to. 153 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:34,640 Give you so that. You can have this in your tool 154 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:37,600 belt as you're even listening to my preaching this morning. 155 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:40,480 So the. The first thing he mentions is 156 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:41,559 foolish. Controversies. 157 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:47,320 It's really like. Being a moron. 158 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:51,120 So moronic arguments. That's what that that word 159 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:54,240 really means. It's so it's those matters and. 160 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:55,760 Perspectives that are plainly not. 161 00:08:55,760 --> 00:09:01,640 Of the text. And they can really be put down 162 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:05,840 as an opinion or something that matters. 163 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:07,920 Literally the Gospel and the. Purpose of God. 164 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:10,680 'S inspired word. So it's. 165 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:15,760 More in line with putting things into into the scriptures rather 166 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:21,960 than pulling it out and so. What what a false teacher does. 167 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:26,800 And sometimes, unknowingly, I'll I'll admit they always want to 168 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:28,960 attack the sound. Theology of the Church. 169 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:33,560 Especially with what's been historically true and affirmed 170 00:09:33,560 --> 00:09:35,520 and traditional. For the last. 2000 years. 171 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:38,440 So with their controversial. Teaching and new insights. 172 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:41,960 They spread seeds of false. Doctrine and lead believers into 173 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:47,000 confusion and sin. So this gives the first Test of 174 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:49,760 the doctrine test OK test. #1 the Doctrine. 175 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:54,360 Test, Paul told Titus. In chapter 1 verse 9, he says 176 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:56,640 the elders must hold firm to the trust for. 177 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:58,960 Word. The word is taught so that. 178 00:09:59,680 --> 00:10:02,480 He may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine 179 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:05,040 and also. To rebuke. 180 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:08,320 Those who contradict it. So what we need to? 181 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,480 Do is measure the doctrines that are being taught by the sound? 182 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:14,520 Words of Jesus Christ. And their implications for 183 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:16,360 godliness. So get suspicious. 184 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:21,160 Anytime anyone kind of uses an argument and says something 185 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:25,240 maybe of like well Jesus never talked about and fill in the 186 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:31,800 blank. Because that should. 187 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:35,320 Sound off your alarm bell because that person is either 188 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:38,720 intentionally or unintentionally ignorant of the true teaching 189 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:41,320 and unwilling to look at what. Jesus has said and. 190 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:50,760 Apply it to again, fill in the blank issue and then the second 191 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:52,960 thing, Paul. Says to avoid is. 192 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:57,640 Genealogies. So what what these false 193 00:10:57,640 --> 00:10:59,720 teachers would be? Doing in this time as they'd be 194 00:10:59,720 --> 00:11:03,200 reading into genealogies. And he's not saying don't, don't 195 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:06,640 read genealogies in the Old Testament or in Matthew and 196 00:11:06,680 --> 00:11:08,560 Luke. He's not saying don't do that 197 00:11:08,560 --> 00:11:11,520 today. But what they're doing is they 198 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:13,640 would read these. Genealogies and they would put 199 00:11:13,640 --> 00:11:16,160 all kinds of wild. And crazy allegories add. 200 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:19,520 Different myths to them stories and pull it out maybe even 201 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:23,360 project some some people as being more and better than they 202 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:28,400 were so from that we. Can see it with a false teacher 203 00:11:29,680 --> 00:11:32,680 what they'll have. Is this kind of secret teaching 204 00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:35,480 that's hasn't been available to everyone else? 205 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:37,920 Right. So it's it's. 206 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:43,400 They have the answer to something that nobody else has 207 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:45,000 thought of in the last 2000 years. 208 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:50,000 I mean, frankly, my message, what we're going through this 209 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:53,120 morning has been preached probably thousands of times. 210 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:56,680 It's none. None of these ideas are new. 211 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,800 It's just can be said in a different way and it can hit our 212 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:05,560 hearts in a different way. So really, this idea of secret. 213 00:12:05,560 --> 00:12:09,080 Teaching to combat that the second test. 214 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:13,120 Is the scripture test. OK, so in Titus again chapter 215 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:15,600 one, verse 14. So he says, not devoting 216 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:17,840 themselves to. The people to Jewish. 217 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:20,000 Myths and the commands of people who turn away. 218 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:23,680 From the truth, so. To not devote. 219 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:25,680 Ourselves to this, so the apostles. 220 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:28,800 Elevated their teaching. To the level of a test of truth, 221 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:30,280 so. If a person does not submit his 222 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:32,040 thinking as and his teaching to the. 223 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:35,320 Authority of the apostles which the apostles were the the 224 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:37,600 teachers who? Wrote the New Testament. 225 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:40,360 Then they're not going. To be reliable teachers. 226 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:41,800 They're not falling in line with. 227 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,240 All of scripture. And it doesn't mean that they're 228 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:49,160 not going to say true things. OK, because everybody says true 229 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:50,760 things. From time to time, even Satan 230 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:57,360 does. But because of the scripture 231 00:12:57,360 --> 00:12:58,960 test if it. Isn't in line with. 232 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:01,840 God's Word. It doesn't make somebody a 233 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:04,120 reliable teacher, so your alarm bell should go off. 234 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:07,840 If a teacher is. Using some obscure passage with 235 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:11,680 loony interpretations that and secret interpretations that 236 00:13:11,680 --> 00:13:15,440 nobody. 'S thought of before because. 237 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:19,800 They're falling under this. Idea they they have the secret 238 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:21,160 answer. And so. 239 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,840 Right to to. Be able to run the scripture. 240 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:25,920 Test you have to. Be in scripture. 241 00:13:27,560 --> 00:13:30,720 So. We're we're at a point in the in 242 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:32,640 the. Have you guys heard of the 243 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:33,560 winter? Lock in. 244 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:38,200 Anybody heard of that? It's it's really. 245 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:40,280 Being pushed out on social media right now, the. 246 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:42,720 Idea is well. I'm going to lock in for the 247 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:46,640 winter because then in the new year I'm, I'm set to go with all 248 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:49,600 my goals and my ambitions and, and everything like that. 249 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:53,120 Well, that's it's kind of cool that people are doing that. 250 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:54,800 And this is even Christians that I'm talking. 251 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:58,120 About but. What I think of the new year is 252 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:01,000 always like, oh man, I'm going to start my new Bible reading 253 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:07,400 plan on January. 1st lock. In right I'm locked in and I got 254 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:12,080 7 days in a row and on the. 8th day shoot. 255 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:17,040 And then it turns into falling off the the path, right? 256 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:21,680 I think, I mean, I'm guilty of it happens to me so. 257 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:24,080 I don't I don't share that to like to cause. 258 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:27,360 Shame in you, but I want you. To see like OK. 259 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:30,680 There's there's not going to be perfection in this scripture. 260 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:32,560 Idea, but you have to. Be in. 261 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:35,280 Scripture be reading scripture. So say you missed the 8th 262 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:39,800 through the 22nd day of your plan, Just get back into it on 263 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:43,840 the. 35th Day. And and maybe it's. 264 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:44,800 You. You, you're not. 265 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:46,960 You haven't read your Bible in one year and followed that plan, 266 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:49,000 but. Maybe it's 2 that's. 267 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:52,040 Fantastic, because what God? Will do with that is. 268 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:55,160 Put you in a position where you. Have the scriptures. 269 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:59,280 To run through truth. In the right way to subject this 270 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:04,000 to truth. OK, so now the third thing. 271 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:06,160 Paul mentions his dissensions, so just. 272 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:09,360 This idea of. Constant friction and trouble 273 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:13,480 and contention and constantly battling around the truth, maybe 274 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:16,000 even trying to be divisive and conceited. 275 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:19,200 There's pride underneath it. It's it's men who. 276 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:21,520 Attack the historic truth of God's Word and try to stir up 277 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:24,560 battles. Which eventually are designed to 278 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:30,000 destroy the confidence and security and sense of faith that 279 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:31,840 we can have in the truth of the. Gospel. 280 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:35,120 So the third test. I'd pull from that. 281 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:39,520 Would be the fruit test. In Titus again chapter one verse 282 00:15:39,520 --> 00:15:43,400 16, it says they profess to know God, but they deny him by their 283 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:45,440 works. They're detestable, disobedient, 284 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:49,440 unfit for any good work. So with the fruit test. 285 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:51,560 It's looking at what result does the message. 286 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:54,000 Have in people's lives. So what spiritual fruit? 287 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,680 Is being produced. Being a father of Jesus means 288 00:15:56,680 --> 00:16:00,760 progressively transforming into his image, not the image. 289 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:05,400 Of whatever the picture is of the day for for the Cretans, it 290 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:08,200 was you could say like it was the deity of the day they're 291 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:10,280 they were looking. More like the outside. 292 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:13,200 World these Greek gods and goddesses that were being. 293 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:19,760 Worshipped in the culture. Is the with the fruit? 294 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:22,160 Is it? Producing something that's just 295 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:30,240 affirming your own desires and two, Jesus says that you'll know 296 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:31,680 my. Followers by their fruit. 297 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:36,400 So your alarm bells should go off when being asked to not 298 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:40,360 affirm normal, traditional, historical. 299 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:46,400 Orthodox views of the. Bible's teaching on various sins 300 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:50,960 and what? The fruits look like That's the 301 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:53,600 fruit test. And then the the fourth thing he 302 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:55,480 mentions is. Quarrels about the law. 303 00:16:56,880 --> 00:17:00,000 Now these guys were demanding that non non Jewish Christians 304 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:03,920 be circumcised and follow the Torah as a means of salvation. 305 00:17:04,079 --> 00:17:06,800 So. The the 4th test is the Gospel 306 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:10,079 test. It's the test of the gospel 307 00:17:10,079 --> 00:17:12,720 itself and the gospel that Paul. Has in mind when he. 308 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:17,200 Said that avoiding quarrels about the law, it's the gospel 309 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:19,440 of justification. By faith alone, apart from works 310 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:22,000 of the law. So right before. 311 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:25,400 Verse 9 and verses in. Chapter 3 of Titus. 312 00:17:25,400 --> 00:17:28,560 Here in verses. 4 through. 7. It reads. 313 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:31,160 But when the goodness and loving kindness. 314 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:34,800 Of God, our Savior appeared. He saved us not because of works 315 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:36,440 done by us in. Righteousness He saved. 316 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:37,840 Us not. Because of the law. 317 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:42,960 But according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration 318 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:44,120 and renewal of the. Holy. 319 00:17:44,120 --> 00:17:47,600 Spirit whom he poured out on us. Richly through Jesus Christ our 320 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:50,440 Savior, so that being justified by his grace. 321 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:52,680 We might become heirs. According to the Hope. 322 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:57,120 Of eternal life and so it's not an adding to. 323 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,720 For salvation, it's a looking. To Jesus and relying on him for 324 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:03,160 salvation. And it's it's, it's the sense 325 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:05,040 of. Of. 326 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:08,320 Avoiding fighting over those things as well. 327 00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:11,000 So. Alarm bells should go off in 328 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:12,200 your. Head if a different. 329 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:14,200 Gospels preach. Let me expound on that a little 330 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:17,560 bit more, because many dangerous doctrines doctrines contradict. 331 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:20,240 The Gospel today. Some argue the gospel. 332 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:22,760 Is about trusting. God to bring about. 333 00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:26,240 Worldly prosperity. Others suggest it's possible to 334 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:29,160 accept Jesus as your savior. While ignoring his claim to. 335 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:31,800 Lordship over your life. Some are pushing for a 336 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:32,520 different. Sexual. 337 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:35,560 Ethic ignoring both the Scriptures and the 2000 years of 338 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:40,560 Christian moral and theological teaching, others might preach 339 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:44,040 that Christianity boils down to serving others or fighting for. 340 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:46,320 Social justice, which both of. Those things are good, right? 341 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:49,160 But they they don't say anything about sin or atonement. 342 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:54,120 So dangerous options come in different shapes and sizes, but 343 00:18:54,120 --> 00:18:57,360 they have something I've heard called heretical math. 344 00:18:57,680 --> 00:19:03,480 So it's adding to, subtracting from, multiplying, dividing. 345 00:19:04,920 --> 00:19:08,480 The gospel that's. The common denominator? 346 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:12,200 For the false teachers. Looking at the gospel. 347 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:16,960 So there's four tests. Again, to run so we can avoid 348 00:19:16,960 --> 00:19:19,000 foolish controversies, genealogies, ascensions and 349 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:21,920 quarrels about the lies. The the fruit of behavior, the 350 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:24,760 test of. Sound doctrine, the test of 351 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:29,160 submission to Scripture, and the test of teaching the pure gospel 352 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:33,440 of justification and faith. Those are four tests. 353 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:38,080 To run through whenever you're hearing any preaching or 354 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:48,040 teaching and so as we move into verse 10 and 11 I want you to 355 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:51,120 notice there's a shift in language because now I'm. 356 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:53,680 I'm still talking about. We're still talking. 357 00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:57,120 About avoiding false. Teachers, but it's also. 358 00:19:57,120 --> 00:20:02,320 Now set to include a person, so a church person or church 359 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:05,200 member. Verse 10 reads As for a person 360 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:08,680 who stirs up division after warning him once and then twice 361 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:10,160 have nothing more to do with him. 362 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:14,000 So there's two aspects to this verse. 363 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:16,720 OK, that and 1 is a little hidden off of that initial. 364 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:20,520 Reading like I think. When I'm when I'm reading this. 365 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:24,440 Right pursue stirs up. Division we skip the middle have 366 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:26,520 nothing more to do with him. That's our culture today. 367 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:30,800 Chances I'm, I'm guessing, is when we start talking about 368 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:33,360 division, you're probably thinking about something 369 00:20:33,360 --> 00:20:36,040 politically. He's not talking about that 370 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:41,320 here. Those you have to see that. 371 00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:44,400 In your own heart, in your own mind are entering the. 372 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:48,880 Text here. OK, so there's two aspects. 373 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:51,080 In this verse, the 11 is division. 374 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:54,000 OK. But the other one is Unity. 375 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:56,800 Because Paul could have left out. 376 00:20:58,120 --> 00:21:03,040 After warning him once and then twice, but he includes it and 377 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:04,960 that would thanks. Like why? 378 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:08,600 Why does he want to include that in here? 379 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:11,520 And it's because he wants to remind us. 380 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:17,040 Of the proper, yeah, the proper church discipline process. 381 00:21:17,080 --> 00:21:19,440 OK, so. I'm going to refer now to 382 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:20,920 Matthew. Chapter 18. 383 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:24,760 Verses 15 through 17, and I think I should be able to have 384 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:32,120 them up here on the board. So in Matthew 18. 385 00:21:32,120 --> 00:21:36,160 This is Jesus talking. This is what he says. 386 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:39,920 So 15 through 17. So if your brother sins against 387 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:42,640 you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. 388 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:45,160 If he listens to you, you have gained your. 389 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:47,200 Brother, but if he. Does not listen. 390 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:49,000 Take one or two others along with you that. 391 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,360 Every charge may be established by the. 392 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:53,120 Evidence of two or three witnesses. 393 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:55,960 If he refuses. To listen to him. 394 00:21:56,440 --> 00:21:57,360 Tell it to. The church. 395 00:21:57,360 --> 00:22:00,840 And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you 396 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:03,280 as a Gentile and tax collect. Collector. 397 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:08,440 And I was saying I read this. I want to be. 398 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:10,520 Really clear. OK, I want to be. 399 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:13,640 Really clear that. As I'm talk, we're talking about 400 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:15,680 this division. The church. 401 00:22:15,680 --> 00:22:18,360 Discipline it's for. Those who call. 402 00:22:18,360 --> 00:22:21,800 Themselves Christians or those who are our church members. 403 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:24,920 This is not direction on how to look at somebody who's not a 404 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:28,160 Christian. Or part of the outside. 405 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:31,080 World, that's not what this direction is for and I'll I'll 406 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:33,080 get into that and a little bit. Here, yeah, but I. 407 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:35,760 I do want to be. Clear that you're seeing. 408 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:40,040 It in that way because if not. This is super easy to read. 409 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:42,880 And say, all right, Frontier Church, we're going to create. 410 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:45,040 Our little bubble. We're going to only focus on 411 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:46,600 Christians and we're not going to look at the outside. 412 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:49,400 World. And invite them in. 413 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:54,560 And that's not what he's getting into. 414 00:22:57,960 --> 00:23:00,280 And so why? Would Paul tell Titus to follow 415 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:02,120 this process? And it might be best to answer 416 00:23:02,120 --> 00:23:04,680 this question first in. Regards to the opposite. 417 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:09,280 And this is right from Frontier Church's documents even how 418 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:11,200 everybody answer this question. OK, so. 419 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:13,960 The goal of church. Discipline is not discipline. 420 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:17,120 Discipline is only a means towards a greater end. 421 00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:21,040 So the ultimate goal of church discipline is to gain a brother. 422 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:25,280 And when this is the goal, then love is the motivation 423 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:27,480 underneath it. So when love is the motivation 424 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:34,760 of discipline, we're imitating. God and so we. 425 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:37,800 Kind of need a. Little bit of a. 426 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:40,640 Crash course on church membership. 427 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:43,280 What does that look like? Because this is for the church. 428 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:45,920 Members so in membership. The church body. 429 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:48,920 The pastor and elders are saying to the individual, we recognize 430 00:23:48,920 --> 00:23:50,800 your professional faith and discipleship. 431 00:23:51,120 --> 00:23:52,480 To Jesus as valid. OK. 432 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:55,640 Therefore, we publicly. Affirm and acknowledge you 433 00:23:55,640 --> 00:23:59,360 before the nations as belonging to Christ, and we extend our 434 00:23:59,360 --> 00:24:00,880 oversight and fellowship. To you. 435 00:24:01,120 --> 00:24:06,480 Come be a member, and then on the flip side, the individual. 436 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:11,520 Says to the church. In as much as I am looking at 437 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:13,000 you. As a faithful gospel. 438 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:16,240 Preaching gospel, declaring church, I submit my presence and 439 00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:18,000 my discipleship to your love and. 440 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:21,120 Oversight. So the. 441 00:24:21,120 --> 00:24:23,200 Church member is willing to come up, come under. 442 00:24:23,440 --> 00:24:26,320 Because the elders. Are in a place of pursuing 443 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:31,160 truth, looking at following God's word to come under that, 444 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:35,320 and if sin is called out, willing to submit. 445 00:24:35,360 --> 00:24:37,600 To whatever the steps. Are in line with. 446 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:43,400 That because they're. A Christian and are willing. 447 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:47,360 To to to look. And say OK. 448 00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:50,800 I don't see. Where where I'm in the wrong? 449 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:54,160 Maybe they don't see where they're in the wrong yet, but 450 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:56,160 they're willing to. To follow the process to get 451 00:24:56,160 --> 00:25:00,280 there or. They recognize and and repent, 452 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:04,320 right? And so as. 453 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:07,240 A church moves towards church discipline. 454 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:09,800 It will often find self acing real life situations that are 455 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:12,680 complex and I I want to be sensitive that and there's not. 456 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:15,040 An exact case study. And I I can't get into all those 457 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:22,440 things right right now, but. To help kind of sift through 458 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:23,400 the. Different layers of 459 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:26,120 circumstances it's not always going to be clear whether formal 460 00:25:26,120 --> 00:25:28,160 church discipline is required or how long the. 461 00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:32,440 Process should take or. If somebody's truly repentant, 462 00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:36,320 so on and so forth. OK, so so that and so and as a 463 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:39,880 congregation and. It's always complex issues. 464 00:25:39,880 --> 00:25:42,160 Coming up. But what? 465 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:44,760 We're called to do is above all else to. 466 00:25:44,760 --> 00:25:46,960 Guard the name and the glory of Jesus Christ, because 467 00:25:46,960 --> 00:25:50,080 fundamentally church discipline. Is about the reputation. 468 00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:52,320 Of Christ and whether or not the church can continue to the 469 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:54,360 affirm the verbal profession of someone. 470 00:25:54,520 --> 00:26:01,440 Whose life mischaracterizes Christ completely so the. 471 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:04,320 Sins and circumstances of sin will vary tremendously, but this 472 00:26:04,320 --> 00:26:06,760 one question always needs to be in the forefront of. 473 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:07,520 Our thoughts. So how? 474 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:10,120 Will the Sinner sin and our response? 475 00:26:10,120 --> 00:26:12,080 To it reflect the holy love of Christ. 476 00:26:12,080 --> 00:26:14,680 So how will it reflect Christ's love? 477 00:26:14,760 --> 00:26:20,360 To gain a brother back in. Because to care about the 478 00:26:20,360 --> 00:26:22,000 reputation of Christ is to care about the. 479 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:23,920 Good of non Christians too because when churches. 480 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:25,680 Failed to practice. This self-discipline to. 481 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:28,520 Practice this process. Ball ways out, they begin to 482 00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:30,080 look. Like the world, that's exactly 483 00:26:30,080 --> 00:26:31,560 what was happening. To the Korean Christians, 484 00:26:31,560 --> 00:26:33,120 they're looking. Just like the world. 485 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:36,200 And because they were looking like the world there was nothing 486 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:37,320 about. Their churches, that was. 487 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:39,520 Looking. Positive that was looking. 488 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:41,560 Beautiful to the outside world looking in. 489 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:51,370 They're slowly dying so have nothing to do. 490 00:26:51,370 --> 00:26:53,730 With the divisive person. Divide from them. 491 00:26:54,090 --> 00:27:00,330 Why? Because the divisive person is 492 00:27:00,330 --> 00:27:04,320 the one who departs from the truth, and we want to gain them 493 00:27:04,320 --> 00:27:05,240 back. As a brother. 494 00:27:07,520 --> 00:27:08,640 And. Paul couldn't. 495 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:11,760 Even say here, well, nobody has all the truth and everybody. 496 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:14,320 Has a piece of. It and unity is more important 497 00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:16,240 than the truth. So don't divide and we would 498 00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:18,680 say. Well, that impulse would feel 499 00:27:18,680 --> 00:27:19,760 right. And sound right, right? 500 00:27:19,960 --> 00:27:21,160 Because Unity. Is a good thing. 501 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:24,320 But when a person. Departs from the doctrine that. 502 00:27:24,320 --> 00:27:26,600 The apostles had taught. Paul sees this as a greater 503 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:28,520 threat to. Unity than the disunity. 504 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:31,240 Caused by. Avoiding the peace people. 505 00:27:31,480 --> 00:27:33,160 So if we say. How can that be? 506 00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:35,160 How can be? How can dividing from someone 507 00:27:35,160 --> 00:27:37,400 who rises up in the church promote unity in the church? 508 00:27:37,480 --> 00:27:41,040 And the answer is that only unity, the only unity that 509 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:45,200 counts for unity in the church, is rooted in a common sound 510 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:49,720 biblical teaching. And the pattern of sound 511 00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:52,080 biblical teaching that I'm talking about is a faithful 512 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:54,640 summary of biblical essentials determined by how. 513 00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:58,840 Crucial they are. In expressing and explaining the 514 00:27:58,840 --> 00:28:04,040 history of redemption, the nature and condition of man, the 515 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:05,640 nature and work. Of Christ. 516 00:28:06,360 --> 00:28:08,800 The nature and work of the Holy Spirit and the nature and work. 517 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:11,880 Of God the Father. And truthfully, one of the 518 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:17,960 biggest challenges in this. Quest for Unity. 519 00:28:17,960 --> 00:28:22,360 Is deciding what belongs in this body of doctrine when Paul says 520 00:28:22,360 --> 00:28:24,520 if someone departs from it have nothing to do with them? 521 00:28:26,120 --> 00:28:28,440 But. Not before following. 522 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:31,320 Jesus words to to. Gaining your brother back 523 00:28:33,040 --> 00:28:37,480 because avoiding someone doesn't just mean stop caring about him 524 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:40,120 or stop praying for him or even stop talking to them. 525 00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:45,560 Necessarily because Jesus says right so. 526 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:50,680 I'm back in in Matthew 18 here. Yeah, Matthew 18. 527 00:28:50,680 --> 00:28:53,120 He. Says to treat. 528 00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:55,200 Let him be to you as a gentile and a tax. 529 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:59,480 Collector. We still want to invite the 530 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:01,320 Gentiles and tax collectors into. 531 00:29:01,960 --> 00:29:05,000 The service, right? To be submitted under. 532 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:09,560 God's Word, we. We just cannot go on living 533 00:29:10,920 --> 00:29:15,160 acting as if nothing happened if if nothing changed, right? 534 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:18,760 We can't like, go bowling and talk to them like. 535 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:20,880 Hey, you're still a. Christian, you're still in this 536 00:29:21,040 --> 00:29:27,640 this same manner and I think that. 537 00:29:28,320 --> 00:29:29,640 This is where it can get difficult. 538 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:31,040 For us to kind of see. Where? 539 00:29:31,360 --> 00:29:35,520 Division can come in in our culture to be a Christian who if 540 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:37,560 we're looking to affirm traditional, historical and 541 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:39,160 Orthodox. Views of the. 542 00:29:39,160 --> 00:29:40,560 Bible's teaching on various sins. 543 00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:43,000 Because if we're. Doing that, we're always accused 544 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:46,000 of being just divisive when sticking to the Bible's act. 545 00:29:47,240 --> 00:29:49,600 Well, when sticking to the new affirmations, they must. 546 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:51,240 Disassociate with those. Who don't? 547 00:29:53,320 --> 00:29:57,080 So if you're in a conversation and and object, it's often said. 548 00:29:57,320 --> 00:29:59,800 To you right like. You're objecting to a specific 549 00:29:59,800 --> 00:30:00,840 sin. You're singling out this 550 00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:04,360 particular sin as being over important, and it's more 551 00:30:04,360 --> 00:30:09,080 important than than you at Unity, but it's not. 552 00:30:09,080 --> 00:30:11,600 Because those who protest. And they're singing out 553 00:30:11,600 --> 00:30:16,320 particular sins. They're the ones bringing in the 554 00:30:16,440 --> 00:30:18,600 the division. They're the ones saying. 555 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:22,840 Well, did God really say? Fill in the blank. 556 00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:29,240 They're the ones that are that are causing the sticking point, 557 00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:32,720 not sticking to. The to the true doctrine to 558 00:30:32,720 --> 00:30:46,870 God's Word. So it's within this, it's, it 559 00:30:46,870 --> 00:30:48,590 isn't always those. Who believe the Bible? 560 00:30:49,070 --> 00:30:51,590 When it says sin is sin that are being divisive. 561 00:30:52,310 --> 00:30:54,430 It's those who are. Introducing that the idea that 562 00:30:54,430 --> 00:30:56,590 some sins are aren't. So if you push. 563 00:30:56,590 --> 00:30:58,750 Division on something that innovates on the Bible's 564 00:30:58,750 --> 00:31:01,280 testimony. You're creating the division. 565 00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:04,920 So division begins with that. First departure the the 1st. 566 00:31:05,320 --> 00:31:07,960 Stepping away from the original agreement, this. 567 00:31:07,960 --> 00:31:09,960 Is the truth. The the original truth. 568 00:31:11,120 --> 00:31:14,160 So then it's necessary for Christians to walk. 569 00:31:14,160 --> 00:31:18,080 Away from a divisive person because the relationship can't. 570 00:31:18,080 --> 00:31:21,440 Continue in the same way. And so you move in a way 571 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:24,800 relationally towards them of prayer and of sharing the truth 572 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:29,320 and trying to draw them back in because they've moved away from 573 00:31:29,520 --> 00:31:36,840 from the truth. And Paul finishes in Titus here 574 00:31:36,840 --> 00:31:38,560 in verse 11 saying, knowing that. 575 00:31:38,760 --> 00:31:40,920 The Divisive. Person is warped and sinful. 576 00:31:40,960 --> 00:31:44,440 He's self condemned, so he's self condemned. 577 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:49,360 Because he's. Insisting on a different type of 578 00:31:49,360 --> 00:31:54,920 gospel, not the gospel the the law, keeping the not a not a way 579 00:31:54,920 --> 00:31:56,480 of. Justification before God, 580 00:31:57,720 --> 00:32:00,360 because if you have to, keep all the laws if you have to. 581 00:32:00,360 --> 00:32:04,160 Keep these certain things. You have to keep it perfectly. 582 00:32:04,160 --> 00:32:10,640 And you can't keep it perfectly. So you've condemned yourself and 583 00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:13,240 really the reason we have to be so diligent over biblical? 584 00:32:13,240 --> 00:32:15,400 Doctrine is that. Those who depart from it take 585 00:32:15,720 --> 00:32:20,280 people with them and through being by being nice. 586 00:32:20,280 --> 00:32:25,720 With pleasant speech. And really, it presents itself 587 00:32:25,720 --> 00:32:30,080 as a blessing. Because you should see that. 588 00:32:30,080 --> 00:32:31,640 False teachers aren't going to to. 589 00:32:31,640 --> 00:32:33,680 Pull you. In, they're not going to. 590 00:32:33,960 --> 00:32:36,400 Pull, pull people. Toward them by being rough and 591 00:32:36,400 --> 00:32:42,360 harsh right I think when we. Read through Titus. 592 00:32:42,640 --> 00:32:44,800 And. Look at it, there's a picture 593 00:32:44,800 --> 00:32:49,160 that these false teachers are. Have little horns on their head 594 00:32:49,160 --> 00:32:51,520 or like there's fire behind them as they're preaching and 595 00:32:51,520 --> 00:32:53,120 teaching. It's really easy to project that 596 00:32:53,120 --> 00:32:56,680 image. But. 597 00:32:58,760 --> 00:33:03,080 Do you really think so? That Paul says that. 598 00:33:03,360 --> 00:33:06,520 They're the teaching was upsetting whole families by 599 00:33:06,520 --> 00:33:09,440 teaching for shameful gain what they not what they shouldn't. 600 00:33:09,920 --> 00:33:13,040 Do you really think that whole families were being pulled into 601 00:33:13,040 --> 00:33:15,200 this teaching because it was really harsh and rough? 602 00:33:18,000 --> 00:33:20,920 That that just. Isn't going to be the case. 603 00:33:21,640 --> 00:33:23,200 And so that means that for us, it's. 604 00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:25,560 Not going to be possible. It's not going to be popular to 605 00:33:25,560 --> 00:33:28,200 resist. False teaching in a church in 606 00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:34,480 the sense of it looking. Super harsh or rough, but it 607 00:33:34,600 --> 00:33:36,680 probably will be. Look like it's bringing a 608 00:33:36,680 --> 00:33:47,300 blessing and not and not a curse, so it's so important. 609 00:33:47,300 --> 00:33:54,280 Because a divisive person. Is warped and sinful, and it's 610 00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:56,880 not always just a simple intellectual mistake behind. 611 00:33:56,880 --> 00:34:01,120 The the Good speech. Behind the nice things, it's 612 00:34:01,120 --> 00:34:07,080 going to can be a really smooth, nice demeanor and it's leading 613 00:34:07,080 --> 00:34:11,280 towards idolatry. It's leading towards Christ. 614 00:34:11,280 --> 00:34:16,159 Diminishing errors. It's leading towards worldly 615 00:34:16,159 --> 00:34:18,920 passions. It's leading towards the things 616 00:34:18,920 --> 00:34:22,120 that we want to affirm that are worldly and not Christ like. 617 00:34:30,600 --> 00:34:36,120 And so. As I think about this text. 618 00:34:36,120 --> 00:34:39,400 And as we're we're getting towards the end here, I really 619 00:34:39,400 --> 00:34:40,760 want to. Call us to two. 620 00:34:41,719 --> 00:34:46,000 Things being vigilant and and having self examination. 621 00:34:47,120 --> 00:34:49,320 So be diligent. Be. 622 00:34:49,840 --> 00:34:52,360 Be. Diligent and have vigilance. 623 00:34:53,639 --> 00:34:56,400 To look. Out for smooth talkers who again 624 00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:59,200 have these loony interpretations of scripture trying to. 625 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:02,480 Persuade. You in some way or another that 626 00:35:02,520 --> 00:35:04,480 doesn't line up. With all the scripture. 627 00:35:04,480 --> 00:35:07,000 Using. Those tests that I had talked 628 00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:10,920 about. And then, above all else, 629 00:35:10,920 --> 00:35:15,800 examine your own heart. Look at where you're. 630 00:35:15,800 --> 00:35:22,600 Causing division in terms of bringing moving away from sound 631 00:35:22,600 --> 00:35:25,720 doctrine, moving away from sound teaching and changing the rules 632 00:35:25,720 --> 00:35:32,760 of engagement. With butting heads with God. 633 00:35:32,760 --> 00:35:36,480 'S designed order with. God's word. 634 00:35:39,040 --> 00:35:42,280 Because if that's the case. And you're continuing to come 635 00:35:42,280 --> 00:35:44,560 up, come up against? Good biblical. 636 00:35:44,560 --> 00:35:49,680 Teaching and and God's Word and always looking to change it to 637 00:35:49,680 --> 00:35:57,880 fit your image. You're the divisive. 1 and so I. 638 00:35:58,000 --> 00:36:00,040 Just want to pray for us now and. 639 00:36:01,920 --> 00:36:06,680 Ask God that. Yeah, Lord, just. 640 00:36:06,680 --> 00:36:09,840 Thank you so much for your word this morning and. 641 00:36:12,560 --> 00:36:16,720 For the call to to look to you, to see you, for who you are, to 642 00:36:16,720 --> 00:36:18,440 look at your. Word and obey it. 643 00:36:18,440 --> 00:36:22,880 For what it is. And to we just, we just. 644 00:36:22,880 --> 00:36:26,560 Need your help God, to be able to see clearly where there's 645 00:36:26,560 --> 00:36:30,320 truth. Compared to divisiveness and 646 00:36:30,320 --> 00:36:35,560 false teaching. We just need your help to to see 647 00:36:35,560 --> 00:36:37,840 you clearly so that. We can see ourselves. 648 00:36:37,840 --> 00:36:41,520 Clearly to see where. We may be causing division in 649 00:36:41,520 --> 00:36:45,880 relationships, even division in our. 650 00:36:46,160 --> 00:36:51,640 Church, which is truly God, just needs your help. 651 00:36:51,640 --> 00:36:58,360 In in that looking to. You as the perfecter of us, God. 652 00:37:00,800 --> 00:37:04,800 Look into the gospel that we can can believe and trust. 653 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:08,120 That you will. Bring all things into fruition. 654 00:37:08,920 --> 00:37:09,360 Jesus name.