the authority of christ (part 6)

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

(Part 6)

Matt. 28:18-20

[By Ron Halbrook]

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

Introduction:1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority:

we must submit to receive salvation

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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.

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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

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. Avoiding Apostasy Today

A. Warning: When People Obey the Truth, Satan Counterattacks

Acts 20:29-32 Constantly teach & warn: Dangers invade from without & arise from within

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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.

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. 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;

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. 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.

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. Avoiding Apostasy Today

B. Tactic of Satan: Tempt with CentralizationIsrael 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

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. Avoiding Apostasy Today

B. Tactic of Satan: Tempt with CentralizationChrist made each local church independent, autonomous— no centralized organization

Acts 14:23 “elders in every church”Phil. 4:15-16 “ye sent once and again”2 Cor. 11:8 “I robbed other churches”Acts 11:27-30 “sent it to the elders” where the need existedLocal church all-sufficient to do its work

Divine VS Human OrganizationAuthorized

Evangelism

Edification

Benevolence

WorkLocalChurch

Phil. 4:16 “ye sent once & again”

2 Cor. 11:8 “I robbed other churches”

Acts 11:27-30 “sent it to the elders” LocalChurch

Divine VS Human OrganizationAuthorized Unauthorized

Evangelism

Edification

Benevolence

WorkLocalChurch

Human Institution:

BrotherhoodEldership

MissionarySocietyCollege

OrphanageLocal

Church

Pattern of Apostasy in Church GovernmentIn History Today

Israel Desired a King (1 Sam. 8:5)

Catholic Church Pope

Christian Church Missionary Society

Evangelism Herald of Truth Gospel HourBenevolence Institutional OrphanageEdification Area-wide work Colleges Entertainment

Centralized Gov’t

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. Avoiding Apostasy Today

C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of ChurchWork 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”

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTC. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church

To change the work is apostasyActs 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:

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTC. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church

To change the work is apostasy1 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.

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. 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)

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

VI. Avoiding Apostasy TodayC. 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”

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

VI. Avoiding Apostasy TodayC. 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”

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

VI. Avoiding Apostasy TodayC. 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

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

VI. Avoiding Apostasy TodayC. 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

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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 “the saints”2 COR. 9:1 “the saints”ROM. 15:26 “the poor saints”1 TIM. 5:16 “widows indeed”

2 Jn. 9 If Go Beyond God’s Limit, Separated from God

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. Avoiding Apostasy Today

D. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Worship of ChurchWorship revealed by Christ

Acts 20:7 Lord’s Supper on Sunday1 Cor. 16:2 Collection on SundayActs 2:42 PrayActs 2:42 Teach God’s WordEph. 5:19 Sing

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Music in Worship Limited to Singing

MATT. 26:30 “sung”ACTS 16:25 “sang”ROM. 15:9 “sing”1 COR. 14:15 “sing”EPH. 5:19 “singing”COL. 3:16 “singing”HEB. 2:12 “sing”HEB. 13:15 “fruit of our lips”JA. 5:13 “sing”

2 Jn. 9 If Go Beyond God’s Limit, Separated from God

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

D. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Worship of ChurchTo change the worship is apostasy

Jn. 4:24 “worship in spirit and in truth”1 Tim. 4:1 “some…depart from the faith”

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTD. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Worship of Church

“Some…depart from the faith:”Instrumental musicChurch celebrate “holy” days (Easter, etc.)Solo, choir, praise teamDrama, theatre, choreography, danceLord’s Supper any dayLord’s Supper with social mealWomen leadOffer traditional & contemporary worship

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. 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

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. 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

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTVI. 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

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTE. The Spiritual Nature of the Church

Prevents ApostasyKeep 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.

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTE. The Spiritual Nature of the Church

Prevents ApostasyKeep 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:

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VI. Avoiding Apostasy TodayF. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name

1 Sam. 15:13-14 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?

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VI. Avoiding Apostasy TodayF. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name

Matt. 7:21-23 Christ said many calling him “Lord” will be lost

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

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Matt. 7:21-23 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.

Matt. 7:21-23 Christ said many calling him “Lord” will be lost

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VI. Avoiding Apostasy TodayF. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name

1 Tim. 4:1 Departing from the faith professing to serve Christ

THE AUTHORITY OF 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;

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VI. Avoiding Apostasy TodayF. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name

2 Tim. 4:2-4 Profess the truth but reject it

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

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2 Tim. 4:2-4 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.

2 Tim. 4:2-4 Profess the truth but reject it

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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

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTInvitation:1. Matt. 28:18-20 Remedy to all sin & apostasy:

submit to the authority of Christ to receive salvation

He protects us from all Satan’s attacksHe exposes Satan’s tactic of centralizationHe guides us in the work of the churchHe guides us in true worshipHis spiritual focus protects us from apostasyHe exposes errors of men professing his name but rejecting his authority

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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.