religious controversy will come …because the devil is trying to destroy our faith. (1 peter 5:8)...

Religious Controversy Religious Controversy Will ComeWill Come

……Because the devil is trying to destroy our Because the devil is trying to destroy our faith. (1 Peter 5:8)faith. (1 Peter 5:8)

……Because the Bible warns brethren that Because the Bible warns brethren that “the time will “the time will

come when they will not endure sound come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears doctrine; but wanting to have their ears

tickled, they will accumulate for tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn their ears from the truth and will turn

aside to myths.” aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)(2 Timothy 4:3-4)


This is why the gospel preacher must be This is why the gospel preacher must be prepared to preach the word at all times prepared to preach the word at all times without fear nor favor of men. without fear nor favor of men.

(2 Timothy 4:2; Galatians (2 Timothy 4:2; Galatians 1:10)1:10)

Because the Bible warns us, Christians Because the Bible warns us, Christians must know how to contend earnestly for must know how to contend earnestly for the faith and not for their own opinion. the faith and not for their own opinion. (Jude 1:3; Romans 14:1) (Jude 1:3; Romans 14:1)


When it comes, we must remember to When it comes, we must remember to humbly speak the truth in love so that in humbly speak the truth in love so that in all things God might be glorified through all things God might be glorified through Jesus Christ and not ourselves. Jesus Christ and not ourselves. (1 Peter 4:11; Ephesians (1 Peter 4:11; Ephesians

4:15)4:15)

By doing that, we will be able to cast down By doing that, we will be able to cast down arguments that are raised up against arguments that are raised up against

God’s word so that we can be obedient God’s word so that we can be obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

What Makes Controversy What Makes Controversy NecessaryNecessary

Because of false teaching. Because of false teaching. ““But false prophets also arose among the But false prophets also arose among the

people, just as there will also be false people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, teachers among you, who will secretly who will secretly introduce destructive heresiesintroduce destructive heresies, even , even

denying the Master who bought them, denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon bringing swift destruction upon

themselves. themselves. Many will follow their Many will follow their sensualitysensuality, and because of them the , and because of them the

way of the truth will be maligned; and in way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is ago is not idle, and their destruction is

not asleep.” not asleep.” (2 Peter 2:1-3)(2 Peter 2:1-3)


False teaching must be challenged and False teaching must be challenged and opposed rather than ignored or opposed rather than ignored or accepted because many will be accepted because many will be

deceived by it and speak evil of the deceived by it and speak evil of the truth.truth.

Our loyalty to the Lord and the truth of His Our loyalty to the Lord and the truth of His gospel should compel us to be boldly gospel should compel us to be boldly

speak the truth to those whom we love. speak the truth to those whom we love.


““But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood him to his face, because he stood

condemned. For prior to the coming of condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat certain men from James, he used to eat

with the Gentiles; but when they came, he with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was with the result that even Barnabas was

carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not saw that they were not straightforward straightforward about the truth of the gospelabout the truth of the gospel, I said to , I said to

Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles

to live like Jews?”to live like Jews?” (Galatians 2:11-14) (Galatians 2:11-14)


The apostle Paul loved the apostle Peter, The apostle Paul loved the apostle Peter, and rebuked him before all since the and rebuked him before all since the other Jews were influenced to follow other Jews were influenced to follow

Peter’s hypocrisy.Peter’s hypocrisy.

Our love for the truth must be greater than Our love for the truth must be greater than our love for our family, friendships, and our love for our family, friendships, and even respected gospel preachers or we even respected gospel preachers or we

are not truly following Jesus. are not truly following Jesus.

The apostle Paul said that we are to learn The apostle Paul said that we are to learn from his example and Apollos from his example and Apollos “not to “not to

think of men above what is written.” think of men above what is written.” (1 (1 Cor. 4:6)Cor. 4:6)


Jesus said, Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to

bring peace but a sword. "For I have bring peace but a sword. "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a come to 'set a man against his father, a

daughter against her mother, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-daughter-in-law against her mother-in-

law'; "and 'a man's enemies will be law'; "and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' "those of his own household.' "He who He who

loves father or mother more than Me is loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy or daughter more than Me is not worthy

of Meof Me.” .” (Matthew 10:34-37)(Matthew 10:34-37)

What You Should Do in What You Should Do in ControversyControversy

Examine both sides of an issue by the Bible Examine both sides of an issue by the Bible before making a judgment on it. before making a judgment on it.

““But examine everything carefully; hold But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from fast to that which is good; abstain from

every form of evil.” every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)5:21-22)

Be like the noble Bereans who were Be like the noble Bereans who were “examining the Scriptures daily to see “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so”whether these things were so” (Acts (Acts

17:11)17:11)


Don’t be prejudiced because of the teacher Don’t be prejudiced because of the teacher you like but test what he says by you like but test what he says by

inspired men. inspired men.

““Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” have gone out into the world.” (1 John (1 John

4:1)4:1)

““We are from God; he who knows God We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know does not listen to us. By this we know

the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:6)(1 John 4:6)


Pray for courage to stand for the truth. Pray for courage to stand for the truth. After the apostles Peter and John were After the apostles Peter and John were

released from prison they prayed, released from prison they prayed, “Lord, “Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that take note of their threats, and grant that

Your bond-servants may speak Your Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence” word with all confidence” (Acts 4:29)(Acts 4:29)

Pray for courage to contend for the faith. Pray for courage to contend for the faith. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously ask of God, who gives to all generously

and without reproach, and it will be and without reproach, and it will be given to him”given to him” (Js. 1:5) (Js. 1:5)


Be quick to hear and slow to speak so that Be quick to hear and slow to speak so that you will keep your anger under control. you will keep your anger under control.

““But everyone must be quick to hear, slow But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the anger of man does not achieve the

righteousness of God.” righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-21)(James 1:19-21)


Be kind, longsuffering, and gentle when Be kind, longsuffering, and gentle when you correct others with the truth.you correct others with the truth.

““The Lord's bond-servant must not be The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to

teach, patient when wronged, with teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant opposition, if perhaps God may grant

them repentance leading to the them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may knowledge of the truth, and they may

come to their senses and escape from the come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held snare of the devil, having been held

captive by him to do his will.” captive by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy (2 Timothy 2:24-26) 2:24-26)


If you are wrong, be humble enough to If you are wrong, be humble enough to admit it and confess your sins.admit it and confess your sins.

““He who conceals his transgressions will He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and not prosper, But he who confesses and

forsakes them will find compassion.” forsakes them will find compassion.” (Proverbs 28:13) (Proverbs 28:13)

Dangers to Avoid in Dangers to Avoid in ControversyControversy

Do not use carnal tactics (intimidation, Do not use carnal tactics (intimidation, insults, or name calling) but cast down insults, or name calling) but cast down their arguments with God’s word. their arguments with God’s word. “For “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not though we walk in the flesh, we do not

war according to the flesh, for the war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the weapons of our warfare are not of the

flesh, but divinely powerful for the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destruction of fortresses. We are

destroying speculations and every lofty destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of thing raised up against the knowledge of

God, and we are taking every thought God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 (2

Corinthians 10:3-5)Corinthians 10:3-5)


Do not twist or misapply the Scriptures to Do not twist or misapply the Scriptures to defend your argument. defend your argument.

The apostle Peter spoke about some things that were hard to understand, “which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore,

beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness”

(2 Peter 3:16-17)(2 Peter 3:16-17)


Do not allow an emotional appeal to blind Do not allow an emotional appeal to blind you to the truth. you to the truth.

“with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be

saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order

that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.” (2 (2

Thessalonians 2:9-12)Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Emotional Arguments vs. Emotional Arguments vs. TruthTruth

Someone says, Someone says, “I know I’m saved. I “I know I’m saved. I wouldn’t trade this feeling in my heart wouldn’t trade this feeling in my heart

for a whole stack of Bibles.” for a whole stack of Bibles.”

That doesn’t change the truth that Jesus is That doesn’t change the truth that Jesus is the the “author of eternal life to all who “author of eternal life to all who

obey Him.” obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:8) (Hebrews 5:8)

It also fails to heed the warning against It also fails to heed the warning against trusting in our feelings. trusting in our feelings. “There is a way “There is a way which seems right to a man but its end which seems right to a man but its end

is the way of death” is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12)(Proverbs 14:12)


What if a person is about to die and he What if a person is about to die and he can’t get to water to be baptized, won’t can’t get to water to be baptized, won’t

he be saved? he be saved?

That argument doesn’t change what the That argument doesn’t change what the Bible says- baptism is for the remission Bible says- baptism is for the remission

of sins. of sins.

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the in the name of Jesus Christ for the

forgiveness of your sins” forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38) (Acts 2:38)

““Baptism now saves you” Baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21)(1 Peter 3:21)


If someone argues that a woman can If someone argues that a woman can divorce their husband in the civil courts divorce their husband in the civil courts

because he is beating her and if you because he is beating her and if you don’t do anything then the state will don’t do anything then the state will

take away the children. take away the children.

That argument doesn’t change what Jesus That argument doesn’t change what Jesus said in Matthew 5:32.said in Matthew 5:32.

““Whoever divorces his wife for any reason Whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to except sexual immorality causes her to

commit adultery”. commit adultery”.


When someone argues that you are When someone argues that you are wrecking homes if you preach the truth wrecking homes if you preach the truth

about marriage, divorce, and remarriage about marriage, divorce, and remarriage it doesn’t change what Jesus taught in it doesn’t change what Jesus taught in

Matthew 19:9. Matthew 19:9.

““Whoever divorces his wife, except for Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.“ her who is divorced commits adultery.“


In the Judgment Day, if someone argues In the Judgment Day, if someone argues that they have prophesied, cast out that they have prophesied, cast out

demons, and have done many wonderful demons, and have done many wonderful works in Jesus’ name, Jesus will say, works in Jesus’ name, Jesus will say, “Depart from me I never knew you.”“Depart from me I never knew you.”

(Matthew 7:22-23)(Matthew 7:22-23)

Just because we claim to do something in Just because we claim to do something in Jesus’ name with honest and sincerity Jesus’ name with honest and sincerity doesn’t mean that we will be saved. doesn’t mean that we will be saved.

We must We must “do the will of the Father in “do the will of the Father in heaven.” heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)(Matthew 7:21)

ConclusionConclusionReligious controversy is happening now as Religious controversy is happening now as

it has always been because truth and it has always been because truth and error will never harmonize with each error will never harmonize with each

other.other.

Emotional arguments are causing division Emotional arguments are causing division in the body of Christ and will lead souls in the body of Christ and will lead souls

to be lost. to be lost.

We must contend earnestly for the truth We must contend earnestly for the truth rather than our unrevealed opinions rather than our unrevealed opinions

because when sin is left unopposed it because when sin is left unopposed it gets worse and worse. (1 Cor. 5:6)gets worse and worse. (1 Cor. 5:6)

ConclusionConclusion

By keeping our motives pure and preaching By keeping our motives pure and preaching the inspired, infallible, and inerrant word the inspired, infallible, and inerrant word of God we can faithfully serve God and of God we can faithfully serve God and stem the tide of sin. (2 Timothy 3:14-stem the tide of sin. (2 Timothy 3:14-

4:5)4:5)

Will you continue to fight the good fight of Will you continue to fight the good fight of faith so that you might receive the faith so that you might receive the

heavenly reward or will you heavenly reward or will you compromise? (2 Timothy 4:7-compromise? (2 Timothy 4:7-

8)8)

religious controversy will come …because the devil is trying to destroy our faith. (1 peter 5:8)...

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