fromthepreacherspc

INTRODUCTION

Most of us are familiar with the principle of bookkeeping

• We have assets and liabilities.
• When liabilities outweigh assets, we have a problem.
• Assets and liabilities have a much wider application today

People in a company, or in religion, may be an asset, or a liability.

• Too many liabilities make it impossible for either to succeed.
• Daniel 5:27… Belchazzar was a liability
• Matthew 12:30… the Pharisees were a liability

In similar fashion, there are many in the Lord’s church today who are liabilities to the cause of Christ.

• Many are hurting or hindering the church
• It is assets, NOT liabilities that will cause the Lord’s church to flourish

Let us consider the question: Which am I, a liability or an asset to the church? 

DISCUSSION

ARE WE ZEALOUS WORKERS FOR THE LORD OR LUKEWARM CHURCH MEMBERS? 

Asset: Zealous Worker

• We are an asset to the church if we are willing workers in the kingdom.
• 2 Corinthians 9:2

We are an asset to the Lord’s church through our zeal for good works for several reasons:

• We provoke or encourage others to do the same… Hebrews 10:24  
• The Lord’s work is accomplished

Notice these biblical examples of zealous workers:

• Nehemiah 4:21  
• This occurred because “the people had a mind to work” (Neh. 4:6)
• Isaiah 62:1 

Liability: Lukewarm Church Member

• We are a horrible liability to the Lord’s cause if we are lukewarm or halfhearted about the Lord’s work.
• Notice what the Lord says about lukewarmness… Revelation 3:16  

When we halfheartedly go about doing the work of the Lord we are a liability to the church because:

• We discourage others
• We are showing our children the Lord is not all that important
• The Lord’s work is not accomplished   

ARE YOU A LIBERAL GIVER OR ARE YOU COVETOUS? 

Asset: Liberal Giver

• Romans 12:1
• The Lord says to “freely give” because you have been given so much (Mt. 10:8).
• 2 Corinthians 8:1-12

We are an asset when we give liberally because:

• We have proven that we have given ourselves wholly unto the Lord
• We help the Lord’s work
• We show concern for the Lord’s work 

Liability: Covetousness

• Ephesians 5:5
• Hebrews 13:5 

We are a liability to the Lord’s cause when we are covetous because:

• We are robbing God (Mal. 3:8)
• We are putting what the world has to offer above what God has to offer
• Our heart is not right before the LorD

ARE YOU FAITHFUL OR ARE YOU A FORSAKER?

Asset: Faithful

• Matthew 25:21
• Luke 16:10
• 1 Corinthians 4:2
• Revelation 2:10

We are an asset to the church if we are faithful because:

• We will not allow things to go undone
• We will believe, do and teach that which is in accordance with God’s will
• We will help the church to grow

Liability: Forsaker

• Hebrews 10:25
• 2 Corinthians 4:10

We are a liability to the church if we are a forsaker because:

• We fail to exhort one another
• We fail to manifest Jesus in our lives
• We tear down the church   

ARE YOU STUDIOUS OR IGNORANT OF GOD’S WORD? 

Asset: Studious

• 2 Timothy 2:15
• 2 Timothy 3:14
• 1 Timothy 4:13

We are assets to the Lord’s church when we are studious because:

• We know truth from error
• We understand what we are to do to be pleasing unto to God
• God’s word will work in us

Liability: Ignorance

• 2 Peter 3:5
• Romans 10:3

We are a liability to the church when we are ignorant of God’s word because:

• We fail to understand the very basics of Christianity
• We will be swept into error
• We will do thing our own way and not the Lord’s
• We will weaken the church

ARE WE AN EXAMPLE OR A REPROACH TO THE CHURCH?

Asset: Example

• 1 Timothy 4:12
• Matthew 5:16 

We are an asset to the church if we are a good example because:

• We encourage others to faithfulness
• We teach
• We can win lost souls to Christ

Liability: Reproach

• Proverbs 14:34
• When we are a reproach to the church men will “blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called” (Jam. 2:7)

We are a liability to the church if we are reproach because:

• We lower moral standards in the church and community
• We set a bad example
• We cause men to look down on the Lord’s church

CONCLUSION

Are you an asset or a liability to the church here?

• Do you come with a solution or are you part of the problem?
• Are you oil or sand in the machinery?
• Are you a green light or a red light?

God keeps the books

• He makes no mistakes
• Some day He will demand a reckoning
• A balance of the books

Will you be one who is found on the right side of the ledger?

DEALING WITH FALSE TEACHERS

INTRODUCTION
It cannot be truthfully denied that there are false teachers among us – the Bible warns of such:
Acts 20:29-30
1 Timothy 4:1-3
2 Timothy 4:1-4
1 John 4:1
2 Corinthians 2:17… corrupting the word of God *

It is equally clear that these false teachers must be dealt with
False teachers are a source of concern because of God’s view of them
As is clearly taught in Scripture
As will be seen in this lesson

The Psalmist said God hates every false way (Psa. 119:104), for His words are not false (Job 36:4)

Deuteronomy 13:5
An astounding testimony to the Lord’s view of false teachers
We too should take false teaching seriously

DISCUSSION
FALSE TEACHERS MUST BE DEALT WITH
Because they endanger the souls of men
Jeremiah 23:16-17
God had told Israel not to listen to the false prophet
They lie – they do not speak God’s word
But being more concerned with their own wants, they listen to the false prophet and found themselves in captivity
The same can happen to us

Ephesians 4:14
Many are being led away through false teaching
Tossed here and there – unable to be grounded

Ephesians 5:6
False teachers cause souls to become children of disobedience… they deceive
Friends, this brings God’s wrath

Acts 20:29-30
False teachers are as wolves devouring sheep
These false teachers will come from among the flock

Because they endanger their own souls
James 5:19-20
False teachers will lose their souls
We cannot let error slide – souls are at stake

James 3:1
We must be very careful what we teach
Teachers will be judged harsher

Because of their characteristics
Matthew 7:15
Deceitful
Ravening wolves

Acts 20:29
Grievous wolves
Unmerciful

2 Corinthians 11:13
Deceitful workers
They lie

Philippians 3:2
Evil workers
Dogs – Dogs in the east are mostly without masters; they wander at large in the streets and fields, and feed upon rubbish, and even upon corpses – they are considered unclean and contemptible

1 Timothy 6:5
Corrupt in mind
Void of truth

2 Peter 2:14
Misleaders of the unstable
Covetousness drives them

WHAT SHOULD OUR REACTION BE TOWARD FALSE TEACHERS?
1 John 4:1
We are to test every teaching
Check teaching with the word of God

Acts 20:31
Watch and remember warnings
Be alert to what’s going on in the church

Hebrews 13:9
Be careful not to be carried away
Stand your ground on the truth

2 John 10-11
Our association with the false teacher makes us a partaker of his evil
We are to have no fellowship with false teachers

Titus 3:10
To be rejected
A “heretic” is one who holds a fundamental error of doctrine

Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with them
Rebuke their error

Titus 1:13
Rebuke them sharply
Sharply = quickly and plainly

Titus 1:11
Stop their mouths
We cannot put up with false teaching *

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK AS WE DEAL WITH FALSE TEACHERS
Are we to be mean spirited as we confront the false teacher?
Ephesians 4:15
People do not care how much we know until they know how much we care *

Should we be quick to condemn?
2 Timothy 4:2
We should be patient, while not condoning error *

Are we to judge according to appearance, or hearsay?
John 7:24
Let us be sure we have evidence before we condemn.
If a little bird tells us something, be sure that the little bird is not a “cuckoo.” *

May we rebuke the false teacher without considering ourselves?
Galatians 6:1
Only hypocrites judge without considering themselves
Matthew 7:1-5 *

1. Should we run roughshod over those in error?
   Titus 3:2
   Would this not also include those in religious error? *

   Should we over look an error for fear of offending someone?
   Matthew 15:13-14
   It is better to hurt one’s feelings than to see that one spend an eternity separated from God. *

CONCLUSION
When we deal with false teachers our attitude toward them must consist of love, long-suffering, righteous judgment, self-examination, gentleness, and a heart free of prejudice

By having the proper attitude we may be able to get the false teacher to see the error of his way.

Remember, that which is false must be dealt with

Tom Moore
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com