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Maintaining BALANCE In Times of Controversy

Maintaining BALANCE In Times of Controversy. Phil. 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. [By Ron Halbrook]. Maintaining BALANCE. Introduction : 1. Phil. 4:5 Mature, Well-balanced Attitude

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Maintaining BALANCE In Times of Controversy

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  1. MaintainingBALANCEIn Times of Controversy Phil. 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. [By Ron Halbrook]

  2. Maintaining BALANCE Introduction: 1. Phil. 4:5 Mature, Well-balanced Attitude • “Moderation:” Noble Generosity & Gentleness, Forbearance & Fairness, Reasonable & Patient • “Graciousness with Strength & Poise of Character ….Opposite of Obstinacy” (A.T. Robertson, Paul’s Joy in Christ, p. 129) • Not Overreact, Not Thrown Off Balance • “Unto All Men:” Poise, Patience in All Cases • Secured by Focus on Christ’s Presence & Promise, Not on Earthly Conditions!

  3. Maintaining BALANCE Introduction: 2. Phil. 1:9-11 Pray for Maturity, Balance • Grow in Love • Grow in Knowledge • Grow in Judgment, Discernment: • “Selects, classifies, & applies” (Vincent, Word Studies in N.T., 871) • “Proper sense of the relative value of things” (Weaver, Philippians, 24) • Approve Things Excellent, Distinguish Things that Differ, Have a Sense of What Is Vital • “See what things are relatively…most important & …put the emphasis in the right place” (Robertson, Paul’s Joy in Christ, 38) • Act in View of “the Day of Christ”

  4. Maintaining BALANCE I. Eccl. 7:15-18 Balance: Avoid Extreme Attitudes A. Vs. 15 Can’t Solve Every Question, Enigma, & Difficulty B. Vs. 16 Arbiter of All Such Matters: Exaggerated Righteousness C. Vs. 17 Opposite Extreme: Use Enigmas as Excuse for Willful Sin D. Vs. 18 True Faith: Focus on Revealed Truth & Duty, Avoid Extremes

  5. Maintaining BALANCE II. Matt. 7:1-5, 13-15 Balance in Recognizing Sin in People’s Lives A. Vv. 1-5 Hypocritical Judging • Overly Scrupulous in Charging Others with Sin • Excuse One’s Own Sins B. Vv. 13-15 Proper, Essential Judging • Broad Way of Sin, Narrow Way of Truth • Repent of Sin • Distinguish Truth from Error C. Maintain Balance: Proper Judging Without Hypocritical Judging

  6. Maintaining BALANCE III. Matt. 10:16, 27 Balance in Facing Bitter Enemies of Gospel A. Wolves: Pervert Truth, Attack Messenger B. Vs. 16, 27 Bold, Careful in Proclaiming Truth • Wise: Careful, Cautious, Measured • Harmless: Open, Sincere, No Guile or Deceit C. Under Bitter Attack: Danger of Reckless Overreaction

  7. Maintaining BALANCE IV. Rom. 14:1-3; 16:17-18 Balance: Distinguish Personal Scruples & Doctrinal Apostasy A. 14:1-3 Accept Each Other with Personal Scruples • Grow: Distinguish Revealed Doctrine from Personal Conclusions & Judgments B. 16:17-18 Reject Men Who Promote Apostasy • Press False Doctrine: Cause Division • Outward Piety, Smooth Speeches: Cloak Error C. Balance: Distinguish Scruples & Apostasy • Danger: Press Scruple—Friction, Bitterness, Faction • Danger: Compromise with Error—Apostasy • Avoid Dangers: Saints Grow, Gospel Spreads

  8. Maintaining BALANCE V. Gal. 1:8-9; 2:11; 5:15 Balance: Defend Truth Without Stooping to Error’s Tactics A. 1:8-9 Reject Those Who Pervert Gospel B. 2:11 Peter’s Compromise Openly Rebuked C. 5:15 Defend Truth, Fight Error, Not Stoop to Error’s Tactics • Paul Direct, Forceful (1:7-8; 2:11, 13; 3:1; 4:30; 5:1, 7, 9, 12) • False Teacher: Bitter, Personal Attack • Uphold Truth: Courtesy, Dignity, Focus on Bible, Refute False Doctrine • Temptation: Retaliate in Like Kind

  9. Maintaining BALANCE VI. Eph. 4:1-6, 14-15, 31-32 Balance: Teach the Truth in Love A. Vv. 1-6 Proper Attitude With Sound Doctrine • Lowly, Meek, Patient, Love, Unity, Peace • Solid Foundation of Sound Doctrine B. Vv. 14-15 Reject False Doctrine & Tactics, Speak Truth in Love, Grow in Christ C. Vv. 31-32 Seek to Save Not Destroy Those Who Wrong Us D. Controversy: Test Commitment to Truth, Sincerity of Love

  10. Maintaining BALANCE VII. Phil. 1:15-18 Balance in Putting the Cause of Christ Above Self A. Some Preachers: Selfish Spirit of Competition, Seek Personal Advantage, Promote Self • Preach Christ, Compete with Paul B. Other Preachers: Unselfish Spirit of Goodwill, Love, Promote Only the Gospel • Set to Defend Gospel at All Costs • No Bitterness toward Critics C. Balance: Always Put Cause of Christ Above Self • Defend Truth, Not Promote Self, in Time of Controversy • Some Preachers: Teach Truth, Unfairly Criticize Us • Not Retaliate—Put Cause of Christ Above Self

  11. Maintaining BALANCE VIII. Col. 4:2-6 Balance in Content & Tone of Teaching A. Vv. 2-4 Seeks Open Doors to Preach Plainly, Fully B. Vv. 5-6 Show Wisdom in Life & Teaching • Godly Life Opens Doors to Teach • Wise in Tone & Tenor • With Grace: Kind, Courteous, Dignified • Wisdom to Answer Every Man C. Test in Controversy: Balance Content & Tone • Content: Pervert Truth, Modify Truth, Misuse Truth • Tone: Explosive Anger, Arrogance, Bitterness • Proper Balance: Advance Cause of Christ

  12. Maintaining BALANCE IX. 2 Pet. 1:12, 5; 2:1 Balance in Grasp of Truth & Room to Grow in the Truth A. 1:12 Truth Firmly Established in Heart & Life B. 1:5 Grow in Knowledge: Lifelong Process • Practical Knowledge, Discretion in Applying Truth • “A practical knowledge that admits of expansion” (Hiebert, Second Peter & Jude, 53) C. 2:1 False Teachers Replace Truth with Heresies • Cannot Promote Growth in Applying Truth • Heresies Lead to Apostasy, Corrupt More & More as Outlined in 2 Pet. 2-3 D. Grasp Truth, Grow: NOT Same As Deny, Apostasy E. Challenge: Discern Heresy, Corrupting Process VS. Established in Truth, Normal Growth Process

  13. Maintaining BALANCE X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies A. Many Examples of Apostate Movements • Patterns in Cycles of Apostasy • Unchanging Principles of Truth • Remnant Established in Truth, Resists Apostasy • Growing in Knowledge • Make Judgments in Applying Truth • Areas of Personal Conscience, Scruples • Apostasy: Subtle Steps, Corrupt More & More • Compromise: Not Embrace, Not Openly Fight • Overreaction: Bind Areas of Growth, Scruple—Press to Point of Division • Latter Factions Later Embrace Ultra-liberalism

  14. 2. APOSTASY 3. COMPROMISE • PRINCIPLES • OF TRUTH Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples 4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION: Bind, Press Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To Point of Division

  15. Maintaining BALANCE X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies B. Many Examples of Scruples & Differences Among Brethren Grasping & Growing in Truth C. Man to Lead in Work of Church • Several Views of Veil in 1 Cor. 11 • Several Views of Silence in 1 Cor. 14:34-35 As Relates to Bible Classes • All Affirm Principle of Male Leadership, Differ in Some Details of Application • Discussed Many Years—No Apostate Movement Corrupting More & More • Study Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions

  16. Maintaining BALANCE X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies D. Controversies & Divisions 1850-1930 • Missionary Society (1849), Instrumental Music (1851)—Cycle of Apostasy—Corrupted More & More (1875-1900) • Remnant Established in Truth, Resisted Apostasy • Compromise: Accept Society, Reject Instrument, Fellowship Error • Overreaction (1900-30)

  17. Maintaining BALANCE X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies D. Controversies & Divisions 1850-1930 • Overreaction (1900-30): • One Cup • No Divided Bible Classes • No Located Preacher • No Bible Study Literature in Work of Church • No Bible College • Specific Order of Worship

  18. Maintaining BALANCE X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies D. Controversies & Divisions 1850-1930 • Overreaction (1900-30): • Daniel Sommer (1850-1940) Factional on No Located Preacher, No Bible College • Sommer: Strong Influence on Carl Ketcherside (1908-89) • Such Issues Not Divide As Matters of Growth, Judgment, & Personal Scruple • Sommer’s Later Years Reflect Phil. 1:9-11; 4:5

  19. Maintaining BALANCE • Overreaction (1900-30): • Sommer’s Later Years Reflect Phil. 1:9-11; 4:5 • His Family Published American Christian Review—He Endorsed “Can’t We Agree on Something?” • Ketcherside: Pressed to Point of Division • Many in Factions Formed 1900-30 Went into Ultra-liberalism From 1960’s to Present • Brethren united on “THE NEW TESTAMENT PLAN” • must leave room for individual judgments on such issues. • “This…is written in behalf of the thousands who desire • to reach that Better Land, and who never will know, and • never can understand, ‘the finer points’ in our arguments for • and against some things that have disrupted us” (6-21-32).

  20. 2. APOSTASY 3. COMPROMISE • PRINCIPLES • OF TRUTH Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples 4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION: Bind, Press Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To Point of Division

  21. Maintaining BALANCE X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies E. Controversies & Divisions Over Institutionalism – Liberalism (1945-2000) • Another Cycle of Apostasy • Church Donations to Human Institutions • Centralize Church Work thru Sponsoring Church • Church Give Benevolence to Alien Sinners • Church Provide Social & Recreational Activities • Corrupted More & More (1970-2000) • Remnant Established in Truth, Resisted Apostasy • Compromise: Church Donation to Orphanage Not College, to Certain Kinds of Orphanages, Fellowship Error • Danger of Overreaction: Bind Areas of Growth, Scruple—Press to Point of Division

  22. Maintaining BALANCE • Danger of Overreaction: Some Bind & Press, But Generally Not to Point of Division • No Bible College • No Akin Fund • No Foundation to Publish Bible Study Materials • Several Views Contra Typical P.M. Lord’s Supper • No Funerals in Church Building • No Weddings in Church Building • No Church Songbooks for Home Singing • Long-term Issues: Oaths, War, Vote, Veil, Etc. • Such Issues Not Divide As Matters of Growth, Judgment, & Personal Scruple • Discuss Many Years—No Apostate Movement Corrupting More & More • Study Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions

  23. 2. APOSTASY 3. COMPROMISE • PRINCIPLES • OF TRUTH Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples 4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION: Bind, Press Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To Point of Division

  24. Maintaining BALANCE X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship, & Other Issues 1988-Present • Another Cycle of Apostasy: • H. Hailey: Deny Christ’s Marriage Law Applies to All • J. Freeman: Divorced Fornicator Marry New Mate • J. Puterbaugh: All Divorced People Marry New Mate • Deny Creation in Six Literal Days • Doubt Literal Serpent in Gen. 3 • Doubt Universal Flood in Gen. 6-9 • Deny Eternal Torment in Hell

  25. Maintaining BALANCE X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship, & Other Issues 1988-Present • Another Cycle of Apostasy • Remnant Established in Truth, Resisting Apostasy • Compromise: Unity-in-diversity “tolerates contradictory teachings & practices on important moral & doctrinal questions” (E. Harrell, Christianity Magazine, May 1990) • Danger of Overreaction: Bind, Areas of Growth, Scruple—Press to Point of Division

  26. Maintaining BALANCE X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship, & Other Issues 1988-Present • Danger of Overreaction: Bind Areas of Growth, Scruple—Press to Point of Division • No Divorce for Any Cause • No Divorce Unless Witnesses to Fornication • Innocent Mate Must Initiate Civil Divorce • Innocent Mate Must Counter-sue if Guilty Sues • Cannot Reconcile After Divorce for Fornication • Divorced Fornicator Not Remarry After 1st Mate Dies • If Prospective Fornicator Gets Divorce Paper & Then Commits Adultery, Faithful Mate Not Remarry (Mostly Theoretical!)

  27. Maintaining BALANCE X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship, & Other Issues 1988-Present • Danger of Overreaction: Bind Areas of Growth, Scruple—Press to Point of Division • No Division If Study Such Issues As Matters of Growth, Judgment, & Personal Scruple • Discuss Many Years—No Apostate Movement Corrupting More & More • Study Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions • W. Warnock-J. Deason, Searching the Scriptures, Nov. 1985 & Mar. 1986, Not Press View to Division • Some Friction, Declare War, Obsessed, Debate, Cancel Meetings, Press to Divide (1,000 Splinters!?)

  28. 2. APOSTASY 3. COMPROMISE • PRINCIPLES • OF TRUTH Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples 4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION: Bind, Press Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To Point of Division

  29. Maintaining BALANCE Conclusion: 1. Phil. 1:9-11; 4:5 Pray as Paul: Spiritual Growth, Maturity, Well-balanced Attitude • Grow in Love, Knowledge, Discernment • “See what things are relatively…most important & …put the emphasis in the right place” (Robertson, Paul’s Joy in Christ, 38) • “Moderation:” Noble Generosity & Gentleness, Forbearance & Fairness, Reasonable & Patient • Not Overreact, Not Thrown Off Balance • “Unto All Men:” Poise, Patience in All Cases • Act in View of Christ’s Presence & Promise— Avoid Stumblingblocks, Abound in Righteousness 2. Matt. 11:27-30; Mk. 16:16 Christ Calls All Lost

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