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Dangers Facing The Church

Dangers Facing The Church. Introduction. Legalism ? Liberalism False Doctrine Emotionalism Materialism Worldliness Apathy. The church has always faced danger!. Dangers Facing The Church. Introduction.

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Dangers Facing The Church

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  1. W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  2. Dangers Facing The Church Introduction • Legalism ? • Liberalism • False Doctrine • Emotionalism • Materialism • Worldliness • Apathy The church has always faced danger! W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  3. Dangers Facing The Church Introduction • 1 : a theory that everything can be explained as being or coming from matter • 2 : a preoccupation with material rather than intellectual or spiritual things — (c)2000 Zane Publishing, Inc. and Merriam-Webster, • Truly - a fundamental subject – Mat. 6:24 MATERIALISM W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  4. Dangers Facing The Church Clarifying The Nature of The Problem • To warn against the sin of materialism is not to advocate a “theology of poverty.” – Col. 2:23; 1 Tim. 6:17; 3 John 1:2 • God is indifferent regarding the amount of money one has – Gen. 13:2; Job 34:19 • The real issue is “The Attitude” one has toward things! - Mark 10:23-27 NO Inherent Virtue in Being Poor or Wealthy – Prov. 13:7; 19:1; 30:8-9 W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  5. Dangers Facing The Church Clarifying The Nature of The Problem • Matthew 6:24 – “You cannot serve God and Mammon.”  • Luke 8:14 - The word can be choked with the “cares, riches and pleasures of life” • Luke 12:13-21 – Parable of the rich fool. • Colossians 3:5 – Covetousness, is idolatry. (Eph 5:3,5) • 1 Timothy 6:9-10 – The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.  (VS. 17) Scriptures That Help Identify & Define Materialism W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  6. Dangers Facing The Church How Does One Become Materialistic? • Discontentment – When we are unhappy with what we have – we “think” that more stuff or different stuff will make us happy. (Phili. 4:11,12; Heb. 13:5)  • Selfishness - We are living in the “me” generation. (2 Tim. 3:1,2; Eph. 4:28) • Greed – Never having enough – (1Tim. 6:10; 2 Pet. 2:14,15). • Lack of self-control – our “buy now, pay later” mentality can get us into a lot of trouble! (Rom. 13:8) What Is The ATTITUDE We Have Toward Things? W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  7. Dangers Facing The Church The Effects of Materialism: Materialism CAN be an addiction? How The Pursuit of Material Gain Can Hurt Us • Primary focus & absorbs our attention • Temporarily eradicates dissatisfaction • Provides sense of self worth, power, security, accomplishment - • Exacerbates the problem it is sought to remedy • Worsens functioning, creates loss of relationships. W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  8. Dangers Facing The Church The Effects of Materialism: • Our Character – Breeds discontentment, unbelief, anxiety, envy, jealousy, covetousness, lying, stealing, murder, injustice, sexual immorality,. . . etc. (Prov. 22:1; 1 Tim. 6:10)  • Our Relationships – Parents, children, spouse, relatives, friends, associates, brethren, & God. (Gen. 13:10,11; Col. 3:18-4:1) • Our Spiritual Growth – Hindered, stunted, dead . . . (Luke 8:14; 2 Pet. 1:5-10). • The Local Church – Teachers, preachers, evangelism, edification, growth, contributions, time & effort, etc. . . . (Amos 6:3-8; Eph. 4:16) How The Pursuit of Material Gain Can Hurt Us W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  9. Dangers Facing The Church What Should We Do? • Realize & recognize the danger. (Mat. 19:23,24; Luke 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:10) • Learn contentment. (Phili 4:11; 1 Tim. 6:6-8; Heb. 13:5) • Use what we have for the Lord. (Acts 20:35; 1 Tim 6:17-19) • With every opportunity of advancement, think first about the spiritual ramifications. – (Gen. 13:10-13; Ep. 4:28; 1 Tim. 6:17) W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  10. Dangers Facing The Church Conclusion Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV) [19] "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  11. Dangers Facing The Church Conclusion Matthew 16:26 (NKJV) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  12. Dangers Facing The Church Conclusion • Legalism ? • Liberalism • False Doctrine • Emotionalism • Materialism • Worldliness • Apathy Truly The Church Faces Many Dangers! W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

  13. W. 65th St church of Christ - 5/29/2005

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