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WARNINGS AND EXHORTATIONS

Introduction: What would you want or need to say if this was your last chance to address the brethren? Acts 20.17-28 was such an address. Paul wanted to warn them of the upcoming problems at Ephesus and encourage them while facing those trials. What are some warning sign and sources of encouragement for us today.

  1. I. WARNINGS
    1. a. The trend toward the social gospel continues to accelerate
    2. i. More and more churches are getting involved in the social gospel with kitchens, gyms, entertainments, etc.
    3. ii. We see denomination buying malls and converting them to "churches" complete with eating courts.
    4. iii. Some brethren are envious and are willing to go along for the sake of growth, John 6.26-27
    5. iv. Preaching about the soul, sin, heaven, and hell is not as popular or as positive as preaching about our physical lives.
    6. b. Brethren having a denominational attitude and outlook, 1 Corinthians 1.12-13
    7. i. It is possible to be a denominational "church of Christ"
    8. ii. See this with members leaving the church and joining a denominations
    9. iii. Members impressed by titles, the size of the building, what they offer, having the clergy/laity mentality, etc.
    10. iv. Some congregations are extending fellowship to all who believe in Jesus.
    11. c. The willingness to compromise with error for the sake of unity (Story of the bear and the hunter)
    12. i. Some have quit looking to the Bible for authority and are looking at popular opinion, Acts 17.11
    13. ii. People lining up behind men instead of Christ
    14. iii. Political correctness has come into the church with brethren not wanting any confrontation, or disputes, to the point of not standing up for the truth
    15. d. Apathy, some brethren are not doing anything
    16. i. "Somebody do something"
    17. ii. Congregations are dying, many are smaller, a generation of children have not been converted, poor attendance at gospel meetings, little interest in Bible studies, etc.
    18. iii. Conservative has been defined to mean to not do anything
    19. 1. Describe the 12th street congregation in Bowling Green
    20. 2. Just as some will go to institutional churches for the wrong reasons, so will some go to conservative congregations for the wrong reasons
    21. 3. Resulting in little evangelism, planning, classes, and a lost generation

 

      1. a. Are you involved in the work here or are you a bystander?
      2. b. When was the last time you did something?
      3. e. Ignorance, 2 Timothy 2.15
      4. i. We are to be a people of the book
      5. ii. Many are ignorant of what the Bible teaches, reading too many denominational books, going by traditions instead of the Bible
  1. II. SIGNS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
    1. a. Truly converted and convicted brethren, John 16.8,9
    2. i. The number may be small but they can have a great effect, 2 Timothy 2.19
    3. ii. Young people with zeal and enthusiasm, older brethren with knowledge, working together
    4. b. The ability of brethren
    5. i. There are many good gospel preachers, teachers, and those with various abilities
    6. ii. Financial resources to do good
    7. iii. Buildings in good locations
    8. c. Brethren that are concerned about the souls of others
    9. i. Teachers making the effort to teach and lead others to Christ
    10. ii. Young families trying to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
    11. d. The Truth
    12. i. If we have the truth and defend it, the truth will win out

Conclusion: The race has not been finished, we are still on the playing field and can be victorious as long as we run with endurance the race that is set before us, 1 Corinthians 15.58

D.T. @ Westside 08.20.06

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