Current Digression in the Church -
and the Answer

INTRO: Digression and apostasy has always been a fact.

1. The world in the days of Noah - Gen. 6
2. Israel - the Book of Judges
3. The New Testament - Acts 20:28-30; II Thess. 2; I Tim. 4:1-5; II Tim. 4:1-5

I. What we are now hearing:

A. "Must abandon logic and reason."

Ans: I Thess. 5:21

B. "The New Testament is not a pattern."

Ans: II Tim. 1:13; 2:2

C. "Truth is relative, existential and tentative."

Ans: Jn. 8:32; I Jn. 3:19; II Jn. 2,4

D. "All grace and no law."

Ans: Rom. 8:2; I Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2; Jas. 1:22-25

II. What is the solution to the current digression?

Ans: Must return to the Bible and recognize it as complete and authoritative.

A. The Bible is of divine origin. Gal. 1:11; II Pet. 1:21; II Tim. 3:16-17

B. The Bible is authoritative in nature. I Thess. 2:13; 5:27; II Thess. 2:15; 3:14; I Pet. 4:11; I Cor. 14:37; Col. 3:17; Jn. 12:48; II Jn. 9-11

C. The Bible is clear in requirement. Eph. 3:3-5, 5:17

1. How to be saved
2. How to maintain fellowship with God and each other
3. How to prepare for judgment

D. The Bible is permanent in duration. Mt. 24:35; II Jn. 2; I Pet. 1:22-25; Gal. 1:6-9; Psa. 100:5, 119:89

Conclusion:

The trouble in the church today is caused by the brethren who have abandoned the above principles. Trouble is caused by perversion of truth, not by standing for the truth.