What Is A Reprobate?

Temple Baptist Church - 11-30-2014

Titus 1:15-16

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The verses that precede our text for tonight give a vivid description to the apostates and false teachers that continually permeated many local churches.  I use the term “false teachers” instead of “false prophets” because our problem in fundamental churches is more of a teaching problem.

 

1.  They permeate local churches because of willfully disobedient “pastors.”  I place the word “pastors” in parenthesis because they are not biblical pastors.  These men will not teach bible doctrine line upon line and precept upon precept for fear of losing their “jobs” and, therefore, their salaries!  A pastor’s first responsibility is to God and His Word, then to the flock.

 

1 Peter 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

 

Ezekiel 34:2  Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

 

2.  They permeate local churches because of willfully disobedient church members.  They are much of the problem because they reject sound doctrine and heap to themselves teachers having itching ears.

 

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

Psalms 1:1-2  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

 

Jeremiah 5:30-31  A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;  (31)  The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

 

B.  These last verses show the spiritual condition of the apostate or false teacher.  The Holy Ghost uses the word “reprobate.”  For the “Greek Scholars” who man critique this message, the Greek word is “ἀδόκιμος.”  The Greek word was accurately translated and means to be rejected or unapproved. 

 

1.  To the reprobate, nothing is pure!  They will attack God’s Word, God’s Son, the blood of Christ, the gospel, God’s local church, God’s people, and God’s men!  God’s people are just that, people, but there are some things that we hold dear; there are some things that we hold as sacred; there are some things that are off limits for debate!

 

2.  The conscience of the reprobate is defiled!  God gave to every man a conscience based upon the laws of God written inherently in the hearts of mankind.  Defiled means corrupted.

 

1 Timothy 4:1-2  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  (2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

 

3.  The profession of the reprobate is false!  These are not people who were once saved and are now lost.  These are false professors who have no salvation’s possession.

 

2 Peter 2:19-22  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  (20)  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  (21)  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.  (22)  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

 

Matthew 7:21-23  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

4.  The works of the reprobate are wicked and knowable!  God’s children have the Holy Ghost as well as the Word of God and should have no problem recognizing these false brethren.  Under the leadership of these men, does the church become godlier or worldlier?  They lead the local churches in the wrong direction: away from God and toward the world.

 

Matthew 7:15-18  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

 

5.  The reprobate is an abomination before the Lord!  The word “abomination” is a strong word that needs a little explanation.  It means abhorrence or morally disgusting.  I guess the best way to explain the word is found in Romans 1:

 

Romans 1:27-28  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  (28)  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

 

6.  The reprobate is eternally lost!

 

1 Corinthians 16:22  If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.  (Anathema – accursed!  We also use the word “excommunicated” which means expelled and barred.  Maranatha - an exclamation of the approaching divine judgment.)