Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing

Temple Baptist Church - 3-8-2015

Titus 3:9-11

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As we come to the end of the Book of Titus, the last of the three Pastoral Epistles written by the Apostle Paul, he admonishes a young pastor to “keep the main thing the main thing.”  Paul admonished Timothy to preach the Word.  We are to teach and preach the Word! 

 

B.  Paul sets forth two areas that we need to keep a “spiritual eye” on.

 

 

C.  Now, let us look at the final admonition given to Titus by the great apostle.

 

1.  Foolish things to avoid.  Vs 9  Preach what we know and not what we thing!  In these verses, we find the reality—as we do a good work—of losing our biblical perspective.  The most important tool that we hold in our hand is the Word of God which brings about doctrinal purity when rightly divided.  But, you can go to the right church, carry the right bible, have the heart of a soul winner, and drift into doctrinal heresy.  Speculation is dangerous.  Foolish questions are questions that have no clear biblical answer.  2 Timothy 2:23  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

 

a.  For years, we have heard their “theories,” which are actually “hypotheses,” on a so-called gap in Genesis 1:1-2 and the sons of God in Genesis 6 being fallen angels who took women and had children which had to be half human and half angel.  These are only speculation and can both be easily disproved with scripture.  Stay away from hypotheses!

 

b.  Endless genealogies that gender questions.  1 Timothy 1:3-4  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,  (4)  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

 

c.  Contentions.  James 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  (We are family!  As far as I can discern, the enemy is still Satan!)

 

d.  Strivings about the law.  John 1:16-17  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  (17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  (Do’s and Don’ts.  We are not under law but under the grace of God and your relationship with God is between you and Him.)

 

Romans 14:7-14  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.  (8)  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  (9)  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.  (10)  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  (11)  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  (12)  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.  (13)  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.  (14)  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

 

2.  Fearful things to reject.  Vs 10-11  Paul deals with the reality of heretics within the church.  Guard against the infiltration of false teachers who bring in false doctrines. 

 

Acts 20:28-31  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  (31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

 

a.  The infiltration of liberalism. 

 

1)  The presence of liberalism has brought about much doctrinal confusion in the fundamental ranks.  For too long, pastors and churches have put up with the subtle encroachment upon the doctrines of our faith by allowing false teachers and preachers to go unchecked.  Many of these apostates were men who once stood with us but now have changed their doctrine.  There is a rule that generally holds true:  fundamentalists separate while liberals infiltrate.  Let me explain this statement which, by the way, is mine as far as I know.  Fundamental bible believers will not set under unsound or heretical doctrine. 

 

2)  I am not preaching about the “crossing of the t’s and doting of the I’s.”  I am talking about major doctrinal error such as not standing for God’s Word (this is to reject all other “bibles” other than the King James and refusing to work with those who carry one but deny its infallibility and perfection), those who are off on the cardinal doctrines concerning Christ, the blood, the finished work of Calvary, the bodily resurrection of our Lord, etc.  At this point, all I can say is like it or leave!  This is who we are and this is what we believe.  The bible and doctrinal truth are not negotiable!  Those who do not hold to this truth will find no soft pew to sit upon at Temple Baptist Church!

 

b.  The political correctness of not exposing liberalism.  Naming apostates or separating from liberalism has become unpopular because those who do have been maligned for being too narrow minded.  When it comes to doctrinal truth, we are to be so narrow minded that a gnat can light on the bridge of our nose and kick out both eyeballs at the same time.  We are not to allow such men to come and fill our pulpits!  We are not to support missionaries who do not hold to this blessed old bible that I hold in my hand.  The “sword of division” in the area of doctrine is one of divine approval.

 

c.  Heretic: one who teaches something that is contrary, in opposition to, or contradicts the Word of God.  Schools, Bible Colleges, and Universities are becoming more and more liberal in their theology.  There are few Bible Colleges or Universities that still stand strong on the Word of God.  Some may teach from the King James Bible because of the fear of losing students if they leave the King James Bible but they deny that it is the only English bible and therefore, the infallibility of it. 

 

d.  We are to maintain and earnestly contend for the faith once delivered!  Those who leave the doctrines of the faith are subverted.  This means to turn around or to be converted.  You do not disbelieve the bible by studying the bible.  It screams of inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility.  You become liberal by listening to liberals!  We are to reject heretics!