Presented by Chris Reeves * South Livingston Church of Christ Gospel Meeting * February 21, 2004

Five New Testament Passages Revisited

We Must Put Ourselves in Remembrance

The importance of remembrance (2 Pet. 1:12-15; 3:1; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2,14)

Why is it good to be put in remembrance?• Some have never heard what they should know

(Judges 2:10; Isa. 5:13; Hos. 4:6)• Some later forget or reject that which they now know

(2 Thess. 2:10; 1 Tim. 4:1ff; 2 Tim. 3:7-8)• Some change basic Bible teaching that God wants us

to know (Isaiah 5:20; 2 Tim. 3:13)

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit John 8:32

“Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit John 8:32• Some say we cannot know the truth

on such doctrines as creation, the flood, divorce, modesty, eternal hell, the serpent, etc.

• This idea comes from those who spend more time reading uninspired writers than the Bible. It comes from those who do not want to take a definitive stand for truth.

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit John 8:32• The New Testament teaches that we

must hear, know, believe and obey the truth (Lk. 1:4; 1 Cor. 2:12; 2 Cor. 1:13; Eph.3:4; 1 Tim.3:15; 4:3; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet.1:12; 1 Jn.2:21; 4:6)

• We cannot understand God’s truth if we do not study it (2 Tim. 2:15), love it (2 Thess. 2:10), or refuse it (2 Pet. 3:15).

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit Acts 20:20,27

“…how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable …For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.”

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit Acts 20:20,27• Some live by the “PMA” or “PPP”

approach; “accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative;” avoid preaching against denominations or false teachers.

• The Bible teaches that we must preach the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (Jer. 26:2; 42:4; Jonah 3:2; 2 Tim.4:2-4).

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit Jude 3

“…I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.”

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit Jude 3• Some say that there is too

much controversy, fussing, fighting and debating going on today.

• Many brethren offer their “insights” and “possibilities” about religious matters, but do not contend for the faith.

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit Jude 3• The New Testament teaches

that we must contend earnestly for the faith (Phil.1:16,27; 1 Tim.6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7; Gal. 2:11-14; Eph. 6:10ff; see Ezek. 3:16ff; Isa. 56:10-11).

• There is no place in the Lord’s army for the spiritual pacifist or conscientious objector.

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit 2 John 9-11

“Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.”

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit 2 John 9-11• Some say that we can fellowship

one who teaches error, as long as we don’t fellowship his teaching or those affected by it; thus, promoting unity-in-diversity.

• The New Testament teaches that we must not fellowship false teachers, false teaching or those so taught (Eph.5:11; Rev.2:14-24).

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit Romans 12:2

“And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit Romans 12:2• Problems over doctrine and

discipline in the church today come from church members wanting to be like the world.

• Some brethren want to be just like the worldly denominations. Others want to live just like worldly sinners.

Five NT Passages Revisited

It’s Time to Revisit Romans 12:2• The New Testament teaches that

we must not love the world (Mt.13:22; Jn.15:19; 17:14-19; 2 Tim.4:10; Tit. 2:11-14; 1 Pet.1:14; 2:11; 1 Jn.2:15-17).

Challenges Facing the Lord’s Church Today

Some brethren have a problem with…

Uncertainty Popularity Passivity Diversity Identity

But, the Lord wants us to have…

Certainty (Jn. 8:32) Clarity (Ac. 20:20,27) Militancy (Jude 3) Unity (2 Jn. 9-11) Purity (Rom. 12:2)