Hindrances to Sound Christian Faith

Thank you all for coming out tonight we are going through the book of Titus this Sunday and the next Sunday morning and evening.

Pastor Eric preached on Ward charge needs godly leaders from Titus chapter 1 verses 1 to 9. We looked at the qualifications of elders and left a diverse niacin that mandates elders to hoard form to the trustworthy word as taught to be able to teach sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it. Tonight we are going going to look at why the apostle Paul instructed Titus that there must be strong leaders in the church who can teach sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it. Why because there are serious hindrances to the growth of the church and for the sound faith of Christian life.

The church was instituted by the Lord, for the equipping of the members to grow into the maturity of Christ. Now there are many in this world that there are many who see church has some sort of club that offers exciting programs that by participating in them. One might feel good about themselves. There are many who teach that who espouse that there are others who cheat who see church as a sort of therapy session that you need to attend once in a week to get that emotional fuel tanks filled for the week but is that why the Lord established his church. Now these are the false views of war to the purpose of the church is the purpose of the church of Jesus Christ is to uphold Lord, the truth that is found in Scripture, and we read that in first Timothy chapter 3 verses 15 and for the maturing of believers in Christ, making them more and more like Christ. The Holy Spirit does that work in us as we preach and teach sound doctrine attaining the maturity of Christ to producing of godliness so that we can be holy as he is holy. Now there are serious hindrances to that growth. There are serious hindrances to sound Christian faith. I have nay I have titled this message, hindrances to sound Christian faith by Christian faith. I am referring to the believers set of beliefs, a particular believer, yours and mine set of beliefs, a sound Christian faith is one which is based on the word of God. The truth of the word of God. A sound Christian faith is that which produces godliness. If either of them are not right or the answer is no, for either one of them than we should be concerned that we don't have sound Christian faith. Now look at verses. I look at Titus chapter 1 verses one Paul, a servant of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of truth which accords with godliness.

This is Titus chapter 1 verses one of faith that is based on the truth of Scripture of faith that produces godliness. Not tonight.

We have a look at from verses 10 to 16 of chapter 1 of the book of Titus. If you have the bar with you have your Bibles.

Please open to the book of Titus chapter 1 verses 10 to 16. If you don't have one with you. There is a Bible in the front pew in front of you now. I believe Titus chapter 1 verses 10 to 16 teaches three hindrances to sound Christian faith. First, the presence of many false teachers. Second, the possibility of believers to be deceived by these false teachers and to turn away from the truth of Scripture, and number three the great problem of superficial Christianity that we got a look at these verses.

Now we left adverse niacin on the Chapman Titus chapter 1 verses nine he must talking about the elders he must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instructions in sound doctrine. Also to rebuke those who contradict contradict it. Why verse 10 for there are many who are in subordinate empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.

There are many false teachers. Apostle Paul says as he greets was an overtly pagan and morally bankrupt island. So much so that their own profit/poet/writer says Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons out that all people their own profit says that according to a New Testament scholar. It seems like Cretans were religious liars. It seems that they had an annual festival where they went forcefully for a dead God they can find a grave for a dead God. I think it was Zeus and they consigned a grave annually and them for that and the second half of the festival.

They compensated that excess drinking enjoyment of food and all the indulgences that they can get and app amenities who are from home.

The court is taken. He says there is no religious value for these kind of festivals. There is no use of these people doing these things.

It is what this they are lying to themselves. Cretans are religious liars that this is the sort of place where the gospel went and Pastor Eric talked about that this morning and the gospel changes these people, by the grace of God. The gospel was preached in Crete.

Many come to Christ church was established. There were many home churches house churches that met in our various homes. The church started all very well but soon it was riddled with false teachers who followed the culture listening to the culture becoming like the culture and they were in leading this church at Crete back into the pagan culture rather than toward God in godliness. There were many false teachers. Apostle Paul warns the elders at Ephesus in acts chapter 20 and verses 29. This is acts chapter 20 verses 29. I know that after my departure.

This is apostle Paul speaking fearless rules will come in among you, not sparing the flock, and this is disturbing, and from among your own sense will arise. Men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them you see the seriousness. There are many false teachers that we are not told in the book of Titus. What these teachers are teaching specifically but we are given a profile of these false teachers look at how he describes them.

They are for.

There are many, this is versus 10 Titus chapter 1 verses 10 for there are many who are in subordinate empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party in subordinate. These are the ones who have no regard for the authority of the apostolic teaching which is God installed authority by the way, and they have no regard for the authority of the word of God. They do not surrender themselves to the authority of the word of God, nor do they teach that way because they can consider that they don't have any regard for the authority of the word of God the depths teaching has no substance is MT the empty talkers. They do not teach the whole counsel of God might be able to excite people.

They might be able to elicit an emotional response, or even be able to persuade people to do certain things because there were very good in their oratory skills but they cannot. Their teaching cannot and will not produce godliness no effect.

No intended effect, empty talkers, hence they are deceiving themselves and their deceiving their hearers their audience and then the next group of, especially those who are out of the circumcision party. These are the ethnic Jews who emphasize keeping of the law for salvation, especially circumcision. These are the legalists who have no concern for the grace of God or the of the work that was completed on the cross by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and they teach that one must follow the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament and other things that you need to add to the cross of Jesus Christ to attain salvation and to remember in the book of Hebrews, what can please God. Faith is by faith that we please God, but these people keep adding to the cross, the grace is a man centric gospel you have to do certain things. This is a false gospel. What is the true gospel of the true gospel is that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone and the true gospel listen to this carefully. The true gospel always transforms us adults, but look at what they are doing to the church and this is this is fascinating to be looking versus 11. They must be silenced since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain war date marked not to teach. They are upsetting whole families now for families may refer to the home churches, the church is that met in homes or it may be referent to family units. The entire family unit is been turned away from the truth by these false teachers.

It seems that instead of the church.

Crete being transformed through the teaching of sound doctrine that produces godliness. They were following these false teachers and they are becoming like the culture. Look at verses 12 and 13, one of the Cretans, a prophet of their own said Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons look at what Paul says after that.

This testimony is true regarding these people instead of the church at Crete, shining the transformational light that comes from the gospel through the gospel and the teaching and obedience of the sound doctrine that light has become so damn that one could not recognize the difference between the church and the culture the church has become like the culture.

This testimony is true regarding them.

Does that sound familiar, it does sound familiar to me. Isn't that the problem that we have today that many churches following their false teachers who are in subordinate to the word of God. They don't teach the Bible at all. The don't and I have become empty talkers and the godliness that is produced through the teaching and obedience of the sound doctrine is largely absent in these churches and being deceived by these false teachers.

They have become so much like the word and the church has lost its credibility in the eyes of the word. We have so many of them don't we know why are they doing this. Look at versus 11 again.

They must be silenced since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain war they ought not to teach for shameful gain. They are these false teachers are asked apostle Paul described peddlers of God's word. Second Corinthians chapter 2 verses 17 using the Bible using Christianity for financial for personal and for reputational purposes. Peddlers of God's word. All we have many of them today. What they do is they proof text biblical verses to promote their agenda. Many of them they worn money from their followers so that they can buy their private jets, which is kind of what everybody's going for and also that huge mansions and their extravagant living start living style and all that which comes along with it. Many of them many others of them.

They want a huge following so that they can grow their church. This especially sale data books to make it New York best sellers unity of anyone like that. What must Titus do not even before that. Think about this. Anyone who teaches the Bible with the intention other than pointing people to Christ they are peddlers of God's word. Anyone who teaches the Bible with the intention other than maturity of the believers who hear the teaching and to produce the godliness to make them ought to head them grow into the maturity of Christ be holy like our God who is holy, that person is a peddler of God's word. Anyone who teaches the Bible with the intention of making themselves popular. He or she is a peddler of God's word. Anyone who teaches with the intention of pointing people to themselves.

Look what I can do. Come to me. I'll help you. They are peddlers of God's word.

The ones who are not the peddlers of God's word are the ones who use the Bible for its intended purpose to help us know who God is not just to keep it in our minds and as intellectual knowledge but dad would transform us to becoming more like Christ be holy as he is holy and that godliness is toward glorifies God and that his ward. That is why one teaches the Bible. But what must Titus do look at versus 11 again.

They must be silenced since they are upsetting whole families by teaching art not to be taught a look at also verses 13 this testimony is true, therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in faith because these false teachers are are are teaching all these things, which is making their followers go away from the truth of Scripture because these false teachers and their followers are becoming more like culture the must be rebuked that teaching must be silenced.

I will not that teaching not continue in the church because that is destructive that false teacher must not continue to teach because they are destroying the church to see the rebuke here is not punitive is not a punitive fact it is a redemptive act, but that the purpose of rebuking this false teachers and those who follow them is to help them come back to sound faith look at versus 13 again, this testimony is true, therefore rebuke them sharply, that so that they may be sound in faith now turn with me to first Timothy chapter 1 Paul says pretty much the same thing are to Timothy as well. This is to first Timothy chapter 1 verses 19. By rejecting this.

Some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are human nails and Alexander whom I have handed over to Satan that so that why did he do that so that they may learn not to blaspheme. This is the ministry of confrontation out most of us we don't like to be confronted. Be honest, I'm honest I don't like to be confronted. I don't I don't think are the ministry of confrontation comes naturally for me either.

It is a difficult job. It is very difficult. You make more enemies by doing that than friends because Hank we are all sinful people, but nevertheless nevertheless elders, pastors and leaders.

They are called to do that but see that attitude is not that awful personal attack.

The unit is not what ever I believe is right and what you believe is wrong and I love club you with my theological club. So speak so that I can make you agree with me that is not the intention, the intention is to be to help those who are straying away come back to the sound doctrine. The focus is not on the one who is being rebuked or the one who is rebuking the focus is purity of the teaching of the Bible. I cannot do that, he feels bad. I cannot do that.

I'm not that kind of a person.

The focus is not the one who is being rebuked. The focus is not the one who is rebuking the focus is the purity of the word of God. We cannot let that teaching go on. We cannot let that person teach unless he changed. But how is that he is able to come back to sound faith look at versus 14 ballots. We from verses 13 onward. This testimony is true, therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. We we get more information about that in first Timothy chapter 4 verses one, first Timothy chapter 4 verses one and 1 to 4 now this is what Paul instructs Timothy. Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter days some will come to park. Some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teaching of demons through the insincerity of liars, whose consciences are seared who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

How are these people walking away straying away from the truth.

Some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits. Look what apostle Paul is telling Titus rebuke them so that they may come to sound faith by what means, how can they come to sound faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people by not devoting themselves to teaching, which is not based on his capture. Pay attention to that teaching. If it is not from Scripture. Stop doing that by not paying attention to teaching that is not from Scripture and also the commands of people who turn away from the truth. Any given example of one of the kind of commands of people who turn away from the truth. Recently I came across a book in the name of the book is the power off. I am to rewards that will change your life today by just the mention of the title, you probably would have figured out who the author is he's got the greatest smile in Christianity today. Now this is what he says in his book when I saw the book I saw Holt that this person would talk about the great I am, who only has the authority. He's the only one who has the power to change our lives.

I thought he that is what he was going to talk about. But this is what you write. I called here is the principal what ever follows the I and will eventually find you when you say I am so clumsy clumsiness comes looking for you. I am your wrinkles come looking for you. I am so overweight. Calories come looking for you. Something that is how it works. What ever you follow the IM with you are handing it an invitation.

Opening the door and giving it permission to be in your life. You see what this individual is doing. He has shifted the focus on the great I am, who is able to transform our lives and put it on the self, which is virtually dead commands of people the only one who can transform our life is the God Almighty, the great I am.

Galatians 220 apostle Paul says, if I am crucified with Christ. It's no longer I who live, but Christ who lives through me in me. Philippians 213 says, work out your salvation in fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you not only the working but also willing for this good pleasure is not as we don't have the power to transform our life. We may be able to do that. Worley speaking but that is not true transformation true transformation comes only from the great I am alone has the authority and the power and the Capability to transform our lives. Stop paying attention to what is not based on Scripture by the way his name is Joel Osteen. If you didn't know it anymore leave you hanging.

Who is that guy.

What have we seen so far, the presence of many false teachers of the second one the possibility of believers to be deceived and to turn away from the truth.

Look at versus 11 again. They must be silenced since they are upsetting for families by teaching that it is possible for some in the household of God, to be deceived and be led away from the truth. I turned to first Timothy chapter 1 verses 19. Again we read that a few minutes ago was his first Timothy chapter 1 verses 19.

By rejecting this. Some have made shipwreck of their faith look at our chapter 4, first Timothy chapter 4 verses one, someone will depart from faith by devoting themselves to spirits look at first Timothy chapter 5 verses 15 for some have already sprayed after Satan we read at the beginning of the message acts chapter 20 verses 29 there will be fewer squirrels who will attempt to take believers away from the truth. Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11 to 14 another read that. But that passage clearly says God has given these gifted apostles, pastors, prophets, teachers and shepherds so that we as the body of Christ can be equipped why so we will not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. It is possible that implies that it is possible for some to stray away from the truth. What are we supposed to do what is Titus asked to do, teach sound doctrine. Look at what chapter 1 verses nine he must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine that is instruction to the elders now look at what apostle Paul says to Titus chapter 2 verses one, but as for you, teach what accords to sound doctrine teach sound doctrine. Why because there is the presence of many false teachers there is the possibility of believers to be deceived and turn away from the truth. Now the third and even more dangerous hindrance to sound Christian faith. The problem of superficial Christianity look at five verses 14 estimate was at 15 to the pure all things up your butt to butt, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and their consciences are defiled, they profess to know God, but they deny him by their works they are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work, and he would work. These are serious things that Paul saying against these people see the purity of mind and conscience does not come from external rituals are good works, but by the washing effect of the word of God quickly turned to John chapter 15 versus three and Jesus our Lord says this. He's explaining that he is the true vine and we are the branches.

And this is John chapter 15 versus three already. You are clean because the word that I have broken to you. Also, turn to Ephesians chapter 5 verses 25 Ephesians chapter 5 verses 25 onward.

Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Why, so that he might sanctify her, how how does he do it, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word now these false teachers.

Having rejected the authority of Scripture personally and in their teaching.

Some of them they have never experienced the cleansing that comes through the crew gospel. They have plenty of rituals to show off. They have plenty of good words to show off. They have so many credentials to show off but they also confess to know God. They are believers, but in fact they are the good work process and Titus chapter 2 protect chapter 1 verses 16 they are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work now. Sadly there are many in church today who would say all I know God by believing God, but have never been have never experienced the cleansing that comes to true gospel reminds me of Matthew 722 and 20 3R if you read that, but every time I read that I'm so thankful that God saves us, not because of works but because of his grace.

On that day is Matthew 722 and 23 on that day many will come to me and there was a Lord Lord prophesied in your name cast out demons in your name have not done mighty works in your name. I've never cast of demons I've never prophesied I've never done any mighty works. The Lord turns around to them and says I never knew you. Away from me, you workers of lawlessness. Are you absolutely sure the Lord will not say that to you. What must we do we have this hindrance.

Superficial Christianity. Those who have those who profess to be Christians. Those who profess to know God, but there by their works they deny him. What are we supposed to do, preach and teach the gospel is the gospel that has the power to change is the gospel that has the power to save is the gospel that has the power to transform you have more business gospel.

What is the true gospel.

It is this you and I are sinners of the end degree just like apostle Paul says we are the worst of sinners by our sins because of our sins we can not stand in the presence of God. We don't stand a chance because he is holy and we are not because of our sins, he has to send us away. He has to sent us away and he does but by the grace and the steadfast love of God that he loved us with. He sends Jesus to die on the cross for you and for me. He takes my place. He takes your place on the cross sheds all his blood and he dies for us, but he did not state that he rose again on the third day, proving that he is truly the creator God who can defeat death and Romans 10 nine says if you confess with your mouth that he is Lord.

That means I surrender my life to him and believe in the in my heart that God raised him from the dead that Ms. Heath paid the penalty for my sins and he rose from the dead, victorious over sin and death. We will be saved if you confess with your mouth that he is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. We will save that is the true gospel is not by our words is not by those external commands that we can follow. It is not by. Observing leading to an fasting and all those things is not to that we attain salvation is by the finished work of Christ. What have we seen so far, the presence of many false teachers. The possibility of believers to stray away from truth. The problem of superficial spirituality, superficial Christianity. The hindrance to sound Christian faith. What are you gonna do with it.

Elders, pastors, ALG leaders small group leaders. Did you hear the charge from God's word. Teach sound doctrine. Teach the Bible.

Parents did you hear that it is possible for our children to be deceived by false teachers.

We saw all these beautiful wonderful ship children standing in the front and singing are so many false teachers out there is easy for them to be deceived and be carried away by the wind of every wind of false doctrine or are we supposed to do, do not relinquish the responsibility that God has given you to race your children in the way of the Lord, teach them some doctrine. Teach them sound doctrine the church. Don't be scared of the word doctrine.

It just means teaching sound doctrine means right sound teaching good teaching right teaching of the Bible teach in the Bible, not some blessed part the customer would say. Not somebody's ideas, but the Bible church did you hear that one of the hindrances of some Christian faith is superficial.

Christianity of faith that is not based on the truth of Scripture of faith that does not produces godliness of faith that does not hear the gospel of fresh Titus chapter 2 verses 5 to 7. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds that we have done in righteousness, but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit are good words are good stands in the society any of those things will not give us permission will not merit us to be in the presence of God. It is only by grace, by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone on the basis of the finished perfect work of Christ, which is literally needed for our salvation. That is how we are saved. That is the gospel this true gospel saves us this true gospel transforms us this true gospel makes us more and more like Christ. I'm very thankful for Calvary church here at Calvary and I can speak on behalf of my fellow pastors and elders and all leaders we have an unwavering commitment to the word of God and the teaching of sound doctrine.

Why because we are serious about God's charge to us that we are to present everyone mature in Christ. The only way we can do that is by the teaching and the preaching of sound doctrine in the absence of that, there is no godliness.

Darkness cannot be manufactured. It comes through the hearing and the obedience to the sound doctrine.

That is how we present all men mature. Would you please join us in 2020, that as we teach and asked me preach the sound doctrine that our prayer would be that we will be filled in the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding that we may live in a manner worthy of the Lord policing him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing the knowledge of God is a great prayer let us drive to maintain peace with one another and strive to be holy as he is holy because just like Hebrew says without holiness. We will not see God. How do we do that by the preaching teaching of sound doctrine. When we pray for. Thank you so much for this beautiful day. Thank you for your grace.

Thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for your word, but I pray for all the leaders that was appointed by you and elected by your people. I pray that we will have this unwavering commitment to the word of God unwavering commitment to teaching and preaching sound doctrine follow. Please help us to be in the word daily, that your word will wash us clean and make us more like Christ, and we will glorify you for the rest of our life by following closely create that holiness in us as we obey and let the word of Christ richly dwell in us and maybe glorify you with all that we do. Thank you so much for these leaders strengthen them, strengthen us as pastors and elders that we will present all men holy and blameless before you in Jesus name we pray. Amen