Turning from the Truth

Turning from the Truth.

Pastor Grosjean

II Timothy 4:1 “I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 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.”

I. Some people turn from the truth Because they do not like Firm Preaching

People are okay with being built up in God’s Word, but they do not want any reproving or rebuking. They only want the “warm fuzzies” of encouragement. But we cannot be built up in God unless we allow God to remove the problems that stand in the way.

     A. Reprove: that is the preacher telling us what we should do.

     B. Rebuke: that is the preacher telling us what we should not do.

     C. Rebuild (Exhort): that is the preacher encouraging and building up.

If a preacher does not do all three of these, it is not preaching.

II. Some people turn from the truth Because they do not like Full Doctrine II John 7 “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed:”

We need the full Word of God. If we do not study the Word in a balanced and comprehensive way, we are going to start getting things wrong. Some purposely teach people wrong doctrine for their own agenda. These are called apostates and wolves by the Bible.

     A. Some believe false doctrine because they are Lost vs. 7

     B. Some believe false doctrine because they are Lied to vs. 7

     C. Some believe false doctrine because they are Lazy vs. 8 They do not want to put in any work to know the deep things of God.

     D. Some believe false doctrine because they are Lily-livered (Cowards) vs. 10 These are the people that are just too morally and emotionally weak to stand up and fight for the doctrine they would if they were truly walking with God.

III. Some people turn from the truth Because they like Fables II Cor. 10:3 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” Acts 17:21

     A. There is a War for Man between Satan and God. Jesus has already won the war. But Satan will do his will in our lives if we let him.

     B. The Worship of the Mundane. One of Satan’s greatest tools is to get us to waste our time with stupid empty activity that does not make a difference in time or eternity.

     C. The Washing of the Mind. God wants to heal us by cleansing our souls and minds so that we can learn to think the way He does.

     D. The Waiting for Messiah. This should be our motivation for finding the Truth. Jesus is coming. He will reward those that have been faithful to Him.

IV. Some people turn from the truth Because they hate the Faithful Word. Jn. 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Jesus is the Word. The Bible is all about Jesus. He is on every page. If you reject the Bible or His messenger, it is because you have really rejected Jesus.

By Andrew Grosjean

www.canaanbaptistchurch.net

July 6, 2007; December 4, 2009sm