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Pastoral
Epistles Five Major Issues Why and How
A.
Doctrine- Without the right doctrine we have no foundation to
build upon, nor do we have any direction.
2Tim.3:16, 17; Ps. 119:105
A little false doctrine is like a little leaven it will leaven the
whole of the teachings. The man of God is responsible for himself and
the church to guard the Truth and keep out the false doctrine.
1Tim.4:13,16
Jesus said beware of
false doctrines.Matt.16:6,16
Luke 12:1
It is of utmost importance to be ambassadors of the
Word like Jesus Christ.
John 7:16
There are those who would pervert the scriptures
2Pet.3:16; and there
are those who do not desire to hear the Truth but search out ear
ticklers. 2Tim.4:3 The
preacher must not grow weary as the people may. The people may take
offense when we preach truths that attack their lusts, but isn’t this
exactly why we preach the Book.
How do we
implement it and keep it right?
“Preach
the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
2Tim.4:2
ü
Proclaim the Truth from the Scriptures with faith in the power of the
Word.
ü
Close oversight of the teaching in the Sunday Schools. Find or develop
good curriculum.
ü
Teach the people and train them to be used of God. “…the same commit
thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
2Tim.2:2
ü
Encourage the people to spread good
doctrine their city. Acts5:28
I believe that sound doctrine is the key to any
blessings of the Lord upon the local church.
B. Music-
This may be the very door Satan has used to creep into
fundamental churches and destroy good works. A look at a few of the
scriptures out of the numerous verses on music will give us God’s mind
on this important issue troubling many churches. Very little is
understood about music’s impact on people and worship, and about music’s
design by the Lord. There are three parts to music melody, harmony, and
rhythm or tempo. Very briefly we must understand melody appeals to the
spirit and should be dominant. Harmony appeals to the soul and is
secondary. Thirdly, the tempo appeals to the flesh and must be
controlled and passive. Note:
this is absolutely the opposite of the world’s music and focus which is
on the strong beat to move the flesh. Sadly this is in our churches and
at the very least the pastor must know the issue and oversee this
ministry.
Ø
1Cor.14:7-11 The music in the
church should be different and distinguishable from the world it is
trying to reach. It should also not be uncertain in its sound but to the
contrary it should exalt Christ and inspire the church to worship, and
serve the Lord. We should immediately be able to say the music is sacred
or worldly.
Ø
Eph.5:17-21 This is the will of
God that music be Spirit filled, and Spirit led.
Ø
Col.3:16, 17 Music that teaches
and admonishes one another. Music that has
scripture and doctrine in it.
How to Keep the Music Sacred? Oversight!! Standards set ( no respect
of persons)
- Be Wary of
Taped Music – You will have to inspect all accompaniment tapes
- Know the
singers of special music – Where are their hearts in relation to the
Lord, not performers
- Are the singers
soul conscious – a burden for the lost
- The music
should be distinguishable from the world’s music
- Is the message
Biblical and does it lift up Christ not man?
C.
Evangelism- Without
it the church dwindles away! Is there any debate at all on the issue of
evangelizing our world? Should there be any debate? This is cut and dry,
unclouded and completely apparent to any bible reader (let alone
student) that we are not only
to be witnesses wherever we are but to actively pursue the call to “go”.
Every Christian has a mandate to “Go into all the world and preach the
gospel to every creature.” In every gospel we are commanded to go and
tell others. Matt.28:19,20;
Mark16:15; Luke 24:45-48; John 20:21!
One scripture in particular arrests our
attention to say a few words about.
Ps.126:5,6
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious
seed, shall doubtless come again with
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves
with him.
It is incumbent upon
the church to evangelize the world. The scriptures tells us who
how, and when. In order for a church to be
diligent in this area the leadership must be under the burden of lost
souls. The sheep will not go where they are not led. The pastor and all
those in authority must teach, prepare and lead the sheep. Sheep make
other sheep.
The verse above makes clear to us if we go, and weep and sow we
WILL reap. God will always do what God says He will do. It is us who
grow cold and live worldly so as to quench the soul winning fire among
the church.
D.
Worship- We all want to
worship but I believe it is the least understood teaching among God’s
people. There are two keys in worshipping the Lord. The main verse is
John
4:23,24
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the
Father seeketh such to worship him. God is
a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship
him in spirit and in truth.
Worship – Definition = To highly reverence, adore,
to honor with extreme love and submission, to prostrate ones self in
humility
The verse tells us how to worship. It says in spirit and truth.
This means we don’t conjure up worship nor do we respond according to
the flesh. The Holy Spirit of God will initiate true worship. The Spirit
will not guide contrary to the Word of God, so that emotional, fleshly
generated ravings are not of God.
The Spirit wouldn’t prod barking like a dog, dancing in the
isles, and speaking gibberish. The Spirit of God may have us lift up
holy hands and shout amen! True worship may be a look at our hearts and
a long look at the holiness of God and move us to fall on our faces
before Him in adoration and praise.
1Ch 16:29 Give unto the LORD the glory due
unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD
in the beauty of holiness.
In the presence of God Almighty we see true
worship.
Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the
throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their
crowns before the throne, saying,
The pastor of the church has the responsibility to lead the
worship. His own walk with God will inspire others to worship in
response to the Holy Spirit’s leading in
their lives. As he preaches and directs our hearts
to God the Holy Spirit will free sway upon our will.
E.
Fellowship-
Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Definition: mutual
company and association, being together with joint interest
The church was begun in this way and should
continue in this fashion. That is there needs to be fellowship among the
believers and not with the world. A brief look at the verses below with
a commentary will suffice.
Good Fellowship
Php 1:5
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
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Our coming together in fellowship is because of
and should be because of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us
from all sin.
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Our fellowship with Jesus Christ and our brethren is according to
our desire to walk in the light of the Word of God.
Unscriptural Fellowship
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather reprove them.
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We should not participate nor have any connection with the unsaved
and their deeds. Certainly the negative aspect is apparent to us and
we generally heed “…have no…” fellowship with heathens and their
worship or works. The other side is not as prominent among
Christians which is to actively reprove their wicked ways. Reason is
we may be involved with unfruitful worldly practices.
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness?
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The difference between believers and unbelievers
should be so vast and apparent that no mingling together as if it
were two animals in the same yoke. Darkness and light are different
and it would be improper and hurtful for a child of God to be in
fellowship, accord, or agreement with child of the devil. “Be ye
not…” is the suggestion? No it is a command to keep our fellowship
pure and pious.
Keeping fellowship right in the church will
come through proper example by the leadership, and standards of
excellence in service. The most important would be the Spirit filled
preaching of the Bible. We don’t need to preach personal convictions but
Preach the Word is the exhortation. Then be an example as iron will
sharpen iron.
Respectfully Submitted by Dan Eberly
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