Drew Boswell

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Six Warnings To Keep Your Church From Being Ripped Apart; Jude 11-13

sheep wolfIf you are a member of a church, or church leader please read this carefully. Your church’s life may depend upon it. Jude in the opening of the chapter discusses false teachers or believers and what they are like; he says:

11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain [Genesis 4:5-8] and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error [Numbers 22:5-7; 2 Peter 2:15] and perished in Korah’s rebellion [Numbers 16:1-3, 31-35]. 12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.

Cain – An example of one who took spiritual shortcuts

In warning the church about false teachers Jude gives examples of what their leadership is like. The first example is Cain. He tried to present an inferior offering to the Lord, and he killed his brother because of his anger resulting from its’ rejection. He wanted to be able to approach God as he desired, not according to what was required by God. He wanted to take spiritual shortcuts, or shape the worship of God to his own comfort and desires.

Balaam – An example of one who desired to shape God’s will for a profit

Balaam spoke with God and was told not to curse God’s people. After being told not curse “the blessed” people, he kept asking God, “what to say.” He wanted financial gain on the back of the sacred Word of God. He desired to forgo the clear desire of the Lord in order to make money. Balaam would say, “keep asking and pushing until you get the answer that you want.”

This is simple greed. The Lord’s will cannot be bought, his favor is not for sale. There will be people in the life of a church who use their tithe as a negotiating chip. If they don’t like a decision or direction from the leadership in the church they will simply stop giving, or give to a specific “designated fund” so that it can’t be used as the leadership is suggesting.  There are also those in leadership who are in it for the money and will forgo the will of the Lord in order to get a paycheck (or a raise).

Korah – An example of one who wanted to run the church

Korah grumbled and led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron; he rebelled against those whom God has chosen as leaders. He did not want to do what God had directed for them to do. They wanted to be able to choose their role in the congregation – whereas God chooses and directs His church. Korah had given over to his pride.

This one is not as obvious as the previous two. This person feels they have certain rights that are not being met (not visited enough while they were in the hospital, feels slighted in some way, their suggestion was not followed, hurt feelings, etc.). So in their minds, they feel they have a right or even direction from the Lord to do something about the current leadership.

This typically involves conversations in the parking lot after church, during Sunday School class, or over coffee in some local eating establishment. The conversation usually has the phrase, “I have been at _______ for _____ years and I love my church.” But (insert leaders name) has to go because (insert exaggerated story ). We need someone who actually loves the church.” This is nothing short of what Korah was doing to Moses. It is evil and causes great damage to the bride of Christ.

If you ever feel slighted or your feelings are hurt by a church leader then read this verse. Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” You are instructed by Jesus to go and talk to the person. There is no need to go to anyone else.

There is no need to “seek wisdom” from other believers – which if we were honest is really just a grip session and venting. If the church would follow this teaching of Christ, there would be so many restored relationships and love one-for-another. Sadly, far too many church people just blast and gripe to anyone who will listen to them and completely destroy a person’s reputation in a church before the accused even knows about it. The that leader is supposed to love the person who just tried to destroy them?

Then from these three examples of men who were the personification of false teachers come six natural metaphors:

1. “These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, . . .” With a hidden reef, the sailor doesn’t see the danger below the surface until to is too late and the ship is damaged or sunk. The love feasts that is referenced here is the Lord’s Supper. They appear to be participating and active Christians, but when you get too close they destroy you. All is not as it seems with these individuals, and they seek to get closer and closer into the trust and love of the church.

They have no fear of the Lord to act one way in the world while separated from the congregation, and then to appear righteous at the Lord’s Table when they “worship” with other believers. This duplicity and lack of integrity will rip a congregation to pieces if they hold a leadership position (and even members should be held to an established righteous standard).

2. “. . . shepherds feeding themselves . . .” These are shepherds who do not take care of the flock. They look after themselves and use their position to better themselves not in ministering to others.

3. “. . . waterless clouds, swept along by winds; . . .” In Jude’s region it is typically dry and dusty most of the time. So when the people see the gathering of a storm cloud there is great anticipation of things cooling down, plants being watered (perhaps even saved from drought), and times of refreshing.

They appear to give relief and instill within the people a sense of (false) hope but they are empty. In the end their promises and “vision” is nothing more than an empty cloud. Instead of hearing from the Lord and being given vision from Him they are directed by events, others actions, and are not anchored to one place. So when the heat gets too hot, they simply blow on to the next town.

4. “. . . fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; . . .” In this leader there is no real evidence of God’s working in their life. They look like a Christian, but at the end of each season of their life there simply is no fruit. Business and action is not fruit. It is easy to have the appearance of being busy and filling a calendar with “stuff.” Don’t confuse activity with fruit. Just because you go to the gym and dress the part does not mean that you actually work out and see change. Over the years I have seen grown men go to the gym, change into workout clothes, then drink coffee, read the paper, change back into street clothes and leave. Really? Why?

“they are dead before their so-called conversion and had died again by virtue of their apostasy.” . . . “no one expects fruit from uprooted trees.”[1]

5. “. . . wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame;. . .” When the waves give a big display it stirs up sea floor, which does several sad things. 1) The big waves and tempestuous sea make navigation difficult. When leaders or church members cause trouble actually following the will of the Lord get very difficult. 2) Things have to be abandoned from the ship in order to stay afloat. When storms comes into the church leaders have to focus on keep the boat afloat instead of future destinations. Ministry in the church and any forward momentum stops until the storm passes. 3) Lives could even be lost from the storm. When storms hit churches, people jump ship and swim to the nearest ship that looks safe. There are also some immature Christians that give up on the church because of the infighting and hypocrisy they see. But what they really see is Satan using an apostate to cause dissension and conflict within the church (a tare among wheat).

But what is left behind from such a display? The foam on the shore is corrupted from the churning of the ocean floor’s bottom. Isaiah 57:20 “But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.” What is left behind from the huge display from these people and their trouble making is hollow grimy foam left everywhere. This is their shame. As a person they have nothing to show for their lives but storms and hollow deposits wherever they went.

6. “. . . wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.” Stars are supposed to be predictable. If you are on the ocean your life depends on being able to look at the sky and base your direction and course from the stars. They are your only “landmarks.” But if those stars move in an unpredictable manner then they lead others to lostness and despair. Those that follow these false teachers are led to destruction.

Hell is described as these leader’s (and false congregants) ultimate destination. They lead others into destruction and cause unknown damage to the church and their ultimate destination is “gloom and darkness.” This gives little comfort to those leaders who have sought to lead a church in a godly manner only to have these false teachers and “believers” come in and cause damage and even death. The bride of Christ is fragile but she is resilient.


[1] Thomas Schreiner ed., The New American Commentary, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37 (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman and Holman) p. 467

Leading While Encircled by Wolves; Galatians 1:1-24

wolf1In the opening chapters of Galatians Paul has received word that the church in Galatia has turned to a false gospel. He is astonished at how quickly these “Christians” have believed and are following a lie.

Galatians 1:6-11  “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (ESV)

This false gospel is more-than-likely Jewish teachers who are requiring the new “believer” to be circumcised (Gal. 2:4). But why would these people who have heard and believed the true gospel be so easily persuaded by false teachers?  The distortion seems to be linked to people seeking the approval of men. These early believers were swayed by an age-old principle called “political correctness.” Instead of holding to true doctrine, they allowed their foundational beliefs to be manipulated by a desire to please men and hold to men’s traditions. You can not please man and God. Paul could not be an apostle “servant of Christ” and please men.

Mankind was created for fellowship and relationships with other people. Most emotionally mature people desire peace and an absence of disorder and chaos. So in order to keep the peace and keep relationships intact, they blur and compromise those areas where there are disagreements. Paul understands that the church needs to be intact in order that it may accomplish its’ purposes. But how does the leader address these heresies while also trying to keep the church together? If he had led as a dictator, running “rough shod” over people’s emotions and feelings, not caring how his actions or words would be felt then it would splintered into pieces. Paul, as an apostle, is correct in his doctrine and realizes that if the Galatian church continues in this heresy then there is no salvation, and the gospel would have been corrupted and would continue to corrode into traditionalism and Pharisaical behavior (that of adding requirements to the gospel).

So knowing he needs to address this wrong behavior, even while dealing with his own emotions (astonishment) he writes a letter to address it. As a leader there will be times when we will need to deal with people who are hurting the church (either in ignorance of doctrine, or willful attack). Paul gives us several things to think about in how he dealt with the situation.

Galatians 1:11-24 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me. (ESV)

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How Paul Deals With False Teachers and a Church Who Has Believed Them

1. Love People. He calls them “brothers.” He does not start with how they are different (me v. you), but how they are joined together (brothers.) He also begins with love, as in you love those within the church family.

2. Common Experience. He begins with a brief history of his own life, as in “my former life in Judaism” and how he was also “zealous for the traditions of my father.” They are still his fathers in the faith.  He shows that he has a thorough understanding of the Old Testament and the Jewish traditions.

3. Scriptural Authority. He did not consult with men as he was being called to preach to the Gentiles — they things were revealed to him. He is also careful to point out that it was after three years he went to Jerusalem (and saw no one except for James.) He was unknown among the the churches that he visited. After 14 years he went back to Jerusalem just to confirm what he was doing was not in vain. He knows and understands the true gospel because it was revealed to him form God, and it was confirmed to him in various churches all preaching the same thing.

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wolf2The gospel is God’s message to us revealed to certain men to be shared with us. It is the same gospel that goes to Peter and Jewish people who are already circumcised, and with Paul and the non-Jewish people who are uncircumcised.   In order to draw these members who had been persuaded by false teaching he appealed to love, his own experience, and his authority as an apostle (Scripture). When you approach a situation like this be loving and express how you are joined together through Christ as “brothers.” Identify with them of how you have even dealt with the same questions and concerns they have. Lastly, show from Scripture (not tradition) where they have erred in their ways. It is the ultimate authority.

Just because you have correct doctrine does not mean that you have liberty to treat people rudely, or in any way that pushes them away from this correct doctrine. If the group (i.e. Galatian Church) splinters then they are easy targets for the wolves to tear them apart.

 

 

1 Timothy 1:3-4 “Staying Focused”

Today there are a host of products that will help you to stay focused (five-hour energy drink, Red Bull, or my favorite Mountain Dew) — we are a society that is obsessed with staying awake and focused. Paul in the early church is concerned that Christians would not have this same devotion to alertness. Not only should we be awake and alert, but we must also concern ourselves with what we concentrate our time and efforts toward. He says to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:3-4 “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. (ESV)”  Timothy is charged in these verses with staying in Ephesus in order to (1) prevent different doctrines from being taught and (2) to prevent the people from devoting themselves to things that promote “speculations.” These are discussions that do not lead to the “stewardship from God.”

What is the “stewardship of God” that comes by faith? The Christians that are at Ephesus (and everywhere else for that matter) are to devote themselves to the Gospel. A Christian’s focus is to stay laser focused on “the stewardship” given to them by God, and how we live out and proclaim this gospel. We are not to get caught up in any speculations that may cause division over these far secondary issues.  We are to be absolutely united in sharing this responsibility that is of eternal importance.

Remember leader, our job is to keep God’s people focused on right doctrine and their stewardship of the gospel in their lives. We are not to be led away into endless discussion about “what ifs” or speculations that have no way of determining truth or proper conclusions. It’s ok not to know how many angels can dance on the head of a needle, or how the dinosaurs fit into Noah’s Ark. The real question of a Christian’s speech is, “how does this glorify God and expand His gospel to mankind? There seems to be people in the church at Ephesus who love to sit around and debate, but do little to share to gospel to the lost world around them. In fact, Timothy, has to stay and “oversee” the church to make sure that these individuals don’t derail it from why it was established in the first place.

The text seems to indicate that devoting oneself to foolish things, and listening to foolish teaching promotes wrong behavior. So be careful where you allow your eyes, ears, and heart to go, for all of these things affect our faithfulness to the stewardship given to us. May we remind each other regularly of this responsibility, and not allow our discussions to get away from the sound doctrine of the Bible, and how the gospel can be spread throughout the world.

"Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts." Rick Warren

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