The Truth Once Delivered

Dear Brethren,

Last weekend we had the opportunity to visit with a number of the scattered Church of God groups. We found brethren holding fast to the Truth, fellowshipping in love and praying for each other. We had a very interesting and informative trip. For a few decades since the apostasy, the church has remained virtually in a static condition. The Church is not enjoying great growth – as it once did. Yes, people have been going “to and fro” as far as organizations are concerned, but tremendous growth of a dynamic nature is not taking place in God’s Church.

There was a time – possibly in the 1940s and 1950s when there was a genuine zeal and love of the Gospel Truth among God’s people. God called many to the Truth at that time. But after that, we continually heard the cry go out to “get back on track.” Some have wondered where we are in the prophetic sequence counting down to the return of Jesus Christ. Make no mistake about it – the greater Church of God is slipping dangerously away from the steadfastness in the Faith we once possessed. It is high time for each of us to make sure that our own spiritual house is in order.

It was good to be able to observe and survey some of God’s people in these days when we have been displaced from one another. While it is true that some of the larger groups that splintered off have become very comfortable in their present condition, there are smaller groups, which continue to diligently and earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints (Jude :3). Brethren, we need to return to the very basics of Christianity - such as solving problems in a Biblical way and laying our lives down for one another.

Jesus Christ warned a number of times that the saints must be careful to, not only hold on to the basic truths and doctrines which were once received, but especially in the end-time to beware of those who hold and teach false doctrines and practices (Matthew 24:4,11, 1John 4:1, 2Corinthians 11:13-15, Matthew 7:15). On our recent trip, we encountered one such subtle heresy where one of the larger groups rejected a faithful ordained minister, here to fore in good standing with that larger group, simply because he was sharing the Truth with other scattered brethren. Jesus said, "If they are not against us - they are for us." (Mark 9:40, Luke 9:50) We are supposed to guide people to God.

That false practice of being exclusivist is exactly what Paul was speaking of when he said that some were “not discerning the Lord’s Body” (1Corinthians 11:29). The heresy lies in the fact that such a snubbing asserts that a minister of Jesus Christ must primarily show allegiance to a certain organization, before exercising loyalty to God’s Truth. This is a very dangerous teaching of those who proclaim that God is working solely through their incorporated establishment. "That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another." (1Corinthians 12:25)

When Jesus Christ surveys His Church from His throne of glory, He sees only one body of people – it is the Body of Christ – the Lord’s Body. All the brethren who are in the Church of God are the "Body of Christ." There are numerous Biblical examples: "You are the Body of Christ, and members in particular." (1 Corinthians 12:27) "The Church, which is His body." (Ephesians 1:22-23) "Ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

"We, being many, are one Body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5) "The bread which we break, is it not the [fellowship] of the Body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body." (1 Corinthians 10:16-17) "For the perfecting of the saints…for the edifying of the Body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12)

The brethren who are truly saints are one body and one spirit: “By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” (1Corinthians 12:13) “There is one body, and one Spirit.” (Ephesians 4:4) “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (John 17:11)

In these last days there are many brethren who are not taking the occasion to become fully converted Christians as they must. Some are not capitalizing on their spiritual conception that began at their baptism. Jesus Christ warns us to renew the enthusiasm that makes Him fully a part of our being. He stands at the door and knocks to come in (Revelation 3:20).

Brethren, are we earnestly contending for the Faith once delivered to the Saints? It seems that we are in the days that Jesus prophesied of – the days in which His people would be self-satisfied. Do we think that we are rich and have it all, just because we've been in the Church for years and have all the literature (Revelation 3:17)?

True Faith is not only the correct set of beliefs, it is also the correct way to live that Faith. That Christian way of living was not only for the first century Church of God – that way of life is for us in the last century leading up to the return of Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus said, "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." (Luke 12:43) Brethren, what are we to be doing now?

There are not many brethren who are holding fast to the Faith of which Jesus spoke. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.” (Hebrews 10:23) That is why Jesus asked the question, "Will I find faith when I return," (Luke 18:8) - indicating that there will not be a large number of brethren at His return who are both; believing the Faith once delivered to the saints, and living the Faith once delivered to the Saints. “Be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

It is time that we realized that our Church did not fall apart because God lost control of it. Had God wanted great growth to continue – there would still be a Worldwide work – and you and I would be a part of it. But, would we be examining ourselves, as we should? Now is our opportunity to return to the faith once delivered to the saints.

If that great work were still going gangbusters – we would still be thinking, “I’m doing all right.” Thank God, that He is giving us another opportunity to do a lot of reflecting and putting on of spiritual growth. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (2Th 2:15) “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (2Timothy 1:13)

Whenever anyone demonstrates a lack of Godly love for other brethren, James says that sin will prevent their salvation. Too many folks in God’s Church think that they can look down on people in other churches and the world. That is a wrong and dangerous attitude. We do not esteem others better than ourselves only when we feel that they are "deserving." It is not showing Godly love to sit idly by while division is occurring - that is condoning the sin. Every one of us must be a part of the solution – or we become a part of the problem. "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)

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Sermon:    "The Truth Once Delivered"        


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