Preaching Jesus Means Preaching On Issues
A. SOME INSIST THAT WE JUST PREACH JESUS – THE MAN, NOT THE PLAN.
1. Doctrinal preaching is divisive and confrontational.
2. We are too “issue oriented.”
B. IN Acts 15 THE CONTROVERSY WAS JUST BEGINNING.
1. The controversy arose within the church.
2. 7 Epistles have this “issue” as their main subject. All of them address issues.
C. WE NEED TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF ISSUE ORIENTED PREACHING.
D. AND HOW CONTROVERSY WAS HANDLED IN PREACHING JESUS.
A. WARNINGS AGAINST THE ONSLAUGHT ERROR ( Acts 20:29-30).
1. Typical attitudes reflected (Isa. 30:9-11; Jer. 5:30-31).
2. The real danger
a. Anathema (Gal. 1:6-9; 2 John 9).
b. Drawn away from God (Heb. 13:9; Acts 20:29-30).
c. The real cause of religious division (1 Cor. 4:6; Rom. 16:17).
B. WHAT DO WE DO?
1. We must speak out (Isa. 58:1; Titus 1:9; 2 Tim 4:2).
2. Discipline of the church (Rom. 16:17-18; Titus 3:10; 2 Thess. 3:14).
3. Personal disgression must be used (2 John 9-11).
4. We must defend the Truth (Phil. 1:16; Jude 3; 2 Tim. 1:13-14).
C. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION …
1. These warning came before trouble began
a. Watch ye … I ceased not to admonish (Acts 20:29-31).
b. To write these things is safe (Phil. 3:1-3)
2. c. In season, out of season (2 Tim. 4:1-2; Acts 20:20, 26-27).
D. MODERN EXAMPLES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PREACHING ON ISSUES.
1. Lost River and A. D. 70.
2. Annulment. We don't have that here.
A. FALSE TEACHERS FROM JERUSALEM (Acts 15:1-2).
1. Challenged by Paul and Barnabas –A debate proposed (vs. 2)
2. Widespread controversy (vs. 5). The ISSUE defined!
B. HOW WAS THE QUESTION SETTLED?
1. An appeal to Divine Direction – COMMANDS (vs. 7-11).
2. A recounting of Apostolic Experience – EXAMPLES (vs. 12 ie. Acts 13:46-47)
3. Reasoning from the Scriptures – INFERENCES (15:13-19).
4. Deference given to those weak in the faith (15:20; 1 Cor. 8:7, 9, 13).
C. SOME OBSERVATIONS:
1. In each case, an appeal was made to what God had shown them.
2. There was recognition of Apostolic Authority (Matt. 18:18).
3. And submission to God’s will, whether thru commands, examples, or inferences.
4. THE ISSUE WASN’T AVOIDED UNTIL IT COULDN’T BE ANY LONGER!
A. ISSUES ARE DECIDED ON THE BASIS DIVINE AUTHORITY
(Matt. 21:23-25; 2 John 9).
B. HOW IS DIVINE AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED?
1. By considering Commands, Examples, and Inferences, JUST LIKE THEY DID.
2. We find what we need in the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-16; 1 Cor. 4:6).
A. IN DEALING WITH ISSUES, WE MUST HAVE A COMMON GOAL
1. Our efforts should be directed toward correcting the error (2 Tim. 2:25-26).
2. This goal will be reflected in our approach (vs. 24-25).
B. IS THERE EVER A PLACE FOR A STERN TONE? (1 Tim. 1:18; 1 Cor. 4:21).
1. Preaching includes “rebuke” (2 Tim. 4:2).
2. In includes contending (Jude 3).
3. “With all authority” (Titus 2:15). If it is from God’s word, don’t apologize.
4. DON’T BE INTIMIDATED (Titus 2:15; Phil. 1:16)
C. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR A COMPROMISER IN THE PULPIT OR KINGDOM
(Prov. 23:23)
