Honorable Controversy

Honorable Controversy

2003051

Topic # 2175

Introduction:

A. What is your attitude toward disagreement? Debate in religious issues?

1. Is it contrary to the spirit of Christ?

2. Should we avoid discussions? Meetings? Avoid issues that would cause controversy?

B. As long as the world will stand – there will be no rest for Satan.

1. There will always be unrighteousness/darkness/unbelief.

2. In midst of this – Christians have been called to come out & be separate.

3. 2 Cor. 6:14-16 – these two conditions being present – there will always be controversy.

C. Charles Maples in his writing on controversy said: controversy is a rather odd instrument.

1. in our efforts to defend truth in controversy – one can go in 1 of 2 directions:

2. we may do the truth a great deal of damage by the way we conduct ourselves:

a) Think of the very definition of controversy: discussion of a controversial issue; dispute; sometimes quarrel & strife.

b) When controversy takes on these last two characteristics – truth will suffer shame.

3. We may do truth the greatest amount of good –when others truly see Jesus w/in us.

a) In fact – honorable controversy can be one of truth’s most powerful tools.

I. Biblical observations of honorable controversy.

A. Jesus

1. Practically everyday of Jesus’ ministry found Him either opposed by or opposing error/sin.

a) conflicts w/scribes & Pharisees – Mt. 23; 12:24

b) even w/his disciples – Mt. 16:21-24

c) Taught that His followers would have trouble; opposition & controversy. Mt. 10:34-39

2. Robert Holdane:

a) Many religious persons have a dread of controversy & wish truth to be stated without any reference to those who hold the opposite errors.

b) Controversy and a bad spirit are, in their estimation, synonymous terms, and to strenuously oppose what is wrong is considered as contrary to Christian meekness.

c) Those who hold to this opinion seem to overlook what every page of the NT lays before us. In all the history of our Lord Jesus Christ, we never find Him out of controversy.

3. There is no doubt Jesus powerfully & honorable stood against error.

4. In doing so – He exposed their false teachings & hypocrisy.

5. One will never see a spirit of compromise in the Savior.

a) He IS truth.

B. Paul

1. Phil. 1:16 – set for the defense of the gospel.

2. Acts 17:2; 18:4, 18 – spoke boldly; reasoned from the Scriptures – right in the Jewish synagogues.

3. Acts 18:8 – His defense of the truth had a great effect for good! See also 18:28

4. Note his writing: 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; 7

a) He fought a good fight.

b) Encouraged Timothy to keep fighting that same fight. Keeping that same faith. So must we!

C. Jude

1. Entire book – a rebuke to false teachers.

a) It = a warning to believers!

b) It = a battle cry against error!

2. How many Christians today would tell Jude that he should have been more positive?

3. 1:3 – we must engage in whatever controversy the forces of Satan make necessary!

II. Reasons why some are infatuated w/the spirit of compromise:

A. Some shy away from controversy out of convenience.

1. Convenience is like a “city of refuge” for one who realizes his teaching cannot stand the scrutiny of truth.

2. Naturally – this is the person against “arguing in religion.”

B. Some overemphasize Rom. 1:29 & 2 Cor. 12:20. (Debate used in KJV)

1. Does “debate” in such passages condemn controversy?

a) NASV: strife

2. Word here derived from term: a disposition to be quarrelsome & contentions & is an outgrowth of enmity.

3. The Bringing of truth & error into conflict not under consideration in these passages!

a) If it were – it would contradict every other passage that informs us of our obligation to earnestly defend the gospel.

C. A large distaste for dishonorable controversy.

1. I share in this distaste. Some only in defensive mode.

a) Out w/a magnifying glass.

b) Hoping to find some item to make a name for themselves in exposing error.

2. Dishonorable controversy is often NOT an appeal to truth – but to prejudice & emotion!

a) This kind of debate that deals in personalities & misrepresentation & misapplication.

3. But what about Jude 3? AREN’T WE TO CONTEND EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH?

a) Fervent/earnest controversy must be conducted w/the spirit of Christ!

4. But what about 1 Thess. 5:21? AREN’T WE TO TEST ALL THINGS & PROVE WHAT IS GOOD?

a) proving by word of God

b) NOT an appeal to prejudice/emotion/personalities/tradition of men.

III. Some important things to remember:

A. When entering into controversy – important to examine our motives.

1. Desire to inflict damage for damage’s sake is not only ineffective but SINFUL!

a) Pro. 6:19 – God HATES those who sow discord!

b) Are we operating w/a spirit of love?

c) Are we doing this for the betterment of all involved?

d) Are we considering what it is like to be in the other person’s shoes?

B. Is the debate being entered into w/careful thought & prayer? Or…is it a mere knee-jerk reaction?

IV. Finally…when controversy comes – we must have the wherewithal to work through it.

A. Too many content to get up & run away from it.

1. Church hopping.

2. How deep is our loyalty to Jesus? To the congregation in which we are members?

B. Too often – during controversy – our behavior becomes dishonorable – out of pride we go somewhere else rather than facing the truth & repenting of error.

C. How many needless divisions have come between brethren because of haughty pride & “majoring in the minors?”

1. When we lose sight of our primary purpose – we are vulnerable to being torn apart by selfishness; gossip; and factionalism.

2. So…we must keep a proper sense of proportion.

3. We must see the largeness & importance of the work in comparison to our own personal problems.

D. Too many congregations hindered by pettiness & allow it to keep them from growing.

Conclusion:

A. Col. 3:12-17

B. Let’s not stray from holding up the truth. Do it in a Christ-like manner.

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Honorable Controversy 2003051 Topic # 2175 Introduction: A. What is your attitude toward disagreement? Debate in religious issues? 1. Is it contrary to the spirit of Christ? 2. Should we avoid discussions? Meetings? Avoid issues that would cause controversy? B. As long as the world will stand – there will be no rest for Satan. 1. There will always be unrighteousness/darkness/unbelief. 2. In midst of this – Christians have been called to come out & be separate. 3. 2 Cor. 6:14-16 – these two conditions being present – there will always be controversy. C. Charles Maples in his writing on controversy said: controversy is a rather odd instrument. 1. in our efforts to defend truth in controversy – one can go in 1 of 2 directions: 2. we may do the truth a great deal of damage by the way we conduct ourselves: a) Think of the very definition of controversy: discussion of a controversial issue; dispute; sometimes quarrel & strife. b) When controversy takes on these last two characteristics – truth will suffer shame. 3. We may do truth the greatest amount of good –when others truly see Jesus w/in us. a) In fact – honorable controversy can be one of truth’s most powerful tools. I. Biblical observations of honorable controversy. A. Jesus 1. Practically everyday of Jesus’ ministry found Him either opposed by or opposing error/sin. a) conflicts w/scribes & Pharisees – Mt. 23; 12:24 b) even w/his disciples – Mt. 16:21-24 c) Taught that His followers would have trouble; opposition & controversy. Mt. 10:34-39 2. Robert Holdane: a) Many religious persons have a dread of controversy & wish truth to be stated without any reference to those who hold the opposite errors. b) Controversy and a bad spirit are, in their estimation, synonymous terms, and to strenuously oppose what is wrong is considered as contrary to Christian meekness. c) Those who hold to this opinion seem to overlook what every page of the NT lays before us. In all the history of our Lord Jesus Christ, we never find Him out of controversy. 3. There is no doubt Jesus powerfully & honorable stood against error. 4. In doing so – He exposed their false teachings & hypocrisy. 5. One will never see a spirit of compromise in the Savior. a) He IS truth. B. Paul 1. Phil. 1:16 – set for the defense of the gospel. 2. Acts 17:2; 18:4, 18 – spoke boldly; reasoned from the Scriptures – right in the Jewish synagogues. 3. Acts 18:8 – His defense of the truth had a great effect for good! See also 18:28 4. Note his writing: 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; 7 a) He fought a good fight. b) Encouraged Timothy to keep fighting that same fight. Keeping that same faith. So must we! C. Jude 1. Entire book – a rebuke to false teachers. a) It = a warning to believers! b) It = a battle cry against error! 2. How many Christians today would tell Jude that he should have been more positive? 3. 1:3 – we must engage in whatever controversy the forces of Satan make necessary! II. Reasons why some are infatuated w/the spirit of compromise: A. Some shy away from controversy out of convenience. 1. Convenience is like a “city of refuge” for one who realizes his teaching cannot stand the scrutiny of truth. 2. Naturally – this is the person against “arguing in religion.” B. Some overemphasize Rom. 1:29 & 2 Cor. 12:20. (Debate used in KJV) 1. Does “debate” in such passages condemn controversy? a) NASV: strife 2. Word here derived from term: a disposition to be quarrelsome & contentions & is an outgrowth of enmity. 3. The Bringing of truth & error into conflict not under consideration in these passages! a) If it were – it would contradict every other passage that informs us of our obligation to earnestly defend the gospel. C. A large distaste for dishonorable controversy. 1. I share in this distaste. Some only in defensive mode. a) Out w/a magnifying glass. b) Hoping to find some item to make a name for themselves in exposing error. 2. Dishonorable controversy is often NOT an appeal to truth – but to prejudice & emotion! a) This kind of debate that deals in personalities & misrepresentation & misapplication. 3. But what about Jude 3? AREN’T WE TO CONTEND EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH? a) Fervent/earnest controversy must be conducted w/the spirit of Christ! 4. But what about 1 Thess. 5:21? AREN’T WE TO TEST ALL THINGS & PROVE WHAT IS GOOD? a) proving by word of God b) NOT an appeal to prejudice/emotion/personalities/tradition of men. III. Some important things to remember: A. When entering into controversy – important to examine our motives. 1. Desire to inflict damage for damage’s sake is not only ineffective but SINFUL! a) Pro. 6:19 – God HATES those who sow discord! b) Are we operating w/a spirit of love? c) Are we doing this for the betterment of all involved? d) Are we considering what it is like to be in the other person’s shoes? B. Is the debate being entered into w/careful thought & prayer? Or…is it a mere knee-jerk reaction? IV. Finally…when controversy comes – we must have the wherewithal to work through it. A. Too many content to get up & run away from it. 1. Church hopping. 2. How deep is our loyalty to Jesus? To the congregation in which we are members? B. Too often – during controversy – our behavior becomes dishonorable – out of pride we go somewhere else rather than facing the truth & repenting of error. C. How many needless divisions have come between brethren because of haughty pride & “majoring in the minors?” 1. When we lose sight of our primary purpose – we are vulnerable to being torn apart by selfishness; gossip; and factionalism. 2. So…we must keep a proper sense of proportion. 3. We must see the largeness & importance of the work in comparison to our own personal problems. D. Too many congregations hindered by pettiness & allow it to keep them from growing. Conclusion: A. Col. 3:12-17 B. Let’s not stray from holding up the truth. Do it in a Christ-like manner. C. I N V I T A T I O N