Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 24 October 2021
Dealing with the Danger of False Teaching
Scripture References: Titus 1:10-16, Isaiah 29:13-16, Jude 1:3-4, Jude 1:20-25
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CloseAn elder must be able to feed the sheep and shoot the wolves – his character is the foundation for this. His life is a living example of someone who ‘knows the truth that leads to godliness’. As Titus appoints these elders, they have some wolves at the door, even in the mob. The elders must handle the truth well, proclaiming it, so that these wolves are kept at bay. The wolves are obvious – by their teaching (which takes people away from the truth) and by their conduct (which denies God). The wolves are not new – they have a historical track-record that even their own people know. They must be dealt with (‘silenced’ and ‘sharply rebuked’). But it is not about protection but also restoration – did you see that there in verse 13? The elders share the same concern as Paul and Titus – that God’s people know the truth and are transformed by it.
Scripture References: Titus 1:10-16, Isaiah 29:13-16, Jude 1:3-4, Jude 1:20-25
Related Topics: Titus | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Jesus deals with the question of ‘Who belongs in the kingdom?’ Is it children? Is it the good? Is it the godly? And, how and what does this look like? This question of ‘belonging’ is one that is constant in our lives – where do I belong, do I belong, what does belonging look like? And Jesus is very clear: the kingdom of heaven is made up of the dependent, the reliant, the weak – just like children.
The book of Esther recounts a period where God's people are in exile, aliens in a foreign land. Sounds like our time doesn't it? Even when God seems absent, He is at work. The great reversal of power at the heart of the universe has already taken place. Jesus won victory over death on the cross and in His resurrection. Satan the great enemy of God and His people, has been defeated. We wait in the now but not yet. Waiting for the Lord Jesus to return and give His people relief and rest. But as we wait, we share the good news of the gospel, call people to faith in Jesus, faithfully endure persecution, knowing that our deliverance is assured.
We love a turning point. Whether it is a story or a football game. Hope dawning at the darkest time. Where is the great turning point in Esther? It could be our memory verse, when Esther is persuaded by Mordecai to act to save her people. It could be when the king looks with favour upon Esther and holds out the golden scepter to her. It could be when Haman is forced to lead Mordecai through the city mounted on the king’s horse and proclaims that he is the man the king delights to honour. They are major events in the story of Esther. They are turning points of a sort. But the writer of Esther points us to another event. That looks so trivial.
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