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
Gathering Growing Going
Loading Content...
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
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
Bernard Gabbott
1 Peter 2:9-12, Jonah 1:1-17, Exodus 19:1-8
Bernard Gabbott
1 Corinthians 32:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Jonah 2:1-10
Bernard Gabbott
Ephesians 4:17-32
What is greatness? In particular, what is greatness in the kingdom of God? That is the question addressed in the passage from Matthew today. Jesus is approached by two different groups. First, the family of Zebedee: James and John and their mother. Second, two blind men. Jesus asks both groups the same question “What do you want me to do for you?” What they request is quite revealing. And so is Jesus’ response to their requests. The Zebedees request position, status, reward for effort. The blind men request mercy, for their eyes to be open. Which request lines up with Jesus’ teaching previously? Which request do we tend to go to ourselves?
The Department of Home Affairs has an Australian Values Statement on its website. Visa applicants for residency/citizenship must sign this. And one of its key principles is that we are a ‘fair-go’ country. We would all agree with that. I suspect, too, that we would summarise our ‘fair go’ culture by stating that ‘you get what you deserve/what you work for’. In fact, many of us have established our relational, social and work ethics on this very principle. But is that what the ‘kingdom of heaven is like’? What is its value statement? What is the hallmark of such a kingdom, and its ruler, even its citizenship? Today, after Jesus has assured his disciples that the dependent will be provided for by their king, he now uses the same ideas to issue with them a warning not to abuse, misuse, ignore or become entitled in the face of the kingdom of heaven hallmark—which is grace.
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.
13 Dewhurst St, Narrabri NSW 2390
Ph: (02) 6792 2151
Email: Click Here
8:30am & 10:30am each Sunday
9:30am each Sunday in January
Copyright © 2024 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in