Liberalism: “It’s No Big Deal???” Part 2. Liberalism says, “It’s no big deal” When...

Liberalism:“It’s No Big Deal???”

Liberalism:“It’s No Big Deal???”

Part 2Part 2

Liberalism says, “It’s no Liberalism says, “It’s no big deal”big deal”

• When God’s word is violated and/or not consulted and followed– Acts 17:11; Col 3:17; 1 Pet Acts 17:11; Col 3:17; 1 Pet

4:11; Jam 1:21-25; Heb 11:64:11; Jam 1:21-25; Heb 11:6

• Examples of the liberal mindset and its practices – Instrumental music in worship is, “no

big deal” (taken from Mike Riley’s Ten reasons why instrumental music is wrong in worship)


• There is no command in the New Testament for Christians to use instruments of music in the worship of the church.

• There is no example in the New Testament of a church, apostle, teacher, or any Christian ever using an instrument in worship.

• It is going beyond that which is written– 1 Cor 4:61 Cor 4:6

• It violates the command to sing (for some)– Eph 5:19; & Col 3:16Eph 5:19; & Col 3:16


• Singing is commanded; the accompaniment of a musical instrument is an “addition” to this command, and therefore it is wrong

– Rev 22:18Rev 22:18

• The use of the instrument in worship to God is a failure to “abide in the doctrine of Christ”

– 2 Jn 1:92 Jn 1:9

• Those who use the instrument in worship “reject” the authority of Christ

– Mt 28:18; Lk 6:46Mt 28:18; Lk 6:46

• It cannot be done “in the name” (or by the authority) of Jesus

– 1 Cor 4:6; Col 3:171 Cor 4:6; Col 3:17

Liberalism says, “It’s no Liberalism says, “It’s no big deal”big deal”– Local church providing social activities as its work is,

“no big deal”• There is only one example in the New Testament of a

congregation that sponsored and facilitated social meal time. Consider 1 Corinthians 11:17-22,341 Corinthians 11:17-22,34.. While one may argue that the abuse was of the Lord’s Supper and not of the social nature of the meal, the fact remains that this is our only example of a church that sponsored a meal in a congregational setting; and it is not a positive example, either! What may have begun as a positive thing for the Corinthians had devolved into a sharp and bitter situation that left some members feeling isolated and belittled. The meal time had not only exacerbated the social conflict within the congregation, but it had also distracted them from their primary purpose for meeting as a group: worshipping God and proclaiming the death of Jesus Christ! Their social activity, just like today, had become a stumbling block. It is for this reason that Paul commands the Corinthians to mark a strict boundary between their social, carnal activities and their spiritual, worship activities. They had homes in which to eat and drink, but the church was bound to spiritual activities. If any of them were hungry, the church was not the place to facilitate that desire, but the home (11:3411:34).

Liberalism says, “It’s no Liberalism says, “It’s no big deal”big deal”– Part of our religious culture’s problem is

a failure to delineate between the spiritual and the carnal. Rather than appealing to somebody’s spiritual needs (forgiveness, meaning, purpose, reconciliation, faith), many churches use carnal gimmicks to appeal to a person’s physical needs (hunger, social fulfillment, recreation, romantic attention). But this places the attention in the wrong place, as Paul puts it in 1 1 Corinthians 15:50Corinthians 15:50, “For flesh and For flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”God.”


– Interestingly, fellowship halls go way beyond what the Corinthians were condemned for, since they were “despising the church of God” for just bringing their meals with them. How much more, then, would Paul have had a problem with an arrangement wherein the church itself facilitated these meals? If simply bringing a sack lunch to the assembly brought such condemnation, what would Paul say about game rooms, cafes, or gymnasiums?

Liberalism says, “It’s no Liberalism says, “It’s no big deal”big deal”– Some see the above statement and roll their eyes, thinking that we have an

antiquated and limited perception of the work that the church is supposed to be doing as the church. Yet, does it not belittle the spiritual work of the church to invest so much in the social? When we build a fellowship hall or a gymnasium, are we not saying that the spiritual work is not good enough to stand on its own? That the Bible classes, the baptisms, the worship, the singing, the praying, the benevolence, etc., are not enough to keep us busy and satisfied? I am not limiting the church by saying we should focus exclusively on what is commanded of us, I am freeing the church from the distractions of the carnal! “The church in a locality is composed of saints who act together in the execution of the Lord’s will wherein He directs this collective effort. Collective action is to be distinguished from individual action. The individual sustains relationships which include economic, political, domestic, spiritual, and social responsibilities ((Ephesians 4:28Ephesians 4:28; ; 2 2 Thess. 3:10Thess. 3:10; ; Romans 13:1-7Romans 13:1-7; ; 1 Timothy 5:1-61 Timothy 5:1-6; ; Ephesians 5:21Ephesians 5:21; ; 6:46:4; ; Romans 12:13Romans 12:13).). The church is enjoined with spiritual responsibilities which include teaching the gospel, worshipping, edifying and ministering to its membership—the church is not an economic collective (to operate a business), nor a political collective (to campaign for political interests of its members), nor a domestic collective (to operate nurseries, schools, etc.), nor a social collective (to provide welfare or entertainment for the community (1 Timothy 3:151 Timothy 3:15; ; Ephesians 4:12Ephesians 4:12).). For the church to furnish entertainment, or facilities for entertainment, is for the church to assume a role that God never authorized” (Bible Answers, Volume 1, Frost, p. 90).


– Fellowship with false doctrines and false teachers is “no big deal”• I Cor 5 & 15:33; Eph 5:11; 2 Jn 9-I Cor 5 & 15:33; Eph 5:11; 2 Jn 9-

1111

– “Little white lies” are, “no big deal”• Ps 101:7; Prov 19:9; Eph 4:25Ps 101:7; Prov 19:9; Eph 4:25

– Immodest dress, “no big deal” (Thoughts taken from Karen Ray’s Thoughts on Modesty)•1 Tim 2:9


• The Fashions of This World– Where do the fashions of this world come from?

Are the people who design them inspired by God or Satan?

– The Bible says that Satan is "the ruler of this "the ruler of this world" world" (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and "the god "the god of this world" of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4,(2 Corinthians 4:4, KJV). It says that Satan the Devil "deceives the whole world" "deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9) (Revelation 12:9) and that "the whole world lies "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" under the sway of the wicked one" (I John 5:19). (I John 5:19). And it says that he uses his power of deception to influence "the course of this world" as "the prince "the course of this world" as "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2).(Ephesians 2:2).

– the Devil is indeed inspiring the perverted fashions of this world.


• Be a prude– A prude is someone who is prudent. A prudent person

is "discreet or cautious in managing one's activities; circumspect" (TheFreeDictionary). "A prudent wife is "A prudent wife is from the LORD"from the LORD" (Proverbs 19:14Proverbs 19:14).

– What about being called a "prude" — is that a bad thing? "The wise in heart will be called prudent" "The wise in heart will be called prudent" (Proverbs 16:21Proverbs 16:21) — so, no, being called a "prude" is not a bad thing.

– What is God's exhortation to a person who is not a prude? "O you simple ones, understand prudence, and "O you simple ones, understand prudence, and you fools, be of an understanding heart" you fools, be of an understanding heart" (Proverbs Proverbs 8:58:5).

– What is God's admonition to a person who is a prude? "Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is "Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them" stumble in them" (Hosea 14:9Hosea 14:9).


– Habitually failing to assemble to worship is, “no big deal”

– Heb 10:24-25Heb 10:24-25

• Some negative effects of missing the assembling of the saints (some information provided by Cooper P Abrams III)

– One is not putting Christ first in their life (Col 1:18bCol 1:18b)– One is living a worldly life rather than a sacrificial one

(Rom 12:1-2Rom 12:1-2)– One is being a stumbling block to others ((Rom 14:13Rom 14:13)– One cannot edify others when he is not faithful to the

church (Rom 14:19; Eph 4:12, 16; 1 Thess Rom 14:19; Eph 4:12, 16; 1 Thess 5:115:11)

– One cannot be a good steward, without being faithful to Him (1 Cor 4:21 Cor 4:2)


– One cannot truly show love for the brethren by refusing to gather with them (Rom 12:10; Heb 13:1; 1 Rom 12:10; Heb 13:1; 1 Pet 1:22; 1 Jn 3:14Pet 1:22; 1 Jn 3:14)

– One cannot show love for the Lord if he does not obey Christ (Lk 6:46Lk 6:46)

– One is not able to partake of the Lord’s Supper as commanded (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:23-29Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:23-29)

– One is not able to lay by in store as commanded (1 Cor 16:1-2)

– One is not able to gain the strength that comes from worshipping with fellow Christians

Morbus SabbaticusMorbus SabbaticusAn anonymous author described the condition of regularly missing church as "morbus Sabbaticus" or better, "Sunday sickness." He said that this is a disease peculiar to some church members. The symptoms vary, but are generally observed and never last more than twenty four hours. The symptoms never interfere with the appetite, nor affect the eyes. The Sunday paper can be read with no pain. TV seems to help the eyes. No doctor is ever called. The patient begins to improve almost immediately after the services start. No symptoms are usually felt on Saturday. The patient sleeps well and wakes feeling well. He eats a hearty Sunday Breakfast, but then the attack comes and lasts until services are over for the morning. The patient then feels better and the problem seems to go away. The patient feels better and eats a solid dinner. After dinner, he takes a nap, and then watches one or two pro football games on TV. He may go fishing or work in his yard and feels well enough to do what he pleases. He may take a walk before supper and stop and chat with neighbors. If there are church services scheduled for Sunday evenings, he will likely have a relapse about an hour before service time. Invariably, he will wake up on Monday morning and rush off to work with no ill effects from the attack the day before. The symptoms will surely appear again the afternoon of the midweek service and probably the following Sunday as well. After a few of these "attacks" at weekly intervals, the disease seems to become chronic, it becomes worse and, for some, even terminal. Some are so affected that they quit going to church altogether.

The only cure for "morbus Sabbaticus" is to first repent of the sin of unfaithfulness and disobedience to Christ's commands. You see it is sin and disobedience for a child of God to shun the church and fail to be at their appointed place and time. Before a Christian can become faithful and get back in fellowship with God they must confess their sin, and then God will give them strength to overcome their failure (1 John 1:9). The second part of the cure is to make the decision once and for all time, to be faithful to the Lord. Once the decision is made, you will not have to make it again.

Liberalism: “It’s No Big Deal???” Part 2. Liberalism says, “It’s no big deal” When...

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