HoHum:
An evangelist was speaking in a meeting when a heckler shouted, “Listen to him! And his father used to drive a wagon led by a donkey.” “That’s right,” said the evangelist, “and today my father and the wagon are gone. But I see we still have the donkey with us.”
WBTU:
Ever since the church was formed, she has been plagued by troublemakers:
““Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:15, 16, NIV.
“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29, 30, NIV.
Even today we have these same issues. We have those who, knowingly or unknowingly, work against the plan of God and seek to mold the church to their likeness!
Paul uses this word again “urge” in vs. 17. Paul has used this 2 times, Romans 12:1, and last week with Romans 15:30 about prayer and now about troublemakers.
This is preventative maintenance. As far as I know there are no troublemakers here. The best offense is a good defense! When trouble arises, we will be able to identify it and deal it a death blow before serious damage is done to the church.
Another benefit of talking about this is so that we can avoid being used of the devil to cause trouble in the Lord’s church.
Thesis: Let's discuss troublemakers in the church
For instances:
The Deeds of the troublemakers (Vs. 17-18)
They are divisive (vs. 17)
Paul uses 2 words here that describe what the troublemakers do.
Divisions- To splinter and cause dissensions. This is anything that separates one group of brethren from another group.
Obstacles- To lay a trap or snare in the path of another to cause them to stumble and fall into ruin and destruction.
How do they do this? By deviating from the Word of God! They come in and being to teach doctrines contrary to what the Bible says. They teach doctrines that resemble what one finds in the Bible. But there are subtle differences. Differences that make all the difference!
The Message paraphrase says here: “These people take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble”
Peter says this about Paul’s teachings: “He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:16, NIV.
These teachings attract some (many times appeal to the sinful nature, the flesh) and before long, there is a division in the church. The devil loves nothing better! He loves to introduce something into the life of the church that will divide the flock, divide and conquer
They are dishonest with others and even with themselves (vs. 18)
“I’m doing this for God” but in reality they are doing it for themselves. Two patterns to watch out for and most of the time they don’t even realize they are doing this:
1. A pattern of disobedience, hostility, and defiant behavior toward authority figures. “In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings.” Jude 1:8, NIV.
2. An unhealthy preoccupation with themselves. Now we all are concerned about ourselves and that is natural, but this pattern of behavior takes it to an unhealthy level. This person is totally absorbed in self. People are things to be used on their all consuming hunt for power, money, or indulging their flesh. “This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.” 2 Peter 2:10, NIV.
“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18, 19.
They are deceptive (vs. 18)
In order to get their way they are not only dishonest but deceptive. They use speech that sounds good and beneficial, speech that creates the illusion of truth based on its form, regardless of its content. Many a lie is hidden behind eloquence and personal charisma. We must never accept teaching as true just because of the packaging it comes in. We must discipline ourselves to remember that form and style are secondary to content.
They deceive naive, simple people. Must have a level of discernment with people. This is said of Jesus: “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.” John 2:24, 25, NIV.
These naive people have not matured enough to know that everything that sounds good isn’t always good. Many young Christians are eager to learn about the Lord and the Word of God but haven’t grown deep enough to be able to recognize a counterfeit when it appears before them. Just like people in banks study real money so that they can recognize a counterfeit bill when it appears, so the people of God should be so familiar with the real thing so that when a counterfeit appears, we can recognize it and expose it for what it is.
The directions for the troublemakers (vs. 17)
What are we to do about them? Two things:
1. Watch out- in other words do not be caught unaware. When our dogs see something or someone outside the fence, they become agitated. They will run from one end to the other, barking at them. They want to examine them. Keep on eye on them. Protect their territory from those who might try and take it away. May we keep our eyes open for those who would hinder the work of God by teaching false doctrine or by hindering God’s work through trouble.
2. Keep away from them. Avoid them, turn away from them. Couple things here:
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 2 Timothy 2:16, NIV.
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.” 2 John 1:10, 11, NIV.
“If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15, NIV.
When a person wants to destroy the church to get their own way, the church is better off without them! Now these people need to be aware of what they are doing and we need to give them an opportunity to repent, but if they refuse may the Lord remove them (“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”” Job 1:21, NIV.)
Must say here that we are not against questions, not against someone making us aware of some problems, not against someone challenging the church where the church can do better, we need those people. Don’t want just a bunch of “yes” people. However, difference between honest concerns and just trying to cause trouble!
The Defense against troublemakers (vs. 19)
How can we guard against troublemakers in the church? How can we make sure that we are not troublemakers ourselves? 3 things in vs. 19
1. Be committed to God’s Word. “obedience” We need to be strong in the Word! Our lives should be marked by a commitment to the Word of God! It is the “beans and taters” of our spiritual lives! There should be a commitment to:
Listen to it as it is taught and preached
Learn it: 20 to 30 minutes on Sunday morning isn’t going to cut it! Scientists tell us that people only retain about 10% of what they hear. “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.” Psalms 119:147, 148, NIV.
Live it: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22, NIV.
With this we will be able to spot the troublemakers and they will have a hard time with us
2. Be wise about what is good- in other words we need to be skilled in godly living. How can we be skilled? Practice! “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice.” Philippians 4:9, NIV.
3. Innocent about what is evil- in other words be childlike toward guilty ways.
We need to be naive, not like those in vs. 18, but not skilled in what is evil. “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” 3 John 1:11, NIV.
We do not have to be experienced in sin to be against sin! We do not have to drink poison to know that it will kill us! We don’t have to handle a rattlesnake to know that it will bite us.
“Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you):” Revelation 2:24, NIV.
May the Lord help us to walk holy and close to Him that sin seems as foreign as an Eskimo in the Mojave Desert. In a sanctified state, we can know what is not of God and spot those who are trying to lead us down a bad path and those who are trying to cause trouble!
