The March 29, 2008 Daily Oklahoman had a letter to the editor from a Mr. TIM HEMPEL of Choctaw, Oklahoma [read letter] There are several mistakes, or misconceptions, on Mr. Hempel’s part I would like to clarify.
1. “Regardless of denominational affiliation”
A. The Lord’s church is NOT a denomination (Matthew 16:18) (Acts 20:28)
B. Jesus is the head of His church (Ephesians 1:22) (Colossians 1:18)
C. Therefore, the doctrine of Christ is our only guide in religious/spiritual matters (2 John 9)
2. “…Comforting, loving savior…..message of love and redemption”
A. Jesus does love us! He died for us! (John 15:13) “greater love….”
B. But, His love for us does NOT mean we do not have to obey him. (Matthew 7:21) (Hebrews 5:8-9)
C. If we love Him we will obey Him (John 14:15)
3. “…Reach searching hearts…”
A. What are these “searching hearts” searching for?
1. IF its unconditional salvation, then DON’T look to Jesus: Hear……… (John 6:44-45) Believe….. (John 8:24) Repent….. (Luke 13:3,5) Confess Jesus…. (Matthew 10:32,33) Baptized.. (Mark 16:16) (1) (2)
4. “…God’s people are busy shooting their own?”
A. It is a matter of debate whether or not the preacher at Quail Springs is one of our “own”.
1. He has publically “gone out from among us”
2. HE chose to go the public newspaper, so He has been dealt with in the same venue.
B. We are commanded to mark false teachers (Romans 16:17-18)
1. The impression must NOT be left that any faithful Christian could be in fellowship with a false teacher.
C. We are NOT “shooting” our own!
1. We have marked & rebuked a false teacher in the same arena that he proclaimed his false doctrine.
2. To TOLERATE sinful practices in worship would really be shooting our own (i.e. Killing their souls)
5. “…The world must look on with disdain…”
A. The world will ALWAYS hate the way of truth (John 15:18-21)
B. The ways of the world end in death (1 John 2:15-17)
C. IF we seek to please men we do not please Christ (Galatians 1:6-10) (3)
6. “…While we’re busy hating each other!”
A. HATE? Do I hate a brother because I obey God?
1. Paul’s words to the Galatians….(Galatians 4:16)
B. Did John hate Diotrophes? (3 John)
1. John wrote more on not hating our brother than any other N.T. writer. Does he suddenly hate a brother? NO!!!!
C. We must hate false doctrine!
1. Jesus hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, taught at Pergamos (Revelation 2:15)
D. IF we love people, we will tell them the truth!
1. The truth is, tampering with God’s plan will cause us to be lost!
7. “Any follower of Christ should be weeping and praying over such tragedy…”
A. The “tragedy” is to be like Israel and say ”Peace, peace when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11) B “Webster” defines “Tragedy” as: 2a. a disastrous event; CALAMITY (and) “CALAMITY”: 2. An extraordinarily grave event marked by great loss and lasting distress and affliction The disaster of this tragedy is for Satan and his cause The same is true for the lasting distress and affliction Satan will not tolerate God’s truth and neither will his followers We either follow God or Satan: Good or Evil: Righteousness or Sin (Romans 6)
C. The “weeping and praying” has been done by faithful followers of Christ about the false doctrine of instrumental music in worship. They also weep and pray over those who are defending a damnable error in the church of our Lord. EDR 3/29/08