This week we have been learning a ton about church history! It has been so interesting learning about the movements of the church and its impact (or lack thereof) of the culture. Here's some important things to note about church history!
Why is Church History important?
a.
If we want to stay faithful to the truth, we
must understand the attacks truth has suffered in the past. We can learn so
much from the history and heritage of our faith that past generations have
experienced. We must be aware of the pitfalls they fell into as well as the
successes they had in the advancement of God’s kingdom.
i. 2
Timothy 1:13 “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from
me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
ii. 1
Timothy 4:16- “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because
if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
b.
It’s impossible to understand where we are now
without knowing how we got here. Being a
part of a 2,000-year history inspires me to take part of fulfilling the great
commission that the apostles go Jesus started. It encourages me to spread my faith to
the next generation with a profound sense of humility and honor.
c.
It’s important to create balance. It is easy to
see in Christian history that we are quick to over-correct. The pendulum is always
swinging from one extreme to the other. It is no different from Christianity
today!
d.
Without historical perspective, it’s easy to
think that we have the study of God all figured out. Seeing the extensiveness
of past mistakes made by brilliant people who passionately loved Jesus makes me
realize that I’m probably missing something too. We are imperfect people and we
are certain to have errors somewhere in our theology (study of God). Studying Church history is
important because it helps me to guard against pride in my own theology.
Studying Church history has forced me to acknowledge that I too have my own
blind spots.
1)
How
do we see God’s sovereignty throughout Church history?
a.
The
perpetual will of God can be seen throughout Church history all the way to
today. God is sovereign, or the ultimate source of all power, authority and
everything that exists, and we know that he reveals himself in his word and he
never changes.
i. Revelation 21:6 “God is above
all things and before all things. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning
and the end. He is immortal, and He is present everywhere so that everyone can
know Him.”
ii. Colossians 1:16 “God created
all things and holds all things together, both in heaven and on earth, both
visible and invisible.”
iii. Romans 11:33 “God knows all
things past, present, and future. There is no limit to His knowledge, for God
knows everything completely before it even happens.”
b.
Knowing Church history also opens our eyes to
past generation’s sins and failures and gives us hope that we are not alone in
our mistakes and that the church still pressed on through the power of the Holy
Spirit through imperfect people! The Church still has a mission, and we are
still called to preach the Gospel to all nations.
c.
When looking at church history it is evident
that when persecution exists, the number of believers (the church) grows like
crazy! Persecution of the church can be a good thing, because during times of
persecution the church is purified and it grows numerically. It’s amazing to see the true believers stand
for truth and are willing to put everything on the line to see God exalted. We pray
and work for peace and tranquility as it is beneficial for the flourishing of
Christianity that believers have some elbowroom for the work of the kingdom.
But if oppression or persecution comes, we still need to rejoice in it (Matthew
5:11-12) and look for ways to bear witness for Jesus in such an authentic
manner that it makes our Lord evident to our persecutors.
What is our responsibility as believers in God to
handle the truth?
a.
We are to
listen with great eagerness and examine the scriptures everyday like the
Bereans. We are to read, study & apply its truth.
i. Acts
17:11 “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in
Thessalonica, received the message with great eagerness and examined the
scriptures everyday to see if what Paul said was true.”
ii. 2
Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker
who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
b.
We are to be faithful to preserve correct
doctrine.
Throughout studying church history, its gives us hope that God’s people, enlightened and emboldened by the Holy Spirit, will confront heresy and false teaching whenever it seeks to infiltrate the Church.
i. Galatians
1:6-9 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in
the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is
another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel
of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel
contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said
before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to
the one you received, let him be accursed.”
ii. Colossians
2:8- “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit,
according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world,
and not according to Christ.”
c.
We can guard against false teachings. There will
always be old heresies that show up in the church and appear as new &
progressive teachings. The bible also
warns us against false teachers who infiltrate the church. We must always be on
guard against such things.
i. Scripture
warns us, and the history bears it out, that there will be false prophets and
teachers in the Church, who will bring in destructive heresies, and many will
follow their destructive ways (2 Peter 2:1-2).
1.
Examples of this are found in the many churches
and entire denominations that are now ordaining gay and lesbian ministers, and
in places where homosexual marriage is not only being promoted, but performed
and given the blessing of individuals, churches, and denominations. It is the influx of a liberal, man-centered
theology that is at the heart of this decay.
ii. 2
Timothy 4:3- “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound
teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers
to suit their own passions.”
What is our responsibility as members of the
church body?
a.
Be part of a faithful local church that esteems
the word of God and follows it closely.
b.
Attend the meetings of the local church
c.
Be an active participant in the church’s work
d.
Find your spiritual gifting and serve in a
ministry
e.
Have a teachable spirit, submit to local church
leadership
f.
Examine the scriptures for yourself
g.
Stand firm against false teaching and
destructive heresies
h.
Teach others outside of the church and share the
gospel
i.
BE THE CHURCH!
Paul was writing to strengthen the church in Thesalonica and this is what he said, let us gain encouragement from his words!
“with the
help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong
opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,
nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved
by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but
God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put
on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise
from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we
could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among
you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you.
Because we loved you so much, we were
delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” 1 Thes. 2:3-6
This scripture can apply to us today as an encouragement to share not only the gospel, but our very lives! Even in the face of strong opposition and false teachings of today, we are to speak His truth in love and share not only the gospel that can save us but also our very lives! For we are not working to please man, but God! We are to stand up for our Christian faith.
Discussion Questions:
What are some false doctrines or teachings that are creeping
into our modern day church in America?
How can we stay teachable, yet guard against those false teachings?
Is it important to stay close to traditions of the heritage
of our faith forefathers?
Why do you think God chooses to use the local church as his
tool to reach the world?
How can you be a part of that plan to reach reach others for God?
Are you a member of a church that teaches sound doctrine and seeks to live by it?
If not, why? What is holding you back from being a part of something bigger than yourself?
If you are a member of a church, how can you plug in and serve there? Is there a small group ministry, bible studies, prayer teams, greeting teams you can be a part of?
What are your gifts a talents God has given you? How can you use them at your local church?
How can we share not only the gospel of God, but also our
very lives with others?
Join me in preserving sound teachings of the bible in a time where our culture is constantly changing and sometimes veering or twisting the teachings of Jesus to make it more palatable for themselves. Let us guard against false teaching and stand firm to the truth of God's word!
Keep running after Jesus,
D. Pro
