Jude understood how glorious it is to celebrate our common union in Christ. Magnifying the redemptive grace of God and our undeserved salvation never gets old, does it? Having said that, this emergency 911 epistle (aka Jude), illustrates that it is pastorally negligent to ignore a clear and present danger! To act like everything is spiritually ok, when it's not, is both dangerous and wrong! True shepherds protect the flock at all costs (John 10). On the other hand, when danger appears "hirelings" leave the sheep unprotected. Jesus reminded his disciples that hirelings really only care about themselves. Their personal comfort and well-being is what they are most concerned about. Add to that, Jeremiah 6:14 reminds us that false teachers say, "'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace at all."
After a wonderfully enriching five year journey through the signature Gospel of John, my original plan was to begin a new expository study of a brief, yet power packed, epistle. Philemon. Sadly, I cannot do that at this time. Though the heresy of flown blown Antinomianism has NOT crept into our beloved church family (as was true in Jude's case), hyper-grace sanctification and lower-case “a,” Reformed antinomianism- has! To do nothing and just hope for the best would be a dereliction of duty.Allow me to illustrate. How would you react if you heard that your city fire station captain responded like this? "Fire station 401. Fire chief Caleb speaking." "Sir, please calm down! So just your attached garage is on fire? Well, we’re really busy waxing our trucks and few guys are catching up on sleep. We had a really busy weekend… Please call us back if the fire spreads to the entire house- bye for now!" You would be outraged...and rightly so!
It’s the God ordained duty of shepherds/pastors to protect the sheep entrusted to their watch-care (Heb. 13:17) and to guard the doctrine of the church (1 Tim. 3:15). 1 and 2 Timothy make this very point over and over again. For a good example of what I am referring to read through Titus 2:1-15.
Let me encourage you to read through the book of James this week. Take special note of all the positive instruction in the book. Also keep track of, if and when, the Holy Spirit corrects error and/or confronts sin. It’s perfectly balanced biblical instruction. Of course it is, it's the infallible Word of God.
Now please don’t misunderstand. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone lest any sinner boast, and rob God of the glory that He alone deserves- per Ephesian 2:1-10/Titus 3:5-7. By rediscovering the pure gospel of grace, the Protestant Reformers (Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Knox) were used of God to rescue Europe from spiritual darkness and the yoke of Roman Catholic (works righteousness). Just as Saint Paul was used of God to rescue the early church from the jaws of the Judaizers; the original capital "L" Legalists!
Having rediscovered the heart of the Gospel. That it’s genuine faith alone in Christ Jesus alone wherein God freely justifies the ungodly (Rom. 4:5)…Protestant pastors had to quickly answer the Roman Catholic charge that justification by faith ALONE invariably leads to an abandonment of good works! That the pure Gospel of grace alone excuses licentiousness and promotes lawlessness! Effectively, the Roman Church WRONGLY accused the Reformers of Antinomianism. The Council of Trent formally anathematized the 5 solas! That big word, Antinomianism, simply means, “Against Law” Practically speaking they teach that believers are now free to live however they want! Antinomian theology implies that grace alone means believers are "free to sin." The Bible actually teaches that Christians are now "free from sin." Faithful ministers of the gospel emphasize both Christ for pardon and Christ for power!
To put it another way, and I’m citing Dr. Lillback, president of Westminster Seminary- Now, Christ’s office of righteousness’ must not be separated from his office of 'sanctification…Those who God freely justifies he progressively sanctifies and He will one day glorify (Rom. 8:28-29; Phil. 1:6)...Justification and sanctification are inseparable. Yet Calvin equally and rightly insists that they must be carefully distinguished!
In the towering epistle of Romans, the Holy Spirit defends the one true gospel while simultaneously obliterating two major heresies: Namely: 1) Legalistic works-based religion AND 2) Antinomianism- those who misuse and abuse God’s grace on the altar of lawlessness and carnality!
Again, don’t take my word for it. Read Romans 4:1-8. Faith alone is the instrument by which we receive the imputed righteousness of Christ! Like John chapter 3, Romans 2-4 brings moralistic, religious do-gooders to their knees!
Having said that, God’s perfect righteousness is reflected in God’s holy Law. The holy Law functions in three ways: 1) As a mirror, the Law convicts and condemns us. It reveals our spiritual warts and blemishes. 2) As a school tutor, the Law then mercifully point helpless, hellbound sinners to Christ (the only Savior; Acts 4:12; John 14:6)! 3) As an infallible guide, the Law also enlightens believers as to what pleases the Father (who we love and serve with joy and gladness). The third use of the Law is a very important issue. We will save this matter for a future study (sermon).
2) Balanced biblical instruction and soul care must be (both) positive and negative. (see Titus 1:9-16; Titus 2:1, 11-15; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Jude 3-4; Titus 3:10-11). The faithful shepherd positively proclaims sound doctrine and negatively eliminates any and all theological errors. He encourages those who by God's grace are doing while but he must also address unrepentant sin (see 1 Corinthians 5).
This brings us to a third key truth: 3) “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone." (Titus 2:1, 11-15; James 2:14-16; John 14:15, 23. Matthew 13:1-23). This explains why Jesus in Luke 6:46 asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I say?” And why Jesus said, “If anyone truly loves Me, he will keep My Word.” (John 14:23) And “By their FRUIT, you will know them!” (Matthew 7) Jesus carefully explained the theological meaning of the parable of the soils in Matthew 13:1-23. It also explains why Ephesians 2:10 follows verses 4-9 and why the H.S. included the book of James and 1 John.
Finally, our fourth key truth: 4) The Grace that Freely Justifies, Progressively Sanctifies All True Believers. "And such were some of you! (1 Cor. 6:11) (See also Romans 6-8; 10:9f; John 3:36; 20:28-31; Ephesians 2:1-10).
In his preface to Romans the Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther wrote, “Faith is a divine work in us which changes us and makes us to be born anew of God [John 1:12–13]. It kills the old ‘Adam’ and makes us altogether different people, in heart and spirit and mind and all powers; and it brings with it the Holy Spirit. O, it is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, this faith. It is impossible for it not to be doing good works incessantly. f It does not ask whether good works are to be done, but before the question is asked, it has already done them, and is constantly doing them. Whoever does not do such works, however, is an unbeliever, who gropes and looks around for faith and good works, but knows neither what faith is nor what good works are. Yet such a person talks and talks, with many words, about faith and good works. Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake life itself on it a thousand times. This knowledge of and confidence in God’s grace makes people glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and with all creatures. And this is the work which the Holy Spirit performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, a person is ready and glad to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything, out of love and praise to God, who has shown this grace. Thus, it is impossible to separate works from faith, quite as impossible as to separate heat and light from fire.” (Robert Kolb and Timothy J. Wengert, eds., The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Accordance electronic ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000), 576.)
In the coming weeks we will talk more about the relationship between justification and sanctification. Faith and fruit. Delight and duty. We’ll talk about, “knowing and growing in full assurance of faith.” We’ll address what lower case “a” antinomianism and hyper-grace sanctification are and why they are spiritually harmful. We will try and help you understand the difference between heresy and false doctrine and answer what to do when someone starts promoting contrary doctrines in your local church and much, much more.
It’s the God ordained duty of shepherds/pastors to protect the sheep entrusted to their watch-care (Heb. 13:17) and to guard the doctrine of the church (1 Tim. 3:15). 1 and 2 Timothy make this very point over and over again. For a good example of what I am referring to read through Titus 2:1-15.
Having said that, like godly parents, pastors and elders strive to be biblically balanced. Wanting to be kind, patient, and gracious, but never at the expense of one’s personal walk with God. The overall doctrinal purity and spiritual well-being of God's people is a shepherd's chief concern.
At the onset of this series, let me say this: Faithful biblical instruction must be balanced! It must be positive and negative. To what proportion, and to what degree, depends on the specific circumstances. Read Revelation 2-3 and you will see the Perfect Shepherd's specific instructions to seven different local churches. The tone of each letter varies greatly depending on what was taking place in each congregation. When needed Jesus does not mince words. He is perfectly balanced, "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14-18).
But don’t take my word for it. Notice what the Word of God requires of pastors/elders in Titus 1. Two voices are required in biblical ministry: 1) Positive exhortation is the enjoyable part of shepherding and preaching. “By God’s grace you’re doing well flock! EXCEL STILL MORE!” (per 1 Thess. 4:10). Some weeks I pinch myself…“I can’t believe I’m getting paid this week, in part, to study and preach the theology of John 3:16! 'For God soo loved the big, bad world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.'"
The second voice is "negative." 2) Biblical shepherds must also “warn,” “challenge,” “admonish,” and when necessary, “correct something” and/or “rebuke someone.” Take special note of the 2 Timothy 4:2-4 mandate as well as what Paul says in Titus 3:10-11.
Titus 1:5-10 highlights the biblical qualifications, the skill set, and specific ministry duties of New Testament church leaders. As the Spirit-equipped, shepherd-theologians of the church (per Eph. 4:11-16 and 1 & 2 Timothy) pastors and lay elders "must (Titus 1:9) hold firmly the faithful word, which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be ABLE BOTH A) to exhort in sound doctrine and B) (they must) refute those who contradict."
But don’t take my word for it. Notice what the Word of God requires of pastors/elders in Titus 1. Two voices are required in biblical ministry: 1) Positive exhortation is the enjoyable part of shepherding and preaching. “By God’s grace you’re doing well flock! EXCEL STILL MORE!” (per 1 Thess. 4:10). Some weeks I pinch myself…“I can’t believe I’m getting paid this week, in part, to study and preach the theology of John 3:16! 'For God soo loved the big, bad world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.'"
The second voice is "negative." 2) Biblical shepherds must also “warn,” “challenge,” “admonish,” and when necessary, “correct something” and/or “rebuke someone.” Take special note of the 2 Timothy 4:2-4 mandate as well as what Paul says in Titus 3:10-11.
Titus 1:5-10 highlights the biblical qualifications, the skill set, and specific ministry duties of New Testament church leaders. As the Spirit-equipped, shepherd-theologians of the church (per Eph. 4:11-16 and 1 & 2 Timothy) pastors and lay elders "must (Titus 1:9) hold firmly the faithful word, which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be ABLE BOTH A) to exhort in sound doctrine and B) (they must) refute those who contradict."
In Pastor Titus’ ministry context there were rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision that were leading various sheep astray! Upsetting entire households. Verses 11-15 inform us these are false believers and false teachers Titus is dealing with. The Greek word refute means "to eliminate error!" Building up the faithful is hard work but it's generally very rewarding! (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Exterminating heresy, calling out error, and confronting sin is the rigorous and risky side of ministry! Faithful pastors that do this have the internal scars to prove it! In Galatians 4:16, Paul had to ask, "Have I become your enemy for telling you the truth." God's Word warns that if you reprove a proud scoffer chances are they will despise you for it (Prov. 9:8-12)!
Let me encourage you to read through the book of James this week. Take special note of all the positive instruction in the book. Also keep track of, if and when, the Holy Spirit corrects error and/or confronts sin. It’s perfectly balanced biblical instruction. Of course it is, it's the infallible Word of God.
The point I am trying to make is simply this. In many ways, if I never had to correct aberrant theology or sinful behavior; parenting, pastoring, counseling, and discipleship would be a walk in Eden Park.
Look again at Titus 1- according to the non-negotiable qualifications and prerequisite abilities listed here in vv. 5-9, shepherds must be willing and able to "refute those who contradict." Notice what Paul says in chapter 2. Titus 2:1, But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine... Titus 2:11-15, For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Spirit-empowered, grace-fueled, love for Christ driven calls to obedience isn’t “legalism!” Being "zealous for good works" isn’t legalism! Encouraging progressive sanctification isn't legalism (Col. 1:28; 1 Tim. 4:7b-8). This is basic Christianity! As Dr. R.C. Sproul noted, citing John 14:15-23, “Genuine Love for Christ manifests itself in OBEDIENCE to His COMMANDMENTS." Think back to our final few expositions of John 21. "Simon, do you love Me? (then) Feed My sheep."
Spirit-empowered, grace-fueled, love for Christ driven calls to obedience isn’t “legalism!” Being "zealous for good works" isn’t legalism! Encouraging progressive sanctification isn't legalism (Col. 1:28; 1 Tim. 4:7b-8). This is basic Christianity! As Dr. R.C. Sproul noted, citing John 14:15-23, “Genuine Love for Christ manifests itself in OBEDIENCE to His COMMANDMENTS." Think back to our final few expositions of John 21. "Simon, do you love Me? (then) Feed My sheep."
Now please don’t misunderstand. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone lest any sinner boast, and rob God of the glory that He alone deserves- per Ephesian 2:1-10/Titus 3:5-7. By rediscovering the pure gospel of grace, the Protestant Reformers (Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Knox) were used of God to rescue Europe from spiritual darkness and the yoke of Roman Catholic (works righteousness). Just as Saint Paul was used of God to rescue the early church from the jaws of the Judaizers; the original capital "L" Legalists!
Having rediscovered the heart of the Gospel. That it’s genuine faith alone in Christ Jesus alone wherein God freely justifies the ungodly (Rom. 4:5)…Protestant pastors had to quickly answer the Roman Catholic charge that justification by faith ALONE invariably leads to an abandonment of good works! That the pure Gospel of grace alone excuses licentiousness and promotes lawlessness! Effectively, the Roman Church WRONGLY accused the Reformers of Antinomianism. The Council of Trent formally anathematized the 5 solas! That big word, Antinomianism, simply means, “Against Law” Practically speaking they teach that believers are now free to live however they want! Antinomian theology implies that grace alone means believers are "free to sin." The Bible actually teaches that Christians are now "free from sin." Faithful ministers of the gospel emphasize both Christ for pardon and Christ for power!
Certain Catholic theologians said, that “If you teach your congregation that ‘they can never out sin the grace of God’ then Christians will live like pagan hedonists!” "No, no, no!" The Protestant leaders answered! "We evangelicals whole-heartedly embrace the warnings of Jude 4-23 and affirm the balanced teaching of James, 1 John, and Romans 6-7!" The Reformers rightly taught that “We are justified by faith alone, but the faith that truly justifies IS NEVER ALONE but is ever accompanied by all saving grace.” To quote the holy Word of God, James 2:17, Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself. In Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus warned, Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, in Your name did we not prophesy, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.
To put it another way, and I’m citing Dr. Lillback, president of Westminster Seminary- Now, Christ’s office of righteousness’ must not be separated from his office of 'sanctification…Those who God freely justifies he progressively sanctifies and He will one day glorify (Rom. 8:28-29; Phil. 1:6)...Justification and sanctification are inseparable. Yet Calvin equally and rightly insists that they must be carefully distinguished!
In the towering epistle of Romans, the Holy Spirit defends the one true gospel while simultaneously obliterating two major heresies: Namely: 1) Legalistic works-based religion AND 2) Antinomianism- those who misuse and abuse God’s grace on the altar of lawlessness and carnality!
Again, don’t take my word for it. Read Romans 4:1-8. Faith alone is the instrument by which we receive the imputed righteousness of Christ! Like John chapter 3, Romans 2-4 brings moralistic, religious do-gooders to their knees!
Having said that, God’s perfect righteousness is reflected in God’s holy Law. The holy Law functions in three ways: 1) As a mirror, the Law convicts and condemns us. It reveals our spiritual warts and blemishes. 2) As a school tutor, the Law then mercifully point helpless, hellbound sinners to Christ (the only Savior; Acts 4:12; John 14:6)! 3) As an infallible guide, the Law also enlightens believers as to what pleases the Father (who we love and serve with joy and gladness). The third use of the Law is a very important issue. We will save this matter for a future study (sermon).
Lest anyone jump from one soul damning ditch, Pharisaic Judaism, into another destructive ditch, Antinomianism, the Holy Spirit adds this in Romans 6:1-2, What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:15-18, What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you go on presenting yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were given over,18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (See also Romans 8:12-17)
Let me pause here and let you catch your breath.
Today’s study has established 4 Key Truths
1) A faithful pastor feeds, leads, warns, rescues, watches over, and protects the flock entrusted to his watch care! (John 21:15-17; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Hebrews 13:17; 2 Timothy 1-4; Titus 1-3; John 10:11-15)
1) A faithful pastor feeds, leads, warns, rescues, watches over, and protects the flock entrusted to his watch care! (John 21:15-17; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Hebrews 13:17; 2 Timothy 1-4; Titus 1-3; John 10:11-15)
2) Balanced biblical instruction and soul care must be (both) positive and negative. (see Titus 1:9-16; Titus 2:1, 11-15; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Jude 3-4; Titus 3:10-11). The faithful shepherd positively proclaims sound doctrine and negatively eliminates any and all theological errors. He encourages those who by God's grace are doing while but he must also address unrepentant sin (see 1 Corinthians 5).
This brings us to a third key truth: 3) “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone." (Titus 2:1, 11-15; James 2:14-16; John 14:15, 23. Matthew 13:1-23). This explains why Jesus in Luke 6:46 asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I say?” And why Jesus said, “If anyone truly loves Me, he will keep My Word.” (John 14:23) And “By their FRUIT, you will know them!” (Matthew 7) Jesus carefully explained the theological meaning of the parable of the soils in Matthew 13:1-23. It also explains why Ephesians 2:10 follows verses 4-9 and why the H.S. included the book of James and 1 John.
Finally, our fourth key truth: 4) The Grace that Freely Justifies, Progressively Sanctifies All True Believers. "And such were some of you! (1 Cor. 6:11) (See also Romans 6-8; 10:9f; John 3:36; 20:28-31; Ephesians 2:1-10).
John Newton, paraphrasing 1 Cor. 15:10 and Romans 7, wrote, “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am!”
To restate our fourth point: External proof of genuine (internal) faith in Christ is revealed not merely in what one confesses with their mouth, though that’s obviously very important, (per Romans 10:9f; John 20:28-31; 1 John 5:15) it’s also seen in how someone lives their life as a “reborn,” “new creation” in Christ. (note James 2; Romans 6). For a true saint, God's commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).
In his preface to Romans the Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther wrote, “Faith is a divine work in us which changes us and makes us to be born anew of God [John 1:12–13]. It kills the old ‘Adam’ and makes us altogether different people, in heart and spirit and mind and all powers; and it brings with it the Holy Spirit. O, it is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, this faith. It is impossible for it not to be doing good works incessantly. f It does not ask whether good works are to be done, but before the question is asked, it has already done them, and is constantly doing them. Whoever does not do such works, however, is an unbeliever, who gropes and looks around for faith and good works, but knows neither what faith is nor what good works are. Yet such a person talks and talks, with many words, about faith and good works. Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake life itself on it a thousand times. This knowledge of and confidence in God’s grace makes people glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and with all creatures. And this is the work which the Holy Spirit performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, a person is ready and glad to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything, out of love and praise to God, who has shown this grace. Thus, it is impossible to separate works from faith, quite as impossible as to separate heat and light from fire.” (Robert Kolb and Timothy J. Wengert, eds., The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Accordance electronic ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000), 576.)
In the coming weeks we will talk more about the relationship between justification and sanctification. Faith and fruit. Delight and duty. We’ll talk about, “knowing and growing in full assurance of faith.” We’ll address what lower case “a” antinomianism and hyper-grace sanctification are and why they are spiritually harmful. We will try and help you understand the difference between heresy and false doctrine and answer what to do when someone starts promoting contrary doctrines in your local church and much, much more.
To listen to the sermon audio of this message or to download application notes please visit here.