Introduction:

   The church is the bride of Christ!  Therefore, it should strive to remain pure and faithful unto the Son of God. 

Eph. 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” 

Discussion:

I.                   WE MUST REMAIN FAITHFUL BY NEITHER TURNING TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT.

A.      Although we are not living under the Old Testament, we can profit by studying it. 

Col. 2:14, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” 

Rom. 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” 

Joshua 1:6-9, “Be strong and of a good courage:  for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:  turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

1.      Prior to his death, Joshua encouraged the Israelites to worship and service the Lord God who delivered them out of Egyptian bondage, rather than the false gods of the idolatrous (Joshua 24:14-18).

2.      Those of his generation continued to serve Jehovah God after his death (Joshua 24:26-31).

3.      But the next generation forgot how the one true God had delivered their nation out of Egyptian bondage.  They commenced to serve false gods (Judges 2:7-13). 

B.      As in the political realm, there are extreme positions taken to the left and to the right spectrum in matters pertaining to religion.  We are especially concerned about what is presently going on in this respect within the church of our Lord.                                 

Matt. 18:18, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:  and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

1.      Liberals are attempting to loose where the Lord has bound; and legalist are attempting to bind where the Lord has not bound.   

II.                WE MUST REMAIN FAITHFUL BY LIVING THAT FOR WHICH WE PROFESS! 

Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” 

Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.  Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” 

III.             WE MUST REMAIN FAITHFUL BY PROCLAIMING AND UPHOLDING A “THUS SAITH THE LORD!” 

Acts 20:26-27, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” 

1 Tim. 3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 

1 Pet. 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:  and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 

1 Pet. 4:11, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;…” 

Rom. 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” 

1 Pet. 1:23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 

IV.              WE MUST REMAIN FAITHFUL IN SEEKING TO RESTORE ERRING BRETHREN. 

Gal. 6:1-2, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” 

2 Tim. 2:23-26, “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 

V.                 WE MUST REMAIN FAITHFUL IN REACHING OUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT OBEYED THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST! 

Acts 18:5-11, “And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean:  from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.  And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.  And Cripus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee:  for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”                      

Conclusion: 

Gal. 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 

2 Tim. 4:6-8, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:  and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 

Rev. 2:10, “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

--Dub Mowery