How to Finish Well - 93

Well, the last chapter of the book of Hebrews is filled with practical exhortations. for God's people to guide them in the way they live out. The spiritual life that the Spirit of God has placed within them. And thus far we have covered verses 1 through 6 of chapter 13. And we have seen exhortations that relate to brotherly love.

Hospitality. aid to prisoners and others who are suffering. Marriage relationships. A warning against covetousness. And now we come in verses 7 and 8 To guidance as to how to finish our Christian life well.

This epistle, as you know, was written to Hebrew Christians, professing believers, and probably for the most part, genuine believers. But some of them were wavering and were considering the possibility of going back to the Old Covenant in order to avoid persecution, which they were experiencing because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And so the writer of Hebrews writes to them to strengthen them, to shore them up, to warn them. to turn them away from the possibility of defection. because he obviously realizes that it is possible that some of those who have professed faith in Christ may actually deny him and turn away from the truth that has been given to them in Christ Jesus.

And that is not a warning only for the people of the first century. not only for Hebrew Christians, But it is for people of the 21st century where we are, and it is for Gentile Christians as well. Every one of us know professing Christians who have fallen by the wayside. who have turned away. from the faith which they once professed.

And they Obvious. Obvious truth is, it could happen to some of us who are in this building today. I trust not. But I know that it has happened to some who were in this building. Yeah, time's gone by.

Some who occupied the very pews that you are occupying now and yet have turned away from the faith that has been delivered to them. by the Word of God. And so these warnings are very important. And because such defections can happen, To anyone who professes faith in Christ, I don't think That a that a genuine turning away A continuous turning away can happen to a true believer. But it can certainly happen to those who think they are believers, and it becomes.

actually an ultimate and final test of whether that profession is real. If it perseveres to the end, It's real. If it doesn't, then that's evidence that it was not genuine to begin with. And so coming to verses 7 and 8, and I read them now. The writer says, remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow.

considering the outcome of their conduct, And then verse 8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today. and forever. And here is how to finish well, some guidance for professing believers.

so that we do not fall by the wayside before we finish our earthly sojourn. And there are two things. Number one, imitate faithful leaders. Verse 7. And number two.

As soon as I find number two. Number two, be anchored. to the faultless founder. Verse 8. Imitate faithful leaders, verse 7.

and be anchored to the fa faultless founder In verse 8. Imitate faithful leaders. I read again verse 7. Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you. whose faith follow considering the outcome of their conduct.

Let's ask two questions of this verse. and endeavor to answer them accurately. Number one, who are the ones that we are commanded to remember. And number two, what should we do in relationship to these people. Question number one: Who are the ones we should remember?

What is the identity? of the people that the writer of Hebrews is telling us. to remember. And they can be identified by three different phrases in this verse. They are, number one, those who rule over you.

Number two, those who have spoken the word of God to you Number three, those who have faithfully finished their course. Consider, we are told, the outcome of their conduct. And so they are, first of all, those who rule over you. Remember those who rule over you.

Now as soon as that phrase is spoken, some people flinch a little bit. There is an all of us A measure of rebellion against any Suggestion of authority. And we need to learn not to allow that. To distract us from the Word of God and the instructions which He has given us in His Word. There are evidently some who have been appointed to Rule.

Over. to use the language of this text, to rule over the people of God. This Greek word that is translated rule In some translations, it is Translated Led or lead, remember those who have led you or those who lead you. A word that somehow isn't quite as harsh in the ears of people as the word rule. But it has the same idea.

But it's a word that in the Bible is used both of civil as well as ecclesiastical leaders. The word is the same, whether it's talking about government officials who have a position of authority over society. one that has been appointed to them in various ways. or whether it is talking about those who are in leadership positions in churches. in the ecclesiastical realm.

those who rule over you. those who led you in the churches. Those who exercise a spiritual authority in the churches. That's the first identifying label. for those that the writer is pointing to in this verse.

And then secondly, those who have spoken the word of God to you. Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word. of God to you. And I take it from the context that this is not in the sense. of inspired prophecy.

Obviously, a profit. is one that God chooses to reveal his word to. And that one speaks the very exact message which God gave him, he speaks to the people. When the apostles spoke and wrote, Under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. What they gave us was word for word, the word of God.

The words, of course, of Jesus. that are recorded for us in Scripture are the very Word of God. But it's interesting here that in referring to these leaders that he's pointing to. He says, They are those who have spoken the word of God to you. But I say, I've concluded it's not in the sense of inspired prophecy, but rather.

In the sense of making the meaning of God's Word clear and plain. Those who help you to better understand what God has spoken. Those who have faithfully exposited, is a word that we use, God's word to you. We talk about Expository preaching. We talk about exposition.

We talk about expositing. That is Making plain. Breaking down the meaning of helping others to understand. What has been said or written. And he is rather.

pointing to those who have had that function among them. Remember those who have spiritual authority in your lives. And remember those who have given to you the word of God. And isn't it interesting that If I'm correct as to the meaning, that faithful exposition is God's word to you. I don't think anyone in this building.

is likely to question that the Bible is the inspired, authoritative, infallible word of the living God. Word for word. Line upon line, precept upon precept. every jot and tittle. is the inspired word of God.

In a lesser sense, not in the same sense, but in a lesser sense. When God's word is made clearer or more plain to you as to its meaning, You need to understand that's God's word to me. It is the inspired word of God that is set before me in a way that I can understand more clearly what it says and what it means. And when that takes place, this author, this inspired author, of the book of Hebrews says, That's the word of God to you. And remember those.

who have spoken The Word of God to you. And clearly, therefore, he is pointing to Individuals. who whose function Is the same as the duties of pastors. He's obviously describing. Pastors in the churches that the Hebrews were familiar with.

Because the two main duties of pastors are Number one. To exercise leadership, authority in the churches, and number two, to minister the Word of God in those same churches. I will. Read a couple of texts. speak of this.

I'm sure I don't have to convince you, but it's always good to be reminded. What does Peter say in 1 Peter 5, verses 2 through 4? Writing to pastors, he says, Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers. not by compulsion, but willingly. not for dishonest gain, but eagerly.

Not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. What are the two main responsibilities of these undershepherds that Peter writes to, calls them elders. They are to shepherd the flock of God. That probably involves a little more than feeding, but it's primarily feeding.

leading them into pastures if you're going to use The picture, the word picture that is used here. shepherding sheep. is to make sure that they have the food and water that they need. It's to lead them day by day into green pastures so that they can have their physical nourishment given to them, so that they can have the water that they need. and so that they will flourish in that regard.

And he also says that they are to Take To serve as overseers, as my translation puts it. Another translation says, taking the oversight thereof.

So that's the two responsibilities that Peter gives. to pastors Here's what the Apostle Paul gives in 1 Timothy chapter 3. In verses, well, the first several verses, but I'll... I'll pick up um At verse 2, A bishop then The ones that Peter calls an elder Paul in this passage calls a bishop Elsewhere he calls them elders. And what is a bishop?

The very word bishop means overseer. And in the Bible, it's clear that Elder, pastor, bishop, overseer. are two terms for the same individual, the same office in the church. The Bible doesn't indicate that pastors are down on the local level and bishops are up on the on the denominational level. on a uh broader A broader level that has a territory assigned to them with a lot of churches under them that has grown up in some.

some circles, but that is not what you find in the Bible. In the Bible, an elder. which speaks of maturity. of qualifications, personal qualifications. and a bishop, an overseer, are one and the same.

And so back to 1 Timothy 3, a bishop then must be blameless. The husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable. able to teach. There's the teaching function. And then verse 4, one who rules his own house well.

having his children in submission with all reverence. For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, How will he take care of the Church of God? Emphasis upon Teaching. and ruling. In fact, some comparison here.

Between A father and husband taking authority in his home.

so that he will and doing it well so that he will know how to exercise proper authority. in his office. as a bishop or an overseer.

So back to this question as to who are these Individuals that the writer of Hebrews tells us to imitate. to remember and to imitate. Remember, they are number one. Those who have Spiritual authority of some measure, some type. over you.

And number two, those who have spoken the word of God to you, clearly the two primary requirements and duties of pastors. But then this third qualification. Those who have faithfully finished their course. Consider the outcome of their conduct. Again, verse 7.

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering. The outcome of their conduct. Those who, and now I will pick up the translation of F.F. Bruce. Those who had past tense The rule over you.

Who have spoken to you, and in my translation, this now has a past tense. Meaning to it. Those who have, not those who are now, but those who have spoken the word of God to you, past tense. And then those who have finished their course. Consider the outcome or the end that could be translated.

of their conduct. Those who have finished the Course and finished it well.

So Clearly, now he's not talking about living pastors. He's talking about dead ones, those who have already finished their course. and it passed on into eternity.

So we should remember those who Exercise appropriate spiritual. leadership Over The family of God. Number two, those who Speak to you the word of God. And number three, those who have faithfully finished their course. Those are the ones that we are to remember.

And then number two, we ask the question, What shall we do in relationship to these people who fit this qualification, fit these descriptions. And there are three things. Number one, remember them. Number two, imitate their faith. And number three, consider the result of their lives.

Remember them.

Some translations say, consider them. Simon Kistemacher, in his commentary, says that word means. To look at them again and again and observe carefully. But of course, you have to do this in retrospect, they're gone. But remember them.

Think about them. Think about their lives. Think about the end of their lives. Remember. Their lives, their godly lives.

Remember their teaching, don't forget it. Remember in what ways they were beneficial to you. while they were among you and exercising the office of pastor. that God had given to them. Not only remember that they were beneficial to you, but remember how they were beneficial to you.

What was it about their lives that was beneficial to you and to your spiritual life?

Well, it was no doubt. They're teaching. That helps you to understand God's Word better. and their example of their lives. that helped you to see a living example.

of how one should live for the Lord Jesus Christ. And so remember them. Don't let their memory fade from your mind. If God used them to minister to you, to help you, to benefit you in your spiritual life, Then consider carefully what it was about them that brought that about. Because you need to hold on to those things if you are going to finish well.

So remember them, number one, imitate their faith, number two. We're told here, whose faith follow. Faith, as you know, is sometimes used for the body of truth that is believed. Faith can be the faith, once for all delivered unto the saints. The doctrine, apostolic doctrine that has been delivered.

to the people of God. And it can be the exercise of believing in that doctrine. and whose faith follow Therefore, you need to think about what they taught, what they believed. and continue to follow their teaching. Continue, they're gone now, but remember what they taught.

Continue to follow their teaching. Continue. Two. Copy. their faith.

Their faith in The doctrine. the apostolic truth which they delivered to you.

So imitate their faith. And number three, Consider the result of their lives. And now we've got a lot of things that we can consider. Consider the result of their lives. They faithfully persevered all the way to the end.

So, what does that mean? And of course, the Bible. tells us a number of things that that no doubt means. Number one. consider the result of their lives.

their their lives, their kind of life. One of walking in the truth of God's word. believing it, teaching it, obeying it, following it. It leads to an honorable finish. How did they finish well?

By Continuing. to believe and practice The truth that had been delivered to them. You remember Those words of Paul and 1 Timothy chapter 4, I think it is. Might be chapter two. Where he told Timothy, he said, Timothy.

The things that you have learned from me Among many witnesses, The same Teach to faithful men. who will be able to teach others also. And if you'll kind of work through that verse slowly, you'll realize. He's talking about how Apostolic doctrine, true doctrine, the truth of God's word. gets transmitted from one generation to another.

Generation number one, the Apostle Paul taught it to Timothy. Generation number two, Timothy, taught it to faithful men. Generation, well that would be generation the gener Timothy would be generation two. The faithful men that he taught would now be generation three. And the faithful men will teach others also.

That's generation 4. One, two, three, four generations that are mentioned in that text And if each generation will take the truth of God's word, the apostolic doctrine, the things that Timothy learned from Paul. And faithfully teach them to others if Timothy will believe them and live in the light of them. If Timothy will teach faithful men to believe them and live in the light of them. If those men will teach others who give evidence of being faithful, To believe those truths and live in the light of them and continue doing that, then the truth is going to be passed down from generation for generation.

Thousands of years. It's been 2,000 years now. How is it that? True Christianity. The truth of Of the gospel, the truth of the person and work of Christ, the truth.

Of The Christian walk and how it is that God expects us to live. How is it that it still survives 2,000 years after it was first delivered by Christ and the apostles in the first century. You say, well, that's owing to The Preserving Power of the Holy Spirit. And I will say amen, amen. I don't disagree with that.

But how does he do it? My faithful men. Teaching other men. who teach other men, who teach other men. By faithful pastors Who teach God's word to others, and that's what the writer of Hebrews is referring to here.

You remember those? Who have taught you the word of God. Who have lived godly lives all the way to the end of their life. And consider now They're The end of their life as it applies to you. Consider the result of their lives.

A life like that leads to an honorable finish. A life like that produces a lingering testimony. You can safely remember them because. Their testimony was good and true and strong and can be remembered and ought to be remembered. And no doubt had an impact upon many other people, and yes, many even now who are still remembering that impact even though these men are with the Lord.

That kind of life leads to a heavenly home. Think about that. That kind of life leads into the presence of Jesus Christ. Think about that. All of these things could be developed.

Almost into a sermon all by themselves. That kind of life leads to the company of the saints. That kind of life leads to a heavenly reward.

So they saw in their pastors a faith. that endured. A faith that was unaffected by persecutions and afflictions, which these people were obviously. Subject to But here were those Who proclaimed the truth and lived the truth and did so to the very end, you consider them, consider their lives, consider the result of their lives, consider how your life will end. And if you follow their example, your life will end like theirs did.

We cannot expect to finish as they did. unless we abide in the same faith. That's the point. Don't Waiver. Don't turn back.

Don't Brush aside. The truth about Christ and in delivering the new covenant to us. Don't go back to the old covenant. Your Pastors now with the Lord didn't do that, did they? And they finished well.

Consider where they are now and the blessings that they are receiving.

Now, if you want to end that way, if you want to finish well, then consider Their doctrine, consider their lives, because you cannot expect to receive these blessings unless You abide in the same faith that they delivered to you. And so Imitate faithful leaders. That's the first. Exhortation. What's the second one?

Verse 8. be anchored to the faultless founder. Jesus Christ. is the same yesterday, today. and forever.

Now there's some question about context here and to What part of this text should This phrase The short, wonderful phrase, Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. To what part of this passage should it be connected to? Should it be thought of in connection with verse 7, the way I'm. employing it. Should it be thought of in connection with verses 9 and following?

as some think that it ought to be. Or is it just a random statement that's thrown in here without any obvious connection.

Well, I'm convinced that it is connected with verse 7. in some obvious ways. But I think it's a contrast. As wonderful as those pastors were, those faithful pastors that I'm asking you to remember. They're gone.

But Jesus isn't. They We're not perfect in every way, but Jesus is. They cannot help you now except as you remember their lives, but Jesus. Can't help you now, you see? There is a connection here.

And so be anchored to the faultless founder of the Christian faith. Even more so than the proclaimers, the faithful proclaimers of the Christian faith. And so, what do we know about this one? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Well, we realize he is the unchanging Christ. The same Yesterday. in the past. For as Far past as you can go. How far back can you go?

Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Keep going.

You're back now to Genesis 1 and the creation of the world. Keep going. Keep going. Jesus Christ was the same in eternity past. as he is today.

Jesus Christ is the same in the past. Jesus Christ is the same in the present. The present in the first century when Hebrews was written, the present in the 21st century when Hebrews is being exposited. Or expounded? He's the same today.

He hasn't changed. Your spiritual leaders have changed. They're gone. They're in heaven. And oh, how they've changed.

What a great change. has taken place with them. Jesus Christ. hasn't changed. Not in the past, not in the present, not in the future.

How far in the future do you want to go? Shall we go through it again? This far? This far? Forever.

He is Unchanging and unchangeable. He can't change. He's the unchanging Christ. He is therefore the never-failing Christ. As I mentioned, leaders are never perfect.

Not a one. In fact, that may be part of how they can be helpful to us. They can be helpful not only because they explain the Word of God to us, not only because they model, A um Christian life for us. But they can be helpful in this way that they exemplify Redeemed sinners. Who finished well?

Not perfect saints who finished well, redeemed. Sinners Who, in spite of the fact that they We're redeemed From darkness to light, still wrestled with the same temptations and trials and. and allurements of that old life. As we do. And yet They finished well.

It can be done. They're an example of that. In spite of their imperfections, they showed us that it is possible to live a faithful, persevering life to the very end. But with Christ, who's the same yesterday, today, and forever, Who's the perfect one, the sinless Savior, the perfect example? We don't have to say, in spite of their imperfections, they made it to heaven.

There's hardly an exemplary saint of God. Mentioned in the Bible in which there isn't at least something mentioned about a sin, a failure of his, and some, quite a few. Oh, where do we begin? We read the life of Samson in the Old Testament. And we say, What do we say?

Good grief. And we turn to the book of Hebrews, and there he is in the. Heroes of Faith. What? Him?

So there's hope for you. But only if you abide. in the faith which he Abided into the very end. How did he end? Remember?

Eyes put out, blind. His hair began to grow again. They took him into the temple of Dagon to make sport of him. The little boy that they had assigned to lead him around since he was blind. Um complied when Samson said, Show me the two main pillars of the temple.

And the little boy led him to those main pillars of the temple. And his hair grew again, and his strength returned to him. And what did he do? He pushed those pillars of the temple, and the whole temple collapsed, and they were. I I forget how many, was it 3,000?

Philistines on the roof of the temple, and they all died. Why did he do that? Didn't he know he was going to kill himself in the process? Yes. But in spite of all of his failures and they were many He still believed In Jehovah, Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

He still believed. In the forgiveness of sins, he still believed. in a life to come. And he continued down to the very end doing what his job was. He'd been assigned the task of.

frustrating the Philistines all of his life. And setting the stage for others to come after him to completely subdue the Philistines. He kept it up. To the end. He wasn't a perfect example.

But he's with the Lord. And so we see these godly men. even imperfect as they are and were, But nevertheless, There in heaven, we can do that too by God's help and grace. We can stay true. to the faith that has been delivered to us.

But there's always Christ. If we're bothered by the imperfections in others, Then just look to Jesus. He never fails. He never sins. He never did wrong.

He was criticized and rejected, but he wasn't worthy of that. He is the, what did we say? He is the unchanging Christ. He's the never-failing Christ. He's the ever-present Christ.

Leaders come and go. He remains with us forever. Leaders are gone. They can no longer provide teaching and counsel to us. But He forever remains with us.

He's always available to hear our prayers, the confession of our sins, the expression of our longings and our needs. He's always available to comfort and to guide. His help is permanently available. Why should We lose heart. Why should they, the Hebrews, lose heart?

and get discouraged and say, I'm going back to the old covenant. You've got Jesus Christ. The same yesterday, today, and forever. Just cling to him. Anchor your faith on that faultless founder.

And you won't flounder. The doctrinally complete Christ. He has given us doctrine that is perfect. and reliable. He's given us doctrine that is unchanging.

One of the commentaries said, Any new doctrine spoken in his name. Must be false. Any new doctrine spoken in his name must be false. Why? Because he's the same yesterday, today and forever.

What he gave Then It's the same now.

Now I have time for some. closing applications and lessons.

So let's Take a look first of all. a little more closely at the primary duties of pastors. The primary duties of pastors are from this text, evidently. to oversee and to teach. They are to exercise leadership.

With loving. Authority. They are to teach. as accurately as they are able. and make the truth as accessible as they can.

And that of course requires study and that requires meditation and that requires prayer. And pastors must understand this and work to make this happen, that is. The accurate Explanation of God's word so that God's people have God's word. spoken to them. And congregations must understand these things.

and help and encourage their pastors. in their duties. Decades, decades, decades, decades ago. Probably clear back to the 70s. I don't remember exactly when.

As a young pastor, I was struggling with Too many Too many things to do. And I realized I was letting things that are good Crowd out that which is necessary, that is suitable attention. To the Preaching of God's word. And I came to this congregation, probably only a small handful of you. were there the day this happened.

And I just said, folks, I need your help. I need to spend more time. studying God's Word. I need to spend more time in preparing sermons. That's my primary responsibility.

There are a lot of good things I'd like to do. There's a lot of good things you would like for me to do. But I need you to understand and to help me. And to Allow me to have protected time. To study, to pray, to prepare.

for the pulpit. Will you help me with that? But I didn't know. If you would or not, I'm thinking, of course, about a congregation. uh f nearly fifty years ago.

A lot different, no doubt, than the one we have now. But By God's goodness and grace, The answer was yes, we'll help you. And That was such a blessing. To me, it helped me do. What I was supposed to be doing.

without feeling guilty about all the things that I wasn't doing. And I think it, and I know it helped the congregation. That was a great. turning point. in the growth of this congregation in the things of God.

So the primary duties of pastors to Preach the word of God. It is a demanding task. more demanding than I think most people realize. but those who understand the primacy of that work. and what it takes to do it.

properly. can be a great encouragement and help to those who have been assigned that responsibility. And then secondly, there's the exercise of spiritual authority. It is true that some Err with overbearing authority. Peter made reference to that.

Taking the oversight of the congregation. not as lords over God's heritage. It's not that kind of a relationship, but nevertheless, it is an exercise of authority. Responsibility.

Some err with overbearing authority. We wish it were not so, but it is so. Just as Some husbands who have been given biblical authority are overbearing with that. It ought not to be.

Some parents. fathers and mothers who have been given spiritual authority over their children. are sometimes overbearing in their authority.

Some employers Who have been given authority over their employees are overbearing in their authority.

Some government officials who have been given civil authority In society, they are sometimes overbearing, and that authority does happen. Authority can be abused. And it can be abused in the church. But some Who If there are some who are who err with overbearing authority. There are some who shy away from appropriate authority.

Through fear. Fear of criticism, fear of whatever. And pastors do need to understand and to accept the role that has been given to them. And congregations need to understand it as well. We could talk a great deal about this.

I don't want to extend it much further, except to say this. Throughout my lifetime, I have heard many, many, many people. protesting Against Excessive use and abuse of pastoral authority, those who were too overbearing. in their exercise of authority. And that does happen.

And it does need to be protested when it is clearly true, but Just because some people think it's true.

Some people, see, the problem is, some people think any exercise of authority is abusive authority, and that's not true. We've got to get. the biblical perspective on this. But in my Years. I started to say how many?

In my 78 years, I don't think I have ever once heard someone protesting and lamenting the number of God's people who are unwilling to submit to God-authorized authority. That doesn't seem to be a problem. in the minds of most people.

Now the Bible commands it. The Bible Tells God's people. that they are to submit to proper Authority, as has been given by God. Too overbearing. Too much.

That must not be. But what about all these who aren't even submitting to proper loving scripturally ordained authority. That doesn't seem to be a problem to anybody. Have you ever protested that? Have you ever...

Lamented that? I'll give you a Quotation by John Brown. He says, Neither submit to a tyranny which Christ never instituted. nor rebel against the government he has appointed. Mm-hmm.

Neither submit. to a tyranny which Christ never instituted, nor rebel against a government. He has appointed. I'll let it go with that. And just finish by pointing out the danger of doctrinal erosion.

We live in the day of Dr. Lee Roshan. Often because doctrine is neglected, often because it is not emphasized, often because it is not taught, often because it is not considered to be the most important thing for God's people. All kinds of other things are substituted for doctrine, teaching, the Word of God. The things which I have Committed unto you in the presence of many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men.

because that is neglected.

Sometimes doctrinal erosion occurs because of sinful disobedience in this sense. If there are things in your life that uh run contrary to what the Bible teaches. You have two choices, basically. One, the right choice to acknowledge your sin, repent of it. and get your life right.

With God. Because if you don't do that, what you are likely to do is to start Undermining scripture to justify the sin that you will not repent of. How can we have people in our day? Who boldly and blatantly say The Bible doesn't have any doesn't condemn homosexual relationships. You say What Bible are you reading?

It's the Bible that justifies my sinful inclinations. The Bible doesn't say, doesn't forbid. Women pastors in the churches. What Bible are you reading? The Bible that won't let me do what I want to do.

I want a pastor. And I'm a woman. And so forth. You see how it how it goes on? Any Teaching of God's Word For any teaching in God's Word, you can find somebody.

who will deny that teaching and use scripture to do it. How does that happen? Think about Jesus and his temptation in the wilderness. How did Satan tempt him? By quoting scripture.

Out of context, twisted, misapplied, but quoting scripture. You can find somebody who will manipulate scripture in some way to justify any and every sin and any and every doctrinal deviation. Don't be deceived. That's why it's important for you to remember those that you know were faithful. in the proclamation of God's word and continue to believe what they taught you.

This is why it is important for you to anchor your faith in the faultless Founder, the Lord Jesus Christ, and not allow anyone to convince you that the Bible says the opposite of what it actually says. As I was thinking about this this week. I counted four people who are who publicly espouse Errors They do it publicly, that's why I'm aware of it. two of whom used to sit on these pews. And two who served as missionaries formerly supported by this church.

What am I saying? I'm saying the danger is widespread. It's out there, but folks. If we're not careful, it's also in here. That's a real danger.

The danger is Abroad, the danger is close to home. Therefore, Remember those Who ruled over you. who have spoken the word of God to you. whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct, And remember, Jesus Christ is the same. Yesterday, today.

and forever. Amen. Shall we pray? O Father, seal these truths to our heart and give us A Holy Spirit Rot. determination.

to follow the truth. and not to compromise it. and not to let it go. We pray in Jesus' name. Amel.