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Sermon: Chatter
by Chris Cumming
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In our in-depth study of 1
Timothy we have learned a number of things. The primary message of this
letter of Paul to Timothy was for Timothy to keep false doctrines out of
the church of God. In our many discussions of combating false doctrines
we keep coming back to 1 Timothy 1:6
1 Timothy 1:6 [see
study]
From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
Let us read this in
context:
1 Timothy 1:1-10 [see
studies]
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our
Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from
God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into
Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other
doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister
questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of
a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they
say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for
the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy
and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for
manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for
menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other
thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
I looked into this word,
"jangling." What does this word mean?
Jangle:
1] to cause to make a harsh discordant sound.
2] To have an irritating effect on someone.
The word, "jangle" comes
from the Middle English word, "ganglen" which means to chatter. Let us
look at the word, "chatter."
Chatter:
1] to talk rapidly, incessantly, and on trivial subjects; jabber.
2] idle, trivial talk.
3] to talk foolishly without stopping.
Spiritual chatter or
chatter we hear in and around our journey to Salvation are false
doctrines or any subject or situation designed by Satan to disrupt or
destroy a church.
The purpose of my sermon
today is to encourage all of us to avoid the chatter. Withdraw from
spiritual chatter meaning the kind of communications that would result
in you going off the straight path to Salvation and into vain jangling.
Avoid vain jangling. Stop
the chatter.
I want to begin with a
Minister's Notebook piece I wrote several years ago.
How Churches are
Scattered. [see
Minister’s Notebook piece]
I often receive e-mails from people lamenting the splintering of the
churches and the scattering of the brethren. The Bible is clear that
the brethren will be scattered, especially in the end time. I talk
about this in my Notebook piece, “Give
me a Church in Peace and Harmony.”
The question is HOW does
it happen? You have heard me say a number of times that everything
under the sun is a process. The splintering of churches is no
exception. In this piece, we are going to enumerate the elements of
this process. Some are subtle and others are overt. If you are to
endure unto the end (Matthew 24:13), you will need to become an expert
at recognizing these process elements as they unfold.
In my forty-two years [now
48] in the
church and looking at church history, the splintering process begins
from within the congregation. Therefore, I am outlining this process as
instigated by one within the flock. First I will state the Why of it
and then speak to How the process develops.
Why it Happens
Destruction of local churches of God begins when a member moves away
from the Spirit and is influenced by base and negative human emotions.
They trade the elements of the Salvation Process for envy, jealousy,
hate, greed and deceit. They exchange the simplicity of the gospel for
politics, and lust for preeminence, power and position. They sacrifice
the clarity of the Word of God for the darkness of self-deception. They
trade unction of the Holy Spirit for confusion and being carried away
with every wind of false doctrine.
All of these things are
indications the member is in the rather lengthy process of falling away
from the faith. It happens to members, to deacons and even to
ministers. I have witnessed it a number of times. What makes it a
difficult and even complex situation is the fact the member in question
does not know he or she is falling away. Indeed, they often see
themselves at a pinnacle of spiritual maturity and sincerity. They have
no idea they have moved from Godly righteousness to the diabolical state
of self-righteousness.
Romans 1:21-22
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,
neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their
foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.
Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool
than of him.
Isaiah 47:10-11
10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth
me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast
said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.
11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence
it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to
put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou
shalt not know.
When a person begins to
move away from the righteousness of Christ, they become vain in their
imaginations. Their hearts become darkened. They are conceited. God
says a fool has a better hope than one of these. We will immerse
ourselves into the meaning of Isaiah 47:10-11 when we discuss what is to
happen to these people who would destroy a church of God.
How it Happens
This is an enumerated list of signs to look for as the splintering
process begins and continues to unfold. Each incident will have its own
set of elements and circumstances. Some, but clearly not all of these
listed elements will be involved. Some of these things are not negative
or wrong, in and of themselves, but may be significant in combination
with others on the list. These elements are listed in no specific
order, importance or chronology. I will be using the pronoun “he”
throughout this section, but clearly these elements could involve any
woman in the congregation.
The individual in
question…
1] begins to seek a
preeminence in the congregation.
2] makes himself
indispensable by taking on increasing numbers of duties in the church.
3] puts on a great show of
sincerity and spirituality by expounding syrupy platitudes using phrases
or verses from the Bible.
4] engages in various
modes of self-promotion.
5] seeks ordination to the ministry and/or a speaking credential.
6] purposely seeks to
aggrandize himself with the ministry, the area coordinator and/or
individuals at headquarters.
7] puts himself in a
position to write papers, offer opinions, conduct private Bible studies
or speak before the congregation. Papers and sermons or sermonettes
seem self-serving, critical of others, and/or focusing on biblical twigs
or an abundance of non-Salvation subjects.
This person is a master of
the slick
argument.
8] becomes ecumenical by
promoting other church organizations, their ministers or their booklets,
tapes and web sites.
9] [as
minister or credentialed speaker],
invites himself to speak before other congregations in the church
organization rather than being invited.
10] speaks before
congregations in other church organizations.
11] enters into criticism
of the local minister, area coordinator and/or headquarters.
12] shows disdain for
certain individuals, guidelines, procedures or others aspects of church
administration [local
or national].
13] demonstrates the carnal emotions of envy, jealously and/or hate
regarding others in the church, especially among the ministry and
leadership.
14] presents himself as an
authority in spiritual matters in a self-aggrandizing or conceited
manner.
15] involves himself
heavily in church politics.
16] uses various means to
seek or gather a following.
17] seeks to create a
mailing list and/or database of members.
18] seems to be engaged in
social, political or administrative manipulation of others and/or
situations within the church.
19] will decline to admit
that he has EVER sinned a sin in this lifetime. Rather acknowledges sin
only in general statements, such as “we all sin” or “we all are as dirty
rags.”
20] is seemingly obsessed
with biblical twigs or has an over-emphasis in prophecy, with him as the
all-knowing authority.
21] in all manner of
conduct and conversation, leaves God out of the equation. Rather than
all glory going to God, he seems to have the light of glory shine on
himself.
22] develops close
friendships with ministers of other organizations, especially those that
have splintered from this church.
23] suddenly moves to
incorporate the local church in what appears to be an attitude of
separation from headquarters and/or the area coordinator.
24] engages in overt
justification for every action taken or statement made. He continually
speaks to his sincerity and even love.
25] becomes secretive
and/or full of intrigue.
26] demonstrates bad
theology in increasing amounts.
27] takes steps to insure
that other church ministers do not visit to speak or conduct Bible
studies.
28] refuses to play
sermons by Garner Ted Armstrong or make any of his booklets or tapes
available locally.
29] limits exposure of the
local congregation to reports, messages and sermon or Bible study
materials from headquarters.
30] seeks to control all
local funds and/or property of the local church, either by legal
ownership or physical possession at his home.
31] seeks local control
using money or promises or enticements of money and/or position or
power.
32] becomes like a
Pharisee by codification of spiritual law or instructing members where
they are to direct their money, tithes, offerings and/or property.
33] engages in lying,
telling one person one thing and someone else something different.
34] engages in turning one
brother against another and/or smiting his brother in the church
(Matthew 24:49)
35] speaks against or is
critical of doctrine, constitution, teachings, booklets, Bible studies,
sermons or guidelines of the church.
What Will Happen to
These People?
Here is where I want to go
back to Isaiah 47 and verses 10 and 11:
Isaiah 47:10-11
10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth
me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast
said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.
11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence
it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to
put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou
shalt not know.
Isaiah’s 46th and 47th
chapters deal with the fall of Babylon, yet the principles brought out
in the text apply to the subject before us. the fall of the church
member who invokes the splintering process in his local church. Notice
the commentary…
Isaiah 47:1-11
This passage presents a
song of triumph over vanquished Babylon. Cast down from her imperial
power, Babylon was to be reduced to the disgraceful status of a
half-naked slave girl grinding meal with the heavy grindstone. The
silence and darkness of verse 5 refer to the impotence and obscurity
that were ever after to be hers. Babylon would never again attain
independence or imperial power (and
after 539 B.C. she never did).
6,7. The Lord explains that he would permit the Chaldean conquest and
captivity only for the chastening of apostate Israel. But the pagan
victors would go far beyond the bounds of humane decency in their savage
maltreatment of their captives. Moreover, they would fail to recognize
divine righteousness behind the disaster that would befall Judah. They
would suppose they were by their own might the lords over the destinies
of nations, and secure forever in their supreme position.
In verses 8-11 Jehovah
pronounces doom upon the atheistic humanism of Babylonian culture.
Babylon represents the man-centered culture of the unregenerate world:
living for carnal pleasures and lusts, abjuring responsibility towards a
God of justice, and even - with the self-confidence of megalomania -
denying God's existence altogether. Chaldean Babylon (v. 10) combined
the practical atheism of the freethinker with astrology, necromancy [communication
with the dead or sorcery and witchcraft],
and crass superstition. Notice how modern is the credo of the
philosophical humanist: "I am, and no (God)
besides me." The only fitting judgment for these moral and intellectual
degenerates was sudden and appalling destruction, the slaughter of
Babylon's armies (v. 9 a), and the abrupt termination of her political
power (all of
which came to pass in 539 B.C.). ~from
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary
Like Babylon, the
unrighteous member fails to recognize divine righteousness in God’s
Work. They suppose by their own might they are lords over the
congregation. These individuals are self-centered, caught up in their
own carnal pleasures, lusts and envying. They operate on
self-confidence and feelings of megalomania and, in essence, deny the
power and/or presence of Almighty God. What the scripture says about
the judgment of Babylon is exactly what will befall anyone attempting to
destroy a church of God. They will experience sudden and appalling
destruction, unless they repent before falling away completely.
1 Corinthians 3:18-19
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise
in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is
written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. –
1 Corinthians 6:9a
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Matthew 25:30
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.
What Can I Do?
1] Remain
immersed in the Word of God. This will keep you from being
deceived.
2] Stayed focused on your own Salvation
Process and the elements thereof.
3] Pray for God’s protection of the church and its members from these
types of individuals.
4] Quietly notify your area coordinator and/or headquarters of your
concerns when any individual seems to be developing an increasing number
of the listed elements above. At the same time, keep your concerns to
yourself, spreading no discord while the situation is looked at by the
area coordinator or headquarters.
5] Endure unto the end. Be
diligent. Be
fervent.
6] Give all glory to God.
What are we supposed to do if someone attempts to teach us something
contrary to our doctrine or the Word of God?
1 Timothy
6:3-5 [see
Lessons]
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even
the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is
according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes
of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the
truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
What does God say to firstfruits that enter the falling away process?
Galatians
1:6-10
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the
grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would
pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto
you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other
gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if
I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Where in Isaiah do we see God stating that deep distress or misery
will come to those perverting His Word?
Isaiah 5:20-21
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness
for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet
for bitter!
21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their
own sight!
Are firstfruits in
understanding that many false teachers are about? What are they to do
about this?
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Will there ever be false teachers among us in the Body of Christ?
What number of firstfruits might fall for their perversions and lies and
false doctrines?
2 Peter 2:1-3
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there
shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon
themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way
of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make
merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and
their damnation slumbereth not.
What are we to do, according to the book of Romans, regarding those
perverting the Word of God?
Romans
16:17-19
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and
offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid
them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore
on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good,
and simple concerning evil.
How can we possibly
know a true preacher from a false one?
Matthew
7:15-20 [see
study]
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns,
or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast
into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
...see Dirty
Fleece
How many times have I had you refer to the Wycliff Bible Commentary on
Matthew 7:15-20 where it says:
The true ministers are those preaching in close adherence to scripture.
The false ministers bring in their own false teachings.
The only way you can know if the minister or teacher is in close
adherence to scripture is for you to be in close adherence to scripture.
Will there ever be a time when firstfruits are not in close adherence
to scripture?
2 Timothy
4:3-4 [see
lessons]
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables.
Will some of these firstfruits depart from the faith?
1 Timothy
4:1-7 [see
lessons]
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot
iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God
hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and
know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be
received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be
a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and
of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather
unto godliness.
Are we to avoid chatter? …two
scriptures here
1 Timothy
6:20-21 [see
lessons]
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding
profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so
called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with
thee. Amen.
Titus 3:9-10
[see
lessons]
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and
strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition
reject;
Does God state in Acts that these wolves in sheep's clothing will
enter the flock? Does God tell us what to do about that?
Acts 20:28-32
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the
which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter
in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to
draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I
ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his
grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance
among all them which are sanctified.
What are we to do about firstfruits who come to us with chatter?
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after
the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after
Christ.
John 14:6 ...deeper
meaning here
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Notice the commentary:
No man cometh to the
Father but by me -
To come to the Father is to obtain his favor, to have access to his
throne by prayer, and finally to enter his kingdom. No man can obtain
any of these things except by the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. By
coming by him is meant coming in his name and depending on his merits.
We are ignorant, and he alone can guide us. We are sinful, and it is
only by his merits that we can be pardoned. We are blind, and he only
can enlighten us. God has appointed him as the Mediator, and has
ordained that all blessings shall descend to this world through him. ~Barnes
Notes
Truth is the Word of God and Jesus IS the Word of God.
Knowing that Christ is
the only way to eternal life, are we to walk in Him?
Colossians
2:6-7
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in
him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have
been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
I want to finish this sermon with a scriptural line of thought about
Jesus being the foundation of the church, our faith and Salvation.
Remember that God gives us physical models of spiritual principles and
He did this from the beginning.
Foundation scriptures:
Did God lay the foundation of the earth?
Isaiah 48:13
Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand
hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up
together.
Did God lay the foundation stone, which is Christ?
Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a
foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure
foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Are we laid into that foundation of Christ?
Ephesians 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Did truth come by Christ?
John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus
Christ.
Are we to put on Christ, who is truth?
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ.
Are we to be lively stones?
1 Peter 2:5
Ye also, as
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Does this foundation we are a part of to be maintained? If we do so,
will we receive eternal life?
1 Timothy 6:18-19 [see
lessons]
18 That they do
good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to
communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time
to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
So God has built and is building two foundations. He built the
foundation of the earth and is currently building the foundation of His
Family. To be a part of this family must we depart from chatter?
2 Timothy
2:19 [see
lesson]
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The
Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name
of Christ depart from iniquity.
Final words? Stop the Chatter!!
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