Listeners are invited to reconsider how denominationalism, often perceived as a harmless variation of Christian faith, may in fact pose a threat to the deeper unity prayed for by Jesus Christ. This episode unpacks the relevance of scriptural accounts from Galatians, Corinthians, and other texts to emphasize the need to return to core Biblical teachings. Jeff Archie underscores the core idea that while doctrinal differences persist, true followers must endeavor to live by the teachings of Christ, fostering unity and rejecting division within the Church.
The apostle Paul said, For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Warnings of enemies of the cross and of God. Needed then, friends, those warnings are needed now, and they’re just ahead from the International Gospel Hour. Stay with us.
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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour.
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For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.
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I am bound for the promised land.
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Well, greetings everyone. Great having you with us once again. And a big thank you to our Jay Webb for his kind words. And Jay will have a little bit more to say on our broadcast later. You know, Hebrews 11, 6 says, But without faith it is impossible to please him that is God. For he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Friends, it is our prayer that our studies will help others to seek God closer and to seek God for their lives. We talked on the previous broadcast about enemies of God. We talked about how an enemy is a person who bears another ill will and actively works for fights against him. And we know what an enemy is, and earlier in a broadcast we looked at such enemies as the devil, atheism, modernism, and liberalism. Today we want to continue this study by looking at who else are the enemies of the cross and of God. We are going to talk about that in a moment and continue these thoughts. But first, a few words from our Jay Webb.
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Friends, as we think about an enemy of the cross and of God, this next one may stun you, but please hear me out. Denominationalism is an enemy of the cross and of God. Many individuals claim to believe the Bible is inspired of God. but they refuse to accept all of it. 2 Timothy 3.16 says, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. But today, friends, when we think about the Bible and when one perverts the right ways of the Lord, it will make them an enemy of righteousness. How about Elimus the sorcerer in Acts 13 beginning with verse 8? That says, Elimus the sorcerer, for so his name is translated, withstood them seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? Paul in Galatians 1 verses 6 through 9 told those Christians, I marvel that you are turning away so soon from him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel, which is not another. But there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Friends, when we look at denominationalism and find that teaching of the Bible is under every kind of different name of a church, not everybody can be right if everybody is different. Think about this, friends. Does it not mock the prayer of Jesus Christ? You know, in John 17, 20-21, what was Jesus’ prayer? I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe on me through their word. Now, these alone, referring in that context to the apostles, and those who would believe in him through their word. That would be us. The teaching of the scripture that is provided to us, 2 Timothy 3. Here it is, that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. In Galatians 6 and verse 7 we are taught, Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. And friends, we have sowed a lot of disunity through the years, And we need to call individuals to come back to the Bible, to come back to the teachings of the Bible and of the cross of Christ. When you go into a small town America and you look around in the inner city, the little small towns, and you see one corner has this church named one thing. On the other corner, here’s another church named something else. And here, another church that is named something else. Brethren, that cannot reflect unity. Listen to what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1, 10-13. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of Cephas, or I am of Christ. Was, or is rather, Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you, or were you baptized in the name of Paul? He told them, you’ve got to get back to the name of Christ, and not use all the names, I am of Paul, I am of Cephas, and so on. Later, it’s Paul who said in Ephesians 4, 4-6, there is one body, We understand the body is the church, Acts or Ephesians 1, 22 and 23. So if there is one body, there is but one church, friends. Are we a member of the church we read of in the scripture? There is one body and one spirit, just as you are called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all. You see, friends, denominationalism will repudiate all unity passages. We must come together as one. So many people will say, well, let’s come together and lay aside our doctrinal differences. But the differences will still remain because when you lay them aside, you’re going to pick them right back up. We need to put away the things that are not of God. And we need to be what God would have us to be. These are things of which we need to think on very, very carefully. Let’s consider something else, friends, that may also seem surprising. That there are some church members who are enemies of the cross. Jesus warned those in Revelation 3, 15 and 16 of being lukewarm. And even when he’s writing to the church at Philippi, Paul said concerning those who walk, I’ve told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, Philippians 3.18. We’re reminded from an earlier study of James 4 and verse 4, whosoever therefore is an enemy of the world or a friend of the world is an enemy of God. And John said in 1 John 2 verses 15 and 16, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. There were those who were warned, who misbehaved in 1 Timothy 3 and verse 15. 1 Corinthians 14 and verse 40, to let all things be done decently and in order. And how God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth, John 4, 24, and not offer up a strange fire or a strange worship. In 2 Timothy 3, verses 1 through 5, there were those who, following Christ, were lovers of pleasure more than of God. John warned in 2 John 9-11 of those who would compromise that whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house, nor greet him, for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. In Romans 16 and verse 17, Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. It can’t be any clearer than that, friends. So when some church members are enemies of the cross, there are some changes that need to be made. Finally, the lost are enemies of the cross. And friends, they may not realize it, but they are. John 8, verse 44, Jesus told those, you are of your father, the devil. There are individuals who are following the devil blindly and they don’t realize it. The lost are dead in sin. There’s no life there. That’s why Paul talked about those in Ephesians 2 and verse 1 and Ephesians 2 and verse 12 who are dead in sin with no life. And the lost are enemies in their minds. Colossians 1.21 and Romans 5 and verse 10. Friends, enemies are fighting God. But friends are fighting Satan, John 15, 13 and 14. These are some serious things for us to think about, friends. We do not want to be an enemy of the cross. Can we help you in your studies? Maybe to study these matters a little more? Here is our J-Web with our Bible course by mail.
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Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
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Dear friends, a special thank you to my friend Phil Leonard in the gift 60 Years in the Pulpit, a book about his late father Charles Leonard, full of wonderful sermon outlines, of which we have shared with you today part of that outline work that he has done. We are indebted to Brother Leonard and his great work. We will continue these studies together at another time, but for now, thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour broadcast. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
