WHEN SOUND
PREACHING IS NOT TOLERATED
2 Timothy 4:1-5
Introduction: We know that anyone who refuses to hear, never
mind heed sound preaching and teaching from God’s word will cause their own
destruction (read Pro. 1:22-32). God’s word supplies what everyone needs to
live a good and happy life in the will of God (2 Pet. 1:3). Sound preaching of
God’s word provides the hearers with all that is necessary to keep them on the
straight and narrow way (2 Tim.
A.
This lesson
will deal specifically with the consequences that a congregation faces when
sound preaching is not tolerated by it
B.
Also we need
to consider what the preacher must do when involved with a congregation that
chooses to refuse sound preaching
I.
Intolerance
of sound preaching is not a new phenomenon among the people of God
A.
God’s people
of old grew intolerant of the sound preaching
1.
Rather than
hear the truth concerning their condition, God’s people wanted to hear what was
pleasant (Isa. 30:8-11)
2.
The People
loved to hear from lying prophets and enjoy the watered down teaching of the
priests (Jer.
3.
When God’s
people grew intolerant of Sound preaching and more tolerant of feel-good,
sanitized, watered down preaching, they did themselves more harm than good
(Jer. 23:16-18)
B.
When sound
preaching was no longer tolerated among God’s people, they were destroyed
1.
They would
fall and be broken (Isa. 30:12-14)
2.
God will be
angry and bring his fury down upon them (Jer.
3.
God would
forget, forsake and cast them out of his presence, they would be a reproach and
a perpetual shame (Jer.
II.
Churches
today need to go back and learn the lessons of the past (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor.
A.
Paul wrote
that a time will come when some will no longer endure sound doctrine (2 Tim.
4:3)
1.
Like those in
the past, they will seek out those who will tell them what they want to hear
(no rebuke, discipline, admonishment)
2.
Their minds
have corrupted to the point of drifting from the simplicity of Christ (2 Cor.
11:3; 2 Tim. 3:8)
B.
Sound
preaching is necessary for a congregation’s vitality
1.
Such is
needed to be able to oppose those who are contrary (Tit. 1:9)
2.
Such is
needed to order the lives of its members (Tit. 2:1-10)
C.
Just like
those in the past, these congregations will die off
1.
They will
depart from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1-2)
2.
When churches
no longer tolerate what is sound, they open themselves up for what is unsound
(Rev. 2:18-29) and will come to ruin
3.
Because they
no longer love the truth, God will allow them to believe a lie, bringing
condemnation on themselves (2 The. 2:9-12)
III.
What are
those who work with congregations that no longer tolerate sound preaching to
do?
A.
Keep
preaching Sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:2)
1.
Keep
reproving, rebuking and exhorting
2.
He will be
considered by God, a good minister of Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 4:6)
3.
He must stay
on guard, do his work and fulfill his ministry (2 Tim. 4:5)
B.
They
persecuted God’s preachers in the past who would not refrain from sound
preaching; preachers today are no different
C.
We should never
compromise our faith for those who have compromised their faith (1 Tim. 6:3-5)
Conclusion: We have learned that God’s people can grow
intolerant of sound preaching. As a result they become more tolerant of smooth
things and watered down preaching. This will lead to their ruin, for God will
not tolerate those congregations that no longer tolerate him (Rev. 3:14-20).