Lots to get to, so I’m going to “cut to the chase.”
Unaware of cultural metaphor:
In the second service Sunday, we needed to make a change to a handheld mic because my regular mic wasn’t working correctly. Using a handheld was going to keep me from using my hands, which is something I don’t often do. Because I was a tad uncomfortable and unsure of myself with the handheld, I did what I always do when I’m uncomfortable…I tried to crack a joke. At that moment, I said, “I can’t have a discussion with my wife without using my hands.” However, unbeknownst to me, that comment, about using hands to talk is considered being abusive. My oldest daughter texted me right after to inform me about that (I didn’t receive her text until after church). So…let me just add …I really had no idea that sounded that way. Further, I think all who know my family and my wife would affirm that I’m not that type of husband or guy. If that came off as weird to you, I’m really sorry. If you didn’t notice, thanks for not noticing. If you knew what I meant, thank you for your patience.
Pastors at the Church in Ephesus:
Tell me if this isn’t a Hall of Fame for pastors. Just think of having these guys lead you: The Apostle Paul. Onesiphorus was one of Paul’s closest friends and one of his favorite Christian leaders. Timothy followed Onesiphorus until he was trampled to death by an idolatrous parade. His church loved him so dearly that they took Timothy’s body and buried him on the hill overlooking the city. And then, finally, John the Apostle served there until he died of natural causes. Can you imagine being led by these great men?
False doctrine = wrong doctrine:
I thought about this Sunday afternoon. One way to look at false doctrine is as wrong doctrine. It just teaches us the wrong way to be made right with God and one another. That might make it more clear when trying to explain it.
But I want to add something else here for clarification: we’ve got to know the difference between something being in error and something being heresy. Lots of religious zealots in our day (and throughout history) have thrown the term ‘heresy’ around too loosely. Further, they make snap judgments on heresy and like to call out the heretics. But a quick look at Church History shows us that true heresy took months to discuss and debate before a judgment was made. I would add that much of what some might call heresy today is more like biblical error rather than heresy. But an error can become heresy depending on the individual’s response to a biblical critique of their views.
In this short video, Dr. Robert Godfrey explains the difference: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/qas/how-do-you-define-heresy. Here’s a summary quote that I found really helpful: “But classically, the word heresy was used to describe those theological errors so serious that it would deprive one of salvation. I think we ought to be using heresy more in that sense. Error is error. Error can be serious. Error can be small. Error is always bad and to be avoided. But there are some errors that are so huge that they really are cutting us off from God because we have so misunderstood Him and His truth. And that’s what heresy classically was used for in the church.”
I also found this quote by George Gillespie helpful as well: “Heresy is a gross and dangerous error, voluntarily held and factiously maintained by some person or persons within the visible church, in opposition to some chief or substantial truth or truths grounded upon and drawn from the Holy Scripture by necessary consequence.” https://www.reformation21.org/blogs/error-versus-heresy.php
There are “closed-handed” issues that are very clear in Scripture: Virgin Birth; Jesus’ sacrificial life and death on our behalf; The verbal inspiration of Scripture…just to name a few “closed-handed” issues. To disagree with those or to teach something other than what God’s word has clearly stated would be in the realm of heresy.
There are “open-handed” issues that are not as clear in Scripture: continuation of spiritual gifts, end-times theology, Church service liturgy…just to name a few that can be discussed, debated, and maybe even believed in error or not.
A good quote about the Church:
This was cut from my sermon on Sunday, but I loved this quote by Paul Trip about the Church in his book Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: “The church is not a theological classroom. It is a conversion, confession, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness, and sanctification center, where flawed people place their trust in Christ, gather to know him and love him better, and learn to love others as he has designed. The church is messy and inefficient, but it is God’s wonderful mess-the place where he radically transforms hearts and lives.”
Yes, and yes. That’s exactly what the Church is.
This coming Sunday:
This coming Sunday, we will continue our study through 1 Timothy by looking at 1:12-20. One of my favorite texts! 1 Timothy 1:15 says, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”
From the Cheap Seats:
- The English Premier League will be a battle to the end. The last spot for the Champions League is only separated by 6 points from 4th-7th. The top spot will come down to Manchester City and Liverpool. It’s unreal how tough this league is.
- Ok…I read something the other day that stunned me. The MLB owners are the ones who did the lockout. All they have to do is ‘unlock’ the thing. Can we do that? Baseball fans are waiting.
- On the local sports scene…it was heartbreaking this weekend for some basketball teams that are represented in our church. The UVC girls and Days Creek boys lost in the League playoffs ending their seasons. It’s amazing to me to see our coaches and players play against one another and then come to church on Sunday and worship together. One of the huge benefits of living in a small community.
- Oregon State baseball started off with a bang over the weekend. The lowest-scoring game was nine runs. I’d say the offense has started well. Now…the pitching staff is going to need to keep up.
Have a great week!
In Christ,
Dave York
