February 8, 2009

• 5th Sunday after Epiphany: Characteristics of true religion, # 1-Based entirely on God's revelation

  The last four Sundays I've shared some excerpts from Martyn Lloyd-Jones' "Triumphant Christianity" which describe the characteristics of false religion: hypocrisy, institutionalism and tradition and self-righteousness. Dr. Lloyd-Jones' text was Acts 7:42-50, a portion of Stephen's address to the Sanhedrin. After discussing these four characteristics of false religion, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares three elements of true religion; the first of these is that true religion is based on God's revelation and teaching.

  Referring back to the four characteristics of false religion, the Doctor picks up and asks:

  What is true religion? It is the exact opposite of all this. Our Lord was put to death because He exposed that kind of belief, and here Stephen was on trial for his life because he was exposing it also in his own way. What are the characteristics of true religion?
  
  First, true religion is based entirely and exclusively on God's revelation and teaching. The forty-fourth verse [of Acts 7] is so vital here: "Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he [God] had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. "God called Moses up onto the mount and gave him the exact details, specification, and plans concerning this tabernacle of witness. And then he said to him at the end, "And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount" (Exodus 25:40). Stephen was just repeating that command.
  
  This is the very beginning of Christianity. What does it mean to be a Christian? How do we find God? How do we know our sins are forgiven? What is true worship? How do we find out? Here is the first and basic principle: we must submit utterly and completely and absolutely to the revelation we have in the Bible; if we do not, we will be wrong. We must start with this–that all our ideas about worship are entirely wrong.
  
  The children of Israel were constantly going astray at this point. On one occasion there was a rebellion, called the rebellion of Korah.
  
  These three men [Korah, Dathan and Abiram] had forgotten the fact that God had chosen Moses and Aaron and had given Moses the revelation. "We are as good as they are," they said in effect, "And that's not our idea as to how these things should be done. We don't think this is necessary." So they held a public meeting, and of course, it was very popular, as most public meetings are, and it was carried with acclamation that Moses and Aaron should be put to one side and that the new method of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram should be put into practice (Num. 16).
  
  If you read the story, you will find out how God dealt with that rebellion in a most terrifying manner and finally gave a memorial of the even to the children of Israel through Aaron rod that budded. But this is the principle: it is God who determines how He is to be worshiped. If you tell me that you are going to be taught about this by the modern philosophers or by the modern religious leaders or by the modern scientists, I will tell you, in the name of God, that you are wrong, that you are in the position of the Sanhedrin and will receive the punishment you deserve. It is all of God–"their pattern which was shewed thee in the mount" (Exodus 25:40).
  
  This is the very point that our Lord made to Nicodemus [in John 3]. . . .
  
  Our Lord looked at him, interrupted him, and said to him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (v. 3). It does not matter that you are a teacher; it does not matter that you are a religious man; it does not matter that you are a great man. All that is of no value to you: "Ye must be born again." (v. 7). . . .
  
  It is through Christ and in Him alone that we worship God; we must listen to Him. True worshipers must be Christ's way; it is the only way. He says, "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers" (John 10:8). And above all He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
  
  "Look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount" (Exod. 25:40). We do not decide how God is to be worshiped. People have their modern ideas: "Sit in a comfortable chair and relax" says one, "and you will talking to God and listening to God." No; that is not true. And the other world religions say this and that. They are lies; they are not true. There is only one way. You must receive it from God. You do not follow your own ideas; you do not vary the specification; every detail must be exact. That is why we are given all the details in the books of the Old Testament.
  
  –Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "Triumphant Christianity (Studies in the Book of Acts, Volume 5)" (Wheaton: Crossway, 2006), 217-218, emphasis mine.

  From whom have you received your religion? From God or from men?

  Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son...Hebrews 1:-2a.

  This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. Matthew 17:5.

  Whose voice are you listening to? Have you elevated the teachings and doctrines of men over the teachings of Jesus and the apostolic doctrine of the Bible? How might you be adding to or subtracting from the Gospel of Christ?

  Yes, it is true God has given pastors and teachers and prophets to instruct and teach us, but we must always be discerning and weigh what they say against Scripture. We must always be cautious and on guard because men in themselves are sinful and fallible.

  Remember that not long after she was established, the early church fell into the snare of false doctrine. The New Testament writers warn us to be on guard and to take heed to our doctrine. Not long after the establishment of the church, false teachers were already infiltrating the church. This grieved and angered the apostle Paul:

  Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
  
  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. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:1-12, KJV.

  The example of the Galatian church should always be in the forefront of our minds, to serve an example to us to that we can never compromise or water down or twist doctrine. We can never become so prideful and be deceived into thinking we are so advanced in our faith, to think we in the 21st century are so much more sophisticated and intelligent than the first century church that certainly we would never allow what happened to the early church happen to us. For as soon as we become puffed up like that, we must be wary and take heed, for it is then we will fall. We can never think that we are immune or exempt from such false teaching infiltrating the church. In his commentary on Galatians, Martin Luther tells us that

  The church is a tender plant. It must be watched. People hear a couple of sermons, scan a few pages of Holy Writ, and think they know it all. They are bold because they have never gone through any trials of faith. Void of the Holy Spirit, they teach what they please as long as it sounds good to the common people who are ever ready to join something new.

  
  

  
  We have to watch out for the devil lest he sow tares among the wheat while we sleep. No sooner had Paul turned his back on the churches of Galatia, than the false apostles went to work. Therefore, let us watch over ourselves and over the whole church. . . .
  
  Note the resourcefulness of the devil. Heretics do not advertise their errors. Murderers, adulterers, thieves disguise themselves. So the devil masquerades all his devices and activities. He puts on white to make himself look like an angel of light. He is astoundingly clever to sell his patent poison for the Gospel of Christ. Knowing Satan's guile, Paul sardonically calls the doctrine of the false apostles "another gospel," as if he would say, "You Galatians have now another gospel, while my Gospel is no longer esteemed by you."

  The devil is a schemer and liar and a deceiver. He is transformed into an angel of light. He is the wolf in sheep's clothing. Luther reminds us that the devil delights to do all he can to undermine and weaken the work of Christ and distorting and perverting the Gospel message is one of the ways he does so.

  When the devil sees that he cannot hurt the cause of the Gospel by destructive methods, he does it under the guise of correcting and advancing the cause of the Gospel. He would like best of all to persecute us with fire and sword, but this method has availed him little because through the blood of martyrs the church has been watered. Unable to prevail by force, he engages wicked and ungodly teachers who at first make common cause with us, then claim that they are particularly called to teach the hidden mysteries of the Scriptures to superimpose upon the first principles of Christian doctrine that we teach. This sort of thing brings the Gospel into trouble. May we all cling to the Word of Christ against the wiles of the devil, "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
  

  
  
  We can never think we are exempt from the devil's workings. The author of the book of Hebrews gives us this warning:

  Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.  Hebrews 2:1-4.
  

  Are we paying much closer attention to what we have heard? If we are not, there is no doubt that we will drift away. We are entrusted with the Gospel we have received are must continue to guard it. We must be diligent and never let down our guard. We must never be deceived into thinking our wrestling is complete. We can never give Satan the opportunity to get a foothold. Just like the early church, we must continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine. Throughout the New Testament we find numerous warnings to remain rooted and established in sound doctrine so we might guard against false doctrine.
   
  For example:

  we are not to be carried about with every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14)
  we are not to teach anything contrary to sound doctrine but only what accords with sound doctrine (I Tim. 1:3; Titus 2;1)
  we are to be nourished in words of good doctrine (I Tim. 4:6)
  we are to look to Scripture for sound teaching and doctrine (II Tim. 3:16-17)
  we are to preach the Word and exhort one another with doctrine (II Tim. 4:2; Titus 1:9)

  Why are we given these warnings?
  
  

  Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared...Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. I Timothy 4:1-2, 16.
  
  I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. II Timothy 4:1-4.

  And in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, Paul said:

  Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:26-31.

  And Jesus Himself warns to Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15).

  Hey, if Jesus is saying this, don't you think we ought to sit up and pay attention!!

  Here's Luther again:

  You may argue that the Church and the fathers are holy. Yet the Church is compelled to pray: "Forgive us our trespasses," I am not to be believed, nor is the Church to be believed, or the fathers, or the apostles, or an angel from heaven, if they teach anything contrary to the Word of God. Let the Word of God abide forever.
  
  Peter erred in life and in doctrine. Paul might have dismissed Peter's error as a matter of no consequence. But Paul saw that Peter's error would lead to the damage of the whole Church unless it were corrected. Therefore he withstood Peter to his face. The Church, Peter, the apostles, angels from heaven, are not to be heard unless they teach the genuine Word of God.

  And even as I quote Luther, I know he too was a man, only a man, and certainly not on a par with Scripture or with Jesus Himself. Yes, he was a man used of God, but only a man. A sinner saved by grace. As we listen to men, we must always remember they are only men . . . and they are all bad. Yes, they all need to pray "Forgive us our trespasses" for they are all sinners. There is only one man, the man Christ Jesus, God come in the flesh, who never had to pray that prayer because Jesus was without sin. It is Jesus' Word we must listen to first and foremost and it is His Word against we must judge all other teaching.

  So, yes, when I blog, I will quote Luther, Piper, Whitefield, Lloyd-Jones and so on. They are some of the many saints God has chosen to use in various ways to advance His Kingdom, but whatever a Luther or a Piper or a Whitefield or a Lloyd-Jones says–but we can never put their words on a par with Scripture. We must examine all they teach in light of Scripture and against the words of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. And you and I must do so the same with the words of your pastors and teachers and you must do the same with my words as well. As we read and hear teaching, we must always be asking ourselves if that teaching is the genuine Word of God. And, of course, we must take heed to our own doctrine and must also be asking ourselves if our own teaching is the genuine Word of God!

  
  From whom have you received your religion? From God or from men?

  Whose voice are you listening to?
  
  Have you elevated the teachings and doctrines of men over the teachings of Jesus and the apostolic doctrine of the Bible?
  
  How might you be adding to or subtracting from the Gospel of Christ?
  

  Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6.
  
  I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:6.
  
  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12.

  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. I Timothy 2:5.

  Remember:

  There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12.

  Will you not heed the words of our Lord Jesus today to

  Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  Matthew 7:13-15.

  Can you honestly and confidently with the apostle Paul

  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2.

  Has God's Spirit come to you to breathe new life into you? Does He witness to you that you are a child of God, washed in the blood of Christ and justified by faith so you now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ? Or are you still trusting in your good works, your doctrine, your family upbringing, your denomination, your church observances or ordinances? Are you trusting in someone or something else apart from Jesus Christ to save you?

  Jesus answered him, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again. 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:3-8.

  ---

  Scripture quotations in the Lloyd-Jones quotation are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

  All other scripture quotations unless otherwise indicated are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  You may also be interested in reading:
  

  • Second Sunday after Christmas: Is your religion true religion? (Henry Scougal)
  • Things To Look for in a Church, # 2: A People Rooted in Right Doctrine
  • Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:14-"Carried about with Every Wind of Doctrine"
  • Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:11-"The Wiles of the Devil"

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