www.scatteredchristians.org
Another Sermon for the Starving Bible Believing Christians All Over the World Wide Web
2005 - Touchet Baptist Church, Touchet, Washington - Pastor Mike Paulson - 2005
Expounding the way of God more perfectly - Acts 18:26 - with the Scriptures Rightly Divided - II Timothy 2:15

A Pillar of Truth
...which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
I Timothy 3:15b

The entire body of Christ - yes, the 'universal' church - the 'invisible' church as it is commonly called - the Body of Christ, as the Scriptures say it is by no doubt, the reference being made to in I Timothy 3:15 - the pillar and ground of the truth.  While w are only PART of the body here in Touchet, I believe that we can stand on the fact that as a local church, we here are one of the few true pillars of truth left anymore.  We are certainly not the 'only' nor are we a 'brider' church - but we do magnify God's words here and I believe we try to be "A" pillar and ground of the truth for this area and towards our internet family.

... For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required ...
Luke 2:48

The time is getting closer & closer - our American Lifestyle is being given away as well as taken - we are finding out it has been one of our many gods...


...and so what I am about to say, I say ...

... in all soberness
Acts 26:25  But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

... in all authority of the Book!
Titus 2:15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

... to speak, exhort and rebuke...
Titus 2:15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

... as I am commanded to preach the word...
II Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

... based on Rightly Dividing the Truth
II Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

... fulfilling the purpose of the local church today
Ephesians 4:12-16  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.


I Believe that Touchet Baptist Church is a pillar of the truth
as we strive for the more excellent way, the way of God more perfectly as taught by Paul!

The truth that is preached here is:

...from Christ and is Christ!
Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

...the inspired holy scriptures
II Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

...preserved...
Psalm 12:6,7  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.  Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

...cutting
Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

...that which is perfect!
I Corinthians 13:10   But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.


This truth that we preach here is NOT...

...a lie!
Jeremiah 7:8: Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.

...a false - or another gospel!
II Corinthians 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Galatians 1:6,7  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

...a deception or a delusion!
II Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Nor are we are walking in craftiness - as we reject the hidden things of dishonesty... nor do we handle the word of God deceitfully!
II Corinthians 4:1,2  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. and in the sight of this Book!  Hebrews 4:13


I believe that we worship in spirit and truth!
John 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

I believe the we put forth the truth that leads to a proper salvation without the modern confusion from wrongly dividing the Scriptures!
Ephesians 1:13,14  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

We will be rewarded based on our walk with this truth!
I Corinthians 3:9-15  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.


With this truth, we should...

... rejoice in it!
I Corinthians 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

...be able to trust it -  that we are not following vain babblings - and that it will lead us to more godliness, not an increase of ungodliness!
II Timothy 2:15,16  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

...have it as properly Biblical godliness as our goal!
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
(but a godliness that is led by bondage, law or false gospel!)
Proper Biblical Godliness should be preached ... Titus 2, for starters... then just read Paul's epistles for a walk that CAN be attained!

... continue in it that is preached here!
Galatians 2:5  To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

... enjoy the peace of it!
Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

...speak it in love
Ephesians 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

... instruct it in meekness
II Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

...live with it in season and out...
II Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

...not be quick to anger with it, but in it's proper timing & place  - and when it isn't controlling you!
Matthew 5:22  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause ...
Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger ...
Ephesians 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Titus 1:7  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry...
I Corinthians 6:12  All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Bunny trail:  Results of uncontrolled anger from a parent...
Proverbs 14:17  He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly...
I Corinthians 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Proverbs 16:32  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 19:11  The discretion of a man deferreth his anger;
Colossians 3:21  Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Because of this truth, we are not...

... to be despised!
Titus 2:15   These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

... to stop it / preaching it / telling it / living it, etc.!
II Corinthians 11:10   As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

... to be ashamed of it!
Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 6:21,22  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Romans 9:33  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
We should not be bewitched by the other stuff being so 'poured' into our lives!
Galatians 3:1  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?


This truth will not...
... be bound!
II Timothy 2:9  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

... return void!
Isaiah 55:11: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  He sent it to us!  and if not now, later!


Because of this truth...
... we will be considered an enemy!
Galatians 4:16  Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

... we will be loved less because of it!
II Corinthians 12:15  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

... we will also bring forth fruit!
Colossians 1:5,6  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

... we will change our lives!
I Thessalonians 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Actually, it will work in them that don't believe, too - John 16:7,8  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  (that is, if the KJ folks would do with it what we are supposed to do with it - tell it to others... See Romans 10:14,15)


BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE TRUTH, WHY NOT?

You are learning everything but this truth?
II Timothy 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Or you are learning without a salvation!
I Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
or...
you would just rather have pleasure in doing it your way!
II Thessalonians 2:12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Doing it your way will get you damned for all of eternity!
Proverbs 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

We must be faithful with and to what He has taught us here in Touchet!

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.   II Timothy 2:1-4

and if you do have this truth...

...what are you doing with it?

What is it doing with you?

Does only God know?
...and you?

or has your life changed in a manner that your public profession of the rightly divided truth a true one?

at home?  (and that is my main concern here, folks!)


Tonight...
The Journey of Truth