Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-13

Return to the Old Paths (1)

Intro.

1. Bible records many of God’s pleas to man to be restored to His way of doing things: Noah (2 Pet. 2:5); Isaiah (Isa. 8:20); Zechariah (1:3); Malachi (3:7; 4:4); John (Mal. 4:5-6 -- Matt. 17:11-12).

2. Jer. 6:16-17 (18:15-17): God’s plea often ignored in spite of Jer. 10:23.

3. Restoring our lives to God’s divine will (the NT of Christ) is the only way of salvation, Acts 4:12 (Jno.14:6). [To set in place, ordain]

4. So, returning to God’s way – the old paths – is at the heart of the gospel we believe, obey and teach, 2 Pet. 1:12-15; 1 Pet. 4:11.

I. RETURN TO AN ABSOLUTE RESPECT FOR THE SCRIPTURES AS GOD’S INSPIRED REVELATION TO US, 1 Cor. 2:6-13; 14:37; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3.

A. Such Respect has been and Continues to be Eroded:

1. By Secular Humanism: “We believe...that traditional dogmatic or authoritarian religions that place revelation, God, ritual, or creed above human needs and experience do a disservice to the human species.” “Humanist Manifesto II” (Isaac Asimov, Alan Guttmacher, PPFA, Betty Friedan, founder of NOW, Lester Mondale.

2. By Immorality: Selfish lusts (Col. 3:5-6).

3. By Hypocrisy: From those who ought to oppose this erosion of respect, Matt. 23:2-3.

4. By Doctrines of Denial: New revelation doctrines, Holy Spirit guidance apart from the word doctrines, liberal theology.

II. RETURN TO USING THE BIBLE AS OUR ONLY SOURCE OF AUTHORITY FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE AND PRACTICE, Col. 3:17.

A. Return to Book-Chapter-Verse Preaching, 2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 17:2-3; 18:28.

1. Rom. 3:9-19: Apostle used 6 quotes to support one statement in v. 9 (3:19: “The law”).

2. Brethren have become bored with this kind of preaching (stories, jokes, entertained, ears scratched).

3. Preaching and Bible classes with very little Scripture is being used.

B. Return to Contending for the Faith, Jude 3.

1. Debate is now unacceptable to many, Acts 6:9-10.

2. Refusal aids error and apostasy, Jude 4 (Rom. 16:17-18).

Conclusion

1. A return to the old paths of divine truth (the New Testament of Christ) is not an idealistic fairly tale:

a. It is not “cunningly devised fables” (2 Pet. 1:16).

b. It is not merely “church of Christ tradition,” or “our faith tradition,” 2 Tim. 1:13.

2. It is mandatory for our salvation, Matt. 7:21-25 (Jer. 6:16); Col. 3:17; Matt. 28:18; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2 Jno. 9.

3. Go here for Part 2.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: January 3, 2017