Maintaining BALANCE In Times of Controversy

1
MaintainingBALANCEIn Times of Controversy

• Phil. 45
• Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
  Lord is at hand.

By Ron Halbrook
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Maintaining BALANCE

• Introduction
• 1. Phil. 45 Mature, Well-balanced Attitude
• Moderation Noble Generosity Gentleness,
  Forbearance Fairness, Reasonable Patient
• Not Overreact, Not Thrown Off Balance
• Unto All Men Poise, Patience in All Cases
• Secured by Focus on Christs Presence
  Promise, Not on Earthly Conditions!

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
Lord is at hand.
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Maintaining BALANCE
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound
yet more and more in knowledge and in all
judgment 10 That ye may approve things that
are excellent that ye may be sincere and
without offence till the day of Christ 11
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,
which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and
praise of God.

• 2. Phil. 19-11 Pray for Maturity, Balance
• Grow in Love, Knowledge, Judgment
• Approve Things Excellent, Distinguish Things that
  Differ, Have a Sense of What Is Vital
• Act in View of the Day of Christ

4
15 All things have I seen in the days of my
vanity there is a just man that perisheth in his
righteousness, and there is a wicked man that
prolongeth his life in his wickedness. 16 Be not
righteous over much neither make thyself over
wise why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 17 Be
not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish
why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18 It
is good that thou shouldest take hold of this
yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand for
he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

• I. Eccl. 715-18 Balance Avoid Extreme
  Attitudes
• A. Vs. 15 Cant Solve Every Enigma
• B. Vs. 16 Arbiter of All Exaggerated
  Righteousness
• C. Vs. 17 Opposite Extreme Enigmas Excuse for
  Sin
• D. Vs. 18 True Faith Focus on Revealed Truth,
  Duty

5
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with
what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged and
with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured
to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote
that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not
the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt
thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote
out of thine eyebehold, a beam is in thine own
eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam
out of thine own eye and then shalt thou see
clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's
eye.

• II. Matt. 71-5, 13-15 Balance in Recognizing
  Sin
• A. Vv. 1-5 Hypocritical Judging
• Overly Scrupulous in Charging Others with Sin
• Excuse Ones Own Sins

6
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate for wide is
the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat 14 Because strait is the gate, and
narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false
prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

• B. Vv. 13-15 Proper, Essential Judging
• Broad Way of Sin, Narrow Way of Truth
• Repent of Sin
• Distinguish Truth from Error
• C. Balance Proper Judging, Not Hypocritical

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16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the
midst of wolves be ye therefore wise as
serpents, and harmless as doves. 27 What I
tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light
and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon
the housetops.

• III. Matt. 1016, 27 Balance in Facing Bitter
  Enemies of Gospel
• A. Wolves Pervert Truth, Attack Messenger
• B. Vs. 16, 27 Bold, Careful in Proclaiming
  Truth
• Wise Careful, Cautious, Measured
• Harmless Open, Sincere, No Guile or Deceit
• C. Under Bitter Attack Danger of Overreaction

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1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but
not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one
believeth that he may eat all things another,
who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that
eateth despise him that eateth not and let not
him which eateth not judge him that eateth for
God hath received him.

• IV. Rom. 141-3 1617-18 Balance Distinguish
  Personal Scruples Doctrinal Apostasy
• A. 141-3 Accept Each Other with Personal
  Scruples
• Grow Distinguish Revealed Doctrine
  from Personal Conclusions Judgments

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17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which
cause divisions and offences contrary to the
doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord
Jesus Christ, but their own belly and by good
words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple.

• B. 1617-18 Reject Men Who Promote Apostasy
• Press False Doctrine Cause Division
• Outward Piety, Smooth Speeches Cloak Error
• C. Balance Distinguish Scruples Apostasy
• Danger Press ScrupleFriction, Bitterness,
  Faction
• Danger Compromise with ErrorApostasy
• Avoid Dangers Saints Grow, Gospel Spreads

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Gal. 1 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. Gal. 2
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I
withstood him to the face, because he was to be
blamed.

• V. Gal. 18-9 211 515 Balance Defend Truth
  Without Stooping to Errors Tactics
• A. 18-9 Reject Those Who Pervert Gospel
• B. 211 Peters Compromise Openly Rebuked

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15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take
heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

• C. 515 Defend Truth, Fight Error,
  Not Stoop to Errors Tactics
• Paul Direct, Forceful (17-8 211, 13 31
  430 51, 7, 9, 12)
• False Teacher Bitter, Personal Attack
• Uphold Truth Courtesy, Dignity, Focus on Bible,
  Refute False Doctrine
• Temptation Retaliate in Like Kind

12
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech
you that ye walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness
and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love 3 Endeavouring to keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye
are called in one hope of your calling 5 One
Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and
Father of all, who is above all, and through
all, and in you all.

• VI. Eph. 41-6, 14-15, 31-32 Balance Truth in
  Love
• A. Vv. 1-6 Proper Attitude With Sound Doctrine
• Lowly, Meek, Patient, Love, Unity, Peace
• Solid Foundation of Sound Doctrine

13
14 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
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up
into him in all things, which is the head, even
Christ

• B. Vv. 14-15 Reject False Doctrine Tactics,
  Speak Truth in Love, Grow in Christ

14
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and
clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you,
with all malice 32 And be ye kind one to
another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

• C. Vv. 31-32 Seek to Save Not Destroy Those Who
  Wrong Us
• D. Controversy Test Commitment to Truth,
  Sincerity of Love

15
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and
strife and some also of good will 16 The one
preach Christ of contention, not sincerely,
supposing to add affliction to my bonds 17 But
the other of love, knowing that I am set for the
defence of the gospel. 18 What then?
notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence,
or in truth, Christ is preached and I therein
do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

• VII. Phil. 115-18 Balance in Putting the Cause
  of Christ Above Self
• A. Some Preachers Selfish Spirit of
  Competition
• B. Other Preachers Unselfish Spirit of
  Goodwill
• C. Balance Put Cause of Christ Above Self

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2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same
with thanksgiving 3 Withal praying also for
us, that God would open unto us a door of
utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for
which I am also in bonds 4 That I may make it
manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom
toward them that are without, redeeming the
time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace,
seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye
ought to answer every man.

• VIII. Col. 42-6 Balance in Content Tone of
  Teaching
• A. Vv. 2-4 Seeks Open Doors to Preach Plainly,
  Fully
• B. Vv. 5-6 Show Wisdom in Life Teaching
• C. Test in Controversy Balance Content Tone
• Proper Balance Advance Cause of Christ

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12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you
always in remembrance of these things, though ye
know them, and be established in the present
truth. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence,
add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge

• IX. 2 Pet. 112, 5 21 Balance in Grasp of
  Truth Room to Grow in the Truth
• A. 112 Truth Firmly Established in Heart
  Life
• B. 15 Grow in Knowledge Lifelong Process

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1 But there were false prophets also among the
people, even as there shall be false teachers
among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them,
and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

• C. 21 False Teachers Replace Truth with
  Heresies
• Heresies Lead to Apostasy, Corrupt (2 Pet. 2-3)
• D. Grasp Truth, Grow NOT Same As Deny,
  Apostasy
• E. Challenge Discern Heresy VS Growth in Truth

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• A. Many Examples of Apostate Movements
• Patterns in Cycles of Apostasy
• Unchanging Principles of Truth
• Remnant Established in Truth, Resists Apostasy
• Growing in Knowledge
• Make Judgments in Applying Truth
• Areas of Personal Conscience, Scruples
• Apostasy Subtle Steps, Corrupt More More
• Compromise Not Embrace, Not Openly Fight
• Overreaction Bind Areas of Growth, ScruplePress
  to Point of Division
• Latter Factions Later Embrace Ultra-liberalism

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2. APOSTASY
3. COMPROMISE

• PRINCIPLES
• OF TRUTH

Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples
4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION Bind, Press
Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To
Point of Division
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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• B. Many Examples of Scruples Differences
  Among Brethren Growing in Truth
• C. Man to Lead in Work of Church
• Several Views of Veil in 1 Cor. 11
• Several Views of Silence in 1 Cor. 1434-35 As
  Relates to Bible Classes
• All Affirm Principle of Male Leadership,
  Differ in Some Details of Application
• Discussed Many YearsNo Apostate Movement
  Corrupting More More
• Study Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• D. Controversies Divisions 1850-1930
• Missionary Society (1849),
  Instrumental Music (1851)Cycle of
  ApostasyCorrupted More More (1875-1900)
• Remnant Established in Truth, Resisted Apostasy
• Compromise Accept Society, Reject Instrument,
  Fellowship Error
• Overreaction (1900-30)

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• D. Controversies Divisions 1850-1930
• Overreaction (1900-30)
• One Cup
• No Divided Bible Classes
• No Located Preacher
• No Bible Study Literature in Work of Church
• No Bible College
• Specific Order of Worship

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• D. Controversies Divisions 1850-1930
• Overreaction (1900-30)
• Daniel Sommer (1850-1940) Factional on No Located
  Preacher, No Bible College
• Sommer Strong Influence on Carl Ketcherside
  (1908-89)
• Such Issues Not Divide As Matters of Growth,
  Judgment, Personal Scruple
• Sommers Later Years Reflect Phil. 19-11 45

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Maintaining BALANCE

• Overreaction (1900-30)
• Sommers Later Years Reflect Phil. 19-11 45
• His Family Published American Christian ReviewHe
  Endorsed Cant We Agree on Something?
• Ketcherside Pressed to Point of Division
• Many in Factions Formed 1900-30 Went into
  Ultra-liberalism From 1960s to Present

Brethren united on THE NEW TESTAMENT PLAN must
leave room for individual judgments on such
issues. Thisis written in behalf of the
thousands who desire to reach that Better Land,
and who never will know, and never can
understand, the finer points in our arguments
for and against some things that have disrupted
us (6-21-32).
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2. APOSTASY
3. COMPROMISE

• PRINCIPLES
• OF TRUTH

Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples
4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION Bind, Press
Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To
Point of Division
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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• E. Controversies Divisions Over
  Institutionalism Liberalism (1945-2000)
• Another Cycle of Apostasy
• Church Donations to Human Institutions
• Centralize Church Work thru Sponsoring Church
• Church Give Benevolence to Alien Sinners
• Church Provide Social Recreational Activities
• Corrupted More More (1970-2000)
• Remnant Established in Truth, Resisted Apostasy
• Compromise
  Church Donate to Orphanage Not
  College, to Certain Kinds of
  Orphanages, Fellowship Error
• Danger of Overreaction Bind Areas of Growth,
  ScruplePress to Point of Division

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Maintaining BALANCE

• Danger of Overreaction Some Bind Press,
  But Generally Not to Point of Division
• No Bible College
• No Akin Fund
• No Foundation to Publish Bible Study Materials
• Several Views Contra Typical P.M. Lords Supper
• No Funerals in Church Building
• No Weddings in Church Building
• No Church Songbooks for Home Singing
• Long-term Issues Oaths, War, Vote, Veil, Etc.
• Such Issues Not Divide As Matters of Growth,
  Judgment, Personal Scruple
• Discuss Many YearsNo Apostate Movement
  Corrupting More More
• Study Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions

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2. APOSTASY
3. COMPROMISE

• PRINCIPLES
• OF TRUTH

Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples
4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION Bind, Press
Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To
Point of Division
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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship,
  Other Issues 1988-Present
• Another Cycle of Apostasy
• H. Hailey Deny Christs Marriage Law Applies to
  All
• J. Freeman Divorced Fornicator Marry New Mate
• J. Puterbaugh All Divorced People Marry New
  Mate
• Deny Creation in Six Literal Days
• Doubt Literal Serpent in Gen. 3
• Doubt Universal Flood in Gen. 6-9
• Deny Eternal Torment in Hell

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship,
  Other Issues 1988-Present
• Another Cycle of Apostasy
• Remnant Established in Truth, Resisting Apostasy
• Compromise Unity-in-diversity tolerates
  contradictory teachings practices on important
  moral doctrinal questions (Ed Harrell,
  Christianity Magazine, May 1990)
• Danger of Overreaction Bind Areas of Growth,
  ScruplePress to Point of Division

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship,
  Other Issues 1988-Present
• Danger of Overreaction Bind Areas of Growth,
  ScruplePress to Point of Division
• No Divorce for Any Cause
• No Divorce Unless Witnesses to Fornication
• Innocent Mate Must Initiate Civil Divorce
• Innocent Mate Must Counter-sue if Guilty Sues
• Cannot Reconcile After Divorce for Fornication
• Divorced Fornicator Not Remarry After 1st Mate
  Dies
• If Prospective Fornicator Gets Divorce Paper
  Then Commits Adultery, Faithful Mate Not
  Remarry (Mostly Theoretical!)

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship,
  Other Issues 1988-Present
• Danger of Overreaction Bind Areas of Growth,
  ScruplePress to Point of Division
• No Division If Study Such Issues As Matters of
  Growth, Judgment, Personal Scruple
• Discuss Many YearsNo Apostate Movement
  Corrupting More More
• Study Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions
• W. Warnock-J. Deason, Searching the Scriptures,
  Nov. 1985 Mar. 1986, Not Press View to Division
• Some Friction, Declare War, Obsessed, Debate,
  Cancel Meetings, Press to Divide (1,000
  Splinters!?)

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2. APOSTASY
3. COMPROMISE

• PRINCIPLES
• OF TRUTH

Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples
4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION Bind, Press
Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To
Point of Division
35
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet
more and more in knowledge and in all judgment
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent
that ye may be sincere and
without offence till the day of Christ 11
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,
which are by Jesus Christ, unto
the glory and praise of God.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
Lord is at hand.

• Conclusion
• 1. Phil. 19-11 45 Pray as Paul Spiritual
  Growth, Maturity, Well-balanced Attitude
• Grow in Love, Knowledge, Discernment
• Moderation Maturity, Balance
• Live in View of Christs Presence Promise
  Avoid Stumblingblocks, Abound in Righteousness