All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

1
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

2
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• All apostasy is driven by a failure of
  leadership.
• As we have seen it begins with a failure of the
  home. We live in a culture where the role of men
  is under relentless attack.

3
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• All apostasy is driven by a failure of
  leadership.
• As we have seen it begins with a failure of the
  home. We live in a culture where the role of men
  is under relentless attack.
• Sadly, the church is seeing a feminization of the
  role of men. What does God want? (Eph 64)

4
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• Ephesians 64 (NKJV)4 And you, fathers, do not
  provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up
  in the training and admonition of the Lord.

5
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• Many godly women are forced by the abandonment of
  their leadership to step up and lead.

6
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• Many godly women are forced by the abandonment of
  their leadership to step up and lead.
• It is from our homes we grow elders.

7
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• When Gods people fall away the first ones to be
  called into account in the leadership

8
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• When Gods people fall away the first ones to be
  called into account in the leadership
• This was true in the nation of Israel. (Isa
  314 Ezek 811-13)

9
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• Isaiah 314 (NKJV) - The Lord will enter into
  judgment With the elders of His people And His
  princes For you have eaten up the vineyard The
  plunder of the poor is in your houses.

10
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• Ezekiel 811-13 (NKJV) - And there stood before
  them seventy men of the elders of the house of
  Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the
  son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his
  hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up.

11
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• 12Then He said to me, Son of man, have you seen
  what the elders of the house of Israel do in the
  dark, every man in the room of his idols? For
  they say, The Lord does not see us, the Lord has
  forsaken the land.
• 13And He said to me, Turn again, and you will
  see greater abominations that they are doing.

12
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• This was true in the Lords church. (Heb 1317
  Acts 2026-32)

13
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• Hebrews 1317 (NKJV) - Obey those who rule over
  you, and be submissive, for they watch out for
  your souls, as those who must give account. Let
  them do so with joy and not with grief, for that
  would be unprofitable for you.

14
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• Acts 2026-32 (NKJV)26Therefore I testify to you
  this day that I am innocent of the blood of all
  men. 27For I have not shunned to declare to you
  the whole counsel of God. 28Therefore take heed
  to yourselves and to all the flock, among which
  the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to
  shepherd the church of God which He purchased
  with His own blood.

15
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• 29For I know this, that after my departure savage
  wolves will come in among you, not sparing the
  flock. 30Also from among yourselves men will rise
  up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the
  disciples after themselves. 31Therefore watch,
  and remember that for three years I did not cease
  to warn everyone night and day with tears.

16
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• 32So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to
  the word of His grace, which is able to build you
  up and give you an inheritance among all those
  who are sanctified.

17
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• The people of God must not tolerate the wrong
  kind of leaders. (Jer 529-31)

18
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• Jeremiah 529-1 (NKJV)29 - Shall I not punish
  them for these things? says the Lord. Shall I
  not avenge Myself on such a nation as this? 30
  An astonishing and horrible thing Has been
  committed in the land 31 The prophets prophesy
  falsely, And the priests rule by their own
  power And My people love to have it so. But
  what will you do in the end?

19
All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

• Those who seek to change the church into the
  image of the current culture know very well that
  the change of the leadership is a first priority!

20
Headship as designed by God.

• There is an established order by God. (1 Cor
  113)

21
Headship as designed by God.

• 1 Corinthians 113 (NKJV)3 But I want you to
  know that the head of every man is Christ, the
  head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is
  God.

22
Headship as designed by God.

• The example of the order is shown by Jesus as
  head of the church. (Eph 525-29)

23
Headship as designed by God.

• Ephesians 525-29 (NKJV)25Husbands, love your
  wives, just as Christ also loved the church and
  gave Himself for her, 26that He might sanctify
  and cleanse her with the washing of water by the
  word, 27that He might present her to Himself a
  glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or
  any such thing, but that she should be holy and
  without blemish.

24
Headship as designed by God.

• 28So husbands ought to love their own wives as
  their own bodies he who loves his wife loves
  himself. 29For no one ever hated his own flesh,
  but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord
  does the church.

25
Headship as designed by God.

• Jesus nourished, provides and loves the church.

26
Headship as designed by God.

• Jesus nourished, provides and loves the church.
• He also is head given all authority by God. (Mt
  2818)

27
Headship as designed by God.

• Matthew 2818 (NKJV)18And Jesus came and spoke to
  them, saying, All authority has been given to Me
  in heaven and on earth.

28
Headship as designed by God.

• There are other kinds of headship where we must
  learn to submit! (Heb 1317 Eph 65, 8 521)

29
Headship as designed by God.

• Hebrews 1317 (NKJV)17Obey those who rule over
  you, and be submissive, for they watch out for
  your souls, as those who must give account. Let
  them do so with joy and not with grief, for that
  would be unprofitable for you.

30
Headship as designed by God.

• Ephesians 65 (NKJV)5Bondservants, be obedient to
  those who are your masters according to the
  flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of
  heart, as to Christ Ephesians 68 (NKJV)8knowing
  that whatever good anyone does, he will receive
  the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or
  free.

31
Headship as designed by God.

• Ephesians 521 (NKJV)21submitting to one another
  in the fear of God.

32
Headship as designed by God.

• Rebellion towards authority is praised by the
  world but God hates it.

33
Headship as designed by God.

• Rebellion towards authority is praised by the
  world but God hates it.
• One who is to submit is not inferior.

34
Headship as designed by God.

• Rebellion towards authority is praised by the
  world but God hates it.
• One who is to submit is not inferior.
• How should a husband be head of his home?

35
Headship as designed by God.

• Rebellion towards authority is praised by the
  world but God hates it.
• One who is to submit is not inferior.
• How should a husband be head of his home?
• He must make understanding a priority. (1 Pt 37)

36
Headship as designed by God.

• 1 Peter 37 (NKJV)7Husbands, likewise, dwell with
  them with understanding, giving honor to the
  wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs
  together of the grace of life, that your prayers
  may not be hindered.

37
Headship as designed by God.

• As a husband I put my wifes needs before mine.
  If she is unhappy and hurting I look and examine
  the kind of head that I am.

38
Headship as designed by God.

• I rarely make decisions without carefully
  consulting her. I almost never make decisions
  that we dont both agree on.

39
Headship as designed by God.

• I rarely make decisions without carefully
  consulting her. I almost never make decisions
  that we dont both agree on.
• I have a great blessing in that I married someone
  who loves the Lord. Things likely
  would be very different if I had not. (Lk 15-6)

40
Headship as designed by God.

• Luke 15-6 (NKJV)5There was in the days of Herod,
  the king of Judea, a certain priest named
  Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife
  was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was
  Elizabeth. 6And they were both righteous before
  God, walking in all the commandments and
  ordinances of the Lord blameless.

41
Headship as designed by God.

• A husband cannot force his wife to submit! She
  must choose to obey God.

42
Headship as designed by God.

• Problems can be caused in local churches when men
  fail to be heads of their home.

43
Headship as designed by God.

• Problems can be caused in local churches when men
  fail to be heads of their home.
• Women have a great influence in the church when
  they follow their God given role. (1 Pt 33-4
  Eph 528)

44
Headship as designed by God.

• 1 Peter 33-4 (NKJV)3Do not let your adornment be
  merely outwardarranging the hair, wearing gold,
  or putting on fine apparel4rather let it be the
  hidden person of the heart, with the
  incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet
  spirit, which is very precious in the sight of
  God.

45
Headship as designed by God.

• Ephesians 528 (NKJV)28So husbands ought to love
  their own wives as their own bodies he who loves
  his wife loves himself.

46
Headship as designed by God.

• There are some bad examples in the old testament
  of women who dominated their husbands and forced
  their will. (Ex. Jezebel and Ahab)

47
Headship as designed by God.

• Still there are many good examples of women who
  did much good by living by faith. (Prov 3110-12,
  23, 26-31)

48
Headship as designed by God.

• Proverbs 3110-12 (NKJV)10 Who can find a
  virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
  11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her So
  he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him
  good and not evil All the days of her life.

49
Headship as designed by God.

• Proverbs 3123 (NKJV) Her husband is known in the
  gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

50
Headship as designed by God.

• Proverbs 3126-31 (NKJV)26 She opens her mouth
  with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of
  kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her
  household, And does not eat the bread of
  idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her
  blessed Her husband also, and he praises her 29
  Many daughters have done well, But you excel
  them all.

51
Headship as designed by God.

• 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But
  a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
  31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let
  her own works praise her in the gates.

52
Headship as designed by God.

• A woman that is not constantly challenging their
  husband, but rather showing honor and confidence
  in his leadership, will strengthen him.

53
Headship as designed by God.

• In the church a woman can cause great trouble by
  complaining, gossiping, being jealous and
  contentious. Some will push their husbands in the
  background to their designs. Some have used the
  term she-elders

54
Headship as designed by God.

• When there are meetings among the men and a
  problem is solved then these things ought also to
  be solved at home! When the problem comes back up
  at the next meeting then there is likely trouble
  at home.

55
Headship as designed by God.

• When there are meetings among the men and a
  problem is solved then these things ought also to
  be solved at home! When the problem comes back up
  at the next meeting then there is likely trouble
  at home.
• If you find a good church with a loving spirit,
  you will find a church with godly women.

56
Understanding the role of women

• Where does God place the priorities for women? (1
  Peter 31-7)

57
Understanding the role of women

• 1 Peter 31-7 (NKJV)1 Wives, likewise, be
  submissive to your own husbands, that even if
  some do not obey the word, they, without a word,
  may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2when
  they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by
  fear.

58
Understanding the role of women

• 3Do not let your adornment be merely
  outwardarranging the hair, wearing gold, or
  putting on fine apparel4rather let it be the
  hidden person of the heart, with the
  incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet
  spirit, which is very precious in the sight of
  God.

59
Understanding the role of women

• 5For in this manner, in former times, the holy
  women who trusted in God also adorned themselves,
  being submissive to their own husbands, 6as Sarah
  obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters
  you are if you do good and are not afraid with
  any terror.

60
Understanding the role of women

• 7Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with
  understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to
  the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of
  the grace of life, that your prayers may not be
  hindered.

61
Understanding the role of women

• There is something you can do to have a very
  powerful impact upon your husband! (v1-2) Rather
  than demand your rights, build a good character.

62
Understanding the role of women

• Rather than the outward, a woman that is not
  constantly challenging their husband, but rather
  showing honor and confidence in his leadership,
  will build strength in him. (v3-4)

63
Understanding the role of women

• Rather than the outward, a woman that is not
  constantly challenging their husband, but rather
  showing honor and confidence in his leadership,
  will build strength in him. (v3-4)
• God places a great value on this spirit, do you?

64
Understanding the role of women

• Rather than the outward, a woman that is not
  constantly challenging their husband, but rather
  showing honor and confidence in his leadership,
  will build strength in him. (v3-4)
• God places a great value on this spirit, do you?
• Men and women have different roles. (1 Tim
  28-15)

65
Understanding the role of women

• 1 Timothy 28-15 (NKJV) 8I desire therefore that
  the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands,
  without wrath and doubting 9in like manner also,
  that the women adorn themselves in modest
  apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with
  braided hair or gold or pearls or costly
  clothing,

66
Understanding the role of women

• 10but, which is proper for women professing
  godliness, with good works. 11Let a woman learn
  in silence with all submission. 12And I do not
  permit a woman to teach or to have authority over
  a man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was
  formed first, then Eve.

67
Understanding the role of women

• 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being
  deceived, fell into transgression. 15Nevertheless
  she will be saved in childbearing if they
  continue in faith, love, and holiness, with
  self-control.

68
Understanding the role of women

• Here this is specific to men (v8)

69
Understanding the role of women

• Here this is specific to men (v8)
• What is proper for women? (v9-10) We need to give
  emphasis to subjection and a Godly spirit.

70
Understanding the role of women

• Here all submission is not just to the husband!

71
Understanding the role of women

• Here all submission is not just to the husband!
• Because she is not to be in authority does not
  mean that women should not become good Bible
  students. (Some mates let the other do all the
  studying!)

72
Understanding the role of women

• Here all submission is not just to the husband!
• Because she is not to be in authority does not
  mean that women should not become good Bible
  students. (Some mates let the other do all the
  studying!)
• The silence here is not an absolute silence. (v12)

73
Understanding the role of women

• hesuchia AV - silent 3, quietness 1 4 - 1)
  quietness 1a) description of the life of one
  who stays at home doing his own work, and does
  not officiously meddle with the affairs of
  others 2) silence

74
Understanding the role of women

• hesuchia AV - silent 3, quietness 1 4 - 1)
  quietness 1a) description of the life of one
  who stays at home doing his own work, and does
  not officiously meddle with the affairs of
  others 2) silence
• There are circumstances where women may teach
  men. (Acts 1826)

75
Understanding the role of women

• Acts 1826 (NKJV) 26So he began to speak boldly
  in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard
  him, they took him aside and explained to him the
  way of God more accurately.

76
Understanding the role of women

• The reasons for subject are as old as creation.
  (v13-14)

77
Understanding the role of women

• The reasons for subject are as old as creation.
  (v13-14)
• Women are limited in their participation in the
  assembly. (1 Cor 1433-37)

78
Understanding the role of women

• 1 Corinthians 1433-37 (NKJV) 33For God is not
  the author of confusion but of peace, as in all
  the churches of the saints. 34Let your women keep
  silent in the churches, for they are not
  permitted to speak but they are to be
  submissive, as the law also says.

79
Understanding the role of women

• 35And if they want to learn something, let them
  ask their own husbands at home for it is
  shameful for women to speak in church. 36Or did
  the word of God come originally from you? Or was
  it you only that it reached? 37If anyone thinks
  himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him
  acknowledge that the things which I write to you
  are the commandments of the Lord.

80
Understanding the role of women

• This is not just any gathering of Christians. (1
  Cor 1423) (Not a Bible Class)

81
Understanding the role of women

• 1 Corinthians 1423 (NKJV)23Therefore if the
  whole church comes together in one place, and all
  speak with tongues, and there come in those who
  are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say
  that you are out of your mind?

82
Understanding the role of women

• This silence involves the addressing of the
  assembly. (1 Cor 1428, 30)

83
Understanding the role of women

• 1 Corinthians 1428 (NKJV)28But if there is no
  interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and
  let him speak to himself and to God.

84
Understanding the role of women

• 1 Corinthians 1430 (NKJV)30But if anything is
  revealed to another who sits by, let the first
  keep silent.

85
Understanding the role of women

• When a woman follows this rule they are showing
  submission whether married or not! (v34)

86
Understanding the role of women

• When a woman follows this rule they are showing
  submission whether married or not! (v34)
• This is a command of God to be followed, not some
  social order by man. (v37)

87
Understanding the role of women

• When a woman follows this rule they are showing
  submission whether married or not! (v34)
• This is a command of God to be followed, not some
  social order by man. (v37)
• Some important applications.

88
Understanding the role of women

• When a woman follows this rule they are showing
  submission whether married or not! (v34)
• This is a command of God to be followed, not some
  social order by man. (v37)
• Some important applications.
• There cannot be women elders and deacons. (1 Tim
  32, 11)

89
Understanding the role of women

• 1 Timothy 32 (NKJV) 2A bishop then must be
  blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate,
  sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able
  to teach

90
Understanding the role of women

• 1 Timothy 311 (NKJV) 11Likewise, their wives
  must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate,
  faithful in all things.

91
Understanding the role of women

• It is unwise to have women in business meetings.

92
Understanding the role of women

• There were occasions for the whole church to hear
  discussion. (Acts 156, 22)

93
Understanding the role of women

• Acts 156 (NKJV)6Now the apostles and elders came
  together to consider this matter.

94
Understanding the role of women

• Acts 1522 (NKJV) 22Then it pleased the
  apostles and elders, with the whole church, to
  send chosen men of their own company to Antioch
  with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was
  also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among
  the brethren.

95
Understanding the role of women

• Why would we want to have women in the business
  meeting? What would they do?

96
Understanding the role of women

• In the Bible it was men who were to be the
  leaders. In our business meetings the men are to
  make the finial decision.

97
Understanding the role of women

• In the Bible it was men who were to be the
  leaders. In our business meetings the men are to
  make the finial decision.
• To have women attend the business meeting but not
  speak would be like inviting someone to a dinner
  table filled with food and not let them eat.
  Temptation will likely prevail.

98
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• The foundations of the local congregation are now
  under assault.

99
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• The foundations of the local congregation are now
  under assault.
• Many will use the terms traditional position
  and Legalism to intimidate others from an
  unprejudiced study of the role of women.

100
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• The foundations of the local congregation are now
  under assault.
• Many will use the terms traditional position
  and Legalism to intimidate others from an
  unprejudiced study of the role of women.
• Consider the Jubilee meetings in Nashville and
  their fruit.

101
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• Here are some excerpts from an article written by
  Virgil L. Hale.

102
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• Though there were several women teachers there
  were no women's classes as such all classes were
  open to both men and women regardless of the
  gender of the teacher." He then pointed out that
  his wife, who was one of the invited teachers
  refused to speak with men present, and saw to it
  that only women were present in her class.

103
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• As a result, he said, "Most of the women thought
  it "quaint" and "old fashioned" but many publicly
  called it "legalism, "lack of love,"
  ''enforcing the letter of the law instead of the
  spirit," etc. One young woman did everything but
  curse her in a bitter display of uncontrolled
  temper.

104
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• When other women teachers were asked how they
  felt about men in their classes such replies as
  "it's an honor to have them" or "it's about time"
  or even "I'm so used to it I didn't even give it
  any thought."

105
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• He went on to say that "When asked to explain 1
  Timothy 211, 12 there was always a refusal to
  discuss scripture and the remark, "The freedom
  Christ gives us looses us from the letter of the
  N. T. and lets us walk only by its spirit." The
  phrase "old traditions" was often heard. He goes
  on with point number

106
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• (2) The women who taught classes had full control
  over the classes. Since classes taught by other
  women had many men present almost without
  exception the woman teacher called on a woman to
  lead a song and a woman to lead a prayer. (3) One
  of the male speakers did not show up for a major
  lecture and one of the women teachers was asked
  to speak in his place.

107
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• (4) Jack Evans, one of the keynote speakers
  before the entire assembly, asked his wife to
  sing a solo before the congregation. After the
  first verse he asked the assembly to join her in
  singing the rest of the song. She was then the
  song leader. (5) The Truth was compromised in
  practically every speech made.

108
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• The sentiment was often expressed that every
  baptized believer was saved regardless of how
  little he understood or believed, where he went
  to church or how he worshiped. Landon Saunders
  said environmental organizations were as
  necessary as the church and that "saving the
  whales was as necessary for one to go to heaven
  as was baptism or the Lord's Supper. ---
  Contending for the faith October 1989

109
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• The sentiment was often expressed that In Texas a
  good friend witnessed how a man who was to speak
  to the assembly decided to turn it into a Bible
  class by saying everything we do is worship
  anyhow! The more disturbing element was that the
  Elders did nothing!

110
How the world is winning over mainstream
churches of Christ

• The house church movement appeals to those who
  wish to ignore Gods order.

111
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• What do leaders do?

112
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• What do leaders do?
• A shepherd knows the sheep. (John 103-5)

113
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• John 103-5 (NKJV) 3To him the doorkeeper
  opens, and the sheep hear his voice and he calls
  his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4And
  when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before
  them and the sheep follow him, for they know his
  voice. 5Yet they will by no means follow a
  stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not
  know the voice of strangers.

114
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• A leader is concerned for the real welfare of the
  sheep. What comes first? (John 1011-12)

115
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• John 1011-12 (NKJV) - I am the good shepherd.
  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
  12But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one
  who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming
  and leaves the sheep and flees and the wolf
  catches the sheep and scatters them.

116
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• A leader will lead by principle and not by
  convenience.

117
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• A leader will lead by principle and not by
  convenience.
• There are leaders who allow the flock to be
  plundered by wolves.

118
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• A leader will lead by principle and not by
  convenience.
• There are leaders who allow the flock to be
  plundered by wolves.
• As with most movements there is a difference
  between the leadership and the membership. Often
  the membership is in the dark!

119
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• The leadership has a course they wish to plot,
  while the membership is a mixture of special
  interest which can be played one against the
  other.

120
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• The leadership has a course they wish to plot,
  while the membership is a mixture of special
  interest which can be played one against the
  other.
• The real truth is that they stand for little. The
  leadership however will use the most carnal
  attacks against the patternist.

121
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Consider the kind of men who are brought in to
  speak. (Ex. After I left and then begin reading.
  I then learned of what these men really believed.)

122
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Consider the kind of men who are brought in to
  speak. (Ex. After I left and then begin reading.
  I then learned of what these men really
  believed.)
• Even though a congregation may have elders, in
  some cases the preachers are the real leaders!
  (Ex. Weak Elder who wrings his hands and
  complains in the background)

123
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Some have been taught by others to weave, that
  is disguise your beliefs until the time is right.
  This is not honest! (Eph 414)

124
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Ephesians 414 (NKJV)14that we should no longer
  be children, tossed to and fro and carried about
  with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of
  men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful
  plotting,

125
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Some elderships let preachers and members
  continue in an undermining of faith.
  (Titus 19-11)

126
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Titus 19-11 (NKJV) - 9holding fast the faithful
  word as he has been taught, that he may be able,
  by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict
  those who contradict. 10For there are many
  insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers,
  especially those of the circumcision, 11whose
  mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole
  households, teaching things which they ought not,
  for the sake of dishonest gain.

127
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Some men are allowed to preach who do not believe
  instrumental music is wrong.

128
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Some men are allowed to preach who do not believe
  instrumental music is wrong.
• Some men have openly taught false and
  destabilizing doctrines and never had to
  correct them. (Ex. We should have the Lords
  Supper as we would a meal and visit and
  laugh and talk.)

129
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• There will be underground movements with thus
  kind of a church that will gain followers.
  (2 Pt 21-2)

130
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• 2 Peter 21-2 (NKJV) 1But there were also false
  prophets among the people, even as there will be
  false teachers among you, who will secretly bring
  in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord
  who bought them, and bring on themselves swift
  destruction. 2And many will follow their
  destructive ways, because of whom the way of
  truth will be blasphemed.

131
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Often there is an intellectual pride that
  considers all controversy as unspiritual.

132
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Often there is an intellectual pride that
  considers all controversy as unspiritual.
• The issue of authority must be applied to all
  areas of life.

133
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Often there is an intellectual pride that
  considers all controversy as unspiritual.
• The issue of authority must be applied to all
  areas of life.
• Once we let go of this concept there is no
  stopping!

134
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Often there is an intellectual pride that
  considers all controversy as unspiritual.
• The issue of authority must be applied to all
  areas of life.
• Once we let go of this concept there is no
  stopping!
• Because of our desire to follow all things
  (Matt 2820) we can correct our inconsistencies
  in time.

135
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• Matthew 2820 (NKJV) 20teaching them to observe
  all things that I have commanded you and lo, I
  am with you always, even to the end of the age.
  Amen.

136
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• One brother tried to justify his move with the
  culture because brethren have been
  inconsistent. A good man replied That may be
  so, but you have pulled up your anchor
  altogether!

137
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• While we maintain the landmarks to keep ourselves
  in the will of God, you are adrift without an
  anchor. You have achieved consistency at the
  sacrifice of principle!

138
How weak elderships are destroying local churches

• While we maintain the landmarks to keep ourselves
  in the will of God, you are adrift without an
  anchor. You have achieved consistency at the
  sacrifice of principle!
• Are you walking by faith?