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MaintainingMaintaining

BALANCEBALANCEIn Times of ControversyIn Times of Controversy

Phil. 4:5

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

[By Ron Halbrook]

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEIntroduction:

1. Phil. 4:5 Mature, Well-balanced Attitude “Moderation:” Noble Generosity & Gentleness,

Forbearance & Fairness, Reasonable & Patient“Graciousness with Strength & Poise of Character

….Opposite of Obstinacy” (A.T. Robertson, Paul’s Joy in Christ, p. 129)

Not Overreact, Not Thrown Off Balance“Unto All Men:” Poise, Patience in All Cases

Secured by Focus on Christ’s Presence & Promise, Not on Earthly Conditions!

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCE

Introduction:2. Phil. 1:9-11 Pray for Maturity, Balance

Grow in LoveGrow in KnowledgeGrow in Judgment, Discernment:“Selects, classifies, & applies”

(Vincent, Word Studies in N.T., 871)“Proper sense of the relative value of things”

(Weaver, Philippians, 24)Approve Things Excellent, Distinguish Things that Differ, Have a Sense of What Is Vital“See what things are relatively…most important &

…put the emphasis in the right place” (Robertson, Paul’s Joy in Christ, 38)

Act in View of “the Day of Christ”

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCE

I. Eccl. 7:15-18 Balance: Avoid Extreme Attitudes

A. Vs. 15 Can’t Solve Every Question, Enigma, & Difficulty

B. Vs. 16 Arbiter of All Such Matters: Exaggerated Righteousness

C. Vs. 17 Opposite Extreme: Use Enigmas as Excuse for Willful Sin

D. Vs. 18 True Faith: Focus on Revealed Truth & Duty, Avoid Extremes

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCE

II. Matt. 7:1-5, 13-15 Balance in Recognizing Sin in People’s Lives

A. Vv. 1-5 Hypocritical JudgingOverly Scrupulous in Charging Others with Sin

Excuse One’s Own Sins

B. Vv. 13-15 Proper, Essential JudgingBroad Way of Sin, Narrow Way of Truth

Repent of Sin

Distinguish Truth from Error

C. Maintain Balance: Proper Judging Without Hypocritical Judging

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCE

III. Matt. 10:16, 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, MeasuredHarmless: Open, Sincere, No Guile or Deceit

C. Under Bitter Attack: Danger of Reckless Overreaction

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCE

IV. Rom. 14:1-3; 16:17-18 Balance: Distinguish Personal Scruples & Doctrinal Apostasy

A. 14:1-3 Accept Each Other with Personal Scruples

Grow: Distinguish Revealed Doctrine from Personal Conclusions & Judgments

B. 16:17-18 Reject Men Who Promote ApostasyPress False Doctrine: Cause Division Outward Piety, Smooth Speeches: Cloak Error

C. Balance: Distinguish Scruples & ApostasyDanger: Press Scruple—Friction, Bitterness, FactionDanger: Compromise with Error—ApostasyAvoid Dangers: Saints Grow, Gospel Spreads

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCE

V. Gal. 1:8-9; 2:11; 5:15 Balance: Defend Truth Without Stooping to Error’s Tactics

A. 1:8-9 Reject Those Who Pervert Gospel B. 2:11 Peter’s Compromise Openly Rebuked C. 5:15 Defend Truth, Fight Error,

Not Stoop to Error’s TacticsPaul Direct, Forceful (1:7-8; 2:11, 13; 3:1; 4:30; 5:1, 7, 9, 12)False Teacher: Bitter, Personal AttackUphold Truth: Courtesy, Dignity, Focus on Bible, Refute False DoctrineTemptation: Retaliate in Like Kind

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCE

VI. Eph. 4:1-6, 14-15, 31-32 Balance: Teach the Truth in Love

A. Vv. 1-6 Proper Attitude With Sound DoctrineLowly, Meek, Patient, Love, Unity, Peace

Solid Foundation of Sound Doctrine

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

C. Vv. 31-32 Seek to Save Not Destroy Those Who Wrong Us

D. Controversy: Test Commitment to Truth, Sincerity of Love

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCE

VII. Phil. 1:15-18 Balance in Putting the Cause of Christ Above Self

A. Some Preachers: Selfish Spirit of Competition, Seek Personal Advantage, Promote Self

Preach Christ, Compete with Paul

B. Other Preachers: Unselfish Spirit of Goodwill, Love, Promote Only the Gospel

Set to Defend Gospel at All Costs No Bitterness toward Critics

C. Balance: Always Put Cause of Christ Above SelfDefend Truth, Not Promote Self, in Time of ControversySome Preachers: Teach Truth, Unfairly Criticize Us Not Retaliate—Put Cause of Christ Above Self

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEVIII. Col. 4:2-6 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 & TeachingGodly Life Opens Doors to Teach

Wise in Tone & Tenor

With Grace: Kind, Courteous, Dignified

Wisdom to Answer Every Man

C. Test in Controversy: Balance Content & ToneContent: Pervert Truth, Modify Truth, Misuse Truth

Tone: Explosive Anger, Arrogance, Bitterness

Proper Balance: Advance Cause of Christ

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEIX. 2 Pet. 1:12, 5; 2:1 Balance in Grasp of Truth &

Room to Grow in the Truth A. 1:12 Truth Firmly Established in Heart & Life B. 1:5 Grow in Knowledge: Lifelong Process

Practical Knowledge, Discretion in Applying Truth “A practical knowledge that admits of expansion” (Hiebert, Second Peter & Jude, 53)

C. 2:1 False Teachers Replace Truth with HeresiesCannot Promote Growth in Applying TruthHeresies Lead to Apostasy, Corrupt More & More as Outlined in 2 Pet. 2-3

D. Grasp Truth, Grow: NOT Same As Deny, Apostasy

E. Challenge: Discern Heresy, Corrupting ProcessVS. Established in Truth, Normal Growth Process

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEX. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies A. Many Examples of Apostate Movements

Patterns in Cycles of ApostasyUnchanging Principles of TruthRemnant Established in Truth, Resists ApostasyGrowing in KnowledgeMake Judgments in Applying TruthAreas of Personal Conscience, Scruples

Apostasy: Subtle Steps, Corrupt More & MoreCompromise: Not Embrace, Not Openly FightOverreaction: Bind Areas of Growth, Scruple—Press to Point of DivisionLatter Factions Later Embrace Ultra-liberalism

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1.PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH

Grow in KnowledgeJudgments

Personal Scruples

2. APOSTASY

3. COMPROMISE

4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION:Bind, Press Differences in

Growth, Judgments, ScruplesTo Point of Division

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEX. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies

B. Many Examples of Scruples & Differences Among Brethren Grasping & Growing in Truth

C. Man to Lead in Work of ChurchSeveral Views of Veil in 1 Cor. 11

Several Views of Silence in 1 Cor. 14:34-35 As Relates to Bible Classes

All Affirm Principle of Male Leadership, Differ in Some Details of Application

Discussed Many Years—No Apostate Movement Corrupting More & More

Study Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEX. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies

D. Controversies & Divisions 1850-1930 Missionary Society (1849), Instrumental Music (1851)—Cycle of Apostasy—Corrupted 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 Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEX. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies

D. Controversies & Divisions 1850-1930 Overreaction (1900-30):One CupNo Divided Bible ClassesNo Located PreacherNo Bible Study Literature in Work of ChurchNo Bible CollegeSpecific Order of Worship

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEX. 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 CollegeSommer: Strong Influence on Carl Ketcherside

(1908-89)Such Issues Not Divide As Matters of Growth,

Judgment, & Personal ScrupleSommer’s Later Years Reflect Phil. 1:9-11; 4:5

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCE

Overreaction (1900-30):Sommer’s Later Years Reflect Phil. 1:9-11; 4:5 His Family Published American Christian Review—

He Endorsed “Can’t We Agree on Something?”

Ketcherside: Pressed to Point of Division

Many in Factions Formed 1900-30 Went into Ultra-liberalism From 1960’s to Present

Brethren united on “THE NEW TESTAMENT PLAN”

must leave room for individual judgments on such issues.

“This…is 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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1.PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH

Grow in KnowledgeJudgments

Personal Scruples

2. APOSTASY

3. COMPROMISE

4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION:Bind, Press Differences in

Growth, Judgments, ScruplesTo Point of Division

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEX. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies E. Controversies & Divisions Over Institutionalism –

Liberalism (1945-2000) Another Cycle of ApostasyChurch Donations to Human InstitutionsCentralize Church Work thru Sponsoring ChurchChurch Give Benevolence to Alien SinnersChurch Provide Social & Recreational ActivitiesCorrupted More & More (1970-2000)

Remnant Established in Truth, Resisted ApostasyCompromise: Church Donation to Orphanage Not College, to Certain Kinds of Orphanages, Fellowship Error Danger of Overreaction: Bind Areas of Growth, Scruple—Press to Point of Division

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEDanger of Overreaction: Some Bind & Press, But Generally Not to Point of DivisionNo Bible CollegeNo Akin FundNo Foundation to Publish Bible Study MaterialsSeveral Views Contra Typical P.M. Lord’s SupperNo Funerals in Church BuildingNo Weddings in Church BuildingNo Church Songbooks for Home SingingLong-term Issues: Oaths, War, Vote, Veil, Etc.Such Issues Not Divide As Matters of Growth,

Judgment, & Personal ScrupleDiscuss Many Years—No Apostate Movement Corrupting More & MoreStudy Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions

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1.PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH

Grow in KnowledgeJudgments

Personal Scruples

2. APOSTASY

3. COMPROMISE

4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION:Bind, Press Differences in

Growth, Judgments, ScruplesTo Point of Division

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEX. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies

F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship, & Other Issues 1988-Present

Another Cycle of Apostasy:H. Hailey: Deny Christ’s Marriage Law Applies to AllJ. Freeman: Divorced Fornicator Marry New MateJ. Puterbaugh: All Divorced People Marry New MateDeny Creation in Six Literal DaysDoubt Literal Serpent in Gen. 3Doubt Universal Flood in Gen. 6-9Deny Eternal Torment in Hell

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEX. 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” (E. Harrell, Christianity Magazine, May 1990)

Danger of Overreaction: Bind, Areas of Growth, Scruple—Press to Point of Division

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEX. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship, & Other

Issues 1988-Present Danger of Overreaction: Bind Areas of Growth, Scruple—Press to Point of DivisionNo Divorce for Any CauseNo Divorce Unless Witnesses to FornicationInnocent Mate Must Initiate Civil DivorceInnocent Mate Must Counter-sue if Guilty SuesCannot Reconcile After Divorce for FornicationDivorced Fornicator Not Remarry After 1st Mate DiesIf Prospective Fornicator Gets Divorce Paper

& Then Commits Adultery, Faithful Mate Not Remarry (Mostly Theoretical!)

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCE

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, Scruple—Press to Point of DivisionNo Division If Study Such Issues As Matters of Growth, Judgment, & Personal ScrupleDiscuss Many Years—No Apostate Movement Corrupting More & MoreStudy Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, FactionsW. Warnock-J. Deason, Searching the Scriptures,

Nov. 1985 & Mar. 1986, Not Press View to DivisionSome Friction, Declare War, Obsessed, Debate,

Cancel Meetings, Press to Divide (1,000 Splinters!?)

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1.PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH

Grow in KnowledgeJudgments

Personal Scruples

2. APOSTASY

3. COMPROMISE

4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION:Bind, Press Differences in

Growth, Judgments, ScruplesTo Point of Division

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Maintaining Maintaining BALANCEBALANCEConclusion:

1. Phil. 1:9-11; 4:5 Pray as Paul: Spiritual Growth, Maturity, Well-balanced Attitude

Grow in Love, Knowledge, Discernment“See what things are relatively…most important & …put the emphasis in the right place” (Robertson, Paul’s Joy in Christ, 38)“Moderation:” Noble Generosity & Gentleness,

Forbearance & Fairness, Reasonable & PatientNot Overreact, Not Thrown Off Balance“Unto All Men:” Poise, Patience in All Cases

Act in View of Christ’s Presence & Promise— Avoid Stumbling blocks, Abound in Righteousness

2. Matt. 11:27-30; Mk. 16:16 Christ Calls All Lost