Titus 1:10-2:1

[10] For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. [11] They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. [12] One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” [13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. [15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. [16] They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. 2[1] But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

Introduction:

We are in the book of Titus again this morning and will be looking closely at chapter 1, verses 10 through chapter 2:1. So, the elders are letting me preach the word again this morning. I guess I didn’t lead you astray the last time I preached and the hope is that I do not do it this time. I am pretty sure this has to be a test though. Last time I got to preach through one of my favorite sections of scripture on how the church practically proves it’s redemption and love. This time I get to preach on the lying, evil, lazy, gluttonous Cretans.  Quite the contrast. I hope you can’t see the sweat dripping down my brow too much this morning (haha). I am only kidding. I am humbled and delighted that our faithful elders would consider me faithful to bring this word to you this morning. I truly believe we are in for a treat this morning. Not because of what I have to say but because of what the rich word of God is teaching us, as we see the rebuke of these people. The beautiful thing about teaching through books of the bible is we aren’t tempted to skip the hard texts, but rather desire to plow through and dig for the treasure before us. God’s Word is good, is it not beloved? We have quite the ground to cover so let us dive in head first this morning. I am going to start with verse 1 of chapter one so we can see the flow. Our task this morning is simple. We are going to look at WHO Paul is addressing, WHY he is addressing them, and WHAT this means for us (as a Church, as The Church).

Who Paul is Addressing:

People INSIDE the church but not OF The Church.

Titus 1:10

For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.

Titus 1:16

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

THESE ARE PEOPLE INSIDE THE CHURCH:

First, let’s notice that Paul is addressing people inside the church. Pastor Sam showed us last week that the first order of business Paul attends to is to have Titus appoint elders in order to “put what remained into order” and that the elders are to “give instruction in sound doctrine and also rebuke those who contradict it.” Then he moves immediately to show why Titus is to do this is our text starting in verse 10, “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.” The use of the word “for” is like saying, “this is why you should do this.” Paul is telling Titus to appoint elders because their are false teachers who have crept into the church. We also know these are those inside the church because of how Paul starts verse 16′ “they profess to know God.” So Paul is telling us that they claim to be Christians and there are many of them. For now let’s just see that Paul is telling Titus that there are many inside the church that he is addressing. But what else does Paul show us about who these people are. Paul shows us,

THEY ARE NOT OF THE CHURCH:

Look at the evaluation of them in verse 16, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.” It is always important for us to remember that these people may be inside the church but they are not of the church. We already addressed that their profession to know God means they are professing to be Christians but John MacArthur sheds a little more light on what this means. He says,

“They claim to be Christians? Of course they claim to be Christians, obviously they are around the church hovering like vultures and they claim to be Christians.But I don’t think that’s the limit of what he’s saying here. They profess to know God not just as Christians know God, but they profess this transcendent knowledge, this Gnostic knowledge, this knowledge above knowledge, like we are the ascended masters, you know, we have been elevated to the higher level. We by our mystical experiences and the secret knowledge of the Old Testament which you can’t know by the comprehension of these private allegories and all of these other fantasies, we by observing all of these traditions and commandments and ceremonies and all of that have ascended to a higher level of knowing God than all the rest of you…we know God. And they’re elevating themselves in their pride. And he says they profess to know God higher and more grand than anyone else, they think they have a superior knowledge of God. The truth is, take a look at their deeds and by their deeds they deny Him…they deny Him.” – John MacArthur

Beloved, there is no segregation in the church. All have been bought by the same blood. All have been chosen by the same Father. All have the same power that comes from the Spirit. Do you remember how Paul addressed this in Ephesians 4:4-6,

[4] There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—[5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Is this not the same thing we saw in 1 John? False teachers will always try to elevate their status and understanding. That is one of their prime methods to get you to believe them. Their is always special knowledge and revelation. Look at the Mormons. They claim to be Christians but there is a special revelation that “trumps” the apostles. These people are not OF THE CHURCH. And Paul shows how we can determine the false teacher. Their deeds…just look at them. Their fruits reveal them, as Jesus said. Like it says in 2 Timothy 3:5, they have a form of godliness with no power…avoid such men. Their conduct proves they’re liars and hypocrites who don’t know God at all. Paul shows us the character of these people to drive the point home that they are not of the church. Did you notice Paul’s decription of these people? Let’s start again in verse 10,

For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.

These are Insubordinate, empty taking, deceiving

Insubordinate- Not Subject or disobedient to authority, disorderly, insubordinate. This word is the negative of hupotasso which is mostly used to convey Christ having supreme rule

Empty Talking- One idly speaking what is useless

Deceivers- Seducer, deceiver

Especially those of the circumcision party – this is a reference to Jews who still maintained that the ceremonial law was necessary. We will get into this more later. Christian, these are not descriptions of the redeemed! Paul goes on in his description in verses 12-13,

[12] One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” [13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

He calls them liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. Paul is probably quoting the Greek poet Epimenedes of Knossos who wrote in about 600 B.C. 600 years before Titus is in Crete. So, one of their own pagan poets calls them liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. And What does Paul say, “this testimony is true.” Listen to what some of the commentaries said about the Cretans

The ancient historian Polybius wrote that it was “almost impossible to find…personal conduct more treacherous or public policy more unjust than in Crete” (Histories 6.47).

Cicero also stated, “Moral principles are so divergent that the Cretans…consider highway robbery honorable” (Republic 3.9.15).

 In Horne’s introduction to Titus, he writes this,

How true the first part  of it is, with respect to their deceit and lying, the following facts will attest. From the time of Homer, the island of Crete was regarded as the venue of fiction. Many authors affirm that, as a people, it’s inhabitants were infamous for their violation of truth; and at length their falsehood became so notorious, that to “kritizo” to cretis, or imitate the Cretans, was a proverbial expression among the ancients of lying.” – Horne’s Introduction.

Did you catch that last one? They were such liars that there’s a Greek verb associated with them. There’s a verb in the Greek language that means to lie. There’s a verb that means to lie. To kritize was to lie. Paul also calls them evil beasts. This word is used in the bible for the beastly animals. It is also used in revelation for the beast in the last days. This word goes with those of the kingdom of darkness, not of the kingdom of light. And then lazy gluttons. Literally in the Greek, two words, slow bellies. They’re big bellies that go slow. It pictures somebody who has overindulged, oversatiated, fat, doesn’t work, uncontrolled lust, uncontrolled greed, self-indulgence. Christian, the point is, these are not words used to describe those who have been redeemed. But Paul doesn’t stop there. Look at verse 16 again,

“They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

These are detestable, disobedient, reprobate people.

Detestable- Abominable. That which is an abomination to God. Shameless and disgusting. Idolatrous

Disobedient- Not letting oneself be persuaded, hard, stubborn, to be disobedient

Reprobate- Worthless, disapproved, rejected, cast away.

Beloved, these words are not descriptions of those who have been redeemed. I think we get the point now. There are unredeemed, deceptive teachers inside the church attacking the body. But false teachers being inside the church is not a new concept in the early church is it? The bible is constantly addressing false teachers inside the church. Listen to this quick run down of other scriptures addressing these same people

1 Timothy 1:3-7

[3] As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, [4] nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. [5] The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. [6] Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, [7] desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

1 Timothy 6:20-21

[20] O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” [21] for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.
Grace be with you.

2 Peter 2:1-3

[1] But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. [2] And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. [3] And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

1 John 4:1

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Matthew 24:11

“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.”

2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 12-15

[2] For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. [3] But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. [4] For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough….[12] And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. [13] For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. [14] And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. [15] So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Romans 16:17-118

[17] I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. [18] For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

So now we have seen who Paul is addressing. They are insubordinate, empty taking, deceiving, lying, evil, over indulged, detestable, disobedient, reprobate people that have crept into the church. Lets move onto,

Why Paul is Addressing These People:

They are Attacking the JOY and PROGRESS of The Church

This is found in verses 11 & 13-15

Titus 1:11

They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

Titus 1:13-15

[13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. [15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

ATTACKING THE JOY OF THE CHURCH:

Notice the reason Paul’s gives for these people being silenced, “because they are upsetting whole families.” Literally Paul is saying they “subvert whole houses.” To subvert means to:

1 :  to overturn or overthrow from the foundation :  ruin
2 :  to pervert or corrupt by an undermining of morals, allegiance, or faith
3 : to make (something) weaker or less effective

Some of the synonyms for subvert are “corrupt, demean, demoralize, pervert, or poison.” And the antonyms are, “elevate and uplift.” Did you catch that definition?  These false teachers creep in and tear down whole houses. Paul’s sheds more light on how they do this in his other pastoral letter to Timothy. Listen to 2 Timothy 3:6,

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,”

Notice how Paul says they are accomplishing the subversion of whole families, by creeping into households. This tells us these people aren’t just pastors or Sunday school teachers. They are people that knock on your door and want to take a little bit of your time to spread their lies. They seek to attack the weak. And we need to realize. They are first attacking our joy. Look at what else Paul writes about why they need to be silenced in verse 11,

 “by teaching for shameful gain…”

I love John Calvin’s commentary on this. He says,

“He next points out the source of the evil, a desire of dishonest gain; by which he reminds us how destructive a plague avarice is in teachers; for, as soon as they give themselves up to the pursuit of gain, they must labor to obtain the favor and countenance of men. This is quickly followed by the corruption of pure doctrine.” – John Calvin

Their desire is not for the joy of the church, it is for there own shameful sordid gain. This is why it is serious enough to completely silence them and why Paul says in verse 13 to “rebuke them sharply.” But they are not just attacking the joy of the church, look at what Paul says they are also doing in verse 11. They are, “teaching…what they ought not teach,” so they are:

ATTACKING THE PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH:

The interesting thing is that Paul does not give a lot of details on exactly what they are teaching. He really only gives a broad stroke on what these things are. Let’s take some time to look at these and how they attack the progress of the church. Look back with me at verses 13-15,

[13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. [15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

As I mentioned, Paul is not very detailed here. So we want to do some digging to see what Paul is addressing. But our goal is not just to know what is being said by these false teachers but to see the effect on the church. While we cannot see the details, we can see the ideas. We see these in verse 14 where Paul says,

“not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.”

First let’s notice that these are “Jewish Myths.” This is not the first time Paul points to the the fact that there was a Jewish influence here. In verse 10 he says, “especially those of the circumcision party.” The “circumcision party” was a term used for those that continued to insist that the ceremonial law (circumcision, food laws, etc) were still necessary and tried to place those standards on gentile Christians as well. This is what Paul is referring to when he says, “the commandments of men” in verse 14. These Jewish, pretend believers, were teaching that the atonement provided by Christ’s blood was not completely sufficient but there were extra ceremonious things that still needed to be done in order to be right with God. Let’s not just look at what this teaching is saying but at its affect on the church. John Calvin again shed some good light on the affect of the ceremonial law,

“First, a snare of bandages was laid on the consciences; and next, ignorant persons, bound by this superstition, had a veil drawn over their eyes, which hindered them from advancing in the pure knowledge of Christ.” – Calvin

Why are these extra standards so dangerous? Because they attack the progress of the church in their knowledge of Christ. This teaching turns away from the truth. You see this at the end of verse 14. And remember the introduction of this letter and why Paul is writing, “for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life.” Knowledge of the truth accords/leads to godliness, in hope of eternal life. And what does Jesus say about the truth, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Men want to place standards on top of Christ’s blood to obtain Justification. We want to have something that we can control. It is enticing to think that we could do something in our power to obtain this. The gospel stands firmly against our pride because it says, “you haven’t done anything and you can’t do anything.” Our righteousness is filthy rags. Only through the blood of Christ are we justified and made clean. Beloved be leery of anyone teaching there is more than this for salvation! It is dangerous and needs to be rebuked. But Paul does not just reference the extra ceremonial laws does he? Look again at verse 14, he says, “Jewish myths.” What does Paul mean by this? Let’s consult the language and some men smarter than me on this subject.

Myth/Fable is mostly used in NT as a lying fable with all it’s falsehoods and all it’s pretenses to be what is not (Zodiates). In 1 Tim. 4:7 they are called profane and silly.  The result of sophistry for the purpose of deceiving. *root word “mueo” means to instruct. Whereas both logos and muthos begin with thought and intelligence; logos ends in the kingdom of light, muthos ends in the kingdom of darkness

John MacArthur expounds well on this. He says,

“First of all, Jewish myths. The Jews tended to take the Old Testament and interpret it allegorically and mystically. I mean, they came up with some of the wildest and most bizarre interpretations of the Old Testament. And I’m not going to belabor the issue by pointing out many of them but that they would come up with very silly kinds of allegorical mystical fanciful interpretations. One, for example, would be that if you take the name of Abraham…and this is in the Talmud…if you take the name of Abraham and you drop all the consonants out you have three…all the vowels out, pardon me, you take Abraham’s name, drop out the vowels you have three remaining consonants. In English we would know them as “r” and “b” and “m”. And if you take the numerical value of those, because in the Hebrew letters had numerical value, if you take the numerical value of those and add them up you get 318. And every time you see the name Abraham what it really means is there were 318 servants of the Lord. So you get all of these kind of fantastic mystical concoctions and they become…what they become is the private myths that these people hold to that elevates them above everybody else because they know the secret things. Very much like what you have in secret societies today among those who believe there the initiates into the secret levels. It’s very much like Gnosticism and certainly the incipient Gnosticism of the day of Paul and Titus would have fed into this, when people were believing that if you could ascend to mystical and transcendent levels of experiences with the deities you would ascend and you would rise above the normal hoy poloy, the normal crowd. So these Jews felt that they had insights into the secret meanings of the Old Testament.” – MacArthur

What else can we know about these myths? Well in Titus 3:9 we see Paul talk about another aspect of these myths.

 “But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”

They would argue about genealogies and even put in names that didn’t exist which would cause dissension. But the point is not what they are saying, it is it’s affect. Did you catch it in Titus 3:9, “they are unprofitable and worthless.” Remember what Paul said about them, they are “empty talkers and deceivers.” why does Paul address these people and tell Titus to rebuke the Cretans sharply? Because they are being attacked. Their progress in the faith is being attacked and their joy is being attacked.

Now that we have seen who Paul is addressing and why he is addressing them, let’s move into our last task, to look at:

What This Means for Us:

I believe it is important for us to remember the context of this letter. This is called a pastoral epistle because it is written to a person, Titus, and not to a local church, like Ephesians was. So primarily this letter was written to show Titus how to “put what remained into order” as we saw last week in verse 5. However, 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that “all scripture…is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” So, how can we take this portion of scripture and apply it to our lives. Let me encourage you with 1 primary exhortation and break it down into 3 exhortations that feed it. The primary exhortation is to:

Let Sound Doctrine Lead Your Faith

Have you noticed how much of Paul’s concern has to do with teaching? Elders are to be able to “give instruction in sound doctrine (v.9).” The people Paul is addressing must be silenced because “they are teaching what they out not to teach (v.11).” The rebuke Titus is to give is to not devote themselves to bad teaching (“Jewish myths and the commandments of men” v. 14). And in verse 1 of chapter 2 he tells Titus to “teach what accords with sound doctrine.” Paul is seriously concerned about the teaching the church should hear. And he wants it to be “sound doctrine.” But what does this mean? We have said that at Sovereign Hope we devote ourselves to sound doctrine and I am challenging you to let sound doctrine lead your faith. But what do I mean by “sound doctrine?” Let’s look at the 2 words closely to help us understand what Paul is saying.

The word used for sound means “to be healthy, sound, physically well.” It is where we get our english word “hygiene” from. Paul used the same word in verse 13 where he say the rebuke is “that they may be sound in the faith.” So, we need to devote ourselves to doctrine which makes our faith healthy. But what does Paul mean by “doctrine?” The word Paul uses here “didaskalia” simply means “that which is taught.” But here, Paul uses it absolutely saying, “he didaskalia” which means “the teaching.” Paul uses this word several times in his writing and they are primarily in his pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus. The only other letter in which Paul uses this structure is in Romans 12:7 which is talking about the use of gifts and Paul’s says, “the one who teaches, in his teaching.” So, the word is translated “doctrine” because it is referring to “the teaching” and not just “that which is taught.” What is “the teaching?” It is the teaching of Christ and it is the teaching of the apostles. It is the unadulterated word of God. So we are not simply elevating some particular terms that have been created which we now call doctrines. We are elevating a firm dedication to “the teaching.” A firm dedication to the word of God. Let this book lead your faith. Let the firm truth gospel lead your faith. Don’t be tempted to add to it. And don’t follow those that do.

So, how do you practically “let sound doctrine lead your faith”? Let me quickly mention 3 ways I see from this text. First,

DESIRE ELDERS AND LEADERS WHO LOVE AND TEACH SOUND DOCTRINE:

Remember this is a pastoral epistle and Paul is showing Titus how to set the church up properly. And what did he do first? He told him to establish elders. Did you pick up on the contrast between elders and false teachers? Remember, this is a letter. It flows in thought and builds on itself. Look again at verses 6-16 with me. READ 1:6-16. Elders are to not be open to the charge of insubordination (v.6), falsies teachers are insubordinate (v.10). Elders are to not be greedy for gain (v.7), false teachers are teaching for shameful or sordid gain (v.11). Elders are to be upright and holy (v.8), false teachers are liars and evil beasts (v.12). Elders are to be disciplined (v.8), false teachers are lazy gluttons (v.12). And in verse 9 Paul gives the elders primary function:

“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

Then in chapter 2 verse 1, in response to the false teachers, Paul charges Titus:

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

Many people want to say that a church, especially one that holds close to the word and sound doctrine, just wants to cause separation between denominations. You will hear those people call pastors that call out false teaching intolerant. Beloved, we need elders that protect the church from wolves in sheepskin clothing. We need to sit under elders and pastors who “teach what accords with sound doctrine.” and we should desire it. Did you know that every sermon here gets reviewed by the elders before it is preached? This is how the elders at Sovereign Hope are protecting this church and making sure you are hearing sound doctrine. I encourage you to let sound doctrine lead you faith by desire faithful men that are willing to protect and feed the sheep.

The second follows the 1st.

KNOW SOUND DOCTRINE BY IMMERSING YOURSELF IN THE STUDY OF THE WORD

What does Paul say in verses 12-13,

[12] One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” [13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

Did you catch that? Titus is on the island of Crete, and is there to set things in order and he quotes a poet from Crete that says “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Not some Cretans, or those Cretans, but simply Cretans. And what does Paul say , “this testimony is true.” Not this testimony is true of some Cretans, or those Cretans, just this testimony is true. I am not sure if the rebuke Paul’s tells Titus is meant just for the false teachers or for the entire church. It would be hard to come to a firm conclusion in my mind on either based on this text. But think about it, aren’t we all liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons in our flesh without Christ. And because the battle with our flesh remains don’t we all need to be more sound in the faith. We need to know and love sound doctrine and we get that from the study of the word. That is why we choose the bible studies we choose for our small groups. We want you immersed in the word. Right here in our text we see an example of sound doctrine being taught. Look at what Paul says in verse 15.

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.”

Paul is showing Christian liberty and mans depravity. He is show how’s the grace of God has made us pure and how without that grace there is not way to be pure. Lets break this down so we can see it.

“to the pure all things are pure…”

Paul is probably combating one of commandments of men to show sound doctrine. He is referring to the jewish ceremonial food laws where that would have to clean themselves before eating. He echoes his teaching in Romans 14:20 and Jesus’ in Luke 11:41. He is reminding them that God in Christ has made believers pure and what they eat is pure because they are pure.

“But to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure.”

Paul links the defiled and unbelieving to show that unbelievers are defiled and there is nothing they can do to make themselves different. Nothing an unbeliever touches is good because it is not done in Faith. He says “both their minds and their consciences are defiled.” This is total depravity. Beloved this is sound doctrine. And it is all over the scriptures. We must immerse ourselves in the word so that we will know sound doctrine and appoint elders that do as well.

The final exhortation come in how you respond to false teaching.

DO NOT FOLLOW FALSE DOCTRINE AND REBUKE THOSE THAT DO

Look again at what Paul says again in verses 13-15,

[13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. [15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

The goal of the rebuke is that they would be sound in the faith, NOT DEVOTING THEMSELVES to false teaching. This word means “giving heed to, or paying attention.” do not even pay attention to false teaching. Don’t give heed to in, don’t even entertain it. Be so firm, healthy, and sound in your faith that you spot it and you deny it right away.But Paul says to rebuke them sharply. Boy, that’s a strong word. Paul is using the word apotomos. It comes from two words, temno, to cut you know with a knife or an axe, and apo, off, cut off. Cut them off severely. It’s used for one who cuts off the branch of a tree with one blow of an axe, just severs it. He is saying silence them. Cut them off. But how does this relate to what we learned in Ephesians that we are to speak the truth in love. Does this coincide? Is he just saying rebuke the false teachers this way, or the whole church? I wrestled with this for a while and the best answer I could come up with is. Yes, he is saying rebuke those that teach this way and those that follow them. Why? Let me provide an illustration.

Say you are living with a young child in New York. You tell them, “the streets are dangerous so we don’t run out in them.” One day the child goes outside and proceeds to run into the street. Do you tolerate what he is doing and say softly, “come back onto the sidewalk. No! You frantically grab the child and you rebuke him or her sharply so they will not put themselves in danger like that again. Was it loving in that moment to rebuke them sharply? Absolutely, because you are saving their lives.We must not be afraid to take a strong stance against false teaching because souls are at stake. Let me encourage you to let sound doctrine lead your faith by not following false teaching and rebuking those that do.

Conclusion:

Let me conclude by simply reading Jude 1:17-25,

[17] But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. [18] They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” [19] It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. [20] But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, [21] keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. [22] And have mercy on those who doubt; [23] save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. [24] Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, [25] to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.