OceanSide church of Christ

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COMPROMISE (1)

No Compromise of the Fundamentals

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    We live in a postmodern society.

1.      One of the foundational principles of postmodernism is tolerance.

2.      This tolerance means more than just tolerating something.

a.      It means that one must accept another’s position as a viable alternative.

b.      It means that one cannot voice opposition to an opposing view.  If one opposes anything, he is seen as a hater.  He will be labelled with all kinds of names.

3.      To live in a postmodern society, people find that they must compromise their beliefs and positions.

 

B.      To compromise means:

1.      To make concessions

2.      The word has two parts:  “com” meaning “together” and “promise.”  Thus, compromise means “to promise together,” or, “a coming together based upon terms.”

 

C.     Not all compromise is bad.

1.      Children may have to compromise over toys.

2.      Couples may have to compromise over a restaurant.

3.      Members of congregation may compromise over the times of worship.

4.      Nations may have to compromise when it comes to such things as the growth of the military or the production of weapons.

5.      Individuals may have to compromise their schedules in order to satisfy others.

 

D.    Some compromise is very dangerous, especially in the spiritual realm.  In this lesson, we will look at the subject:  “No Compromise of the Fundamentals.”  This will be the first of three lessons on the subject of Compromise.

 

I.                   THE DEFINTION OF FUNDAMENTALS

 

A.    Fundamentals involve things that are an essential part of a foundation.

1.      If the fundamentals are not there, the foundation crumbles.

2.      If the foundation crumbles, the structure that is built upon the foundation will fall.

3.      Example:  Coca-Cola launched New Coke in 1985.  This involved changing the recipe of the original Coca-Cola.  When this was done, the foundation crumbled.  Within 3 months, Coke Classic was back on the shelves.  New Coke was gone in less than 1 year.

 

B.      Psalm 11:3

 

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

 

II.                FUNDAMENTALS THAT MUST BE KEPT

 

A.    Bible doctrine

1.      Bible doctrine simply means Bible teaching.

2.      If the Bible teaches something, we must hold it fast.

a.      Proverbs 4:2

For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

 

b.      Acts 2:42

 

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

c.       II Timothy 4:16

 

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:  for in doing this thou shalt save thyself, and them that hear thee.

 

d.      Titus 2:1

 

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.

 

e.       Titus 2:7-8a

 

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works:  in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned…

 

3.      Examples of some doctrinal fundamentals that cannot be compromised:

a.      Jesus is the Son of God (Matt. 16:16-17).  This is important today because we live among atheists and those who hold to world religions, like Islam, who do not believe Jesus is the Son of God.

b.      Worshipping God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).  This is vital because man has turned worship into a man-pleasing fiasco.

c.       The woman’s role in the church (I Cor. 14:34-35).  This is because gender is being blurred and God-given roles are being violated.

d.      The gospel plan of salvation (Rom. 1:16-17).  There are some, even within the church, who are forsaking some of the essential commands involved in the salvation of the soul of man.

 

B.      Biblical morality

1.      The Bible plainly teaches that there is a distinction between right and wrong, good and evil.

a.      The Hebrew writer’s description of Jesus (Heb. 1:9a)

 

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity…

 

b.      Amos 5:15a

 

Hate the evil, and love the good…

 

c.       Romans 12:9b

 

…Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

 

2.      Issues that involve Biblical morality

a.      We cannot compromise on divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:9).

b.      We cannot compromise on abortion (Gal. 5:21).

c.       We cannot compromise with the LGBTQ community (I Cor. 6:9-11).

C.     Biblical character

1.      Character involves all the traits that make up a man or a woman.  It is “who” one is.  It involves “how” a person carries himself.  It involves “how” a person interacts with others.  It is how a person acts when no one else is around.

2.      The character of a Christian can be summed up in one word, “Jesus” (Phil. 1:21).

 

For to me to live is Christ…

 

3.      There are numerous traits to a Christian’s character:

a.      Honesty (Rom. 12:17).  This in needed in a world filled with lies and half-truths and religions that proclaim falsehood.

b.      Kindness (I Cor. 13:4; Eph. 4:32).  This is a must in a world that manifests hatred, cruelty, and violence.

c.       Having no respect of persons (James 2:1).  This is a challenge in a world of cronyismn, bribery, and flattery.

d.      Humility (I Pet. 5:5).  This is a struggle because most believe that one advances by bragging and boasting of one’s self.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Today, we have focused upon the fundamentals:  Bible doctrine, Biblical morality, and Christian character.  If these are destroyed, the foundations of Christianity crumble.  We cannot compromise these in any way.

 

B.      In two other lessons, we will look at Compromise under these titles:

1.      Examples of Compromise in the Past

2.      The Evil Consequences of Compromise