Heresy on SermonAudio

Acts 24:13 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.

Divine Almightyness/Omnipotence & Wisdom Note - I had a brain lapse at one point when discussing the heresies of William Lane Craig. So, I have included the following definition. Apollinarianism: the heresy that claims Jesus had a human body and soul but not a rational human mind (nous) - Pastor Johnathan

The sermon emphasizes that experiential Christianity is defined by the practical love and unity displayed within the body of Christ, rather than mere intellectual assent to doctrine. Drawing from Ephesians 4, the message argues that spiritual gifts are given to equip believers for mutual edification, fostering a maturity that resists division and heresy. The speaker contends that how believers treat one another directly impacts their vertical relationship with God, citing Matthew 25 to show that mistreating spiritual siblings is equivalent to mistreating Christ. Through personal anecdotes and biblical exegesis, the text urges the congregation to actively pursue peace, forgive offenses, and evaluate their spiritual health based on the quality of their relationships. The central call is to let the gospel drive a life of deference and forbearance, making the faith credible to a watching world through tangible, sacrificial love.

This class delves into the truth about Jesus Christ as the eternal Logos who existed from all eternity before the creation. We explore the relationship between this eternal "beginning" which always "was" before the "beginning" of creation narrated in Genesis 1:1. To do this, we carefully explain John's use of key Greek terms, especially his use of the verb "to be" using tenses which show the eternal relationship between God and the Son as members of the Trinity. Verses 1-2 in John 1 use the verb "to be" four times in the imperfect tense which is translated "was" in English Bibles. This shows God's being as eternal and non-contingent. The "Logos" is introduced to describe the Son of God as both with God and being God. This means that there are two persons having one divine nature. The important Christological creeds in church history speak of truths about Christ grounded in this reality spoken of in John 1 and elsewhere. The truth of two persons in relationship with one divine nature is the ground of the truth about Christ that excludes the various heresies which have arisen through the centuries. We also explore how John uses the verb "to be" throughout his gospel to reveal Jesus Christ as the great I AM who existed before Abraham (John 8:58). The eternal Logos is God's agent in the creation of all that exists.

Continuing to examine the particular sins forbidden in the first commandment.

This sermon examines the characteristics of those who reject false teaching, focusing on the necessity of remaining steadfast and holding to the foundation of God. It identifies the specific heresy of Hymenaeus and Philetus, who taught that the resurrection had already occurred, thereby undermining the faith of believers and confusing the church regarding eschatology. The message contrasts the destructive nature of such deceptive doctrines with the unshakable reality of the true church, which stands as the pillar and support of the truth. It emphasizes that God's elect are sealed by the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing their eternal security and sanctification despite the presence of apostasy. The sermon concludes with the assurance that while false teachers will face judgment, the firm foundation of God remains secure, calling believers to live holy lives in response to this divine guarantee.

John Wycliffe was, I think, really the man who publicly had the position, the learning, and the moral courage to begin to question the doctrine and practices of the Church of Rome way back in the late 1340s. He spoke the Bible's truth to show the Pope, the Cardinals, the Bishops, and the Monks, that very much of their theological system was wrong. And much of their worship and practice was God-dishonoring and even blasphemous. How did John Wycliffe proceed in his confrontation of Rome? He proceeded by faith in Christ, and by holding fast and holding forth the truth of the Bible. He showed us what a living faith in Jesus Christ is like. He recovered these things related to a living faith by studying the Bible carefully. And he compared it with what the Church of Rome was believing and doing. And when he did this, the Lord worked together with him. And the results were very great. When he preached and taught, the Light of truth came to people's minds with power. And the darkness of ignorance and false doctrine, which had prevailed for so long, began to be dispelled. And many were awakened to the truth and they believed what he was teaching. And having been instructed by this godly man, they began to walk as disciples of Christ with him. The truth of God's Word began, once again, to be seen and understood and proclaimed by many.