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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 6, NUMBER 26, JULY 2, 2006 CHURCH TROUBLE “There’s no trouble like church trouble!” That is an expression that I have both heard and used over the years and in many ways it is true. “Church trouble” is heart-wrenching, it tears at our insides and can make us physically sick. One of the problems is that it is just so hard to understand and if we find ourselves in it, we ask “Why?”--why is this happening? I guess I have been blessed. I preached for 24 years before I encountered any “church trouble” to speak of, but when it came, it came with a vengeance. I couldn’t find any comfort when I tried to reason it out, or deal with it on my own. Emotions, both good and bad, can and did, get in the way. It was only when I went even deeper into the Word of God that comfort and encouragement was found. First of all, almost from the very beginning, folks have sought to change God’s prescribed method of worship and substitute their own ideas. We saw it with Cain and Abel. It is clear from the account that Abel did what God wanted and his sacrifice was accepted. Cain did what he wanted and his sacrifice was refused. Nadab and Abihu sought to change God’s authorized form of worship by using fire from an unauthorized source. Over and over again the Israelites ventured into the realm of idolatry, changing God’s prescribed methods of worship and going after other gods. If we examine it closely, we find that one of the primary reasons for doing that was a desire to be like everybody else. This desire to change is by no means confined to the Old Testament. In his farewell address to the Ephesians elders, Paul said in Acts 20:28-31, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” There is a clear prediction of “church trouble.” The church at Corinth in the first century had “church trouble.” A brief outline shows they were divided, suffering from “preacheritis” in chapter 1. They were tolerating sin in the camp, that’s chapter 5. They were guilty of going to law one against another, pointed out in chapter 6. There were marriage problems, see chapter 7. Some were having difficulty making the adjustment from idolatry to the truth. Chapters 8 and 10 talk about that. Some got mad and denied Paul’s apostleship – look at chapter 9. Some were saying that the Lord’s Supper was part of a common meal and Paul had to deal with that in chapter 11. There were women who were acting out of place. Chapter 14 talks about that; and there were even some denying the general resurrection to come. That would be found in chapter 15. This was a church that had “trouble.” There were those who were guilty of teaching false doctrine, disseminating an idea that was just not true, in the church at Galatia, causing tremendous problems. In 2 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul wrote, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” There were already those who were departing from the faith, and that causes “church trouble.” 1, 2, and 3 John show that the early church had to deal with the false teaching of the Gnostics who had made their way into the church. That would create “church trouble.” Think of the letters to the churches of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3. Only the churches at Smyrna and at Philadelphia did not receive rebukes. The point I am making is that “church trouble” is nothing new. There have been and there always will be those who are not satisfied with God’s revealed word. There always has been, and there always will be, those who generate “church trouble” wherever they go. The important thing is not to despair when it happens. Does it hurt? Oh, yes it does! Does it cause your pillow to be stained with tears? Yes, it does! Can it destroy long-standing friendships and relationships? Yes, it certainly can. But here we are, 2,000 years removed from the “church trouble” of the first century, and the Lord’s church is still here. There are still faithful brethren who will stand upon God’s word no matter what. There are still brethren who will join hands against Satan, and it is naïve to think that he doesn’t come to church, and STAND! Faithful brethren, when “church trouble” happens, do not despair! Do not give up! Do not throw your hands up in exasperation and say, “I don’t know how much more of this I can take!” No – speak up! Take your stand! Remember Ephesians 6:13-17, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;…” When “church trouble” happens, just STAND ON THE TRUTH, and you will be O.K. No matter what happens, each of us can do what is right. When and if “church trouble” happens, speak up to those involved. Let your stand and your position be made known. Don’t gossip – speak directly to those involved.
Greg Litmer
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