Jump Start # 1518

Titus 1:10 “For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.”

  His name was John and he lived a long, long time ago. Today, most have never heard of him, outside a small circle of religious historians. John was part of the powerful Catholic church that controlled Europe. His eyes had become opened by the Englishman Wycliffe, the translator of the Bible. Fueled by that influence John opposed the foundations upon which the Catholic church stood. He authored several books that were widely read throughout the Bohemian villages where he lived. The strong arm of the church came down hard against him. Several official edicts were written to silence him. There were councils held to squash his influence. Finally, in a desperate show of power, his books were gathered and burned, and after being imprisoned for nearly a year, John was led to the stake and was burned alive. The accounts, maybe a bit fabricated by now, claims that he was singing hymns until the wind shifted and the flames came into his face. His ashes were gathered up and tossed into the river. It was hoped that fear would quiet everyone and things would return to normal. But they didn’t. This was just the start. Behind John would be others, including Martin Luther, who opened the door to the Reformation Movement. John Huss, was an early influence to those more powerful reformers. John Huss was one of many that was burned alive by the Catholic church.

I read about John Huss last week. He was singing hymns until the winds shifted and blew the flames into his face. That line stayed with me. There were several points of disagreement that I would have with John Huss, but his remarkable courage impresses me. It is shocking to think that it wasn’t atheists or Muslims that put John to death, but those who thought they were Christians. Sometimes Christians can do the most unchristian things.

All of this brings us to the topic of what to do with those who have a rebellious spirit and are influencing others. In a perfect world, everyone agrees. In Mr. Roger’s neighborhood, everyone gets along. But we don’t live in Mr. Roger’s world. In many congregations, there is a mixture of backgrounds, ideas and thoughts. The process of growth involves teaching and patience. There is a need for a congregation to be of one mind, one heart and one voice. But every once in awhile, there comes that rebel. He sees things differently. He is not satisfied with the Biblical pattern. He wants to push buttons and challenge things. He is so far outside of the box that he no longer knows what’s supposed to be in the box. Our thoughts today, focus upon what is a congregation to do?

Paul wrote to Titus about such people. They were teaching things that they should not be teaching. They were upsetting families. He refers to them as deceivers and empty talkers. Paul’s words, “they must be silenced.” That’s wonderful, but how? Obviously, burning a man alive at the stake would silence him, but this isn’t what God wants. Here are a few thoughts.

1. Honest questions must be answered Biblically and truthfully. There is nothing to fear from questions if someone is following the word of God. When an atmosphere prevails that no questions are allowed to be asked, then worse things happen. People will want to break free from the strong arm that they feel is upon them. The Bereans “Searched the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” That’s the way to address questions. Look. Study. Find the answer. It is here that we find out one’s true character and motive. If someone is not satisfied with a Bible answer, then he may have another motive. There are those who want to draw disciples after them. The elders at Ephesus were warned about that. Someone that is not content to do what the Bible says, is not walking with God. He is forging his own path and such a rebel will lead others with him.

2. The context of our passage is addressed to the shepherds of the church. They are the ones given the charge of “silencing” those who are teaching what they ought not to teach. Later, in the third chapter, Titus is told, “avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless” (3:9). Some folks just like to argue. Some folks are not happy unless things are stirred up. Some like to introduce some controversy just to sit back and watch the verbal exchange. Those that do such things forget that among the listeners are those young in the faith and those that are not mature in the faith and those that are just coming to see the faith. Those topics can tear the heart out of such people. They are worthless. They are not good. Some things ought not to be said unless one has carefully thought them out and given serious thought to who is going to hear him. AVOID such things. This is where a Bible class teacher must teach. He cannot allow rebels to take over the class and steer it in the way they want. Move on. Get back to the text. Tell the person we will discuss this in private.

3. Titus was also told, “reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned” (3:10). The rebel who persists in going down roads the Bible does not teach must be “rejected.” The Romans were told to “mark” such a man. This happens after the man has been warned more than once. The warnings ought to be laced with Bible teachings. Here is why we don’t go along with what you are saying. Here is why what you are saying is not correct. Here is what God says. Give proof. Show the pattern. Teach the Bible. Warn him. Warn him again. If he persists, then he is to be rejected. Fellowship is broken. He is no longer considered to be walking with God. No rock throwing. No stacking up straw and sticks to burn someone. Leave the door open. Maybe he’ll learn. Maybe he’ll see. Maybe he’ll come back changed. But to do nothing is to allow wolves among the sheep. To do nothing is wrong.

Now, the things we are discussing aren’t happy little topics that put sunshine in our souls. But these are the very things that many congregations face and are torn up about. We are not talking about “doing things a certain way because we’ve always done them that way.” No. We are not talking about traditions. We are not discussing trying new ways of getting the old, old message out. We are talking about those who want to do things differently than what the BIBLE teaches. Some congregations need some reviving and restoration because they are hopelessly stuck in traditions with no one at the helm. I understand the heart of the rebel. I push change all the time. I would have done well among the reformers. However, all change, all questions, all ideas must always be checked by the Bible. If it’s not according to God’s pattern, we must set it aside. That simple. That’s it.

In too many places, some are allowed to say anything, even things not according to the Bible, and nothing is done. Families are upset. Faith is shattered. The congregations exist but they do not thrive. Unity is shot. Tension and uneasiness fills the air.

Those who are not content to do things God’s way, must be shown that they have no influence among God’s people. This take real leadership. This is where elders must have a backbone and the courage to stand with God. Some folks can get more upset about a scratch on their car than the mood and the direction that the church is going. Shame on us for that.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus is more than a wonderful hymn, it is the way that things must be. As for me and my household, Joshua said, we will serve the Lord. Those that won’t, then we must part company.

Standing alone with the Lord is far more important than standing with a crowd that is going the wrong direction. Poor John Huss was burned alive. He wasn’t given honest answers to his questions. History teaches us. The Bible teaches us even more.

Roger