Test The Spirits: Ephesians Chapter 4 Part 4 Kathryn Kuhlman Speak The Truth in Love

Aren't you glad you're a Christian? Aren't you glad you're a member of the body of Christ? I'm glad I know today that I am one of them. Well, sir, for a few minutes, you and I are going to continue our little heart -to -heart talk. regarding the precious truths as found in the fourth chapter of Ephesians. Now, those of you who have been following me in the discussion of the gifts in the church, remember that during our last little heart -to -heart talk, I was speaking to you regarding the ministry gifts of Christ to his body, the church. And the scripture continues by telling us why God has purposed to give us apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers in the church. He continues by saying, for the perfecting of the saints. for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Now he continues in that 14th verse, and this is what we're going to study today. that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sly of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive but speaking the truth in love may grow up into hymn in all things which is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body fit jointly together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. All right, go back. that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine o beloved how many people there are to -day who are affected by every wind of doctrine that comes along They're one thing today, they're something else tomorrow, and then next week they believe something else. They remind me of balloons that are thrust into the atmosphere. They're subject to every current. Oh, they're carried thither and yond. You're never quite sure where they're going to be tomorrow. You're... dead sure that you don't know where they're going to be next week. And in the final analysis, I'm convinced that they don't know what they believe themselves. They're not sure of their doctrine. They're not quite sure exactly what they do believe. And it's just like that. Now listen, God does not desire us to be so. He does not wish that we remain in a state of babyhood, or as his word states here, no more children. He expects us to cease to be children. He desires that we should be rooted and grounded in the faith, and in order that we might be so, he has given gifts to the church. He has given pastors. He has given teachers. He is given evangelists. That you and I might become rooted and grounded in the word. That we might be perfected in him. There is no substitute for the word of God. It grieves him when his redeemed ones remain in the state of babyhood. He longs that we should become full grown men and women of faith. Knowing his mind. Knowing his purposes. Knowing the word. Knowing what it's all about. Knowing how to live. Knowing how to become more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Knowing who is the rock upon which we stand. God is a father with a father's heart. He delights to see his children grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Son of God, just as you, as a parent, as a father and mother, rejoice when you see your children developing mentally and physically. Babies are cute. Babies are darling. There's nothing the whole world quite as sweet. As a little baby. And how often I've heard a parent say, I wish he'd never grow up. He's so cute just like that. Oh, to fondle a baby. But I'm going to tell you something. Who wants a 16 -year -old baby? Who wants a 25 -year -old baby? No matter how cute your baby is. No matter how darling that baby is today, you'd feel pretty badly if that baby didn't go to manhood, if it didn't develop, if it didn't grow to be an adult. And God the Father feels the same way about his children, and yet he has children who are still... and have never left their babyhood at the age of 30, 35, 40, and 50. You're still little children never having become rooted and grounded in the word. At this very hour, you're not dead sure what you believe. And that's the reason you're tossed... to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Oh, beloved, there never was a day in the history of the church when Christians needed more to be rooted and grounded in the faith as in the present day. For you and I both know that false teachers are increasing and their doctrines are becoming more plausible. You know something? False systems, false doctrines, and their promoters are described in this 14th verse of the 4th chapter of Ephesians. Here it is. Sly men, cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. In other words, Such men have selfish purposes and deceive in order to profit from their lies. Paul's not describing in these words people who sell insecure oil stock or land. No. He's describing religious leaders who come to us these days in the name of Christ. They're those today who'll accept anyone who topes a Bible under his arm. There are still children in the body of Christ who will accept anyone as being sincere if they'll just use the name of Jesus or of Christ. That's right. These words given by Paul are in keeping with Matthew, the 24th chapter and the 24th verse, where the end of the age is described by the Lord Jesus Christ. And he says, For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Now then, we're told in 1 John, the fourth chapter, to try the spirits. And this may be done in several ways. First, Find out what the attitude of the system of teaching is toward the Bible. Whether the Bible is held to be the complete revelation of God or whether it's only a partial revelation with another book needed to complete it. I'm always a little leery of these folks who come around with another book that you're supposed to read. With the Bible, I'm going to tell you something. There is no substitute for the Word of God. All you need is the say of the Lord. You don't need anything further to know God's truth than just the Bible itself. For the Bible is the Word, the living God. It is supernaturally inspired. It was written by holy men of old as they were moved and inspired by the Holy Ghost. It is the only true ground of Christian unity and fellowship. Believe me, it is the eternal tribunal by whose all men and all nations shall be judged one day. Know that. Accept nothing more than God's word. Next, ask what their belief is concerning the person of Jesus Christ, whether he is the eternal son of the eternal God. born of a virgin, the perfect man, and the perfect God, ascertain their attitude toward the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary. Find out what they believe concerning the eternal destiny of those who reject Jesus Christ and refuse to believe in Him as Savior through faith in His blood. Such a test reveals the truth of their doctrine. Know that. Jesus Christ is the very Son, the living God, coexistence and co -eternal with the Father, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, taking upon himself the form of man, and by the shedding of his blood, Atonement for man. He is not just a beautiful example. Know that. It is more than that. He is the very son of the living God. Nothing else will suffice. For the transgression of men. Know that. Know. Not just an example. But the very son of the living God. You know something? When false teaching is brought under the lens of holy writ. It's true. Character is revealed. But in our proclamation of the great doctrines, the word, the truth of God, let us remember the exhortation in verse 15, here in this fourth chapter of Ephesians, with regard to the spirit in which it should be done. Let me read it. But speaking the truth in love. may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Oh, what a need there is for the fundamentals of the truth to be emphasized. It's important that we set forth the fundamentals of the faith and contend for them earnestly. But it's just as important that we should exemplify in our lives. the great truths for which we contend, and that we practice at all times and under all circumstances the inexhaustible love. As Paul says, though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Oh, how many of us there are who seem to have a profound knowledge of doctrine, but are destitute of love and of kindness. Speak the truth. By all means, speak the truth. But by all means, let us speak it in love. And let us live out in our lives the things that we proclaim by lip. You know, there's a beautiful story that's told of Dr. G. Campbell Morgan. He had four sons, all of whom were preachers. The youngest son, Howard, was considered a great preacher. Someone came into the drawing room with the family. were having a reunion, and thinking to find out what Howard was made of, asked this question, Howard, who's the greatest preacher in your family? Howard had a great admiration for his father, and he looked across the room where his father stood. For just a moment, there was silence as he looked at his father directly. Clay in the face. The man whom he admired most. And then, without further hesitation, he answered, My mother. He was right. You know, sometimes men and women, never standing on a platform, never having stood behind a pulpit, preach the great, discernment through living out in their daily lives the word and the practicing of the word of God. For me to live is Christ and Christ is love. Amen.