Rev. David Holwick U After Acts: Early Church series #3
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
June 6, 2004
Matthew 16:15-23
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I. Scandal in the church.
A. It happens yet again.
In the Daily Record eight days ago - a Catholic priest left his
job because he had to take care of an old legal matter.
All the congregation got was a vaguely-worded statement, even
though Ronald Tully had been a priest there for 21 years.
The old legal matter - in 1979 he was charged with first-degree
sexual abuse and two counts of child endangerment.
When it came to light, he agreed to no longer function as a
priest.
He's not to wear the garb of a priest or refer to himself as
'Father.'
The current Catholic policy is that priests who are accused of
molesting children must either live a life of penance in
seclusion or be removed from the priesthood entirely.
[1]
B. Should we be harsh or lenient?
1) It is terrible when a religious leader commits a crime.
a) Catholics do not have a monopoly on sin.
b) One website lists many Protestant pastors and Jewish
rabbis who have committed crimes or had scandals.
2) What should be done with them?
a) Some advocate harsh punishment.
1> Leaders must be called to a higher standard.
2> Leniency ignores the victims and mocks the faith.
3> They deserve no second chance.
A> Romans 2 - Gentiles mock God because of you.
B> There is no denying the pain that failed
leaders cause.
b) Others think all can be forgiven.
1> All Christians are human and prone to sin.
2> God has forgiven - shouldn't we?
C. The dilemma is ancient.
1) Struggle in the Early Church over Christians who failed.
a) It almost tore the church apart.
2) It began during the ministry of Jesus.
II. Peter's dual nature. Matthew 16:15-23
A. First, Peter affirms his faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
1) All the others agreed, but Peter expressed it.
2) Jesus honored him.
a) The church will be built on the rock.
1> Peter?
2> His confession?
b) Peter will have the keys of the kingdom.
1> Controls access to heaven.
B. Then Peter denies Jesus' mission. Matthew 16:22
1) In effect, he says Jesus doesn't need the cross.
2) Jesus calls him Satan.
C. History bore it out.
1) Peter led the apostles.
2) Peter denied knowing Jesus at his trial.
3) Peter was restored to leadership of the church.
III. Is it possible for faith not to compromise?
A. The other side of persecution - not everyone was a hero.
1) Diocletian destroyed churches, Bibles and believers.
a) Cooperating with the authorities could save your life.
b) Many priests turned over Bibles to be burned.
1> They saved their lives but disgraced the church.
2) When the persecution abated, many of these priests repented
and asked to have their positions back.
B. The Donatists hang tough.
1) Group under Donatus said they could not come back.
a) Baptism washed away past sins, but not future ones.
b) The priests who failed were doomed to hell.
2) What is more, their previous work was suspect.
a) Anyone they had baptized did not have a valid baptism.
b) Anyone they ordained was not a true priest.
3) When rest of the church disagreed, the Donatists broke away.
a) They declared they were the only true church.
b) Christians who wanted to join them had to be rebaptized.
IV. What was (and is) at stake.
A. Sin is significant.
1) You can't just sweep it under the rug.
a) (ask any Catholic)
2) We are all called to holiness.
a) Immorality in the church gives it a black eye.
b) Repentance must have substance.
1> It is more than an "I'm sorry."
c) Groups like Donatists seem to stand for something.
1> In some ways, Baptists are in agreement with them.
2> Moral integrity is worth defending.
3) Inherent danger - harsh legalism.
a) The Donatists ended up failing - their emphasis on
holiness degenerated into loveless moralism.
b) Morality is important, but it is not the same thing
as Christianity.
B. Forgiveness is also significant.
1) Early Roman bishop, Callistus, quoted a parable of Jesus.
a) When shepherd lost one of 99 sheep, he went to find it.
b) We should seek to find and restore lost Christians.
2) Jesus emphasized forgiveness.
a) It is perfectly clear he taught that no matter how
often a person sins, if in genuine repentance they
turn to God, God will forgive them.
b) The issue is not God's readiness, even eagerness to
forgive, but our ability and willingness to repent.
(Latourette, I:216)
3) Any of us could end up lost.
a) As hymn says, we are prone to wander.
b) God is willing to take us back.
C. Guidelines for restoration. Galatians 6:1
1) Approach the sinner gently.
2) Take a long look at yourself.
3) Go with the purpose and expectation of restoring.
4) Recognize that you're just as susceptible to the sin
as they are.
5) Offer assurance that whatever the sin, it's not
unforgivable. #497
V. The church's foundation is on God, not people.
A. The validity of baptism and communion comes from above.
1) The power comes from God alone.
2) Failed leaders taint only themselves.
B. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
1) Too many people pin their faith on humans.
a) Humans will always fail you.
2) Jesus alone can bring us to heaven.
a) He cannot be shaken.
C. Remember that people are looking at YOU.
1) Don't cause anyone to stumble.
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SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
[1] "Ex-Priest's 'Legal Matter': Sex Charge," by Abbott Koloff,
Daily Record Newspaper, Parsippany, New Jersey, May 30, 2004.
# 497 "Confronting Sin," by Mark R. Littleton, Discipleship Journal, #44
March/April 1988, page 37.
These and 25,000 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,
absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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