This document discusses the importance of defending the Christian faith. It provides several biblical passages that instruct believers to preach the word of God, contend for the faith, and defend the gospel. While some will never accept the truth, others only preach parts of it. Therefore, it is important for elders to watch over the flock and ensure the whole counsel of God is being taught. Preachers must preach all of Scripture, teachers must focus on doctrine, and members should have a love for the truth.

1. Defense of the Faith

2. The Texts

2 Timothy 4:1-2 1 I charge you therefore
before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will
judge the living and the dead at His appearing
and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready
in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke,
exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare
to you the whole counsel of God.

3. The Texts

Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to
write to you concerning our common salvation, I
found it necessary to write to you exhorting you
to contend earnestly for the faith which was
once for all delivered to the saints.

Philippians 1:17 but the latter out of love,
knowing that I am appointed for the defense of
the gospel.

4. The Texts

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine, but
according to their own desires, because they
have itching ears, they will heap up for
themselves teachers;

There are 5 important lessons to learn from
these passages from our New Testament.

5. Some will never appreciate the truth

Atheists, Agnostics, Doubters, Unbelievers

Many are unwilling to listen or even consider

Matthew 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in
parables, because seeing they do not see, and
hearing they do not hear, nor do they
understand.

Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud
voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with
one accord

6. Others will preach SOME Truth

Philippians 1:12-18 - Some preach with the
wrong motive

Many preach – Virgin Birth, Death,
Resurrection, Parables, Miracles

Many preach – Faith, Repentance,
Forgiveness, Salvation, Heaven and Hell

7. Some things NO ONE else defends

One body – Ephesians 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:20

Plan of salvation – Baptism for the remission of
sins – Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16

Music approved of God – Ephesians 5:19;
Colossians 3:16

Organization of local congregations –
Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5

8. Many fail to defend the truth

Many congregations – no error taught – BUT:

Are they defending the truth?

Is anything being taught?

You don't get food poisoning in a hardware
store – You don't get any food at all!

Is truth being taught?

The problem is not over emphasis in any area

The problem is under emphasis on doctrine.

9. What must we do?

Elders must be watchmen

Ezekiel 33:7 So you, son of man: I have made
you a watchman for the house of Israel;
therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth
and warn them for Me.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you,
and be submissive, for they watch out for your
souls, as those who must give account. Let
them do so with joy and not with grief, for that
would be unprofitable for you.

10. What must we do?

Elders must be watchmen

Preachers – preach the whole
counsel of God

Teachers – What is being taught?

Members – Be instilled with a love
for the truth

11. REMEMBER!

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.

1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire
the pure milk of the word, that you
may grow thereby