How To Stop a Church from Going WOKE!

So let's turn to Colossians chapter 2. Colossians 2 in this passage the Apostle Paul Cautions believers not to allow anyone to lead them astray through persuasive words worldly philosophies and the traditions of men.

Or don't let anyone lead you astray. Through arguments that people kind of cook up to make you start questioning Your faith or is the bible true or should we really apply it in the modern day? Because there's a strong movement right now.

That's doing exactly that. And they have their arguments and their responses to scripture and this movement is called. Well, it's called being woke who's heard of this say hey this guy he's woke or that church is going Woke, I think most of you have probably heard the term by now.

I'll give a definition In a moment, but people that are woke they will often say things like well this desire can't be wrong. Because that's the way god made the person. Or the bible is such an old book and culture has changed time has changed so we can't really do that anymore.

Because things have changed. It's just not relevant anymore. So people in this movement. They have their arguments. They have their worldly philosophies their persuasive words. And once this takes hold in a local church, it really causes nothing but division.

So we want to make sure to keep this out of our church. And ideally keep it out of all churches at least the ones that hasn't come in yet. So i've titled this message how to stop a church from going woke.

Or maybe I should put it this way how to prevent a church from going woke. So let's start reading Colossians chapter 2. We'll read verses 4 through 8. Paul says now this I say. Lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words for though I am absent in the flesh yet.

I am with you in spirit. Rejoicing to see your good order in the steadfastness of your faith in christ. As you therefore have received christ jesus the lord so walk in him rooted and built up in him. And established in the faith as you have been taught abounding in it with thanksgiving.

But beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men according to the basic principles of the world and not According to christ. So just one simple takeaway from this passage Christians, we need to keep our focus on christ.

We need to keep our focus on the son of god and the word of god and not get swept away by worldly philosophies because that's what Wokeness is it is a really a worldly philosophy. So everything that comes in everything we see and hear from the world, you know this I repeat this often.

We need to test everything that we hear. Right, whether it's in politics and news. What people are saying at work your friends and music everywhere. We need to test everything against this lens of scripture but with the woke movement.

And also the christian deconstructionist movement because I think there's actually a lot of overlap between the two. What they will say is you need to Have these worldly philosophies as your lens so you need to view the scripture through the lens of Being woke and through the lens of culture.

So really It's the exact opposite. So let me give a definition. Somebody's thinking. What is woke? What is? Stop the church from going woke. Is that even the correct grammar? Like what is this? What does that mean woke?

Well, here's a definition the word woke originally meant that people have.

Awakened.

To the struggles african americans face in the united states. That's where it originally came from. So being woke means that now you see that racism Is a still a massive problem. Racism is systemic. It's everywhere and if you say well, I don't know if I see that.

Well, that just proves you're part of the problem. Matter of fact, it probably proves you're racist. So I mean, that's that's what's out there. Who's heard this like this isn't a new revelation. So I don't watch tv.

I haven't heard god bless you then but this is out there. So that's how it started and obviously racism was a problem and i'm sure it Continues to be a problem in certain places and people do experience it.

That's that's true. But it started out there, you know the systemic part is a whole other Situation but it started out there and then it quickly moved to other groups that were oppressed so basically Homosexuals are oppressed women are oppressed and it's just you know, the list keeps getting longer of all these people that are oppressed.

And here's the thing they're oppressed by who or what? You know the system the system is oppressing people the man is keeping them down and more. Specific the white christian man is keeping them down.

So basically the woke crowd says that the system is totally corrupt. And since christianity is part of that system it all needs to be broken down and done away with. I mean That's basically where we're at.

So what they do. And we're going to get into more scripture so you only have to listen to a little bit of this. All right, uh, but they they will pit one identity group against another. And you you see this happening everywhere.

So they pit black versus white male versus female rich versus poor gay versus straight. Cisgender versus transgender, you know anything they can think of to pit more people against each other. That's the divide and conquer strategy.

So that's kind of the marxist Tactic of divide and conquer. And I realized there's somebody thinking I listen. I this is all like political and you hear this on the news media I don't want to hear about this in church, right?

Somebody's thinking that and i'm listen i'm sympathetic however, we We do need to know if there's this threat out there that is infiltrating churches and churches are going bad. And people are being led astray.

I think it's good to at least be aware of it and then for those of you who You're already aware of it. Okay. What does the scripture say? How do we combat this? How do we protect ourselves at the very least?

How do we protect our church from going in this direction? Because you know, you said well pastor Mike, I know pastor. Mike would never buy into this and that's I think that's true. I know it's true, but it's I could something could happen to me tomorrow and you could get in a new pastor.

And he might seem solid for a couple years and then he could start going wobbly on you and you know. This type of thing can happen real soon. A lot quicker than you think and don't ever think it could never happen here.

Well, a lot of people have said that and I could give examples of churches where it has happened. Okay. So if someone is woke. Basically if I can make this as simple as possible if someone is woke if they're going woke.

It basically just means they're going liberal. It means they're going Progressive not not maybe there's exceptions but 95 of the time when somebody is like fully woke. It just means they are progressive.

So here's why this matters to the local bible-believing churches. This is paul's admonition that we read from colossians 2. What are these vain? Philosophies what is this empty deceit? What are these arguments that paul is talking about?

You know, they had their own things to deal with in. In colossi 2 000 years ago, but we need to say, okay. What are those things we need to be on guard against today? So it's just a matter of applying the scripture.

Of all the churches that I know here's the thing of all the churches that I know that have gone woke or that have gone.

Liberal.

In the day and age we live in there are usually two main issues that are indicators that a church is Going in that direction or they will go in that direction. Okay, so two practical issues. Does anyone want to take a guess at what they are?

We're going to be spending our time talking about two things. Compromise the word of god. Okay. Well that and that's part of it, right? Now remember we talked about christian deconstruction there's two doctrines that they are all about.

So christian deconstructionists, they want to deny hell. And they want to bring in some sort of universalism where everybody goes to heaven the woke people. Some sometimes they'll do that as well. But here's the two practical not so much doctrines but practical issues that signal the church is going woke.

Number one female pastors and number two. What is called side b theology basically it's becoming more inclusive towards lgbt. Those are the two indicators. So basically if your church cannot compromise on those two issues.

You're probably never going to go woke as long as you don't compromise on those two as of now because these are the two. Two of some of the biggest issues of our time. Okay, so basically feminism and lgbt we're going to look at what the bible says.

Because you know the enemy he is cunning and he can get people. To buy into something that they normally would never buy into so let's start with the second thing side b theology. I know a lot of times you hear me kind of hammering away at the same things, right?

I don't think i've ever brought this up. Who knows what side b theology is. Raise your hand so I can see if anyone's heard of it. Okay, not a single person good. I'm glad you showed up because You should know what this is side b basically this is the idea uh that It starts out side a is when a church has the rainbow flag out front like full affirmation.

Side b.

Is when a pastor or church they want to kind of find a middle find a middle ground. So they're not totally affirming homosexuality. But they're not against it either. I mean they'll say they don't agree with it.

But they have carved out sort of a middle ground to where they affirm the identity so if you identify as gay lesbian Transgender they will affirm you in your identity. As long as you don't act on it. Okay, that that's what they're saying.

So side b is when you affirm it. Yes. This is how you feel. This is the way you are. There's nothing wrong with it as long as you don't act on it. If you act on it, then There's a problem. Okay, so that's basically side b.

Side b theology also known as gay christianity, which really should be a red flag. Okay. Well, is there such a thing as you know, adulterous christianity, you know. Bank robbing christianity like if you insert all you have to do is insert a different sin.

Into the equation and if it doesn't make sense with other sins, it shouldn't make sense with the gay thing.

So.

It's basically a compromised position. And you know, it really is the slippery slope argument. Slippery slope is a legitimate concern, right? That's a that's a real thing because once you cave in on one thing Why are you caving in.

Because of the world where the world is the supreme court ruling you're caving in here. Once people see you'll cave in there. Guess what? They'll keep pushing and pushing and pushing until you cave in on something else.

You've already done it once you'll do it again. And you can just see how this has happened historically. And I know there's no direct connection between the ordination of women and Tolerance towards lgbt.

I mean like the two are not really connected. Right, except that the world Wants you to do it. Okay, that's the really the only connection, but you can see this historically. It started with the ordination of women to the pastorate.

So this is the 1970s.

1970s.

1980s the mainline denominations. It was a radical move when they first did it. The ordination of women. So going against the scripture on that. All of those churches that did that back in the 70s. Guess what they're doing now.

They all got the rainbow out front.

So.

One thing shouldn't necessarily lead to another but this is what has happened with the mainline Denominations so women are oppressed and you need to do something about that. You need to ordain women and that's all part of their Their strategy homosexuals have been oppressed.

Therefore. You need to be more inclusive. So if they can get you to believe that someone is an oppressed group then they Get sort of special treatment in the church. Okay, that that's the way it's happening.

So basically this is a placeholder position you can't go from being against it to being for it. You need to have a step in between. So you get people on to from being against it to side b and then after 10 or 20 years However long then you can move to side a.

So I think that's really The strategy. Let's turn to first corinthians chapter 6. And like with anything you just say okay.

I.

And some of these arguments I can see why people buy into it. They say well if you're not acting upon it, is it really wrong? Because you can't. How can you control what desires you have? I'm sure we all struggle with certain desires that we wish we didn't struggle with.

Maybe for some it's. It's heterosexual lust. Maybe it's overeating. Maybe it's you know coveting whatever it is. Just because you have this desire. As long as you don't act on it, right. We're not really doing anything wrong if as long as we don't act on it.

I think that's the way a lot of people were taught. Does that sound familiar to you? So I I can see where people would buy buy into this.

Jesus.

It says that jesus was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin, right? So jesus faced temptation. Here's the thing are you identifying that way are you sort of making space for this behavior to where.

You're holding on to it. You're you're thinking about it. You're you are desiring it. You've kind of carved out a little place in your heart where this this is who I am and this is okay. And you're sort of making excuses.

That's really the issue. If somebody is tempted and you have a thought and you drive that thought from your mind and lord, that's right. Okay, you're not doing anything wrong if you if you don't harbor that thought or desire but as soon as you Adopt that as your identity then that's that's the problem.

Well people can't help it. Let's look at first corinthians chapter 6. Versus 9 through 11 the apostle paul says do you not know that the unrighteous? Will not inherit the kingdom of god. Do not be deceived.

Neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor homosexuals nor sodomites nor thieves nor covetous. Nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of god.

Okay, so.

Another way he could say it is Sinners shall not inherit the kingdom of god because he's listing a whole list a whole long list of things. Is paul saying if you've ever done something like this you can't go to heaven.

No, that is not what he's saying. But these are things that need to be repented of because the temptation is. Well, this is my struggle and my struggle isn't a big deal, you know other people their sins are really bad.

But mine aren't so bad, right? Isn't that kind of a natural thing that people do?

So.

This idea that you really can't help it notice what paul says in verse 11. So he mentions fornicators. Homosexual sodomites. Verse 11. He says and such were what? Such were past tense such were some of you.

But you were washed but you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the lord jesus and by the spirit of our god. In other words, this is not your identity anymore. If you had a problem with stealing.

Nobody identifies why i'm a thieving christian. You know, you need to make space for me because that's just the way god made me i'm a thief. See, I don't hear anyone doing that. And if somebody did i'd be against that, too.

Our identity. Is where? And some sinful desire that we have and everyone has something. No, our identity is in who and what it's in christ. 2 corinthians 5 17. Therefore if anyone is in christ, he is what?

A new creation. All things have passed away. Behold all things have become new. So people. The point is people can change and even their desires with god. Those can change. So side b theology where people sort of hold on to their lgbt identity.

That's False. Again, you wouldn't go around calling yourself an idolatrous christian. Nobody does that you shouldn't do it.

Here.

So those things those desires are part of the old nature. You don't hold on to them. You recognize them as things that need to be mortified. Repent of it and I believe god can and he has given people victory.

So we don't make exceptions for certain sins because they're socially, you know popular these days or something like that. Okay, so side b christianity. It's a lot more common than you think and some very large so-called evangelical ministries.

Nationally and locally they do affirm side b. But I believe it's compromised plain and simple it's like larry said, you know, how how is how are they doing this? Well compromising the word of god. That's that's always the issue right?

Because the bible addresses these things obviously for 1950 years Christianity was not open to this practice or this identity. People have changed mainly in the last 5 10 15 20 years. Why? Because the bible changed.

No, it's it's just conformity to the world. That's really.

What it is.

Okay, and it's like deconstruction. You need to take it one step at a time. Does everyone know what deconstruction is? I mean, I feel like i've talked about it a lot. So everyone should kind of have a running definition.

People deconstruct their faith kind of piece by piece. So I was taught this when I was a kid and I don't believe that anymore. And then they kind of drop one belief after another after another. To where now they have fully deconstructed and I just I just i'm not a christian anymore or i'm not an evangelical.

I'm, i'm a more progressive christian or something like that. So deconstruction Happens over time and it happens piece by piece side b again. It's a placeholder. There's Traditional christianity the way it was viewed for 1950 years.

There's full affirmation. Guess what? You need a step in between to kind of bring people along and that's what churches are doing. My issue is not with the average person who's kind of working through this and struggling with it.

It's it's the pastors that are knowingly. Not teaching what scripture says. I mean that's really where my issue is because people they they know what they've been taught. I mean, they should be able to read the bible and see for themselves.

But all right, this next issue is even more.

Common.

Especially in evangelical churches. There's a monthly pastors group that I would get together with and I think all of the pastors would give the correct answer. On this other issue they would they at least say the right thing now whether or not they're actually willing to do anything.

If a problem came up is another story, but they would all say the right thing. This issue of The ordination of women as pastors I would. I don't know. It might be split down the middle of all the area churches.

Half think it's fine half don't. So this is an issue where there is a lot of division. So The ordination of women is one of the most controversial subjects of our time. And I think it's helpful in understanding this.

This was never an issue until the 20th century. Like we have 1900 years of church history, this is not something anyone ever argued about.

Okay, only.

Until 1901 1905 only the cults had women. And you know, you know, this isn't any knock against women because women are just as valuable and uh, really just as capable as far as you know their ability and their intellect, but.

The reality is up until what 1905 with the pentecostal movement. Only the cults were led by women. You had ann lee with the shakers. You had ellen g white with the seventh day adventists. You had mary baker eddie with christian science.

So there there were no whether it's catholic protestant baptist. There were just no churches ordaining women for 1900 years. So, where did this come from? All right, let's turn to first timothy chapter three.

But what are we talking about. How to prevent a church from going woke? Okay, if a church goes woke they're going to compromise on the the gay issue, that's just. They're going to do it.

And.

The ordination of women this is an indicator that a church is going Liberal. They're going woke they're going progressive. So I just want to kind of reiterate how rare it is. To have 1900 years of church history where all different churches and denominations agreed like christians haven't agreed on.

Just think lord supper baptism church government and there's so many things christians disagreed on. This is one issue that There just wasn't a debate really. Until the 20th century. What happened in the 20th century?

Why did things change all of a sudden? Yeah, well there's women's suffrage, you know and and feminism and.

Yeah.

Yep world war ii a lot of women went into the workplace and hey, this is just the way it is now and you know. Um, yeah, I mean things radically changed in the 20th century.

So.

Um.

Did I tell you to turn to first timothy chapter three? Yeah. All right, so. What's what's our response we always have to go to. Not what. What does this church say? What does this pastor say we have to go?

What does the bible say? All right. Now like with any doctrine, there's a list of verses, you know. This this group will have their list of proof texts, you know, and this group will have their list. How do you determine who's right?

Who has the verses that are actually in the proper context. That's how you know. So first timothy, what do we know about first timothy? It is called one of the.

Pastoral.

Epistles look at verse 15 of first timothy three. I mean, this is the whole reason why paul wrote to timothy he says but if I am delayed I write so that you may know How you ought to conduct yourself in the house of god.

So this is a letter. The context of it is to write to timothy and by extension to all christians to know How to run a church. Paul gives the guidelines the structure the organization for the local church.

And then he gives the qualifications for The pastor and that's at the beginning of chapter three, but before we read the qualifications for pastor, let's just go back to first timothy two for some more context.

And you know, let me just say this if the bible didn't teach what it teaches I personally wouldn't have an issue with the ordination of women. It's not that i'm against it. It's that you know, here's what the bible teaches the bible teaches male headship.

That's why I care about it because it's what the bible clearly teaches. So this isn't some personal thing. Like I said, if the bible didn't teach this I wouldn't have a problem with it. But look at what paul says in first timothy 2 11 and 12.

Let a woman learn in silence with all. Submission and I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. But to be in silence now, most people wouldn't dare say something like this these days, but you know paul said it now if you compare scripture with scripture.

We learn that women can in fact teach can't they? Okay, so titus chapter 2 women can teach other women women can teach The children but women are not to hold the office of pastor because that's the authoritative teaching role in the local church.

Now the question is why does paul say this right the people who. Like they know it's in the bible, but they found ways around it. So People who want to reinterpret this you have to ask why did paul say this?

Well, he tells us They're not to teach or to have authority over man, but to be in silence look at verse 13. For adam, here's the reason because adam was formed first and then eve. And adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived fell into transgression.

So if you ask the average person today Why did paul say that women were not permitted to teach nine times out of ten what you hear is say. Well that that was the culture back then there was something about the ephesian culture.

Or you know, it's just that back then you just didn't do this. Of course, that's not totally true because there were pagan religions that had female priests and all the rest. But they will say that it's it's cultural.

It was a different time. Now. Was it a different time? It was yeah, yeah. It was but is that what paul is saying? Timothy don't do this because that just really isn't accepted where you are. Is that what paul says?

No, he appeals not to the culture. He appeals to the created order. That adam was formed first and then eve and he fell into. She was deceived and fell into the transgression. So in other words god made adam first.

Adam was given headship. Okay, adam was the representative of the human race, right? We are in adam, right paul and romans were in adam and then we're in christ. So adam was the representative of the human race.

He had headship and when god sent God sent his only begotten son into the world. Not his only begotten daughter. You know if eve were the head of the human race and god sent his only begotten daughter into the world then fine.

But that's just not it's not what the bible teaches. Okay, I know that's silly but.

It's not making sense. Yeah.

Now.

Look at first timothy three this that's the context for the The next section which is the qualifications for a pastor. All right. First timothy chapter three verse one paul says this is a faithful saying If a man desires the position of a bishop he desires a good work.

A bishop then must be belated. Let me just stop here. Um, this is a faithful saying if if what? If a man desires the position of a bishop He desires a good work. Well, wouldn't you know that a lot of modern translations say if anyone wants to be A bishop let them you know.

A lot of modern translations are trying to be gender neutral. So you're not not actually going to see that in the translations, but I checked it out every major translation Does say that he must be the husband of one wife.

Or it does use masculine pronouns Somewhere in this passage. So according to paul.

It's.

Open the pastorate is open to which gender? Ma 'am. I mean, it's just what scripture teaches and then titus that's the other pastoral epistle titus chapter one. Paul says the same thing. So what are some of the arguments against this?

Because I said what matters is the context. So the context is the pastoral epistle isn't paul telling us the qualifications for a pastor yet. That's the context. But what do people say? Here's the most common response.

Well, but what about deborah though? If I had a nickel for every time I heard that what about deborah. And my response is well, what about deborah? Usually that's enough to kind of throw them off. Well, deborah was a judge she held a position of Leadership in the nation of israel, right and the exception proves the rule.

But if you even look at deborah, she had someone that technically she was under the authority of barak. Deborah was a judge but her and barak sort of made up a team. Now, I know she really was the the leader.

Barak was a very weak leader, but Either way deborah Wasn't a pastor in a local church. Like it's just not the context. What's one more argument that maybe you've heard. Uh philip had four virgin daughters who prophesied in the book of acts.

Um.

Okay, can women preach? I I don't see a problem with women preaching or teaching. It's just. As pastors in the local church, is that what paul allows for. Does the bible allow for it? No, and it's really not paul.

It's what?

The whole old testament priesthood. They were all men. All the new testament apostles were all men and again for 1900 years. And that might seem like well, why make a big thing about this? I'm just telling you that when churches go woke.

Okay, when a church is going liberal the issue is that they're no longer following the authority of scripture. They're picking and choosing and these are Without a doubt two clear signs that a church is going in that direction.

So be careful because the world is able to ensnare people with all sorts of clever arguments. But if we stick to the word of god We should never be led astray. And like I said, this is really an issue where the gospel is at stake because Let's face it.

There's compromise on these issues and a couple others because they are the controversial issues of our time. People are compromising so as not to offend right? Bottom line, that's what's happening. Well, what's the most offensive thing?

Of all in the bible.

That.

Man has sinned. It needs to repent and that there's only salvation in christ and in christ alone. See once you start pandering to the world. And compromising so as not to offend at some point. Yeah, you're dealing with maybe maybe secondary issues.

But at some point the gospel gets thrown out as well. So i'll just close with colossians 2 verse 8. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit. According to the tradition of men according to the basic principles of the world and not according to christ.

So we must stick with christ and with his word. If we do that Our church will never go woke.