Bubble-Wrapping the Church: Guarding Truth and Community

``We all sin. Understand this, we do not love people by enabling them in their sin to sin more. Does that make sense? We do not enable Yeah, but I'll be judging them. I hear that a whole lot from my students, but they'll feel I'm judged. You're not judging them. The word of God has already judged us. All we're doing is speaking truth. If that person's doing something that's contrary to the word of God and we know the path that's gonna lead them down, how can we say we love them by remaining silent? We can't. [00:59:48] (42 seconds)  #ToughLoveTruth

I've been a pastor long enough. I've had people tell us and say, well, do you you know, I had a guy tell me one day and he he met me at the back door of a church and he got got in my face and and I brought up the bible and he looked at me and he says, don't bring up the bible to me. That has nothing to do with this. I said, that has everything to do with this. Guys, I can sit here all day long and tell you what my opinions are, that doesn't make it real. Because I, David Wheeler, have no basic inherent authority that does that. [01:11:29] (38 seconds)  #ScriptureOverOpinion

God did not give any of us the right to take his gospel and like a piece of clay mold it the way we want it to be. Yes, God loves us. But I have to remind my students often that Romans five eight says, God commended his own love to towards us that while we were yet what? Yet what? Yes, he loves us. But the greatest act of love was that he took on the very nature that was opposite of him. He took on our sin upon himself and took it to the grave. It became our eternal sacrifice for us. Be careful when people try to tickle your theological ears. [01:15:20] (45 seconds)  #GospelUnchanged

So it sounds so contrary that now he's saying don't receive them in. What he's saying is is that theology matters. Don't invite satan in your front door. They were to welcome all people in peace. But in this situation, John is telling all of us to be wise that we do not welcome false teaching into our homes. Theology matters. It matters about Jesus. It's not that you have your Jesus, I have my Jesus. No. There's only one biblical Jesus. It's just the way it is. Well, that just sounds so narrow minded David. No. That's the word. That's what the bible teaches. He is the one who died for our sin. [01:13:21] (42 seconds)  #TheologyMatters

Bubble wrap was actually created to to protect things from the outside forces that might jar it or cause a problem. And that's kinda what this what, John's doing here. He's in You know, he's he's he's talking about how do we bubble wrap the church. Not to protect us so much from engaging with the lost world because if you do, like you said, you're gonna have spiritual warfare. But how do we how do we protect our our viewpoints? How do we protect our theology? How do we protect those things? How do we wrap that up and make sure that we hold onto that and not let it go? [00:49:48] (37 seconds)  #ProtectTheology

The only way we can get into heaven is through the blood of Jesus Christ, the eternal sacrifice that was paid for us. John is reminding his people of that. And as we live this out together, we live this out hand in hand in community, holding each other accountable, loving each other, picking each other up when we stumble, reminding all of us regardless of where we are that there's joy in Christ. That's what it's all about. Amen? That's what it's all about. [01:20:16] (34 seconds)  #JoyInChristCommunity

When we have wanted to give up, when I know those times I've just wanted to run and and I've got calls and everybody loving so much. That's How can you have joy in the in the middle of all this? Because we got Jesus in the middle of all of this and he is joy. That's what he's saying to us. We value community. Some of you in this building today are hurting. Don't you walk out of this building hurting. Why don't you let us love on you a while today? Won't you allow us as a church to lift up your arms and to care for you? That's what he's saying. He's saying ultimately, let's remain in the truth of the gospel. [01:17:51] (37 seconds)  #CommunityCares

See, love one loving one another is a basic is about basic Christianity. John goes on to define loving as walking according to God's commands. In other words, wherever we go, we love others. We care for them. Too often today people think that to love someone is to indulge them. I was reading this in one commentator. I love what he says here. He says, to let them do what they want but you know, not but to indulge in them is not true love. We do not demonstrate love if we do something to or with another person that God forbids. [00:56:35] (40 seconds)  #BiblicalLoveInAction