Guarding the Faith Amidst Deconstruction Challenges
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound challenge of guarding the faith amidst the rising trend of deconstruction. Drawing from 1 Timothy 6:20-21, we are reminded of the call to protect the deposit of faith entrusted to us, avoiding the distractions of false knowledge. This call is as relevant today as it was in the early church, as we face the modern phenomenon of deconstruction—a term that has gained popularity in recent years. While some use deconstruction positively to strip away man-made traditions and return to the core gospel, many others use it as a means to explore spirituality outside the bounds of Scripture, often leading to a rejection of the Christian faith and a drift towards atheism.
We examined the spiritual battle that has been present since the beginning of creation, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where Satan's tactics aimed to deconstruct their faith by questioning God's word and character. This battle continues today, with many facing triggers that lead them away from the gospel, such as suffering, doubts, politics, and scandals within the church. However, the core issue remains the gospel itself, and our calling is to defend and confirm it.
For those firm in their faith, the challenge is to prepare for the spiritual battles ahead by understanding the common triggers and grounding themselves in the truth of Scripture. For those who find themselves deconstructing, the invitation is to ask deep questions and seek substantial answers, recognizing that the gospel offers a life of abundance and truth.
Ultimately, the gospel is worth defending and confirming, as it brings life and hope in a world filled with spiritual challenges. As we stand firm in our faith, we are called to engage in this spiritual battle, knowing that the enemy seeks to devour, but Christ offers abundant life.
Key Takeaways:
1. Guarding the Faith: We are called to protect the deposit of faith entrusted to us, avoiding distractions and false knowledge. This requires a commitment to the core gospel and a rejection of man-made traditions that distort it. [01:32]
2. Understanding Deconstruction: Deconstruction can be a positive return to the gospel's core, but often leads to a rejection of faith. It is crucial to discern the motives and outcomes of deconstruction, ensuring it leads to a deeper understanding of the gospel rather than a departure from it. [03:18]
3. Spiritual Battle: The battle for faith is as old as creation, with Satan's tactics aiming to deconstruct belief by questioning God's word and character. Recognizing this battle helps us prepare and stand firm in our faith. [11:19]
4. Preparing for Triggers: Common triggers like suffering, doubts, and scandals can lead us away from the gospel. By preparing for these challenges, we can confirm our faith and remain steadfast in the truth of Scripture. [19:45]
5. Seeking Deep Answers: For those questioning their faith, it is essential to seek deep, substantial answers rather than settling for shallow responses. This intellectual honesty can lead to a more profound understanding and confirmation of the gospel. [25:51]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:32] - Guarding the Faith
- [02:31] - Introduction to Deconstruction
- [03:18] - Positive and Negative Aspects of Deconstruction
- [04:31] - Spiritual Battle in Philippi
- [05:44] - Paul's Encouragement to the Philippians
- [09:16] - Historical Context of Deconstruction
- [10:22] - Warnings from Ephesus
- [11:19] - Satan's Tactics in Deconstruction
- [12:03] - Modern Trends in Deconstruction
- [13:00] - The Role of Questions in Faith
- [13:33] - Common Triggers for Deconstruction
- [16:08] - Scandals and Their Impact on Faith
- [17:43] - Speaking to the Firm and the Questioning
- [19:45] - Preparing for Spiritual Battles
- [25:51] - Encouragement for Those Deconstructing
- [35:42] - The Worth of the Gospel
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Timothy 6:20-21
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean by "guard the deposit entrusted to you" in 1 Timothy 6:20? How does this relate to the concept of guarding the faith? [01:32]
2. How is the term "deconstruction" described in the sermon, and what are the two different ways it is used? [02:31]
3. What are some of the common triggers mentioned in the sermon that can lead to deconstruction of faith? [13:33]
4. How does the sermon describe the spiritual battle that has been present since the beginning of creation? [11:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that deconstruction can be both positive and negative? How can one discern the motives behind deconstruction? [03:18]
2. How does the sermon connect the story of Adam and Eve to the modern trend of deconstruction? What tactics does Satan use according to the sermon? [11:19]
3. What role do questions play in faith according to the sermon, and how can they become triggers for deconstruction? [13:00]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers should prepare for the spiritual battles and triggers that challenge their faith? [19:45]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Have you experienced any triggers that challenged your faith? How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience? [13:33]
2. The sermon encourages asking deep questions and seeking substantial answers. What is one deep question you have about your faith, and how can you seek a meaningful answer this week? [25:51]
3. How can you actively guard the deposit of faith entrusted to you in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to avoid distractions and false knowledge? [01:32]
4. Consider the role of suffering as a trigger for deconstruction. How can you prepare your faith to withstand challenges related to suffering? What resources or practices might help you in this preparation? [19:45]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of defending and confirming the gospel. How can you engage in conversations with others about your faith in a way that is both respectful and truthful? [17:43]
6. Think about the influence of modern trends and social media on your faith. How can you discern between helpful and harmful influences, and what boundaries might you need to set? [12:03]
7. Reflect on the idea that the gospel offers abundant life. How can you experience and share this abundant life in your community this week? [35:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Guarding the Faith with Discernment
Guarding the faith is a profound responsibility that requires discernment and vigilance. In a world filled with distractions and false knowledge, believers are called to protect the deposit of faith entrusted to them. This involves a commitment to the core gospel and a conscious rejection of man-made traditions that distort its message. The challenge is to remain focused on the truth of Scripture, avoiding the allure of teachings that deviate from the gospel's essence. By doing so, believers can ensure that their faith remains pure and untainted, ready to withstand the challenges of the modern world. [01:32]
"O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you." (1 Timothy 6:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: What are some specific teachings or traditions you have encountered that might distract you from the core message of the gospel? How can you actively guard against these distractions in your daily life?
Day 2: Navigating Deconstruction with Wisdom
Deconstruction is a term that has gained traction in recent years, often used to describe the process of questioning and reevaluating one's faith. While it can be a positive journey back to the gospel's core, it can also lead to a rejection of faith if not navigated wisely. It is crucial to discern the motives and outcomes of deconstruction, ensuring that it leads to a deeper understanding of the gospel rather than a departure from it. By approaching deconstruction with wisdom and a desire for truth, believers can emerge with a more robust and authentic faith. [03:18]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: Are there aspects of your faith that you are currently questioning or reevaluating? How can you ensure that this process leads you closer to the truth of the gospel rather than away from it?
Day 3: Recognizing the Spiritual Battle
The spiritual battle for faith is as ancient as creation itself, with Satan's tactics aimed at deconstructing belief by questioning God's word and character. This battle is ongoing, and recognizing it is crucial for believers to prepare and stand firm in their faith. By understanding the nature of this battle, believers can equip themselves with the truth of Scripture and the armor of God, ready to face the challenges that come their way. The enemy seeks to devour, but Christ offers abundant life, and it is this promise that believers must hold onto as they engage in the spiritual battle. [11:19]
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11, ESV)
Reflection: What are some specific ways you can prepare yourself for the spiritual battles you face? How can you strengthen your faith to stand firm against the enemy's tactics?
Day 4: Preparing for Triggers with Resilience
Common triggers such as suffering, doubts, and scandals can lead believers away from the gospel. By preparing for these challenges, believers can confirm their faith and remain steadfast in the truth of Scripture. It is essential to recognize these triggers and develop resilience, ensuring that they do not cause a drift from the gospel. By grounding themselves in the truth and seeking support from the faith community, believers can navigate these challenges with confidence and perseverance. [19:45]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What are some triggers that have challenged your faith in the past? How can you prepare yourself to respond to these triggers with resilience and steadfastness in the future?
Day 5: Seeking Deep Answers with Honesty
For those questioning their faith, it is essential to seek deep, substantial answers rather than settling for shallow responses. This intellectual honesty can lead to a more profound understanding and confirmation of the gospel. By asking deep questions and seeking substantial answers, believers can strengthen their faith and find assurance in the truth of the gospel. It is a journey that requires courage and a willingness to explore the depths of one's beliefs, ultimately leading to a more authentic and vibrant faith. [25:51]
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)
Reflection: What are some deep questions you have about your faith that you have been hesitant to explore? How can you begin to seek substantial answers to these questions today?
Quotes
1) "Deconstruction is an exit ramp from the gospel of Jesus Christ to the highway of new atheism. And what we're going to see today is going to be a car bodies, going to be a car bodies, or something like that. is while this phrase is trendy, hashtag ex-evangelicism and hashtag deconstruction, while it's very trendy, it really is nothing new. This spiritual battle literally is as old as creation itself. The very first Bible story you know of, the very first story in the Bible, is Satan coming to try to lead someone to deconstruct their faith." [03:18] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "The church has always dealt with this reality, that there will be many who will positively respond to the gospel, but as they get into it, they will swerve away from the faith. So while deconstruction is very trendy on social media, it is nothing new under the sun. And there's nothing new to the church. In fact, the very first Bible story that you know of Adam and Eve in the garden is just an attempt of Satan to get them to deconstruct their faith. What's the first thing Satan did? He questioned or twisted the words of God." [11:19] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Questions are good. It's okay to ask questions about our faith. In fact, the mark of a cult is that you can't ask questions. You know, the cult's like, don't question anything, don't question anything. We're not a cult. We encourage questions. The Scriptures encourage questions. Read the Psalms. The Psalms, the prayer book of the Bible, are constantly questioning God. I read Psalm 13 this morning. Where are You, God? How long? Have You forgotten about me? Why are You hiding Your face from me? Have You forgotten to be good? I mean, it's these questions about God. And so questions are good." [13:00] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "The problem is when these questions become triggers that lead us away from orthodox gospel. So this book, Blake recommended this to me, Deconstruction of Christianity, mentioned it in the Thessalonians. First service this morning, and several of y'all have already read it, so you may have read it. If you're interested in it, you can find me after church, I'll give you the author and publication and all. But in that book, it talks about some of the common triggers that trigger people to head off onto this path of deconstructing your faith. And the six that it listed in the book, number one was suffering." [13:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "If you know the battlegrounds are coming, begin to prepare your faith, and fight. Peter said in first, second Peter, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling in election, for if you practice these qualities, you will never fall, for it's in this way that you're richly provided an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The way that we know that we are continuing in the faith, and confirming our faith, is we persevere to the end in our belief, and we're continuing to bear fruit, and we're continuing to bear fruit of being a new creation in Christ." [23:09] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "If you're going to ask deep questions, don't settle for shallow answers. With all due respect, whatever question that you have, I can promise you that I'm going to answer it. I'm going to answer it on the same day that all the actions that are being performed are being performed right now and in the spirit of a serious question. Time to ask questions, then I'm going to ask that simple question. If you're going to ask a question that is given to you by God, that you think isrier than you thought it was, or that is clear enough, whatever question that lives within you, if you are asking yourself the same question a couple of times, you're talking about a rather material question that you could not guess what that question was, either the person that ever asked that question that you trust drawing to yourself, or the person that starts to be answered and who might be good at this, this or that you were going to ask it, you should definitely look but there's an entire branch of Christian theology devoted to that single question." [25:51] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "If you're going to reject the orthodox Christian gospel, what are you left with? Where did everything come from? Well, from the Big Bang and everything's been expanding out from that, okay, talk to me about thirty seconds before the Big Bang. Where did the stuff come from that banged? Why did it bang? Talk to me about that. And if you say, well, the multiverse is the answer to that, it takes more faith to believe in the multiverse than it does to believe in a Creator. And there's no scientific evidence for multiverse. But… But… Intellectually, be honest with yourself. Where did everything come from? How do we know what is right and what is wrong?" [30:19] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "I just want to encourage you, if you're deconstructing and wrestling with this and rejecting this, have the intellectual honesty to say, okay, well, if it's not that, then it's going to be this. And define this. And define this with as much clarity as this defines that. And just also remind you, right, gospel truth, eternal truth, any truth really, is not determined by the number of Instagram followers, right? It's very popular and it's very trendy and you can get online and it feels like everybody's doing it. Well, it doesn't matter if everybody's doing it." [33:17] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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