https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/OtherSideOfTruth.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n\tby Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t
Text: II Thessalonians 1:3-10<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. People tend to focus one aspect, one characteristic when they deal with another person<\/p>\n
A. We have a tendency to categorize people, to pick out a dominate trait<\/p>\n
B. When people talk about God or Jesus, they will focus on the love of God.<\/p>\n
1. God is love, but people wish to believe that God is only love<\/p>\n
2. They don’t wish to think about the justice of God – Romans 11:22<\/p>\n 3. People want to see God as an indulgent parent who never scolds, who\ngives His children everything they want, and shields them from all\ndiscomfort. \n
4. Matthew 10:28 – Jesus warned us to fear God<\/p>\n C. The picture of Jesus is not much different. He is portrayed as quiet, soft-spoken,\nand harmless. A good buddy who is always there to support you in whatever you\ndecide to do. A friend to lean on no matter what happens.\n 1. I have people read Matthew 7:22-23 and you can see the puzzlement on\ntheir faces as they try to explain it.\n
2. It doesn’t match their idea of Jesus.<\/p>\n D. Worse are the denominational pulpits which promote these watered down views of\nour Father and our Lord.\n
1. Their aim is growth, so they avoid offense<\/p>\n
2. They present but one side to attract those who will not change<\/p>\n
II. A Fair, Balanced, and Accurate View of God<\/p>\n
A. God is love<\/p>\n
1. Without a doubt God is the embodiment of love – I John 4:8, 16<\/p>\n
2. He demonstrated that love in His willing sacrifice of His son – John 3:16<\/p>\n 3. He showed the strength of that love in that He did it while we wallowed in\nour weakness – Romans 5:6-10\n 4. But there is another side to that love. God will not willingly let go of what\nis His – Deuteronomy 4:23-26\n
5. This is the same God!<\/p>\n
B. God wants everyone to be saved<\/p>\n
1. It is God’s desire – I Timothy 2:1-6<\/p>\n
2. Salvation is offered to all men – Titus 2:11<\/p>\n 3. But what is offered is not always accepted. The majority will reject the\noffer – Matthew 7:13-14\n 4. Which brings us to the other side. God will destroy those who reject Him –\nII Thessalonians 1:7-9\n
C. God is impartial <\/p>\n
1. God made a promise to bless all nations – Genesis 12:1-3<\/p>\n
2. It was to be done through a descendant of Abraham – Genesis 22:18<\/p>\n
3. That promise was fulfilled in Jesus – Galatians 3:14-16<\/p>\n
4. The message started with the lost sheep of Israel – Matthew 10:6-7<\/p>\n
5. And spread to all nations – Matthew 28:19-20<\/p>\n
6. Thus salvation is offered to all men impartially – Ephesians 2:11-16<\/p>\n
7. So everyone is saved, right? Wrong.<\/p>\n 8. Only those in the church, those who accepted the offer and are willing to\nmeet God’s terms are saved – Acts 20:28\n
9. Those who are ignorant or disobedient will be lost – II Thessalonians 1:8-9<\/p>\n
10. Impartiality doesn’t mean complete acceptance.<\/p>\n
III. Intolerant<\/p>\n
A. Jesus was intolerant.<\/p>\n
1. Intolerant of those who sinned or promoted sin<\/p>\n
2. His warning against the Pharisees and Sadducees – Matthew 16:6-8, 11-12<\/p>\n
3. What was wrong with their doctrine? – Matthew 23<\/p>\n
a. He calls them hypocrites – Matthew 23:13-15, 23, 25, 27-32<\/p>\n
b. He calls them blind and fools – Matthew 23:16-17, 19, 24, 26<\/p>\n
c. He calls them serpents and vipers – Matthew 23:33<\/p>\n
4. They wouldn’t see what others could – Matthew 11:21-24<\/p>\n
a. Imagine being told that Muslims were better than you!<\/p>\n
b. Imagine being told that the people of Sodom were better than you!<\/p>\n
5. The Pharisees put their doctrine ahead of God – Matthew 15:3-9<\/p>\n
6. Jesus told the Sadducees that they were ignorant – Matthew 22:29<\/p>\n
B. Jesus’ followers demonstrated intolerance<\/p>\n
1. Ephesians 5:11 – No fellowship with sin<\/p>\n
2. Large dissensions over doctrine – Acts 15:1-2<\/p>\n
3. They won’t put up with it – Galatians 2:4-5<\/p>\n 4. Those who taught falsely were named and their false teachings were openly\ndiscussed – II Timothy 2:16-18\n
5. And consider their language!<\/p>\n
a. Acts 7:51-52 – Stephen to the Jews who would not believe<\/p>\n b. Acts 13:10 – Paul to a man trying to talk another away from the\ngospel\n
c. Acts 20:29 – Concerning corrupt elders<\/p>\n
d. James 4:4 – And even double-minded Christians<\/p>\n C. Truth does not have equal weight with sin. Christ and His followers do not tolerate\nthat which opposes truth\n
IV. Confrontational<\/p>\n
A. Jesus was confrontational<\/p>\n
1. He confronted those who rejected the truth<\/p>\n
2. Jesus, at times, purposely provoked the Pharisees – Luke 13:10-17; 14:1-6<\/p>\n
3. As a result, they turned more solidly against him – John 5:16-18<\/p>\n
4. Jesus rocked the boat – HARD!<\/p>\n
5. John 8:57-59 – Jesus certainly wasn’t afraid of a confrontation<\/p>\n
B. Jesus’ followers were confrontational<\/p>\n 1. The apostles were arrested and told to stop preaching about Jesus – Acts\n4:18-20. They told the judges “No!”\n 2. Then they went right back doing what needed to be done and were arrested\nagain – Acts 5:27-33\n 3. Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7 certainly wasn’t gentle to his audience – Acts\n7:51-54\n
4. Even to the point of getting into an apostle’s face – Galatians 2:11-12<\/p>\n C. Why? Because many won’t listen unless it is blunt and even then they will not\nlisten.\n
V. Exclusionary<\/p>\n
A. Jesus excluded people by his teachings – John 6:60-66<\/p>\n
1. His words offended. When pointed out, he offended them further.<\/p>\n
2. Jesus knew people would take offense – Matthew 11:6<\/p>\n
3. He refused to do miracles in his own home town – Matthew 13:55-58<\/p>\n 4. The disciples were shocked that He offended the Pharisees – Matthew\n15:12-14. And Jesus let them go!\n
5. But such was prophesied of the Christ – Isaiah 8:14-15<\/p>\n
B. Jesus’ followers were just as exclusive <\/p>\n
1. Their teachings were rejected by Jews and Gentiles – I Corinthians 1:23-28<\/p>\n
2. Paul was not about to modify his teaching to ease offense – Galatians 5:11-12<\/p>\n
3. Factions are going to have to exist – I Corinthians 11:19<\/p>\n
C. There is a distinction – II Corinthians 6:14-17<\/p>\n
VI. God is love. God shows love. But what people ignore is that God’s love is conditional<\/p>\n
A. God loves the obedient – John 14:21<\/p>\n
B. Jesus saves those who follow his voice – John 10:27-28<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Thessalonians 1:3-10 I. People tend to focus one aspect, one characteristic when they deal with another person A. We have a tendency to categorize people, to pick out a dominate trait B. When people talk about God or Jesus, they will focus on the love of God. 1. God is love, but…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[1493,351,90,73,255,441],"class_list":["post-63205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-exclusion","tag-expectation","tag-god","tag-jesus","tag-tolerance","tag-truth"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":46725,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/seeking-god\/","url_meta":{"origin":63205,"position":0},"title":"Seeking God","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 22, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"A series of lessons presented by Doy Moyer of Temple Terrace, Florida. May 22-25, 2022 Develop Your Mind for God Resurrection and the Christian Submission in Jesus (Ladies Class taught by Laurie Moyer) Truth about Truth Knowing the Will of God Trembling at God's Word As Though He Needed Anything","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/DSC00396-300x179.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":68806,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/mistakes-in-religion\/","url_meta":{"origin":63205,"position":1},"title":"Mistakes in Religion","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 14, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 7:13-29 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0How do you find the truth? \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0People use numerous ways, but usually they revolve around avoiding effort II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Following the Majority - Matthew 7:13-14 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You see this in many areas of life. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If most people say something, then it is assumed\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":45272,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/do-we-have-a-right-to-our-own-opinions\/","url_meta":{"origin":63205,"position":2},"title":"Do We Have a Right to Our Own Opinions?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 7, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 1:16-21 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When two disagree, one will say \u201cWell, everyone has a right to their own opinions.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is a statement saying, \u201cI disagree with you, but that is okay. Your thoughts are just as good as mine.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In some sense this is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":49546,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-freedom-of-truth\/","url_meta":{"origin":63205,"position":3},"title":"The Freedom of Truth","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 24, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 8:30-59 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Many began to believe on Jesus - John 8:30-31 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jesus said that if they would live in the words of Jesus, then they would truly be his disciples - John 8:32 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Obedience to his teaching would cause them to know the truth.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":86006,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/ezekiel-and-preaching-truth\/","url_meta":{"origin":63205,"position":4},"title":"Ezekiel and Preaching Truth","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Terry Wane Benton Ezekiel had a most challenging job, preaching the truth to people who were not ready to appreciate it. God gave Ezekiel the vision of God's awesome greatness, and when a preacher preaches because he has a great concept of God, he can preach the hard truths\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":52330,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/perfected-in-unity\/","url_meta":{"origin":63205,"position":5},"title":"Perfected in Unity","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 7, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 17:13-26 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In Jesus\u2019 final prayer to the Father before his arrest, Jesus expressed his desire that his followers be united, just as he and the Father were one - John 17:22-23 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0That \u201cone\u201d is not numerical, but a unity in purpose and action.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63205"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63205\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}