These stylized wingless birds have 2 billion downloads so far.
200 million minutes are played each day.
But I want to introduce to a few other angry birds this morning.
Outline: Woodpeckers on the Ark & Cuckoo Birds in the Nest.
WOODPECKERS ON THE ARK(10-12)
Woodpeckers come in all shapes & sizes (3 1/4”-23”). They have strong bills for drilling & hammering on trees. They have long sticky tongues for grabbing & extracting their prey(insects). We also now know they have very small brains (maximize area between the brain/skull).
I think this also defines our spiritual woodpeckers here, pecking away at a young churches good doctrine. Drillingin them legalism&hammeringhome bad doctrine.
Damaged doctrine & harmed households.
(11) Whole families were affected by their unhealthy doctrines.
Since the early church assemblies usually met in private homes, it is easy to understand how whole houses could be upset by false teachers.
People today who have Bible studies in their homes must be careful lest visitors/ guests/friends come in with strange doctrines.
Here they were teaching Jewish legalism, those of the circumcision, which Paul rejected.
They were also teaching Jewish fables, which probably described their fanciful interpretations of the genealogies in the OT. (see 1 Tim.1:4)
And as the old adage goes, When the plain sense of Scripture makes good sense, seek no other sense.
(11) Teaching things that they ought not - George Lucas accepting a lifetime achievement award at the Academy Award ceremonies, March 1992 said, “I've always tried to be aware ofwhat I say in my films because all of us who make motion pictures are teachers, teachers withvery loud voices.” (George Lucas, accepting a lifetime achievement award at the Academy Award ceremonies, March 1992 (quoted by Edwin A. Roberts, Jr., in the Tampa Tribune, April 5, 1992). Christianity Today, Vol. 36, no. 8.)
(12) This quote wasn’t invented by some tourist who had a bad stay at Crete’s Quality Inn.
Paul quotes from Epimenides, a famous figure of Crete, who was considered to be a prophet…who condemns his own people. [although being a Cretan himself...that would make him a liar]
It must have been hard ministering in the island of Crete. It was full of problems & challenges.
But this group was nothing more than people with a reputation.
Cities, towns, or states are known for, or have areputationfor, different things: (+ or -)
Corinth/excessive immorality.What happens in Vegas…_______. Texas/known for everything big. N.Y. City, the Big Apple. (from its horse-racing in the 20’s. Apple referred to the prizesbeing awarded). Temecula/Vineyards. Murrieta/again awarded 2nd Safest City by FBI.
But let’s remember, God loves the Cretans.He placed churchesthere. (vs.5)
Some towns are more difficult then others w/ministry.
Some experience a very transient vacation population (Maui)
Some near military bases have a constantly rotatingcongregation.
Crete bustled w/many sea-weary sailors on shore leave.
But Praise God...He loves the dirty, the bad reputations, the cussing, lying, cheatingtypes…that’s who He’s after.
What a great place to plant a church...with those who need a Physician. Not to those who think they don’t.
Stop; Look; Listen [3 practical tips that will protect us from woodpeckers on the ark]
Stop - Compare the views being taught w/the clear teaching of Holy Scripture & the central doctrines of the orthodox faith. [orthosstraight or right + doxaopinion]
Look - Ask...Do they model Christlike values & virtues? Do they point to Christ or to themselves? Do you see accountability & transparency? Do they exhibit true humility? Authenticity? Love? Do they submit themselves to the authority of God’s Word? Do they submit themselves to any other authority? What do their followers look like?
Verses 10-16