Introduction
- Acts 17:1-9
- Matthew 10:34-38
- Luke 12:51-52
- I Corinthians 1:22-24 – We preach Christ crucified.
Christ and His teaching was controversial to:
- The Jewish rulers (John 9:16)
- The Jewish people (John 7:40-40; 10:19-21, 30-33)
- His family (John 7:2-5)
- His disciples (John 6:59-67)
The controversial gospel of Christ
- God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1)
- God made two genders: male and female (Genesis 1:27)
- Marriage is between man and woman (Matthew 19:4)
- Homosexuality is perverse and sinful (Romans 1:26-27)
- Your body belongs to God (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
- Baptism is essential to salvation (Acts 22:16)
- Repentance precedes baptism (Acts 2:38; 17:30)
- One, true church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4; 1:22-23)
- No authority for instruments in worship (Ephesians 5:19)
- One scriptural cause for divorce (Matthew 5:32; 19:9)
- II Corinthians 10:4-5
- Jesus and His teachings have always been controversial.
- Jude 1:3
- II Timothy 2:24-26
Turning the world upside down preaching …
- The truth that sets men free from sin was taught. (John 8:32)
- The message was preached with humility, love, plainness, and boldness.
- Many rejected the gospel; some souls were saved.
- Will continue to be controversial and divisive.