OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Sermons Next  Click to download Audio

COMPROMISE (4)

The Dangers of Compromise

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Compromise involves “yielding” or “giving in.

1.      Sometimes compromise is a good thing.

2.      Spiritually compromise can be a very dangerous thing.

 

B.      In this lesson, we want to look at some of “The Dangers of Compromise.”

 

I.                   COMPROMISE NEGATES THE STANDARD

 

A.    The standard is the “rule of measure determined by an authority.”

1.      The National Institute of Standards and Technology has a division called Weights and Measures Division.

a.      They set the standard for weight and measures.

b.      Example:  A foot is 12 inches.  If a person compromises and allows 11 inches to be a foot, then the standard is compromise. 

c.       Question:  “If the standard can be compromised, why does the standard exist?”

 

B.      In the spiritual realm today, the Word of God is the standard.

1.      Verses:

a.      Matthew 4:4

 

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

 

b.      Galatians 1:8-9

 

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

 

c.       Philippians 1:27

 

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ…

 

2.      If we compromise the Word of God, we negate the standard.

a.      Example:  Women are taking speaking roles in the assembly of the church.  When they do this, they negate the standard of I Corinthians 14:34.

 

Let your women keep silence in the churches:  for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

 

b.      Questions:       If they can speak, what is the need of the standard? 

If the standard can be violated here, why not in other areas?

 

II.                COMPROMISE SURRENDERS TO THE ENEMY

 

A.    The story of The Hunter and the Bear

1.      The hunter wanted a bear coat.

2.      The hungry bear wanted a good meal.

3.      The hunter compromised.  The bear got his meal and the hunter got his coat.

 

B.      The example of Solomon

1.      The first three commandments of the Ten Commandments:

a.      Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exo. 20:3)

b.      Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (Exo. 20:4)

c.       Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them (Exo. 20:5).

2.      Satan seeks to get man to deviate from these commands:  polygamy, idols, and idol worship.

3.      When Solomon married many strange women, his first compromise, he soon surrendered to the enemy.

a.      Marriage compromise (I Kings 11:1)

 

But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites.

 

b.      Spiritual compromise (I Kings 11:4)

 

For it came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods…

 

c.       He eventually built high places in honor of their false gods so his wives could burn incense and sacrifice to their strange gods (I Kings 11:7-8).

 

C.     NOTE:  Any time we cease following God, we begin to follow Satan.

 

III.             COMPROMISE DISPLEASES GOD

 

A.    Solomon’s actions displeased God (I Kings 11:9-10).

 

And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods:  but he kept not that which the Lord commanded.

 

B.      God is the one who developed and established the standards that are to be followed in the spiritual realm today.  He gave them for a reason.  To violate them brings His displeasure.

1.      The action can be as small as picking up sticks on the Sabbath (Num. 15:32-36).

2.      It can be as large as building a golden calf in the place of the worship of Jehovah (Exo. 32:1, 35).

 

IV.             COMPROMISE WEAKENS OUR CHARACTER

 

A.    Character is the aggregate of factors and traits that form the individual nature of a person.”

 

B.      Good character is like armor that we put on.

1.      It protects us.

2.      It makes us successful.

3.      It defines us to other people.

 

C.     Two verses:

1.      Proverbs 22:1

 

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…

 

2.      Ecclesiastes 7:1

 

A good name is better than precious ointment…

 

D.    Compromise has the tendency to weaken our character.

1.      One lies makes us less trustworthy.

2.      One missed responsibility makes us less reliable.

3.      One sin makes us less holy.

4.      One broken promise makes us less dependable

 

E.      Example:  Judas

1.      Began with covetousness in his heart

2.      Bore out what was put in the bag (John 12:6)

3.      Betrayed the Lord for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:15).

4.      Was known as Judas, the betrayer (Matt. 10:4).

 

V.                COMPROMISE CAUSES US TO LOSE OUR IDENTITY

 

A.    Identity:  the condition of being one’s self

 

B.      Oftentimes, one simple thing is what establishes a person’s identity.

1.      Sherlock Holmes:  hat, pipe, magnifying glass

2.      The Mad Hatter:  his unique hat

3.      Dorothy in the Wizard of Ox:  her ruby red slippers

4.      Emily Dickenson was known for her white dress

 

C.     Within the church many are compromising the things that identify us.

1.      Our name:  church of Christ (Rom. 16:16; Matt. 16:18).  They prefer “the church” or “the family of God.”

2.      Date of establishment of the church:  A.D. 33 (Acts 2:47; Dan. 2:44).  They want us to believe that the churches of Christ were formed in the day of Alexander Campbell in the 1800s.

3.      Worship (John 4:24).  They want instrumental music, corporate worship to be on Saturday night complete with the Lord’s Supper, and women in leadership positions.

4.      The Plan of Salvation (Rom. 1:16-17, Acts 2:38; 22:16).  They no longer want baptism as a part of the plan.  Some are teaching salvation by faith only.

 

D.    Without our identity:

1.      Who will we become?

2.      Where will men go for salvation?

3.      What is our purpose for existence?

 

 

 

 

 

E.      Illustration:  Stand By Your Sign

 

A man starting a fish business put out his sign that read, "Fresh Fish For Sale Today" and invited all to visit his place of business on opening day. Many came and congratulated him on his new business, but one suggested that he change his sign. "Why the ’Today’? It is today." So he removed the "Today".

Someone else said, "Why, ’For Sale’? Everybody knows you have fish for sale--or else why the store?" The words "For Sale" came off the sign.

Another said, "Why the word ’Fresh’? You are a man of integrity, and that guarantees your fish to be fresh." "Fresh" came off the sign.

Only one word was left, "Fish" and one complained about it. "I smelled your fish two blocks away."

 

VI.             COMPROMISE WILL CAUSE US TO LOSE OUR SOULS

 

A.    The Bible says that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him (Heb. 5:8).

 

B.      The Bible exhorts us to hold fast to its teaching and to stand fast therein.

1.      Hold fast (I Thess. 5:21; II Tim. 1:13; Tit. 1:9; Heb. 3:6; 4:14; 10:23).

 

Hold fast the form of sounds words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

 

2.      Stand fast (I Cor. 16:13; Gal. 5:1 Phil. 1:27; 4:1; II Thess. 2:15).

 

Therefore brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

 

C.     The ones who compromise do not hold fast the faithful word, nor do they stand fast in the faith.  They are disobedient.

 

D.    Those who disobey God will be lost (II Thess. 1:8).

 

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    May each one of us resolve to never compromise the gospel of Christ.

1.      Do not compromise the doctrines of the gospel.

2.      Do not compromise the life that it demands for us to live.

 

B.      Revelation 3:11

 

Behold, I come quickly:  hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.