deathpope

DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
READ: 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-17
Preached: Lord's Day 3rd April, 2005
SUBJECT: WILL THE WORLD BE THE POORER FOR THE PASSING OF POPE JOHN PAUL II?

Any comments/sermon relate to the office of the Pope.
Mourn the passing of any individual in their capacity as a mere member of the human race.
Every death reminds us of sin marring the creation of God (Romans 5:12) We take no joy in that regard.
We are keeping then to PRINCIPLES/PUBLIC HELD OFFICES rather than private individuals.
Our answer to the question above then is: NO!
This is what you would expect from a Protestant preacher.
4 thoughts:

1. THE OFFICE OF POPE IS UNSCRIPTURAL:

A/ SCRIPTURES ALONE DETERMINE THE AUTHENTICITY OR OTHERWISE OF THIS OFFICE:
Acts 17:11
Psalm 119:128
Other writing, perhaps useful, must yield to the written word of God.

B/ WHAT ABOUT MATTHEW 16:18?
True interpretation: 1 Corinthians 3:11/John 17:3
Even if it does refer to Peter…quantum leap to the Papacy.

C/ APOSTLES ARE ABSOLUTELY SILENT ABOUT THIS OFFICE:
Ephesians 4:11-12 "No Pope here"

D/ PETER IS SILENT ABOUT IT:
"Also an elder" (1 Peter 5:1)
Named as a pillar with two others in Galatians 2:9

2. THE OFFICE OF POPE IS UNNECESSARY:

A/ IF NECESSARY, THE BIBLE SPEAK ABOUT IT, BOTH CLEARLY AND OFTEN - IT DOESN'T

B/ ONLY VICAR OF CHRIST IS THE HOLY SPIRIT:
John 16:5-8/14

C/ POPELESS CHURCHES HAVE DONE QUITE WELL WITHOUT ONE:
Rome said at the Reformation, we would fail. Not so.
Protestant churches have prospered since both numerically and spiritually.
Some of the choices saints have come from her churches:
Noted for Bible exposition
Noted for personal holiness
Noted for missionary zeal

3. THE OFFICE OF POPE IS UNDESIRABLE:

A/ DISREGARDS AND CONFUSES THE BIBLICAL ORDER OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT I.E. RULE/ELDERS

B/ SUCH DISREGARD LEADS TO MORE SERIOUS DISREGARD I.E. IN DOCTRINE ESP. THE WAY OF SALVATION

C/ IT ELEVATES ONE MAN WHEN WE ARE ALL BRETHREN
(Matthew 23:8)

D/ STARTS A PROCESS LEADING TO VIRTUAL DEIFICATION:
"Holy Father" … "Supreme Pontiff" - "Head of the Church" … "Vicar of Christ" … "Lord God the Pope" … "Another Christ on earth" etc.,
Pope gets carried about high above the shoulders of the people
Bow before him and fall at his feet. Cp. Acts 10:28/Revelation 22:10

E/ GIVES RISE TO THE GREATEST EVER POWER STRUGGLE AND THAT IN THE NAME OF CHRIST:

4. THE OFFICE OF POPE IS UNHELPFUL:

A/ NO RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGE CAN SAVE.
Nicodemus was the Jewish equivalent of a Cardinal. Judas was an Apostle.

B/ YOU CAN'T USURP THE PLACE/CHRIST AND NOT EXPECT A COME BACK:

C/ HOW DO YOU STAND SPIRITUALLY WITH GOD?
Appeal.