09-10 Theological Sermon: The Arrogance Complex of Sins

Theological Sermon Outline: The Arrogance Complex of Sins

I. Introduction: Preparation for the Reception of Doctrine

A. The Mandate for Spiritual Preparation (Moment of Silent Prayer)

1. Ensure the Filling of the Holy Spirit through Confession of Sin.

1 John 1:9 : If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This is the biblical mechanism for restoration to fellowship and ensuring the Spirit-filled life necessary for understanding doctrine.

2. Remove Mental Distractions by Applying Doctrine.

1 Peter 5:7 : casting all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you.

This is a command to set aside worries and anxieties that hinder concentration on God's Word.

B. Opening Prayer: Doctrinal Petitions

1. Petition for comfort and peace for an individual (Charlie Kirk) and his family.

2. Claiming a specific promise for a difficult situation.

Romans 8:28 : ...we know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

3. Acknowledgement of the believer's reality:

We live in the Devil's world.

We are engaged in spiritual warfare.

The absolute necessity of Bible doctrine is the solution.

4. Petition for divine enablement in teaching:

For the authority that God's Word deserves.

For grace in the communication of truth.

II. Review: The Faith-Rest Life

A. Transition from a "Drill" to a "Life"

1. The "Faith-Rest Drill" is a methodology for new believers or those new to the concept. Drills are for learning and practice.

2. The ultimate objective is for this drill to become the "Faith-Rest Life"—a constant, moment-by-moment state of being, not merely a reactive tool for crises.

B. The Three Foundational Spiritual Skills

1. These three skills must be mastered before any effective Christian service can be performed.

2. The Skills:

Rebound : The ability to recognize sin and apply 1 John 1:9 .

The Filling of the Spirit: The operational power system for the believer, maintained through rebound.

Executing the Pre-Designed Plan of God: This is synonymous with living the Faith-Rest Life. It is the application phase of doctrine. One can metabolize doctrine but fail at this stage under pressure.

C. The Mechanics of the Faith-Rest Drill (A Three-Step Process)

1. Step 1: Claim a Promise from Scripture.

This is the starting point to stabilize the soul and thinking during a trial.

Primary Example: Romans 8:28.

2. Step 2: Claim a Doctrinal Rationale.

This involves recalling metabolized doctrine to understand why the promise is true.

Example Rationale: The Sovereignty of God.

Exegetical Detail : God is in complete control of history (divine decrees), omniscient, and omnipresent. Nothing can occur in the believer's life unless God either causes it or allows it.

Application: If a need is not being met, there is a divine reason and plan behind it that must be trusted.

3. Step 3: Form Doctrinal Conclusions.

After rationalizing with doctrine, the believer arrives at a settled conclusion of faith and stability.

Biblical Example 1: The Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39. After discussing God's plan, he concludes that nothing can separate the believer from the love of God.

Biblical Example 2: Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

He recalled the doctrine: "My grace is sufficient for thee."

He formed a doctrinal conclusion: "Therefore I will boast even the more so of my weaknesses, for when I am weak, then I am strong." The power of God is perfected (made operational) in human weakness.

D. The Imperative of Doctrinal Knowledge

1. The entire Faith-Rest Life is predicated on knowing God's Word.

2. Without knowledge of promises and doctrinal rationales, it is impossible to live the victorious Christian life.

3. Therefore, the more Bible doctrine a believer metabolizes, the more equipped they are to live the Faith-Rest Life. Consistent intake is non-negotiable.

III. The Arrogance Complex of Sins: A Barrier to Faith-Rest

A. Identifying the Primary Barriers

1. While overt sins (immorality, drunkenness, etc.) are recognized, they are often simpler to deal with (confess and be forgiven).

2. The two most insidious and often-neglected barriers that will remove a believer from God's plan are:

The Arrogance Complex of Sins (Current Topic)

The Emotional Complex of Sins (Future Topic, e.g., worry, anxiety)

3. The purpose of teaching on sin is not condemnation (Romans 8:1) but identification of barriers. All sins have been judged at the Cross.

B. The Unique Danger of the Arrogance Complex

1. Difficulty of Recovery: The longer a believer persists in the arrogance complex, the harder it is to recover. It is much harder to recover from arrogance because it involves dismantling an entire system of compounded sin and false thinking, as opposed to dealing with a single, isolated failure.

2. Self-Perpetuating Nature: The very nature of arrogance (pride, vindictiveness, bitterness) prevents the believer from taking the necessary step for recovery: humble confession. This can lead to "chain sinning."

3. Advanced Stages of Reversionism:

This is the result of habitual, volitional rejection of Bible doctrine over an extended period .

It results in "blackout of the soul" and "scar tissue on the soul."

Note for the congregation: The fact that they are consistently attending Bible class with positive volition is a strong indicator they are not in these advanced stages.

C. The Origin and Definition of Arrogance

1. The Original Sin: Arrogance was the original sin of Satan, marking his fall.

Isaiah 14:12-14 : Details Satan's five "I will" statements, demonstrating the essence of arrogance: his will elevated above God's will.

Ezekiel 28:15-17: Describes Satan's fall.

Exegetical Detail : "Your heart was haughty because of your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor." His fall was a direct result of arrogance stemming from his own attributes.

2. A Working Theological Definition:

Arrogance : Self-importance elevated above the authority of God and His Word. It is the act of elevating the self.

3. The Source: It is the overt manifestation of the "old sin nature" or "the old man." Any action or attitude sourced in "the old man" is, by definition, outside of God's plan.

D. The Anatomy of the Arrogance "Complex"

1. It is called a "complex" because it is not a single sin but spreads like a web, creating a chain reaction of related sins. It is built on a "bunch of rejected doctrines."

2. Key Components of the Complex:

Pride

Self-absorption

Self-justification

Self-deception

3. Distinguishing Arrogance and Pride:

Arrogance is the root sin where self becomes the center of reference, replacing God's Word. It begins with a subtle, inflated self-estimate.

Pride is the specific, overt manifestation of arrogance; the visible fruit. Not all who are arrogant will immediately show overt pride.

4. The Inevitable Result:

Proverbs 16:18 : Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.

E. The Subtle Inception of Arrogance in the Believer's Life

1. Arrogance begins whenever we divorce ourselves from God's plan and begin to focus on our ways, our plans, our wants, and our needs apart from Him.

2. A common manifestation is creating one's own life plan and simply asking for God's approval on it, rather than seeking God's plan from the start.

3. The sin nature is a "secret agent" that the kingdom of darkness uses. No believer should think they are immune to deception. Humility is the only safeguard.

4. Critique of Worldly Philosophy: The phrase "just follow your heart" is among the worst pieces of advice ever given.

Jeremiah 17:9 : The biblical refutation of this philosophy is found here. The "heart" a believer is to follow is the "right lobe" of the soul, which has been saturated with Bible doctrine.

IV. The Chronological Progression of the Arrogance Complex

A. The Two Paths and Their Destinies

1. Following one's own heart (feelings, impulses) leads down a path to destruction.

2. Following God's Word leads to the path God has designed for the believer.

Allusion to Jeremiah 29:11 : God's statement, "I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper you, plans to give you a hope and a future and an expected end."

3. The arrogant believer, however, excuses sin, deceives himself, and becomes blind to the truth.

B. Stage 1: Independence from Grace

1. The believer begins to withdraw from reliance on God's grace and provision.

2. He attempts to live the Christian life by his own human ability, strength, and power.

3. Galatians 3:3

Exegetical Point : Paul's sharp question to the Galatian believers: "Are you so foolish, having begun by the spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

C. Stage 2: Authority Rejection

1. This stage naturally follows the turn toward self-reliance and independence from grace.

2. Rejection of Civil Authority:

Romans 13:1 : "Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."

Exegetical/Contextual Note: This command was given during the time of the Roman Empire, when the government was often unfair and unjust. The principle is not contingent on the quality of the government.

Application (Negative Example): This rejection manifests as "Crusader Arrogance," where believers attempt to "clean up the devil's world" by their own power. This is inflating one's own plan above the plan of God.

3. Rejection of Spiritual Authority:

Hebrews 13:17 : "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they may do this with joy, not groaning, for this would be unhelpful for you."

4. Ultimate Rejection of God's Authority:

This progression culminates in a total rejection of God's authority.

The individual adopts a mindset of "I'm going to do what I want," leading to moral relativism ("I'm going to live my truth").

V. The Cosmic System: Satan's Counter-Plan for the Believer

A. Definition of the Cosmic System

1. The Cosmic System is the pre-designed plan of Satan, the antithesis of the pre-designed plan of God.

2. At any given moment, a believer is either operating within God's plan or, by default, operating within the Cosmic System.

3. When a believer is out of fellowship, they are being influenced by the kingdom of darkness, often subtly.

B. The Two Divisions of the Cosmic System

1. Cosmic 1: The Arrogance Complex of Sins (Preoccupation with Self).

2. Cosmic 2: The Hatred Complex of Sins (Anti-God Orientation).

3. Galatians 5:13 is the scriptural context for these two divergent paths.

C. Cosmic 1: Lascivious Arrogance (License / Antinomianism)

1. Essence: Arrogance and self-orientation. It is self over God.

2. Description: The believer abuses the doctrine of grace and freedom in Christ. People use the facts that their sins are paid for and they have freedom in Christ as an excuse to do whatever they want and disregard God's standards.

3. Theological Term: Antinomianism, which is defined as not practicing what one preaches and using liberty as a license to sin.

4. Manifestations:

Pride, Jealousy, Bitterness, Vindictiveness, Self-pity, Implacability.

The most common expression is sinful license—living for the indulgence of the flesh.

5. Biblical Warning Against License:

Galatians 5:13 : "For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don't turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love."

Exegetical Point: Paul explicitly commands believers not to use their freedom in grace as a justification to indulge and serve the flesh.

6. Biblical Definition of Worldliness (Cosmic 1):

1 John 2:16 : "For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world."

Exegetical Point: These three categories define the Cosmic System. They are not from God the Father. This verse refutes the attitude that grace permits a lifestyle of flaunting sin.

D. Cosmic 2: Aesthetic Arrogance (Legalism / Hatred)

1. Essence: Hatred and an anti-God orientation. It is self against God.

2. Description: The believer becomes like a Pharisee, filled with pride regarding his own spiritual performance, service, and self-righteousness. Hostility towards God, His truth, and those who represent His truth.

3. Biblical Example: The Pharisee from the teaching on propitiation who prayed, "Thank God I'm not like this tax collector over here. I tithe, I do this, I do that."

4. Manifestations:

Legalism, Self-righteousness, Antagonism to grace, Hatred of believers who stand for truth.

5. Biblical Description of Cosmic 2:

1 John 2:9-11 : "The one who says that he is in the light and yet hates his brother or sister is in darkness until now... But the one who hates his brother or sister is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

Exegetical Point: This passage describes a believer who is not unsaved but is functionally blind, walking in darkness, often without realizing their state.

VI. The Hostility of the Flesh and its Consequences

A. The Mindset of the Flesh is Hostile to God

1. Romans 8:7: "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law. Indeed, it cannot."

2. Exegetical Point: This is not about salvation status but about operational reality. It is impossible to please God while operating in the power of the flesh. All human works are "as filthy rags" to God.

B. Consequences of the Arrogance Complex

1. Loss of Faith-Rest: The believer is taken out of the faith-rest life.

2. Opposition from God: The believer sets themselves up in a position where God actively opposes them. The principle is stated: "God gives grace to the humble, but God opposes the proud."

3. Divine Discipline: The ultimate consequence for the unrepentant believer.

C. The Doctrine of Divine Discipline

1. Nature of Discipline: It is not eternal condemnation. It is the action of a loving Father correcting a wayward child. Divine discipline is reserved for believers.

2. The Sin Unto Death:

This is the most extreme form of divine discipline.

It is an act of grace where God removes a believer from time because they have reached a point of no spiritual recovery.

1 Corinthians 11:30 (referenced): The phrase "some even slept" refers to believers dying the sin unto death as a result of their unholy conduct.

3. Unbelievers are not chastised by God, which is why they may appear to prosper while living apart from Him (Galatians 6:7 referenced).

D. A Sobering Warning from Doctrinal Precedent (Pastor R.B. Thiem Jr.)

1. Pastor Thiem noted that individuals who had been consistently taking in doctrine for over 20 years could, in a very short period ("one summer"), completely abandon their faith and "lose it all."

2. The Mechanism of the Fall: They failed to "isolate that sin," which led to a cascade of compromises, culminating in a total departure from their doctrinal foundation.

3. Scriptural Warning: A paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 10:12 is cited as the key principle: "Beware lest you think you're standing tall." This warns that pride and self-confidence are the precursors to a great spiritual fall.

VII. Application, Encouragement, and Future Study

A. Avoiding Dangerous Mentalities

1. Danger 1 (Despair): Do not become hyper-focused on sin to the point of guilt. Sins are forgiven, and fellowship is restorable via 1 John 1:9.

2. Danger 2 (Presumption): Do not pre-plan your repentance, intending to sin with the thought that you will simply confess it later. Make no provision for the flesh; give no foothold to the devil.

B. The Power of Doctrine for Growth

1. The purpose of studying these doctrines is to facilitate spiritual growth.

2. Principle: By consistently taking in Bible doctrine, a believer will grow and change. The person you are today is not the person you will be in six months or a year if you remain faithful to the Word.

3. Personal Testimony: The speaker testifies to his own growth, being able to handle situations that would have caused a complete shutdown years prior. This is evidence of God's work through doctrine.

4. Final Exhortation: God will reveal your growth to you over time. Trust the process. "Just try doctrine and see what happens."

C. Preparation for the Case Study: Saul and the Arrogance Complex

1. Decision to Extend Study: The study on arrogance will be completed next week, followed by the "Emotional Complex."

2. Homework and Preparatory Reading Assignment:

Primary Text for Case Study: 1 Samuel 18 . This chapter will be the central focus for analyzing the arrogance complex in King Saul.

Recommended Contextual Reading: 1 Samuel 15-19.

3. Pedagogical Method: Contextual Summaries

The teacher's method is to create a written summary of surrounding chapters ( 1 Samuel 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 ) to internalize the narrative and save class time.

Exegetical Summary of Context:

1 Samuel 15: Saul's pivotal disobedience.

1 Samuel 16: David's anointing.

1 Samuel 17: David and Goliath.

1 Samuel 18: Saul's jealousy and murderous intent; the entry point for the case study.

D. Closing Prayer

1. A prayer of thanksgiving for the doctrinal teaching on arrogance.

2. A petition for the grace to walk in God's plan and to live for His glory.

3. Gratitude for the privilege of serving the Lord, for the teacher, and for the fellowship of believers.