Are you Right Religiously?

We cannot afford to be wrong in religion!!

2+2 = 5

•I’m Sorry, but that’s the wrong answer

We cannot afford to be wrong religiously.

Matt. 7:13-14 Broad Way/Narrow Way

Matt.15:1-9• 1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which

were of Jerusalem, saying,• 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the

elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.• 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye

also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Matt. 15:1-9

• 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.• 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his

mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;• 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free.

Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

• 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

• 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Worship that is Vain…

• Useless…does not serve the right purpose! You• Are wasting your time doing something in Worship• Not authorized by God. • That’s what Jesus said! “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men!”

What doth the Lord Jesus Christ say?Mtt.28:18; Col.3:17; Gal.6:2

• Counting beads (scripture?) Praying to Mary? Cf. John 14:14 “Ask anything in My name (Jesus) “If ye will ask anything in my name, I will do it.”

Eating the Lord’s Supper on Wed.(scripture?)• Acts 20:7 First day of the week

• Keeping the Old Law (scripture?) cf Heb. 10:9 ‘then he said, ‘Behold I have come to do thy will, O God.”He takes away the first that He may establish the second.”• Following the devices and dictates of men.

(scripture?_ • Matt. 15:9

Is it possible for us to be wrong?

Adam and Eve

• Gen. 3:1-6 God said “Don’t do it” • The devil said “Ye shall not Surely die”• They believed the devil! • They were dead wrong!

Moses• Num. 20:8-12 “ Speak to the Rock” v.8• “Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice”• Moses was wrong!• v.12 …’Because you did not believe Me,to hallow• Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore YOU • Shall not bring this congregation into the land which I • Have given them.”•

Peter Matt. 26:69-75• Jesus told Peter what he was going to do. Lk.

22:31-34• Peter said “Lord, I am ready to go with you

both to • Prison and to death.”• Lk. 22:31-.34 Then Jesus said: “I tell you

Peter, the rooster willNot crow this day before you will deny 3 times that you• Know me.” Peter denied the Lord 3 times:

Peter was wrong.

•What would lead us to a • wrong conclusion?

Taking Someone Else’s Word• A favorite preacher, or religious individual that you admire.• Gal.1:8-9• I Thess.5:21 • 2 Tim. 3:16-17• Illustration: Gal. 2:11 Paul withstands Peter to the• Face for Peter was wrong! •

To look into the Bible witha preconceived idea

• Ill. Mr. Foster. Searching the Bible to prove that• he was right and someone else was wrong.• 1. I can marry whomsoever I want to!

Herod was wrong! John the Baptist told Herod…Matt. 14:4 “For• John had said to him, “It is not lawful for

you to have• Her.” cf. Jesus: Matt. 19:9

To read into the Bible what Iwant it to say!

• Someone may say: God loves everybody and gave His Son to die For everyone. All people will be saved, no matter• Who they are and what they have done. John 3:16• Fail to read the next verse: John 3:17 The World,• Through Him, might be saved!. You have to believe• In Him. Obey Him. Heb. 5:8,9 ; John 8:24•

Why do many people come to a wrong conclusion on what the Bible says?

• 1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,• 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the

elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.• 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye

also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

• Many people rely upon preachers. (I Cor. 1:13; ‘is• Christ divided?)• Some go by what their parents say (Heb. 12:1-2)• Some go along with their spouses(Heb.2:9-10)• Some go along with their best friends ..• Numbers 13:31;Matt.15:7-9; Gal.1:6-9

We may be wrong religiously because we have gone

• With “I Think” ; “I want” “I feel” (Acts 26:9; 2 Kings 5)

• It is dangerous for us to look at the Bible with preconceived Ideas:

• 1. We must be honest with the truth and humble!. 2 Kings 5:11 Naaman

• 2. Some allow their pride and ego to blind them to the truth.

• Prov. 14:12; Acts 17:11,12; 2 Tim. 2:15

Sincerity & Honesty Are essential to pleasing God but not enough alone!!!• David – I Chron. 13:15 Did not carry the ark on the

shoulders of the Levites• Paul- Acts 23:1; 24:16 He was sincere and honest…but

WRONG!• Cornelius – Acts 10:34,35 – • When a person closes his eyes to the truth, he/she ceases to

be sincere and honest. Prov. 30:12; Jerm. 10:23; 2 Cor. 13:5

The path to a wrong conclusion

• NOT CONSIDERING ALL OF THE EVIDENCE!• ..The inductive method of Bible study. 2 Tim. 2:15;

3:15; Psalm 119:160• ..Many, sadly, misunderstand the scriptures

SIMPLY because they fail to apply this fundamental rule of reading, study! Matt.4:7; 2 Tim.2:15 • Fuzzy Logic Jerm 4:22; Prov. 14:8; Eph.5:17

Are you tired of God’s simple worship?

• Do you get bored with scripture sermons! Are tired of ‘hell fire, and damnation preaching’?• Do we need more reference to ‘modern day

problems’…• Need classes on ‘fashion designs, being tolerant,

acceptable speech for today..• But in Vain they do worship me….2 Tim.4:2-4

Are you wanting something ratherthan the good ‘ole paths’?

•If you cannot give a thus saith the Lord for what you Do..

then it is not from the Lord!

Why? (Mtt. 7:21-23)

•Col. 3:17 Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name•Of the Lord…• Matt. 28:18 All Authority is His• Col. 1:18 He has all pre-eminence!

We cannot afford to be wrong!

•Have you been baptized? • Mark 16:15-16 • Mtt. 28:18-20

Are you a faithfulchild of God?

•I John 1:9; •Acts 8:22•James 5:16