WORD OF GOD VERSUS THE WORD OF MEN
1. We were asked to hold 1 Thess. 2 in readiness and we now want to read the 13th verse – READ.
2. Just like Jesus before him, Paul saw two types of religious beliefs in the world.
3. He knew of “man’s word” (some of which is tradition) and the Word of God.
4. Here he drew a contrast between God’s word and the ideas from human beings.
5. In the first century there were a variety of teachers and philosophers who had human wisdom.
6. In the book of Colossians the apostle referred to those who could “delude with persuasiveness of speech.”
7. “Philosophy of vain deceit” is referred to in Col. 2:8.
8. From ancient times to the present, God’s word has had to compete with ideas from the world.
9. Now the false ideas of men are more widely available than at any time before.
10. Television beams a variety of erroneous views all over the earth.
11. Short wave radio is used to broadcast error.
12. With the Internet, people can say almost anything to virtually anyone with Net access.
IN COMPARING THE WORD OF GOD TO THE IDEAS OF MEN, LOTS OF EXAMPLES COULD BE GIVEN, AND SEVERAL STUDY SESSIONS COULD BE USED TO MAKE CONTRATS BETWEEN THE TWO.
a) We will take only one period to list some differences, and this will be this morning.
b) How does the Word of God (the truth) compare with ideas from men?
2) Perhaps the greatest contrast involves life itself—how we live.
3) People from the world who have an audience often say something like this: “Do what works for you.”
4) In some contexts this advice is good.
5) When it comes to how many hours of rest to get, we do not want to assign a universal figure.
6) Some do well on 3-4 hours of sleep; others require at least 2 times that amount.
7) In other instances “Do what works for you” is applied to our actions and belief system.
a) Many are told to seek out and use a system of belief and ethics that works for them.
b) Jesus didn’t subscribe to this idea.
c) In Jn. 10:9 Jesus said “I am the door.”
d) Jesus used a specific image to convey a specific point.
e) He could have said “I am a door” or “just one of many doors.”
f) Instead of claiming to be one of many ways, Jesus used a definite article: THE door.
g) We use His way and system or we fail.
8) Acts 4:12 speaks of “salvation” and says there is cannot be found unless we go through Christ.
9) There are a lot of people who follow someone who they consider to be a prophet.
10) In the Islamic world, Mohammed is considered to be the greatest of all prophets.
11) Jesus said Mohammed cannot bring us to salvation; we need to use the Lord and only the Lord.
12) I know people who look to meditation for their spiritual needs.
13) Jesus said that way is false. We can’t turn to Budda, Joseph Smith, Mary Baker Eddy, etc.
14) Jesus is the way of truth and any other way but His way is a lie (destructive error).
15) When we look at contrasts between the information from God and man, we also think about the Bible.
16) In the eyes of some, the Bible is not a trustworthy book.
a) We are told (and this is true) that we have no original manuscripts.
b) The Bible was written by some 40 men over a period of many years (this is also true).
c) We are reminded of when how things are transmitted, information is also distorted (we agree).
17) Based upon these three facts it is claimed that we cannot trust the Scriptures.
18) Jesus didn’t believe that. He said God’s word cannot be broken (Jn. 10:35).
19) What did Jesus mean when He spoke of God’s word not being broken (coming apart/unreliable)?
20) Jesus was pointing to the Scriptures.
21) Jesus viewed the Scriptures as being so trustworthy He said God would do what they said.
22) Our Lord spoke of the “law” in Mt. 5:18 and said it would not pass away. The text is reliable.
23) God’s “testimonies” have been “founded forever” (Ps. 119:152).
a) Isa. 40:8 says God’s word “stands forever.”
b) Peter said the same thing in 1 Pet. 1:25 and applied the quotation to New Testament writings.
c) Critics have tried to disprove the accuracy of the Bible but they have all failed.
d) Time and time again God’s word has been proven reliable.
24) Although men have claimed the Scriptures are not trustworthy, the evidence has repeatedly proven them wrong.
IF JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY AND THE BIBLE IS A TRUE BOOK, THEN WE ARE IN A POSITION TO CONCLUDE THAT WHATEVER IN THE BIBLE IS RIGHT AND WHATEVER IS OPPOSED TO IT IS WRONG.
a) Such a conclusion is hated by the world, but this is where the facts lead us.
b) If we look to the inspired word, we have information about creation.
c) Sometimes Christians are asked if they believe that God created the earth.
d) Our answer should be yes because Gen. 1:1 says “in the beginning God created.”
e) In the world we have the word of men (Darwin, Carl Sagan and other prominent unbelievers).
f) They tell us it was not God while the Bible says it was God.
g) We must choose which word we will accept because there is no harmony with the two views.
2) If we listen to the ideas of men, there are many views about death.
3) There are those who believe in no life at all after a person leaves this life.
4) Another theory says people come back (they are reincarnated).
5) Others say there is a place of peace and glory but only a pre-determined number have access.
6) Then we have the idea that says everyone will get to the good life no matter what they did.
7) One religion says we can be a virtual god on our own special planet.
8) Multitudes of ideas are floating around the world.
9) How do we choose a belief?? It saddens me to find men and women making subjective choices.
10) We actually find people who look around at ideas and pick one because they like it.
a) Suppose there is a man with incurable cancer.
b) In spite of all the symptoms, he chooses to believe he is in the peak of health.
c) He denies the problem and deceives himself so he can think pleasant thoughts.
d) Good thoughts will destroy that man; he needs to know and act upon his medical condition.
11) A similar point may be made with religion; we must seek out and accept the truth.
12) It may not be the most attractive belief for us, but we can rejoice in knowing that it is right.
13) Concerning death, we know the truth.
a) All die (Heb. 9:27) unless they are alive when the Lord will return.
b) There will one day be a resurrection (Jn. 5:28-29) and all will be judged (2 Cor. 5:10).
c) After these items each will be be sentenced to heaven or Hell.
d) Heaven offers eternal bliss and Hell offers unending torment.
14) Any other viewpoint is untrue.
15) We can apply our contrast to many aspects of psychology as well.
a) According to the world, man is a process of evolution.
b) Since we have evolved, we should look to this world for answers because this is all there is.
c) God’s word say we were created, and we are to look to heaven for answers.
d) In the world we are told of an important goal: make life as comfortable as we can.
e) This earth is our life and only our life.
f) God’s word says we are strangers and pilgrims; this world is just as testing place.
g) Therapists have been quick to tell man he is his own master.
h) God says we are creatures of the one true God; obey Him or be lost. Repent or perish, Lk. 13:3.
i) When it comes to behavior, we are told to do what we want.
j) God says “conform or be destroyed.”
16) Again and again the Scriptures allow us to present contrasts between truth and error.
a) We certainly see this with modern religious beliefs.
b) In the religious world we are told “baptism is the work of men.”
c) Stated another way, baptism is of human design.
d) Jesus asked people of John’s baptism was “of heaven or men” (Mt. 21:25).
e) People didn’t want to answer that question.
f) Today we should ask Jesus’ question with a slightly different twist.
g) Is the baptism of Christ of heaven (ordained by God) or is it of men?
h) If it is of Christ, it must be done. It is essential. It is of men, it is a worthless tradition.
i) We know it is of Christ because Jesus said do it in Mt. 28:18-20.
j) By having all authority, Christ authorized one baptism.
k) Then Jesus said whoever believes and baptized is saved; those who do not are condemned, Mk. 16:16
l) Saying that baptism is a work of man is false in every way.
m) In the world we find “He that believes and is not baptized shall be saved.”
n) In the Word of God we find “he that believes and is baptized” shall be saved, Mk. 16:16.
17) A number of denominations then take the point a little further.
18) “Repent and be baptized because your sins have been forgiven.”
19) With this believe, people are first considered to be a Christian and are baptized AFTER that.
20) Acts 2:38 says be baptized “for/unto—in order to receive forgiveness of sins.”
21) Stated another way, be baptized first and then you become a Christian.
22) We are told by the world we can have the new birth without baptism.
23) Jesus said in Jn. 3:3, 5 that the new birth comes by water. No baptism, no new birth.
24) God’s word says we are “buried in Christ” in baptism (Rom. 6:4).
25) Religious traditions say sprinkling or pouring is okay.
26) God tells us there is only one body that pleases heaven (Eph. 4:4).
27) In the world we are told nearly any body will do.
28) Most of us have heard someone say “we are saved by faith alone.”
29) Jas. 2:24 says we are not saved by faith alone.
30) Religious people teach divorce for any cause. Jesus said there is only one, Mt. 19:9.
31) A fairly large number of denominations have and approve of woman preachers.
32) God says that in a mixed assembly of men and women, such is not allowed, 1 Tim. 2:12.
33) We find in some cultures women regarded as second class citizens.
34) In the Bible, there is equality, Gen. 1:27; 2:22.
35) Religious titles are commonly accepted in the world.
36) Jesus said they are not to be used, Mt. 23:7-10.
37) Saint and angel worship are found in the world; the Bible says worship God only.
38) Holy water is found in the world but it is unknown in the Scriptures.
39) Priesthoods are found in religions, but in the New Testament all are priests – 1 Pet. 2:9.
40) There are religions that say blow up your enemies and damage those opposed to you.
41) True Christianity says we love all people.
42) Give people what they want in religion is a popular approach to faith.
43) True Christians sing and believe, “give me the Bible, holy message shining.”
44) We take the Scriptures and the Scriptures only.
45) In many religions, “offensive verses” are ignored; true Christianity does not do that.
46) There are lots of choices in religion; Satan would have us believe that we can choose what we want.
47) Jesus has a single door to go through. Have we found and entered through that door.
48) Are we with the body of people on the inside of that door?