Bobby Stafford The Truth Matters         Truth

You May Have Heard A Lie

The Truth Matters

Introduction:

Have any of us here today believed some story we heard or read only to find out later it was a hoax?  Embarrassing, isn’t it?  We need to be careful and check the facts.  The truth matters, doesn’t it?  Recently, in the magazine Think, Phil Sanders listed six common myths that many people in the religious world believe.  One of my own is added (VII).

Body:

I.  Sin Isn’t So Bad

  Multitudes of people today don’t believe God would punish someone for telling lies, embezzling some money, worshipping an idol, practicing homosexuality.  We don’t think these things are all that bad.  But they are deceived.  The Lord says – “. . . The soul who sins shall die.”  Ezekiel 18:4b  Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death”  The Apostle Paul declared this plainly in I Corinthians 6:9-10.  “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived.  Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” NKJV

II.  Just Once Won’t Hurt Me

 No one who takes his first drink of alcohol thinks he will become an alcoholic.  The same with drugs, etc.  The first time may bring pleasure with no short-term consequences.  Second, third, fourth times come very easily.  Then addiction follows.  No one is immune to the influences of evil.  (I Corinthians 15:33) “Do not be deceived:  ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ ” NKJV  The more you are around evil things; the more likely you will be affected.  (Proverbs 6:27-28) “Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?  Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared?” NKJV

III.  Things Are Different Now

 Some claim what was wrong [sinful] in the 1^st Century is not necessarily wrong today.  Cultures are different.  They say homosexuality, adultery, drug use, even women’s role in worship is accepted today.  But note carefully Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19-20. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” NKJV  His Gospel is for all people in all places for all time.

IV.  Everyone’s Doing It 

Regardless of your age, everyone lives with peer pressure.  God has always called His people to a life of distinction – holiness – separation.  Mosaical Period:  Exodus 23:2 “You shall not follow a crowed to do evil. . .”  Gospel Age:  Read Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” NKJV  

The Standard of right is God’s Word, not the majority.  Right is right, even if only one person does it.  Remember the whole world, minus eight, perished in the flood.  Out of all the Israelites over twenty years old, only Joshua and Caleb were spared.  The broad and easy way  still leads to destruction, and always has.

V.  It Doesn’t Matter What You Believe, As Long As You Love Jesus

Multitudes of Israelites died in the wilderness because they believed the wrong report from the spies.  Not just anything has power to set us free.  (John 8:31-32) “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide  in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ ” NKJV  A myth, a lie, not even a half-truth can set us free.  We understand this when we get a prescription filled.  If the pharmacist fills it incorrectly, just believing that it is right won’t help us.  It may even kill us!  Recall Paul’s strong warning in Galatians 1:6-10.  “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.  For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men?  For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” NKJV 

VI.  You Can Be A Good Christian and Not Be A Member of Any Church

 A myth!  Church was in the mind of God in the beginning.  (Ephesians 3:8-11) “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,” NKJV  The church was built by Christ Himself.  (Matthew 16:18) “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” NKJV  The church was purchased with His Own Blood.  (Acts 20:28) “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” NKJV  Acts 2 teaches very clearly that those who are baptized receive forgiveness of sins and are added to the church.  Salvation and membership in the church are inseparable!

VII.  All You Have to Do Is the Minimum

 (Luke 17:7-10) “And which of you having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat?’  But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink?’  Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?  I think not.  So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants.  We have done what was our duty to do.’ ” NKJV  Doing the “minimum” will not be the attitude of those allowed entrance into heaven.  The Parable of Talents (Matthew 25): only the good, faithful servant was rewarded.  Do you honestly think that someone who believes “all you have to do is the minimum” is considered by God to be a good and faithful servant?”

Conclusion:  Do not be deceived!  Make sure what you believe is the truth, not just what you wish to be the truth.

Bobby Stafford 

November 4, 2018