Sunday, August 25, 2019 pm Problems Index MP3 PP
DOES IT REALLY MATTER
WHAT WE BELIEVE?
One of the problems we face as Christians is the attitude that
it really doesn’t matter what we believe as long as we are sincere.
Recently (Sunday, April 21), we addressed the subject of
ecumenism which basically teaches unity among all who profess belief.
It was part of a series dealing with identifying the darkness
around us. We noted
many problems with that movement.
In my lesson tonight, I would like to approach this from a
different angle. There
are many who believe that as long as one is sincere that it doesn’t
matter what we believe.
There are different degrees to this belief – some teach universalism
(everyone is going to be saved), some teach sincerity regardless of your
worldview (acceptance of sincere Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons,
etc.), and still others believe that as long as we hold on to certain
core beliefs – Belief in the God of the Bible, that the Bible is His
word and that Jesus died and arose for our sins, and perhaps other
elements – you will be saved.
All of them will say to one degree or another – does it really
matter what we believe?
Because we are dealing with problems we face, I would like to
approach this from the standpoint of some examples
in the Bible that show it DOES matter what we believe.
These are designed for the one who accepts the Bible as God’s
word, but reject the need for total obedience.
So
let us consider: If it doesn’t matter what we believe then:
a.
We have here the first
recorded act of worship to God.
b.
From the very beginning,
He has demanded that we do what He tells us to do the way He tells us.
Afterall, this occurs after God rejected Adam and Eve for
disobeying Him.
c.
While not mentioned, it
is implied that God had given instructions about sacrifices to Him.
And He cares whether or not we followed His instructions.
Abel followed and Cain did not.
a.
A point continually
emphasized in the New Testament, and a point of serious resistance as
the church was being established was how the Law of Moses was fulfilled
and replaced by Jesus dying on the cross.
It is the main focus of Galatians, Romans & Hebrews, and
mentioned in many other letters.
b.
Early on Jesus declared
He came to fulfill the Law – Matthew 5:17-18
c.
Hebrews 10:9 explains
that this is why Jesus came to this earth – at least one of the parts of
the process making salvation available to all - to take away the old law
that He might establish the new law.
d.
Colossians 2:14 explains
how He took that law out of the way and nailed it to the cross.
e.
This is WHY it matters
how we use the Old Testament (cf. Romans 15:4)
a.
Consider that while
Jesus was on earth, Jews WERE expected to follow the Law of Moses AS God
directed them.
b.
Many of the Jewish
leaders had added to God’s law by binding where God had not.
Such was the occasion here.
They had criticized the disciples of Jesus for eating without
washing their hands (this was more than a sanitary observation, but a
ritual they had created – cf. Mark 7:1-4).
In rejecting their binding of their traditions, Jesus also notes that
they had taken a simple to understand commandment (Honor your father and
mother – Exodus 20:12) and created loopholes – namely by declaring that
what was received from one’s parents was a gift from God and thus they
were relieved of their duty.
Jesus said, you have made the Law of Meaningless.
He THEN declared that in such things they were worshipping God in
vain, because they were “teaching the commandments of men.”
c.
Again, at that time,
Jews were bound by the Law of Moses.
Jesus said that God had rejected them because they doing what
THEY wanted instead of following His Law.
d.
This makes the point, it
DOES matter what we believe and HOW we do what He commands.
a.
Bear in mind that the
LOM was from God and in effect for a time.
Paul was following that law zealously, INCLUDING following “the
traditions of my fathers.”
Acts 26:4-5 again describes this.
b.
But on the road to
Damascus that all changed – when the Lord appeared to Him.
Acts 26:12-19 finds Paul retelling his conversion to explain why
he CHANGED religions.
Acts 9:18 tells us that in Damascus he obeyed the gospel – was baptized,
cf. Acts 22:16, etc.
c.
We also find in Paul
that sincerity is not enough – Acts 23:1, 1 Timothy 1:12-15, etc.
d.
Though Paul we can see
that it DOES matter what we believe, and there is more to it than mere
sincerity.
a.
Whatever Paul did, he
did it with his all. His
life’s mission was to persuade men to follow God.
AFTER his conversion, that meant following Christ Jesus.
b.
Continually we read of
his efforts to persuade others – Acts 18:13, 19:8, 26, 28:23-24, etc.
c.
He knew there will be a
day of judgment, and WHAT we believe will matter – 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
d.
He sought to convert
Jews by explaining how Jesus fulfilled the LOM, and he tried to convert
Gentiles, often at a serious cost. 2
Corinthians 11:23-28 describes SOME of what he endured, and this was not
the end of his sufferings.
e.
The very things Paul
said and did, and the price he paid, shows that it DOES matter.
a.
As we are introduced to
Cornelius we see that he is a very good man in many ways.
He even believed in and feared God, praying always to Him.
But he was not saved at that time.
b.
Acts 10:3-23 explains
events that result in Peter coming to Cornelius to tell him what he
needed to do to be saved (cf. Acts 11:14).
We then find the sermon of Peter and how Cornelius and his family
are baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 10:47-48, cf. Acts
2:38).
c.
This is a clear example
that it DOES matter what we believe.
All the goodness and sincerity of Cornelius was not enough to
save him, without the blood of Jesus and the grace of God.
a.
In Ephesus, before Paul
arrives there on his 3rd journey, we are introduced to
Apollos. He was an eloquent
man who knew the scriptures.
He was instructed in “the way of the Lord”, which I believe includes a
belief in Jesus. But “he
knew only the baptism of John” and taught it.
Vs. 26 tells us that Aquila and Pricilla took him aside and explained
more accurately the way of God.
IMMEDIATELY, Apollos began teaching correctly.
b.
IF it doesn’t matter
what we believe, as long as we believe certain core teachings, why was
there a need to correct Apollos?
c.
Apollos shows that it
DOES matter, even in the details, what we believe.
He shows that you can do the right thing for the wrong reason,
and you will be WRONG! Cf.
Matthew 7:21-23
VIII.
Why were 12 men baptized
again into Christ? (Acts 19:1-5)
a.
After Apollos is
corrected, we find that he goes to Corinth and continues to truthfully
teach Christ. Meanwhile,
Paul comes to Ephesus where he will stay for a good while.
He meets some disciples and begins to inquire about what they
believe. It becomes clear
that some of what they had been taught was error, including the baptism
of John (could it be that these had been taught by Apollos?).
Paul corrects them and they are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
b.
IF it doesn’t matter
what we believe, why bother correcting them?
c.
The truth is that it
does matter what we believe.
d.
NOTE: As an aside here,
WHY they were baptized matters as well!
Most denominations teach baptism, but for the WRONG reason.
When one learns the truth, what should they do?
According to this example, they should be baptized for the RIGHT
reason – in the name of the Lord Jesus (and for the remission of sins –
Acts 2:38, 22:16, etc.). It
is interesting that the term, “rebaptized” or “baptized again” is not
used. The point being, they
were only baptized ONCE for the right reason.
a.
Why do we find continual
warnings against false teachers - Acts 20:29-31 – the Ephesian
elders were warned to watch for wolves that would devour the flock.
2 Peter 2:1-3 warns against false teachers.
Understand that while some false teachers were teaching foreign gods
(e.g. Demetrius in Ephesus), many believed in Jesus but taught error
about Him and/or His law.
b.
Why are we continually
warned against associating with idols
– e.g. false gods and ways.
1 Corinthians 10:14, 20-22, Ephesians 5:11, etc.
c.
Why do we need to vigorously defend our faith?
1 Peter 3:15. Many use the premise of this lesson to dismiss the need to
convince others of their need to repent (change and follow God’s law).
They just don’t’ think it is necessary.
d.
Why are we challenged to
test the teachings of others?
1 John 4:1 – we are called upon to test the spirits whether they come
from God.
e.
Why do the scriptures
emphasize ONE and true unity?
Ephesians 4:4-6, John 17:20-21, Galatians 1:6-9, 1 Corinthians 1:10,
etc. Again, it does
matter what we believe.
f.
Why does it matter HOW we handle the word of God?
2 Timothy 2:15
Many other examples and verses could be added to these, but this is
sufficient to show that it DOES matter what we believe.
Yes, we are living in times of ecumenism, but just because this
is the popular view doesn’t make it right.
In fact, we have shown in this lesson that it DOES matter.
What about you? Are
you willing to accept His will, His way?
Think about it!