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BELIEF: SURETY AMIDST CONFUSION
(2)
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
Post-modern thinking is
deeply infiltrating our society.
1.
One of the elements of this
thinking is relativism.
a.
Relativism is a theory that states that knowledge is limited to the
individual.
b.
In the religious world it comes wrapped in the phrase: “You have your beliefs and I have
mine.”
c.
Under the theory of relativism, truth becomes whatever one believes it to
be.
2.
Another tenet of post-modern thinking is tolerance. Each individual’s beliefs are to be
tolerated and no one is to be condemned.
B.
This is the confused state
of the world in which we live.
1.
There do not appear to be
any standards.
2.
Absolutes are viewed as
harsh and intolerant.
C.
However, surety of belief is
exactly what mankind needs in our world.
Fortunately, Christianity provides certainty, security, and absolute
truth.
1.
John
8:32
And ye shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
2.
John
17:17
Sanctity them
through thy truth: thy word is
truth.
3.
Romans
10:17
So then faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
4.
Ephesians
4:5
There is…one
faith.
5.
II Corinthians
5:7
(For we walk by
faith, not by sight).
D.
Two Sundays ago, we began a
lesson entitled: “Belief: Surety Amidst
Confusion.”
1.
We noted that we must first
“produce” a belief.
2.
We much then “personalize”
that belief.
3.
When that is done, we must
“practice” our belief.
E.
Let’s continue this lesson
about belief this morning.
I. WE
MUST PROMOTE OUR BELIEF
A.
Once we have obtained our
belief and are faithfully practicing it, then we must promote
it.
B.
The example of Saul of
Tarsus (Acts 9:20-22).
And straightway
he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that hear him were amazed, and
said, Is not this he which destroyed them which call on his name in Jerusalem,
and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief
priests? But Saul increased
the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at
C.
We, as Saul, should be out
promoting our belief.
1.
Matthew
28:19a
Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations…
2.
Mark
16:15
And he said unto
them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.
3.
Romans
10:14
How shall they
call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of
whom they have not heard? And how
shall they hear without a preacher?
D.
Many of us are not
passionate in this area. Some of us
are fearful to spread our beliefs.
And, some have been convinced that religious beliefs are too personal to
be discussed with others.
E.
Brethren, we have absolute
truth. We have the authoritative
oracles of God. We have that which
is certain and steadfast. Surely,
others have a right to hear the message.
What they do with it is up to them.
II. WE MUST PROTECT
OUR BELIEF
A.
Truth does not have many
friends, but it has a galaxy of enemies.
The Bible gives many warnings about those who stand in opposition to the
truth.
1.
There are those who pervert the gospel (Gal.
1:6-7).
I marvel that ye
are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto
another gospel: which is not
another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of
Christ.
2.
Some exist who are enemies
of the cross of Christ (Phil. 3:18).
For many walk,
of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are
enemies of the cross of Christ.
3.
Some turn the grace of God
into lasciviousness and deny the Lord Jesus Christ (Jude
4).
For there are
certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and
denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
B.
Because there are enemies of
truth in the world, we must be ready to protect it (Phil.
1:17).
But the other of
love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.
1.
This is not a fun
job.
2.
This is not a task that is
looked upon with great respect.
3.
Yet, it is a necessary
job. It is necessary so the truth
of the gospel can continue to have a positive influence and permeate and save
lives (Gal. 2:4-5).
And that because
of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our
liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into
bondage: to whom we gave place by
subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue
with you.
C.
There are many important
truths that need to be protected today.
1.
The necessity of baptism in
the plan of salvation.
2.
The one true church as
oppose to man-made denominations.
3.
The worship of God that
conforms to truth and is in the right spirit.
4.
The proper roles of men and
women in the church and in the home.
5.
The sanctity of the marriage
relationship.
III. WE MUST PERSEVERE IN
OUR BELIEF
A.
Once we have believed and
obeyed the truth, we must continue in our belief every day until
death.
1.
If ye continue
in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed (John
8:31).
2.
…speaking to
them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God (Acts
13:43).
3.
Confirming the
souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith… (Acts
14:22).
4.
Behold therefore
the goodness and severity of God:
on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue
in his goodness; otherwise thou
also shall be cut off (Rom.
11:22).
5.
If ye continue
in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the
gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is
under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister (Col.
1:23).
6.
Take heed unto
thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save
thyself, and them that hear thee (I Tim.
4:16).
7.
But continue
thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of
them thou hast learned them (II Tim.
3:15).
B.
Our belief is not to be on
again, off again. It is not a life
of starting and stopping. It is not
faithful today and unfaithful tomorrow.
C.
Faithfulness is to be
continual in our lives. It is a
day-by-day effort.
1.
We will grow discouraged,
but we keep going.
2.
We will pass through the
fires of tribulation, but we do not give up.
3.
We will be done wrong, but
we keep serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
4.
We will sin, but we repent
and ask forgiveness and keep living a life of holiness.
D.
Mark
13:13
And ye shall be
hated of all men for my name’s sake:
but he that endureth unto the end, the same shall be
saved.
CONCLUSION
A.
Many people, including
members of the church, are drifting in a sea of confusion when it comes to
faith.
1.
They are not certain and
definite in their beliefs.
2.
This shows in their practice
of Christianity.
B.
Christianity is a religion
of definite truth. If we don’t
produce, practice, promote, and persevere therein, we can’t be pleasing to God
(Heb. 11:6).
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, that that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
