<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Untitled Document • WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT AUTHORITY IN RELIGION
• A Topic That Never Becomes Obsolete

• Introduction
• What is the greatest problem in religion?
• What separates so many people who say they love God and His Divine Son Jesus?
• We all should know that there is one main problem that causes all the division in the Christian world.
• That problem is the matter of authority.

• Introduction
• If we all played by the same rulebook, we could all come to the same conclusion.
• If we all respected the rulebook, we would be careful to do what it says, and there would be not divisions.
• Someone could probably say “don’t we all believe in the same Bible?
• Most only give lip-service to the Bible.
• Millions are accepting something else as their authority in religion.

• HUMAN REASONING
• Some place HUMAN REASONING above God's written revelation.
• Many say-
• "I know what the Bible teaches, but I just think this would be right."
• "I just know what I feel.“
• “ I believe in my heart.”

• HUMAN REASONING
• Many use this type of reasoning to teach faith-only salvation,
• Instrumental music in the worship,
• Social drinking, etc.
• But the Bible teaches that Human reasoning must not be placed above the written word.
• II Kings 5:9-14 Naaman almost made the "I thought" mistake.

• HUMAN REASONING
• Jeremiah 10:23 "O, Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
• Proverbs 3:5-"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
• There will be those on Judgment day who will reason in their hearts that they are right, only to be condemned.
• Matthew 7:21-23

• THEIR OWN OPINIONS
• Some respect Biblical authority only when it agrees with their OWN OPINIONS.
• We have all seen this type of individual.
• They give hearty amen’s to sermons with which they agree.
• They love to have preachers take a stand against the sins of others.

• THEIR OWN OPINIONS
• They defend the truth-when it is in their own interest.
• A Biblical example- The rich young ruler who came to Jesus. Matthew 19:16-22
• The Pharisees had this problem.
• Matthew 23:23

• SEEMS POPULAR
• Some seek to follow after that which SEEMS POPULAR or will stir NO OPPOSITION.
• Some desire to avoid "controversial issues."
• Worldliness in the church.
• marriage/divorce/remarriage.

• SEEMS POPULAR
• These are just like the Israelites of old.
• Isaiah 30:8-10
• This contrasts sharply with what Paul told Timothy.
• II Timothy 4:1-4
• Don’t rock the boat.

• ADDING TO GOD'S REVEALED TRUTH
• Some see no sin in ADDING TO GOD'S REVEALED TRUTH.
• This is symptomatic of a trend in the church today.
• We have seemed to have lost a respect for the silence of the Scriptures.
• Many think that God will not mind a little adding to his word.

• ADDING TO GOD'S REVEALED TRUTH
• But look at God's attitude toward those who add to His word.
• Cain- Genesis chapter four
• Nadab and Abihu- (Leviticus 10:1-3)
• Uzzah- (I Chronicles 13:7-10)
• II John 7-9

• BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT AUTHORITY IN RELIGION?
• The Bible is to be the final authority in religion.
• Isaiah 8:19,20-
• John 12:48-"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."
• Galatians 1:6-8
• Jude 3

• BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT AUTHORITY IN RELIGION?
• The Bible furnishes us completely.
• Psalm 19:8-"The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."
• I Timothy 3:16
• II Peter 1:3

• BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT AUTHORITY IN RELIGION?
• We are required to preach the whole counsel of God.
• Acts 20:26,27
• II Timothy 4:1-2

• BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT AUTHORITY IN RELIGION?
• We cannot add or take away from the word of God.
• Deuteronomy 4:2
• Deuteronomy 12:32
• Proverbs 30:6
• II John 7-9

• BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT AUTHORITY IN RELIGION?
• We must rightly divide the word of God.
• II Timothy 2:15
• While we honor the Old Testament we must look to the New Testament to learn the will of God.
• Colossians 2:13,14
• Hebrews 9:15-17

• WHY SHOULD WE BE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES?
• The word of God is the only thing on this earth that will last forever.
• Matthew 24:35
• Isaiah 40:8
• I Peter 1:24,25

• WHY SHOULD WE BE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES?
• God's word will judge us on the last day.
• John 12:48-"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."
• Revelation 20:12

• Conclusion
• Men have tried to build on many different foundations in life.
• All proved to be sinking sand.
• The only true answer is to turn to the book given to us by God.
• True happiness only is found in a right relationship with God.
• Now, how is your relationship with God?

By Carey Scott from an outline by Grady Scott

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