HOW NOT TO ESTABLISH SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY
TEXT: Deuteronomy 4:1-2
Introduction: The Scriptures are clear in their repeated warnings against adding to or taking from the word of God. Read TEXT.
This same principle is just as true under the New Covenant of Christ as it was under the Old Covenant of Moses. Therefore, it should always be our desire to seek scriptural authority for everything which we do, especially in religion.
Sadly, such clear and restrictive warnings are ignored by those who want to go beyond what is written in terms of the work, organization, teaching, and worship of the Lord’s church.
Introduction Lacking scriptural authority for what they do, such people must become creative in finding excuses to justify their actions.
The aim of this lesson is to look at some of these ways so that we might understand TITLE.
I. Call it a good work
A. Feeding the hungry: Matt. 5:6, Jn. 6:27; Rom. 14:17, 1 Cor. 11:22 & 34
B. Helping people get a secular education: Eph. 4:11-13, 1 Pet. 2:2, 2 Pet. 3:18
C. Only the Scriptures determine what is “good” in God’s eyes: 2 Tim. 3:16-17
II. Do it in the name of “love”
A. Certainly, we must do everything in love: 1 Cor. 16:14
B. But the same apostle also wrote: Col. 3:17
C. “Love” is the reason often given by many religious groups in changing their teaching and practice on unscriptural divorce and remarriage: Matt. 19:9
III. Do it to keep up with changes in culture
A. Church services with entertainment rather than worship: Jn. 4:24
B. Changing morality to include sinful lifestyles: Rom. 1:26-27
C. We simply cannot change God’s message to fit changing culture: Gal. 1:6-10
IV. Question the validity of the Bible
A. Often say Bible is not a book of commandments to be obeyed but a book of “love letters”: Jn. 14:15, 1 Jn. 5:3
B. Rather than adhering strictly to the Scriptures, they let the majority decide what to believe and practice—after all, everyone else is doing it: Matt. 7:13-14
C. What should be the response of those who truly wish to please God?: 2 Tim. 4:1-5
Conclusion: Scripture is important: 2 Tim. 3:16-17
And we have an obligation to obey what it says: Heb. 5:8-9

By Wayne Walker

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