Last night I lay awake thinking of the basics of the faith. The things we no longer teach from the pulpit, we have neglected to disciple, to teach, to feed and allow our folks to grow in the faith because we do not want to sound condescending, or take too much of their time. We come up with earth shaking sermons (our opinion) and cutesy names and forget the very basics that the Christian should be standing on. We no longer build foundations on the Solid Rock, we have houses built on sand.
So what are some of the basics that the world corrupts that Scripture completely refutes?
How about "all religions have some merit and lead to heaven"
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
There is one way to Heaven and one way only./
Or "God wants you healthy, wealthy, and happy"
Joh_15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
This earth, this life doesn't matter. It is the next where we must lay up treasures. The Apostle Paul was not granted healing, nor was Timothy, God does not want all of His people healthy, wealthy, and wise. He wants all His people to use their afflictions, or their riches, or whatever state He has you in to testify of Him. He allows things in our lives that we might have a greater reach, a stronger testimony.
"Christ never said He was God"
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Joh 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Joh 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
Joh 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Christ emphatically states that He is God, this is why they killed Him.
"there is no Hell"
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Jesus taught of Hell, He spoke of it often, if He found it important enough to teach about, how can we not believe, how can we downplay the eternal torment that people will face if You and I do not reach them?
The other thing important here is that Christ didn't phrase this as a parable, no He says the rich man BEING IN HELL, He says the rich man is in Hell. There is a Hell.
"God surely won't condemn the World for He loves them, He died for them"
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
God does not condemn, you make a choice and that choice determines your fate. Not God, not me, YOU. If you decide to not choose, you have made a choice.
"The Bible is wrote by man, therefore not of God"
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
God wrote the Bible through man with the oversight of the Spirit that we might know Him. He is very jealous of His Word and He has made several statements about it.
Rev_22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Mat_5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
" I'm saved and I do not need to do anything more"
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James tells us that if there are no works that this faith will have us to do, no fruit of the Spirit, no outward testimony of the inner faith, then that faith is dead. A dead faith is the same as no faith. If you are saved, if you have Christ in your heart and Life then you can not stay silent. The very Spirit that is in you, will cry out for you to speak out.
"I can live as the world, after all how else will I be able to talk to them? to relate to them?"
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
If you are exactly like the World, if you live like them, talk like them, then why would they need what you claim to have? Why would they need Christ if you are exactly like them? If you can not show them a reason to change then why do they need to change? Talk till your blue in the face if you want, but if your living testimony is nor pure they will not listen.
"I do not need to attend multiple services a week"
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Do not lie to yourself, you need to be in church, for there is the place you should learn, refresh, exhort, fellowship, and strengthen for your walk through this world. If you ate one meal a week your body would wither and die, so shall your Spirit.
If you go to a restaurant and they fail to fully feed you will you go back? Nope. Therefore it is up to the church to provide multiple meals to feed you and it is your responsibility to get to the table. The Christian Life is just that a life, not a hobby or a "when I get the time thing", it is a LIFE.
This is just a few of the lies the world and the carnal Christian will tell. If we do not teach the truths, on a regular basis, then we will have no growth, no congregational witness, and no Foundation on which to build.
This world is looking, searching for something but if we do not teach the basics to our people, the World will never learn the basics, for the church's ambassadors will have no idea of those truths or the scriptures to back them up.
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