3. Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is
in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and
in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from
me, ye that work iniquity.
LOST!!!
4. Deuteronomy 29:29
29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our
God: but those things which are revealed
belong unto us and to our children for ever, that
we may do all the words of this law.
HOPE!!!
7. The Cause
Taught doctrines of men (Tit. 1:14)
“Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of
men, that turn from the truth”
Rely on traditions (Mk. 7:9, 13)
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the
commandment of God, that ye may keep your own
tradition. 13 Making the word of God of none effect
through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and
many such like things do ye.
Ignorant of the scriptures (Mt. 22:19)
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not
knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”
8. The Cause
Guided by people who don’t know (Mt.15:14)
“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind
lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
Have never heard the full truth (Acts 19:2)
“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye
believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard
whether there be any Holy Ghost.”
No one ever guided them (Acts 8:30, 31, 35)
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet
Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he
said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he
desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 35 Then
Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and
preached unto him Jesus.
9. The Cause
Have not search the scriptures (Acts 17:11)
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so.”
Deceived by fakery (Acts 8:9, 10)
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same
city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that
himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least
to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Unwilling to accept the truth (Acts 17:22, 23, 32)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of
Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar
with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye
ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 32 And when they heard
of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We
will hear thee again of this matter.
10. The Cause
Taught doctrines of men (Tit. 1:14)
Rely on traditions (Mk. 7:9, 13)
Ignorant of the scriptures (Mt. 22:19; Mt. 21:42)
Guided by people who don’t know (Mt.15:14)
Have never heard the full truth (Acts 19:2)
No one ever guided them (Acts 8:30, 31, 35)
Have not search the scriptures (Acts 17:11)
Deceived by fakery (Acts 8:9, 10)
Unwilling to accept the truth (Acts 17:22, 23, 32)
11. The Cure
God’s part… His Word (Acts 17:11)
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so.”
Man’s part
Remove prejudice and have an open mind
Acts 17:11
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Acts 10:33
“Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that
thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to
hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”
Have a desire to obey (Jn. 7:17)
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
12. Two Specific Examples
Lord’s Supper
Tradition – “Once a quarter”
Written into creed books
What one becomes accustom to
Never studied it… no one ever guided
Acts 20:7
If we ask
(without anything present to confuse),
“When did the N.T. disciples come together
to break The bread?”
13. Two Specific Examples
Baptism’s place in the plan of salvation
People taught to
“Accept Jesus, and Pray the Sinner’s prayer”
Had an “experience” (Bible silent); assumed saved
No one had ever shown them the Bible facts
Did not search the scriptures to verify
Result… never obeyed… LOST!
Confused into thinking saved
Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; I Pet. 3:21
Every example in the book of Acts
Commands… examples of commands being carried out
If you remove the confusion… it could not be plainer