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Well, It Seems Right To Me!
(Adapted from a sermon by Alex Caldwell)
Introduction:
A.
This is a statement that is used by many people to justify their religious
beliefs.
B.
Well, it seems right to me, and that’s all that matters.
C.
But, can you say truthfully that your religious practices are scriptural?
a.
Prov 14:12; Is 55:8; Jer 10:23
D.
We can’t guide ourselves, we must look to
God for direction in our lives.
E.
God’s way is the right way and the only way that brings salvation.
a.
I Cor 1:18; John 14:6
Examples:
1.
To Eve “it seemed right” that fruit was good to eat. Gen 3
2.
To Cain it “seemed right” that veggies were just as good as
flesh. Gen 4
3.
To Nadab & Abihu it
“seemed right” to offer that strange fire before God. Lev
10:1-2
4.
To King Saul it “seemed right” to spare best of animals to
bring back & sacrifice to God. I Sam 15:22
5.
To Naaman it “seemed right” that
other rivers were just as good as Jordan. II Kings 5:1-13
What seemed right in most of these cases,
brought nothing but tragedy. Why? Because (they) it opposed God’s
will. (Rom 10:1-3) In world today there are many things that “seem
right” to good, honest, religious people but are not.
I. “The
Good Moral Man” Will Be Saved.
a.
No one in right mind would argue that immoral man will be saved.
1.
I Cor 6:9-19
2.
Homosexuals, liars, thieves, fornicators…
3.
Morality is good, but it will not save!
4.
There are a lot of good people in the world.
b. That’s
why Christ came. He died on cross and poured out His blood so we might be
forgiven.
1.
Our morality, no matter how good, could never gain forgiveness (Matt
26:28; Heb 9:22)
2.
If morality was enough, there would have been no need for God to send His
Son to this world!
3.
John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12
4.
All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph 1:3)
5.
Morality without Christ can never offer any spiritual blessing.
6.
Cornelius was good man, but in order to be saved, had to hear & obey
the Gospel (Acts 10:33)
II. “One Church Is As Good As Another”
a.
Most religious people believe this statement because it “seems right”
1.
When you see all the different denominations & sincere people in them,
might be tempted to agree.
2.
But, that idea ignores what Bible says. Matt 16:18
3.
The Lord adds the saved to His church. Acts 2:47
4.
Lord purchased the Church with His own blood. (Acts 20:28; Heb
9:22; Eph 5:25)
5.
The church is His bride. (Eph 5:22-32)
6.
His body. (Eph 1:22-23; Col
1:18)
7.
His Kingdom (Col
1:13-14)
All
of these scriptures show the value of the Lord’s Church.
b. If one
compares churches built by men, he may be right to assume that one is as
good as another.
1.
But, no church built by man can compare with the church which Jesus built.
2.
Denominationalism assumes that Christ’s church is not important.
3.
Division is sinful. (Jn 17:20-21; I
Cor 1:10-13; Eph 4:3-6)
4.
One church is as good as another is nothing but false teaching.
III. “We Are
Saved By Faith Only”
a.
A favorite text of a lot of people is Eph 2:8-9
1.
If we are saved it will be by God’s grace: we do not deserve it, but
God offers us complete forgiveness in Christ.
2.
Now that is grace – Heb 2:9
b. This
must be a working faith
1.
Jas 2:24-26; Gal 5:6; I Pet 4:17)
IV. “You Don’t Have To Be Baptized
To Be Saved.”
a.
Many say, “There is no power in water to save anyone” Naaman
1.
So, baptism has nothing to do with being saved.
2.
Friends, this isn’t true. Listen to Jesus: Mark 16:15-16
3.
Now, where did God put salvation (I Pet 3:21)
4.
Before or after baptism.
b. On
Pentecost (Acts 2:38)
c.
Some claim that we are saved by the blood of Christ, and they think that
nullifies baptism. Don’t need it.
1.
But, Paul tied the two together. (Rom 5:8-10; 6:13; Matt
26:28)
2.
Search the scriptures for yourself (John 5:39)
d. The
apostles forcefully preached that it is only in Christ that anyone can be
saved. (Acts 4:12; Eph 1:3)
1.
Every spiritual blessing is found only “in Christ”
2.
Salvation is found “in Christ” (II Tim 2:10)
3.
All promises of God are “in Christ” (II Cor 1:20)
4.
Forgiveness is “in Christ” (Eph 1:7)
5.
We are children of God “in Christ” (Gal 3:26-28)
e.
But, what does being in Christ have to do with
baptism? Ans: Rom 6:3; Gal 3:26-27
1.
Baptism puts us into Christ
2.
Unless one is baptized into Christ, he is not in Christ
3.
God reveals no other way to enter into Christ. NO OTHER WAY!
V. “We
Don’t Have To Study Daily”
a.
Matt 22:37; John 5:39; Acts 17:11; Eph 5:17; I
Tim 4:13; I Tim 2:15; I Pet 2:2; II Pet 3:18
b. How
can we give an answer for what we believe? (I Pet 3:15; I Thes
5:21)
VI. “We
Should Be Able To Dress How We Want Regardless Of What People Say.”
a.
What does the Bible say?
1.
Matt 5:16; Phil 2:15; I Tim 2:9-10; I Pet 3:16
VII. “Church Attendance
Is Not Important”
a.
Heb 10:25
1.
Bible classes; Worship
b. Bible???
1.
fellowship meals; singing groups
VIII. It “Seems Right” To Some
Brethren To Have The Following Without Scriptural Support
a.
Social Meals – Birthday Socials – Recreation Activities –
Entertainment – Preacher’s Day
b. Supporting Orphan
Homes & Colleges out of the Lord’s Treasury (Book, Chapter,
verse, please?!)
1.
Eph 4:11-16; I Cor 11:17-34; Acts 2:42, 46; Gal
6:10; Jam 1:27
Conclusion:
- There are many things which seem right to man
that are not revealed in the Word of God.
- Please don’t assume something is right
because someone says so, or it “seems right to me”.
- Go to the Word of god for the Answer.
- Search The Scriptures For Yourself!
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