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None of Your Business Introduction:
I have heard it said, “The Bible is often discussed but seldom studied.”
There are many warnings in the Bible about our method and attitude when
studying, 1 Timothy 1.3-4; 4.6-7; Titus
3.9. We are commanded to “rightly divide the word of God” 2 Timothy 2.15 I)
The Principle A)
John 21.15-23 what did Jesus say verses what it was reported that Jesus said. 1.
It was really none of their business what Jesus said to John. 2.
They needed to take care of their own business. B)
Deut. 29.29 the revealed things belong to us 1.
There is a reason those things are revealed. 2.
There is a reason some things are not revealed. 3.
That which is not revealed is God’s business. II)
Illustrations A)
John 8.6-10 what did Jesus write? B)
Acts 1.6-8 when will the kingdom be established? 1.
Acts 2.1-4 God did His part. 2.
It was in God’s time and not man’s. C)
Matthew 18.1-3 who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 1.
Our concern is to be in the kingdom and let God handle the rest. 2.
What will heaven be like? III)
Application A)
When will Christ come again? 1.
We are not told specifically when this will happen, Mark
13.32-37 2.
Be ready and you won’t have to worry about it!
a.
b. Too much time and energy is spent worrying about that which we can do
nothing about. B)
When will I die? 1.
Hebrews 9.27 we will die and our
lives are short, Ps. 90.10 2.
James 4.13-14 we are spiritual beings
in a temporary physical building. 3.
Hezekiah was told to get his house in order,
2 Kings 20.1 4.
If we are ready it won’t matter, 1
Thess. 5.1-6 C)
What is my future? 1.
Fortune tellers, reading the stars, etc. 2.
Sometimes people dwell too much on the future. Ex. Uncle Audie 3.
Matthew 6.25-34 you need to take care
of today and leave tomorrow alone. D)
What about the person in 1.
Can not be concerned about the African before you are a Christian, Hebrews 5.8-9 2.
Matthew 28.18 after you are a
Christian you can then go out a teach others. 3.
You can not teach a person that is dead. I used to practice sermons in the
woods, in a park, and even in a graveyard. I never had a dead person to respond
to the gospel. 4.
We have to let Jesus be the judge, John
5.22 E)
What about the thief on the cross? 1.
None of your business, Mark 16.16; Acts
2.38 2.
New Testament binding after Jesus’ death, Hebrews
9.15-17 3.
If Jesus wanted to grant the thief on the cross eternal life that is OK by me. F)
What about the man who dies on the way to the baptistery? 1.
I have never actually heard of this happening but that does not matter. 2.
The fact is you are still alive and hopefully if you need to be baptized you
won’t get struck by lighting or have a tree branch fall on your head. G)
What about the person who was baptized into a denomination? 1.
All we can do is teach the truth to the living. H)
What about the mature Christian that dies after cursing God? 1.
Will they go to heaven or hell. 2.
If they are alive they must repent, if they are dead they can not repent. I)
What about the young convert that worships in error ? 1.
Lets say a person during a gospel meeting comes forward and is baptized. 2.
They go back home and start worshipping with an instrumental group? 3.
We find this out after they are dead. What can you do? Nothing 4.
You teach them the truth if they are still alive. J)
What about my dead mother/father/love one? 1.
I understand the emotion of such a question. 2.
It is natural to be concerned about your love ones. 3.
However, you can not do a single thing about a love one that is dead. Conclusion:
You business is to obey the Gospel. |