Not In Devil's Tale

The “Not” In The Devil’s “Tale”

Introduction: It seems that man is his own worst enemy. Sin is the cause of pain and suffering, it is the stumbling block to man’s spiritual happiness since Genesis 3.1-24. We are not born in a sinful condition nor have we inherited Adam’s sin. But many of us follow in his footsteps by making a choice to sin against our Creator. In the Garden of Eden Satan to the very first lie and it was believed. Satan inserted just one word into what God had said. He inserted the word “not.” The magnitude of this one word can be seen in the Garden. The devil does not care one bit for our well being, John 8.44. Let us consider the “not” in the devil’s “tale.”

I. It Is NOT Necessary to Have Bible Authority

a. Some declare we do not need scriptural authority for our practices.

i. Liberal brethren argued that there is no pattern and proceeded to build gymnasiums, homes, colleges, etc.

ii. They are now fighting among them who desire to practice “no-pattern” toward matters of salvation.

b. Some among us say similar things:

i. Elastic gospel

ii. Positive Mental Attitude

iii. Choirs and solos

iv. Women preachers, elders, deacons

c. Peter said is was necessary to have Biblical authority (1 Peter 4.11)

d. Jesus appealed to scriptures for authority, Matthew 4.1-10

e. The “council” at Jerusalem used authority, Acts 15.

II. He Who Believes and is NOT Baptized Will Be Saved

a. Millions now believe this doctrine. For decades most of the preachers on television and radio have preached this.

b. Peter knew better

i. On Pentecost, Acts 2.37-41

ii. In letter, 1 Peter 3.21

c. Saved from sins, Eph. 1.7

i. Blood of Christ remits sin, Matthew 26.28

ii. Baptism remits sin, Acts 2.38

iii. Contradiction? No, both do. The price of redemption is the blood of Christ. Appropriation is at baptism.

III. There Is NOT Just One Church

a. Many people in denominations hold this view.

i. It is held with the idea of allowing a unity in diversity.

ii. If there is just one church, then many of them are wrong!

b. Jesus built just one church, Matthew 16.18

i. One head, many bodies? Col. 1.18

ii. Those baptized were added to the church, Acts 2.47

c. Some claim the church is not important. Yet Jesus died for the church, Acts 20.28; Ephesians 5.25

IV. There Is NOT Going To Be A Judgment Day

a. The AD 70 doctrine denies a Judgment Day is coming.

i. They claim all Judgment Scriptures refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

b. There are things which are to occur at the Judgment Day that did not happen in 70 AD. Therefore, the Judgment Day must be sometime in the future, 1 Thess. 4.13-18

c. Others claim God is so good and loving that no one will be lost therefore there will be no condemning on the Day of Judgment, Acts 17.30-31.

Conclusion: How do you sever the “not” in the devil’s “tale?” You do it by wielding

the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6.17 (Note: This lesson was taken and adapted from an outline by Terry Sanders)

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