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Scripture Reading: Psalm 50:16-23

"The God I Know..."

 

Intro.

1.  We are masters of rationalization; of justifying ourselves in our attitudes and actions. Especially is this true when it comes to spiritual topics, cf. Jas. 1:26.

2.  One way we deceive ourselves (and feel good doing it) is to remake God into our own image, Rom. 1:28-32.

  -We say/hear it said: “The God I know...” / “My God...”

3.  The God of the Bible debunks the false hope of the false gods men conjure up in their minds! We had better listen to and obey the word of the true God – not the god we make in our image!

 

I.  “THE GOD I KNOW...”

  A.  “...Wouldn’t Expect Me to be Baptized to be Saved.” (Jno. 3:16)

    1.  "The thief on the cross wasn’t, and he was saved!"

    2.  He was not commanded by Jesus to be baptized...you are!! Lk. 6:46

      -The God of the Bible does! Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-38; 1 Pet. 3:21

 

  B.  “...Would Want Me to Play Instruments to Worship Him.”

      -The God of the Bible said “sing”, Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16.

    1.  How do you know what God “wants” expect in His revealed word?

    2.  Who are you to add to His word? Rev. 22:18-19

    3.  Who are you to define true worship? Jno. 4:23-24

 

  C.  “...Wouldn’t Expect Me to Give Up All the ‘Fun’ Things of Life.”

    1.  Social drinking, gambling, dancing, immodest dress, etc.

    2.  “Fun” by whose definition?! Gal. 5:19-21; Heb. 11:25

      -The God of the Bible does! Col. 3:5-10

 

  D.  “...Wouldn’t Send Good People to Hell.”

      -“All religious people; moral people; kind people...”

    1.  Who is defining “good”? Heb. 13:20-21

    2.  All have sinned and in sin will be lost! Rom. 3:9-12, 23; 6:23

    3.  The God of the Bible sent His Son to save “good people”, too! cf. Mk. 10:17-22; Acts 10:1-6, 22; 11:14-18

 

  E.  “...Will Save Me Even with Sin.” (in spite of my sins)

      -The God of the Bible will not save you in spite of your sins!

    1.  “Continual cleansing” error says grace will save you in spite of your sins – that’s “once saved, always saved”!! Rom. 6:1-2, 15

        -Grace greater than sin does not mean we get to continue in our sin! Tit. 2:11-12

    2.  Minimizes "doctrinal" error, cf. Jno. 7:16-17.

        -Our “doctrine” (teaching) cannot contradict Christ’s and please God! Rom. 6:17-18; 2 Jno. 9-11 (Acts 2:42)

    3.  Concerning going to heaven:

      a.  A prepared place for a prepared people! Jno. 14:1-3

      b.  There will be no sin of any kind in heaven, Rev. 21:27, 7-8.

    4.  Now is the time to repent and get ready for heaven! 2 Cor. 6:2

 

  F.  “...Wouldn’t Expect Me to End My Marriage to be Right with Him.”

      -The God of the Bible does!

    1.  The God of Israel demanded it, Ezra 9:1-2, 13-15; 10:1-4, 10-12.

    2.  Jesus Christ said many marriages are adultery! Matt. 19:9

    3.  Jesus Christ said those who hear (accept) His word will make themselves eunuchs for the sake of their salvation! Matt. 19:10-12

    4.  Who are we to resist God?! (Acts 11:17)

    5.  Repentance demands stopping our sin and its sinful relations!

 

Conclusion

1.  Idolaters (worshipers of false gods) are warned to repent and prepare for judgment, Acts 17:30-31.

2.  “The God you/I know” must be the God of the Bible, or we too are idolaters, trusting a false god to save us!

3.  Surrender your pride, your will and your ways to obey Jesus now and be saved by the true God! Heb. 5:8-9