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Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55:6-11

Internet Inspiration

 

Intro.

1.  The Bible warns us against the wisdom of this world:

  a.  Don’t know God through it, 1 Cor. 1:20-21.

  b.  Wisdom of this age is coming to nothing, 1 Cor. 2:6.

  c.  Foolishness with God, 1 Cor. 3:19-20.

  d.  Fleshly wisdom does not express God’s grace, 2 Cor. 1:12.

2.  Internet spreads worldly wisdom, Jas. 3:14-16.

  -Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram spew it out, 24/7.

3.  Christians read (and may forward) the world’s wisdom, disguised as inspiration and encouragement. Examine, using spiritual discernment, 1 Thess. 5:21-22; Phil. 1:9-11.

4.  Caution: Many of these messages have half-truths (which finally, make them all error).

 

I.  FAITH.

  1.  “Beliefs don’t make you better.”

    a.    Without right beliefs, behavior won’t be better, Matt. 23:25-28.

    b.      Belief and behavior makes us better people, Col. 3:1-5.

  2.      “Fall away...never truly converted.”

    a.    Simon was, Acts 8:12-13, 18-24.

    b.      Galatians who fell had been converted, Gal. 5:1-4.

    c.    Entangled Christians were, 2 Pet. 2:20 (1:4).

 

II.  GOD AND SUFFERING.

  1.      “Everything is God’s plan” (“You are where God wants you to be.”)

    a.    Sin is not God’s plan, Eccl. 7:29.

    b.      Freewill, not fatalism: Sometimes you are where you are from you own choices, and sometimes through no choice of your own, Josh. 24:15 (Ezek. 18:4); Eccl. 9:11-12.

    c.    Plan of redemption in His Son, Eph. 1:4-9; 2:8-9.

    d.      Are to be faithful and obey God in every experience, Rom. 8:28.

  2.      “God will cancel all trouble”

     -No, God promises to help us endure every trouble.

    a.    Jesus, John 12:27 (Matt. 26:39-44).

    b.      Ways of escape, 1 Cor. 10:13.
    c.    Wisdom,
Jas. 1:2-5.

    d.      God’s grace and the power of Christ, 2 Cor. 12:7-10.

  3.      “Pain in life means you need to change.” (Unrighteous judgment)

    a.    Yes, if the pain is the result of one’s sin, Prov. 13:15.

    b.      Of course, we must examine ourselves, 2 Cor. 13:5.

    c.    The premise that pain in your life means you need to change is a non sequitur (does not follow); Unscriptural, Job 1:22; 2:3.

    d.      This was the counsel of Job’s friends! Job 4:7 (22:4-11)

    e.    Jesus, apostles, etc., Heb. 11:35-37; 2 Tim. 3:12.

 

III. PRAYER.

  1.  “God leads by prayer.”

    a.    Jesus leads us by His word, Jno. 10:27; 8:31-32.

    b.      God’s word is the lamp that lights our way, Psa. 119:105.

  2.   “Prayers is listening to God” (Mother Teresa).

    a.    Prayer includes requests, Phil. 4:6.

    b.      “Give us…” Matt. 6:9, 11.

  3.      “Listen for God’s answers.”

    a.    Listen to the word of His Son, Heb. 1:2 (1 Cor. 14:37).

    b.     Pray and obey, Phil. 4:6-9.

 

Conclusion

1.  “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” (Prov. 23:23)

2.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10)

3.  “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” (Jer. 10:23)

 

 

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: May 19, 2017