Topical Sermon Index

‘NO, I DON’T BELIEVE THE BIBLE’

Intro.

1. In 1967, Jeffry Haddon sent a questionnaire of 4 questions to 10,000 Protestant ministers. He received 7,444 replies & compiled the results. (Christianity Today, October 13, 1967)

"Do you believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical fact?"

"Do you believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ as a biological miracle?"

"Do you believe in the existence of Satan & of demonic powers?"

"Do you believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, literally?"

Question	Methodist	Episcopal	Presbyterian	Baptist	Lutheran
Resurrection of Christ?	No 51%	No 30%	No 35%	No 33%	No 7%
Virgin Birth of Jesus?	No 60%	No 44%	No 49%	No 44%	No 5%
Existence of Satan?	No 62%	No 37%	No 47%	No 33%	No 9%
Bible: Literal Word of God?	No 82%	No 89%	No 81%	?	No 57%

* REAL PROBLEM: Failure to believe the Bible IS God’s word! - Jno. 17:17; 1 Cor. 14:37.

2. We will consider the truth & the results of rejecting God’s truth.

I. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST - Matt. 28:1-6.

The credibility of Jesus depends upon it - Jno. 2:18-22 (Matt. 27:63); Rom. 1:1-4 (Son of God).
The credibility of God’s power to save us depends on it - 1 Cor. 6:14; Col. 2:12.
The credibility of the gospel depends upon it - 1 Cor. 15:12-20.
Our justification depends upon it - Rom. 4:25; 5:10.
Our hope depends upon it - 1 Cor. 15:19-23; 1 Ths. 4:13-18.

II. THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST - Isa. 7:11-14 (Jer. 31:22).

Prophecy is rejected - Matt. 1:22-23 (Isaiah); Acts 3:22-26.
The Holy Spirit is blasphemed - Lk. 1:34-35 (cf. Mk. 3:28-30).
Jesus was only a man - Matt. 1:23; Jno. 1:1-3, 14; 8:58; Col. 2:9.
God’s redemptive work (due to His love) is rejected - Jno. 3:16; 1 Jno. 4:9-11.

III. THE EXISTENCE OF SATAN & DEMONIC POWERS - 1 Pet. 5:8; Eph. 6:10-16.

Eliminates the reality of evil - Eph. 2:1-3.
Eliminates the reality of sin & temptation - 2 Cor. 2:11; 11:3.
Eliminates the spiritual realm - cf. Job 1:6-8; 2 Cor. 10:3-6.
Eliminates the reality of judgment & eternal punishment of evil - Matt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 20:12-15.
- No heaven, no hell. (cf. John Lennon: "Imagine" - "Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try...no hell below us....")

IV. THE BIBLE IS THE LITERAL WORD OF GOD - 1 Cor. 2:10-13; Matt. 10:19-20; 1 Cor. 14:37.

Eliminates the reality of absolute truth & error - Jno. 17:17; 16:13.
Man is exalted as His own highest authority - Jer. 10:23; Matt. 28:18.
There is no "narrow way" that leads to eternal life - Matt. 7:14; Jno. 14:6.
There is no gospel - 1 Pet. 1:22-25.

Conclusion

1. How one chooses to view the Bible has major consequences!

2. Religious men need to choose whom they will serve! - Josh. 24:15