In his book “Evidence That Demands A Verdict,” Josh McDowell sets forth the three alternatives available to man in determining who Jesus really is: He is either the Lord, a Liar, or a Lunatic.

Jesus claimed to be God (John 8:58). He claimed to be equal with God (John 10:30). He claimed to be able to forgive sins (Mark 2:5). He claimed to be the only means of obtaining eternal life (John 14:6). What are we going to do with these claims?

If we believe them to be true, we must accept the fact that Jesus is who He said He was – He is God.

If we reject these claims as being untrue, we have two alternatives regarding Jesus: He either knew these claims were not true, and thus was a liar, or He did not know these claims were untrue, and was Himself deceived.

If He knew His claims were not true, He is worse than a liar – He is a hypocrite, for He taught men to tell the truth, while He lied about who He was. Worse than that – He was evil, for He taught men that He was the only source of eternal life, knowing that He was not, thus condemning “believers” to an eternal Hell. Worse than that – He was a fool, for He eventually died because of His claim to be God, and no one willingly dies for what they know to be a lie.

If He sincerely believed He was God, when in fact He was not – He is a lunatic. It is possible for men to be sincerely mistaken, but Jesus did not “fake” the miracles which backed up His claims. The miracles performed by Jesus were not illusions or “parlor tricks.” Multitudes of people saw Jesus perform different kinds of miracles in which He displayed power over demons, disease, nature, and even death. Jesus was not crazy.

Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). This is the question every one of us must answer. After reading the gospels, we are left with three options regarding the identity of Jesus. He was either a liar, a lunatic, or He is the Lord. The answer to this question will determine our eternal destiny (John 20:30-31). Who do you say that He is?

(Knollwood Reminder, November 9, 2014)

You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

1. Warned against following the teachings of men, Gal. 1:6-11.
2. Man's wisdom promotes denominationalism, 1 Cor. 2:1-5.
3. God's wisdom promotes unity in Christ based on His word, Jno. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:3.

I. WHAT IS A DENOMINATION?

  A. Denomination is a Sect that Results from Division.
  B. The Nature of Denominationalism Shows it is not the NT Church, Gal. 5:20; Eph. 4:4-6.
  C. Attempted Justification from the Scriptures, Jno. 15:1-8.

II. DENOMINATIONALISM... 

  A. Promotes Division, 1 Cor. 1:10-13.
  B. Redefines the Church, Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23-24.
  C. Denies the Value of the Church.
  D. Consents to the Choices of Men Above the Word and Will of God, Jer. 10:23; Prov. 16:25; Isa. 55:8.
  E. Is Built on Subjective Sincerity instead of God’s Absolute Truth, Acts 23:1; 26:9; Jno. 8:31-32.
  F. Ignores the Divine Standard of Unity, God's Word, Jno. 17:17,20-21; Matt. 7:21-23.
  G. Approves Making Laws where God has not Made Them,  Gal. 1: 6-9; Col. 3:17.
  H. Elevates the Human Will above the Lord’s Stated Will. Matt. 16:18; 28:18.

Conclusion
We embrace unity, not division. So, we must refuse denominationalism.

Top

Quoting the Bible
Joe R. Price

It is nothing new; politicians quoting the Bible to promote a policy position. I don't really expect politicians on either side of the aisle to do a good job of referencing the Bible in their effort to rally the folks behind their cause. I get it. So please understand, I am picking on any one politician here. It just so happens that the President recently cited the Scriptures in a way that reminds us once again how important it is to properly handle God's word.

On Tuesday, in a speech advancing his immigration policy, President Obama said, "The good book says don't throw stones at glass houses, or make sure we're looking at the log in our eye before we are pointing out the mote in other folks eyes" (Obama Quotes Nonexistent Bible Verse in Immigration Speech, christianheadlines.com). Jesus did indeed talk about a speck and a beam in Matthew 7:1-5 to warn against hypocritical judgments (not all judgments). As for glass houses, that is a proverb of unknown origin and not in the Bible. Perhaps Mr. Obama meant John 8:7, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first". Of course, Jesus meant real stones and a woman taken in the act of adultery (John 8:4-5).

Here is our point. We must be very careful how we use the Bible. It is God's word, not ours. We cannot assume what it says; we must know what it says. Just as we do not want someone twisting our words for their own advantage (and often your detriment), neither should we think God is pleased when we carelessly misuse His word.

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). To "rightly divide" means to make a straight cut. One commentator notes, "As the farmer, when he cuts crooked furrows, injures his field, so also the minister of the word, who does not rightly deal with it" (Lange, A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, 98).

Here a few reminders to help us use the Bible properly: 1) Honor the Bible as the word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17); 2) Respect the context; 3) Take under consideration all God says on a given subject; and 4) Yield to God's conclusions (do not force your own conclusion into the Bible). 

Top
 

Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  12/15/2014