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