INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS THE GREATEST PROBLEM IN RELIGION? WHAT SEPERATES SO MANY PEOPLE WHO LOVE GOD AND HIS DIVINE SON JESUS? I AM CONVINCED THAT THERE IS ONE MAIN PROBLEM THAT CAUSES ALL THE DIVISION IN THE "CHRISTIAN" WORLD. 

THAT PROBLEM IS THE MATTER OF AUTHORITY. IF WE ALL PLAYED BY THE SAME RULEBOOK WE COULD ALL COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. SOMEONE WOULD PROBABLY SAY, "DON'T WE ALL BELIEVE IN THE SAME BIBLE?" BUT WHILE MOST WOULD GIVE LIPSERVICE TO IT, MILLIONS ARE ACCEPTING SOMETHING ELSE AS THEIR FINAL AUTHORITY IN RELIGION. 

BODY 

I. SOME VIEWS ABOUT AUTHORITY IN RELIGION.

A. Some place HUMAN REASONING above God's written revelation.

1. Many say-

a. "I know what the Bible teaches, but I just think this would be right."

b. "I just know what I feel."

2. Many use this type of reasoning to teach faith-only

salvation, instrumental music in the worship, social

drinking, etc.

3. But the Bible teaches that Human reasoning must not be placed

above the written word.

a. II Kings 5:9-14

1. Naaman almost made the "I thought" mistake.

b. Jeremiah 3:5-"O, Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."

c. Proverbs 3:5-"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

d. There will be those on Judgment day who will reason in their hearts that they are right, only to be condemned.

1. Matthew 7:21-23

B. Some respect Biblical authority only when it agrees with their OWN OPINIONS.

1. We have all seen this type of individual.

a. They give hearty amens to sermons with which they agree.

b. They love to have preachers take a stand against the sins of others.

c. They defend the truth-when it is in their own interest.

2. A Biblical example- The rich young ruler who came to Jesus.

a. Matthew 19:16-22

3. The Pharisees had this problem.

a. Matthew 23:23

C. Some seek to follow after that which SEEMS POPULAR or will stir

NO OPPOSITION.

1. Some desire to avoid "controversial issues."

a. Worldliness in the church.

b. marriage/divorce/remarriage.

2. These are just like the Israelites of old.

a. Isaiah 30:8-10

3. This contrasts sharply with what Paul told Timothy.

a. II Timothy 4:1-4

D. Some see no sin in ADDING TO GOD'S REVEALED TRUTH.

1. This is symptomatic of a trend in the church today.

a. We have seemed to have lost a respect for the silence of the Scriptures.

b. Many think that God will not mind a little adding to his word.

2. But look at God's attitude toward those who add to His word.

a. Cain- Genesis chapter four

b. Nadab and Abihu- (Leviticus 10:1-3)

c. Uzzah- (I Chronicles 13:7-10)

d. II John 7-9

A. The Bible is to be the final authority in religion.

1. Isaiah 8:19,20-

2. John 12:48-"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words,

hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the

same shall judge him in the last day."

3. Galatians 1:6-8

4. Jude 3

B. The Bible furnishes us completely.

1. Psalm 19:8-"The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the

heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

2. I Timothy 3:16

3. II Peter 1:3

C. We are required to preach the whole counsel of God.

1. Acts 20:26,27

2. II Timothy 4:1-2

D. We cannot add or take away from the word of God.

1. Deuteronomy 4:2

2. Deuteronomy 12:32

3. Proverbs 30:6

4. II John 7-9

5. Revelation 22:19,l20

E. We must rightly divide the word of God.

1. II Timothy 2:15

2. While we honor the Old Testament we must look to the New

Testament to learn the will of God.

a. Colossians 2:13,14

b. Hebrews 9:15-17

A. The word of God is the only thing on this earth that will last

forever.

1. Matthew 24:35

2. Isaiah 40:8

3. I Peter 1:24,25

B. God's word will judge us on the last day.

1. John 12:48-"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words,

hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the

same shall judge him in the last day."

2. Revelation 20:12

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