Sermon Central
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Don't Slip
Contributed by Tom Rhodes on Jun 1, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: Many lose interest once the "new" wears off.
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
1. It is possible to have the word lose importance in our lives.
2. As a teenager I would watch the Top 40 songs. There might be a song in the Top 10 for weeks and eventually would “slip” until it was off the charts. Why? Something new would come along and even though the song was good – it got old.
For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
1. This is the spirit in the world – always looking for something new.
2. What new fad can come along to catch our fancy?
3. The world is easily bored and seeks something new.
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
1. We see the trends going on in this generation and think they are new.
2. Nothing is new under the sun.
3. Tatoos and body piercings are the new rage.
Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
1. Tatoos and body piercings are not new. There was a problem with them during Moses’ day.
2. Should we get a tattoo or do body piercing to be in trend with the world? No – the word is against it.
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
1. There’s that instruction again – don’t slip.
2. We have to hold steadfastly to the things we have been taught.
3. Our roots need to be deep so that we cannot be moved.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
1. Have you ever tried to eat spoiled meat or drink spoiled milk?
2. Here are things that can spoil us or cause us to slip:
3. PHILOSOPHY AND VAIN DECEIT – I signed up for a philosophy class in college. Right off the bat the professor pointed to the black board (which was actually green) and said, “This is green – but maybe not”.
4. There are some who want to question everything – philosophy causes doubt and not faith.
5. TRADITION OF MEN – I was taught years ago in another church that tradition should be held equal with the Bible – that is to justify certain practices or beliefs.
6. Wonder why there are so many denominations? If it is not in the Bible or contrary to the Bible we might have a problem. Many groups are built upon the traditions of men and not the Word.
7. RUDIMENTS OF THE WORLD – ceremonies and practices accepted but are not based on Christ.
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
1. Our hope is based on knowing that God’s Word is true.
2. It is our faith and hope which anchors us – we won’t slip or drift as the long as the anchor holds fast.
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
1. We need to be strengthened.
2. Hold on to something for a while and you tend to get tired.
