What is the measure you use to determine the value of a message like the one you are about to hear?
I mean, how do you evaluate it?
Is the value in a message like this in the speaker’s ability to hold your attention, or to make you laugh, or make you cry, or move you some way emotionally?
It is about being motivated to action?
Let me show you how the Berean Christians evaluated the messages they heard.
“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”- Acts 17:11 (NIV)
Wait just a minute!
Shouldn’t everybody just trust the preacher?
Why wouldn’t you just take everything at face value?
How can a person know if what’s being said is true?
There are so many schools of thought when it comes to evaluating the truth these days.
In our contemporary, pluralistic society, some would have us believe that
truth is simply in the eye of the beholder anyway.
Let the listener decide what’s true.
The mindset of some is to say, I get to decide what’s truth for me.
You get to decide what’s truth for you.
On the other end of the spectrum are those people who have chosen to believe whatever they hear.
They just accept whatever they hear as truth.
After all, the person who said it has a microphone strapped to their head, or they had a book published, or they seem to be the authority on a subject.
We need to be discerning about the messages we hear, as we seek to determine what is true and what is not.
Here is the DANGER:
Sin is DECEPTIVE and Satan is a DECEIVER.
That is one of the primary reasons why it is critically important for Christian people, here in the 21st century, to learn to know the truth.
Mature believers must learn to discern, understand, and apply truth.
With so much noise, and so much information, coming from so many directions, how can we decide which of those voices need to be turned up?
Which of those voices need to be dialed down, and which voices should be dialed out?
How do we untangle all the commentary to be able to know what is right and what is wrong, what is true and what is false?
I would propose that We need a SOURCE for Truth.
The Bereans searched the Scriptures - day by day - to check up on Paul and Silas to see if what they were saying was really true.
Why would they do that?
Weren’t Paul and Silas men of integrity?
Couldn’t these guys be trusted?
Paul and Silas were the good guys.
But here is the problem.
• They were human beings.
• They could make a mistake.
• They might misinterpret things.
• They could mislead their listeners.
And because people are fragile.
• They can be deceived.
• They can be deceptive.
People can lead you astray, either intentionally, or unintentionally.
There is no end to the number of misguided religious leaders who have preached heresy, told lies, started cults, and led people astray spiritually.
I suppose you can choose a person to be your source of truth, but that is a dangerous proposition.
A better idea is to follow the example of the Bereans.
They examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true
I think it is always wise to compare what you hear from me, or anybody else, with what you read in the Word of God.
I know I take this responsibility very seriously, but I’m human.
I do my best to interpret the Bible correctly.
I would never intentionally mislead anyone spiritually.
It is important to be in a place where you have a high level of confidence in the teaching that is being done.
But all of us have a personal responsibility when it comes to learning and applying truth.
In a prayer that is known as the High Priestly prayer, Jesus prayed these words…
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” - John 17:17 (NIV)
The Word of God is to be our Source of Truth.
That is the foundation I have chosen to build my life on.
Not only do we need to know what the Bible says…
We need to do what it says.
You can’t do what it says unless you know what it says.
And you won’t know it unless you read it, study it, memorize it, listen to it, meditate on it, and apply it to your life.
Whenever you find yourself listening to a preacher or teacher who is teaching God's truth, it will never contradict the Word of God.
This message has application for every person who is old enough to know the difference between a truth and a lie.
Jesus followers of all ages need to have a firm grasp and understanding of the truths of God’s Word.
Otherwise, it is so easy to be led astray.
Regardless of age, we all need to be reminded from time to time that…
What’s popular is not always what’s RIGHT.
What’s right is not always what’s POPULAR.
Whenever culture attempts to twist, refine, adapt, or misinterpret the Word of God to accommodate a lifestyle, you will be able to clearly see what is happening.
We need to be able to discern the difference between what is right and wrong.
We need to know the difference between the truth and a lie.
That is difficult to do unless you have a foundation for truth in your life.
Jesus spoke to this in Matthew 22:29.
This Passage has been referred to as The Basic Summary Solution to All of Life’s Problems…
"You do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” - Matthew 22:29b (NIV)
• If you get to know the scriptures.
• And you learn to understand the power of God.
You are well on your way to solving a lot of the problems you will face in life.
The Sadducees had just asked Jesus what marriage would be like in heaven.
Jesus said it was more important to know the scripture and understand God's power than to know what heaven will be like.
In every generation and culture, ideas of eternal life tend to be based on the images and experiences of their present life.
These faulty ideas are often caused by ignorance of God's Word.
We should never try to make up our own ideas about eternity, or heaven, or God by thinking in human terms.
We need to pay attention to what the Bible says about these things.
It is not up to us to decide truth.
Our responsibility is to apply the truth.
Far too often people attempt to conform God’s Word to their chosen lifestyle, rather than allowing their lives to be conformed to the Word of God.
Our goal, as Christians, is to allow our lives to be transformed by the Word of God.
That happens as we study and apply the truth of God’s Word to our daily lives.
What we don’t know can hurt us, especially when it comes to not knowing the truth about God, His Word, and His amazing power to change lives.
It truly is a defining moment in our lives when we come face to face with the Truth that transforms.
Make no mistake about it…
TRUTH changes us - we don’t change the TRUTH.
There have been times in my life when something has happened, or someone has said something, or the Lord brought something to mind.
In those moments we are confronted either by a new truth, or an old truth that is brought front and center in our lives again.
In that moment, you have an opportunity to embrace that truth and allow your life to be changed. OR you can reject the truth and walk away.
When the light of a new truth hits you in the face, you either squint and look away or stand still and allow your eyes to adjust.
This has application in marriage, morality, finances, with kids, business, etc,
And the reason this is so critical is that for every distortion, every deception, and every lie you have ever believed about God, there is a corresponding consequence.
Grab hold of the truth and avoid false teaching, lies, and deception.
Otherwise, you will be prone to falling prey to the false teaching, lies, and deception of our culture. We must hold tightly to Truth.
PERSONAL EXAMPLE:
I recently heard the pastor of one of America’s largest churches make a comment that is absolutely shocking to me.
He was commenting on what the Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:19-21.
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” - Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
This pastor then went on to say, “Some people says…think this means you won't go to heaven. I don't think it means that. I think if it meant you don't go to heaven, he would have said, you don't go to heaven. Let's just be clear, right? That's not what he's talking about. I don't think…some people think it is.”
And then came the most shocking comment of all. He said, “Some people think that if you live continuously in sin you will go to hell for living continuously in sin. I hope they're wrong, but a lot of people think that and believe that.”
First, we must define what sin is.
Sin is a WILLFUL and/or VOLUNTARY transgression of God’s known law.
Sin should not be confused with inescapable shortcomings, faults, failure, mistakes, errors in judgment.
By definition, sin is willful and intentional.
Romans 3:23 tells us that “we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
In over three decades of ministry, I have never met anyone who would argue with that.
We are all in the same boat.
We are all sinners in need of a Savior.
After Paul lists the acts of the sinful nature in Galatians 5, he goes on to issue a warning to the church at Galatia that he had apparently given before…
“I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” - Galatians 5:21b (NIV)
Was this pastor correct in his assumption that people won’t go to hell for living continuously in sin, which means willfully and continually violating God’s law?
I have an opinion, just like he does.
But instead of sharing my opinion, I would rather see how this question is answered in the Bible.
Romans 6:23 reminds us there is a price tag on our sin.
“For the wages of sin is death…” - Romans 6:23a (NIV)
I am thankful that the same verse goes on to tell us…
“…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23b (NIV)
Make no mistake about it, Sin has a CONSEQUENCE.
There are consequences here on this earth and there are eternal consequences to our sin.
Sin has a price tag.
And the good news is that there is a remedy for our sin.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
I do not understand how a Bible-believing follower of Jesus Christ, could ever attempt to justify living a life of continual sin.
And yet I have heard people do it again and again.
Have we forgotten what our sin cost the Son of God?
Sin is why Jesus died!
Jesus didn’t come to save us in our sin, he came to save us from our sin.
“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.” - 1 John 3:9 (NIV)
The Word of God clearly dispels any false notion that, as a Christian, I can continue to sin in word, thought and deed every day without damaging my relationship with God.
Instead, we are to live by the Spirit and when we do, we will bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is evidence of a Spirit-filled life. (see Galatians 5:22-24)
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control.”
Followers of Jesus have crucified the sinful nature.
As a result, we should be possessing more and more of the fruit of the Spirit, in every situation and circumstance of life.
This is the evidence of the Spirit-filled life.
“Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” - Romans 6:12 (NIV)
That makes it sound like you can decide not to let sin rule over you.
Do Christians still sin?
Yes, they do.
But what I hope you understand, they don’t have to.
They may not be sinless, but as a devoted follower of Christ, who is daily being refined in the image of God’s Son, don’t you think it just makes sense that we are sinning less and less, rather than attempting to justify or condone a lifestyle of sin?
We have been called to be imitators of God.
We are called to be holy.
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” - 1 Peter 1:15 (NIV)
The God who MADE you can also ENABLE you to live the life He has called you to live.
If your faith is in a God that is NOT strong enough to change you,
can you really be confident He is strong enough to save you?
“Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” - Romans 6:13-14 (NIV)
In Ephesians 3:20, Paul refers to God as the One who is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”
I can just imagine that the God who is powerful enough to create this world is also strong enough to empower you and me to live a life of holiness, and obedience to His Word.
Jesus said it himself…
"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” - John 8:34-36 (NIV)
Do you remember what Jesus told the woman caught in the act of adultery?
He said, "Go now and leave your life of sin." (John 8:11)
Do you think Jesus would tell this woman to do something that is not possible?
When you are in Christ, sin is no longer your master.
You have a new Master. His name is Jesus.
He came to save us from our sin, not save us in our sin.
Don’t settle for living a life of continual sin, and certainly don’t give in to the false assumption that you can do so and still make heaven your home.
That is false doctrine according to the Truth found in the Word of God.
Sin is what separated us from God in the first place.
Sin is a universal problem.
"There is no one righteous, not even one…” - Romans 3:10 (NIV)
On our own, there is not one righteous person among us.
But the good news of the gospel is that you don’t have to continue in your sin.
“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin.” - 1 John 5:18a (NIV)
Something gets DAMAGED every time I SIN.
Every time I SIN, something is DAMAGED– either me, another person, my relationship with God, the world, etc.
That’s why God doesn’t want us to do it.
Why would we want to settle for anything less than His best?
• Sin is what has this world so messed up.
• Sin is what sent Jesus to the cross.
• God will not coexist with sin.
• It is the antithesis to His character.
• God hates sin.
• And we should too.
There is no way God’s people should attempt to justify living in continual sin.
When we do, we have bought the lie, and we are living a life that is inconsistent with the teachings of God’s Word.
That is why we should always follow the example of the Bereans and compare what we hear with the Word of God.
EVERY SCRIPTURE REFERENCED today is on the app and at the bottom of the worship folder.
A Message Application Guide is available too.
INVITATION/RESPONSE
