I Believe the Lord, But... – Lesson Notes

(John 5:46-47)

 

Introduction:

  * Failure to believe Christ not a new problem (John 5:38; 46-47).

   * Words have meaning! Heed the words of Jesus – they will judge us (John 12:48).

   * Majority professes belief in existence of God, but fail to believe/heed what He commands.

  

1. “I believe the Lord, BUT not what He said about building His church.”

   * “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). Man has no authority to build a church!

   * Matt. 4:17 – The kingdom (singular) was at hand for people of that time. Since Acts 2, it’s here now!

   * Matt. 16: Peter identifies Christ/affirms His identity (v. 14-16). Jesus promises ONE church (Mt. 16:18).

   * Paul teaches same thing – 1 church (Eph. 4:4, I Cor. 12:13).

   * Paul condemns division (I Cor. 1:10-13).

   * Jesus prayed for unity (John 17:20-21).

   * Lord’s church is blood-bought (Acts 20:28). Christ is head & will only save His body (Eph. 1:22-23).

  

2. “I believe the Lord, BUT not what He said about men being called by the Gospel.”

   * Lots of folks talk about their “experiences.” Bible knows nothing about one preceding or following baptism.

   * Men are called, but not supernaturally (I Thess. 2:12; I Peter 2:9; II Tim. 1:9).

   * The calling is God’s (Eph. 1:18); ours (Eph. 4:4); a high calling (Phil. 3:13); holy calling (II Tim. 1:9), & a heavenly

      calling (Heb. 3:1).

   * We’re called the same way – through the gospel (II Thess. 2:14).

   * God did call men – Abraham (Heb. 11:8), but such has ended (I Cor. 13:8-10).

   * God no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He wouldn’t talk to one of us but not another.

   * We can resist the Gospel call (Acts 7:51).

   * The Gospel the apostles preached is true and only Gospel (Gal. 1:6-10). People come to Christ through it (Jn 6:44-45).

   * Faith produced by the word of God (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).

   * To be a member of the Lord’s church requires: belief (Heb. 11:6), repentance (Luke 13:3), confession (Rom. 10:9-10),

      baptism (Acts 2:38), & service until death (II Tim. 4:7-8). Gospel is only power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).

 

3. “I believe the Lord, BUT not what He said about the kingdom being first in my life.”

   * Our lives are busy, but His kingdom must come first (Matt. 6:33).

   * We often reverse the proper order of things – secondary things come first, first things come second.

   * Put the kingdom first in attendance, evangelism, growth, service, & care of the brethren (John 13:35).

   * Kingdom must be first in our lives (Matt. 22:37).

   * Spiritual matters must take precedence over worldly matters! Civic meetings, club meetings, sports, voluntary work,

      vacation, company, etc. must give way to serving God! (Heb. 10:25).

 

4. “I believe the Lord, but not what He said about those outside His church being lost.”

   * Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16).

   * Matt. 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth

      the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

   * No Christians in denominations in the 1st century because none existed! No such thing as a denominational Christian.

   * Being “in Christ” and “in the kingdom” mean the same thing (Col. 1:13-14).

   * Salvation is in Christ (II Tim. 2:10). We become “in Christ” through baptism (Rom. 6:3-4).

   * God’s vengeance will be on those who obey not the Gospel (II Thess. 1:8-9).

   * Heb. 10:26-31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

   * God NOT our “Heavenly Grandfather” who won’t punish. Note the goodness and severity of God (Rom. 11:22).

   * God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Can’t happen outside His church.

 

“I believe the Lord, but...” “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:4). Believe in the Lord, but also believe the Lord, He will keep every promise He’s made (II Peter 3:9) – including punishment for the disobedient – but He wants you to be saved. Make your life right today!

  

                                                                                                                                    R.W. McAlister  6/22/08 a.m.