WHAT’S AHEAD?
Within each of us is an insatiable curiosity to know the future.
I Timothy 4: 1 - But the Spirit explicitly says that in
later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful
spirits and doctrines of demons,
The explosive growth of cults and other religions is PROPHESIED in the Word of God.
A. SOURCE - Why do we see such an explosive growth?
1. SHIFT away from Christian morals and attitudes to post-Christian.
2. RELATIVE Thinking – The idea that these is no objective absolute truth has captured the imagination of many.
3. ABANDONMENT by some denominations of core Christian teachings: incarnation; redemption; resurrection
Result: People are fleeing “Organized religion.”
B. Searching Statements
Can you give answers to these that allow your Christian faith to shine through?
1. Jesus never said He was the only way for us to get on the right track with God
Check John 14: 6 - Jesus said
to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the
Father but through Me.
2. Jesus was a good teacher who did a lot of good things while He was on earth, but He sinned like the rest of us.
Check out Hebrews 4: 14-16 -Therefore,
since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the
Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high
priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted
in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with
confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace
to help in time of need
3. Spirituality is what is important, Jesus is cool, but if you follow Allah or Buddha with all your heart and are really sincere, then you’ll be alright.
Check out Isaiah 43: 10-11; 44:6
- 10"You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And My
servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand
that I am He Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after
Me. 11"I, even I, am the LORD, And there is
no saviour besides Me.
C. STANDARDS
1. SOURCE of everything – GOD – only 1 true God who is infinite, holy, loving, just and true.
2. SCRIPTURE - the 66 books of the Bible are God’s revelation, perfect and authentic for all spiritual matters.
3. SIN - every person who has ever lived ( except for Jesus) has been born a sinner separated from God.
4. SOLUTION - In His infinite love, God provided the solution to the barrier between Himself and humanity through Jesus, who is our sin bearer and will forgive us the moment we believe.
5. SOLELY on what God has done, not on what we do – Christianity isn’t about people in search of God, but rather God in search of people.
6. SEPARATION from Him or with Him forever. Those who chose to believe in Jesus will enjoy eternity with Him in Heaven. Those who decline will spend eternity in Hell, separated from God.
BOTTOM LINE
* PERSONAL matter – put your trust in Jesus as Saviour and Lord
* PERMANENT matter – there will be no coming back to “try to get it right.”
* PRESSING matter – DON”T BE FOOLED!
DON’T BE INDIFFERENT BECAUSE YOUR FUTURE IS SECURE
NOTES:
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