Is Anybody Wrong? I. Introduction. II. Is Anybody Wrong?

Transcription

1 Is Anybody Wrong? I. Introduction. A. Religious Pluralism. 1. There is a trend in our country and in the world toward a pluralistic type of society. 2. Definition. a. The acceptance and tolerance of many different religions. b. The idea that no one religion is the exclusive source of truth. c. The ecumenical idea which promotes unity and peace between different religions. d. The promotion of religious tolerance. 3. Some Quotes which explain this idea. a. "Pluralism...holds to one's own faith, and at the same time, engages other faiths in learning about their path and how they want to be understood... Pluralism and dialogue are the means for building bridges and relationships that create harmony and peace on our planet home." M. Basye Holland-Shuey b. "Pluralism is an affirmation of the validity of every religion, and the refusal to choose between them, and the rejection of world evangelism..." John Stott, Anglican theologian. c. "Religious Pluralism is the view that all religions are equally valid as ways to God. Pluralists often refer to the fact that, just as there are many paths up Mt. Fuji, so there are many paths to God. Differences among the religions are superficial; they all lead to the same goal. This is the. epitome of tolerance and relativism." Rick Rood d. "There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God." Baha'u'llah, founder of the Baha'i World Faith B. Nobody's really wrong. 1. Pluralism essentially asserts that no one is really wrong; one religion is as good as another. a. It doesn't really matter what you believe. 2. This morning's lesson. a. We are going to examine one question. b. "Is Anybody Wrong?" 3. What does the Bible have to say about this subject? II. Is Anybody Wrong? A. Are those who believe and teach that there is no God wrong? 1. Atheists. 2. Certainly, most religious people would say yes, they are wrong. 3. But why are they wrong? a. They are not wrong because I say they are wrong. b. They are not wrong because I judge them to be wrong. 4. They are wrong because God, through His word, says they are wrong. a. Psalm 14:1, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" b. Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork." B. Are those who believe in and teach about a god other than the God of the Bible wrong? 1. Hindus, Buddhists, etc.

2 2. Yes, they are. 3. Not because I say they are wrong. a. Not because I judge them to be wrong. 4. But because God, through His word, tells us that they are wrong. a. Isaiah 44:6, "I am the First and the Last; Besides Me there is no God." b. Mark 12:32, "there is one God, and there is no other but He." C. Are those who believe and teach that Jesus is not God wrong? 1. Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses. 2. Yes, they are. 3. Why? Because God says that they are. a. John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." * vs. 14, "and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." a. Matthew 1:23, Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us. c. Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." D. What about those who believe and teach that God has revealed His will outside of the Bible, are they wrong? 1. Catholics, Mormons, Muslims, some denominational churches. 2. Yes, they are wrong. * Not because I say so or judge them to be wrong. 3. But because God says that they are wrong. a. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." b. Galatians 1:8, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed." c. 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away." E. Summary to this Point. 1. It is a fact that the Bible points out that many people in our society are wrong in what they are doing in the name of religion. 2. Many or most people who call themselves Christians will probably agree with me up to this point. 3. But let's consider some more issues. 4. And answer the question, Is anybody wrong? F. What about those who believe and teach that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle in God's eyes, are they wrong? a. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." b. Romans 1:27, "Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due."

3 * Romans 1:32, "who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." G. What about those who believe and teach that a person can divorce and remarry for reasons other than adultery, are they wrong? a. It is not me judging them or saying that they're wrong; God says it Himself. b. Matthew 19:6, "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. c. Matthew 19:9, "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery. d. Matthew 5:32, "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery." H. What about those who believe and teach that a person does not have to be baptized to be saved, are they wrong? a. Mark 16:16, "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." b. Acts 2:38, "Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." c. 1 Peter 3:21, "There is also an antitype which now saves us baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." I. We could go on and on. 1. The point is this: If people are not obeying the word of God, then they are wrong. 2. Plain and simple. 3. The idea that people can act any way that they want to and still be right in the sight of God is ludicrous. a. It is against everything that the Bible stands for. 4. God tells us how to act. a. And when we don't act that way, we are wrong and we must change our lifestyle. III. Judging Others. A. Who are you to judge another? 1. After our discussion so far today, someone will invariably ask the question stated in James 4: "Who are you to judge another?" a. "There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy." 3. James, in that passage, is warning us against usurping the authority of God. a. We must not place ourselves in God's position as Judge. b. In other words, we don't make the rules and we don't determine who's right and who's wrong. 4. But let me say this. a. To state what God has stated is not usurping His position as Judge. b. When God says it is wrong to do something, can we not also say that it is wrong to do that same thing?

4 5. And let me say something else. a. To apply God's laws and make a determination if a certain person is living according to those laws is also Scriptural and commanded. b. God does teach us to make those kinds of judgments. c. When we do this, we are not usurping God's authority as judge, we are merely doing what God has told us to do. B. How do you fulfill these passages without a form of judgment? 1. Galatians 6:1. a. "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." b. Must we not determine whether a man is overtaken in a trespass to fulfill this command? c. How can we restore a person if we have not first judged that the person needs restoring? 2. James 5: a. "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins." b. We have to make a judgment whether someone has wandered from the truth. c. What exactly does that mean? When they are not obeying the truth. We have to make that judgment Corinthians 5:11. a. "But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner not even to eat with such a person." b. How do we determine who to associate with or to eat with? c. Paul is telling us here that we have to make a judgment of a brother's life. * He actually refers to us a judges in the next verse (judges of those inside the church) Thessalonians 3:6. a. "But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us." b. This requires making a judgment. Who is walking disorderly? 5. Turn and read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. a. What kinds of people was Timothy supposed to turn away from? b. A Christian must look at the lives of others and determine whether they are living a godly life. * For the Christian's own personal benefit. (evil influence) * And for the other's benefit as well (save a soul from death). C. Matthew 7: Turn and read. 2. Verse 1 is what people remember and can quote. 3. But what is the point of what Jesus is saying? a. Jesus is condemning the hypocritical judgment of the religious people of the day. b. He illustrates this through the comical picture of the man with the beam in his eye trying to get the speck out of another's eye. 4. For our purposes this morning though, I want you to look carefully at verse five. a. Jesus does not tell us in this passage to not try to remove the speck in our brother's eye. b. He tells us to do it after we have removed the beam from our own eye. c. This harmonizes with Galatians 6:1 and the command given to those who are spiritual. 5. Matthew 7:1 does not mean that you can never say that someone is wrong in what they are doing. 6. Consider Ephesians 5:11. a. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." b. We are supposed to..

5 IV. Conclusion. #1: Don't get involved in sin ourselves. #2: Expose those who are involved in sin. A. Is Anybody Wrong? 1. Yes. 2. Why? a. Because I said so. NO! b. Because I judge them to be wrong? NO! 3. They are wrong when God's word says they are wrong. B. Who is wrong? 1. Those who don't obey God's word. 2. Those who don't have authority from God for their actions. 3. And those who fail to correct and warn those who are doing what is wrong. a. To warn others about their sin is a command just like loving our brother is a command. C. Fred and George. 1. Two brothers. 2. Their mother tells them to go to the store and buy some milk and eggs. 3. She hands a twenty dollar bill to George. 4. They go to the grocery store. a. They get the milk and eggs. b. Then, George decides that he is going to also get some candy. c. Fred knows that they shouldn't do this and that mom will be angry. 5. What should Fred do? a. Fred needs to say something. b. He needs to warn George about the consequences. 6. Who's going to get in trouble? a. If Fred doesn't say anything to George, both will get in trouble. b. But if Fred warns George, and George puts the candy back, neither will get in trouble. c. If Fred warns George, and George ignores him, only George will get in trouble. D. Ezekiel 33: A responsibility to warn. 2. If we don't warn, we're just as guilty as the one who has done the wrong. E. Conclusion. 1. Make sure that we are obeying God's commands. 2. And warn those who are not obeying God's words. F. Thank you for your kind attention.