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The Voice of the People …. The Danger : God’s ways and man’s often conflict (Isaiah 55:8,9) The way that seems right to a man may lead to death (Proverbs 16:25) It is not in man to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23)
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The Voice of the People… • The Danger: • God’s ways and man’s often conflict (Isaiah 55:8,9) • The way that seems right to a man may lead to death (Proverbs 16:25) • It is not in man to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23) • Christ—not any other—is head of the church (Ephesians 1:22,23)
The Voice of the People… • Examples… • The people demanded gods (Exodus 32:1-6) • Saul feared the people (1 Samuel 15:9,15,21,24) • Israel demanded a king (1 Samuel 8:1-9) • The people demanded crucifixion (Matthew 27:20-26)
The Voice of the People… • Applications: People today still demand their “molded gods”…leaders still comply! • Relics and images (1 Thessalonians 1:9) • Denominationalism (1 Corinthians 1:10) • Mechanical instruments and entertainment (Colossians 3:16,17) • Recreation to draw people, carnal and social (Romans 1:16)
The Voice of the People… • Applications: • People today still demand to serve God in their own way; their leaders still fear and try to comply. • The demand permissive doctrines.(2 Timothy 4:3,4) • We must worship in spirit and in truth! (John 4:24)
The Voice of the People… • Applications: • People today still demand to serve God their own way; their leaders still fear and try to comply. • God does NOT respect sacrifice in place of obedience. (Jeremiah 7:2,23) • To disobey God is to dishonor God! Worship not commanded is vain and empty, an act of disobedience. (Matthew 15:8,9)
The Voice of the People… • Applications: • People today still demand to be organized in their own way—some gladly comply: • Prophets in Mormonism; Watchtower Society; Pope; Cardinals; Catholic Bishops; Priests; Synods; Councils; Committees; Pastoral System (Jeremiah 5:31; Acts 20:29) • The Lord organized the local church the way He wanted it; let’s leave it alone! (Philippians 1:1)
The Voice of the People… • Applications: • People persecute those who stand for truth…and many leaders provoke such: • Preachers who expose error are often labeled as trouble makers. (1 Kings 18:17,18) • Preachers who rebuke sin are often marked for retribution. (John 5:16-23)
The Voice of the People… • Applications: • People persecute those who stand for truth…and many leaders provoke such: • Sound preaching has never been popular with sinners who want to continue in sin. (Matthew 11:7-20) • What kind of preaching do you desire? Noah? Jeremiah? John the Baptist? Jesus? Stephen? Paul? (2 Timothy 4:2-5)
The Voice of the People… • Conclusion: • People today still demand their “molded gods”… • Many people influence their leaders to be permissive… • Many demand organizations other then the Lord’s… • The people still persecute those who stand for the truth… Many Elders and Preachers Yield
The Voice of the People… • Conclusion: • We can NEVER yield to the pressure to compromise the truth. (2 Timothy 4:2-4) • We can NEVER yield to the pressure to compromise with those who do not want the truth taught. (Acts 4:18-20) • Stand up for Jesus and His word! Many Elders and Preachers Yield to the Pressure