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Luke 6: 46 (NKJV). 46 “ But why do you call Me ‘ Lord, Lord, ’ and not do the things which I say?. Does God Mean What He Says?. Luke 6:46. Does God Mean What He Says?. In the last 50 years or so, there has been a trend in the religious world
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Luke 6:46(NKJV) 46“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
Does God MeanWhat He Says? Luke 6:46
Does God Mean What He Says? • In the last 50 years or so, there has been a trend in the religious world • There used to be many preachers who were considered “hell, fire, and brimstone” preachers • These men taught the gospel with a passion and sense of urgency
Does God Mean What He Says? • Many decided along the way that they didn’t like that kind of preaching • As a result, we see less and less of it • Perhaps that’s why we also are seeing a moral decline • What is popular now is a non-offensive message
Does God Mean What He Says? • These sermons do not convict anyone of sin, they do not “cut to the heart”, nor do they push anyone to change • They are just fluff • Because of this, people do not think that God means what He says in the Bible
New Problem? • Is this a new problem today? • Perhaps this is a problem that has been around for quite a while • Why do people not believe that God means what He says? • Timothy was warned of a time like this (II Tim. 4:2-4)
New Problem? • Paul told Timothy that there would come a time in which men would no longer want to hear the truth • Rather they would desire something that was more pleasant to their ears • They will seek after the things that they want to hear
What’s the Problem? • Again, we ask why? • Who do people seem to no longer think that God means what He says? • Perhaps Peter gives us some insight • Matthew 16:21-23 • Did Peter not understand what Jesus said?
What’s the Problem? • Peter’s problem was that he simply didn’t want to accept what Jesus said as a reality • The problem lied not with understanding it, but with accepting it • Are we willing to accept God’s word, even if it’s not what we want to hear?
Adam & Eve • God created Adam & Eve and placed them in this perfect garden • He had but onerule (Gen. 2:16-17) • So what was the problem? • Did Adam & Eve not understand what God had said?
Adam & Eve • Yes, they understood • Did Adam or Eve believe or accept what God has said? • No, they didn’t • Did God mean what He said? • Yes He did!
Noah & His Generation • In Genesis 6, God saw that the world was so wicked, it grieved Him and made Him feel regret for making man • God decided to destroy everything from the face of the earth • However, Noah found grace in God’s eyes (Gen. 6:5-8)
Noah & His Generation • God told Noah to build an ark to save himself and his family • II Peter 2:5 tells us Noah was a preacher of righteousness • Apparently Noah preached a message of repentance and possible salvation
Noah & His Generation • Did the people of that time not understand what Noah was saying? • Did they not believe or accept what Noah was saying? • Did God mean what He said about flooding the earth and killing all, save Noah and his family?
Lot’sWife • Jesus said in Luke 17:32 simply this… • “Remember Lot’s wife” • In Genesis 19, we see the story of Lot’s wife that Christ referred to • An angel of the Lord told Lot and his family to escape and not lookback, lest they be destroyed (Gen. 19:17)
Lot’s Wife • Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt (v. 26) • Did Lot’s wife understand what the angel of the Lord said to her? Yes! • Did Lot’s wife believe or accept what the angel said? No! • Did God mean what He said? Yes!!
Nadab & Abihu • Nadab and Abihu offered up strange fire to the Lord (Lev. 10:1-2) • God sent out fire and devoured them and they died • Did they not understand God’s commandments regarding this fire? • Everyone else seemed to understand
Nadab & Abihu • Did they not believe God or accept what He said? • Did God mean what He said concerning how He was to be worshipped? • Look at God’s response in v. 3… • What if God had let this slide?
KingSaul • God told King Saul to utterlydestroy Amalek including all men and women, infants and nursing children, ox and sheep, camel and donkeys (I Sam. 15) • Did Saul not understand that command? • Did he accept what God told him, or believe it?
King Saul • Saul simply wanted to do things his way, so he chose not to accept what God said • God took away the throne of Saul and gave it to David and cut off Saul from Himself • Did God mean what He said to Saul?
Uzza • God specifically said in Numbers 4:15 that Israel should touch no holy thing, lest they die • That seems like a pretty straightforward commandment • God also gave specific commandments on how the ark was to be carried (by poles – Ex. 25:10-15)
Uzza • Did God mean what He said in Numbers 4:15? • Did God mean what He said in Exodus 25:10-15? • Uzza understood, as did David, but either didn’t believe or did not accept God’s commandment
What About Today? • We could go on and on with examples • The reason why Moses never entered the Promised Land is because he did not take God seriously • If Naaman wanted to be cured of his leprosy, he had to take God seriously (II Ki. 5)
What About Today? • Does God mean what He says today? • Does He mean what He says about worship in John 4:23-24? • Many in the world base their worship on what is pleasing to men or what brings in the biggest crowds • False worship is possible (Matt. 15:7-8)
What About Today? • Does God mean what He says about our salvation? • “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16) • Most only believe that half of that verse is true
What About Today? • Is that command hard to understand? • Is it rather that people refuse to believe or accept it? • Is God really going to take vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know Him or obey Him? (I Thess. 1:8-9)
What About Today? • It’s not difficult to understand, but it may be difficult to accept • Just because I do not accept it doesn’t make it false • Hebrews 5:8-9 • Does God mean what He says? • Will you accept and believe it?