The greatest cause for religious error to date is lack of respect for Bible Authority.  Second to that are people who claim falsely that God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit speaks to them directly. This is untrue, and has cause tremendous confusion in the area of religion. I know of a couple who believe strongly that their religious leaders receive revelation from God, saying things like, “God just spoke to me”. Paul warned of these people who “pervert the gospel”, speaking apart from the word that was originally preach, “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 [b]accursed” (Gal. 1:8).  In this lesson I will reason with you from the scriptures, why people who claim such are deceiving many, and why it is unreasonable to believe that God who by His, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3), who has delivered the faith to the saints, “once for all” (Jude 3), why it is unreasonable to believe people who claim new revelation from Jesus. What would God need to add to a completed message, what is missing? What can man add to the inspired, God breathed word which completes us spiritually (2Tim. 3:16)? Answer, not a thing!

I hope, have a simple lesson on What Causes Division and Error and following up this evening with answer to the question Does God Speak to Man Today Apart from the Bible.  All these lesson are intended to be helpful for us – the church – so we know what commands we must obey, and continually learn how to answer everyone who asks us of the hope that is in us. Now as Paul wrote, if we are to be the Christian that pleases God and Christ we must always to His words. “1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain” (1 Cor. 15:1-2). What causes division and Error? I believe can be narrowed down to just three points — root causes if you will for religious error: Ignorance, which can be either from a lack of interest or study—or from a willfulness to remain in a comfortable state. There are some who are simply liars, for selfish gain, even some who lie to keep others from learning the truth and third is more common which is when people love the world more than God. . .

In that last message we discussed how Christians may be redlining people for various reasons such as differences in income, education, race, even physical appearance. In this message we will consider the fact that Christians will be redlined because of their love of Jesus, and their love for other souls. Being hated for your service in the Lord’s kingdom is far from uncommon, in fact Jesus made it very clear in many of His teachings. “18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. . . ” (John 15:18).  

Jesus gave command, “Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19), and go we must. But for some making disciples can become a stone of offense.

There is a term, “Redlining” was coined in the late 1960s by John McKnight, a sociologist and community activist referred to a practice that began with the National Housing Act of 1934, which established the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Plainly speaking is was a practice of denying, or charging more for, services such as banking, insurance, access to health care, or even supermarkets, or denying jobs to residents in particular geographic areas. The use of blacklists – used by redliners to keep track of groups, areas, and people that the discriminating party felt should be denied business or aid or other support. It refers to the practice of marking a red line on a map to delineate the area where banks would not invest; later the term was applied to discrimination against a particular group of people Blacks, Jews, Indian, Latinos, Asians etc. 

For some Christians, this is a spiritual practice. Not in the sense that Christians draw redlines on maps to delineate areas where they won’t evangelize. But because they “feel” like they can’t talk to someone based on different backgrounds, different cultures, different education, even different skin color can for some be intimidating. Some examples of the you might relate to. You’re a Christian and you have an appointment with your doctor. You feel like talking to him or her about Jesus but you don’t. Why? Because you also feel intimidated, like they are “higher” up the scale than you because of their title, “Dr.”. Another example, you’re out doing door-to-door work and you come across a man who intimidates you because of his apparel and size. That is he is a very large man wearing black leather, tattoos all over, scraggly beard, and a chained wallet, i.e., a motorcycle gang look. So, you again feel intimidated and you pass him by and go to the next house. Many examples like this can be sighted including ones perceived attitude, skin color, and ethnicity. 

For most Christians, this can happen without malice or intent. Many are just intimidated, because they don’t feel like they can reach the person, the feel inadequate for the task. This is true in many areas of life, work, play, and school. But when we, as Christians, don’t speak to others of Jesus because of this, we are sinning, and we are forgetting the command of Christ, and the power of God. Fact is, if you are a Christian, you know what must be done to be reconciled to God, so just say that, and remember that if you don’t you are guilty of allowing your shame to hinder another. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel [a]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). 

Note that this is a two part lesson, here we will open our eyes to the practice of redlining others because we don’t feel capable, and in the second lesson we’ll discuss the opposite where others redline Christians because of their beliefs. 

We are continuing from our last lesson with some things that Jesus will do on the Great Day of the Lord. We know that • Jesus Will Come Again • Bring Those Which Sleep in Him • Raise the Dead • Judge All • Put Down His Rule and • Deliver Up the Kingdom. Knowing these things brings Christians great comfort. 

But there are some in the religious world who teach Jesus will sit on the throne of David literally, which cannot happen. In most of this lesson we’ll search through scripture and reveal truth on this subject so that we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free from all the false doctrines of men. 

Paul wrote, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1Cor. 15:58).  Fact is that we must daily be working in the vineyard of the Lord. Seeking to save lost souls, and teaching God’s word not just to those who have not learned but also to every member of the body. 

Jesus’ work on earth is done and that puts the responsibility to teach God’s word to all who will listen. Teaching truth about Jesus, salvation and worship. Doctrine found in the New Testament is the only pattern we have from God on any subject regarding the church and church membership. Many teach false doctrine and the Lord’s people must be teaching truth. Many teach Jesus will return and set up a literal kingdom, He will not. Many teach that one only needs to be “good” to enter the kingdom of heaven, that is just not so. Some teach that God will save some to heaven and some one a “new earth”, and we know that is a false teaching. 

In these two lessons we will cover some things the church must teach so that false ideas can be removed and the truth will prevail. What will really happen the next time Jesus appears? Let’s see. . . 

Cost of Discipleship Too High – Matt. 8:18-22, 19:22

(1) (vs.18-20), “18 And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. 19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
(2) (vs.21-22) “Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.””
Many people rejected discipleship because of the cost was more than they were willing to pay.
(3) Like the rich young ruler we studied in the first lesson—who also “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matt. 19:22)
All these are exact opposites of the men we studied in Matthew 13 who counted the kingdom of heaven worth more than all they possessed.
Good news is that there are enough examples of men and women willing to pay whatever the cost to gain eternal life—that by them we are encouraged and strengthened. . .

Then in this lesson I like to focus more on examples of people willing to pay any price, people who thought nothing of giving all they possessed to have eternal life—to have Jesus as Lord.

Cost of Discipleship Is Worth It All?  We’ll begin with Paul who was willing to pay all…

Have you ever thought about the direct connection between how much time and effort you put into something and its value?
A brother in Christ, and my best friend Jack owned a Datsun 240 Z. Jack spent a lot of time, a lot of money, and a great deal of effort in keeping that car pristine. Even to the point of stripping the car down to only the body, and having that dipped in acid to remove the paint, then having it repainted so that it looked like new again. I am talking thousands of hours, thousands of dollars, and all to restore a car that he eventually sold because it started to rust again. My beloved brother and friend Jack is gone to his reward now, and I am certain that old car is still here.

In the parable from Matthew 14:44-50 Jesus is really talking about the value men placed on earthly temporary things compared to the value they placed on the spiritual eternal things. For every one of us, this will eventually come down to one question. Do you find Christ and His kingdom to be a priceless treasure to your soul above all? Please study this with me as we expound on what and where our treasure is. . . 

In Mark 12:28-34 A scribe asked Jesus, “Which is the first commandment of all?” (v.28). Jesus answered, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment” (vs.29-30).

What is of interest and the reason for this lesson is the word “first” which both the scribe and Jesus used (v.28, and v.29) and the word “One” that referenced the Lord (vs.29, 32). As for “first”, the NKJV Bible if you look closely, you’ll see the [superscript j and k] next to the word “first” in both verses. • The footnote attributes the word first to foremost • The actual Greek word is [Πρώτη] which carries the meaning first in rank, influence, honor; chief; principal” [Thayer’s]. • Note how most of the other translations translate “first”: NIV; NLT; ESV; BSB; AB; CSB; HCTB; CEV; GNT; ISV; NET Bible all translated it as; “The most important one”
After hearing the Lord’s answer, “the scribe said to Him, Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.to the question” (v.28). The idea that there is only One God, and that the most important “first” command is to love Him with every cell in our body caused me to think of what it really means to make God first, most important in every aspect of our lives, in everything that we say, every decision and everything we do. God just must be our everything.
This all caused me to remember the record of a woman who was commanded to make a cake for the servant of God first, and then for herself and her son. Open your Bibles and turn to 1 Kings chapter 17 and let’s study from verse 8. . .

As you heard read Paul wrote, “3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:3-6).

The one true church belongs to Jesus, He alone is the Head—we are His servants—and whatever we do we do in the name of the Lord. I would imagine that most of us have heard the terms “Liberal and Conservative” concerning the church. What is alarming to me—is that most people in the church don’t understand what the difference is, and not understanding this leads to false assumptions about the church and eventually to false teaching and apostacy. 

Join with me as we study from the scriptures, and seek an answer to this important question about the Lord’s church. Does it matter if it is liberal or concervative?