Authentic Followers of Christ Actually Follow the Words of Christ.

Have you heard someone say something and wonder, “Really? And where is that in the Bible?" or "Actually, here is where it is in the Bible."

A - The Problem

- Some things He actually did not say . . .

All roads to god / God wants you to be happy / everything will turn out for good / if you’re good enough you’ll get in / follow your heart . . .

- Some things He really did say . . .

Exclusive – Jn 14 / Not peace – but sword – Mat 10 / Defined Gender and marriage and sexuality – Mk 10

Reality of Heaven and Hell / The authenticity of the OT

Reality of some hard teachings – Jn 6 – they left

- But does it and why would it matter?

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

B. Answer and path forward.

Grow in our practice of seeking and submitting to the truth ourselves.

Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.

1 Corinthians 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

- Caution: - Context: “Go and sell all” to rich young ruler in Matt 19?

- Turning into legalistic plan of salvation

C. Part One – “Jesus said you shouldn’t Judge!?” Well, kind of both . . .

Matthew 7:1-6 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

1. What He did not say . . .

Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

John 8:11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (NIV)

2. What He did say . . .

D . How do we execute this?

1. Read the words of Christ

2. Read and Head the words of Christ

3. Know some will not accept

4. Ask – where in Bible . . . and now other “Asks” . . .

A. On Judgement?

Ask - See the whole picture - John 7:24 “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (NIV)

Ask – is this really a sin – Contrary to clear Bible – just cultural

Ask – where am I at in all this . . .Same sin / finding fault / wanting to help

James 5:19-20 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

B. On the series as a whole

1. See the Truth

Ask – who and what am I listening to the most?

2. Live the Truth - First about me – Doing what I know – and is right in front of me

3. Share the Truth - Ephesians 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ

Conclusion

“Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” - Winston Churchill

That is easy and less pain – at first.

But the difference between those who seek and submit to the truth is of inestimable and eternal difference.

Robert Frost - Road Not Taken – Last Stanza

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.