Sermon on Living by Faith | “But The Bible Doesn’t Say I Can’t!”
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Sermon on Living By Faith — Shows that the Bible meaning of living by faith defeats the saying, “But the Bible doesn’t say I can’t!” By G. E. Watkins
INTRODUCTION:
1. The Bible doesn’t say I can’t!
1) This seems to be the rallying cry for many.
a. It’s as if this becomes the rock upon which many stand.
b. In truth, this is shifting sand.
2) It’s true that the Bible doesn’t explicitly say “can’t” on many things.
a. Doesn’t explicitly say you can’t add holy dancing to the worship.
b. Doesn’t say explicitly say you can’t preach principles of relaxation along with the Bible.
3) This doctrine of “the Bible doesn’t say I can’t” is one reason the religious world is in the mess it’s in.
a. While calling for unity “Christendom” finds itself more and more fractured every day.
b. This attitude on the Bible is one reason this is so.
c. 1 Cor. 1:10, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
2. The reason we don’t go along with the denominations on this is that the Bible teaches that we must LIVE BY FAITH. Understanding what it means to live by faith:
1) Eliminates division.
2) Provides confidence that God is pleased with what we do.
3. The Bible teaching is found in these passages:
1) Romans 1:17, …the just shall live by faith.
2) Galatians 3:11, …the just shall live by faith.
3) 2 Corinthians 5:7, (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
4) Hebrews 10:38, Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
4. To live by faith is to live as God has directed.
5. Knowing that we must live by faith, our task this hour is to show that “the Bible doesn’t say I can’t” doctrine destroys living by faith.
1) We need this lesson because the denominations dangle their “freedom to do whatever” in front of us.
2) We need this lesson because humans have an inclination to want to do things their own way.
DISCUSSION: [discussion of this sermon on living by faith]
I. Living by Faith Requires a Word From God
1. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. You can’t believe in it, you can’t trust in it without a word from God.
3. This passage reveals the true source of “living by faith.”
4. It is also a commentary on what it means to “walk in the light,” 1 John 1:7.
5. It reveals what is wrong with the “but the Bible doesn’t say I can’t” doctrine.
1) You can’t have instruments in worship because you can’t do it by faith.
2) You can’t have a universal pope in Rome because you can’t do it by faith.
3) You can’t preach to pray the “sinner’s prayer” because you can’t do it by faith.
6. If there’s no word from God, there’s no faith.
II. Living by Faith Illustrated
1. Hebrews 11
1) Noah built an ark, v. 7.
2) Abraham left his home and went to Canaan, vv. 8-10
3) He offered up Isaac, vv. 17-19
4) The walls of Jericho, v. 30
2. These examples and the definition of faith bring us to the conclusion: If God has specified, all else is excluded.
1) God said, “Preach the Word,” “Preach the Gospel,” 2 Tim. 4:2; Mark 16:15.
2) Philosophy, literature, evening news excluded.
III. Living by Faith in What We Say
1. 1 Peter 4:11, If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…
1) Contrast that with “But God doesn’t say we can’t!”
2) Contrast that with “Join the church of your choice.” Acts 2:47; Col. 1:18; Eph. 4:4
3) Contrast that with “But we’re all headed for the same place, just by different paths.”
2. Jude 3, …earnestly contend for the faith…
1) Many “earnestly contend” for their supposed freedom.
2) Here is the test… Matthew 21:25, “from heaven, or of men?”
IV. Living by Faith in What We Do
1. Colossians 3:17, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus”
1) What can you do “in the name of Jesus” and have it be honored by God?
2) Can it be things that the Lord never taught?
2. Deut. 18:22. If it is claimed to be in the name of the Lord and it has not been spoken by the Lord, it is presumptuous.
1) Pray the “sinner’s prayer.”
2) “Send me your seed money.”
3) “Pray the Rosary”
4) “Venerate Mary”
3. 1 Corinthians 4:6, Don’t go beyond what it written.
1) In this case the KJV has the weakest translation of this passage saying “not to think of men above that which is written.” It does, however, give us a clue when it places “of men” in italics noting that these words were added by the translators and not in the original.
2) Starting with the ASV the standard translations have: “…that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written…” ESV, NIV, RSV, NRSV, NASB agree.
3) Deut. 4:2 “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
4) Prov. 30:5-6 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
CONCLUSION: [ending of this sermon on living by faith]
1. At this point, you may be worried because you’ve had the “but God didn’t say we couldn’t” attitude in the past.
2. It’s time to leave that in the past, repent and go forward, resolved to:
1) Live by faith, recognizing that it requires a word from God.
2) Live by faith, in what you say, speaking as the oracles of God.
3) Live by faith in what you do, doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus and not going beyond what is written.
3. If you live by faith you will know that you’ve done what you can to eliminate division
4. If you live by faith you will know that God is pleased with how you live because you will be able to answer the question, “Is it from heaven or is it from men?”