What Difference What Difference Does It Make?Does It Make?

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Division in the Religious Division in the Religious WorldWorld

• Different beliefs• Different doctrines• Different practices• Different churches

Does it make a difference about any of this?

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Jesus Prayed for Unity in

Truth in John 17

Does It Make Any Does It Make Any Difference What One Difference What One

Believes?Believes?

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I. I. Popular ConceptsPopular Concepts• Faith alone - “Just

believe in the Lord”• “Sincerity is all that

matters”• “Join the church of

your choice”• Good moral people

= Christians• “It does not matter

what you believe”4

II. II. A Barrier To The GospelA Barrier To The Gospel

ItDoesNot

MakeAny

Differ-ence

The gospel can’t get through

• No need to study...• Issues are trivial...• Feel comfortable...• Have a church so...

One ofThe

Devil’s

MostEffective

Tools!

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III. III. It Makes A Difference It Makes A Difference What One BelievesWhat One Believes!!

The popular concept will not work in other areas:

InvestmentsIf you invest in a company

Believing it’s a good investment

Could easily lose all your money!

HealthIf you drink a glass of

liquidBelieving it is water

You will die if it is really poison!

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If One Must Believe If One Must Believe AnythingAnything, , Then It Makes A DifferenceThen It Makes A Difference

• God - Hebrews 11:6• Christ - John 8:21, 24• Truth - John 8:32; Gal.1:6-9

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An Objective Standard An Objective Standard A standard that is based on factual measurements, in the absence of a A standard that is based on factual measurements, in the absence of a

biased judgement or analysis.biased judgement or analysis.

Makes ADifference

What is Believed

FixedStandard

• What is written - 2 Corinthians 4:13• Oracles of God - 1 Peter 4:11• Commandments - 1 Corinthains14:37• Word of God - 1 Thessalonians 2:13• Inspired Scriptures - 2 Timothy 3:16-17• Words chosen by the Holy Spirit - 1 Cor. 2:9-13

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The Difference It The Difference It MakesMakesJohn 8:21, 24

Believes in Christ

Sins Forgiven

Heaven

Does NotBelieve in Christ

Die in Sin

Can’t go to Heaven

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2 Thessalonians 2:10-122 Thessalonians 2:10-12Lie Truth

Deceived - v. 10Not love truth - v. 10

Deluded - v. 11Believe lie - v. 11

Not believe truth - v. 12Pleasure in unright. - v. 12

Perish - v. 10Condemned - v. 12

Love truth - v. 10Believe truth - v. 12

Saved - v. 10

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Believing A LieBelieving A Lie1 Kings 13

Truth:

- Do not eat bread- Do not drink water

- Do not return by the same way

Lie:

“Bring him back to yourhouse, that he may eat bread

and drink water”

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IV. IV. It Makes A Difference It Makes A Difference What One PracticesWhat One PracticesIf Not - Can Do Anything!

Handle Snakes As Worship

Immoral Acts As Worship

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Our PracticeOur PracticeMust BeMust Be

AuthorizedAuthorizedin thein the

Word of GodWord of God

• According to the pattern - Hebrews 8:5• In the name of the Lord - Colossians 3:17• Within the doctrine of Christ - 2 John 9• By the same rule - Philippians 3:16

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The Difference It The Difference It MakesMakes

Our Practice Affects Our:

Fellowship with God2 John 9

Eternal SalvationMatthew 7:22-23

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V. V. ConclusionConclusionIf It Doesn’t

Make Any DifferenceIf It Does

Make A Difference

• Doesn’t matter whether one believes or not.

• Doesn’t make any difference whether one believes the

Bible.

• What Bible says - unimportant

• What God says - unimportant

• I need to know the truth - John 8:32• I need to study & examine

what I am taught- Acts 17:11

• I need to obey the truth- 1 Peter 1:22

• I need to watch my steps - Ephesians 5:15

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