God Said It, I Believe It

God said it, I believe it.

E.g. A few of us scheduled a meeting with the pastor. Had concerns about his preaching. Long hair. The Bible says it. I believe it. That was the answer. So when I hear that statement, I think of that pastor. For him, once he had interpreted the Bible a certain way, that was set in stone.

Im not saying that we can just read the Bible and make it say whatever we want, but I am saying that we should always be willing to have our interpretations questioned.

I’ve always believed that…my parents taught me…my pastor taught me…God said it, I believe it.

But there is good to it as well. If God said it, it is trustworthy and we can believe it.

Imagine the conversation:

So, you’re a Christian. What makes you a Christian? I go to church. So can I. I help out around the church. So can I. What sets us apart? How are Christians different from the rest of the world? Beliefs. But there has to be more that just beliefs. Well, I don’t need to believe like you to go to church and serve.

What makes makes following Christ so radically different? Because it’s not just the things we do, or even the things we profess. It’s a life that is radically changed. When we embrace the truth of God’s word, it will radically transform you.

How is your life radically different? Or do you blend?

We’re going to look at things that God said, that we can believe. Not just for the sake of believing or have certain opinions about God. But because they radically change us.

The passage Marijo focuses on sin - things that God said and we must believe.

eg. Calvin Coolidge - home from church, what was the sermon about? sin. What did he say about it? He’s against it.

Sin: it’s an uncomfortable topic. No one wants to hear what they’ve done wrong, or listen to a preacher instruct them on their behavior.

important : whenever we hear Jesus tell us to stop doing something, or get rid of something, it’s so we can put on something good; get rid of the things that bring us ruin, so we can take on things that give us life; get rid of things that make us and other people miserable, and take on things that give us joy; get rid of things that make a mockery of Christ, and take on things that draw people to Christ.

e.g. parenting: just saying no, punishing bad behaviour is inadequate; teaching good to take place of the bad

That was quite a list of sins - I’m only going to address a few sins - things that God said that we can believe: if we address these sins, we will be radically different, we will be transformed in a way that sets us apart from the world.

First, I want to modify the statement:

God said it, and my life can be transformed.

e.g. speed limit - 1 mph under; not caring about the intent of the law

Not just head, not just actions: a change of the heart that people can’t help but notice. If God says something, it’s not just about changing our opinions, our personal beliefs. Read the news - the world is fed up with opinions.

addressing sin - bridges the gap, turns dreary into joy ful

sin begins in the heart - it’s not a checklist;

God said it, and my broken relationships can be repaired.

adultery - looking as bad as committing?

Matthew 5:24 NIV

leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

God said it, and my broken relationships can be repaired.

Notice there aren’t alot of sermons exhorting the congregation not to kill someone.

Being angry is just as bad as killing someone?

Some people take a verse like this and say, all sins are equal before God. (poor reasoning). Someone who opens fire in a school is just as bad as someone who loses their temper on a playground? Robbing an elderly woman is just as bad as stealing candy from a grocery store?

Correct understanding: I don’t murder anyone, I’m just eternally angry with them. You have violated the spirit of Thou Shalt Not Kill. You haven’t killed anyone, but you haven’t followed the law completely. Your relationships are a mess - but they don’t have to be. Your worship is distracted if you come into the presence of God with anger towards a brother or sister in Christ.

You don’t have to live that way: Jesus says settle it. Don’t sit on the other side of the room so you don’t have to face someone. Don’t have an unhealthy conversation and then just drop it. Don’t offer God distracted worship.

God has said it, and our relationships can be whole.

God said it, and my desires can be God centered.

God said it, and my desires can be God centered.

Matthew 5:30 NIV

And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Psalm 37:4 NIV

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Sermons about lust are even more awkward than sermons about lust. But like murder, there’s more to this than just saying “Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery.” It’s more along the lines of “Thou Shalt Not Covent.”

Cutting off your hand or gouging out your eye seems pretty extreme, but I think it’s safe to say that Jesus is using some theatric license. Do whatever it takes to deal with unhealthy desire. The consequences are painful and deadly.

ex. of something that started with a secret desire and led to the act.

Get rid of the evil desire, so God can replace it with a healthy, God centered desire.

God said it, and my speech can be credible.

Matthew

Matthew 5:37 NIV

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Zephaniah 3:9 NIV

“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

oaths all the time - mortgages, car loans, rental agreements (you seem like a nice guy)

untrustworthy - don’t say anything around her, everyone in Calvert County will know; can’t trust you to do anything;

issue is to not make oaths: your credibility is such that oaths, promises are not necessary

your credibility is such that oaths, promises are not necessary

“I promise” “I swear.” “You can trust me, hey, it’s me.”

7 habits - imagine your funeral - how many are there - what are they saying?

e.g. large funerals - widespread reputation; funeral for someone with a bad reputation - also a challenge

e.g. the Jeffersons (kicked my dog, owed me 20 bucks

God said it, and I can be free from hatred.

God said it, and I can be free from hatred.

Matthew 5:44 NIV

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Eye for an eye. Giving back what the person gave to you. Causing the person the same amount of pain that they caused you.

Innocence Project; exoneration, dna, revisiting

I’ve been using the words “can be.” It can be, because God so. God says you can free from hate, and take on Christ like love.