Three Examples of the Danger of Defying God

Introduction:

How satisfied are you with the Word of God?

Is it enough for you?

Would it be nice if we did something different?

Are you attracted to “new” ideas?

What would it hurt if we just “pushed the boundaries” a little?

We might enjoy church more, what would be wrong with that?

Others might like our church, wouldn’t that be great?

One problem our society has, and our churches must be included, is the problem of simple and normal.

We fall for the deception that observing the existence of other possibilities equates to the irrelevancy of what we know to be right.

Notice how our society makes this leap:

There’s more than one way to define marriage...

There’s more than one way to define a family...

There’s more than one way to go to heaven when you die.

Therefore, what…?

False doctrine challenges God’s exclusive claim to be the source of all genuine authority and truth.

Satan introduced a different way of thinking about the meaning and purpose of God’s command.

He also introduced a different way of looking at the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

If we look at something in a different way, does that change what is true?

Jude has presented the false teachers in a similar fashion.

They are under judgment.

We are involved in a long-standing struggle.

He has referred to their impending judgment at least three times.

What can “pushing the boundaries” hurt?

One offensive thing about the truth is that it doesn’t need us to exist.

This renders us, somewhat, irrelevant to truth’s nature.

Cain: An Example of Jealousy and Defiance Leading to Murder.

Scripture provides us with a rounded view of Cain and what motivated him.

Genesis 4

1 John 3

Hebrews 11

Cain didn’t just murder his brother. It all started with his unwillingness to offer the kind of sacrifice that he knew would please God. This was born in unbelief. Departures from the truth must all be born of a failure to believe the truth to be correct. (Jealousy?)

We all struggle against the impulse to establish our own norms.

This brings us into conflict with God immediately.

Balaam: An Example of Greed and Defiance Leading to Fornication

The Bible is clear on Balaam’s motivations.

Jude likens the false teachers to Balaam with a short turn of phrase.

They have devoted themselves entirely to money.

Balaam’s false teaching led to the corruption of God’s people.

He caused that by seeking money.

Kore: An Example of Defiance Leading to Destruction

Numbers 16.

Notice that Kore and his family claimed that Aaron wasn’t the only possibility for the tabernacles sacerdotal responsibilities.

Notice what became of those who acted against what was true.

Having other possible candidates had nothing to do with what God had said.