NORTH YORK CHURCH OF CHRIST

Pastor Roger Marcos
June 4, 2017

Delivered at North York Church of Christ

Last Sunday, message was “WHAT TO BRING TO CHURCH” the people says- BRING THE RIGHT SPIRIT, BRING THE RIGHT SUBMISSION, and BRING THE RIGHT SACRIFICE.

To be an honest Question DO YOU THINK ATTENDING CHURCH WORSHIP CAN BE ENJOYABLE AND REWARDING?

As a church don’t forget “OUR MISSION” Why we Exist to: CARE for the Needy, Reach out the lost, sanctify the Believer, and Be the Soul of our Community.

Today, I will speak the way the scriptures speak in such a way and making clear that THE BIBLE STANDARD OF AUTHORITY is enough for wisdom in any angle of life. (In relationship, family, blessing, marriage, church, salvation, and love)

Can Our Standard of Authority be anything other than God and His Word?

To be able to agree in religion, we must have the same rules to follow. If we follow different rules, we will never be able to be united.

Our text: John 12:47-48

And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

He that rejected Me- the word rendered REJECTED occurred only in in John. Luke 7:30, “The Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves”.

It is the truth, the word of God, the gospel, the scriptures that is our standard of authority in religion. It is when we follow the scriptures and the scriptures alone that we please God and are able to receive his blessings.

I. Standard Is Needed In Religion. Which is more important RELIGION OR RELATIONHIP?

What Is A Standard?

“Something set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality” (Merriam-Webster.com)

In order to know what we are doing or following is right we must measure or compare it to the standard.

On the religious worldview, quoting Alan Keyes: “Our rights come from the will of God.”1 President George W. Bush concurs: “We received our rights from God.”2 Newt Gingrich challenges anyone to cite another source for rights: “If you are not endowed by your Creator with certain inalienable rights where do they come from?”3 In other words: If there is no God, there are no rights.

According to religion, there is a God-an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-good being-who is the creator of the universe, the source of all truth, and the maker of moral law. The essence of His moral law is that we must have faith in His existence and goodness and that we must obey His commands without question. That is the general theory. Practicing religion consists specifically in having faith in God and being obedient to His will. Let us take the issue of obedience first.

What is the Standard In Religion? 2 Tim. 3:16-17

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1. ALL - Everything in the Scriptures

2. INSPIRATION- God Breathed

3. PROFITABLE:

• DOCTRINE - tells man what is right
• REPROOF - tells man when he is not right.
• CORRECTION - tells man how to get right
• INSTRUCTION - tells man how to stay right.

4. COMPLETE - do not need anything else..because the Bible is enough.

5. Therefore the Scriptures MUST be the STANDARD of AUTHORITY.

II. What Does this Standard of Authority Provide for Man?

A. John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

IF - Conditional

TRUTH - God’s Word .

John 17:17“Sanctify them by Your Truth. Your Word is Truth.”

FREE - from Sin

1. John 8:34

Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever Commits Sin is a slave of sin.

Sin is a biblical word that means “to miss the Mark”. Sin breaks our close relationship with God. Sin separates us from God and cause us to live our lives outside of His Will.

Isaiah 59:2 LB THE TROUBLE IS YOUR SINS HAVE CUT YOU OFF FROM GOD.

2. Romans 6:17-18- But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

The Scriptures Provide Truth and Freedom from Sin.

B. 2 Peter 1:3- As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.

ALL THINGS - no need of anything else

LIFE AND GODLINESS - to have spiritual life and please God.

The Scriptures Provide ALL of Man’s Needs.

III. What Happens When We let the Bible. (Our Standard for Authority) speak?

A. Far from any Chance of False Teaching & False Hope.

1. The ideas of men leads a person away from truth (Titus 1:14). Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

2. We Ensure We Are following the Right Way (Mt 7:13-14).

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

B. We Follow the True Standard of Authority.

• John 12:48-49 We Follow the True Standard of Authority.
• Those who follow God’s standard are pleasing to Him.

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.

Are WE Following the True Standard that Jesus Says?

Application & Conclusion:

1. With all the ideas today we must follow the right standard of authority.

2. If WE are not living according to God’s standard of authority; Are WE Ready to

Change?